Naishtikvratvanto Ye Varnino Madupashrayaha |
Taiha Sprushya Na Striyo Bhashya Na Na Vikshyascha Ta Dhiya ||
Shatanand Muni first explains what a Naishtika Vrata is: One who for the time that he is living, observes a great and demanding vow. A Brahmchari is then explained as one who observes the vow of Brahmcharya (celibacy, control of senses). Thus a Naishtika Brahmchari is one who observes Brahmcharya for the duration of his live (Ajivan Brahmcharya).
The word Brahmcharya is often loosely translated to ‘celibacy’ - that is, refraining from sexual activity. However, it is much more than this. Agni Purana explains eight-fold Brahmcharya: ‘Refraining from (1) speaking about women, (2) listening to talks about women, (3) fooling or laughing with women, (4) looking at women, (5) having secret talks with women, (6) thinking or fantasising about women, (7) infatuation with women and (8) sexual intercourse with women.’ In this way, ‘Maithun’ or sexual companionship is considered to be only one of these eight types. Hence refraining from all of these eight actions is considered to be true Brahmcharya.
Brahmcharis should not touch, speak with or look at women intentionally. They should never think to look upon a woman with lustful intent, in order to uphold their primary directive of Brahmcharya. Shrimad Bhagwat explains, ‘Tyagis (renounced individuals) should not look at, talk about or joke about women. They should not even look at animals in the act of coition. This they should renounce first and foremost.’ Kashi Khanda of Skanda Purana explains further, ‘Naishtika Brahmcharis should not even touch the feet of the wife of their Guru.’
The downfall of man through association with a woman is widely documented in our scriptures. This includes mere sight of another woman. One such incident is of Narad and Parvat, who were also Brahmcharis, and who became servant to lustful desires by merely having seen the hands of Ambarisha Raja’s daughter. Hence it is greatly emphasised in the Swaminarayan Sampraday that men and women should remain aloof of each other so that they do not fall servant to these desires. For this reason, Lord Swaminarayan has commanded that Brahmcharis and Sadhus should adopt a stricter life of not even looking at, touching or conversing with women by way of setting an example as well as protecting their Brahmcharya Vrata. This is almost certainly unique to our Sampradai, making it worthy of praise.