View source for Essential Principles A Brahmacārī Should Strictly Follow

The foundation of a successful spiritual life is built upon the strict discipline and purity cultivated during the student phase. By observing perfect celibacy, controlling the senses, and acting exclusively for the benefit of the ''guru'', a young student becomes highly qualified to grasp the Absolute Truth. As heavily emphasized by Śrīla Prabhupāda, the training received in this foundational order of life protects the soul from material entanglement and guarantees rapid advancement in Kṛṣṇa consciousness.

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=== Submission to the Spiritual Master ===

A student in the Vedic system must live in the ''āśrama'' of the spiritual master with an attitude of complete surrender and faithful obedience. They must set aside all personal motives and act solely for the satisfaction and benefit of their ''guru''. Through the profound explanations of Śrīla Prabhupāda, we learn that this submissive and menial service is the very key that unlocks transcendental knowledge within the heart of the disciple.

* [[Vaniquotes:Brahmacari guru-kule vasan danto guror hitau (SB 7.12.1). A brahmacari should live at gurukula, very submissively. Danto means submissive, and only for the benefit of guru. No personal benefit. In this way brahmacari should take lesson from the guru|Brahmacari guru-kule vasan danto guror hitau (SB 7.12.1). A brahmacari should live at gurukula, very submissively. Danto means submissive, and only for the benefit of guru. No personal benefit. In this way brahmacari should take lesson from the guru.]]
* [[Vaniquotes:Daksa sraddadhanah: faithful. Faithful to whom? To the spiritual master. Whatever he says, the brahmacari should take it: "Yes, it is my life and soul." That is the explanation given by Visvanatha Cakravarti Thakura|Daksa sraddadhanah: faithful. Faithful to whom? To the spiritual master. Whatever he says, the brahmacari should take it: "Yes, it is my life and soul." That is the explanation given by Visvanatha Cakravarti Thakura.]]
* [[Vaniquotes:The brahmacari should live under the care of the true spiritual master, giving him sincere respect and obeisances, acting as his menial servant, and always carrying out his order|The brahmacari should live under the care of the true spiritual master, giving him sincere respect and obeisances, acting as his menial servant, and always carrying out his order.]]
* [[Vaniquotes:A brahmacari is supposed to assist a sannyasi; therefore a brahmacari should not try to instruct a sannyasi. That is the etiquette. Consequently Damodara should not have advised Caitanya Mahaprabhu of His duty|A brahmacari is supposed to assist a sannyasi; therefore a brahmacari should not try to instruct a sannyasi. That is the etiquette. Consequently Damodara should not have advised Caitanya Mahaprabhu of His duty.]]

=== Strict Vows of Celibacy ===

The most defining characteristic of this student life is the absolute restriction from any form of sexual engagement or intimate association with women. This vow extends beyond physical actions, demanding strict control over one's vision, conversations, and associations. Śrīla Prabhupāda clearly warns that mingling with materialistic persons or breaking these strictures instantly destroys the spiritual purity required to advance in devotional service.

* [[Vaniquotes:A brahmacari or sannyasi is prohibited to associate with women, especially in a secret place. The sastras enjoin that one should not even talk to a woman in a secret place, even if she happens to be one's own daughter, sister or mother|A brahmacari or sannyasi is prohibited to associate with women, especially in a secret place. The sastras enjoin that one should not even talk to a woman in a secret place, even if she happens to be one's own daughter, sister or mother.]]
* [[Vaniquotes:A brahmacari should be very careful not to mix with women or with men addicted to women|A brahmacari should be very careful not to mix with women or with men addicted to women.]]
* [[Vaniquotes:Your question is how much or how little brahmacaris should associate with the unmarried brahmacarinis in the temple. As brahmacari you should not mix at all with brahmacarinis. Actually they should not at all see the face, but that is not possible|Your question is how much or how little brahmacaris should associate with the unmarried brahmacarinis in the temple. As brahmacari you should not mix at all with brahmacarinis. Actually they should not at all see the face, but that is not possible.]]
* [[Vaniquotes:So far as possible, remain separate and talk almost nil. Brahmacari is advised not to go near a young woman anywhere. A brahmacari should always address every woman as mother. In your country it is a little difficult, but the principle is to avoid|So far as possible, remain separate and talk almost nil. Brahmacari is advised not to go near a young woman anywhere. A brahmacari should always address every woman as mother. In your country it is a little difficult, but the principle is to avoid.]]

