Page 17 - BIKC - Eng

INTRODUCTION xv

warn men not to be captivated by the charms of women, for women
mäyä appears in the form of man. As long as man and woman are
attached to each other for material enjoyment, they remain
dangerous to each other.
Gåhastha couples should be especially aware of their
tremendous responsibility to send their sons to be trained as
brahmacärés, to be molded as great personalities and thus be saved
from a bestial life of sense gratification.
Therefore this book should be read by all classes of devotees, for
every genuine devotee must be a brahmacäré, i.e., a self-controlled
celibate. Indeed, in many instances within this book the word
devotee could substitute for the word brahmacäré.
Of course, simply to read this book and say Jaya! will not be
good enough, for it is a call to practical action. Although many of
the precepts discussed herein are already part of daily life in our
ISKCON centers throughout the world, nevertheless to enliven our
brahmacärés and to create a strong, healthy mood of brahmacarya,
constant and sustained input from older devotees is required.
Therefore I am hopeful that this book will inspire many senior
devotees to start taking a more personal interest in the junior men,
thus replenishing their own spiritual lives and those of the entire
movement.
I don’t claim to be a perfect brahmacäré. Writing about high
standards is often easier than strictly following them. But Çré
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Caitanya Mahäprabhu wanted to maintain the highest standard, so
we should know what that standard is and seriously endeavor to
follow it. If we keep the highest standards, sincere people will be
impressed by our seriousness. And if we do not keep high standards,
then what is the meaning to our being devotees?
This book is therefore meant to give an indication of the ideal
standard. Obviously, there will be discrepancies in various
circumstances and individuals, and it will not always be possible for
everyone to attain to the highest level. Those who are sära-grahi
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Vaiñëavas (realists) will accept the essence of the instructions
herein and intelligently apply it in their lives, whatever situation
they are in.
In this book I have avoided the complex discussion of
varëäçrama-dharma, which is now a focus of attention and concern