Brahmacharya

[Nachiketa]

Dear Arvind ji
Regarding Paranayam I need a few clarifications:

First we pray, offer camphor, Naivedyam and then start the reading as per the link that you had earlier posted (http://www.geocities.com/ramya475/Para.html ) and then at the end of the parayanam ( which I believe is the last reading on the last day ) offer naivedyam again, am I right?

If not please let me know further.

Thanks once again

[Arvind Sivaraman]

Dear Arvind ji
Regarding Paranayam I need a few clarifications:

First we pray, offer camphor, Naivedyam and then start the reading as per the link that you had earlier posted (http://www.geocities.com/ramya475/Para.html ) and then at the end of the parayanam ( which I believe is the last reading on the last day ) offer naivedyam again, am I right?

If not please let me know further.

Thanks once again

Om Shirdi Sai Ram.
Namaste Nachiketa.
1)Before starting the Parayanam of Hanuman Chalisa or Sage Valimiki Sundarakandam, please worship the book by applying Sandal Paste and Kumkum.Keep a burning lamp continously till the parayanam ends on that particular day.
2)Offer boiled milk added with Sugar everyday before and after the parayanam.(Not on the last reading day only.BUT EVERYDAY.)This is the best naivedya (offering) to Lord Rama.
3)For Hanuman Chalisa, it is possible to do parayan in a single day.
4)If it is Sage Valimiki Sundarakandam,then there are certain procedures of doing parayanam.There 2 days,3 Days,5 Days,Friday to Friday Parayanam,Nine day parayanam and so forth.If you are further interested in this procedure, do let me know.I will provide with the details as to how many Chapters needs to be recited everyday.
5)There are 68 chapters in Sage Valmiki Sundarakandam.
6)Offering to Lord Rama the Fruit Pomegranate would bring in immense benefits.

[Nachiketa]

Dear Arvind ji
yes, I would like to do the parayanam of Sage Valimiki Sundarakandam, so kindly let me know the procedure.
And please accept my heartfelt thanks once again

[sarabhanga]

Namaste,

Good advice has been given, and all of what follows is repeated, but here are some of my thoughts on the matter:

Traditionally, all Brahmanas first enter Brahmacarya.

And traditionally, all Brahmacaris remain celibate and are instructed in Dharma.

Brahmacarya Ashrama certainly is the foundation of all Brahmana Dharma!

Some period of Brahmacarya (not study of the Vedas, but education nonetheless) is also normal for both Kshatriyas and Vaishyas.

Only Shudras have absolutely no rule of Brahmacarya.

Brahmacarya is intended for unmarried students, and Hindu Dharma has always assumed celibacy for such individuals (who would usually be less than 20 years old).

Nowhere is it required that anyone should remain as a celibate student for their whole life, and most Rishis would have passed through all of the Ashramas required by their Dharma. Thus, most Rishis were married and raised a family during their Grihastha Ashrama.

Brahmacarya is primarily “study of the Veda”, and thus (secondarily) “the state of an unmarried religious student”, which subsequently implies “a state of continence and chastity”.

Quite simply: Brahmacarya leads to Brahmajnana ~ i.e. study of the Veda leads to knowledge of the Veda.

The very nature of Brahma is Prajnana ~ so that Brahmacarya ultimately leads to identity with Brahma ~ and such a perfect Brahmacarin, who has followed the path of Brahma to its final destination and source, is now truly a Brahmana.

A great deal of confusion arises from the misunderstanding (and consequent rejection) of Varna or “Caste”. There is only one ultimate Truth, but Dharma is certainly not “one size fits all”.

Ahimsa and Brahmacarya are good examples, with some arguing from a Brahmana perspective, others from a Kshatriya perspective, and others from a general Vaishya perspective. And of course, all of these views are valid in their appropriate place and conditions.

