BRAHMACHARYA - 3. INTENSITY OF CRAVINGS IN DIFFERENT PERSONS - Sri Swami Sivanda - The Practice of BRAHMACHARYA Celibacy

Sri Swami Sivananda - The Practice of BRAHMACHARYA Celibacy - 3. INTENSITY OF CRAVINGS IN DIFFERENT PERSONS - Complete Works with FULL English Translation of all Sanskrit Words.

In this chapter, Sri Swami Sivananda delves deeply into the nature of passion, exploring how intense desires develop in individuals and their varying manifestations across different stages of life. Passion, in this context, is not limited to sexual cravings but encompasses all forms of strong desires that can cloud the mind and disturb one's spiritual progress. By understanding the root and manifestation of these passions, the practitioner can learn to control and ultimately transcend them, particularly in the pursuit of Brahmacharya (celibacy and self-control). 

Understanding Passion
Swami Sivananda defines passion as an intense, often overwhelming desire. While it can manifest in various forms, in common parlance, it is most commonly associated with lust or a strong sexual appetite. Passion arises from repeated desires or frequent indulgence in sensory experiences. This intensification of desire is not limited to the physical realm of sexual cravings but extends to all forms of desire, such as those for power, material wealth, and even intellectual pursuits. For instance, passion for service to the country, passion for God-realization, or passion for reading religious texts can be considered positive forms of passion when they guide an individual toward higher goals. At its core, passion is an instinctive urge for externalization, often driven by the need for self-preservation and self-reproduction. It is a natural force that propels an individual to seek satisfaction outside the self. However, Swami Sivananda highlights that this urge is ultimately a manifestation of ignorance or Avidya (delusion). The true nature of the Atman (Soul) is pure and free from such distractions. Passion, as a product of delusion, veils the true self and binds the individual to the cycle of birth, death, and rebirth. Swami Sivananda draws upon spiritual texts to illustrate the universality of passion, noting that even the goddess in the Durga Saptasati is described as taking the form of passion in all beings. He also refers to the Bhagavad Gita, where passion is said to reside in the senses, the mind, and the intellect, pointing to the all-pervasive nature of this force. 

The Role of Passion in the Body
Passion is not an isolated force in the body; it permeates every aspect of the individual's being. Swami Sivananda writes that every cell, atom, and molecule is influenced by the undercurrents of passion. He calls these passions "Vrittis" (mental waves) that arise when the Rajo-Guna (the mode of activity) predominates in the mind. The mind, under the influence of passion, creates desires that manifest through the senses and the body. This is particularly evident when individuals engage in activities that stimulate passion, such as consuming tamasic foods (meat, fish, and eggs), indulging in sensual pleasures, or associating with negative influences (bad company, intoxicants, etc.). These actions excite the passions and exacerbate the grip they hold over an individual's mind and body. 

Passion at Different Stages of Life
Swami Sivananda acknowledges that the intensity of passion varies greatly between individuals and across different stages of life. In children, passion is latent, like a seed that has not yet sprouted. This seed of passion gradually manifests during adolescence, where it becomes most potent and troublesome. Young individuals, particularly those between the ages of 18 and 25, experience a surge of passion, often leading them to become slaves to their desires. Between the ages of 25 and 45, the intensity of passion continues to wreak havoc in many lives, as individuals become more susceptible to indulgence in sensual pleasures. In older individuals, the passions tend to subside as age...