Without brahmacharya (celibacy), no person can truly progress in life, whether they are a householder or a renunciate. Brahmacharya is essential for everyone. The practice of brahmacharya is life itself; it is the highest form of effort and the essence of spirituality.
Those who do not practice brahmacharya can be neither true householders nor renunciates. Even worldly education or material success requires brahmacharya. As long as indulgent desires reside in our hearts, neither worldly progress nor spiritual advancement is possible.
The tragic situation today is that brahmacharya is being mocked and destroyed. Brahmacharya is destroyed through eight types of sexual indulgence.
1. First of the Eight Forms of Sexual Indulgence – Sensual Thoughts, Visuals, or Imagination
When we read about sensual topics, witness acts of intimacy (even among animals or birds), or view obscene images, films, or scenes on mobile devices, lustful thoughts begin to arise within us. Just by witnessing fish mating, Sage Sobhari, who was once deeply absorbed in the contemplation of God, fell into thoughts of women and ended up marrying fifty princesses.
Unlike the gallbladder or urinary bladder, the body has no separate vessel for storing semen. The manovah nadi—the subtle mental nerve—is referred to as the “churner of blood” in scriptures. When we engage in intense thought, especially lustful thought, this churner pulls blood from the entire body and concentrates it to form semen. As a result, this semen may either be lost during such thoughts or be discharged at night through dreams.
That’s why a spiritual aspirant must renounce the first form of indulgence among the eight types of indulgence: any kind of sensual thought, visual, or reading. One should not read books containing sexual content, observe any being engaged in intercourse, view obscene images, or indulge in such thoughts.
2. Second of the Eight Forms of Sexual Indulgence – Obscene Talk and Discussion
When a group of men sit together and begin describing the physical features of women, engage in sensual conversations, or discuss the pleasures of sexual enjoyment, such obscene talk gives rise to lustful thoughts in the heart.
Instead, we should gather and speak of God—His divine form, virtues, pastimes, and glory. But if the discussion turns to women, sensual topics, or the delights of physical pleasure, it activates the manovah nadi. This subtle nerve churns the blood within the body and gathers it to form semen, which can then be lost, either during such thoughts or later through dreams. Therefore, indulging in vulgar conversation is the second way brahmacharya is compromised.
3. Third of the Eight Forms of Sexual Indulgence – Gestures, Joking, and Touch in Privacy
When a person makes suggestive gestures, engages in flirtatious jokes, touches someone with lustful intent, or sits close to someone in private while entertaining sensual thoughts, such behavior stirs the same inner corruption, eventually leading to the same downfall as previously described.
Anyone striving to uphold brahmacharya should never seek solitude with a member of the opposite sex under any circumstances. This principle applies equally to women.
The senses are extremely powerful; they can allure and bring down even the most learned and disciplined individuals. Therefore, one must remain alert and cautious. Never fall into the illusion that you are self-controlled or immune to temptation.
To protect brahmacharya, it is essential to avoid solitude with the opposite sex, practice restraint of the gaze, and maintain mindful company.
4. Fourth of the Eight Forms of Sexual Indulgence – Secretly Gazing at a Woman with Lust
When someone secretly looks at a woman with lustful intent, it is a serious violation of brahmacharya. Secret gaze means the woman is unaware, not looking, but the person is stealthily, with focused attention, observing her through a lens of desire. This behavior, too, leads to inner downfall, just like the previous three forms of indulgence.
5. Fifth of the Eight Forms of Sexual Indulgence – Smiling, Gestures, Flirtation, and Sensual Talk with Women
This involves smiling at someone with lustful intent, making suggestive gestures, flirtatious remarks, or engaging in light-hearted sensual conversations.
Though such actions may appear harmless—an innocent smile, a playful glance, a teasing comment—they serve as seeds of desire. Even if there is no physical interaction afterward, that smile, those gestures, and those suggestive words take root in the mind and grow into continuous lustful contemplation.
6. Sixth of the Eight Forms of Sexual Indulgence – Adorning the Body
When we decorate or beautify our body, it awakens the mode of passion within us, and from passion, lust arises. A brahmachari should avoid adorning the body for the sake of appearance.
True decoration should be for the service of the Lord, not to appear attractive to others. Bathing should be for cleanliness and discipline, not for sensual pleasure. If any form of adornment is to be done, it should be rooted in devotion, such as wearing a garland offered to the Lord, applying sandalwood paste from the Lord’s temple, the dust of His feet, perfume, or remnants of the Lord’s offerings.
If beautification is done with the desire to look good, it feeds both ego and lust. Therefore, one who wishes to uphold brahmacharya should stay away from external adornment. Creams, perfumes, stylish clothing, and similar items only enhance body-consciousness and eventually become causes of downfall.
7. Seventh of the Eight Forms of Sexual Indulgence – Listening to Talks of Sensual Pleasure and Trying to Attain It
When one repeatedly listens to conversations about sensual enjoyment, it gradually immerses the mind in those thoughts. The restless mind then begins to seek ways to fulfill those desires—”Where can I go to experience such pleasure?” “How can I meet someone for this?”
This pursuit, born from hearing about indulgence, disrupts and eventually destroys brahmacharya. The mere act of entertaining such ideas and attempting to act upon them becomes a form of indulgence in itself.
8. Eighth of the Eight Forms of Sexual Indulgence – Intercourse and Masturbation
This form involves either engaging in physical intercourse or fulfilling sexual desires through masturbation. This vice has become so widespread and severe that even children are falling prey to it. It is a direct result of bad company and the rampant spread of obscenity.
Masturbation – A Destructive Habit
Masturbation is an extremely secretive yet profoundly harmful habit that hollows out the body from within. It is akin to wood that appears solid on the outside but is hollowed out by worms from the inside. Similarly, this practice gradually destroys a person internally. Unfortunately, some doctors even consider it “normal” today. This is a delusion of the mind and a sign of societal decay.
In the pursuit of temporary pleasure, children and young people fall into this trap, eventually losing their life force, vitality, mental stability, and inner strength. All the above forms of Sexual Indulgence and masturbation lead to the destruction of all virtues and ultimately take one toward hell.
Note: If you are struggling with nightfall, the habit of excessive masturbation, or trying to maintain celibacy, these articles will be helpful for you:
- How to stop nightfall?
- Side effects of masturbation
- Food and daily routine rules required for celibacy
- How to overcome lust
- Harmful Effects Of Mobile Phones On Celibacy
- Important Rules for Practicing Brahmacharya
- How to Stop Watching Pornography? I Have Lost All Hope!
Guidance By: Pujya Shri Hit Premanand Govind Sharan Ji Maharaj
