Yog Aur Bramhacharya

This Jain text, "Yog aur Brahmacharya" by Swami Kripalvanand, explores the profound connection between Yoga and Brahmacharya (celibacy or chastity), emphasizing Brahmacharya as the cornerstone of true yogic practice and a path to spiritual liberation.

Here's a comprehensive summary of the key points:

1. The Nature and Scope of Yoga:

• Yoga as "Brahma-vidya": Yoga is presented as a supreme, ancient, and profound knowledge, often referred to as "Brahma-vidya" (the knowledge of the Absolute). Its attainment requires many lifetimes.
• Universal Religion: Viewed impartially, Yoga is considered a universal religion, a religion for all beings, and an eternal dharma, originating in India but belonging to the entire world.
• Guru's Grace: The grace of a proficient Yoga guru is deemed essential for its realization.
• Inclusion in Six Philosophies: Yoga is integrated within the six schools of Indian philosophy (Shad-darshanas).
• Two Main Paths: While Yoga itself is one, the author identifies two prominent paths for human practice:
  • Jnana Yoga (Path of Knowledge): Focuses on wisdom and understanding.
  • Karma Yoga (Path of Action): Emphasizes dedicated action.
  • Bhakti Yoga (Path of Devotion): Implicitly included in both, as knowledge and action are incomplete without love.
• Diversity in Practice: The apparent diversity in Yoga practices stems from differences in human nature, innate tendencies (samskaras), methods of practice, spiritual capacities, and stages of life.
• Yoga as Samadhi: The ultimate meaning of Yoga is Samadhi (deep meditative absorption).
• Samadhi as a Mental State: Samadhi is described as the fourth state of consciousness, beyond waking, dreaming, and deep sleep, experienced only by advanced yogis.
• Two Types of Yoga: Sakama and Nishkama:
  • Sakama Yoga (Yoga with Desire): This is termed "Samaj-dharma" (social dharma), aimed at the progress of individuals, families, society, and the nation. It is universally applicable.
  • Nishkama Yoga (Desireless Yoga): This is called "Vyakti-dharma" (individual dharma) or "Moksha-dharma" (path to liberation). It is the path of great souls, and its principles form the basis of Samaj-dharma, which adapts to changing circumstances while retaining its core essence.

2. The Importance of Brahmacharya:

• Foundation of Yoga: Brahmacharya is highlighted as one of the "Yamas" (ethical restraints), fundamental to Yoga. The Yamas (ahimsa, satya, asteya, brahmacharya, aparigraha) and Niyamas (shaucha, santosh, svadhyaya, ishvara-pranidhana, tapa) form the "Vajra-durga" (impenetrable fortress) of Yoga and Dharma. Without them, Yoga and Dharma cannot be protected.
• Supreme Virtue in Samaj-dharma: Brahmacharya holds the highest position in Samaj-dharma. Without it, Samaj-dharma becomes lifeless and devoid of consciousness. It is the bedrock of character for individuals, families, society, and the nation.
• Historical Context: Ancient India's four ashrams (stages of life) had Brahmacharya as a prominent aspect, especially in Brahmacharya, Vanaprastha, and Sanyasa ashrams. Even Grihastha (householder) ashram had restrictions leading to partial Brahmacharya.
• Unrivaled Tool for Character Building: The text asserts that there is no other tool as effective as Brahmacharya for character development.
• Yoga is Brahmacharya: The author emphatically states that any path lacking Brahmacharya cannot be called Yoga. "Bhoga" (indulgence) is the opposite of Yoga, and Brahmacharya is its synonym. The existence of a separate text called "Bindu Yoga" further signifies the importance of Brahmacharya.
• From Fall to Rise: Bhoga leads to a downfall, while Yoga (and Brahmacharya) leads to upliftment. Bhoga involves the downward movement of vital essence (virya/bindu), whereas Yoga promotes its upward movement.
• Wisdom vs. Ignorance: Even an educated person lacking understanding of Brahmacharya's significance is considered a fool. Personal development is impossible without it.
• Power and Realization: Patanjali's Yoga Sutras state, "Brahmacharya pratishthayam virya-labhah" (Upon establishment in Brahmacharya, strength is attained). An "urdhvareta" (one who has channeled vital essence upwards) yogi becomes immensely powerful and capable of realizing the Supreme Self.
• Achieving the Impossible: Brahmacharya makes the impossible possible, and the acquisition of worldly possessions like fame and wealth becomes naturally achievable.
• Divine Power: Lord Shiva himself states that with the perfection of "bindu" (vital essence), nothing remains unattainable on Earth. All siddhis (spiritual powers) become subservient to one who has achieved "bindu-siddhi" (mastery over vital essence).
• Devas' Strength: The divinity of the gods is also based on Brahmacharya, as stated in the Vedas: "Brahmacharyena tapasya deva mrityum upaghnat" (Through the austerity of Brahmacharya, the gods conquered death). Where even death is overcome, diseases have no power.

