Sri Swami Sivananda - The Practice of BRAHMACHARYA Celibacy - 5. DISASTROUS EFFECTS OF SEXUAL INDULGENCE: How Sexual Indulgence Weakens Body, Mind, and Spirit - Complete Works with FULL English Translation of all Sanskrit Words.

Chapter 5 of this work focuses on the disastrous effects of sexual indulgence, specifically the physical, mental, and spiritual consequences of excessive sexual activity. It paints a grim picture of the toll that such indulgence takes on a person’s life, arguing that it is one of the most debilitating and demoralizing pleasures.

Physical Consequences of Sexual Excess
The chapter begins by emphasizing the negative health effects associated with the loss of semen, especially in younger individuals. It is suggested that the energy lost during sexual intercourse contributes to various health issues, including boils, acne, anemia, fatigue, and memory loss. Additionally, the text highlights how excess sexual indulgence can lead to a range of physical symptoms such as difficulty breathing, heart palpitations, back pain, and weakness in the kidneys. Western doctors, according to the author, fail to fully grasp the extent of the damage caused by the loss of seminal energy, which is a key component of vitality. The physical consequences of sexual indulgence are described as not merely temporary setbacks but long-term debilitating effects. The text implies that once vital energy is wasted, it cannot be recovered, leading to a diminished quality of life. This sense of depletion results in physical and mental lethargy, where individuals feel drained and exhausted, requiring external aids like milk and aphrodisiacs to replenish their energy. However, the author argues that such measures are ultimately futile as they can never completely restore what has been lost. 

Mental and Emotional Effects
The chapter also addresses the mental and emotional toll that excessive sexual activity takes. The author describes individuals who lose their vital energy as becoming easily irritated, weak-willed, and emotionally unstable. Such individuals are prone to outbursts of anger, jealousy, and fear, and may even display a lack of reasoning and discretion. The loss of seminal energy is seen as a direct contributor to these emotional imbalances, which can cause individuals to engage in reckless and harmful behavior, even insulting their parents or spiritual leaders. This loss of control is further compounded by the weakening of one's mental faculties. The chapter argues that those who waste their energy through immoderate sexual acts find it difficult to maintain focus and clarity of thought. Their capacity for discrimination and good judgment is severely impaired, and they are more susceptible to irrational behavior. The consequences of such behavior are not just temporary; they extend into spiritual realms. The author suggests that excessive sexual indulgence can derail one’s spiritual progress, causing individuals to become more deeply attached to worldly pleasures and desires. This attachment, in turn, strengthens the forces of mental impressions that already exist in the subconscious mind, making it harder to overcome them. 

The Value of Seminal Energy
A key theme of this chapter is the emphasis on the preservation of seminal energy. The author urges individuals to realize the immense value of this energy, describing it as a vital life force that fuels both physical and spiritual health. The energy expended during one sexual act is likened to the effort required for ten days of physical labor or three days of mental work, making it clear that this energy is precious and should be guarded carefully. The concept of preserving seminal energy is framed not only in terms of physical health but also in relation to spiritual growth. The energy that is conserved, the text suggests, is transmuted into spiritual energy or ojas (vitality), which contributes to greater mental clarity, inner strength, and higher levels of consciousness. This preserved energy is seen as a key factor in attaining spiritual exaltation, which ultimately leads to liberation from the cycle of death and rebirth (moksha). The text also makes a distinction between voluntary sexual acts and involuntary occurrences such as wet dreams. Wet dreams are described as less harmful because the energy lost is not as substantial and is not accompanied by the same mental and emotional consequences. However, the author advises that even these should be minimized as they still represent a loss of vital energy. 

The Pitfalls of Sexual Desire and Attachment
The final section of the chapter focuses on the danger of becoming enslaved by sexual desire. The author describes individuals who are so consumed by their passions that even the thought or sight of a woman can cause them to lose their energy. These individuals are seen as being in a pitiable state, walking with pale faces and weak, unsteady steps instead of radiating the vitality and vigor associated with a well-preserved body and mind. The chapter argues that the obsession with sensual pleasure is widespread, especially among the youth. It highlights how some young men are so intoxicated by lust and sexual excitement that they lose their ability to think clearly, and their lives spiral into depression and despair. The text suggests that this mental turmoil is a direct result of their excessive indulgence in sexual activity, which leads to a loss of judgment and a weakening of the intellect. The author questions the value of the fleeting moments of pleasure gained through sexual indulgence, urging readers to reconsider the costs of such indulgence. The loss of vital energy, according to the author, is a far greater price to pay than any temporary gratification, and those who indulge excessively are ultimately sacrificing their well-being for a fleeting pleasure. 

In conclusion, Chapter 5 serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of excessive sexual indulgence. It paints a stark picture of the physical, mental, and emotional toll that such indulgence takes, warning readers about the irreparable damage caused by wasting vital energy. The chapter emphasizes the importance of preserving this energy for both physical vitality and spiritual growth, urging individuals to resist the temptation of momentary pleasures in favor of long-term well-being and enlightenment. The message is clear: sexual energy is a powerful and precious resource, and it should be treated with the utmost care and respect to avoid a life of weakness, dissatisfaction, and spiritual stagnation.

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