11. WOMEN AND BRAHMACHARYA

January 25, 2004

An aspirant writes: "I would like to know whether the same theory

regarding the formation of Veerya and loss of the same holds good in

the case of women also. Are they actually affected to the same extent

as men?" The question is an important and pertinent one. Yes,

indulgence in the sexual act is exhausting to the female system and a

drain upon the vitality as in man. The nervous strain it imposes on

the system is very great indeed.

The female gonads, the ovaries corresponding to the testes in the

males, produce, develop and mature precious, vital force like semen.

This is the ovum. Though the woman does not actually lose this out of

her body, as in the case of semen in man, yet, due to the sexual act,

it leaves the ovaries and is taken up in the process of conception to

form the embryo. And one knows only too well what a strain and drain

on strength child-bearing is to a woman. Repeated depletion of this

force and the strain of childbirth makes wrecks of healthy ladies,

and works havoc with their strength, beauty and grace as well as

their youth and mental power. Eyes lose the lustre and sparkle that

are indicative of the inner forces.

The intense sensuous excitement of the act shatters the nervous

system and causes debility too. Their system being more delicate and

high-strung, females are often more affected than men.

Women should preserve their precious vital force. The ovum and the

hormones secreted by the ovaries are very essential for the maximum

physical and mental well-being of women.

Women also should observe the vow of celibacy. They also can remain

as Naishthic Brahmacharinis like Mirabai and devote themselves to the

service and devotion of God. Or they can do Brahma-Vichara like Gargi

and Sulabha. They will be styled as Brahma-Vicharinis, enquirers of

Brahman, if they adopt this path.

Grihastha-Dharminis or householders among women should observe

Pativrata-Dharma or the vow of chastity and should keep Savitri,

Anasuya, as their ideal. They should see Lord Krishna in their

husbands and realize God, like Laila in Majnu. They also can practice

all the Kriyas such as Asanas and Pranayamas. They should do vigorous

Sankirtan, Japa and prayer daily in their houses. Through Bhakti,

they can easily destroy passion, because by nature they are

devotional.

Many women of yore had done miraculous deeds and shown to the world

the power of chastity. Nalayini, by the power of chastity, stopped

the rising of the sun to save her husbands's life. Anasuya turned the

Trimurtis—Brahma, Vishnu and Mahesvara—into babies when they wanted

Nirvana Bhiksha. It is through the power of chastity only that she

was able to turn the great deities into babies. Savitri brought back

the life of Satyavan, her husband, from the noose of Yama, by her

chastity. Such is the power of chastity or Brahmacharya. Women who

lead an ideal householder's life with chastity can also become like

Anasuya, Nalayini or Savitri.

Brahmacharinis—ancient and modern

In olden days, there were Brahmacharinis in India. They were

Brahmavadinis; they discoursed on Brahman. They did not wish to lead

the life of Grihastha-Dharminis devoted to a householder's duties.

They served the Rishis and sages in their hermitages and did Brahma-

Vichara or enquiry of Brahman. King Janasruti placed his daughter at

the service of Rishi Raikva. You will find this in the Chhandogya

Upanishad.

Sulabha was a very learned lady. She was born in a royal family. She

was a Brahmacharini. She was instructed in the religion of

emancipation. She observed the practice of asceticism. She was firm

in the practices that belonged to the mode of life she led. She was

steady in her vows. She never uttered a word without reflecting on

its propriety. She was a Yogini. She led the life of a Sannyasini.

She appeared before Janaka in his court and had a great discussion

with him on Brahma-Vidya or the Science of the Self.

Gargi was also a Brahmacharini. She also was a highly cultured lady.

She also had a lengthy discussion with Yajnavalkya on Brahma-Vidya.

The dialogue between them comes in the Brihadaranyaka Upanishad.

