Arya Samaj

Shishya · Last edited by Shishya on Mon Jun 11, 2007 6:05 pm; edited 1 time in total

Self-Restraint (BRAHMACHARYA)
by
Arya Putra

Brahmacharya is the constant practice of good character in both thought and deed. One who practices Brahmacharya is one who has a godly character. Such a noble human being does not entertain dog-like thoughts or engage in dog-like activities like lusting around for sexual gratification outside the bounds of marriage. As everyone knows, dogs do not marry one another; instead, they are constantly shifting mates as they sniff around to fulfill their instinctual desires. Human beings on the other hand, carefully choose their lifelong partner and temper their sexual drive with self-discipline, self-awareness, and self-sacrifice. In other words, they put the other first and do not carelessly follow their mind and ego.

One who practices Brahmacharya takes instruction from his (or her) higher nature and is not ruled by the lower nature. Through the practices of self-study and self-discipline they discern what is good for their own well-being as well as the genuine well-being of others, and they conduct themselves accordingly. In other words, they practice self-containment and not self-contamination. They are careful not to contaminate their minds with pornographic materials (in the various fields of publishing, video/cinema, and fashion), and choose to remain pure.

Brahmacharya is the constant conscious choice to remain pure. It is the deliberate practice of purity in thought and action.

Everyone has samskaras (impressions) from many, many incarnations, and along with these samskaras are associated many vasanas (tendencies) which are manifested according to favorable conditions. When negative tendencies arise we must arise to the occasion and assert our higher nature, otherwise, we will become enmeshed in our lower nature. A negative tendency is any tendency that leads to self-destruction. In other words, any tendency that destroys our peace of mind, our mental equilibrium, and our physical health must be eradicated from our lives.

Negative tendencies are overcome by inverse propagation, or counter-effort. To utterly destroy the bad samskaras and their associated vasanas (tendencies) one must engage the mind in intense concentration and Samadhi.

Ultimately, the purpose of Brahmacharya is to lead the living soul to Supreme Consciousness (Maha Chetana). We can never experience Supreme Consciousness if we are caught up in ‘zipper- consciousness.’ When people’s minds are fixed on genitalia, they lose their gentle nature and become more and more vicious and dog-like and less and less god-like.

We have seen many a ‘little red riding hood’ eaten up by wolves dressed in saffron robes, black robes, and white robes. The true sign of purity is not in the color of one’s clothes or the perfection of one’s pretenses, but in the practice of good character and the perfection of one’s nature.

Brahmacharya is the practice of godly character—the practice of good character—in all ones thoughts and actions. Those who practice Brahmacharya will perfect their nature over time and attain the highest state of Consciousness.

niranjan · Posted: Thu Jun 07, 2007 5:27 pm Post subject:

But dear aryaji, the common response to this by other people, especially westerners and modern Indians if you present this to them, is that you are sexually repressed . Embarassed

What would you argue with respect to that? It is common knowledge that if we resist something, it persists.

How do you channel your sexual urges and thoughts? Twisted Evil

I believe it is not enough to talk about brahmacharya , but also the ways to achieve it. Very Happy

Thanking you in advance for the answer,

Niranjan.
_________________
The history of the world is the history of a few men who had faith in themselves. That faith calls out the divinity within. You can do anything.

---Swami Vivekananda

Arya Putra · Posted: Fri Jun 08, 2007 6:30 am Post subject:

Namaste (Salutations to the Essence of Being)

Sunita · Arya Ladies Forum Moderator Joined: 24 May 2006 Posts: 567

Aryaji,

So does this mean we should detached ourselves from family and friends and be self centered. Forget about giving and caring and put aside all dreams and just focus on god and liberation of our soul? Isn't it selfish in a way???
_________________
Namaste!

(1) If you can imagine it, you can achieve it; if you can dream it, you can become it. William Arthur Ward

(2) The self is not something ready-made, but something in continuous formation through choice of action.John Dewey:

(3) Andre Gide: Believe those who are seeking the truth; doubt those who find it.

Arya Putra · Posted: Fri Jun 08, 2007 1:26 pm Post subject:

Namaste Sunitaji,

Sunita wrote:

Mitra · Posted: Sun Jun 10, 2007 4:42 am Post subject:

Namaste,
It is often explained that the mantra " Om Tat Chakshurdevahitam purastaat...." is about Brahmacharya, as it says that all the sense organs and every aspect of our life should be engaged in contaemplating the Supreme. Could you explain this further ? I was told that the word means -Brahma ( God )+ Charya ( moving ) i.e. moving or being in the path of God constantly.
_________________
Namaste
Manurbhava

Arya Putra · Posted: Thu Jun 14, 2007 4:19 am Post subject:

Namaste Mitraji,

I have not heard the mantra " Om Tat Chakshurdevahitam purastaat...." given as an exposition of Brahmacharya, but I can certainly see it interpreted as such. I perceive this mantra to mean that by raising our consciousness to the highest state of being, which we do by religiously making our mind conform in principle and practice to our Original Self (ATMAN), we invoke the grace and power of the Supreme Being to bless us with 100 years of total well-being in this human incarnation. In essence, this mantra is indeed telling us that only those souls who are learned (who have learned the lessons of life) by virtue of the practice of keeping their minds and bodies pure are moving in the right direction (i.e., are changing for the better by practicing Brahmacharya), and hence, are certain to be blessed in all ways.

Like yourself, I too have also heard the word Brahmacharya dissected as Brahma (God) + Charya (moving), and I also like your interpretation of “moving or being in the path of God constantly.” I am not a Sanskrit scholar and cannot give you technical knowledge of Sanskrit words. My knowledge is based on my practice of Yoga, the study of Aryabhivanaya and other Shastras, and on my contact with the Wise.

One such Wise soul who was known to me only through his letters was Pandit Nardev Vedalankar. He has given a scholarly, yet practical and easy to grasp, exposition of the Brahmacharya Sukta of the Atharva Veda (Kanda 11: Sukta 5) in Chapter 13 of his well-written book, Shastra Navanitam, a Concise Study of Hindu Scriptures, available from Veda Niketan.

Namaste