Talks with Sri Ramana Maharshi Complete ... - BrahminVoice.org

Talks with Sri Ramana Maharshi
7th May. 1938
Talk 491.
Mr. Kishorelal Mashruwala, President, Gandhi Seva Sangh, asked:
“How is Brahmacharya to be practised in order that it may be
successfully lived up to?”
M.: It is a matter of will-power. Satvic food, prayers, etc., are useful
aids to it.
D.: Young men have fallen into bad habits. They desire to get over
them and seek our advice.
M.: Mental reform is needed.
D.: Can we prescribe any special food, exercise, etc., to them?
M.: There are some medicines. Yogic asanas and satvic food are
also useful.
D.: Some young persons have taken a vow of brahmacharya. They
repent of the vow after the lapse of ten or twelve years. Under
these circumstances should we encourage young persons to take
the vow of brahmacharya?
M.: This question will not arise in the case of true brahmacharya.
D.: Some young men take the vow of brahmacharya without knowing
its full implications. When they find it difficult to carry it out in
practice, they seek our advice.
M.: They need not take a vow but they may try it without the vow.
D.: Is naishthika brahmacharya (life-long celibacy) essential as a
sadhana for Self-Realisation?
M.: Realisation itself is naishthika brahmacharya. The vow is not
brahmacharya. Life in Brahman is brahmacharya and it is not a
forcible attempt at it.
D.: It is said that kama (desire), krodha (anger), etc.. vanish in the
presence of the Sadguru. Is it so?
M.: It is correct. Kama and krodha must vanish before Self-
Realisation.
D.: But all the disciples of a guru are not of the same degree of
advancement. There are found lapses in a few cases. Who is
responsible for such lapses?
488