Sri Swami Sivananda - The Prasctice of BRAHMACHARYA Celibacy - 1. PRESENT-DAY DEGRADATION - Complete Works with FULL English Translation of all Sanskrit Words.

Welcome to the first episode of Brahmacharya: The Path to Purity and Power, where we delve into one of the most profound teachings of Sri Swami Sivananda: the importance of Brahmacharya (celibacy and self-control) in the modern world. In this episode, we will explore the concept of "Present-Day Degradation" through the lens of human desires, particularly the sexual impulse, and how it shapes our lives in today's society.

The Illusion of Sex and Ego
Sri Swami Sivananda begins this exploration by revealing a fundamental truth about human life: “There is a great illusion in front of man. It troubles him in the form of woman. There is a great illusion in front of woman. It troubles her in the form of man.” This is the core illusion that dominates human existence—the interplay of sex and ego. Sex and ego are the twin forces that drive much of our actions, desires, and behavior in the world. Whether you go to Amsterdam, New York, or London, the world is filled with this one pervasive theme: sex and ego. Sexual desire is the most powerful and deeply rooted instinct in human beings. It fills the mind, intellect, prana (vital energy), senses, and the entire body. It is not just an ordinary desire, but the oldest and most powerful urge in human nature, the very force that perpetuates the continuity of life itself. Swami Sivananda teaches that sex energy is the central force in human existence, and every other desire—be it for wealth, status, or material possessions—ultimately revolves around it. He explains, “A man has a thousand and one desires. But the central strong desire is the sexual desire. The fundamental desire is the urge for a mate. All hang on this central basic desire.” At its core, the sex drive is the most potent desire that governs human behavior and interaction. The desire for money, property, children, and even career success are all secondary to the deep-rooted longing for companionship and intimacy.

The Power of Sexual Desire
Swami Sivananda argues that God has made the sexual desire so powerful to ensure the continuation of life on earth. Without this force, humanity might easily evolve into a state of higher spiritual consciousness, with many individuals attaining the state of Jivanmukta—liberated beings who live in the world while remaining detached from worldly desires. But, due to the immense power of sexual desire, this spiritual evolution is a slow and challenging process. The sexual desire is so powerful and deep-rooted in the human constitution that it is not easy to overcome. Swami Sivananda likens the acquisition of university qualifications—something that requires intelligence, money, and effort—to the far more difficult task of obliterating the sexual impulse. “It is easy to get university qualifications. It demands a little money, memory, intelligence, and a little strain. But it is an uphill climb to obliterate the sexual impulse.” The road to spiritual mastery is not paved with academic success alone, but with the conquest of inner desires, particularly sexual ones. In this way, mental Brahmacharya—the complete eradication of lust and the cultivation of self-control—is not just a discipline but a spiritual realization. The attainment of this discipline signifies the realization of Brahman (the Ultimate Reality). It is the highest form of spiritual attainment, where one transcends worldly desires and aligns with the Divine.

The Ego and Sexual Desire
Swami Sivananda goes on to explain the crucial relationship between ego and sexual desire. The ego is the root cause of all suffering and attachment. It is the false identity that humans create for themselves, based on their thoughts, desires, and attachments to the material world. The ego is the very thing that gives rise to sex, as both are tied to the sense of "I"—the false sense of individuality and separateness. In his teachings, Swami Sivananda emphasizes that “This world is nothing but sex and ego.” Sexual desire cannot exist without the ego because it is the ego that desires pleasure, control, and fulfillment from external sources. The desire for a mate, for pleasure, for intimacy—all arise from the false identity created by the ego. When the ego is dissolved, the sexual desire also fades away. Swami Sivananda teaches that “If the ego is destroyed by Vichara (self-enquiry) or enquiry of ‘Who am I?’, the sex idea takes to its heels by itself.” Thus, the practice of Brahmacharya—whether in celibacy or the transmutation of sexual energy—requires the dissolution of the ego. Only by turning inward and discovering the true Self can one break free from the desires that keep us enslaved to the material world.

A Degraded State of Existence
Swami Sivananda laments the present-day state of human beings, who have “lost their divine glory” and become slaves to their desires. The modern world, full of distractions and desires, has created a degraded existence for individuals, where sex and ego rule over their actions. Human beings have become “puppets of passion,” imitative machines who follow the trends of society without engaging in any deep self-reflection. They have lost the power of discrimination and sunk into a state of spiritual slavery. He writes, “Man has degraded himself to a great degree by becoming the puppet of passion. He has lost his power of discrimination. He has sunk into the most abject form of slavery.” This degradation has happened because of ignorance (Avidya)—the ignorance of the true nature of the self. When people are unaware of their divine essence and engage with the world through their ego and desires, they find themselves trapped in a cycle of misery and attachment.

Transmutation of Desire
However, Swami Sivananda offers hope. To overcome this degradation, one must transform the sexual desire and transmute it into spiritual energy. The transmutation of sex desire is not about suppressing or denying it; rather, it involves redirecting this energy into higher pursuits—into divine thought, spiritual practices, and meditation. Through regular meditation and cultivating sublime thoughts, one can begin to transform the overwhelming sexual energy into something more powerful: spiritual wisdom. This process of transmutation is a highly potent and transformative tool for realizing the eternal bliss of the soul. As Swami Sivananda teaches, when we transform the sex desire through spiritual practices, we begin to experience a higher, more profound state of being, ultimately leading to enlightenment and the realization of Brahman.

In this episode, we explored the concept of Brahmacharya and its essential role in the spiritual journey, as outlined by Sri Swami Sivananda. The modern world is consumed by sex and ego, but through the practice of Brahmacharya, we can transmute these base urges into higher spiritual energy, allowing us to reclaim our divine glory. By understanding and applying these teachings, we can break free from the cycle of passion and ego and move towards a state of divine bliss and self-realization. Join us for the next episode as we continue to explore the path of Brahmacharya and how to integrate these timeless teachings into our modern lives.

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