3. The Purpose and Form of Brahmacharya:

• The Seed of All Beings: Lord Krishna in the Bhagavad Gita declares himself as the eternal seed of all beings, the source of all creation. This is why sages and yogis underwent severe Brahmacharya practices to achieve liberation.
• The Secret of Bindu: Only a yogi truly understands the importance of "bindu" (vital essence). The yogi Gorakshanath sang, "Without bindu, the yogi is as useless as a lover without a beloved."
• Overcoming Birth and Death: The text asserts that as long as there is life, there is birth, and as long as there is birth, there is death. Birth is involuntary, but death can be arrested. Ancient yogic science proved that the downward flow of vital essence causes death, while its upward movement leads to immortality.
• Reactivating the Body: Just as a mechanic repairs a malfunctioning machine, a perfect yogi can reactivate a body that has become inactive due to damage.
• The Body of Yoga-Fire: The ancient Shvetashvatara Upanishad states, "He who attains a body of yoga-fire is free from disease, old age, and death."
• The Divine Body: Upon achieving "sabija Samadhi" (Samadhi with a seed of objective focus), the yogi obtains a divine body made of yoga-fire, which is the external mark of a true yogi.
• Definition of Brahmacharya: Sage Vyasa defines Brahmacharya as the control of the "upastha" (genital organ) through controlled senses.
• Nishkama Karma Yoga: The control of the upastha is Nishkama Karma Yoga, also called Brahma-vidya. It leads to becoming "urdhvareta" and is a mysterious, ancient, and generative knowledge that leaves nothing unknown upon its attainment.
• The Highest Austerity: Brahmacharya is the supreme austerity. Other austerities are of a lower order. One who has practiced the austerity of controlling the genital organ is not human but divine.

