Concept of brahmacharya

By
Dr Syam RJ
3rd yr PG Scholar
KAHER,S Shri BMK Ayurveda Mahavidhyalaya
Shahpur Belgavi 1
 ETYMOLOGY
The word brahmacharya stems from two Sanskrit roots:

Brahma  meaning ones own Self, ultimate unchanging reality, absolute

consciousness,

charya (चर्य), which means "occupation with, engaging, proceeding, behaviour,

conduct,

 brahmacarya 

"to stay true to one's Self or ones own Atma"

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 Meaning
Literary

Brahmacharya literally means Achara or conduct that leads to the realization of

Brahman or one’s own Self
It means the control of semen,
the study of the Vedas and contemplation on God

Technical

Self restraint, particularly mastery of perfect control over the sexual organ or
freedom from lust in thought, word and deed
Strict abstinence is not merely from sexual intercourse, but also from auto-erotic
manifestations, from homosexual acts and from all perverse sexual practices
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Brahmacharya is a word that has two main meanings;
in Sanskrit it means to a higher awareness.

But throughout the world, the religious sections explain Brahmacharya as having
control over sexual interactions.

Brahmacharya can be understood in two ways. to be immersed in higher

awareness while abstaining from all forms of sexual interactions

Bramhacharya (abstinence) refers to the state of life when any living being
refrains from excessive sensuality. This state does not mean a complete sexual
abstinence but to indulge in sex such a way not to have any adverse effect on
health.
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 ब्रह्मचर्यशब्देनइन्द्रियसंयमसौमनस्यप्रभृतयोब्रम्हज्ञानानुगुणा गृह्यन्ते ।
(चक्रपाणिटिका च.सू. 11/35)

Bramhacharyais a process in which one has control over the sense which lead to
pleasant mind and helpful to attain knowledge about Bramha i.e. supreme God.

कर्मणामनसावाचासर्वावस्थासुसर्वदा । सर्वत्रंमैथुनम्त्यागम्ब्रह्मचर्यप्रचक्षते ॥
(गरुडपुराण)

Avoidance of sexual act physically, mentally and verbally always under any
circumstances is known as Bramhacharya.

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 ब्राह्मणमोक्षायचर्येब्रह्मचर्य ।
Any type of activity, which is favorable for attaining Brahma (salvation).

कर्मणा मनसा वाचा सर्वावस्थासु सर्वदा।।

सर्वत्र पथुनं त्याग ब्रह्मचर्य प्रचक्षते।। (वशिष्ठ संहिता)
Obstinancy and avoidance of sexual act physically, mentally & verbally
constantly, under any circumstances is termed as Brahmacarya.

ब्रह्मचर्यः गुप्तेन्द्रियोपस्थस्य संयम्। (Smrti grantha)

Brahmacarya is nothing but complete willful control over upastha (Sex organs)

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Brahmacharya is abstaining from all kinds of Maithuna or sexual enjoyment
foran in all places and in all conditions, physically, mentally and verbally.
-Yajnavalkya

Know that in this world there is nothing that cannot be attained by one who from
birth to death a perfect celibate In one person. knowledge of the four Vedas in
another perfect celibacy of these, the latter is superior to the former who is
wanting in celibacy.
-Mahabharata

A wise man should avoid married life as if it were a burning pit of live coals."
From the contact comes sensation, from sensation thirst, from thirst clinging; by
ceasing from be soul is delivered from all sinful existence.
-Lord Buddha 

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Death is hastened by letting out semen from the body: life is saved and
prolonged by preserving it. There is no doubt that people die prematurely by
letting the semen out of e body: knowing this, the Yogi should always preserve
semen and lead a life of strict celibacy.
- Shiva Samhita

Sensuality destroys life, luster, strength, vitality, memory, wealth, great fame,
holiness and devotion to the Supreme.
-Lord Krishna

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 Types
“Ko brahma-charyavaan syat yashcha askhalito
urdhwa-retaskah” …. (shankaracharya)

Urdhwareta who are best because they don’t have any lust

Askhalitareta are the ones in which there arouses perceiviance of attraction but
by their strong will they compress all desires and does not waste their vigour in
sensory amusements.

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 “brahmacharya shabden indriya sayyamsaumanasya prabhritayo
brahmagyananuguda gri-hyante.”
(chakrapani tika on ch.su.11/35)

• Control over senses, purity of manas and conducts towards goal to brahma.

