Bramhacharya Sadhna Ka Sarvoccha Shikhar - Book Summary

Here's a comprehensive summary of the Jain text "Bramhacharya Sadhna Ka Sarvoccha Shikhar" by Amarmuni, based on the provided pages:

The text, "Bramhacharya Sadhna Ka Sarvoccha Shikhar" (Bramhacharya: The Highest Peak of Spiritual Practice), authored by Amarmuni, delves deeply into the concept and practice of Brahmacharya (celibacy or, more broadly, chastity and self-control) within the Jain tradition, drawing parallels with other philosophical and religious thought.

Core Meaning and Scope of Brahmacharya:

Beyond Physical Restraint: Brahmacharya is not merely about abstaining from sexual intercourse or physical contact with the opposite sex. Its fundamental meaning lies in the control of all senses through mind, speech, and body. True Brahmacharya is achieved when one has such mastery over their thoughts that not a single thought goes against their principles and feelings.
Elimination of Desires: It signifies liberation from all sensual desires and passions that impure the soul. It is described as the purification of the soul's tendencies and the "smokeless flame of the soul." Therefore, Brahmacharya means eradicating desires through mind, speech, and action.
Inner Purity: External abstinence alone doesn't constitute Brahmacharya. A person dwelling in mental desires, even without physical contact, cannot be called a Brahmachari. Conversely, a momentary touch without any impure thought does not necessarily destroy Brahmacharya. The true essence lies in the unperturbed state of the inner mind.

Jain Agamas and Brahmacharya:

The text highlights that Jain scriptures permit monks and nuns to touch each other when necessary, such as saving a nun from a river or providing care for the sick, as long as it's done with fraternal or sisterly affection and without any trace of desire. If even a seed of desire sprouts in the mind during such interactions, their Brahmacharya practice is compromised, and they become liable for penance.
The prohibition against touching is against unrestrained interaction that might awaken dormant desires.

Etymology and Philosophical Basis:

The word "Brahmacharya" is derived from "Brahma" (pure, holy, or soul) and "Charya" (conduct, practice). It means acting in pursuit of purity and the soul's true nature.
Brahmacharya is equated with the pursuit of truth and the realization of the supreme self. It's a practice to eradicate the darkness of desire.

The Eight Types of Union (Ashta Maithuna):

Ancient Indian yogis and Rishis define Brahmacharya as abstaining from eight types of union: remembrance (smaraṇ), singing praises (kīrtan), playing (keli), looking (prekṣaṇ), secret talk (guhya-bhāṣaṇ), resolve (saṅkalp), determination (adhyavasāya), and intercourse (sambhoga).
The text emphasizes that lust originates in the mind and then manifests in the body. These eight types encompass mental, verbal, and physical aspects of transgressing Brahmacharya.
Control of the senses (mind and senses) is paramount, as thoughts lead to speech and actions.

Brahmacharya Across Religions and Philosophies:

Yoga: In yoga, Brahmacharya means control of the senses.
Atharva Veda: It associates the Veda with Brahma, making Brahmacharya the practice necessary for studying the Veda.
Buddhism: The term Brahmacharya is used in three ways: the path of righteousness taught by the Buddha, dwelling in Buddhism, and the Dharma that leads to Nirvana.
Jainism: Brahmacharya is primarily understood as "Maithuna-viramaṇa" (abstinence from union) and "Sheel" (virtue). The Acharya Shilanka commentary on the Sutrakritanga Sutra defines it as the practice of truth, austerity, compassion for living beings, and control of the senses. The Tattvartha Sutra commentary associates it with living in a gurukul, with objectives of vow observance, knowledge enhancement, and victory over passions.

The Essence of Brahmacharya:

The Gita states that Brahmacharya is essential for attaining the supreme self, as a sense-bound mind wanders outwards and cannot turn inwards.
Brahmacharya is the path of inner turning.

The Scope and Hierarchy of Brahmacharya:

Brahmacharya is considered the highest and most potent form of spiritual practice. The word itself contains immense power.
Vīrya-rakṣā (conservation of vital energy) is a gross aspect of Brahmacharya, but its true meaning is more profound and extensive.
Three types of Brahmacharya are recognized: bodily (kāyik), verbal (vāchik), and mental (mānasik), with mental Brahmacharya being the most important. Without mental control, physical and verbal Brahmacharya are impossible.
Patanjali's Yoga Sutra states: "Brahmacharya-pratiṣṭhāyāṁ vīrya-lābhaḥ" (In the establishment of Brahmacharya, one gains vitality). Vīrya here refers to physical, mental, and spiritual strength.

The Role of Diet in Brahmacharya:

There is a close connection between diet and Brahmacharya. According to Ayurveda, food significantly influences thoughts and actions. "As is the food, so is the mind; as is the food, so is the thought."
Sattvic food (fresh, juicy, light, digestible, nutritious, sweet) nourishes life force, truth, strength, health, happiness, and love. It leads to mental purity and concentration.
Rajasic food (bitter, sour, excessively salty, very hot, pungent, dry, causing distress, sorrow, and disease) negatively impacts the mind and senses.
Tamasic food (meat, fish, eggs, alcohol, intoxicants, undercooked, rotten, stale food) dulls thinking power and leads to laziness.
For Brahmacharya practice, Sattvic food is considered the best. It purifies the mind and intellect.

