Brahmacharya

Hello Vijay,

Good to know of your interest as regards Brahmacharya. Keep the efforts going. Coming to your query,

Q: Is 'Praanayaama' or control of 'Praana' a pre-requisite for success in celibacy?
A: 'Praana' refers to the net sum of all vital, life energy within. The word 'Praana' is a general term used to collectively denote the five different life sustaining winds within the body namely:

1. Praana: Aids respiration so as to purify blood in the lungs.
2. Apaana: The downward wind which aids in elimination of waste matter, urine and semen for  reproduction.
3. Vyaana: The wind responsible for circulation of blood to all parts.
4. Samaana: The wind responsible for effective digestion of food.
5. Udaana: Takes the 'Jivaatma' to the Brahman during sound sleep and separates the astral body from the physical body at death.

Each of these individual winds have a distinct and unique function in regulating life energy within the body and in maintaining the normal functions in the system responsible for sustainment of life.

Praanayaama' (A Sanskrit compound word: Praanasya Aayaamaha - Meaning control of the Praana) is hence nothing but an activity that helps in the control of 'Praana' or life force through breathing techniques.

Why should one learn to control one's Praana? What does one achieve by doing so?

The external manifestation of 'Praana' or vital force is breath. The body replenishes lost Praana through intake of air via breath. By controlling gross breath, one can control the subtle Praana within. By controlling the subtle Praana within, one can control the mind. By controlling the mind one develops the ability to conserve/transmute his semen or the vital essence and thereby becomes peaceful, contented and all powerful.

The control over one's Praana thus enables a person to regulate and bring under control all his life activities. It might be compared to how a horseman makes the horse listen to his commands through reins. Just as the reins transmit his intention to the horse, and the horse correspondingly reacts, one can control the mind and thereby the body through control of Praana via breath. The breath-praana-mind and semen are all connected to each other intricately. Complete control of any one of the four automatically helps control the other three. It is difficult and not very effective to directly control one's mind or semen. The mind may be compared to an intoxicated monkey which is very hard to tame and restrict. Thousands of unconnected thoughts arise within the mind in a few seconds. Based on what the mind wants, the organs of action and the body follow. So what's the way to control the mind? Find out what gives the mind the energy to exist and blossom. This energy, the mind is deriving from 'Praana' or vital energy and vital energy is fueled by breath. If one can develop control over breath, one can easily control the mind and thereby the body. Note how breathing becomes erratic and uncontrolled in gasps when a person is under the effect of anger, lust or excitement. He has no control over his breathing and hence no control over the mind at that instant. Conversely, breathing becomes uniform and rhythmic when we are calm, peaceful and contented. This clearly shows that by control of breath, one can control the mind and the body.

Exercise, sports and all other forms of regular physical activity also impart control of Praana in their own way as our breathing patterns change while performing these activities. To that extent, transmutation of vital essence occurs, thereby keeping the mind free from negative thoughts. However, the breathing patterns that occur during exercise, sports or sprinting have their limitations as regards to aiding the complete control of mind, for they are in actuality reactions of the body to the state of physical duress it finds itself in. If man can indulge in specific breathing techniques fully aimed at control of the mind, his success in celibacy will be more pronounced and notable. Hence it is advisable to gradually learn the correct method of breathing through Praanayaama that will aid in better control of the mind and thereby help one succeed in thorough Brahmacharya.

Jogging, sprinting and all other exercises that are carried out regularly contribute to maintaining the state of Brahmacharya; for these activities help transmute that part of semen which is required to revitalize the physical body. If one keeps one's mind free from impure thoughts and subjects oneself to regular exercise, mental work and spiritual activity (God meditation) success in Brahmacharya is rest assured. Praanayaama is the direct and shortcut method to develop mind and body control to a high degree.

God bless and have a nice day :-)
Dhananjay