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CELIBACY
to go home, he stays in a separate lonely room, observes his daily routine and takes no interest in worldly problems except where and when he must. He returns to his abode of yoga as soon as his work is over.
GLORY OF CELIBACY 1. a. The celibate, who on viewing a young beauty in full bloom, does not get excited in the slightest degree and considers her to be no more than a wooden doll, is like God himself.
b. If a person controls his passion, he can conquer the whole world. This is like vanquishing the king during a war, as a result of which the whole kingdom along with the army and its power is conquered too.
c. Strength is always required to accomplish any task. The same is also true for self-knowledge. Let the wise therefore, take on the strength of celibacy to accomplish the same. 2. One who desires to attain to the Supreme Reality, observes celibacy. 3. The practice of celibacy is indeed a major and unmatched contributory factor in :
a. Controlling all the five senses and the mind. b. Avoidance of all lethargy. c. Attainment of the highest degree of self-contemplation.
d. Sadhana of all types conducive to the liberation (Mokhsha) of the Soul. 4. Celibacy is said to be the most difficult of all vows and therefore it is considered as the principal vow (Vrata). No repentance is sufficient for a monk or a Muni who violates this fundamental vow in the smallest degree. Breach of this vow is the downfall of a Sadhaka. Sadhakas, therefore, have to nourish this vow of celibacy with maximum possible care and alertness. 5. Celibacy is said to be the supreme austerity (Tapa). 6. The man who observes faultless, true and complete celibacy deserves all praise and veneration, not only from common people of the world, but also from all great souls of the universe. 7. Observance of celibacy even in a dream is not possible for persons with limited capacity and loose character, who are timid, helpless, and slaves to their senses. Only persons of great spirit
BRAHMA-CHARYA Jain Education International
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