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Q. Sexual urge is natural to human beings (and even to other living beings) then, why did Bhagwan Swaminarayan advocate such a strict code of celibacy?
A. You are right in saying that sexual urge is natural. Sex and ego pervade the entire humanity. Sigmund Freud, an eminent psychologist has testified to this account. He goes to the extent of saying that all our actions are sex and ego-oriented. Many a time licentiousness and violence accompany it. They have got to be sublimated. Consequently many great people of our spiritual heritage had evolved God-centered religious celebrations and festivals.
You may wonder, “How do religious festivals sublime the sexual urge?” The answer is that such celebrations create a sublime atmosphere. The following examples will clear up the point: -Like the sexual urge, eating food and drinking water are also natural to us. But when we offer them to God, with love, by praying before we eat or performing other rituals, they become consecrated (sanctified). At the same time feelings of humanity,y, purity, holiness and devotion arise in us.
You may still wonder, “How do feelings arise?” But it has to be practiced in order to experience it and then we come to believe its truth. Doesn’t the blowing of war trumpets and beating of war drums inspire bravery even in weaklings and cowards? Doesn’t the background music without which the cinema would become dull – play a major role in triggering off emotions of joy and sorrow, prides and prejudice in the spectators, though their eyes are glued to the screens?
Similarly, religious festivals, too inspire a sublime atmosphere in us. Men and women used to mix freely in these gatherings but in the long run licentiousness (permissiveness) started to creep in. Bhagwan Swaminarayan, therefore continued the tradition of festivals; but dented the free mixing of male and female and even prohibited them from touching each other in the temple or its premises.
To surmount the lofty spiritual heightshts, without any hindrances, he has advocated eight-fold celibacy. Many of our ancient saints, sages and scriptures also speak of observing celibacy. I am remembered at the dialogue between Gautam Buddha and his disciple Anand: -
Anand: “Oh Buddha! How should we behave with women?”
Buddha: “Anand, don’t look at them.”
Anand: “But, what should we do, if our eyes see them?”
Buddha: “Then remain silent, don’t enter into conversation.”
Anand: “If they (women) start conversing with us, then,”
Buddha: “Be very vigilant.”
Inspite of this, Anand managed to get permission of Buddha to (enroll) women into the “Sangha” but not without Buddha’s pertinent remark: “If women were barred from entering the “Sangha” our pure religion could have continuously stood ground for 5000
(five thousand) years.
But since the women have got the permission to enter into the “Sangha” this religion will last for only 500 (f 500 (five hundred) years.
(The above-mentioned dialogue paraphrased from “Gautam The
Buddha”
by S.Radhakrishnan).
Chaitanya Mahaprabhu was also very strict. He excommunicated his disciple Haridas for a slight relaxation in this code; Bhagwan Swaminarayan went to the further extent of this practice.
Q. I can’t digest this examination as I am confronted with the question, “Is it possible to observe such a strict discipline, especially in this country?”
A. For saints eight-fold celibacy is prescribed by the Hindu religious texts. Many religious heads approve of this but Bhagwan Swaminarayan was successful in propagating it and helping others practice it on a massive scale. This injunction has been enshrined in the scriptures taking into account, bot both the spiritual novices and spiritual giants.
This may sound outlandish to many a modern minds and it is no wonder that you are not able to imagine its truthfulness. The following incidents shall well illustrate the modern outlook.
It was the year of 1971. A research vessel, carrying many Marine-scientists, had anchored at Bombay Harbour. The leader, Mr. Smith, and a few others disembarked from the vessel. They, then asked the taxi-driver to take them to a good place in the city. Surprisingly, he brought them to Akshar Bhavan. (Akshar Purushottam Swaminarayan Temple, Dadar, Bombay) a place, aesthetically speaking, had nothing to do with
attraction. They were puzzled but inquisitiveness got the better of them and they entered the temple premises. Very soon they were conversing with me. When they heard that we saints are supposed to observe eight-fold celibacy, Mr. Smith exclaimed “Am I on Moon?” Thus you see, this the modern outlook.
This di discipline, undoubtedly, appears strange especially in this century, yet it is possible to practise it. The process is slow and the way is long. Our most sincere efforts would cover only a very short distance. They would be like crops left alone to grow by
themselves, unaided by a good farmer. Verily, the crops will grow but the weeds growing simultaneously will soon stunt their growth. If the same way our most sincere efforts aided by the association of God in a human garb or a God intoxicated saint will surely accelerate our development. They wean out the weeds of lust, avarice, ego and other impurities. In other words they help us not only to withstand the onslaughts of all wild animal urges, (lust, ego and many more) but also to earn a victory over them.