In Europe also there were many women who were celibate and who

dedicated their lives entirely to severe austerity, prayer and

meditation. They had their own hermitages. In India, even at the

present moment, there are educated women who lead the life of

Brahmacharinis. They do not wish to marry. This is due to the force

of good Samskaras of previous births. They give education to the

girls in schools. They give free tuition privately to poor girls and

train them in sewing and other household works. They study religious

books and practice meditation in the morning and in the evening. They

do Kirtan. They keep a daily spiritual diary. They conduct Satsanga

classes and Kirtan among women. They train girls in the practice of

Asanas and Pranayama. They give discourses on the Gita and the

Upanishads. They deliver lectures on the religious subjects in

English, Sanskrit and Hindi. During holidays and on important

occasions, they hold religious conferences for ladies on a grand

scale for mass spiritual awakening.

Sometimes they visit nearby villages and distribute medicines freely

to the poor. They are equipped with the knowledge of first-aid,

homoeopathy, allopathy and the bio-chemical system of medicine. They

are trained in nursing the sick. There is a highly educated

Brahmacharini, who is well-versed in Sanskrit, English and Hindi, who

is the head of an institution for girls. She maintains a free private

school also for poor girls at her own expense. This is a very noble

service indeed.

Such girls and women are really a blessing to India. They lead a life

of purity and self-sacrifice. They enjoy bliss, prosperity and renown

here and will also attain the immortal abode of supreme peace

hereafter. India is in need of more Brahmacharinis of this

description who can dedicate their lives to service, meditation and

prayer.

There was a Maharani in the erstwhile United Provinces who wore

simple dress, ate simple food, served Sadhus and poor people and

always lived amongst Sannyasins. She had a sound knowledge of the

scriptures and she did regular meditation and prayer. She observed

Mouna or the vow of silence for months together and spent some time

in seclusion and ruled her state also.

There is an educated woman who is an M.B.B.S. Her husband is holding

a good position. She treats the patients freely. She does not charge

any fees for visiting. She does very good service to the society. She

is not a job hunter. She is free from greed. She does medical service

for the purification of her heart. She regards medical service of the

poor people as worship of God. She looks after the house and serves

her husband. She studies religious books and spends sometime in

meditation, worship and prayer. She is an ideal woman who leads a

glorious and pious life.

Loose life is not freedom

The world is in dire need of such ideal women. I wish that the world

may abound with such glorious women. I do not condemn women. I do not

oppose giving them education and freedom. I have the highest

veneration for women. I adore them as Devis or goddesses. But, I am

not in favour of such freedom for women as will ruin them. I am in

favour of such education and culture as will make them - immortal and

glorious, as will make them ideal women like Sulabha, Mira and

Maitreyi, like Savitri and Damayanti. This is what I want. This is

what everybody would like.

Loose life is not perfect freedom. Some women of India have ruined

themselves by taking advantage of this false freedom. There is no

limit to the freedom, which the so-called educated woman enjoys now.

This freedom has caused many homes to be wrecked. It has created

disorders in society. It has brought shame on many respectable

families. The girls, in their insatiable craving for freedom, have

overstepped the limit and lost that priceless possession which the

women of the past could keep untarnished.

By mixing with men freely, woman loses her dignity, modesty, feminine

grace, and the sanctity of her person and character. A woman who

mixes freely with men cannot preserve her chastity for long. There

can be, and there have been, exceptions. A woman who mixes with men

freely in public life and yet remains pure must be certainly

superhuman. An ordinary woman with her natural passion will soon

succumb. Human nature will fulfil itself.

What is there in a woman's life if her purity is lost? She is only a

living corpse if there is no purity, although she may be rolling in

wealth and moving in high circles in society. Promiscuous mixing will

lead to disastrous results. Even Rishis and Yogins who are clad in

rags, who live on roots in seclusion, will be pulled down by the dark

forces of nature if they are careless. Then what to speak of women

who eat daily dainties and sweetmeats, who are clad in perfumed

velvet and silk with lace borders, who are given to too much mixing,

who do not lead a life of self-control, who have no religious

training and discipline, who have no idea of the inner life and the

religion of emancipation? O wise reader! I leave this for your own

consideration, reflection, cogitation and deliberation.

Women should not do anything that can bring dishonour or infamy on

them and their family, and a blot on their character. Without

character, a man or a woman is considered as dead while living. Women

should be very careful and cautious when they move in society. They

should avoid too much talking, too much mixing, guffaw and giggling.

