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“BRAHMACÄRÉ” IS ALSO A DESIGNATION            3

          peace of mind, fortitude, and long life. It helps to conserve physical
          and mental energy. It augments memory, will-power, clear
          thinking, power of concentration, and ability to grasp
          philosophical subjects. It bestows physical strength, vigor, vitality,
          courage, boldness, and strength of character. To one who practices
          brahmacarya, divine knowledge comes as if naturally. His words
          convey meaning and authority, and leave an impression on the
          hearers.
              Conversely, those who do not practice  brahmacarya must
          always remain in illusion. Çréla Prabhupäda: “Brahmacarya is very,
          very essential. When one becomes detestful to sex life, that is the
          beginning of spiritual life.” 13  “Without becoming  brahmacäré,
          nobody can understand spiritual life.” 14

                “BRAHMACÄRÉ” IS ALSO A DESIGNATION


              Çré Caitanya Mahäprabhu declared: “I am not a brähmaëa, a
          kñatriya, a vaiçya, or a çüdra. I am not a brahmacäré, a gåhastha, a
          vänaprastha, or a sannyäsé. I identify myself only as the servant of
          the servant of Kåñëa, the maintainer of the gopés.” 15  The goal of
          life is not to be a brahmacäré, nor a gåhastha, nor even a sannyäsé.
          It is to be a pure devotee of Kåñëa. Çréla Prabhupäda often quoted
          from the Närada-païcarätra:
                       sarvopädhi-vinirmuktaà
                            tat-paratvena nirmalam
                       håñékeëa håñékeça-
                            sevanaà bhaktir ucyate
              “Pure devotional service means being freed from all material
          designations.”
              “Brahmacäré” is also a designation. If we put too much
          emphasis on making distinctions between varëas and äçramas,
          especially amongst devotees, we are in the bodily concept of life.
          For, “One cannot realize the Absolute Truth simply by observing
          celibacy.” 16  In India there are Mäyävädé sannyäsés who follow
          difficult rules and regulations far more strictly than most devotees
          could even dream of. But they are not dear to Kåñëa.
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