Beruflich Dokumente
Kultur Dokumente
By
SRI SWAMI SIVANANDA
Published By
THE DIVINE LIFE SOCIETY
P.O. Shivanandanagar—249 192
Distt. Tehri-Garhwal, Uttar Pradesh,
Himalayas, India.
CONTENTS
• PUBLISHERS’ NOTE
• PRAYER FOR PURITY
• SECTION I. THE PHENOMENON OF SEX
1. THE PRESENT-DAY DEGRADATION
The world is all sexy
Spiritual Sadhana is the answer to sex attraction
Brahmacharya—the need of the hour
2. THE WORKING OF THE SEX IMPULSE
The flowery bow of Cupid
The Samskaras in the subconscious mind
How to gauge your own mental purity
Eradication of lust is no easy task
3. INTENSITY OF THE CRAVINGS IN DIFFERENT PERSONS
Passion in children, the youth and the aged
Sexual thought in sages, spiritual aspirants and householders
Lust in men and in women
4. SEX IS IN IMAGINATION
Beauty is a mental concept
Misleading descriptions of a woman’s beauty
Passion blinds the intellect
5. THE DISASTROUS EFFECTS OF SEXUAL INDULGENCE
Wet dream and voluntary copulation—A vital difference
Youth with bloodless faces
6. THE VALUE OF SEMEN
Modern medical opinion
Mind, Prana and Veerya
• SECTION II. THE GLORY OF BRAHMACHARYA
1. THE MEANING OF BRAHMACHARYA
The eight breaks in Brahmacharya
Physical Brahmacharya and mental Brahmacharya
A common complaint
2. THE GLORY OF BRAHMACHARYA
Secret of health and longevity
Celibacy promotes concentration
3. IMPORTANCE OF CELIBACY IN SPIRITUAL LIFE
Celibacy in the different religious orders
Brahmacharya—the foundation of spiritual life
4. BRAHMACHARYA FOR HOUSEHOLDERS
What is Brahmacharya in married life?
When the wife becomes the mother
Living a life of spiritual partnership
5. WOMEN AND BRAHMACHARYA
Brahmacharinis—ancient and modern
Loose life is not freedom
A call to spiritual life
6. BRAHMACHARYA AND THE EDUCATIONAL CURRICULUM
A vital drawback in the present educational system in India
Duty of teachers and parents
7. SOME IDEAL BRAHMACHARINS
Hanuman
Sri Lakshmana
Bhishma
• SECTION III. TECHNIQUES OF SEX SUBLIMATION
1. SUPPRESSION AND SUBLIMATION
From sex energy to spiritual energy
The secret of sex sublimation
Total sublimation is difficult, yet not impossible
2. TO MARRY OR NOT TO MARRY
Is celibacy possible?
A foolish argument of the Epicureans
Nature of the love between husband and wife
To be a celibate? Or to be a householder?
The Akhanda Brahmachari
3. THE DANGERS OF PROMISCUOUS MIXING
Havoc played by mental images
The forbidden fruit—God’s test for the spiritual aspirant
4. STOP THAT LUSTFUL LOOK!
Mind the feeling behind the look!
How to counter impure thoughts
5. THE ROLE OF DIET IN SEX CONTROL
Sattvic food
Forbidden food
Mitahara or moderation in diet
Fasting—a purificatory exercise
6. WET DREAMS AND SPERMATORRHOEA
Difference between physiological pollution and pathological
pollution
Causes and consequences
A warning against evil sex habits and outbursts of anger
Importance of proper food and evacuation
Get up before 4 a.m.