They should always walk in a dignified manner and not with the

swinging of the hips. They should never look at men with a flitting

gesture. Clothes should not be too tight or revealing. Abandon make-

up.

A call to spiritual life

O Devis! Do not waste your lives in fashion and passion. Open your

eyes. Walk in the path of righteousness. Preserve your Pativrata

Dharma. See Divinity in your husband. Study the Gita, the Upanishads,

Bhagavata and Ramayana. Become good Grihastha-Dharminis and Brahma-

Vicharinis. Bring forth many Gourangas. The destiny of the world is

entirely in your hands. You are holding the master-key of the world.

Open the door of Elysian bliss. Bring Vaikuntha in your home. Train

your children in the spiritual path. Sow the spiritual seed when they

are young.

O Devis of the world! Should you not strive for the higher life, the

grand, the sublime, the only real life in the Soul? Is it sufficient

if you are satisfied with the petty material necessities of life on

earth? Do you remember what Maitreyi said to Yajnavalkya? "What shall

I do with the wealth of this whole world if thereby I would not

become immortal?" said she to her husband. How many ladies of this

world will be bold enough to assert this wise saying of the

Upanishadic ideal of a woman?

To chain themselves with the bondage of Samsara is not the birthright

of the mothers and sisters of the world. To get stuck up in family,

children and relatives is not the ideal of courageous and

discriminative women. Every mother of the world should realize her

responsibility to awaken herself, her children, her family and her

husband, to the true light, and splendour of spiritual life. What a

glorious mother was Madalasa! Did she ask her children to study up to

the post-graduate examination, and then seek for some

employment? "Suddhosi, Buddhosi, Niranjanosi, Samsara Maya

Parivarjitosi—You are pure, you are consciousness, you are taintless,

you are devoid of the Maya of Samsara"—such was the Advaitic

instruction which Madalasa gave to her children when she rocked them

in the cradle. How many mothers of the present-day world have got the

fortune to teach their children such profound knowledge? On the other

hand, the present-day mothers would try to crush the spiritual

tendency of their children even if it is found in them in a

microscopic state! What a sad and pitiable condition! Wake up, O

mothers, sisters! Wake up from your deep sleep. Recognise your

responsibility. Spiritualise yourselves. Spiritualise your children.

Spiritualise even your husbands, for you are the makers of the

family! Remember how Chudala illumined her husband. You are the

makers of the nations! You are the builders of the world! Therefore,

spiritualise yourselves. Assert in yourselves the spirit of Sulabha,

Maitreyi, Gargi. Do not be cowardly. Come out of your fleshy homes—

the homes of delusion, the homes of vanity!

Be you all real Sannyasinis and bring real glory, real greatness, for

that is real boldness and courage, that is real wisdom and

understanding. A woman is not a woman if she is devoid of spiritual

fire in her, if she is ignorant of a higher life in the Soul. A

woman's duty is not merely family; her duty is also to transcend the

family. Her duty does not lie in sans, bangles, jackets, powders and

scents. Her duty does not lie in getting employment for her children.

Her duty is also concerned with the Self, the Atman, the Brahman.

Such a woman is a real symbol of God. She is to be adored, she is to

be worshipped!

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12. BRAHMACHARYA AND THE EDUCATIONAL CURRICULUM

If you compare the present system of education with our ancient

Gurukul system, there is a wide gulf between the two. In the first

place, the present system of education is very costly. The moral side

of education is absolutely ignored at the present moment. Every

student in the Gurukul was pure. Every student, had perfect moral

training. This was the predominating feature of ancient culture.

Every student had a knowledge of Pranayama, Mantra Yoga, Asanas, the

code of morals, Gita, Ramayana, Mahabharata and the Upanishads. Every

student possessed humility, self-restraint, obedience, a spirit of

service and self-sacrifice, good demeanour, politeness, a courteous

nature, and last but not the least, a desire to acquire Atma-Jnana.

A vital drawback in the present educational system in India

The college students of the present day do not possess any of the

above virtues at all. Self-control is a thing unknown to them.

