Effects of Brahmacharya on sleep

Sleep is a reaction to the stress and strain encountered by the body. Through sleep, the body makes up for the energy lost and revitalizes itself. The man who wastes much his vital fluid loses enormous Prana (vital energy.) Hence the body tries to make up this energy deficit through sleep. However, Prana lost through loss of semen cannot be made up through any amount of sleep. Veerya (semen) once lost is lost forever. It is irreversible, for the volume of  'Para-Ojas' (universal cosmic power that comes from the Atman) available to the body is limited and fixed at the time of birth. Hence the body becomes unable to make up for this loss of Prana with any amount of sleep. This is the reason why people who expend much semen always feel sleepy, weak and lethargic. They become prone to stupor and inertia. ‘Tamas’ (inert) quality becomes predominant. They feel the need for much sleep and are dissatisfied even after getting excessive sleep. It becomes a problem without a solution.

A man who conserves and transmutes his vital fluid becomes charged with much Prana. More than necessary energy for the working of the body is made available and in reserve. Such a man can easily partake himself in work/activity throughout the day with very little fatigue. When fatigued, his body recovers very fast so he can put in more duration of work effortlessly. There is sufficient buffer between demand & supply. Through meditation, the body relaxes and gets rejuvenated. The hormone ‘Seratonin’ which is released during meditative states calms the mind and brings a feeling of well being. Seratonin and its derivatives also regulate the sleep cycle [see: http://www.spiritualcompetency.com/meditat/lesson8.html] This barricades negative emotions from invading the mind of the Yogi to a considerable extent. Prevention of such emotions in turn helps conserve more energy. This is a very beneficial cycle. What is now being recognized by modern science and medicine was known to the Indian Yogis and sages many tens of thousands of years back. What modern science is just starting to realize through sophisticated devices was realized by the great Indian sages without any instrument through connecting into the universal mind of the Almighty Lord via ‘Samadhi meditation’. In the years to come, modern medicine will realize and accept the benefits of Brahmacharya which the Indian sages declared ages ago.

When the Yogi reaches ‘Savikalpa or Sabija Samadhi’ and eventually masters it to become an Urdhvareta, vital energy retained as the ‘Bindu’ is complete. This confers deep and long meditation which further relaxes and rests the body. Such a Yogi can function very comfortably and remain fresh with 4-7 hours of night sleep (depending on the extent & nature of his daytime work.)

After the Yogi reaches ‘Nirvikalpa or Nirbija Samadhi’ (complete, non-dual super-consciousness) in which state of meditation all vital organs stop working, the body is rested and relaxed to an extent beyond what is possible through sleep. Even in sleep, the vital organs continue to work. They have no rest from birth till death. In case of the Nirvikalpa Yogi, the vital organs stop for the first time since birth and completely rest while he remains suspended in super-consciousness. The relaxation and revitalization which follow from the stopping of organs and the charging of the body with enormous universal Prana from the cosmos cannot be imagined or described. The body being in a state of suspension for as long as he is in Nirvikalpa can do without those many hours of sleep. The Yogi who has reached this state can stay without food, water, breath and sleep as long as he is in the state of super-consciousness. This is a siddhi (power) by itself.

Following a life of unbroken Brahmacharya with adequate Yogic practices eventually leads to ‘Savikalpa Samadhi’, mastering which one becomes an Urdhvareta which confers many siddhi-s. How long it takes, varies from person to person and depends on factors such as one’s past karma, present efforts and the grace of God. Generally, it may be said that a few years of unbroken practice with God devotion and frequent meditation offer a bright possibility of reaching this state.

The means to Yoga & unbroken Brahmacharya include the practice of the Yama-Niyama-s, Asana, Bandha, Nâdi Shodhana, Pranayama and meditation. Details on these are available in past answers. Also necessary is ‘Mitâhâra’ (moderate diet), early morning 4.00 A.M waking up and less talk. Much Prana is lost through unnecessary talk and useless thoughts. Hence the wise Yogi maintains ‘Mouna’ (silence), avoids useless talk/gossip/thoughts and talks a little when necessary.

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