BRAHMACHARYA - 18. ROLE OF DIET IN SEX CONTROL - Sri Swami Sivanda - The Practice of Celibacy - HQ Full Book.

Diet plays a critical role in supporting Brahmacharya (celibacy) by influencing both the body and mind. According to Swami Sivananda, the purity of one’s food significantly affects mental clarity, emotional stability, and physical energy. The chapter emphasizes that Sattvic (pure) foods help maintain mental tranquility and moral discipline, while Rajasic (stimulating) and Tamasic (dulling) foods incite passions or lethargy, making Brahmacharya difficult to practice. 

The Connection Between Food and Mind
Food serves as the link between the body and the mind, influencing emotions, thoughts, and actions. Swami Sivananda explains that each type of food affects specific compartments in the brain and the overall system. Foods with stimulating properties can provoke sexual desires and disturb the mind’s serenity. For example:

• Garlic, onions, and meats are stimulants that incite passion and disrupt inner peace.
• Foods like sparrow meat directly excite reproductive organs, highlighting the power of diet on biological urges.

The author draws a parallel between dietary habits and behavior by observing nature: herbivorous animals such as cows and elephants, which subsist on plant-based diets, are calm and gentle, whereas carnivorous animals like tigers, feeding on meat, are aggressive and turbulent. This natural analogy underscores the importance of a controlled diet for spiritual aspirants.

Sattvic Foods: The Foundation of Brahmacharya
Sattvic foods are considered pure, nourishing, and conducive to mental and spiritual development. These include:

• Grains and Legumes: Wheat, barley, rice (particularly red paddy rice), and green gram.
• Dairy: Milk, curd, butter, and ghee (especially from cows).
• Fruits and Nuts: Bananas, apples, pomegranates, mangoes, almonds, and dates.
• Other Foods: Havis Annam (a preparation of rice, ghee, and sugar), white pumpkin, coconut water, and honey.

Milk is given special emphasis as a complete and balanced food, ideal for Brahmacharins (celibates) and spiritual seekers. It is rich in nutrients and aids in maintaining a balanced constitution. Fruits, being energy-rich and light, are also highly recommended for their cleansing properties and ability to sustain energy without overstimulation.

Foods to Avoid
Swami Sivananda provides a comprehensive list of foods to avoid, as they are considered detrimental to maintaining Brahmacharya. These include:

1. Stimulating Foods: Garlic, onions, spicy curries, and fried foods.
2. Heavy or Difficult-to-Digest Items: Beans, lentils, mustard, brinjals (eggplants), mushrooms, and certain vegetables like radish and cucumbers.
3. Meat and Eggs: These are considered highly stimulating to sexual passions.
4. Processed and Overripe Foods: Stale, processed, or overly ripe foods lack vitality and disturb bodily functions.
5. Salt: Excessive salt is deemed particularly harmful, as it excites passions. Even minimal salt consumption is sufficient, as all foodstuffs naturally contain some salt.

The avoidance of these items is recommended to maintain a calm mind and prevent unnecessary stimulation of the senses.

Moderation in Diet (Mitahara)
A key principle for practicing Brahmacharya is Mitahara or moderation in diet. Swami Sivananda defines Mitahara as eating:

1. Half the stomach’s capacity with wholesome, Sattvic food.
2. One-quarter with water.
3. Leaving the remaining quarter empty for free movement of air and digestion.

The chapter strongly advises against overeating, particularly during nighttime, as it may lead to physical discomfort and nocturnal emissions. Overeating is linked to diminished self-control and a lack of discipline in other aspects of life. The author also stresses the intimate connection between the tongue and the reproductive organs. By controlling the tongue—both in speech and in dietary habits—one can significantly reduce sexual urges. The focus should be on simple, bland, and non-stimulating meals.

Fasting: A Purification Practice
Fasting is highlighted as an effective tool for controlling passion and cleansing the body. According to Swami Sivananda:

• Physical Benefits: Fasting allows the digestive organs to rest, flushes toxins, and removes uric acid deposits. This purification enhances bodily health and lightness.
• Mental and Emotional Benefits: Fasting calms the mind, suppresses sexual excitement, and helps cultivate self-discipline.
• Spiritual Benefits: By reducing distractions of the senses, fasting facilitates deeper meditation and contemplation of higher truths.

The author outlines guidelines for fasting:

• Start with a single day and gradually increase duration as per one’s capacity.
• During fasting, one can drink water or fruit juices but should avoid solid foods initially when breaking the fast.
• Fasting days should be used for meditation, prayer, and introspection to maximize their spiritual benefit.

Excessive fasting, however, is discouraged as it can lead to physical weakness. A balanced approach, guided by common sense, is advised.

Practical Fasting Tips

1. Overcoming Initial Challenges: The first day of fasting may be difficult due to hunger pangs or mental temptations. Persistence and determination are key.
2. Gradual Adaptation: Begin with short fasts and extend them progressively.
3. Breaking the Fast: After a prolonged fast, avoid heavy meals. Instead, opt for light fruit juices, sipped slowly.
4. Enemas and Water Therapy: These help in detoxifying the body during fasting.

Swami Sivananda recommends fasting as a practice not only for celibates but for anyone seeking physical and mental clarity.

Holistic Integration of Diet and Discipline The chapter emphasizes that dietary discipline is not merely a physical practice but also a mental and spiritual one. For those aspiring to Brahmacharya, controlling food intake directly impacts the control of passions. Diet, when aligned with the principles of purity and moderation, serves as a foundation for self-mastery and spiritual growth. The author concludes by inspiring readers to begin incorporating fasting and dietary restrictions into their lives, highlighting the profound benefits for physical health, mental peace, and spiritual progress. The practice of Brahmacharya is a holistic journey that integrates body, mind, and soul, with diet playing a pivotal role in achieving success.

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