Take to the Name of the Lord
The benefits of a hip bath
Some helpful suggestions
7. SOME POWERFUL AIDS TO THE PRACTICE OF CELIBACY
Control of the palate
Avoid bad company
Watch the thoughts
Seek Satsanga or good company
Cultivate Viveka and Vairagya
A note of clarification
A vow is a great help
Will culture and auto-suggestion
Change the Drishti or angle of vision
8. HATHA YOGA TO THE RESCUE
Siddhasana
Sirshasana
Sarvangasana
Matsyasana
Padangushthasana
Instruction on Asana practice
Mula Bandha
Jalandhara Bandha
Uddiyana Bandha
Nauli Kriya
Maha Mudra
Yoga Mudra
Easy and comfortable Pranayama
Bhastrika Pranayama
Hints on Pranayama practice
Vajroli Mudra
9. SOME ILLUSTRATIVE STORIES
1. The power of lust. The example of Jaimini
2. Passion’s hold over man’s mind. Socrates and his disciple
3. Lust increases with enjoyment. Raja Yayati
4. Dawn of Viveka and Vairagya. Yogi Vemana
5. Beauty lies in imagination. The story of Hemachuda
6. Physical beauty is no beauty. Story of a prince
7. Being busy is the best way to control lust. Story of a ghost
2. SELECT SAYINGS ON SEX AND CELIBACY
• SECTION IV. A SYMPOSIUM
○ COMMENTARY ON SWAMI SIVANANDA’S 8TH SPIRITUAL
INSTRUCTION
Perpetuation of the Species
Power of Brahmacharya
Duties of Householders
Brahmacharya in Modern Society
Advantages of Brahmacharya
Books on Brahmacharya
○ THE PARAMOUNT IMPORTANCE OF BRAHMACHARYA
The Four Great Purusharthas
The Twofold importance of Dharma
Conservation of Energy in the Context of a Spiritual Life
Sex Energy-A Manifestation of Para Shakti
The Human Body Compared to a Mansion
How to Rise Above Sex
Voluntary Self-restraint Is No Suppression
○ BRAHMACHARYA—AN OUTLOOK OF CONSCIOUSNESS
How Our Energy Gets Diverted and Dissipated
Conservation of Energy for Brahma-Sakshatkara
The Individual—A Pressure Centre
Stresses and Strains—Their Cause and Cure
The Havoc Wrought by the Externalizing Senses
Desire—A Metaphysical Evil
Varnashrama—An Aid to Free Ourselves from the Grip of Nature
○ MARRIAGE: WHAT DOES IT MEAN?
○ BIRTH CONTROL
Instructions for Householders
Population Should Be Checked
Danger of Artificial Means
PUBLISHERS’ NOTE
Instincts and appetites form a part of all life on earth. Sense impulses and biological urges are
common to animal and man alike. Sex is one of the prominent, most important and absolutely
essential aspects of human, animal as well as plant life. Sex is an integral part of life—human,
animal and plant. While this aspect of life is regulated by nature in plants and by instinct in
animals, in man it is left to his common-sense, intelligence and his developed reason to control
and regulate the same. The vast and ancient scriptures of the world offer human society specific
rules and regulations in this respect. With regard to India, as a nation, our forefathers followed
the do’s and don’ts of the Dharma Sastras in meticulous detail and this, in large measure,
contributed to their health, longevity and spiritual welfare.
But alas, in the present-day world, and more particularly among the educated class, in all walks
of society and in all age groups, norms of conduct laid down by the scriptures are flouted with so
much impunity that we see, all around us, the number of physical, mental and moral wrecks
increasing every day. One reason for this sad state of affairs is modern man’s ignorance of his
own scriptural treasures.
Swami Sivananda came on the Indian scene, in the early thirties, to blast this ignorance of the
people by offering the hoary wisdom of the ancients through the media of his simple English
writings. It is well known that spiritual treatises apart, the great Master, whose love for mankind
knew no bounds, wrote a number of books concerning health, hygiene and medicine. One such
book was "Practice of Brahmacharya" which dealt mostly with the subject of celibacy, and where
celibacy was not possible, a regulated sex life. This book has been popular with the public.
This apart, the Swamiji’s thoughts on the subject of sex and sex sublimation are also to be seen
here and there spread over his voluminous writings. In the present volume, all of Swamiji’s
thoughts and instructions on the subject of sex and celibacy have been gathered up from
"Practice of Brahmacharya" and elsewhere, and thoroughly edited, with a view to offering the
public, and especially to the younger generation, a working guide to the vital subject of sex
sublimation. This has been done as an act of loving service to modern youth who are often left
groping in the dark by an irresponsible society. These days we often hear about "juvenile
delinquency," but this juvenile delinquency itself is the result of adult irresponsibility. The youth
of the world craves for guidance which is often not forthcoming from the parents, teachers or
society.