Understanding and Managing Desires:

Desires are physical, not spiritual, forces that can be controlled by humans. When desires are kept under control, they cannot cause harm.
The analogy of a dam: Just as a dam controls water flow for beneficial use, desires must be controlled. If a dam overflows, it can cause destruction. Similarly, if one cannot fully control desires, attempting to suppress them entirely can be dangerous.
Lord Mahavir's two paths:
1. Complete control over desires (Full Brahmacharya).
2. Channeling of desires (Partial Brahmacharya).
For those who cannot exert complete control, channeling desires in a prescribed direction is better than letting them run wild and leading to downfall.

Marriage and Brahmacharya in Jainism:

Marriage is seen as a way to centralize desires and limit immense passions. It's a step towards accepting a principled human life instead of an unrestrained, animalistic one.
Jainism allows for marriage as a means of channeling desires, but not for indiscriminate indulgence like animals. Promiscuity and adultery are strictly prohibited.
Marriage is a step towards full Brahmacharya. It's about accepting responsibility for one another.
Even within marriage, mutual restraint is necessary, avoiding excessive indulgence that fuels desire.

Practices for Maintaining Brahmacharya:

Controlling the sense of touch and other senses is crucial.
Avoiding foods that ignite desire is essential. Eating is for maintaining health, not for taste.
Regulated eating habits, like those of animals, are discouraged; adherence to fixed meal times is advised.
Restraint in listening, seeing, and speaking is vital. Avoid vulgar songs, indecent jokes, obscene movies, and literature that awaken dormant desires.
"Simple living and high thinking" is encouraged. Simplicity is the best adornment; natural beauty requires no external decoration.
Inner beauty and self-control are paramount.

The Impact of Brahmacharya:

Brahmacharya is the source of life's vigor, radiance, and strength.
It strengthens the body and mind, making one tolerant and capable. A strong body is necessary for spiritual practice.
The ability to concentrate, stabilize thoughts, endure hardships, and face difficulties with courage is linked to Brahmacharya.
Purity of character is more valuable than physical beauty. A person with good conduct is respected everywhere and serves as an ideal for others.

The Role of Various Disciplines and Practices:

The text discusses the "Nine Fences" (Nava Baad) or Guptis taught by Lord Mahavir for protecting Brahmacharya, which involve avoiding tempting situations, refraining from conversations, not sitting on the same seats, not looking at attractive women, not eating rich food, not remembering past sensual pleasures, and not being attached to sensory objects.
Bhavana (contemplation) is another crucial practice, particularly the "Ashuchi Bhavana" (contemplation of impurity), which aims to detach from the physical body and its unattractive aspects to curb attraction.
Contemplating the impermanence and repulsive nature of the body is emphasized to foster detachment and overcome lust.
Duhkha Bhavana (contemplation of suffering) highlights that sensual pleasures offer only momentary relief, followed by prolonged suffering (physical, social, and spiritual).
Dharma (righteousness) is presented as the ultimate good, leading from decline to progress. Ahimsa (non-violence), Samyama (self-control), and Tapa (austerity) are the pillars of Dharma. The combination of these, including Brahmacharya, purifies life.
Philosophy and Brahmacharya: Indian culture emphasizes austerity, renunciation, and self-control as the true source of beauty. "Sanyam hi khalu jeevanam" – Self-control is indeed life.
Spiritual Perspective: All vows, austerities, and restraints are viewed spiritually. Avoiding attachment, infatuation, craving, and desire is crucial for maintaining one's vows.
Illustrious Examples: The text cites examples from Indian epics and Jain scriptures:
- Lord Shiva's penance in Kumar Sambhav (though yielding to Gauri) illustrates the allure and difficulty.
- Arjuna's penance in Kiratarjuniya, resisting celestial dancers, showcases the possibility of overcoming temptations.
- Lord Buddha's struggle against Mara (Kama), who sent seductive apsaras, demonstrates unwavering resolve.
- Rajamati's advice to Rathnemi when he succumbed to her beauty, reminding him that true sadhana requires conquering inner temptations.
- Sthulabhadra, who remained unaffected even after spending four months with the courtesan Koshā, serves as a powerful example of unshakeable Brahmacharya.
- Swami Vivekananda attributed his concentration and mental prowess to Brahmacharya.
- Shrimad Rajchandra's profound understanding and discipline are also linked to his Brahmacharya practice.

Conclusion:

The text concludes by reiterating that Brahmacharya is the highest peak of spiritual practice, a path to immortality, knowledge, peace, strength, and prosperity. It is a life art that transforms character and conduct, making life beautiful and virtuous. The adherence to pure Brahmacharya commands respect from all celestial and demonic beings, leading to a radiant and prosperous life. It is the sole cause of liberation (Moksha).