Shloka 8
Brahmacarya and Vānaprastha Duties; Gradual Dissolution of Bodily Identity
केशप्रसाधनोन्मर्दस्नपनाभ्यञ्जनादिकम् । गुरुस्त्रीभिर्युवतिभि: कारयेन्नात्मनो युवा ॥ ८ ॥
keśa-prasādhanonmarda- snapanābhyañjanādikam guru-strībhir yuvatibhiḥ kārayen nātmano yuvā
Si l'épouse du maître spirituel est jeune, un jeune brahmacārī ne doit pas lui permettre de coiffer ses cheveux, de masser son corps avec de l'huile ou de le baigner.
The relationship between the student or disciple and the wife of the spiritual master or teacher is like that between son and mother. A mother sometimes cares for her son by combing his hair, massaging his body with oil, or bathing him. Similarly, the wife of the teacher is also a mother ( guru-patnī ), and therefore she may also care for the disciple in a motherly way. If the wife of the teacher is a young woman, however, a young brahmacārī should not allow such a mother to touch him. This is strictly prohibited. There are seven kinds of mothers:
FAQs
This verse instructs that a young brahmacārī should avoid intimate personal services (massage, bathing, anointing, grooming) being performed by the guru’s wife or by young women, to protect celibacy and mental purity.
In Canto 7, Chapter 12, Śukadeva explains varṇāśrama-dharma and the disciplined life of a brahmacārī; this instruction is given to show practical safeguards for sense control within a guru’s āśrama.
Maintain clear boundaries, avoid situations that encourage sensual familiarity, and choose habits and environments that support self-control, focus, and spiritual study.