Shloka 7
Brahmacarya and Vānaprastha Duties; Gradual Dissolution of Bodily Identity
वर्जयेत्प्रमदागाथामगृहस्थो बृहद्व्रत: । इन्द्रियाणि प्रमाथीनि हरन्त्यपि यतेर्मन: ॥ ७ ॥
varjayet pramadā-gāthām agṛhastho bṛhad-vrataḥ indriyāṇi pramāthīni haranty api yater manaḥ
ब्रह्मचारी, म्हणजे ज्याने गृहस्थाश्रम स्वीकारलेला नाही, त्याने स्त्रियांशी बोलणे किंवा स्त्रियांबद्दलची चर्चा कठोरपणे टाळावी; कारण इंद्रिये इतकी प्रबळ आहेत की संन्याशाच्याही मनाला अस्वस्थ करू शकतात.
Brahmacarya essentially means the vow not to marry but to observe strict celibacy ( bṛhad-vrata ). A brahmacārī or sannyāsī should avoid talking with women or reading literature concerning talks between man and woman. The injunction restricting association with women is the basic principle of spiritual life. Associating or talking with women is never advised in any of the Vedic literatures. The entire Vedic system teaches one to avoid sex life so that one may gradually progress from brahmacarya to gṛhastha, from gṛhastha to vānaprastha, and from vānaprastha to sannyāsa and thus give up material enjoyment, which is the original cause of bondage to this material world. The word bṛhad-vrata refers to one who has decided not to marry, or in other words, not to indulge in sex life throughout his entire life.
FAQs
This verse says a renunciant should avoid sense-stimulating talk (especially romantic or woman-centered topics) because the senses are powerful enough to disturb even a disciplined ascetic’s mind.
In Canto 7 Chapter 12, Śukadeva explains varṇāśrama-dharma and the conduct of spiritual orders; here he highlights safeguards for those who have taken vows of celibacy and renunciation.
Reduce media and conversations that inflame lust or distraction, and replace them with sāttvika association, holy name, and topics of Bhagavān—protecting the mind so devotion can deepen.