The meaning and benifits of Bramhacharya

Basically, brahmacarya means celibacy.

karmana manasa vaca

sarvavasthasu sarvada

sarvatra maithuna-tyago

brahmacaryam pracakshate

“The vow of brahmacarya is meant to help one completely abstain from sex indulgence in work, words, and mind—at all times, under all circumstances and in all places.” (-Yajnavalkya-smriti, as quoted in Bg. 6.13-14)

There are eight aspects of brahmacarya, as described in Shridhara Swami’s commentary on Shrimad-Bhagavatam 6.1.12:

smaranam kirtanam kelih

prekshanam guhyabhashanam

sankalpo ‘dhyavasayash ca

kriya-nirvrittir eva ca

One should not:

1. Think about women.

2. Speak about sex life.

3. Dally with women.

4. Look lustfully at women.

5. Talk intimately with women.

6. Decide to engage in sexual intercourse.

7. Endeavor for sex life.

8. Engage in sex life. (SB 6.1.13 Purport)

One who practices brahmacarya is called a brahmacari. In the varnashrama system, the brahmacari-ashrama is the first of four, namely, brahmacari, grihastha, vanaprastha, and sannyasa.

“According to Vedic principles, the first part of life should be utilized in brahmacarya for the development of character and spiritual qualities.” (SB 3.22.19)

Brahmacarya is thus student life. It was traditionally rigorous, disciplined, and austere. It is a life of cultivation, of preparing for the future. In all ashramas devotees are cultivating Krishna consciousness, preparing for the examination of death. But the brahmacari period is specifically meant for training: training in how to control the senses and subdue the mind; training to be a grihastha, vanaprastha, and sannyasi. This training is by submission to, service to, and friendship to the guru. (SB 7.12.1)

In terms of varnashrama principles, the highest standard of brahmacarya means the vow not to marry but to observe strict celibacy throughout life. (SB 7.12.7) This is called the brihad-vrata (“great vow”), or naishthika-brahmacarya. “Naishthika-brahmacari refers to one who never wastes his semen at any time.” (SB 3.24.20) “The word maha-vrata-dharah indicates a brahmacari who has never fallen down.” (SB 6.17.8)

In Indian society, brahmacarya has often been considered as a set of restrictions aimed at upholding good health and moral principles, with the ultimate purpose of enjoying civilized sense gratification. Brahmacarya in Krishna consciousness, however, operates on the dynamic principle of knowledge and renunciation fully engaged in the service of God. Shrila Prabhupada: “One practicing brahmacarya should be completely engaged in the service of the Lord and should not in any way associate with women.” (SB 4.28.3) According to the definition of brahmacarya given in Shrimad-Bhagavatam (7.12.1), an unmarried person who does not live in the guru’s ashrama, who has not submitted himself to the rigid life of surrender, and is not directly and exclusively engaged in the service of his guru, cannot properly claim to be a brahmacari.

The broader meaning of brahmacarya is brahme carati iti brahmacarya: “To act on the spiritual platform.”

ayus tejo balam viryam

prajna shrish ca yashas tatha

punyata satpriyatvam ca

vardhate brahmacaryaya

“By the practice of brahmacarya, longevity, luster, strength, vigor, knowledge, beauty, fame, piety, and devotion to truth increase.” (-Cited from Practice of Brahmacharya by Shivananda Swami; original source unknown.)

Practice of brahmacarya gives good health, inner strength, peace of mind, fortitude, and long life. It helps to conserve physical and mental energy. It augments memory, will-power, clear thinking, power of concentration, and ability to grasp philosophical subjects. It bestows physical strength, vigor, vitality, courage, boldness, and strength of character. To one who practices brahmacarya, divine knowledge comes as if naturally. His words convey meaning and authority, and leave an impression on the hearers.

Conversely, those who do not practice brahmacarya must always remain in illusion. Shrila Prabhupada: “Brahmacarya is very, very essential. When one becomes detestful to sex life, that is the beginning of spiritual life.” (Lecture, 4/4/75) “Without becoming brahmacari, nobody can understand spiritual life.” (Airport Reception, 18/09/69)