Page 20 - BIKC - Eng

2 BRAHMACARYA IN KÅÑËA CONSCIOUSNESS

how to control the senses and subdue the mind; training to be a
gåhastha, vänaprastha, and sannyäsé. This training is by submission
to, service to, and friendship to the guru. 7
In terms of varëäçrama principles, the highest standard of
brahmacarya means the vow not to marry but to observe strict
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celibacy throughout life. This is called the båhad-vrata (“great
vow”), or naiñöhika-brahmacarya. “Naiñöhika-brahmacäré refers to
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one who never wastes his semen at any time.” “The word mahä-
vrata-dharaù indicates a brahmacäré who has never fallen down.” 10
In Indian society, brahmacarya has often been considered as a
set of restrictions aimed at upholding good health and moral
principles, with the ultimate purpose of enjoying civilized sense
gratification. Brahmacarya in Kåñëa consciousness, however,
operates on the dynamic principle of knowledge and renunciation
fully engaged in the service of God. Çréla Prabhupäda: “One
practicing brahmacarya should be completely engaged in the
service of the Lord and should not in any way associate with
women.” 11 According to the definition of brahmacarya given in
Çrémad-Bhägavatam (7.12.1), an unmarried person who does not
live in the guru’s äçrama, who has not submitted himself to the
rigid life of surrender, and is not directly and exclusively engaged
in the service of his guru, cannot properly claim to be a
brahmacäré.
The broader meaning of brahmacarya is, as Çréla Prabhupäda
would cite, brähme carati iti brahmacarya: “To act on the spiritual
platform.”

THE BENEFITS OF BRAHMACARYA

äyus tejo balaà véryaà
prajïä çréç ca yaças tathä
puëyatä satpriyatvaà ca
vardhate brahmacaryayä
“By the practice of brahmacarya, longevity, luster, strength,
vigor, knowledge, beauty, fame, piety, and devotion to truth
increase.” 12
Practice of brahmacarya gives good health, inner strength,