Brahmacharya

The edifice of life is a four–storied mansion. In this mansion the ground floor is the most important one. The upper three storeys are based upon this. It is known as Brahmacharya (explained below). In everyone’s life, childhood and youth are extremely important. This period of life should be regulated by practicing purity and tranquility.

Brahmacharya means leading a life of pure thoughts, pure actions, and pure aspirations. Unfortunately, today people tend to regard Brahmacharya as living somehow in an unmarried state. The term Brahmacharya carries within it its sacred import. Brahmacharya means whatever thoughts we entertain, whatever actions we perform, whatever enterprises we undertake, they should all be filled with the consciousness of Brahman (the Supreme Omnipresent Divine). Conducting ourselves with the awareness that the Divine is present everywhere is “Brahmacharya.”

Brahmacharya is present in all four stages

The basic characteristic of Brahmacharya is that one should be full of pure thoughts, all one’s actions should be sacred, and one should be engaged in selfless service. Brahmacharya is not confined to the early years of one’s boyhood and adolescence. Brahmacharya is a state that is implied in all the three other stages of life also (grihastha, vanaprastha, and sanyasa). The base is Brahmacharya. The second stage or storey is that of grihastha (the householder). The third is vanaprastha (retirement to the forest). The fourth is sanyasa (complete renunciation of all attachments). Brahmacharya is present in all three other stages like an undercurrent: Brahmacharya in the Brahmacharya state, Brahmacharya in the grihastha state, Brahmacharya in the vanaprastha, and Brahmacharya in the sanyasa states. In all four states, Brahmacharya is immanent in equal measure. It signifies purity in all the states. Only when there is purity, Brahmacharyahas any meaning.

Manava (man) means one who is pure. Man means one who is noteworthy. It also means one who has faith. These are the various meanings of the Sanskrit word manava. Delving into the meaning of the word manava further, it will be noted that it consists of two terms: maa (ever) and nava (new)—that which is ever new, that which is always fresh. In this freshness there is pavitrata (purity or sanctity). Hence, in this sacred human birth, to lead a life filled with pure thoughts and pure actions is characterized as Brahmacharya. So the real meaning of Brahmacharya is not confined to the corporeal discipline of celibacy attached to it in the physical sense, but it implies recognition of the Divinity inherent in man and leading a life based on that recognition. Therefore, for the life of the householder, the recluse, and the renunciant Brahmacharya is the foundation.

The foundation of a student’s life is purity

The period of a student’s life is a crucial stage in life. All the three other stages are based upon one’s life as a vidyarthi(student). Whatever purity or sanctity you develop during your student days will determine the degree of purity in the other three stages. Life as a student is thus a foundation for the rest of one’s life. Hence a strong foundation must be laid for the ground floor. If the ground floor is weak and gives away, the whole edifice will collapse.

Hence, the entire human existence should be sanctified by observing Brahmacharya. This implies that by practicing purity and recognizing the omnipresent Divinity, one should regulate one’s daily life by spreading purity and sacredness everywhere. Purity of mind, purity of chitta (consciousness), purity of the heart, and purity in action—this fourfold purity constitutes Brahmacharya. Whatever you do, you must act with the same sense that it is an offering to the Divine. This is the real significance of Brahmacharya.

Food is the primary requisite for life. Without food one cannot live. Hence life has been described as annamaya(composed of food). But man is not content to live on food alone. The mind is not satisfied if the stomach is full. Although food is essential for the body, the mind craves for ananda (bliss). Life can find fulfillment only if ananda is experienced. Hence, man cannot rest content with merely being alive. He has to be active and ever on the move. In the process he has to ask himself the questions, why am I restless? Why am I active? What do I do to engage myself in actions? When the right answers are found for all these questions, all actions become sacred.

The heart should be filled with sacred feelings

“For what am I performing these actions? How am I doing them? What is the sanctity attached to them?” It is when one enquires into these matters, he will realize their true purpose and meaning. This enquiry has to be conducted in the proper way. He should ask himself whether the enquiry is purposeful or futile. Once he comes to the conclusion that a certain action is right, he should do it with earnestness. Brahmacharya is the primary requisite for developing pure thoughts and performing pure actions.

Moreover, in practicing Brahmacharya, it is essential to cultivate sacred thoughts. The heart should be filled with sacred feelings. You must eschew from your mind any thought of causing harm to anyone. Only then, the life that starts with annamaya (food–filled) will culminate in anandamaya (a blissful life). Man should not consider that happiness consists in having a house full of children and equipped with all the amenities for comfortable living. Nor can peace be realized through wealth, power, or position. Peace is the outcome of our actions and thoughts. If our thoughts are pure, our actions will also be pure. When actions are pure, life itself becomes holy.