It is hoped that this book of holy Master Swami Sivananda will fill the above-mentioned lacuna
and offer the youth of the world the knowledge and guidance which they so richly deserve in a
vital area which affects their physical, mental, ethical and spiritual well-being.
We pray that the blessings of the holy Master may pour on all those who may chance to go
through the following pages and open up a new chapter in their lives. May all be healthy, happy
and spiritually blessed. Loka Samastha Sukhino Bhavantu!
8th September, 1988.
—THE DIVINE LIFE SOCIETY
BIRTH CONTROL
By Swami Sivananda
Instructions for Householders
Strict regulation of sexual life and a rigid practice of non-violence are necessary if you want to
have progress on the spiritual path.
If you use contraceptives you will never learn to exercise self-restraint
He who uses contraceptives is an immoral man.
Learn the virtue of self-restraint. The use of these artificial methods will eventually sap your
energy. It will break down all restraint.
There is an intimate connection between sex and control of the palate. He who has controlled the
palate has already controlled all the other organs.
Sattvic food will make the practice of Brahmacharya easy.
Continence is not harmful. On the other hand it conserves nervous energy. It gives great mental
strength and peace of mind. Sexual indulgence leads to moral and spiritual bankruptcy,
premature death, nervous weakness and loss of one’s faculties, talents and capacities.
Manu says: "The first-born child is born of Dharrna and the rest of Kama or lust. The sexual act
for mere pleasure is not justifiable".
Passion for the flesh or body is not pure or real love. It is only infatuation born of ignorance. You
do wicked deeds and kill your soul on account of this passion.
Population Should Be Checked
How is the world to feed all the millions? In spite of advanced agricultural methods and
reclamation of waste land, it has been found impossible to balance food production with the
increase of population. Hence, the growth of population has to be restrained if there is to be no
lowering of the standard of living. If this is not done there will be mass starvation, famine and
consequent degradation of morality. Special agencies of the United Nations are busy in finding
out a long term solution. The United Nations Population Commission is now at work, assisted by
the Economic Council for Asia and the Far East.
No doubt in principle it is right that population has to be restricted. But how? Naturally, through
the advanced means of planned parenthood. What do we mean by this?
Rajkumari Amrit Kaur, Health Mnister of India answers: "I need hardly say that our educated
class thinks of planned parenthood mainly in terms of city-dwellers and educated men and
women. There are also many amongst the poorer classes whom our social workers can reach in
the cities, where their organizations are working. But they also invariably think of birth control
by the artificial methods of contraceptives, which have taken a firm hold of people in countries
of the West. I am totally unable to reconcile myself to this view".
Indeed, the unanimous answer as to how to plan parenthood has been the usage of
contraceptives. It is a pity that most of our learned leaders, with very few exceptions like Amrit
Kaur, should stoop so low in aping the West, with complete disregard and ignorance of their own
heritage.
The Vedic preceptors strictly enjoined on their students the practice of unbroken celibacy; and
when they had completed their studies and were advised to get married, it was not for the sake of
physical pleasure but for the sake of progeny. Self-restraint gave them moral strength and
spiritual vision. Through self-restraint they achieved ethical perfection and improved their
intellect.
There is no safer and better solution for the restriction of our population than practice of self-
restraint. No number of birth control clinics and no amount of propaganda advocating artificial
methods can take root in these masses, whose traditional background has been always soaked in
spirituality. No method other than self-restraint can be morally and spiritually successful either in
India or anywhere else in the world.
In India it was Mahatma Gandhi who, for the first time, organized stubborn opposition against
the use of contraceptives for family planning, as artificial methods gave free latitude to the
married and even encouraged the unmarried to embrace the path of self-indulgence with vulgar
impunity.
