What is Brahmacharya? What does the term literally mean?

Do you really want to know the meaning, or are you just asking out of curiosity?

Brahmacharya

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I’ve been watching videos, and I see people making reels and shorts explaining Brahmacharya. Sometimes, even those who have dedicated their entire lives to it haven’t fully understood it. So, what is the story behind Brahmacharya (celibacy)? What is its true purpose, and why are people so obsessed with the concept? It’s mentioned in many religions, yet its significance is often misunderstood. In Indian traditions, it’s considered a fundamental practice, but why do people follow it, and what does it really Brahmacharya mean?

What is Brahmacharya? What does the term literally mean?

First let me tell you the meaning of Brahmacharya. The true meaning of Brahmacharya is that you do not do any sort of violence with your mind, body, and soul—meaning even in your thoughts. This is the true meaning of Brahmacharya and it’s something we all need to master throughout life in the process of Brahmacharya.

So it’s a lifelong process because you have to follow the path of Brahmacharya (celibacy) to acquire ultimate stability in mind, body, and soul. Many believe that by attaining absolute Brahmacharya, one can reach moksha (freedom from samsara) and move to a better world—something we’ll discuss in upcoming articles. But it’s true that Brahmacharya has magnificent benefits if you follow it correctly and understand its true meaning. If you don’t, you might confuse it with many other things, and some people even explain it wrong.

What is the role of body in Brahmacharya?

We all are very much aware of the fact that there are two aspects to our living: the physical aspect and the metaphysical aspect. One is incomplete without the other, and that’s the whole truth.

So when it comes to following Brahmacharya, we need to make sure of the purity of our body, because if we ignore it, we won’t be able to attain what we wish to attain. Purity of the body doesn’t mean you have to follow any sort of cult; it simply includes the basics—like bathing, eating, and giving the body proper sleep. The body has its limits, and we all need to understand that if we push it beyond those limits, we might hurt it or disturb our mind and soul.

So the basic need is to have a clean body; the second need is to have a clean soul, because the whole purpose of Brahmacharya is to attain metaphysical stability with the help of the physical body. Just as a cellphone needs a SIM card to function, the same goes for the body and soul.

Let's compile this.

I hope you now have clarity about Brahmacharya, how it works, and what it truly means to follow it.

How to follow Brahmacharya?

The simple way to follow Brahmacharya is to live a good life of non-violence—do not hurt people or creatures through your mind, body, or thoughts.

Does sex affect Brahmacharya?

Yes, it does, because this path can only be followed by an individual. When you are involved in sexual activity, there are two people, so a lot of things are involved that you need to understand. That’s why it becomes difficult to follow Brahmacharya.

Can a married person follow Brahmacharya

Yes, a married couple can follow Brahmacharya if they dedicate their lives to each other and support each other in attaining stability on both mental and physical levels. We are in this world to live with each other, not alone.

Is there a need for Brahmacharya in this world

Yes, there is a need, because people living in society often struggle to handle their emotions well. They need the guidance of those who follow Brahmacharya and other spiritual paths—but they must also learn to identify who is guiding them correctly and who is not.