Celibacy refers to the practice of abstaining from sexual activity, often for spiritual or religious purposes. Many traditions converge on the idea that celibacy can foster spiritual growth and self-discipline. However, traditions diverge on the motivations, methods, and goals of celibacy, offering unique perspectives on its role in spiritual development.
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That which those who know the Vedas call the imperishable, which the ascetics free of passion enter, and desiring which they practice celibacy — that state I will explain to you in brief.
यदक्षरं वेदविदो वदन्ति विशन्ति यद्यतयो वीतरागाः | यदिच्छन्तो ब्रह्मचर्यं चरन्ति तत्ते पदं संग्रहेण प्रवक्ष्ये ||८-११||
Only those who find this world of Brahman through the life of sacred studentship (brahmacarya) possess this world of Brahman, and they can move about at will in all worlds.
तद्य एवैतं ब्रह्मलोकं ब्रह्मचर्येणानुविन्दन्ति तेषामेवैष ब्रह्मलोकस्तेषाꣳ सर्वेषु लोकेषु कामचारो भवति
They lived there as students for thirty-two years. Then Prajapati asked them: 'Wishing for what have you been living here?' They replied: 'People report these words of yours, sir: "The Self that is free from evil, free from old age, free from death, free from sorrow, free from hunger and thirst, whose desires come true and whose intentions come true — that is what one should seek out, that is what one should desire to understand; one who finds and understands that Self attains all worlds and all desires." It is that Self we wish to know, and so we have been living here.'
तौ ह द्वात्रिꣳशतं वर्षाणि ब्रह्मचर्यमूषतुस्तौ ह प्रजापतिरुवाच किमिच्छन्तावास्तमिति तौ होचतुर्य आत्मापहतपाप्मा विजरो विमृत्युर्विशोको विजिघत्सोऽपिपासः सत्यकामः सत्यसंकल्पः सोऽन्वेष्टव्यः स विजिज्ञासितव्यः स सर्वाꣳश्च लोकानाप्नोति सर्वाꣳश्च कामान्यस्तमात्मानमनुविद्य विजानातीति भगवतो वचो वेदयन्ते तमिच्छन्ताववास्तमिति
Now what people call 'sacrifice' is really the life of sacred studentship, for it is through this life of studentship that one who is a knower finds the Self. And what people call 'what has been sacrificed' is really the life of sacred studentship, for it is only by seeking through this life of studentship that one finds the Self.
अथ यद्यज्ञ इत्याचक्षते ब्रह्मचर्यमेव तद्ब्रह्मचर्येण ह्येव यो ज्ञाता तं विन्दतेऽथ यदिष्टमित्याचक्षते ब्रह्मचर्यमेव तद्ब्रह्मचर्येण ह्येवेष्ट्वात्मानमनुविन्दते
There are three branches of duty. The first is sacrifice, study, and giving. The second is austerity (tapas). The third is the celibate student living in the teacher's house, devoting himself utterly in the teacher's house. All these attain worlds of merit. But one who is firmly grounded in Brahman attains immortality.
त्रयो धर्मस्कन्धा यज्ञोऽध्ययनं दानमिति प्रथमस्तप एव द्वितीयो ब्रह्मचार्याचार्यकुलवासी तृतीयोऽत्यन्तमात्मानमाचार्यकुलेऽवसादयन्सर्व एते पुण्यलोका भवन्ति ब्रह्मसꣳस्थोऽमृतत्वमेति
And what people call 'the long sacrificial session' is really the life of sacred studentship, for it is through this life of studentship that one finds the protection of the real Self. And what people call 'the vow of silence' is really the life of sacred studentship, for it is only by finding the Self through this life of studentship that one truly reflects on it.
अथ यत्सत्त्रायणमित्याचक्षते ब्रह्मचर्यमेव तद्ब्रह्मचर्येण ह्येव सत आत्मनस्त्राणं विन्दतेऽथ यन्मौनमित्याचक्षते ब्रह्मचर्यमेव तब्ब्रह्मचर्येण ह्येवात्मानमनुविद्य मनुते
Those who observe the vow of Prajāpati produce a pair of offspring. But the world of Brahman belongs only to those in whom austerity and chastity are found, in whom truth is established.
तद्ये ह वै तत् प्रजापतिव्रतं चरन्ति ते मिथुनमुत्पादयन्ते ।तेषामेवैष ब्रह्मलोको येषां तपो ब्रह्मचर्यं येषु सत्यंप्रतिष्ठितम् ॥ ११५॥
Only those who find the two seas Ara and Nya in the world of Brahman through the life of sacred studentship possess this world of Brahman, and they can move about at will in all worlds.
तद्य एवैतवरं च ण्यं चार्णवौ ब्रह्मलोके ब्रह्मचर्येणानुविन्दन्ति तेषामेवैष ब्रह्मलोकस्तेषाꣳ सर्वेषु लोकेषु कामचारो भवति
Abstaining from harming any living being is considered the most important duty. It is the highest state, free from anxiety, and a sign of holiness.
Abstaining from harm is the greatest duty. Causing harm is a sign of immorality.
Always abstaining from cruelty to all creatures is what meets with our approval.
Abstain from harming others, speak the truth, forgive, and be generous - these four practices constitute eternal righteousness.
A person who belongs to the White class, abstains from killing, and is compassionate towards all creatures, will attain the status of a deity.
Maheswara said, 'Abstaining from sexual relations with others' spouses, protecting the wealth and the woman entrusted to one's care,
The person who abstains from cruelty is considered to be always performing sacred rites and is like a father and mother to all living beings.
Abstaining from cruelty is the greatest form of religion, self-control, gift, and penance.
Abstaining from meat brings complete happiness. One who abstains from meat and one who undergoes severe austerities for a hundred years are equal in merit.
By abstaining from meat and showing compassion to all creatures one becomes incapable of being molested by any creature, and acquires a long life, perfect health, and happiness.
A person who abstains from meat is never fearful of any creature, regardless of where they are.
The person who takes one meal in the morning and one at night, without eating or drinking in between, and follows this regimen for six consecutive years, abstaining from harming any creature and regularly offering libations to their sacred fire every day, undoubtedly achieves success.