=== Controlling the Senses ===

True education in the Vedic culture means learning the art of sense control and austerity from the very beginning of life. A student is trained to deny the demands of the tongue and the body, avoiding overeating, luxurious living, and unnecessary sleep. By observing the practical guidelines laid out by Śrīla Prabhupāda, a student effectively shields their mind from the illusions of ''māyā'' and remains steady in their vows.

* [[Vaniquotes:A brahmacari should live in the gurukula for the following purposes. The first is that he should be trained up how to control the senses. So that, if you teach any child from the childhood, he'll be trained up|A brahmacari should live in the gurukula for the following purposes. The first is that he should be trained up how to control the senses. So that, if you teach any child from the childhood, he'll be trained up.]]
* [[Vaniquotes:First of all, one must be trained in the brahmacari system and learn how to deny the senses. A brahmacari should be trained in tapasya, not in enjoyment|First of all, one must be trained in the brahmacari system and learn how to deny the senses. A brahmacari should be trained in tapasya, not in enjoyment.]]
* [[Vaniquotes:A brahmacari should be quite well behaved and gentle and should not eat or collect more than necessary. He must always be active and expert, fully believing in the instructions of the spiritual master and the sastra|A brahmacari should be quite well behaved and gentle and should not eat or collect more than necessary. He must always be active and expert, fully believing in the instructions of the spiritual master and the sastra.]]
* [[Vaniquotes:A student should practice completely controlling his senses. He should be submissive and should have an attitude of firm friendship for the spiritual master. With a great vow, the brahmacari should live at the guru-kula, only for the benefit of the guru|A student should practice completely controlling his senses. He should be submissive and should have an attitude of firm friendship for the spiritual master. With a great vow, the brahmacari should live at the guru-kula, only for the benefit of the guru.]]

=== Collecting Alms for the Guru ===

To cultivate deep humility and detachment, the student goes out daily to beg alms from householders, giving everything collected directly to the spiritual master. They do not eat independently but wait patiently for the ''guru'' to call them to take ''prasādam'', fasting if the order does not come. As Śrīla Prabhupāda points out, this practice crushes the false ego and ensures that the student is completely dependent on the mercy of the spiritual master.

* [[Vaniquotes:The brahmacari should go out of the asrama for begging alms - Mother, we are coming from such and such temple or asrama. Give us some alms|The brahmacari should go out of the asrama for begging alms - Mother, we are coming from such and such temple or asrama. Give us some alms.]]
* [[Vaniquotes:The brahmacari should go out morning and evening to collect alms, and he should offer all that he collects to the spiritual master. He should eat only if ordered to take food by the spiritual master|The brahmacari should go out morning and evening to collect alms, and he should offer all that he collects to the spiritual master. He should eat only if ordered to take food by the spiritual master.]]
* [[Vaniquotes:A brahmacari should accept prasada upon the order of the spiritual master, and if the spiritual master sometimes forgets to order the disciple to eat, the disciple should not take prasada on his own initiative; rather, he should fast|A brahmacari should accept prasada upon the order of the spiritual master, and if the spiritual master sometimes forgets to order the disciple to eat, the disciple should not take prasada on his own initiative; rather, he should fast.]]
* [[Vaniquotes:Actually, a brahmacari should contribute whatever he has got to Krishna, through the Spiritual Master. The Spiritual Master does not accept anything for his personal use, but he employs everything for Krishna's service|Actually, a brahmacari should contribute whatever he has got to Krishna, through the Spiritual Master. The Spiritual Master does not accept anything for his personal use, but he employs everything for Krishna's service.]]

=== Conclusion ===

The student phase of life in the Vedic system is a rigorous yet highly purifying period meant to establish a permanent foundation of spiritual strength. By remaining perfectly celibate, submissive to the spiritual master, and strictly controlling the senses, a practitioner completely insulates themselves from the entanglements of the material world. Cultivating these essential principles, as flawlessly instructed by Śrīla Prabhupāda, ensures that the soul remains firmly on the path of Kṛṣṇa consciousness and easily attains ultimate liberation.

=== Dive Deeper into Śrīla Prabhupāda's Vani ===

Śrīla Prabhupāda lives within his instructions. This article is a summary of the profound truths found in the Vaniquotes category [[Vaniquotes:Category:A Brahmacari Should|A Brahmacari Should]]. We invite you to visit this link to study the complete compilation and experience Śrīla Prabhupāda's teachings in their direct, verbatim form.

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