Celibacy (Brahmacharya) - Why Important?

[Guest guest]

This is my humble question. If I do not make sense, please forgive

me. This is for my own understanding and clarification.

 

In all these messages, its written as 'celibacy' being very

important. What I feel is..being celibate is not the point but the

real sannyasi(forever sannyasi) is the one whose inner tranquility

of the mind is at peace irrespective of whether a person is a

bachelor or householder. Its the mental 'CELIBACY' the Bhagavadgita

mentions as per 5th chapter 3 or 4th verse I guess). Its not outside

but internal mental attitude.

 

But still, many people mention about being CELIBATE.

 

Other questions that arise.

1. If doing ur duties is the main karma without desires, then why

many monks and swamijis remain or accept single life (which they

call as sannyasi or bachelorhood). Does it not mean that they did

not want to do their duties of getting married and remained under

bachelorhood. Why did they not get married ? , Let us say, they

chose that life-style, just like householder chose to get married.

So, why the mention of celibate? Is it NOT the mental attitude we

are talking here ?

 

2. For householders, why do the people say..being celibate reaches

you to SUPREME. No..it does not mean that you need to be celibate

at all to reach the supreme. then, why this message?

 

3. If we keep telling the teenage children about being celbate etc

etc..one loses interest thinking..oh..I cannot or I am not

interested in this lifestyle. This is not for me.

 

4. Should should we not stress the point about MENTAL CELIBACY (of

dettachment) which is what is important?

 

Regards.

Bharathi

 

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Sadhak <sadhak_insight wrote:

:Shree Hari:

 

Chaitra Krishna Tritiya, Vikram Samvat 2063, Mangalvar

13th March, 2007, Tuesday

 

Ram Ram

 

Question: What should students do for intellectual and physical

development?

Answer: Meditation on the Supreme develops intellect. Every student

whether he wants to attain worldly or spiritual aim, should meditate

on the Supreme. It has been observed that those who worship God,

chant His name, meditate on Him and perform other spiritual

activities, they do not fail in examinations. The reason is that

these activities develop the mode of goodness which develops the

intellect. Often even if a student devotes less time to studies, it

proves to be fruitful.

 

Dependence on God, specially develops intellect. The reason is that

he who depends on God, follows the right path. So every kind of

thing or person or object or circumstance becomes favorable and

helpful to him. Thus he spontaneously attains his aim. There are

impediments in a person's life, only so long as he does not decide

the aim of his life. But when the destination is decided, there are

no impediments at all.

 

When a student observes celibacy and leads a self controlled life,

he gains knowledge of several subjects, even without study and

effort. He grasps every subject very quickly.

 

Self-control is automatically conducive to good health. Physical

strength that is gained by practicing self-control and eating pure

food, is not gained by leading an unrestrained life and by eating

foods more for taste and relish.

 

Self-control, celibacy, meditation on God and serving elders,

provides pure (Sattvik) strength to the body, mind and heart. By

this sattvik strength, vices (evils) such as lust, anger, greed,

delusion, pride and jealousy automatically subside and virtues such

as patience, equaminity, quietude and happiness etc., are naturally

cultivated. These virtues have a good effect on the gross body and a

student possessing them naturally becomes free of disease. If he

suffers from a disease due to fruit of past actions, then too it

does not affect his mental equilibrium.

 

A student should practice physical postures (yogasanas) and

breathing exercises (pranayama) regularly. They help in his studies

because by removing heaviness and laziness they make the body light

and active. Thus he remains energetic and enthusiastic and even a

difficult task becomes easy for him. But he who lacks enthusiasm

loses heart and for him even an easy task becomes difficult.

 

From " Be Good " by Swami Ramsukhdasji in English, Page 139.

 

Ram Ram