Brahmana Dharma is rather strict, because a Brahman is supposed to have a high degree of understanding, and someone who surely knows the right way and yet turns away from that knowledge and follows the wrong path is the greatest “sinner” who will suffer for his foolish Adharma.

ahiMsA paramo dharma !

satyastha paramo dharma !

brahmacarya paramo dharma !

tadya evaitaM brahmalokaM brahmacaryeNAnuvindanti teSAmevaiSa brahmalokaH |
teSAM sarveSu lokeSu kAmacAro bhavati ||

And that world of Brahman belongs only to those who find it by Brahmacarya ~ and for them there is freedom in all the worlds.

The world of Brahman is found only by following the path of Brahman; and from there, all ways are open!

Brahmacarya (the practice or pursuit of the Brahman) is a basic requirement of Sanatana Dharma.

See also: Marriage and Varnashrama Dharma.

[Arvind Sivaraman]

Dear Arvind ji
yes, I would like to do the parayanam of Sage Valimiki Sundarakandam, so kindly let me know the procedure.
And please accept my heartfelt thanks once again

Om Shirdi Sai Ram.
Namaste Nachiketa.

SAGE VALMIKI SUNDARAKANDAM PARAYANAM PROCEDURE

1)First offer your pranams to Lord Ganesha.
2)Offer your pranams to Goddess Saraswati.
3)Offer your pranams to your Kul Daivait (Family Deity)
4)Offer your pranams to your GURU.(If you do not have a GURU, I would suggest, take guidance from any Punditji for doing the Sundarakandam Paryanam and take HIM to be your GURU.If you still feel that you have not found the right GURU,you may take Lord Hanuman as your GURU.)

SANKALPAM – TO DO PROCEDURE BEFORE STARTING THE SUNDARAKANDAM PARAYANAM. – EVERYDAY.
Shuklaam Bharadaram Vishnum Sashi Varnam Chaturbujam
Prasanna Vadanam Dyayed sarvavigna upshaanthayeth.
(Fold your fingers inwards touching the palms of both hands and then gently pat that place of your forehead which is just behind your eyebrows 5 (five) times.)

Om Bhoohu Om Bhuvaha Om Suvaha Om Mahaha Om Janaha
Om Tapaha Okum Satyam Om Tatsavitur Varenyam Bhargo Devasya Deemahi Diyo Yonah Prochodayath Omapaha jyotirisaha amrutam bramha bhoorbhuva suvarom.
(This is for people who have worn a thread/ Janev (In Hindi.)/poonal(In Tamil).)

Mamo Paaktha Samastha Duridakhestvara sree parameshwara preetyarthyam
Sree Sita Lakshmana Bharata Shatgruna Hanumath Sametha Sri Rama Chandra Prasada Sidyarthyam Sree Sita Lakshmana Bharatha Shatgruna Hanumath Sametha Sree Ramachandra Poojyaam Sri Sundara kaanda parayanam cha karishye.
(Keep the left palm (the outer portion of the hand should touch the right thigh)on the right thigh and then place the right inner palm on the inner left palm)