Luxurious living and self-indulgence begin from their very boyhood.

Arrogance, impertinence and disobedience are deep-rooted in them.

They have become confirmed atheists and rank materialists. Many are

ashamed to say that they believe in the existence of God. They have

no knowledge of Brahmacharya and self-control. Fashionable dress,

undesirable food, bad company, frequent attendance at the theatres,

and the cinema, and applying Western manners and customs have

rendered them weak and passionate. Brahma-Vidya, Atma-Jnana,

Vairagya, the wealth of Moksha and Atmic peace and bliss are quite

foreign to them.

Fashion, style, epicureanism, gluttony and luxury have occupied their

minds. It is very pitiable to hear the life-history of some of the

college students. In the ancient Gurukul, boys were healthy and

strong and lived long. It has indeed been detected that the health of

the students has deteriorated throughout India. Moreover, the vices

and bad practices that are ruining their health are on the increase.

There is no ethical culture in modern schools and colleges. In the

present system, the moral side of education is absolutely ignored.

Modern civilization has enfeebled our boys and girls. They lead an

artificial life. Children beget children. There is racial

degeneration. The cinema has become a curse. It excites passion and

emotion. Nowadays, in the cinema, vulgar scenes and immoral plays are

enacted even when they show stories from the Mahabharata and the

Ramayana. Again I have to reiterate with force that the present

system of education in India needs a thorough drastic overhauling

immediately.

Any system of education, which is not based on the principles of

Brahmacharya, and has not in its curriculum a compulsory study of

Sanskrit literature, will not be good for the Hindus. It is bound to

fail! Those who are responsible for giving them a proper system of

education are ignorant on this important point; and hence the

numerous unfortunate experiments in education.

Professors of some colleges insist on the students putting on

fashionable dress. They even dislike students who wear clean but

simple clothing. A great pity! Cleanliness is one thing and fashion

is another thing. The so-called `fashion' takes root in worldliness

and sensuality.

Cleanliness of life is very necessary for physical and spiritual

growth. Boys and girls suffer in silence on account of ignorance, on

account of misuse of bodily parts which constitutes a definite drain

upon the vitality. This retards normal mental and physical progress.

When `the human system is deprived of its natural secretions, there

must be a corresponding decline in nervous energy. This is the reason

why functional disorders develop. The number of wrecks is increasing.

Young boys suffer from anaemia, bad memory and debility. They have to

discontinue their studies. Diseases are increasing. Thousands of

injections have come into the pharmacy, hospitals and dispensaries.

Thousands of doctors have opened their clinics and shops. Yet, misery

is increasing day by day. People do not get success in their

enterprises and business. What is the reason for this? The reason is

not far to seek. It is because of wastage of the vital force or semen

through evil habits and immoderate sexual intercourse. It is because

of an unclean mind and an unclean body.

Duty of teachers and parents

A great and onerous duty rests with the teachers and professors of

schools and colleges to train the students in the path of Sadachara

or right conduct and to mould their character properly. Brahmacharya

includes character-building or right moulding of character. They say

that knowledge is power. But I assert boldly, with great assurance

and practical experience, that character is power and that character

is far superior to knowledge even.

Every one of you should endeavour your level best to mould your

character properly. Your whole life and your success in life depend

entirely upon the formation of your character. All the great persons

in this world have achieved their greatness through character and

character alone. The brilliant luminaries of the world have won their

laurels of fame, reputation and honour through character and

character alone.

The teachers themselves should be strictly moral and pure. They

should be endowed with ethical perfection. Otherwise, it will be like

the blind leading the blind. Before taking to the profession of a

teacher, every teacher should feel the high responsibility of his

position in the educational line. Mere intellectual achievement in

the art of delivering dry lectures will not suffice. This alone will

not adorn a professor.

When students reach the age of maturity, certain growths and changes

take place in the physical body. The voice changes. New emotions and

sentiments arise. Naturally, the youngsters become curious. They

consult the street boys. They get ill advised. They ruin their health

by vile habits. A clear knowledge of sexual health, hygiene and

Brahmacharya, of how to attain longevity and how to control passion,

should be imparted to them. Parents should teach their children the

various stories from the Mahabharata and the Ramayana that relate to

Brahmacharya and right conduct.

