Success in Life

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The thing is this, at all moments two ways always present themselves

before you: one way appears pleasant and very attractive; the other

way elevates you, ennobles you, and leads you to your highest welfare.

A normal human being is pulled towards that which appears pleasant and

attractive, and becomes a victim to his own sensual cravings. That is

the way of degeneration and bondage. But one who has self-control

moves towards that which is really for his betterment. It may be

difficult. But discrimination tells you that that which is difficult

will ultimately lead you towards your own highest welfare.

 

For these reasons, in the context of Indian culture, total restraint

of sex energy was thus advised for the three stages of life: the

student stage, the retired stage of the elderly person, and the

monastic stage of the last part of your life. And even in the

householder stage, moderation and a restrained use of the sexual

energy for the propose of procreation was recommended.

 

The sexual energy was seen as something divine, something sacred. And

its function in the scheme of things of the Creator is reproduction of

the human species. Moderation and fidelity to one's married partner

were prescribed. The married person was not to cast any impure look at

another. For the married man, there was only one woman in the whole

universe, his lawfully wedded wife. He was to cast no lustful,

passionate eye upon any other woman. All other women were to be like

mothers to him. And for the chaste wife, there was only one man in the

whole universe -- her husband whom she regarded with reverence.

 

Contd...