Vajrakavach

Author(s): Dharnendrasagar
Publisher: Jain Sahitya Prakashan Mandir

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It is for this reason that the great sage Vyasa called continence or celibacy becomes immortal forever. The life of Bhishma, the grand stalwart of the Mahabharata, provides a shining example of the efficiency of life-long determined continence. It was because of his steadfast vow of life-long celibacy that Bhishma developed not only extra-ordinary valor but also a rare philosophic wisdom and intellectual supremacy.
As we know, the destruction of two celebrated cities viz. Dwarka and Lanka was caused by moral, sexual degradation. The story of Prithviraja Chauhan, the last, great Rajput King of Delhi, illustrates the same point viz. that sexual weakness and over indulgence leads to default and down fall. But, strict self-restraint and total continence result in glorious victory like the stories of Nepolean, Laxman and Arjun.
Among the various penances and austere practices, the Indian culture emphasizes the practice of continence most because the virtue of celibacy includes all virtues. Shri Hemachandracharya, the omniscient of the iron age, describes celibacy as the fourth aspect of character. The vow or penance of continence is considered the best of all the austerity because it is the most difficult vow to observe. The vow of continence requires the utmost alertness and single mindedness on the part of the disciple. Such a disciple maintains his steadfastness by pursuit of knowledge, meditation and alertness.
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