Abstinence: Brahmacharya The greatest tool

to improve concentration
Of all the methods and techniques to improve concentation, memory, courage, and positivity,
Abstinence Brahmacharya is the novel most and greatest technique, if you have some faith in
spirituality. Though it looks like a spiritual belief, Ayurveda also approves of benefits of
abstinence.

Abstinence meaning:

Abstinence means Brahmacharya in Sanskrit. Abstinence refers to refraining ones mind

and body in indulgence of sex and sex related matters.

At the outset, it appears as if it covers only physical aspect. But it also covers the mental
aspect.

If you indulge in sex, there is lack of abstinence at the same time, if you imagine about
having sex, then also there is lack of abstinence.

Lack of abstinence is there if one thinks, sees, hears, chats, touches, indulgence with a
desire of sex, there is lack of abstinence.

It is almost near to impossible for common people to practice abstinence at the highest
level but it is possible to follow abstinence at certain levels based on ones own capacity and
comfort.
Benefits of abstinence: Why abstinence?

Brahmacharya is told as one among the three pillars of life. (other two are food and
sleep).

Ayurveda details: The Ojas the essence of immunity is told as byproduct of Shukra
(the hormones, semen and other components of sex). Hence, preserving Shukra leads to
improvement in immunity.

Swamy Vivekananda was able to memorize whatever he used to glance, in a book. By

reading a few lines of a paragraph, he used to get the meaning of the rest of the paragraph. He
used to say that if one practices absolute abstinence for a period of 12 years, continuous, a
special Nadi (nerve power) called Medha Nadi (Medha = intelligence) develops in ones
brain, which leads to tremendous memory and concentration.

Abstinence leads to multi-fold improvement in concentration, memory and courage.

For students, teenagers and children, abstinence is highly recommended.

Abstinence leads to character building.

Abstinence imbibes reliability, strength in character and trust worthiness.

Abstinence is the fuel for spiritual journey. No spirituality without abstinence.

How to practice abstinence

At the outset, it looks almost impossible to follow absolute abstinence. It depends upon
ones mind strength, practice and perseverance.

If not full abstinence, teenagers can at least resolve to avoid sexual activities at least till a
particular point of time in their lives.

For married people, abstinence can be practiced at any available occasions, as in case of
pregnancy, menstrual periods, being distant to each other etc.

Keeping oneself away from stimulations such as TV, wrong company etc helps follow
abstinence.

Pranayama helps to keep the mind cool, calm and concentrated.

So, follow abstinence and be abstinent up to your capacity and till the time your mind is capable
and enjoy its benefits.
Tips to maintain Brahmacharya
Waking up early in the morning Brahmi Muhurtha
Restricted sleep of 6 7 hours
Eating only for 2 3 times a day,
Avoiding munching
Avoiding excess of tea, coffee

 Avoiding alcohol, smoking,

Avoiding excess spicy salty foods
Controlling anger
Avoiding junk foods
Having better control over sense organs
Having better control over mind
Improving on focus concentration
Pranayama and Yoga regularly Control over breath = control over mind
Love and compassion towards all
Guru able spiritual leader to walk you hand in hand, in the right path.
Satsanga company of holy people mutual encouragement, healthy competition
Does night fall break the Brahmacharya?
Night fall is the common term, used for nocturnal emission, wherein the semen that is collected
inside, overflows while the person is sleeping. This does not break Brahmacharya.
If retention of semen was the only criteria for celibacy, then a simple vasectomy operation would
have made everyone to follow this noble path. But what actually matters, in following
Brahmacharya is purity of heart and mind. Nothing else.
Brahmacharya Basic need for spiritual journey
Spirituality = Yearning towards higher mental status / Deity.
Spirituality is the journey of control of sense organs and directing all physical and mental
strength to take mind to higher planes.
Lack of Brahmacharya
Physical attraction = mind gets more and more attached to the body.
Mind is made to concentrate more on physical aspects such as appearance, looks
Lack of control over sense organs
Lack of control over mind.
Worsening of anger, frustration, etc
Concept of 7 tissues of Ayurveda
Ayurveda explains that there are seven body tissues.
Rasa, Rakta Mamsa, Meda, Asthi, Majja Shukra.
Food > Digestion
Essence part of food (Rasa Dhatu)
Rasa nourishes Rakta (Blood)
Rakta Nourishes Mamsa (muscles).
Mamsa nourishes Meda (Fat)
Meda -> Asthi (bone tissue)
Asthi -> Majja (marrow)
Majja -> Shukra (reproductive system).
Essence part (fruitful part) of seven body tissues = Ojas.
Ojas is responsible for overall health, energy and liveliness. It is both a mental and physical