Gandhiji said, "If the rural population practiced moral restraint they could limit the size of their
families better than through the use of contraceptives. Artificial methods are like putting a
premium on vice. The remedy will be worse than the disease." When Gandhiji said this, many
eminent leaders, doctors, lawyers and educationists (even some of his foremost disciples), rose to
contradict him, saying, "The restraint of the natural impulse in men and women would lead to
serious consequences. There will be mass neurosis. Their zest for living and their mental
faculties would ebb away, their lives would become drab and dull," and so on and so forth.
All these charges were baseless and were but a confession of lasciviousness on the part of the
crusaders against self-restraint. This has been adequately proved by distinguished scientists and
doctors and by numerous scriptures belonging to all faiths. To quote a few such noteworthy
remarks, let us choose them from Western spokesmen in whom our educated intelligentsia are
prone to believe much more than in their own scriptures.
Sir Lionel Beale, Professor of the Royal College in London, says: "Sexual abstinence has never
yet hurt any man. Virginity is not too difficult to observe, provided that it is the physical
expression of a certain state of mind".
Professor Cesterbu concurs with Beale by saying, "The sexual instinct is not so blindly all-
powerful that it cannot be controlled and even subjugated entirely by moral strength. We must
know that robust health and ever-renewed vigour will be the reward of this voluntary service".
Sir Andrew Clark also agrees that "continence does not harm; it does not hinder development; it
increases perception and energy".
That the practice of continence is a fitting remedy for birth control has been emphasized by the
noted American, Joseph H.J. Spenglar. He says, "Moral restraint offers a salutary solution to the
problem of over-population".
Gandhiji answered his critics by the example of his personal life. In his autobiography he writes:
"I took the vow of Brahmacharya in 1906. I launched forth with faith in the sustaining power of
God. The more or less practice of self-control has been going on since".
Gandhiji was a man of experience and whatever he spoke was from his personal experience only.
His was not an arm-chair philosophy. He emphasized that continence was the prime qualification
for success in all achievements and in every walk of life.
"I hold that a life of perfect continence in thought, speech and action is necessary for reaching
spiritual perfection. Brahmacharya means perfect control of all the sense-organs. For a true
Brahmachari, nothing is impossible."
It is obvious that strict celibacy, as practiced by Bhishma, Lakshmana and Hanuman, is not
possible for the masses; but it is essential for their physical, moral and spiritual growth. They
should have a well-restrained and sacred marital relationship.
Bernard Shaw, a highly intellectual and profound spiritual personality, but an atheist and a non-
believer in organized religions as accepted by the masses, voiced the universally accepted truth
that "unless we restrain desire we destroy ourselves."
Danger of Artificial Means
"In my opinion we can give an impetus to birth control in our country by ways and means which
ought to come instinctively to us if we are true to the best traditions of our civilization. Perhaps
in no other country in the world has the practice of continence been advocated with such
emphasis as in India by all our saints and sages. Self-restraint on the part of both men and
women, and particularly on the part of men, must therefore be the first weapon in our armoury if
we are to battle successfully against overpopulation in our country. Artificial methods seem to
the average man to be easy of attainment. Hence, they are advocated by all and sundry. I look up
at this as a danger signal because it is always the straight and narrow way that leads us to
salvation".
Thus did Rajkumari Amrit Kaur represent the real sentiment of the majority of the masses of our
country in the Harijan.
The women of India have a great role to play in thwarting the onslaught of materialism. Through
the ages, it is they who have preserved the spiritual character of our society, their natural
instincts being religious. It is ignoble that they should subscribe to the philosophy of the modern
apostates.
Gandhiji wrote over a decade ago: "In my opinion it is an insult to the fair sex to put up her case
in support of birth control by artificial methods. I have little doubt that the vast majority of
women will reject them as inconsistent with their dignity".
It is high time now that the leaders of our country became aware of the ignominous
consequences of birth-control through artificial means. They should launch a country-wide
campaign, particularly in the villages, propagating the gospel of self-restraint, abolition of early
marriage, and practice of clean and healthy living.
The nation is fortunate in having Amrit Kaur as its Health Minister. Though miserably
outnumbered by the votaries of contraceptives, she emphasizes once more: "Artificial methods
are wholly impractical in our country because of the ignorance of our people, the lack of
scientific medical aid available to them, and also because of their high cost. I challenge the
statement myself that the practice of birth control by the use of contraceptives has proved a
success either physically, mentally or morally for the people of the West who have practiced it
over a number of years.