Touch Water.
Asmin pustake sri sita lakshmana bharata shatrugna hanumath sametha Sri Rama Chandra dyayaami.Aavahayami.(Bring both the hands together , let the little finger touch each other.After that,bring all the finger towards the chest.(Pointing inwards))Aasanam samarpayami.(Place a wooden seat for welcoming Lord Hanuman.Keep the wooden plank till the parayanam gets over on that particular day.This should be repeated everyday).
Padayoho paadyam samarpayami.(Show a little bit of water at the holy feet of Lord Hanuman and transfer that water to some other vessel.)Argyam samarpayami.(Transfer a little bit of water to another vessel.)Aachamaniyam samarpayami.(Transfer a little bit of water to another vessel)
Snaanam samaparpayami.(Sprinkle very little amount of water on the Sundarakandam book.)Snananantharam aachamaniyam samarpayami. (Transfer a little amount of water to another vessel.)Gandhaan Darayaami.(Apply sandal paste on the Holy Sundarakandam book.)Ghandasyopari Akshataan Samarpayami.(Offer raw (uncooked) rice mixed with Manjal(I think it is Haldi – Yellow colour)).Haridra Kumkum samarpayami.(Apply kumkum above the sandal paste applied on the Sundarakandam book.)
Pushpaani samarpayami.(If Parijata flower is available , offer it to the book.Else offer Rice mixed with Manjal.)
1)Kesavaya namaha.2)Madhavaya namaha.3)Govindaya namaha.4)Trivikramaya namaha.5)Vamanaya namaha.6)Sreedharaya namaha.7)Rishikeshaya namaha.8)Padmanabhaya namaha.9)Damodaraya namaha.(From 1 to 9 offer Raw rice mixed with Manjal after repeating each namaha.)
Naanavidha mantra pushpaani samarpayami.(If Parijatha flower is available , offer the flower else offer Rawrice mixed with Manjal.)Dhoopartham Deepartham Akshataam samarpayami.(Offer Agarbhatthi or Lighted lamp and then offer raw rice mixed with manjal.)Nivedham samarpayami.(Offer milk added with sugar and if need be offer the Fruit Pomegranate also.)Nivedhaanantharam Achamaniyam samarpayami.(Transfer a little amount of water to another vessel.)Karpoora Thamboolam samarpayami.(If possible,offer Paan leaves added with Nuts.)
Neeraajanam Sumaangalyam Koti Surya Samaprabham Aham Bhaktya pradasyami Swee kurushwa dayanidhe.(Meaning – Oh Lord,you are equivalent to a Thousand Suns and I am your Bhakta.Please be compassionate towards me).Samastha Pradakhamartham sarva maangalya praptyartham Karpoora Nirajanam Darshayami.Neerajananthram Aachamaniyam samarpayami.(Tranfer a little amount of water to another vessel.)Rakshaan Darayami.(Offer the Lighted lamp to the Sundarakandam book.)Mantra Pushpam samarpayami.(If Parijatha flower is available, offer it to the book else offer Raw rice mixed with Manjal.)
Yaani Kaani cha paapani janmaantra kritaani cha taani taani vinashyanthi pradakshina pade pade.(Rotate in clock wise direction three times.Not around the book.)
Vaidhehi sahi tam suradrumathale hiame maha mandape
Madhye pushpaka maasane mani maye veerasane Susmitham
Agre Vaachayati Prabhanchanasute Tatvam munibhya param
Vyakyatham Bharathabhi parivritham Raamam bhaje shyamalam.
Vaame bhoomisuta purascha hanuman paschaat sumitra sutaha
Shatrugno bharatas cha paarshva dalayaar vaivadi koneshu cha
Sugrivascha vibhishanashcha uvaraat tarosuto Jaambhavaan
Madhye neela saroja koamalaruchim raamam bhaje shyamalam

Namostu Ramaya sa Lakshmanaya
Daivyai Cha Tasyai Janaakathmajayai
Namostu Rudrendru Maanilebyo
Namostu Chandrarka Marutganebhyaha.

A Suggestion :
1) Buy a Sundara Kandam book of Gorakhpur publication.This book contains Nyasam also. Benefit is, You protect yourself from evil forces by doing nyasam.
You will find a lot of positive vibrations in your body and mind.(I am the proof for it.)
After buying the book you may take guidance from some pundit who regulary does parayanam of Sundarakandam or if it is not possible,then let me know, I will guide you.

2)Buy a Sundarakandam book with translation.It will help you in a finer understanding of the Leela of Lord Hanuman.Also it is mentioned in Srimad Bhagawatham that if scriptures are read with meaning and understood ,then one goes and stays in superior lokas for a longer duration .

I am not listing the nyasam here as it is a little difficult to list it out here.
Also if you have book ,the Sankalpam and Nyasam would be listed in Sanskrit, whereas here ,I am listing it out in English.Thus,the pronunciation which is of importance will tend to vary.


THE PARAYANAM PROCEDURE:

1) SAPTHA SARGA PARAYANAM - For all types of problem to be solved.