factor. It is responsible for Health maintenance and health promotion Fight disease prevent
disease
Ojus is the essence part of all the body tissues. Read more about ojas
Brahmacharya is a way to improve Ojas:
Increased Ojas = Good mental strength (memory, concentration) = better meditation and
spiritual gains
Increased Ojas = Good physical strength improved immunity, longevity, freedom from
diseases, prolonged life expectancy.
Depleted Ojas = opposite of the above.
Celibacy basic foundation of spirituality
Upon this foundation,
devotion,
dedication,
Spiritual practice
Self analysis
Self exploration
Getting rid of anger, greed,
Ego etc are performed to
Achieve highest spiritual realms.
Brahmacharya for all
Brahmacharya for spiritual seekers
Brahmacharya for teenagers
Brahmacharya for people in their 20s
Brahmacharya for married people
Brahmacharya for old people
For good health of society with high levels of ethics.
The level of practice across people may wary.
Importance of Brahmacharya during teenage
Helps the teenager to set the line of discipline
Improves memory, concentration, focus.
Improves discretional and analytical strength
Sets the high tone for the rest of his / her life
Importance of Brahmacharya during 20s.
Helps to chose better partners
Helps to chose relationships better
Helps to define purpose of life, better.
Improved memory, concentration, health and immunity.

Brahmacharya in married people

Sri Ramakrishna Paramahamsa Married people should once in a while seek solace in forests
and do meditation for few days time, before returning to mundane life.
In Hindu custom, it is advised to abstain from sex during festivities, special days such as nomoon day, etc.
Importance in married people
Improves mutual relationship
Helps to put love ahead of lust
Brings more meaning to relationship
Makes the sexual relationship all the more interesting due to self induced rules.
Utility of Bramhacharya in Ayurvedic treatment
Ayurveda advocates abstinence as a way of life up to ones strength.
Abstinence is advocated during chronic illness, during
Snehakarma oleation
Panchakarma procedure,
post- panchakarma period
Rasayana rejuvenating, anti aging treatment procedures. (Brahma Rasayana)
Purity, love for truth, self-control, devotion to sacred rituals and Brahmacharya, Freedom from
passion, anger, greed, ego, ignorance, jealousy, dejection and intolerance are Satvik qualities
(Charaka Samhita Shareera Sthana 4th chapter).
|||| One should keenly follow the
path of Bramacharya, knowledge, charity, friendship, compassion, happiness, detachment and
peace. Charaka Sutrasthana 8/29

Ashtanga
Hrudaya Sutrasthana 7th chapter
Good memory, intelligence, long life, health, nourishment, acuity of sense organs, reputation,
strength and slow ageing accrue from disciplined (controlled) indulgence in the women.
Charaka Samhita, Vimana Sthana, 3rd chapter during an epidemic disease, one who follows
Brahmacharya stands a good chance to withstand the spread of disease.
How Brahmacharya is broken?
Darshana looking at women with passionate resolve,
Sparshan touching,
Keli play,
Kirtan praising the qualities of the other sex,
Guhya-Bhashan talking in private,
Sankalpa determination,
Adhyavasaya nearing the other sex with the desire for gratification, intimacy
Kriyanivritti sexual act.
Herbs to maintain Brahmacharya
Bitter and astringent

 Betel Nut -1 gram per day.

Sandalwood powder 1 gram per day, along with honey.
Tulsi Holy Basil one leaf per day
Haritaki Chebulic myrobalan Terminalia chebula fruit rind one teaspoon per day for 2
months time, with water or honey.
Rasayana rejuvenating, anti aging therapy to improve ojas:
Ancient seers were able to pursue their religious studies, Tapas (Penance), Brahmacharya
(celibacy), spiritual knowledge and meditation and also attained heaven.
Therefore, persons desirous of attaining long life vitality and happiness should practice
rejuvenation therapy with complete devotion according to the prescribed procedure.
Brahmacharya as prescription
In the treatment of Rajayakshma (depleted body tissues, tuberculosis), Brahmacharya is
advised. Charaka Chikitsa Sthana 8/187
Research on Brahmacharya
Experiments on rats have shown that reduced fecundity increases their lifespan.
In an experiment, castrated men in a mental hospital were shown to live many years more than
the normal patients in same environment. Source
An experiment on male japanese macaque has shown that each ejaculation is costly for the
animal, even though this research only considered the calorific content of the ejaculation and not
the cost of spermatogenesis itself.