Brahmacharya & Virtue
Question
Naman Sweekar Kare Dhananjay,
My question is this:Can effort at brahmacharya bear complete fruit if celibacy is practised in thought , word & deed but there is slackness even to smallest degree in other aspects like speaking truth/charity/helping needy when seen & help asked for/ahimsa/seva & other noble virtues.
Brahmani Charyathi ithi is the definition & have also heard other virtues follow self mastery.So my precise doubt would be if there is a failure in any of other virtues(except total celibacy) would that still enable one to reach goal of self realization or a correction would be required.
Even if we succeed in celibacy excelling at all virtues seems quite lofty & unreachable in this day & age.
Answer
1. The more honest one's efforts at are at leading a life of virtue, the better is the residence in Brahmacharya.
2. Are Brahmacharya and virtue different? They are both one and the same. Mere abstinence without virtue is not Brahmacharya. He who practices real Brahmacharya (which is relinquishment of the Ego & nothing else) does not get the mind to deviate from virtue.
3. Let go of the Ego and be the Atman (self). Everything then becomes easy and surprisingly reachable.
ॐ तत् सत्
(That Supreme being is the absolute truth)