Parents should advise their children, often and often, on the subject

of Brahmacharya. This is their imperative duty. Candid talks to the

boys and girls are very necessary when they begin to show signs of

puberty. It is no use beating about the bush. Matters that relate to

sex should not be kept hidden. It will be only false modesty if the

parents feel shy to talk to their children on this important subject.

Silence will only excite the curiosity of the adolescent children.

Whereas, if they can understand these things clearly in time, surely

they will not be misguided by evil companions and they will not

develop bad habits.

Teachers and parents should give proper instructions to the boys and

girls as to how they should lead a clean life of Brahmacharya. They

should get rid of their false sense of modesty and shame. They are a

good deal responsible for the ignorance of the boys and girls. There

has been more suffering caused by ignorance of these matters than by

anything else. You are paying the price of ignorance, of the false

modesty that matters of sex and sexual physiology should not be

discussed. The teachers and parents should diligently watch the

conduct of the youngsters and clearly impress on their mind the vital

importance of a clean life of Brahmacharya and the dangers of an

unclean life. Pamphlets on Brahmacharya should be freely distributed

to them.

Magic lantern demonstrations on the subject of Brahmacharya, on the

lives of Brahmacharins of yore, on the stories of the Mahabharata and

the Ramayana, should be regularly conducted in the schools and

colleges. This will be a great help in elevating and inspiring the

students to a high moral standard.

O teachers and professors! Wake up now! Train the students in the

path of Brahmacharya and righteousness and morality. Make them true

Brahmacharins. Do not neglect this divine work. You are morally

responsible for this onerous task. This is your Yoga. You can have

Self-realization if you take up this work in right earnest. Be true

and sincere. Open your eyes now. Explain to the boys and the girls

the importance of Brahmacharya and instruct them in the various

methods by which they can preserve the Veerya, the soul-force or Atma-

Sakti that is hidden in them.

Teachers who have disciplined themselves first should hold private

talks with students and give them regular practical lessons on

Brahmacharya. Rev. H. Packenham Walsh, who was principal of the S.RG.

College, Tiruchirappali, a few decades ago, and who later became a

bishop, used to hold regular talks with his students on the subject

of Brahmacharya and self-control.

The future destiny of the world rests entirely with the teachers and

students. If the teachers train their students in the right

direction, in the path of righteousness, the world will be filled

with ideal citizens, Yogis and Jivanmuktas, who will radiate light,

peace, bliss and joy everywhere.

Blessed is he who truly endeavours in making his students true

Brahmacharins. Twice blessed is he who tries to become a real

Brahmachari. May the blessings of Lord Krishna be upon them. Glory to

the teachers, professors and students.

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January 26, 2004

I read your mail with much care and felt the essence of your message at the

core of my heart. Yet, I beleive it is the work of men who, naturally would

like the women to develop such mentality, are unconsciously developing

equality among men and women in the name of sexual liberation. That is, men

wishes women feel they also have the right to enjoy the opposite sex at the

same level and degree as men. This way, they won't need to endeavour much to

enjoy women. Chastity and spiritual conscious is an obstacle for those who

want to enjoy sensual pleasure. We can clearly see this tendency in the

western countries.

Therefore, your plea to request women to be chaste and dedicated to

spiritual practice is very relevant and import for a health society, but

equal pledge must be directed towards men. Yes, it is true that men are

compared to butter and women to fire, and therefore, keeping the women at

distance will avoid men from melting, but both men and women should be

examples.

A very respective guru from a Brahma Gaudiya Math once said: "One cannot be

a perfect gentlemen just by learning to be polite or developing academic

knowledge. Unless he sees other people's belongings as garbage, sees all

knowledge as useless when excluding Self Realization as the ultimate goal,

and sees all women except his own wife as his mother, he cannot be

considered a perfect gentlemen".

Kind regards,

Roy

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Sunday, January 25, 2004 4:10 PM