4. The Twofold Sadhana of Brahmacharya:

• The Sadhana of a Brahmachari:
  • Biological Aspect: The text briefly touches upon the endocrine and exocrine glands and the powerful hormonal surges during youth, leading to ejaculation, which opens the "lower path" forever. Controlling this energy and making it ascend is a difficult task, like making the flowing Ganga flow upwards.
  • Two Stages: Becoming a Brahmachari is one aspect, and becoming Urdhvareta is another.
  • Ordinary vs. Extraordinary Brahmacharya: The Brahmacharya of a Brahmachari, Vanaprastha, or Sanyasi is ordinary, while that of a Yogi is extraordinary. Ordinary Brahmacharis follow general Yoga with Yamas and Niyamas, while extraordinary Brahmacharis follow "Sahaja Yoga" (natural Yoga) with Yamas and Niyamas. The latter path is extremely difficult, achievable by a rare few over many lifetimes.
  • Rules for Brahmacharya Protection:
    • Avoid impure thoughts and discussions about the opposite sex.
    • Refrain from playful interaction, lustful glances, and private conversations.
    • Do not resolve to obtain them, decide to pursue them, or engage in sexual intercourse.
• Scientific Methods for Brahmacharya:
  • Specific Method: If lustful thoughts arise, fix the gaze repeatedly between the eyebrows. This pacifies the unwanted arousal. Apana Vayu (downward moving vital air) causing genital arousal and mental agitation is controlled by Pran Vayu (upward moving vital air) through this practice.
  • General Methods:
    1. Drink a glass of cool water and engage the mind in virtuous thoughts.
    2. Focus the mind on memories of mother, sister, daughter, God, or a revered Guru (requires utmost respect).
    3. Avoid solitude.
    4. Pass urine and pour a thin stream of cool water on the genitals for five minutes.
    5. Bathe in cool water.
    6. Stand in water up to the waist or sit in a cool water tub.
    7. Practice Lom-Vilom or Bhastrika Pranayama with a mantra.
    8. Read virtuous scriptures, pray, or chant an ishta mantra.
• The Brahmacharya of an Urdhvareta Yogi:
  • Attaining Brahma-jnana: Brahma-jnana (knowledge of Brahman) is not possible without becoming Urdhvareta. The Bhagavad Gita states that insatiable lust conceals this knowledge.
  • Supernatural Power: Just as contained steam generates immense energy, channeling vital essence upwards creates extraordinary power. This transforms the yogi's body into a divine one.
  • Stages of Liberation: The stage where the yogi attains a divine body is called "Sarupya Mukti" (liberation by attaining a similar form). Following this, in the fourth stage of Yoga, the yogi attains "Sashthi Mukti" (liberation of all rights), becoming Hari-like. This is the culmination of Sankhya Yoga, Nishkama Karma Yoga, and Bhakti Yoga.
  • Lineage of Urdhvaretas: Rishabhadeva is the prime proponent of Brahma-vidya. Shiva and Lord Krishna are not enjoyers but Urdhvareta yogis.
  • The Practice of Controlling Lust: The Bhagavad Gita instructs to control the senses and abandon the sin of lust, which destroys knowledge and wisdom. This is achieved by restraining the mind with the mind, or as interpreted by the author, by controlling the vital essence (Shukra) with the pure mind.
  • The Battle Against Desire: The battle against desire is more formidable than the Mahabharata war. In Nishkama Karma Yoga, the yogi uses Siddhasana to generate vital essence in the seminal glands and keeps it flowing upwards. This requires overcoming the downward pull of Apana Vayu with the help of Prana Vayu.
  • The True Nature of Nishkama Karma Yoga: The misunderstanding of Nishkama Karma Yoga led to the rise of "Vamachara" (left-hand path) in later Buddhism and Shaivism, Vaishnavism, and Shaktism.
  • Transition to Dhyana: After all the nadis (energy channels) become free from impurities through Nishkama Karma Yoga, the body naturally becomes stable. The senses cooperate with meditation, and mind control becomes easier.
  • Inner Turning of the Mind: As the senses stabilize, the mind naturally turns inward, as the outward movement of the mind is caused by the restlessness of the senses. This also brings stability to Prana and the mind.
  • Stages of Chakra Penetration: Sankhya Yoga begins from the Ajna chakra. Nishkama Karma Yoga pierces the Muladhara, Swadhisthana, Manipura, Anahata, and Vishuddha chakras, as well as the Brahma, Vishnu, and Rudra granthis (knots). The lower chakras and knots are considered the domain of Karma Yoga, while the higher chakras and knots are the domain of Jnana Yoga or Sankhya Yoga.
  • Who Attains this Knowledge?: Those who take refuge in the Divine and strive to be free from old age and death attain the knowledge of Brahman, the entire spiritual science, and all actions. This means only the yogi who becomes Urdhvareta and attains a divine body is truly free from birth and death and is a genuine seer of reality.
  • The Significance of "Jara" (Old Age): Freedom from old age implies freedom from birth. "Jara-marana" refers to attaining the divine body of yoga-fire.
  • Purity of Mind and Body: The attainment of the divine body signifies the purification of the mind. This is achieved through supreme detachment, leading to Nirbija Samadhi (Samadhi without seed). Such a yogi has no attachment to any body, earthly or otherwise.
  • The Goal of Moksha: A yogi seeking liberation does not strive for Siddhis but for Moksha itself, and even this desire for Moksha vanishes with the emergence of supreme detachment.
  • The Importance of a Pure Body for Knowledge: Tantric traditions, including Buddhist Tantras, consider the attainment of a divine body as a principle. The three great principles of Buddhism – Shila (ethics), Samadhi (concentration), and Prajna (wisdom) – are interconnected. Prajna arises from Shila and Samadhi. Without a pure body, there is no capacity to hold Prajna or supreme knowledge.
  • Purity of Body and Mind: Shila leads to physical purity, and Samadhi to mental purity. The mind becomes pure when Rajas and Tamas are weakened and Sattva Guna becomes dominant through the practice of Karma Yoga. "Ritambhara Prajna" is equivalent to "Sattvic intellect" in the Bhagavad Gita. Thus, "Nadi Shuddhi" (purification of channels) is synonymous with "Chitta Shuddhi" (purification of mind).
  • The Superiority of the Yogi: Lord Krishna advises Arjuna, "A yogi is superior to ascetics and scholars, and also superior to those who perform rituals like Agnihotra. Therefore, O Arjuna, become a yogi!" Becoming a yogi means becoming Urdhvareta.

In essence, "Yog aur Brahmacharya" presents Brahmacharya not merely as abstinence but as a profound spiritual discipline, the very foundation of Yoga. It is the key to unlocking immense inner power, achieving a divine body, and ultimately realizing the Absolute Truth, leading to freedom from the cycles of birth and death. The text provides both philosophical insights and practical guidance for its attainment.