BRAHMACHARYA - 4. SEX IS IN IMAGINATION - Sri Swami Sivanda - The Practice of BRAHMACHARYA Celibacy

Sri Swami Sivananda - The Practice of BRAHMACHARYA Celibacy - 4. SEX IS IN IMAGINATION: Unveiling The Illusion of Sex - Complete Works with FULL English Translation of all Sanskrit Words.

Sex, as we know it, is not an inherent part of the material world but a product of the mind, a mental creation rooted in illusion. In this chapter, the idea of sex is explored from a spiritual perspective, revealing that it is an illusion crafted by the mind. The world, in its most basic form, is composed of the five elements—earth, water, fire, air, and ether—and the body itself is nothing but a combination of these elements. However, the concept of sex is absent in these elements. So, how does the idea of sex arise? The answer is simple: it is an illusion, a product of the mind’s imaginative power—Kalpana. The sex idea, like all other notions we hold, is rooted in Maya (illusion), and it is something deeply ingrained within us. For most people, this idea of sex is so deeply embedded in their minds that it becomes an inseparable part of their identity. A man can never think of himself as a woman, nor can a woman think of herself as a man. These concepts are purely mental constructs, and they shape how individuals view the world and their experiences within it. 

The Power of Passion
When one is under the sway of passion, the mind is clouded by desire, and reason becomes impaired. Passion is described as a curse—an overwhelming force that can destroy understanding and make a person helpless. This emotional turmoil is particularly destructive because it blinds a person to the deeper truths of existence. For example, a man might fall in love with a wooden post simply because it is wrapped in attractive cloth, showing how irrational and misguided passion can be. Similarly, the dispassionate householder who has experienced the suffering of samsara (the cycle of birth, death, and rebirth) seeks liberation from this cycle, while a passionate bachelor dreams of marriage, thinking it will bring him happiness. These desires and thoughts are illusions of the mind, tricks that the mind plays on itself. The path to wisdom involves recognizing these illusions for what they are. Young people, particularly those in pursuit of pleasure, often find themselves torn between worldly desires and the quest for spiritual truth. While some seek to escape the distractions of the world and find peace in meditation and self-inquiry, others chase after wealth, fame, and romantic relationships, believing these things will bring them fulfillment. But as this chapter reveals, this pursuit is fruitless. The true nature of the world is veiled by Maya, and the search for lasting happiness in worldly pleasures is ultimately a futile endeavor. 

Beauty as a Mental Concept
Beauty, too, is a product of the mind. What we perceive as beautiful is not an inherent quality of the object itself, but a mental concept, a projection of the mind. The chapter illustrates that beauty and ugliness are relative and subjective. What is beautiful to one person may be considered ugly by another. Beauty, as understood in the conventional sense, is a creation of the mind, a product of the imagination. For instance, the concept of beauty that is admired by civilized society—such as symmetry, graceful form, and elegance—is foreign to other cultures, such as that of the African tribes, who may not hold such ideals. This indicates that beauty is not inherent in the object but in the mind of the observer. The mind itself is described as an illusory product, and the conceptions it produces are equally illusory. Just as a mirage appears to be water in the desert, so too are the ideas of beauty, pleasure, and even sex mere illusions. The real beauty, as revealed in the text, lies not in external appearances but in the Atman (Self), the eternal essence within each individual. True beauty is beyond physical form; it is the radiance of the inner soul, which...