Bramhacharya

This document is a comprehensive exposition on Brahmacharya (celibacy and self-control) from a Jain perspective, authored by Muni Narendra Vijayji 'Naval'. The text emphasizes Brahmacharya as a crucial path to spiritual upliftment and self-realization, contrasting it with the worldly path of indulgence.

Here's a breakdown of the key themes and arguments presented:

1. Dual Paths of Existence and the Choice:

• The world is divided into two ideologies: material (bhautik) and spiritual (adhyatmik).
• Similarly, there are two paths: preyas (worldly enjoyment) and shreyas (spiritual welfare).
• Preyas focuses on the material world, the body, senses, and enjoyment, leading to the soul's downfall.
• Shreyas emphasizes renunciation and detachment for the soul's elevation.
• Spiritual seekers choose the path of samyam (restraint/self-control), which is synonymous with Brahmacharya.

2. The Meaning and Essence of Brahmacharya:

• Brahmacharya is derived from "Brahma" (soul) and "Char" (to walk, to dwell).
• Therefore, Brahmacharya means dwelling in the soul.
• True peace and blessings come from embracing virtue (sheel) and connecting with the soul.
• Spiritual nourishment comes from the "nuts of renunciation" rather than material nuts like almonds and cashews.

3. Jainism's Emphasis on Samyam:

• Jainism, being a pure and eternal religion, strongly encourages the path of samyam.
• It's not about mere withdrawal (nivritti) but about actively renouncing the uncontrolled (asanyam) and engaging in restraint (sanyam).
• Samyam is the essence of all religions, the foundation of truth, and encompasses all virtues.
• Even celestial beings bow down to those who follow the path of Samyam, which includes ahimsa (non-violence), tapas (austerity), and samyam itself.

4. The Importance of Awareness and Vigilance:

• The true essence of knowledge lies in not harming any living being (ahimsa).
• Brahmacharya and Samyam are interchangeable. Those who practice Brahmacharya can live with Samyam, and those with Samyam can dwell in their soul.
• Samyam means controlling the mind, speech, and body. This requires constant awareness and vigilance.
• The text quotes "Jagran Nara Nityam" (Awareness is eternal for humans), stating that those who are asleep lose, while those who are awake gain.
• Those who are awake are called muni (ascetics). Sleepiness in an uncontrolled person is better than their waking.
• Victory over the body, mind, senses, and desires is Samyam.

5. The Danger of Unawareness and the Power of Inner Awakening:

• Just as a snakebite instills fear and prevents sleep, the "snakes of sin" within our inner self should also be a cause for vigilance.
• Inner awakening leads to mental health, peace, and freedom from worry.
• The analogy of a motor driver's license highlights the need for constant alertness. Losing one's human life license (through sin) makes attaining liberation difficult.
• The story of Lord Mahavir in a past life (as Triprishth Vasudev) illustrates how attachment to sensory pleasures (music) and lack of vigilance led to karmic consequences (having nails hammered into his ears).
• The text criticizes the modern tendency to be vigilant about material purchases (checking quality) but to be unaware of the entry of negative qualities (guna) into one's life.

6. The Nature and Practice of Samyam:

• Samyam is the control of passions (kashayas) and the control of mind, speech, and body (yoga).
• The degree of control determines the degree of Samyam. Householders have lesser control and are thus alpasamyami (partially restrained), while those who achieve complete control are anuttar samyami (supremely restrained).
• Samyam involves withdrawing attention from external objects and focusing it inward. This is self-discipline based on right knowledge.
• The principle of "Do unto others as you would have others do unto you" is presented as a core aspect of ethical conduct.
• Samyam is of two types: indriyasamyam (control of senses) and manasamyam (control of mind).
  • Indriyasamyam involves controlling the senses, especially touch, and preventing them from engaging with objects of desire.
  • The analogy of a well-trained horse is used to illustrate how the mind and senses can be controlled to prevent them from straying into bad company or desires.

7. Types of Samyam:

• Samyam is categorized into four types:
  1. Manasamyam (mind control)
  2. Vachanasamyam (speech control): The tongue is powerful and can cause great harm. Truthful, pleasant, and non-harmful speech is advocated.
  3. Kayasamyam (body control)
  4. Upakaranasamyam (control over possessions): This involves detachment from even necessary items like clothing and utensils.
• From the perspective of the practitioner, Samyam is divided into four types:
  1. Like wax
  2. Like lac
  3. Like wood
  4. Like a clay ball (representing steadfastness)
• An anecdote about a Muni standing all night in the rain illustrates extreme steadfastness in Samyam.
• From the perspective of the nirgranthas (ascetics who are completely detached), Samyam is divided into five types:
  1. Pulak Samyami: Those who are not fully perfect in roots and secondary vows but remain steadfast according to the teachings.
  2. Bakush Samyami: Those who adorn the body, desire fame, and are attached to comfort.
  3. Kushil Samyami: Those who are controlled by senses and passions, and deviate in secondary vows.
  4. Nirgranth Samyami: Those whose passions are so subdued that they are on the verge of omniscience, completely free from desires and fully awakened.
  5. Sarvajna Snathak Samyami: Those who know all beings and all their states, and are free from all worldly pleasures.
• Further classifications of Samyam include:
  • Prekshya Samyam: Acting after considering the path.
  • Upekshya Samyam: Renouncing the inauspicious and engaging in the auspicious.
  • Asahay Samyam: Renouncing everything except essential aids for Samyam.
  • Pramrujya Samyam: Using means with proper respect and care.

8. The Seventeen Pillars of Samyam:

• The text outlines seventeen aspects that constitute Samyam:
  • Renunciation of the five astravas (streams of karma): violence, falsehood, theft, illicit sexual conduct (brahmacharya), and possessions.
  • Victory over the five senses.
  • Renunciation of the four passions (kashayas).
  • Restraint of the three yogas (mind, speech, and body).

9. The Benefits and Fruits of Samyam:

• Samyam is the key to spiritual progress and liberation.
• The text explains how partial vows (anuvratas) reduce karmic sin.
• Without Samyam, even penance is meaningless.
• Samyam is compared to the brakes of a life-vehicle; without it, life is useless.
• The saying "If character is lost, everything is lost" highlights the paramount importance of character, which is built on Samyam.
• Mahapurushas (great souls) are characterized by their inner Samyam.
• Samyam reduces the ocean of karmic influx to a drop.
• Even deities and celestial kings regret not having practiced more Samyam and studied spiritual knowledge in their human lives.
• The practice of Samyam leads to increasing levels of happiness, culminating in the bliss of omniscience and liberation.

10. Practical Application and Conclusion:

• Samyam is the solution to global problems like overpopulation, disease, hunger, and conflict.
• Brahmacharya is presented as the best way to control population growth.
• The text concludes by reiterating that Samyam is the eternal path to happiness, spiritual upliftment, and welfare, while lack of control (asanyam) leads to sorrow and downfall.
• It emphasizes the importance of right knowledge and right faith as guides, and Samyam as the ultimate protector against internal and external enemies.
• The text concludes with several verses extolling the virtues and benefits of Samyam.

In essence, the book "Brahmacharya" by Muni Narendra Vijayji advocates for self-control and detachment as the fundamental principles for a meaningful and spiritually fulfilling life, leading to inner peace, true happiness, and ultimate liberation.