Hinduism And Celibacy

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In Christianity, what is the biggest sin of Adam and Eve? They ate the fruit of knowledge. The Forbidden fruit. Because of this knowledge, they became aware of their human nature Following that, they knew their limitation, their emotion, and feeling They became shy and covered their bodies. This led to their sex life, And because of sex, progeny happened. And we humans are the creation of that.

Different people have different interpretations of this event. But for any normal thinking human being, It looks like an absurd idea. Why having knowledge is sin? Why are humans knowing their limitations is a sin? If sex is a sin then entire humanity is the outcome of sin. This way, Christianity gives very high importance to celibacy.

In Islam what is the biggest reward of following the Path of Allah? You get eternal heaven But why is heaven so interesting in Islam? Because in heaven, each Momin gets 72 virgins! But what will you do of 72 virgins? Have sex for eternal life! So sex is good in Islam For this people do as many marriages as they can afford People live for it and die for sex.

In Santana Dharma tradition like Hinduism, Jainism, Buddhism, and Sikhism Celibacy or Brahmacharya is considered one of the highest Virtue Patanjali yoga sutra says one of the five Yama is Brahamcharya Without proper Yama and Niyama in place, you cannot proceed on the Path of Yoga. Eight sequential steps of Patanjali Ashtanga Yoga are Yama, Niyama, Asana, Pranayam, Pratayahara, Dharana, Dhyana, and finally Samadhi.

If you interpret it properly, then Patanjali is saying Without Celibacy, you cannot move on the path of Yoga Why? Because Yama means ethical life The absence of ethical life Will cause you restlessness Following that, you cannot do Asana Pranayam without Asana is not effective Dharana without Pranayam is not possible. Dhyana without Dharana is impossible Samadhi and self-realization without Dhyana are unthinkable.

But, if people are interested in both self-realization and family life, then what to do? Hindu Philosophical systems say the purpose of marriage are many One, to fulfill sexual desire Two, to compliment two opposite energy channels of the two bodies so that each individual becomes balance. Three, have progeny so that society can survive and the knowledge system continues Four, build a healthy society with reliable relationships where children’s physical and mental health is taken care of Fifth, think beyond life, do good Karma, Yagnya together so that you both reach heaven together Sixth and final inspire each other for Moksha and Mukti.

Unfortunately, most people do not understand this properly and they give so much importance to one or two aspects of their married life that they don’t realize that there is married life beyond sex and children.

But keeping that aside, How a person who is interested in family life can have celibacy? Which is one of the key components of Yoga and self-realization?

Have you seen the caves of Khajuraho? That is the part of Sanatana Dharama. Not only that, there are many temples around India where you see these kinds of erotic postures between a male and a female around the outside wall of the temple. What is the message? Sanatana Dharma is advocating do all whatever sensual you feel is necessary for life. After you are fully satisfied When you feel there is nothing else to be done then only go inside the temple with a calm mind.

You cannot mediate if you are thinking about sex. Without meditation, Samadhi is impossible and hence self-realization is unattainable.

People develop their own purpose of life and married life And to fulfill that, they do whatever is required for them. Sometimes they do it mutually and other times as alone.

In Hindu systems, we hear many stories of Brahmacharya of Bhisma, Vishwamitra Sri Ramachandra of Ayodhya, Lakshman, Hanuman, Ramkrishna Paramhamsa, Vivekananda etc. Some were married, some not. Chose your ideal of life rightly, and try to live up to them, you may have ups and downs in your life but you will not feel succumbed to life.

In Hinduism unlike Christianity Brahmacharya is not a binary concept that either you or not. Here it is a gradual control of life forces. There are people who chose lifetime Celibacy. There are others who chose for one year or one month. Ramchandra chose celibacy for fourteen years. Whatever degree of celibacy you can practice in your life that much control you can exercise on your physical and mental body.

The highest degree of Brahmacharya can lead to the highest virtuous life It can protect one from physical aging and physical diseases, It can protect one from disgrace and confusion. It gives you intellectual, mental, and physical strength to live like a Jeevan Mukta.

It protects one from mental sickness, craziness, It helps in culminating Bhakti and meditative mind. It helps in developing strong resolute. It frees one from the dual mind It gives clarity in thinking.

In Sanatana Dharma Sex is neither virtue nor sin. Celibacy doesn’t mean lifelong celibacy Everything has some purpose in life. Try to understand the purpose and move. Don’t become crazy about anything As you see in everyday newspapers or health magazines.

Oh Pratibimba, Am I making sense to you? What do you think about Brahmacharya ?

Hari Om Tat Sat Yours Truly Hari