Read daily 7(Seven) chapters of Sage Valmiki Sundarakandam.
The procedure has been listed below in Table format.
Eg :
1)On the 1st Day read from Chapter 1 to Chapter 7.
2)On the 10 th Day also you have to complete 7 chapters and hence , From Chapter 64 to 68 (which consists of 5 chapters) and then start from Chapter 1 to 2. and so forth.

The Saptha Sarga Parayanam needs to be completed in 68 consecutive Days.(There should be not be any breaks/ interruptions.If there are any breaks the results will be very bad.).


1st Day - 1-7
2nd Day- 8-14
3rd Day - 15-21
4th Day- 22-28
5th Day-29-35
6th Day- 36-42
7th Day43-49
8th Day-50-56
9th Day-57-63
10th Day-64-68,1-2
11th Day-3-9
12th Day-10-16
13th Day -17-23
14th -24-30
15th-31-37
16th-38-44
17th-45-51
18th-52-58
19th-59-65
20th-66-68,1-4
21st-5-11
22nd-12-18
23rd-19-25
24th-26-32
25th-33-39
26th-40-46
27th-47-53
28th-54-60
29th-61-67
30th-68,1-6
31st-7-13
32nd-14-20
33rd-21-27
34th-28-34
35th-35-41
36th-42-48
37th-49-55
38th-56-62
39th-63-68
40th-2-8
41st-9-15
42nd-16-22
43rd-23-29
44th-30-36
45th-37-43
46th-44-50
47th-51-57
48th-58-64
49th-65-68,1-3
50th-4-10
51st-11-17
52nd-18-24
53rd-25-31
54th-32-38
55th-39-45
56th-46-52
57th-53-59
58th-60-66
59th-67-68,1-5
60th-6-12
61st-13-19
62nd-20-26
63rd-27-33
64th-34-40
65th-41-47
66th-48-54
67th-55-61
68th Day-62-68

Source – 1) Skanda Puranam and 2)Uma Samhitha.

2) 9 (NINE ) COSECUTIVE DAYS PARAYANAM –
FOR UNMARRIED PEOPLE (PARTICULARY FOR FEMALES.)
AND
FOR FAMILY WELL BEING.


DAY CHAPTER FROM CHAPTER TO
1 1 5
2 6 15
3 16 20
4 21 26
5 27 33
6 34 40
7 41 52
8 53 60
9 61 68

Source – UMA SAMHITHAI

3) ONE DAY PARAYANAM –
START THE PARAYANAM IN THE MORNING AND FINISH THE WHOLE SUNDARAKANDAM BY 13.00 HRS (1.00 PM AFTERNOON)

Source – UMA SAMHITHAI

4) TWO CONSECUTIVE DAY PARAYANAM –

DAY CHAPTER : FROM – TO
1 1-36 (ANGULIA PRADANAM)
2 37-68

Source – UMA SAMHITHAI

5) THREE CONSECUTIVE DAY PARAYANAM –

DAY CHAPTER : FROM – TO
1 1 – 27 (TRIJATA DREAM)
2 28 – 40
3 41 - 68

Source – UMA SAMHITHAI

6) FIVE CONSECUTIVE DAY PARAYANAM –

DAY CHAPTER : FROM – TO
1 1 – 15 (SITA DARSHANAM)
2 16 – 27 (TRIJATA DREAM)
3 28 – 40 (CHOODAMANI PRADANAM)
4 41 – 54 (LANKA DAHANAM)
5 55 - 68

Source – UMA SAMHITHAI

7) FRIDAY TO FRIDAY PARAYANAM – CONSECUTIVE 8 DAYS
FOR SPIRITUAL AND MATERIAL WEALTH.

