‘Values of a Brahmachari’

The other day, there was a question in the class to Swami Kaivalyananda; ‘what are the values of a brahmachari?’

Swami gave a beautiful answer. He said that we are already studying the values of a brahmachari, because the 12th chapter gives the qualities of a devotee; freedom from anger and attachment, friendliness, compassion, etc. All these are the values of a brahmachari.

Then Swami described the old times where brahmacharya is described in the scriptures. In certain scriptures, like ‘Manu Smriti,’ it gives all of the rules and customs that a brahmachari must follow. First of all, the meaning of ‘brahmachari’ comes from the meaning of the word ‘brahma,’ which is ‘Veda.’ A brahmachari is one who accepts vows for the study of the Vedas. Only a part of that is the celibacy which we normally equate with this word.

In old times, the society was divided according to the classes. There are certain rules as for when each class begins brahmacharya. A brahmana at 9, kshatriyaat 12, and vaishya at 15 years. At that age, they are given the ceremony ‘upanayanam,’ and initiated in study of the Vedas. From there, they have to go and live in the gurukulam, in the presence of the guru.

There are certain rules for studying from the guru. One can only learn the parts the guru teaches, nothing else. One should sit lower than the guru, and be fully attentive, looking at the guru’s face. There were also certain rules about which days are not for studying, according to astrology.

The disciple cannot walk ahead of the guru. He must only live off of alms, and only after offering to the guru. He can only have one pair of dress, and cannot wear ornaments. He must keep shaved, accept for the tuft of hair, called ‘shikha.’ All of these rules are contained in the ancient ‘smritis.’

The brahmachari also had to perform the ordained worship in the three ‘sandhyas,’ – morning, noon, and evening. This was chanting of the Gayatri mantra, along with certain rituals. Along with studying, they also had to perform whatever work the guru needed done, mainly collecting firewood and materials for the daily homas held. Also, the brahmachari had to wake up before the guru woke and sleep only after the guru goes to sleep (try following that with Amma!)

If the brahmachari were to disobey any of these rules for whatever reason, there would certain atonements instructed in the scriptures, such as fasting, etc. Some of these atonements are very severe, up to burning oneself alive in fire. After completing their studies, there is a ceremony called ‘samavartanam.’ After this, the brahmachari can choose to enter the stage of married life, or remain in the guru’s hermitage. If he stays, he accepts strict vows and austerities, engaging in spiritual practices. That is called ‘naisthika brahmacharya.’

Swami also addressed the brahmacharinis, saying that brahmacharya at one time long before was also practiced by women. For some reason or other, it later became banned in many of the Smritis. The proof of this is in the great work by the sage Patanjali on grammar, called ‘Mahabhashya.’ There it says that women used to study the Vedas, perform Vedic rituals, and other things. For whatever reason, later this was banned, unfortunately. (This fact is important, as Amma has been criticized by some in India for allowing women to hold Vedic ceremonies and chant Vedic mantras)

Today, many of these customs are no longer practical. Nobody studies the Vedas anymore, nor is there any opportunity to do so. Because the situations have changed today, we can only accept the values from the olden times.

Piyush,
July 15, 2007