Page 19 - BIKC - Eng
P. 19

THE MEANING OF BRAHMACARYA


              Basically, brahmacarya means celibacy.
                       karmaëä manasä väcä
                            sarvävasthäsu sarvadä
                       sarvatra maithuna-tyägo
                            brahmacaryaà pracakñate
              “The vow of brahmacarya is meant to help one completely
          abstain from sex indulgence in work, words, and mind—at all
          times, under all circumstances and in all places.” 4
              There are eight aspects of brahmacarya, as described in
          Çrédhara Svämé’s commentary on Çrémad-Bhägavatam 6.1.12:
                       smaraëaà kértanaà keliù
                            prekñaëaà guhyabhäñaëam
                       saìkalpo ‘dhyavasäyaç ca
                            kriyä-nirvåttir eva ca
          One should not:
              1. Think about women.
              2. Speak about sex life.
              3. Dally with women.
              4. Look lustfully at women.
              5. Talk intimately with women.
              6. Decide to engage in sexual intercourse.
              7. Endeavor for sex life.
              8. Engage in sex life. 5
              One who practices brahmacarya is called a brahmacäré. In the
          varëäçrama system, the  brahmacäré-äçrama is the first of four,
          namely, brahmacäré, gåhastha, vänaprastha, and sannyäsa.
              “According to Vedic principles, the first part of life should be
          utilized in  brahmacarya for the development of character and
          spiritual qualities.” 6
              Brahmacarya is thus student life. It was traditionally rigorous,
          disciplined, and austere. It is a life of cultivation, of preparing for
          the future. In all  äçramas devotees are cultivating Kåñëa
          consciousness, preparing for the examination of death. But the
          brahmacäré  period is specifically meant for training: training in

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