• It has been advised to be used very tactfully as excess use or even non use
leads to manokshobha

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NAISHTIKA BRAHMACHARYA ( ABSOLUTE CELEBACY )
कर्मणा मनसा वाचा सर्वावस्थासु सर्वदा । सर्वत्र मैथुनत्यागं ब्रह्मचर्य प्रचक्षते ।।

Absolute and strict discipline of abandoning sexual intercourse-total renunciation

from sexual urge in wider sense-is brahmacarya

which must be followed by entire repudiation or dereliction of sexual behaviour

covering all the passionate activities performed through mind, body and voice.

Thus, if one says no to sex-by action, psyche and speech, then he may be
recognised as naişthika brahmacārī who ever abstains from sexual behaviour
completely , faithfully , and truly as a devotee in perfect manner

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 The eight breaks in Brahmacharya

स्मरणंकिर्तनम्के लीप्रेक्षणं गुह्यभाषणं ।

संकल्पध्यवसायश्चक्रियानिवृत्तिरेवच ॥
एतन्मैथुनमष्टागंम प्रवक्ष्यन्तिमनीषिणः ।
विपरितंब्रह्मचर्य मेतदेवाष्ट लक्षणम ॥
(योगवल्कस्मृति)

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 The eight breaks in Brahmacharya

 Darshana (looking at women with passionate resolve),

 Sparshana (touching them),
 Keli (play),
 Kirtana (praising the qualities of the other sex),
 Guhya-Bhashan (talking in private),
 Sankalpa (determination),
 Adhyavasaya (nearing the other sex with the desire for gratification)
 Kriyanivritti (the actual sexual act)

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 Benefits of brahmacharya
• "AyustejoBalamVeeryamPrajnaSreeschaYashastatha
• PunyamchaSat-PriyatvamchaVardhateBrahmacharyaya"
• By the practice of Brahmacharya,

• longevity,
• glory,
• strength,
• vigour,
• knowledge,
• wealth,
• undying fame,
• virtues
• devotion to the truth increase
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आयुस्तेजोबलंवीर्यप्रजाधीश्चमहायशः ।
पुण्यंचमनत्ययत्वंचप्राप्यतेब्रह्मचर्यया ॥
(बुद्धगौतमस्मृति)
Celibacy is one among best enhancer of longevity.

ब्रह्मचर्यवीर्यलाभ । (योगसूत्र)
On performing celibacy one conserve Virya(energy).

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ब्रह्मचर्यमायुणाम । (च.स. 25/40)

वीर्यबलवर्धनानाम् । (च.सू. 30/15)

Celibacy is one of the best ways to attaining goal. Adopted Celibacy will
promotes longevity, strength, nourishment, delightfulness and happiness.

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 Vyavayasambandhiniyama
 Avoid sex with a wife who is unhappy, sick, or pregnant, observing certain

religious rites, menstruating, or not willing to have sex.

 Males below 25 years should abstain (Vagbhata says before 20 years of age).
 Females below 16 should abstain as they are not physically grown.
 Avoid sex with a woman who thinks of another man.
 Avoid sex with animals.
 Avoid unnatural sex, i.e. anal or unnatural position
 Avoid sex at a crossroad in the countryside, at a crematory or graveyard or where
people have been killed, in water, where there are medicinal plants, where there is
a Guru or deity place, at sunrise, or at sunset (Sandhikala)

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 Must not have sex without Vajikarana medicine (Aphrodisiac).
 Avoid sex when you haven't decided.
 Avoid sex when you are not aroused.
 Avoid sex if you haven't had food.
 Avoid sex if you over eat.
 Avoid sex if body is in an irregular position.
 Avoid sex if bed is in an irregular position.
 Avoid sex if you are having a natural urge
 Avoid sex if you are tired.
 Avoid sex when fasting.
 Avoid sex when you are not in isolation.

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 Effect of sex those not follow the rules of Vyayaya

 If you have sex with menstruating women (it is Adharma - without morals)
you lose eyesight, energy and longevity reduces.
 If you have sex with your Guru's wife or an old woman or at sunset, you lose
life energy
 If you have sex with a pregnant woman you will cause damage to the unborn
baby.
 If you have sex with a sick woman, it reduces her strength.
 If you have sex with a woman who hates you, who is unclean or have sex in
an unclean place, it reduces your sperm and adversely affects your own mind.
 If you have sex when you are hungry or your mind is disturbed, when you are
weak or thirsty, you lose sperm as well and Vata is provoked.

