Is it too late for benefitting from Brahmacharya at 35

It is never too late to commence on the path of Brahmacharya, considering that one is moving towards one's default state of the 'Âtman' (pure soul) through this practice. That pure, divine state of knowledge, eternal existence and matchless bliss is in fact one's original, real state of nativity and not the commonly seen state rife with base emotions, sorrow and pain. So anyone who is striving for a life governed by Brahmacharya is slowly gravitating towards this original, default state of bliss, reaching which, one becomes content in the self by the self without the least need of anything external to maintain his state of well being. That state, reaching which, one see's everything within one's own self as the 'Âtman' (pure soul) and is fully absorbed in the infinite knowledge, bliss and existence that shine forth.

So immaterial of whether a person is at his budding youth or in the evening years of his life, it makes much sense to lead a life governed by the tenets of Brahmacharya and make headway in the path leading to one's true and original state. Just as it is very natural and very normal for one to feel the need and the urge to get back to one's own home after journeying across the entire world, the Jivâtma (embodied soul) feels a similar need to revert, return and reclaim its lost state of infinity and bliss. It was lead astray and away from this divine, natural state through its wrongful assumption that sense pleasures were the pathway to happiness. This made it wander across the land of senses, thinking them to be the heavens of pleasure; while they turned out to be nothing more than deserts of pain and suffering. It has suffered much at the hands of these senses and their unending appetites, so much, that it finds itself surrounded by the vicious daggers of the senses, stabbing and hurting it beyond redemption. It is marooned from well being and its true state of bliss. It has had enough and wants to free itself from these shackles, but does not know how. Then, at this stage, the all merciful Lord, out of sheer compassion and a well wishing attitude, gently picks it up and rests it on the raft of 'Brahmacharya' so that it may attain to attain to Yoga (the final union of self-realization). So by no means is it ever late to start on a lifestyle of Brahmacharya, for who can deny the Jivâtma (embodied soul) of its eternal birthright to reclaim its original and default state of bliss, beyond slavery to the senses?

The 'full effects' of Brahmacharya are said to be very much within the reach of a person who starts this unbroken and sincere practice within the age of 32-34. This is the age, beyond which the ability of the physical medium called the body starts to gradually decrease in terms of producing energy of the finest kind. This is represented by the lowering of the quality of semen and sperm produced. Till this age, the energy graph representing the production of the best 'Prâna' (vital energy) and hence the best semen is more or less constant and at its peak. The graph line representing the ability of the body to produce this finest energy starts descending after this age.

By the term 'full effects', we mean that he or she has a very high chance of attaining to Yoga (final union or beatitude) in this very birth, if the practice of honest & unbroken Brahmacharya  with God meditation and contemplation is begun within this stipulated age of 34. It means that through such a mode of life, he can work out all his past karmas and secure release now, in this very existence.

Why is this so? It is so because a mammoth and Herculean amount of 'Prâna' (vital energy) is required to take man to the stage of 'Nirbîja Samâdhi' (the state of super-consciousness beyond duality) and make him experience union with the Supreme. At the physical and mental levels, a very high influx of energy of the most refined and pure kind is necessary for this effect. Besides, one cannot attain to final beatitude or Yoga unless all karmas in the 'Kârana Sharira' (causal body) have been worked out or burnt, and one needs much 'Prâna' or vital energy to indulge in and bear the effects of such cleansing within the scope of a single birth. One needs much energy and effort to reach the state where the desires of the mind lessen and finally taper away, on realizing that everything is within oneself, the 'Âtman' (pure soul). Sustained efforts and perseverance are required to reach this state of dispassion as regards anything external or 'Asath' (That which is not the 'Âtman'). And so, the Yogi perseveres to conserve and transmute the most supreme of all fluids within his body, the only fluid which is capable of producing another life, the fluid which is no different from his very own self in terms of its representation at the physical plane, the fluid called 'Rethas' or 'Veerya' (semen). Conservation and transmutation of this fluid help him sublimate it into 'Ojas' which is the transformed state of physical semen into astral energy or a kind of electricity. This 'Ojas' is seen in the form of luster, personal electricity and superior mental abilities in a Yogi. Hence it follows that the earlier one starts with this practice, the better are the results.

This does not mean that those who start the practice of Brahmacharya beyond the age of 34 will not attain the final state of beatitude. The age of 34 is a general pointer as regards the upper limit for receiving the complete effects. It is like saying a man should retire from active service around the age of 57, as beyond this age, most people may no longer be fully efficient and capable of handling the responsibilities of a demanding job. This does not mean that all those above 57 are inept and incapable of these responsibilities. There are many people beyond this age who are extremely active, alert and efficient as regards their performance at work. It is only a general rule or a yardstick meant to apply to the masses in the form of a common factor. There have been many instances of people who have taken to a life of Yoga well beyond the age of 34 and have yet attained a very high state. It is the intensity, honesty and sustained determination that one exhibits at realizing oneself through devotion to the Almighty that really matters.

Young Brahmacharis who start such practice right from their teens derive even better results as reservoir of 'Prâna' (vital energy) is virtually inexhaustible at the onset of puberty in the teens and early twenties. The body, having been subject to a natural state of Brahmacharya for 12-14 years from birth is full of strength and power. It is for this reason that boys and girls who are in their teens should by all means follow a life of Brahmacharya and enjoy the immense benefits. By the practice of unbroken Brahmacharya, such people become shining stars in whatever field of work they choose, have an excellent and stable marriage, enjoy vibrant health, a cheerful mind and finally become very eligible to tread the path of self-realization through limiting the purpose of the sexual act to progeny with one's spouse and never beyond. This is the absolute truth and is beyond doubt.

So be unfazed by things such as one's age and the falls/setbacks due to breaks in the initial stages of Brahmacharya, but be rest assured that the highest of states are well within one's reach, further to honest and sincere practice. What is important is that one should analyze one's mistakes that lead to the fall and never repeat them again. With such an attitude and effort, Brahmacharya becomes longer and longer and finally life-long. It becomes effortless and natural by one's sustained efforts and through the grace of God, who always helps those who strive to their maximum. Let us give our best and leave the rest to God, the most impartial, kind and well wishing friend we have ever had.

ॐ तत् सत्
(That Supreme being is the absolute truth)