Thus, it is possible to observe total celibacy.
Q. Can you still be more explicit and elaborate on it?
A. Bhagwan Swaminarayan wanted to pave the path of spiritual aspirants with solidlidarity and smoothness. He was a perfectionist. He plugged all loopholes. He couldn’t tolerate to bypass even a very minute point; because small things make perfections but perfection is not a small thing. Someone may want relaxation in this strict code of celibacy. But, that would spell their disaster in the long run. Let us understand this from the following
examples:
(i) In 1977 we were in London. There, the traffic lights work on four 24 hours. After visiting a devotee’s house we were returning to the temple. It was past midnight. Our car braked to a stop in respect of the red neon traffic signal. There was no other car in view. We could have easily manouvred through the zebra crossing without an accident. Now, if the act of transgressing traffic laws becomes a habit, then, a fatal accident would soon follow. The traffic laws apply even to rulers of the country and also world-champion in a car
racing. Once it is law, it is a law; there’s no question about amateur or professional driver. So too, the company of a woman is likely to deflect even the genuine spiritual aspirants; may be not always, but once in a while is more than enough to spell their disaster.
(ii) Year before last Dr.Swayamprakashdas-my colleague and a pontificial head was in Madhya Pradesh for preaching purpose. At that time there were heavy rains. Rivers were in full spate. It was risky to cross bridges, even in heavy trucks. On one bridge he saw many trucks crossing it, disregarding the caution sign placed on either ends of it. He was about to take his car across it. When he saw a truck being swept away by the strong river-current and disappears into oblivion. He instantly withdrew. Through many truck
safely plied through, one truck could not. Therefore, it means, that any one of the trucks that had crossed would have met this fate. The signpost was meant not for the many trucks that passed away safely but for the unfortunate one.
Anyone of these could have been the unfortunate one. Hence, all vehicles were required to pay heed to the signpost.
Thus, irrespective of the spiritual status attained, all spiritual aspirants are expected to observe celibacy.
(iii) It is a recognized fact that 60 percent of cigarette smokers suffer from cancer. Unfortunately, the human behavior is such that all smokers consider themselves to be of the 40 percent group who do not develop cancer. This example can equally apply to the codes of celibacy. If they were relaxed every aspirant of God would start believing that he can remain untainted in a woman’s company.
Therefore, for everyone’s safety, laws are laws, equally good for fit or unfit.
(iv) In 1970 we were traveling in a fifty-seater airliner bound for Mwanza. Suddenly one of the windows of the airliner opened up. The steward immediately appeared on the scene and was pulling hard to close that window. The captain came to know abobout it and instead of flying the plane to its destination he brought it down. Contrary to this incident, another incident had taken place. The car of one our devotees had lost two of its doors in an accident. Even petrol had to be supplied through a plastic pipe by sucking out the air. Yet, the car could run and reach its destination. From these incidents, we can deduce that a person aiming for an ordinary goal can neglect some minor points, but a person wanting to reach a higher goal dare not neglect a very minute point.
Once we went to Gulu from Kampala in a seven-seater plane to complete certain work over there. Then, we wanted to go to Lira. So we boarded a seven-seater plane, as our retinue comprised of seven persons. We were about to occupy our seats, when the pilot, guided by the control tower, told us that the plane could carry only five persons. One of us, Pujya Ishwarcharandas Swami protested, “We are light-weights. I am sure that total weight will not exceeed the weight of five actual of normal weight.” He followed our rational argument very well, but experience cautioned him not to take risk. He refused to
company to our protests and requests. He was aware of the technical problem beyond our ken. Experience surpassed rationality.
Our ancient sages who have eulogized celibacy were not only rational but were also full
in spiritual experience.
(v) Once a student approached me. I asked him how he had fared his exams. He was pleased with his performance. But when asked him what percentage he expected, he replied that he would easily score 35 percent (Minimum percentage for passing). After two days another student approached me. I asked him the same question. He was dejected by his performance, as he could not solve I problem of two marks in one of his papers. This again is an instance of the mentality of persons pursuing lower and higher goals.
Thus for perfectionist like Bhagwan Swaminarnarayan emphasizing, propagating and helping others practice the strictest code of celibacy is befitting. We should always remember, “For a want of a nail, the king lost his reign.”
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