Concentrate on your duty in the present

The primary reason for the lack of peace in the world today is that the thoughts and conduct of people have gone astray. The first step, therefore, is to make our thoughts pure. We need not bother about the past or the future. Concentrate your attention on your duty in the present. Dedicate all your energies to the fulfillment of this duty. This was the basis on which our ancients directed their lives, according to the injunctions of the Vedas and the Sastras. Today there is a wide gulf between the lives led by our ancients and the prevailing modes of living. What is the reason for this difference?

Admittedly, food is essential. But there is scarcity of food today. What is the reason for this shortage? The fact is people have given up the practice of Yagas and Yajnas (sacrificial rites and rituals) that used to be performed in the past. Yajna is not merely sitting in front of a fire and uttering some mantras. Yajna really means the spirit of sacrifice or tyaga (renunciation). Today this spirit is totally absent. Indeed, the desire for bhoga (enjoyment) has grown limitlessly. Because of this, the fascination for external objects has developed, leading to the forgetting of one’s true nature. As a result, man has become prey to the numerous sufferings.

Divinity is ever present in man in all its purity. But man is unable to recognize this because of his attachments to transient pleasures, like the black bee. This bee has a proboscis with which it can bore a hole through a strong bamboo or even through the human body. But when it enters a lotus flower and the lotus folds itself, the bee is unable to get out of its tender petals because it is immersed in the enjoyment of the honey in the lotus and forgets its own real strength. Likewise, man today, forgetting the Divine that is present within him and in everything he beholds, immersed in worldly concerns, and intoxicated with mundane pleasures, is oblivious to his own true Divine nature. Man forgets his inherent capacity in the involvement with the mastery of the external world.

Do not ever give up faith in Divinity

The youth of today must get away from these involvements and develop confidence in their true selves. Whatever difficulties they may confront, whatever obstacles may come in their way, they should regard them as passing clouds. Nothing in the world is permanent. Only one thing is permanent and unchanging. That is the Divine. Install firmly in the minds the Divine and regard it as the only permanent entity that can confer enduring bliss. All others—whether they be relations, friends, or possessions—cannot give you lasting bliss.

One of the students had spoken about how in one year both his parents had passed away, leaving eight children, of whom he was the eldest. In this tragic situation, Swami alone could offer solace and courage to the bereaved children. From that time to this day, Swami had been looking after the children who looked up to Swami as “Sai Mother” and “Sai Father.” No kith or kin could have looked after them in this manner. The Divine does not give up anyone who has faith and trust in the Divine. Difficulties may come in succession like mountains, but they will disappear like snow if Divine grace is there. What is required is firm faith in God. Strengthen your faith in the Divine.

Another devotee (an American businessman) was once faced with such difficulties that he wanted to wind up his business. But Swami advised him not to do so. Because of his past experiences with Swami, he had firm faith in Him and carried on his business. He was able to get over his difficulties. No one has suffered in this world who has had firm faith in God. Many have come to grief because of lack of faith.

Disbelief in divine affirmations

Today you believe in what you see in the films or what you read in the newspapers or novels. You believe in what you see in a play or what is said in an almanac. But you have no faith in the Divine pronouncements of the Vedas: Tat Twam Asi(That thou art), Ayam Atma Brahma (This Atma is verily Brahman), Aham Brahmasmi (I am Brahman). Prajnanam Brahma (The Constant Integrated Consciousness in man is Brahman). People have no faith in these Mahavakyas (Divine affirmations) but are easily misled by the meretricious declarations of worldly men. This is the lamentable degraded plight of man today. The reason is man has abjured faith in God. He has become a victim of faith in worldly things.

The first requisite is for men to develop faith in God. This is even more essential for the youth. Whatever plans you may draw up for the future, base them on faith in God. They should be righteous. You will then achieve success.

Source: Sathya Sai Speaks, Vol. 21

Many people think of God only when grief overtakes them; of course, it is good to do so; it is better than seeking the help of those who are equally liable to grief. But it is infinitely better to think of God in grief and in joy, in peace and strife, in all weathers. The proof of the rain is in the wetness of the ground, the proof of bhakti (devotion) is the shanti (peace) the bhakta (devotee) has—shanti that protects him against the onslaughts of success as well as failure, fame and dishonor, gain and loss.

~Sathya Sai Baba