DAY CHAPTER : FROM – TO
1 (FRIDAY) 1 - 9
2 10 - 18
3 19 – 27
4 28 - 36
5 37 - 45
6 46 - 54
7 55 - 63
8 (FRIDAY) 64 - 68


Source – UMA SAMHITHAI

PLEASE NOTE :

IN ALL THE CASES , AFTER THE VALMIKI SUNDARAKANDAM PARAYNAM IS COMPLETED, YOU SHOULD RECITE THE “SRI RAMA PATTABHISHEKAM CHAPTER” WITHOUT FAIL.

Ie; The 131st Chapter of the Yuddha Kandam is Sri Rama Pattabhishekam

[Madhavan]

Good post by Arvind. In the Uma Samhita the benefits of reciting Ramayana and Sundara Kandam in particular have been elaborated.

In times of acute crisis, Sundara Kandam may be read in a single day without pause ( takes 7-10 hours) and Rama Pattabhishekam performed on the same day. It can bring forth miracles through the grace of Anjaneya. Infact anything unimaginable can happen within 41 days of doing this. The process can be repeated until the Lord hears your call.

Whoever can do the above 68 times can overcome any obstacle in life and also gain spiritual upliftment , supernatural forces will directly manifest if done with devotion. Most likely Lord Hanuman who is a chiranjeeevi will appear before you and lead you into yoga.

As an alternative amidst the modern day busy lives Sarga 31 or 58 may be recited repeatedly everyday.

[Nachiketa]

Thank You Arvind ji
a very helpful attitude indeed. Will get back to you if I need any further advice
Hari Om

[Arvind Sivaraman]

Good post by Arvind. In the Uma Samhita the benefits of reciting Ramayana and Sundara Kandam in particular have been elaborated.

In times of acute crisis, Sundara Kandam may be read in a single day without pause ( takes 7-10 hours) and Rama Pattabhishekam performed on the same day. It can bring forth miracles through the grace of Anjaneya. Infact anything unimaginable can happen within 41 days of doing this. The process can be repeated until the Lord hears your call.

Whoever can do the above 68 times can overcome any obstacle in life and also gain spiritual upliftment , supernatural forces will directly manifest if done with devotion. Most likely Lord Hanuman who is a chiranjeeevi will appear before you and lead you into yoga.

As an alternative amidst the modern day busy lives Sarga 31 or 58 may be recited repeatedly everyday.

Om Shirdi Sai Ram.
Namaste Madhavan.

Please go through the site :
http://www.divyadesamonline.com/hanu...ra-kaandam.asp

It may be of help to you.

[Arvind Sivaraman]

Namaste,
I have been trying endlessly to practise brahmacharya and have failed each time. And with Brahmacharya being one of the requisites to progress up the spiritual path, I am at pains and was wondering if there are any techniques to attain it.
Please advice(any advice will be appreciated)
Thank You
Hari Om

Om Shirdi Sai Ram.
Namaste Nachiketa.

