World of Philosophy

Author(s): Christopher Key Chapple, Intaj Malek, Dilip Charan, Sunanda Shastri, Prashant Dave
Publisher: Shanti Prakashan

Page 309

B. Ashramas: The literal meaning of the term Ashrama is halting or resting place so that an individual can step by step halt at particular stage, train and prepare himself to the next stage until he reaches the final goal (i.e.Moksha). Ashramas are four, they are: Brahamacharya-ashrama, Grihastha-ashrama, Vaanaprashta-ashrama and Sanyaasa-ashrama. These four Ashramas are but natural stages which human person undergoes due to his psycho-physical development and spiritual yarning and hence they are not enforced by any tradition. Thus, Ashramas are different natural and inevitable halting places in the journey of human life
a) Brahmacharya Ashrama: The period of this stage is from six to twenty five years which period is precious in one's own life since it lays foundation for his onward journey. In this stage the mind will be fresh, body will be developing rapidly and hence both mind and body have to be moulded, trained and strengthened. As Swami Vivekananda says: one must build the personality with the 'muscles of iron, nerves of steel, mind of rock and spirit of perseverance'. 3°
Brahmachari Brahmacharini should be self-disciplined and selfcontrolled so as to become an ideal student and should approach a competent Guru who is self-less, knowledgeable and kind hearted so as to train and impart both temporal and spiritual knowledge to him/her. Student also should accept his/her Guru as his spiritual father/mother and follow his/her instructions rigorously. His food should be satvika and he is not supposed to take spicy food, meat etc., and not supposed to touch wine and any intoxicants and treat all women as his mother or sisters. He should get up early morning, practice yogic exercises (Kaaya-kalpa) and take bath in cold water before sunrise and perform all the duties prescribed by his Guru. His motto should be to get mastery over both spiritual as well as secular knowledge so as to enter next stage and conduct it successfully. Simple living, high thinking and hard work should become his moola mantra and protection of veerya (semen) should become his moola tantra. The Brahmachari is supposed to follow the strict path of celibacy and he should not waste a single drop of semen. In fact, this sexual fluid or semen is the Amrita and if it flows up. ward a man will achieve Amritatva. Swami Vivekananda says: "This semen if controlled flowing downward and by the direction of the Muladhara makes it to flow upward it converts itself into Ojas. It is only the chaste man or woman who can make the Ojas rise and store it in the brain; and hence chastity was considered as the highest virtue by our Seers."
Kaaya-kalpa contains simple yogic exercises, meditation and simplified Kundalini-yoga which helps to protect semen and to build up healthy body and mind. This was practiced by Siddhas and modified by Pundit Prabhananda and Vethathri Maharshi which must be practiced regularly." This will not only make him strong and healthy but also uplift him spiritually
260