Category:Controlling Sex Life
Theme Analysis
Śrīla Prabhupāda asserts that the foundational difference between animal life and human civilization is the ability to control the senses, specifically the sex drive. This category explores the methods, reasons, and benefits of controlling sex life within the context of the varṇāśrama system.
- The Definition of Brahmacarya: Brahmacarya is defined as the vow of celibacy or the strict control of the sex appetite. Śrīla Prabhupāda explains that this austerity (tapasya) is the medium to break the bondage of material existence.
- Sex Life in the Āśramas: The Vedic system is designed to minimize sex life. For the brahmacārī, vānaprastha, and sannyāsī, sex is completely forbidden. For the gṛhastha (householder), it is strictly regulated and meant only for begetting God-conscious children.
- Physiological and Mental Benefits: Śrīla Prabhupāda introduces the concept of ūrdhva-retāḥ—one who retains semen to nourish the brain. Controlling sex life leads to sharp memory, fixed determination, and the ability to grasp spiritual subjects instantly.
- Yoga vs. Rascaldom: There is a strong critique of modern "yoga" practices that allow unrestricted sense gratification. Śrīla Prabhupāda terms this "rascaldom," stating that true yoga and spiritual life are impossible without sense control.
- Civilizational Standard: A society that does not teach the control of sex life is classified as a "fourth-class civilization." Real human progress is measured by internal purification, not just external development.
- Explore the synthesized essence of this category in this Vanipedia article: Necessity of Controlling Sex Life.
Pages in category "Controlling Sex Life"
The following 27 pages are in this category, out of 27 total.
A
- A brahmacari practices celibacy, controlling his sex life. One cannot enjoy unrestricted sex life and practice yoga; this is rascaldom
- A sannyasi means he has ceased all material desire. There is no material desire. And the concentrated material enjoyment is sex. So if one could not control his sex life, then how he is swami? He's cheater
B
- Brahmacarya means controlling sex life. That is required. If you can control sex impulse. . . Because that is the medium of bondage
- Brahmacaryena means celibacy. The more you restrain your sex life, the more you become strong for spiritual life. Brahmacaryena. Brahma . . . brahmacarya means to restrain, control sex life
- Brahmacaryena means controlling the sex appetite. That is a brahmacari. Tapasa brahmacaryena samena ca damena ca. Samena means keeping the mind, equilibrium, without being disturbed. The process of meditation is meant for keeping the mind in equilibrium
- By the gradual process of devotional service under the guidance of a proper spiritual master & following the principles of the Bhagavatam, one must be able at least to control the gross sex desire before one accepts the renounced order of life factually
I
- If anyone, even if he is a householder, wants to make progress in spiritual life, he must control his sex life and should not beget a child without the purpose of serving Krsna. BG 1972 purports
- In the beginning it was said that without sex life, the determination. Or controlled sex life. If you indulge in sex life, then this determination will not come. Flickering determination. You see? Therefore the sex life should be controlled or given up
- In the bhakti school, a householder brahmacari is allowed controlled sex life because the cult of bhakti-yoga is so powerful that one automatically loses sexual attraction, being engaged in the superior service of the Lord. BG 1972 purports
- In the previous verse (in SB 3.28.4) it is stated that one must observe celibacy. The most important aspect of sense control is controlling sex life. That is called brahmacarya
- It is clearly mentioned herewith that Narada is not only well behaved, meek and obedient, but also self-controlled. One who is not self-controlled, specifically in sex life, can become neither a disciple nor a spiritual master
- It is recommended that a woman desiring to advance in KC live peacefully with a husband & that the couple not separate under any condition. The husband & wife should control sex indulgence & concentrate their minds on KC so their life may be successful
N
O
- One cannot enjoy sex life daily at home or elsewhere and attend a so-called yoga class and thus become a yogi. One has to practice controlling the mind and avoiding all kinds of sense gratification, of which sex life is the chief. BG 1972 purports
- One has to undergo tapasya; brahmacarya, celibacy. Tapasya. Brahmacarya means stopping sex life or controlling sex life. Brahmacarya
- One who can completely control sex life is able to work wonderfully with his brain, especially in remembering. Thus students who simply hear Vedic instructions once from their teacher could remember them verbatim without needing to read books
T
- The whole Vedic civilization is: how to avoid sex life. Brahmacari - no sex life. Vanaprastha - no sex life. Sannyasi - no sex life. Only grhastha, under control. That is grhastha
- The word urdhva-retasah is very significant. Urdhva-retah refers to one who can control sex life and who instead of wasting semen by discharging it, can use this most important substance accumulated in the body to enrich the brain
- This human form of life is meant for austerity, and austerity means controlling sex, food intake, etc. In this way time can be saved for spiritual activity, and one can purify himself both externally and internally. Thus both body & mind can be cleansed
- This is the purification process: austerity, penance, controlling sex life, controlling the mind, controlling the senses, giving in charity whatever you possess, everything regulated. This is one process. And the other process is this bhakti-yoga
- To live apart from family life means to become self-controlled in regard to all sense desires, especially sex desires