How to Keep Up Brahmacharya - By Swami Sivananda

1. A Brahmachari should avoid looking at a woman with lustful eyes. He should not have a desire to touch her or go near her with evil intention. He should not play, cut jokes or talk with her. He should not praise a woman’s qualities within himself or to his friends. He should not talk to her secretly. He should not think of a lady. He should not have a carnal desire to have sexual enjoyment. A Brahmachari should, without fail, avoid sexual intercourse. If he breaks any of the above rules, he violates the vow of Brahmacharya.
2. For protecting the semen, it is essential to wear always a strip of (black-coloured) cloth over the private part; for there will be no night emission and growth of testicles. It is befitting for a celibate to wear always wooden sandals as thereby the semen will be conserved, eyes will be benefited, life prolonged and holiness and lustre will increase.
3. The vow of celibacy will give you sure protection against temptation. It is a strong weapon to attack lust. If you do not take a vow of celibacy, the mind will tempt you at any moment. You will have no strength to resist the temptation and you will become a sure victim. He who is weak and effeminate is afraid of taking the vow. He brings in various excuses and says: “Why should I be bound by a vow? My will is strong and powerful. I can resist any sort of temptation. I am doing Upasana. I am practicing will culture.” He repents in the long run. He has no control over the senses. That man only in whom the subtle desire for the object to be renounced lurks in the corners of his mind brings in such sort of excuses. You must have right understanding, discrimination and dispassion. Then only your renunciation will be lasting and permanent. If renunciation is not the outcome of discrimination and dispassion the mind will be simply waiting for an opportunity to get back the object that has been renounced.
4. If you are weak, take a vow of celibacy for a month and then extend it to three months. You will gain some strength now. You will be able to prolong the period to six months. Gradually you will be able to extend the vow for one or two or three years. Sleep separately and do rigorous Japa, Kirtan and meditation daily. You will hate lust now. You experience freedom and indescribable joy. Your partner in life also should do Japa, meditation and Kirtan daily.
5. You may be able to stop copulation for months and years, but there should not be any sexual craving or attraction for ladies. Evil thoughts also should not arise when you look at a lady, when you are in the company of ladies. If you succeed in this direction, then you are established in perfect Brahmacharya. You have crossed the danger zone. There is no harm in looking at a woman, but you must have a chaste look. You must have Atma Bhava. When you look at a young lady you can think within yourself: “Prostrations unto thee, O mother. Thou art an image or manifestation of Mother Kali. Do not tempt me. Do not allure me. I have understood now the secret of Maya and Her creation. Who has created these forms? There is an omnipotent, all-pervading and all-merciful Creator behind these names and forms. This is all decaying false beauty. The Creator or God is Beauty of beauties. He is an embodiment of undecaying beauty. He is fountain-head of beauty. Let me realise this Beauty of beauties by meditation.” You will have to cultivate feelings of devotion, admiration and awe when you look at a beautiful form by remembering the Creator of this form. Then you will not be tempted. If you are a student of Vedanta, think and feel: “Everything is Self only. The names and forms are illusory. They are Mayaic pictures. They have no independent existence apart from the Self.”
6. Aspirants should not indulge in talk about ladies. They should not think about ladies. Bring the image or your Ishta Devata in your mind, if thought of a lady crops up. Repeat the Mantra vigorously. If sexual feelings arise in your mind when you look at the mating of animals and birds or at the bare bodies of ladies it indicates that lust is still lurking in your mind.
7. Even advanced aspirants who have made great progress in Yoga should be very careful. They should not mix freely with ladies. They should not foolishly imagine that they have become great adepts in Yoga. A great saint of repute had a downfall. He freely mixed with ladies made lady disciples and allowed them to shampoo his legs. As the sex-energy was not completely sublimated and turned into Ojas, as lust was lurking in a subtle form in his mind, he became a victim. He lost his reputation. The sexual desire was only suppressed in him and when a suitable opportunity came, it again assumed grave form. He had no strength or will-power to resist the temptation.
8. Another great soul who was regarded by his disciples as an Avatara became a Yoga-bhrashta. He also freely mixed with ladies and committed serious crimes. He became a prey to lust. What a sad misfortune! Aspirants climb with great difficulty by the ladder of Yoga and they are irrecoverably lost for ever on account of their carelessness and spiritual pride.
9. Remembrance of the skeleton and dead body of a woman, will induce Vairagya in your mind. The body has come out of the filthy discharge. It is full of impurities. In the end it is reduced into ashes. If you remember this, Vairagya will dawn in your mind. Attraction for ladies will gradually vanish. If you place before your mind the sickly figure of a lady, or the picture of a very old lady you will develop Vairagya. Remember pains of Samsara, the unreality of objects and the bondage that comes from attachment to wife and children. Try any method that suits you best.
10. One should try to get Viveka or discrimination between the real Self and the unreal, impure body. He should hammer the mind and point out to the mind the defects of a sexual life, viz., loss of energy, innovation of senses, disease, birth and death, attachment and various sorts of miseries, etc., the parts of the body of a woman, viz., flesh, blood, bone, excrete, urine, pus, phlegm, etc. He should always think of the ever-pure immortal Atman and the glory of the spiritual life, viz., the attainment of immortality, eternal bliss, supreme peace. Gradually the mind will be weaned from looking at a woman however beautiful she might be. The mind will shudder to look at her with evil thought.
11. An aspirant complains: “As I continue meditation. layer after layer of impurities are rising from the subconscious mind. Sometimes they are so strong and formidable that I am bewildered as to how to check them. I am not perfectly established in truth and Brahmacharya. The old habits of speaking lies and lust are still lurking in me. Lust is troubling me vigorously. The very idea of women agitates my mind. My mind is so sensitive that I am not able to hear or think of them. As soon as the thought comes in the mind, my Sadhana gets disturbed and also the peace of the whole day is spoiled. I advise my mind, coax it, frighten it, but it is of no avail. My mind revolts. I do not know how to control this passion. Irritability, egoism, anger, greed, hatred, attachment, etc., are still lurking in me. Lust is my chief enemy and it is a very strong one too. I request you to be kind enough to advise as to how to destroy the same.”
12. When the impurities emerge from the subconscious mind and come to the surface of the conscious mind with formidable force, do not try to resist them. Repeat your Ishta Mantra. Do not think of your defects or evil qualities much. It is enough if you introspect and find out your defects. Do not try to attack the evil qualities. Then they will show their long faces. Do not worry yourself often: “I have got so many defects and weaknesses.” Cultivate Sattvic virtues. Through meditation and by the development of positive qualities, through Pratipaksha Bhavana method all the negative qualities will die of themselves. This is the right method.
13. Passion will subside by protracted Japa and meditation and Chintana on Atman. Do not try to run away from ladies. Then Maya will chase you terribly. Try to see the Self in all forms and repeat the formula ‘Om Eka Satchidananda Atma’ often. Remember that the Atman is sexless. Mental repetition of this formula will give you strength.
14. You should remain far away from ladies in the beginning of your practice. After you are perfectly moulded and well-established in Brahmacharya, you should test your strength by moving with ladies very cautiously for some time. If your mind is very pure now also, if there is no sex-idea, if the mind ceases to act through the practice of Uparati, Sama and Dama, remember you have gained real spiritual strength and made considerable progress in your Sadhana. You are safe now. You should not stop your Sadhana thinking that you are a Jitendriya Yogi. If you stop it you will have a hopeless fall. Even if you are a Jivanmukta and a dynamic Yogi, you should be very careful when you move with worldly persons.
15. Thirsty aspirants who are treading the path of Self-realisation who are householders and forty years of age should give up contact with the partners in life. They should observe perfect physical Brahmacharya, if they want rapid spiritual progress and Self-realisation in this very birth. There are no half way measures in the spiritual path.

