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 remains unaffected by the passing of time and the fading of physical beauty. 

The Illusion of Physical Beauty
Physical beauty is often highly revered in society, but it is ultimately fleeting and illusory. The chapter examines how external beauty—whether in the form of a youthful wife or a beautiful woman—is superficial and temporary. Beauty fades with time, and as the body ages or falls ill, the physical appearance that once captivated may no longer hold the same allure. The description of a woman as beautiful is often a projection of the mind, influenced by passion, which colors the perception of the observer. The husband may see his wife as beautiful, despite her physical flaws, simply because of the mental attachment and desire he has for her. The beauty of a woman, as celebrated in poetry and culture, is also questioned in this chapter. Poets often exaggerate the beauty of women, describing their faces as being like the moon or their lips as honeyed. However, these descriptions are false and misleading. They are based on the mind's illusions and fail to account for the inevitable aging and decay of the body. The beauty of a woman is seen as transient and external, existing only as long as the physical form is maintained. Once the skin is removed, once the garments and adornments are stripped away, the illusion of beauty vanishes. This is the nature of Maya—what appears to be real is, in fact, a mirage. 

The Power of Passion and Lust
Passion, when left unchecked, blinds the intellect and destroys one's ability to perceive the truth. The pursuit of sexual pleasure is described as an illusion—a false source of happiness that leads only to suffering. The text compares the passionate person to a fly that is drawn to a flame, thinking it is a flower, only to be burned by the fire. Similarly, the passionate individual is lured by the illusion of beauty and pleasure, only to find that it brings destruction and despair. The pursuit of sexual pleasure, driven by lust, entangles a person in the cycle of desires, much like a silkworm trapped in its own cocoon. This metaphor illustrates how desires, when not controlled or transcended, can keep an individual bound in the cycle of worldly suffering. To free oneself from this cycle, one must develop dispassion and turn inward, focusing on devotion, self-inquiry, and meditation. These spiritual practices can purify the mind and allow one to transcend the illusions created by passion. 

Liberation from the Sex Idea
Ultimately, the chapter emphasizes that the idea of sex is a mental creation, an illusion of the mind. The path to liberation (moksha) lies in transcending this illusion. The sex idea is deeply ingrained in the mind, and the entire spiritual journey (sadhana) is aimed at destroying this one false notion. By purifying the mind and turning inward to the Atman, the individual can free themselves from the bondage of desire and illusion. This is the ultimate goal of spiritual practice: to destroy the mental constructs that keep us trapped in the cycle of birth, death, and rebirth, and to realize the eternal truth of the Self. 

In conclusion, the chapter teaches that sex, like all worldly pleasures and desires, is an illusion of the mind. The pursuit of physical beauty, sexual pleasure, and emotional attachment only leads to suffering. True beauty, peace, and fulfillment can only be found by transcending the illusory nature of the mind and turning inward to realize the Atman, the eternal essence that lies beyond the fleeting and deceptive world of appearances.

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