Aspirants Guide

Author(s): Atmanandji Maharaj
Publisher: Shrimad Rajchandra Sadhna Kendra Koba

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CELIBACY description and analysis of the subject of celibacy as it applies in our present-day-life.
This presentation is based on highly authentic saints coupled with our own limited experience. May this delight those who aim at the attainment of the sublime and supersensuous bliss and may it percolate in the depth of their souls, and lead them to exert themselves in all ways, in the practice of this pure, pious and supreme vow (Uttama Vrata) of "Brahmacharya".
BACKGROUND
The proponents of Aryan culture have broadly classified the activities of human being into four categories - Dharma, Artha, Kama, Moksha :
life
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(1) Dharma Practice of religion
(2) Artha : Activity for earning livelihood
(3) Kama
Activity for fame, family etc.
(4) Moksha
Activity for the attainment of salvation.
It is recommended that an average person should go through the four stages (Ashrams) of life known as Brahmacharya, Gruhastha, Vanaprastha and Sanyasa Ashrams. They are prescribed as follows:
1. Brahmacharya-ashram: Student Life
2. Gruhastha-ashram
3. Vanaprasth-ashram 4. Sanyasth-ashram
(Renunciation)
: Family Life
: Service-oriented familial life : Monkhood Life
Looking from the viewpoint of an average person, this kind of arrangement has been found fairly practical and quite useful to the society. However, there is one small group of exceptional personalities which adopts life-long celibacy right from childhood, gradually developing as a full-time aspirant (Sadhaka). This may be due to the psychic effects (sanskar) of previous lives, influence of the Guru (the teacher), good company, and a firm desire for liberation of the soul from the bondage of the body (Moksha).
Once the right conviction becomes well established, life-long celibacy can lead a person more easily to the attainment of various extraordinary capacities which are ultimately conducive to self-realization & salvation. This has been examplified by the
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BRAHMA-CHARYA