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 Effects of Ativyavaya

अतिव्यवायाज्जयन्तेरोगश्चाऽऽक्षेपकाद्यः ।
शूलकासज्वरश्वासकार्यपाण्डवामयाक्षयाः ।।
(यो.र. रात्रिचर्या 47)

Over indulgence in sexual intercourse causes Akshepaka, Sula, Kasa, Jwara

Shwasa, Karshyata and Panduroga etc

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 Methods of Virya Raksha

स्नानानुलेपनहिमानिलखण्डखाद्यशीताम्बुदुग्धरसयूषसुराप्रसनाः ।
सेवेतचानुशयनंविरतौरतस्यतस्याऐवमाशुवयुषः पुनरेतिधाम ।।
(यो.र. रात्रिचर्या 45)
After completion of sexual inter course, one should have bath, application of
sandal wood paste etc. He should expose to cool air, consume sweets, cold
drinks, mutton soup and Sura and should be happy. All these measures prevent
loss of strength.

स्नानसशर्क रं क्षीरं भक्ष्यमेक्षवसंस्कृ तम ।

ततोमांसरसः स्वप्नोव्यवायान्तेहिताअमी॥
(यो.र. रात्रिचर्या 46)
After sexual intercourse, one should take refreshing bath, sugar added milk,
sweets, mutton soup. Then one should go for sleep. 21
शुक्रलैर्जीवनीयैश्चबृंहणैर्बलवर्धनैः ।
क्षीरसंजननैश्चैवपयः सिद्धपृथ्क ॥
युक्तं गोधूमचूर्णेनसघृतक्षौद्रशर्क राम ।
पर्यायेणप्रयोक्तव्यमिच्छताशुक्रमक्षयम ॥ (च.चि. 2/3/6-7)
Milk boiled with Drugs belonging to Shukrala, Jivaniya, Bruhana,
Bala Vardhana, and Ksheerasamjanana groups can be administrated
separately.
Before administration, wheat flour, ghee, honey and sugar should be
added. These five recipes should be administrated separately to a
person who is desirous of inexhaustible semen.

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 Attachment (Sanga) Causes Destruction (Sarvanāśa)

 ध्यायतो विषयान पुंसः सङ्गस् तेषूपजायते । सङ्गात् संजायते कामः कामात् क्रोधोऽभिजायते ।। Gitā, 2, 62

क्रोधाद भवति संमोहः संमोहात् स्मृतिविभ्रमः । स्मृति भ्रंशाद् बुद्धिनाशो बुद्धिनाशात् प्रणश्यति । Gita, 2, 63

One develops attachment to sense objects by thinking about sensual objects or pleasures.
Desire for sense objects (kāma) comes from attachment to sense objects and anger comes
from unfulfilled desires.
Delusion (moha) arises from anger (krodha).
Reasoning or wisdom (buddhi) is destroyed when psyche or mind is not under control
. Ultimately one deviates from right path-by falling down from proper way-which leads to
destruction by all means (sarvanāśa), as the net result of subversive destruction of faculty of
reasoning (buddhinäma) and wisdom (buddhi viveka).

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 विषय ध्यान
काम Lust-Sensual-
Concentrating Attachment
Objects-Pleasure
Sensual Object

स्मृतिविभ्रम Mental
क्रोध Anger मोह Delusion
Bewilderment

बुद्धिनाश Wisdom- प्रणाश-सर्वनाश Entire

Reasoning Destruction
Adverse

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 Kāma Overlays Brahma Jñāna
धूमेनावियते वह्निर यथादर्शो मलेन च । यथोल्बेनावृतो गर्भस तथा तेनेदम् आवृत्तम् ।।
Gita, 3,38

As the fire (vahni) is covered by smoke (dhumen), as a mirror (adarsa) is covered

by dust or dirt (malena) and as an embryo (garbhasa) by the amnion (ulbena), in
the same manner, brahma jñāna becomes obscured or overshadowed by kāma.
Käma-Enemity with Jñāna

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 Käma-Enemity with Jñāna
आवृत्तं ज्ञानं एतेन ज्ञानिनो नित्यवैरिणा । कामरूपेण कौन्तेय दुष्पूरेणानलेन च ।।
Gitā, 3,39

Brahma jñāna is covered (āvíttam) by this insatiable fire (dușpūrenānalena) of

kama that remains eternal enemy of person holding knowledge of brahma

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 Rāga (Käma)-Obstacle in Yogic Path
इन्द्रियस्योन्द्रियस्यार्थे रागद्वेषो व्यवस्थितौ । तयोर न वशं आगच्छेत् तौ ह्यस्य परिपन्थिनौ ।।
Gitā, 3, 34

Rāga (likes or attachment lust or passion and dveşa (dislike, or hate-jealousy or

enemity) for the senses objects remain in the senses. One should not come under
control of rāga and dveșa stumbling blocks in path of self realization.

