Brahmacharya or celibacy is one of the important practices for progress on the spiritual path. But what exactly is brahmacharya? And how does celibacy help? What is the scientific basis to brahmacharya? Let us explore!

The word ‘brahmacharya’ means to live in and as brahma (that is, as Atma or the pure Soul). In other words, one practices to disassociate from the body complex, which includes mind, speech, body and also the different worldly identities we assume in life; and instead identify with the Soul, which is the real and permanent Self.

On the other hand, abrahmacharya i.e. non-celibacy or sexuality is inevitably associated with identification with the body and its impulses, which in turn prevents one from existing as the Atma or pure Soul.

To understand this further, we must understand the concept of Vikaar as explained by Param Pujya Dada Bhagwan. Simply put, vikaar, with respect to abrahmacharya, broadly means sexuality, sexual impulses and passions. But at a subtler level, any desire arising in the state of non-Self is called vikaar. In other words, any deviation from one’s natural state of existence i.e. the state of remaining in and as a pure Soul, which spurs one to pursue and experience desires, including those of a sexual nature too, is called vikaar.

This means that desire in itself is unnatural. It is because the Atma (Soul), being a source of endless bliss, cannot ever want anything. To experience this bliss, one must practice abstinence from sexual activity, which provides short-lived, illusory happiness only and hence is of no good for a spiritual enthusiast. Besides, as Param Pujya Dada Bhagwan has explained, there is great violence in sex. Consequently, one binds negative karma, as a result of which suffering-causing fruits will have to be borne in the next life. Thus, abrahmacharya causes delay in the attainment of moksha.

Therefore, brahmacharya is important, both for those who wish to attain moksha as well as for those who do not want to experience worldly suffering.

Having said that, it is important to remember that if one is karmically bound to marry someone and engage in sexual activity, one cannot entirely escape this chain of events. Everything we experience in this life is a result of our previously sown karmic seeds, which means, whether one becomes a householder or a brahmachari majorly depends on what seeds they have sown in their past life.

However, with Akram Vignan, even a householder can practice brahmacharya.

It is because after taking Gnan (Self-Realisation), one is able to remain in the awareness of the Self (the pure Soul) and experience the unfolding previous karma without identifying with the body complex. Therefore, after Self-Realization, one does not bind any new karma and the old (previous) karma gives its effect and finishes off. Thus, one becomes free from each karma, as it unfolds, and in turn one advances further on the path of liberation. Gradually, with a strong inner intent of brahmacharya, and complete surrender to the Gnani, one becomes completely free of the karma of abrahmacharya.

This is how, through Akram Vignan, even householders, in course of time, are able to practice uninterrupted celibacy, and thereby they experience not only the purity of brahmacharya but also the bliss that accompanies it, without renouncing the world or doing any severe penance to that effect!