| Along with a healthy diet and rest, brahmacharya is considered to be the third important factor in maintaining a healthy body for an individual. Both the sciences of yoga and ayurveda are of the same view that brahmacharya does not mean a total ban on sexual activities, complete celibacy. Celibacy or restraint is maintained for certain periods of time and for some purpose. For the sake of preservation of health and proper utilisation of senses and their gratification also brahmacharya is observed, as excessive utilisation of any sense also results in disease. And is a hazard to health.
Ayurveda advocates attaining maturity before initiating a life for sexual gratification. During the initial years of an individual, that is till the age of 25, tissues, organs and dhatus are in the stage of development, therefore it is very important to maintain celibacy in the initial years.
It is considered unhealthy to suppress the sexual urge after attaining maturity, as the golden rule in ayurveda to maintain a healthy balance in the body is indulgence in moderation. Excess wrong and non-utilization of the object of senses brings about imbalance in the body. Non-utilisation is also considered harmful for health so is excessive and wrong utilisation. According to ayurveda “Brahmachryan Tapasa Deva Mrityumupaghnat”, that is brahmacharya can make devas or individuals win over death or obtain a long healthy life.
Observation of brahmacharya till an individual is a student plays a very important role in the physical and mental development of the body. Students who indulge in sexual activities are found to be lustreless, thin, devoid of zeal, forgetful. Brahmacharya sharpens the intellectual faculties and preserves ojas. This ojas when given the heat of tapas (penance) transforms into tejas, the glow seen around saints and spiritual practitioners. Brahmacharya also increases the strength and stamina of a person.
A healthy diet, clean air, physical exercises etc do provide nutrition and fulfill the necessary requirements of the body, but if the energy generated is spent entirely by indulging in sexual activities the body ages fast, grows weak and lethargy supervenes.
Our country’s climate being tropical in nature does not allow excessive indulgence in sexual activities, unlike in colder countries, excepting in winter season. But that also requires one to take nutritious foods and aphrodisiac drugs.
Ayurveda recommends people to abstain from sexual activities under certain conditions: a prostitute during periods with septic or contracted ailments, with someone excessively fat or thin or till six months of delivery, with another’s wife, sanyasini, with one belonging to the same family or blood, overaged. Sexual activity is nor recommended in certain places, e.g, the guru's house, place of work or workshop, crematorium and on auspicious days. Under certain circumstances like when hungry, thirsty, impatient, overfed or going through a natural urge of defecation or urination it is advised to abstain from a sexual act.
Excessive indulgence brings about the following diseases: vertigo, fatigue, weakened leg power, loss of virility, loss of semen, loss of organs of activity and senses to some extent, thereby decreasing the capacity to perform mental or physical tasks.
As our ancients understood the human body and its requirements and the discipline required to maintain a healthy body, brahmacharya is considered to be one of the three major pillars that hold the body.
—The writer is an ayurved expert from Dhyan Foundation.
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