[Madhavan]

It has been mentioned that there have been only been two people who are considered as the perfect model for brahmacharya - Lord Hanuman and Bhishma. I am a celibate and I have found these very helpful to keep the mind free of any unwanted desires.

1. Regular reciting of Sundara Kandam. Very thought of Hanuman will eradicate all such thoughts.

2. Worship and meditation of Lord Hanuman - we need his blessings to observe this.

3. To the extent allowed by the freewill, think of all women as mother or sister, or even better the mother goddess Shakti. That will eliminate all lustful tendencies. Would you ever get lustful feelings while praying to Mother Shakti, after all she is portrayed as an attractive woman? Why is that? Think about it - it is just a mental state.

4. Dont wrestle with the mind in an attempt to acheive everything overnight. Allow the mind to wander and gently bring it down - focus your attention on Lord Hanuman and think of his vow. Pray for guidance.

5. I could not agree with everything Swami Sivananda has said: - it is impracticable not to see women or even think about them unless you live somewhere in a forest. Such avoidance might have a recoil effect. No emotions must be suppressed otherwise they might burst forth without warning. All desires must be controlled very gradually.

Brahmacharya is not so essential in the early stages of spiritual development so a person need not be so concerned. What is really needed is the desire for self realization, devotion and faith - rest will follow as ordained by God.