Practice of *Brahmacharyam (*Self- Restraint ) : 22.1. : Swami Sivananda.

Chinmaya Mission :

Chinmaya Year End Family Camp at Chinmaya Vibhooti was brimming with several young families with children between the ages 2 and 16 from several parts of the world. 

Children learnt values with fun through the stories of Shri Krishna. 

Their day was packed with Yoga, story telling, arts and crafts and Bhajans with their dedicated sevaks Swamini Supriyananda, Brni Anupama Chaitanya, Brni Maitreyi Chaitanya and several supporting sevaks and sevikas.

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Wednesday,  07 Jun, 2023. 05:30. 

22. SOME ILLUSTRATIVE STORIES :

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1. The power of lust. The example of Jaimini :

Once upon a time, Sri Vedavyasa was holding his Vedanta class amongst his students. In

the course of his lecture, he mentioned that the young Brahmacharis should be very careful and

should not mix with young ladies and that, with all their vigilance and circumspection, they

might fall a victim as lust was very powerful. One of his students, Jaimini, the author of PurvaMimamsa, was a little impertinent. He said, “Guruji Maharaj! Your statement is wrong. No

lady can attract me. I am well established in Brahmacharya.” Vyasa said, “Jaimini, you will

know that soon. I am going to Benares. I will return within three months. Be careful. Don’t be

puffed up with pride.”

Sri Vyasa, through his Yogic powers, assumed the form of a beautiful young girl, with

piercing eyes and very charming face, well dressed in a thin silken garment. The lady was

standing underneath a tree at sunset. Clouds gathered together. It began to rain. Accidentally,

Jaimini was passing along the side of the tree. He saw the girl, felt pity and addressed her: “Oh

lady, you can come and stay in my Ashram. I shall give you shelter.” The lady asked, “Are you

living alone? Is any woman living there?” Jaimini replied, “I am alone. But I am a perfect

Brahmachari. No lust can affect me. I am free from any sort of Vikara. You can stay there.” The

lady objected: “It is not right for a young virgin girl to stay with a Brahmachari alone at night.”

Jaimini said, “Oh damsel, don’t be afraid. I promise you of, my perfect Brahmacharya.” Then

she agreed and stayed in his Ashram at night.

Jaimini slept outside and the lady was sleeping inside the room. At dead of night, Jaimini

began to feel the influence of lust in his mind. A little sexual craving arose in his mind. In the

beginning, he was absolutely pure. He knocked at the door and said, “Oh lady, the wind is

blowing outside. I cannot bear the cold blasts. I want to sleep inside.” She opened the door.

Jaimini was sleeping inside. Again the sexual craving became a little more intense and keen, as

he was very close to a lady and as he heard the sound of her bangles. Then he rose up and began

to embrace her. At once Sri Vyasa assumed his original form with his long beard and said, “Oh,

my dear Jaimini, what about the strength of your Brahmacharya now? Are you established in

your perfect celibacy now? What did you say when I was lecturing on this subject?” Jaimini

dropped his head down in utter shame and said, “Guruji! I am wrong. Kindly pardon me.”

This illustration goes to show that even great persons are duped by the power of Maya

and by the influence of revolting Indriyas. Brahmacharins should be very careful.

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Next

2. Passion’s hold over man’s mind. Socrates and his disciple

To be continued

Swami Sivananda

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