"On the other hand it has contributed in no small measure to a lowering of the standard of
morality and to a disregard by both men and women of the fundamental responsibility given to
human kind for procreation. While birth control is essential for India to restrict its growing
population, the more I live and serve the cause of health, and the closer contacts I have with sick
and suffering humanity, both in the city and in the village, the more convinced I become that it
will be a fatal step for our country to resort to artificial means".
Gandhiji writes in the Harijan: "There is nothing in our society at the present time which is
conducive to the practice of self-control. Our very up-bringing is against it. The primary concern
of parents is to get their children married anyhow so that they may breed like rabbits. If they are
girls, they are married at the earliest age convenient, irrespective of their moral welfare. The
marriage ceremony is one long, drawn-out agony of frivolity and feasting. The householder’s life
is in keeping with the past life. It is a prolongation of self-indulgence. Holidays and social
enjoyments are so arranged as to allow one the greatest latitude for sensuous living. The
literature that is almost thrust on our generation panders to animal passion. Modern literature
almost teaches that indulgence in it is a duty and total abstinence a sin.
"Is it any wonder if control of the sexual appetite has become very difficult, if not impossible? If
the practice of birth control through self-restraint is then the most desirable, sensible and totally
harmless method, we must forthwith change the environment and social ideal. The only way to
bring about the desired results is for individuals who believe in the method of self-control to
make the beginning themselves and, with unquenchable faith, to affect their surroundings. For
them the conception of marriage I discussed earlier seems to me to be of the greatest
significance.
"A proper grasp of it means a complete mental revolution. It is not meant merely for a few select
individuals. It is presented as the law of human species. Its breach reduces the status of human
beings and brings swift punishment in the shape of multiplicity of unwanted children, a train of
diseases, and disruption of man as a moral being responsible to his Maker.
"Birth-control by the use of contraceptives no doubt regulates the number of newcomers to some
extent and enables a person of moderate means to keep the wolf from the door. But the moral
harm it does to the individual and to society is incalculable. For one thing, the outlook upon life
for those who satisfy the sexual appetite for the sake of it is wholly changed. Marriage ceases to
be a sacrament for them. It means a revaluation of the social ideals hitherto prized as a precious
treasure. No doubt this argument will make little appeal to those who regard the old ideals about
marriage as mere superstition. My argument is only addressed to those who still regard marriage
as a sacrament and woman not as an instrument of animal pleasure but as the mother of man and
trustee of the virtue of her progeny.
"My experience of self-control by fellow workers and myself confirms for me the view presented
here. It assumes overwhelming force from my discovery in a vivid light of the ancient concept of
marriage. To me, the practice of Brahmacharya in married life now assumes its natural and
inevitable position and becomes as simple as the fact of marriage itself. Any other method of
birth control seems unthinkable and useless. If the idea that the grand and only function of the
sexual organ is generation, possesses men and women, then union for any other purpose will be
held as a criminal waste of the vital fluid, and the consequent excitement caused to woman and
man as an equally criminal waste of precious energy.
"It is now easy to understand why the scientists of old placed such great value upon the vital
fluid and why they insisted upon its strong transmutation into the highest form of energy for the
benefit of society as a whole. They boldly stated that one who attained perfect control over the
sexual energy strengthened the whole being—physical, mental and spiritual—and attained
powers unattainable by any other means.
"Let not the reader be disturbed by the absence of many or even any living specimen of such
giant Brahmacharis as were found in days of yore. The Brahmacharis that we have today are
incomplete specimens. At best they are aspirants who have acquired control of the body but not
of the mind. They have not become proof against temptation. This is not because Brahmacharya
is so difficult of attainment. It is because the social environment is against them, and the majority
of those who are making an honest effort unknowingly isolate the control of animal passion from
all other passions, whereas, to be successful the effort must include control of all passions to
which man is a prey. Whilst complete Brahmacharya is not impossible of attainment by the
average man and woman, it must not be felt that it requires less effort than that required by a
student who wishes to master one of the sciences".