Practice of *Brahmacharyam (*Self- Restraint ). : Section-3 continued ... : Swami Sivananda

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Sunday, July 31, 2022. 6:00 AM.

Section-3 : Techniques of Sex Sublimation : 

16. THE DANGERS OF PROMISCUOUS MIXING :

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16.1 : Havoc played by mental images :

The presence of, or recollection of, a woman usually excites unholy ideas in the minds of

recluses who have abandoned this world and devoted themselves to spiritual exercises and thus

deprives them of the fruit of their austerity. It is very difficult to understand the presence of

subtle lust in the minds of others, particularly in spiritual recluses, though the look, tone,

gestures, gait and behaviour may give a clue.

Note carefully how Raja Bhartrihari had cried during his Sadhana stage: “O my Lord! I

left my wife, my territory. I live on leaves, fruits and roots. The earth is my sofa. The blue sky

is my canopy. The quarters are my clothes. Yet, my passion has not left me.” Such is the power

of passion.

Jerome writes to the virgin Eustochium about his struggle for abstinence and the power of

lust: “Oh, how many times when in the desert, in that vast solitude which, burnt by the heat of

the sun, offers but a horrible dwelling to monks, I imagined I was among the delights of Rome! I

was alone. My limbs were covered by a wretched sack and my skin was as black as the

Ethiopian’s. Every day I wept and groaned, and if I was unwillingly overcome by sleep, my lean

body lay on the bare earth. I say nothing of my food and drink, for in the desert, even invalids

have no drink but cold water. Well, I who out of fear of hell had condemned myself to this

prison, companion of scorpions and wild beasts, often seemed in imagination among a band of

girls. My face was pale with fasting and my mind within my frigid body was burning with

desire; the fire of lust would still flame up in a body that already seemed to be dead.” Such is the

power of lust.

The mind is the seed of the world. It is the mind that creates this world. There is no

world quite apart from the mind. The images of all objects are contained in the mind. The mind

plays with these images when it cannot get the objects and does great havoc. If you constantly

think of the image of the Lord, the images of objects will die by themselves

16.2 forbidden fruit—God’s test for the spiritual aspirant :

God places some temptations before the aspirant to test his spiritual strength. He gives

him also strength to conquer the temptations. The strongest temptation in this world is lust. All

the saints passed through temptations. Temptations are profitable. People are instructed and

strengthened.

Even Buddha was tested for his mental purity. He had to face temptations of every sort.

He had to face Mara. It was only then, and not till then, that he had illumination under the Bodhi

tree in Gaya. Satan tempted Jesus in a variety of ways. Passion is very powerful. Many

aspirants fail in the tests. One has to be very careful. The aspirant will have to develop a very

high standard of mental purity. Then alone he will be able to stand the test. God will place the

aspirants in very unfavourable surroundings to test them. They will be tempted by young girls.

Name and fame bring the householders in close contact with the aspirants. Women begin to

worship them. They become their disciples. Gradually the aspirants get a nasty downfall.

Instances are many. Aspirants should hide themselves and pass for quite ordinary people. They

should not show their Chamatkaras.

Although Rishi Visvamitra was practising severe austerities, he was carried away by his

turbulent senses when he came across the celestial nymph sent by Indra to disturb his Tapas. If

Visvamitra and Parasara who were living on leaves, air and water were victims of lust, what

should be the fate of worldly people who are living on rich food? If they can control their

passion, the Vindhya mountain will float on the ocean, fire will burn downwards.

The sex instinct is most powerful. The sex urge is formidable. It may conceal itself in

underground compartments in the mind and assail you when you are not vigilant. It will attack

you with redoubled force. Visvamitra fell a victim of Menaka. Another great Rishi became a

prey to Rambha. Jaimini got excited by false woman Masa. A powerful Rishi was excited by the

sight of the mating of a fish. A householder aspirant carried away even his Guru’s wife. Many

aspirants are not aware of this secret urge, a treacherous enemy. They think that they are quite

safe and pure. When they are put to test, they become hopeless victims. Always remain alone,

meditate and slay this urge.

Money and woman shine more brightly than God for an ignorant, passionate man. Maya

is powerful. Adam fell on account of one loose moment. Eve tempted on account of one desire.

The forbidden fruit will ripen before the human eyes in no time. A post will look like the

illustrious Deva and make you bow in utter submission before it. Beware of Maya and its

meshes. The chains of gold can be cut asunder, but not the silken meshes of Maya. A single

unguarded moment is sufficient to capsize the whole casket of pearls, down into the dark abyss

of passion and lust.

The moss that is momentarily displaced in a tank resumes its original position in the

twinkling of an eye. Similarly, Maya envelops even the wise, if they are careless even for a

minute. Therefore, sleepless vigilance is necessary in the spiritual path. The proverb goes:

“There is many a slip between the cup and the lip.” Before you begin to eat the fruit of wisdom,

the monkey Maya will snatch it away from your hand. Even if you swallow it, it may get stuck to

your throat. Therefore you will have to be ever vigilant and careful till you attain Bhuma or the

highest realization. You should not stop your Sadhana falsely thinking that you have reached the

goal.

He who lives in seclusion is more exposed to temptations and danger. He will have to be

very careful and vigilant. The mind will be tempted to do anything as there is nobody to witness

its evil action. All suppressed evil Vrittis will be waiting for an opportunity to attack him with

redoubled force. He is just like a man who is put in a big bag with a tiger, a serpent and a bear.

The enemies anger, lust and greed will take you unawares. When you walk alone in the spiritual

path, they will attack you like the thieves who attack a lonely passenger in the dense forest.

Therefore, be always in the company of the wise. Do not go astray.

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Next - 17. STOP THAT LUSTFUL LOOK

To be continued ....

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