Aspirants Guide

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

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ASPIRANT'S GUIDE
are able to observe this vow in its true sense. 8. Even highly enlightened souls have therefore envisaged no expiation for breach of celibacy. Those who realy observe this great vow deserve the highest respects. 9. Strength and health are the benefits of celibacy. Further, it confers long life and brightness of mind. The body is energized, the intellect and memory get sharpened, speech becomes lucid, melodious and effective. By observance of celibacy, steadiness in concentration is achieved, the state of noble thinking gets extended, fatigueability is no longer experienced in meditation and the sadhaka can become a master of Samadhi that yields supreme bliss through the attainment of multifaceted self-control. We thus realize that celibacy is really the best companion of a Sadhaka.
LIVING EXAMPLES OF CELIBACY (1) One of the main disciples of Swami Vivekananda was Swami Vibhutananda. The pupil was as capable as the master.
Once, a young woman entered his apartment with lustful intention, but when she saw the very gentle figure and divine luster of the Swami, she was stunned. Seeing her stunned, the Swami said, "Well mother, you will not go without something !" He offered Prasada (food) to her and she had no option but to accept it. The instinct of lust in the woman was dissipated on hearing the word "Mother".
She accepted the Prasada of God, bowed before the Swami with tears rolling down her eyes, begged forgiveness and left.
Such is the impressive grandeur of observ ance of life-long celibacy. (2) The king Chhatrasal (Maharaja) was a great warrior of the seventeenth century, well known for his nobility and philanthropic works. He ruled in parts of northern India and gave a bitter fight to mogul Emperor Aurangzeb.
He was the ruler of the kingdom of Panna around the year 1670 A.D. Not only he was heroic like a lion but far brighter was his luster of celibacy. Besides being a man of royal blood, he was in the full bloom of youth. On seeing his grand personality, one daughter of a feudatory lord became enamored of him. She was maddened by love for him. Lust is blind and when one is
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SADHAK-SATHI