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 Attachment with Sensual Pleasures
विषयाद्विषयं किं विषयाः समस्ता; दुःखी सदा को विषयानुरागी।
धन्योऽस्ति को यस्तु परोपकारी, कः पूज्यनीयः शिवतत्त्वनिष्ठः ।।

Vişayas are more poisonous (vişālu) than vişa; person (visayānurägi),

who is attached and slavishly dependant-addicted-of sensual
pleasures (vişaya i.e. käma etc.), is ever sorrowful (duhkhi sadā) or
grief-stricken. Further, the respectuur reverend (püjaniya) persons are
specified with their prime qualities.

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 Ideology Evil of Vişaya (Käma)
विषस्य विषयाणां च दूरमत्यन्तमन्तरम् । उपभक्तं विषं हन्ति, विषयाः स्मरणादपि ।।
Candragomi

There is vast difference (dūramatyantaram) between vişa (poison) and viņaya

(sensual objects and their indulgence in pleasure including lust etc.).
As poison (visa) becomes injurious to health (hanti) when it is swallowed
(upabhuktam),
but visayas (sensual pleasures including sexual indulgence etc.) prove to be
detrimental (ghātaka) even by recollecting (smaranādapi) then, since they
intensely effect, mind (mana) and body (deha) merely by thinking (vicāra)-
without their oral use (like any poisonous substance).
In this way, visayas including kāma (esp. sex desire) are quite injurious as
harmful act, if someone indulges himself.
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 Sleep and Sexual Urge 
न रात्री विन्दते निद्रां कामाग्निपरिवेदितः । दिवाऽपि च कु तः सौख्यमर्थोपार्जनचिन्त्या ।।

Sivapurāņa

Person, who is sexually excited and whose sex desire remains unsatiated-
afflicted with intensive sexual urge (kāmāgnipariveditah), can not enjoy sleep
(na rātrou vindate nidram) comfortably during night. Similarly, the person, who
is worried (cintayā) for livelihood and learning for worldly pleasure money in
day, is unable to avail sleep

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"सुखेन दान्तः स्वपिति सुखं च प्रतिबुध्यते ।

Man who keeps control on sensual objects goes to sleep soundly and timely
(sukhenadäntah svapiti) and he awakes happily and timely (sukham
pratibudhyate).
Thus, person winning over senses (jitendriya) enjoys sleep (nidrā) perfectly

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 Indriyanigraha as Dharma

स्वधर्म स्थिरता स्थैर्य, धर्ममिन्द्रिय निग्रहः । स्नानं मनोमलत्यागो, दानं वैभूतरक्षणम् ।।

Stability (sthairya) means to follow own duty (svadharma) firmly, refrainment

(nigraha) from indulgence of sense objects for pleases are indriyavisaya) as
dharma; (righteouness) elimination of disqualities or evils of mind (psyche or
mana) is actually bath (snana), and bhutaraksana is considered to be donation
(däna). Attachment with Sensual Pleasures

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 Brahmacharya As Rasayana
Achara rasayana Acharya Charaka has given

“nivrittam madyamaithunat”

i.e one should refrain away from sexual indulgence by any mean to get result
like rasayana

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 Brahmacharyam ayushya- nam”
(ch.su.25/40)
ayushya
ie Promotor of life

Brahmacharya is more seen as preservance of shukra dhatu

Shukra dhatu is formed from essence of all dhatus so its preservation leads to
healthy life

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 Brahmacharya as vajikarana
आयुष्मन्तोमन्दुजरावपुर्वर्णबलान्विताः सिथ्रोपचितमांसाश्चबवन्तिस्त्रीषुसंयताः ॥
(यो.र. रात्रिचर्या 16)

If person follow the rules and methods with respect in his routine sexual
activities. His life span increases, aging process also become normal in
accordance with age, color. complexion and strength of the body is maintained
and his body physique etc. is also maintained well.

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 Grihasthashram (phase of entry into married life)
if one has sexual intercourse with an aim to conceive a child ,it has
been considered as brahmacharya as it is done with an aim to
conceive and in a regulated way.

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 Abrahmacharya

● In Vagbhata Samhita Abrahmacharya is mentioned, to give more importance to

Grihastha Ashram (having progeny), for this Abrahmacharya is required,
which is also warned to have in controlled way or under limitation/ rule of sex.

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 Conclusion
• Healthy life is possible when trayopstambh (subpillars) hold their
strength
• Brhmacharya should be followed at every stages of life inorder to
support body along with other two pillars
• Its aim is control over senses and preserve shukra dhatu which is
sara of ahara and precious

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THANK YOU

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