Prana/Atman/Body Part Function
Question
Dhananjay, hi
Hope you are well?
I have a few doubts you will be able to help me with:
1] At the time of death, pran leaves the body, does that mean pran and atman are the same?
2] How does one discern/distinguish between repression & making real progress in brahamacharya through conservation and transmutation of vital energy? I believe one who is engaged in brahamacharya with honest efforts towards god devotion will know but just wanted to ask.
3] In one of your earlier posts, there was a discussion about the importance of hair in the human body and that it serves a purpose, is there a bioligical purpose for males to have nipples? I am sure there is logic in everything that the Almighty has created but wanted to understand. Apologies if i am sounding vague.
Thanks Dhananjay, Manish
Answer
1. Prana (vital energy) is a derivative of the Atman (soul). From the Atman comes will-power, under the will does the mind function, and the directions of the mind are translated into action using Prana. Ex. A person wants go to the next room; his will first commands the mind regarding this need. The mind then analyzes the situation and directs Prana to move the body. Prana transports the body to the next room. Thus Prana is like electricity. Just as we turn the switch on to light a bulb, the mind switches Prana on and off as per its needs to different parts of the body, so as to perform different activities. Without Prana, the human body cannot function. As long as Prana exists, the body lives. When the Atman departs, its servants namely the mind along with the Prana and the senses of perception also depart. The body then dies. People then say His Prana has left meaning he has expired. So Atman is the master and Prana the servant.
2. Repression of the sexual urge refers to forcibly abstaining from sexual activity bodily, while the mind roams in the forest of sexuality. Repression also occurs when conserved sexual energy is not chanellized into productive physical, mental and spiritual activity such as God-meditation. A person who merely practices celibacy (abstention from sexual intercourse) while his mind imagines/fantasizes on sexuality causes repression. Repression is bad for health and causes agitation, irritation, anxiety, stress, anger etc.. Such a mind then builds physical toxins in the body which cause ill-health/disease. Hence the sexual urge should not be suppressed or repressed through any means. It should be harnessed into productivity through transmutation using the technique of Brahmacharya.
This is the difference between Brahmacharya and mere celibacy. The word Brahmacharya does not have an equivalent word in English, as this concept does not exist in western culture. Western civilization wrongfully equates/assumes it to be celibacy and makes statements against Brahmacharya. Brahmacharya is not celibacy. Celibacy is a minor by-product of Brahmacharya and not Brahmacharya itself. The celibacy that comes as a result of Brahmacharya is not detrimental but beneficial, while mere celibacy/abstinence without Brahmacharya is injurious. Sexual energy is a mammoth power. It cannot be suppressed or repressed by celibacy. It can either be let out through sexuality or transmuted into something higher through Brahmacharya.
Some signs which indicate repression of sexual energy include frequent wet dreams, oscillating moods, lethargy, stupor and inertia. Most aspirants who arent properly applying the tenets of Yoga & Brahmacharya exhibit such symptoms early in practice. Later, they realize the technique of Brahmacharya and overcome these obstacles. An aspirant who is successful in transmutation will often be active, bright, cheerful and full of energy. One who is repressing or suppressing his sex drive will often be stressed, anxious, irritable and fickle in mind, though these symptoms need not necessarily mean repression alone, for other causes also lead to such symptoms. Sometimes, during the initial stages of Brahmacharya, even an honest aspirant who is successful in transmutation might rarely exhibit such symptoms when his past Vasana-s surface and create havoc. However, this will be temporary and soon weans away to be replaced with positivism.
As long as an aspirant is following the tenets and lifestyle of Yoga & Brahmacharya with devotion to God assisted by regular meditation, repression does not arise and transmutation occurs automatically.
3. Based on the nature of activity and purpose of the male or female body, some parts in the body are active in males while others function actively in the females of a specie. Body hair is pronounced in males and relatively dormant in females. The muscular structure of a male is stronger as compared to that of a female of the same specie. Similarly, nipples being a part of the mammary mechanism (for feeding a child) are active in females of both humans and animals and dormant in the male. However, there is no spiritual significance as regards this body part which can be of interest to the Brahmachari.
ॐ तत् सत्
(That Supreme being is the absolute truth)