Sex in Spiritual life
Devotional Service is defined as the engagement of senses in the service of the Lord Krsna, Hrsikesa. (Master of all senses)
Srila Rupa Goswami's Upadeshamrta, first verse indicates one who can tolerate the urges of the senses is qualified to make disciples. In the commentary on that verse Srila Prabhupada has written,
In a similar manner, the urges of the genitals , the sex impulse, can be controlled when not used unnecessarily. The genitals should be used to beget a Kṛṣṇa conscious child, otherwise they should not be used. The Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement encourages marriage not for the satisfaction of the genitals but for the begetting of Kṛṣṇa conscious children. As soon as the children are a little grown up, they are sent to our gurukula school, where they are trained to become fully Kṛṣṇa conscious devotees. Many such Kṛṣṇa conscious children are required, and one who is capable of bringing forth Kṛṣṇa conscious offspring is allowed to utilize his genitals.
If one wants to go back home, back to Godhead, one must be niskincana free from all material desires. One should also be free from the desire to beget a child like Krsna by sexual enjoyment. In Spiritual life, this desire for sex is not very much appreciated.
Instead of artificially repressing the urge of genitals, by birth control or refraining from giving birth to many children, according to vedic civilization, procreation not contrary to religious principles should be adopted as stated by Bhagavad Gita (7.11) dharmāviruddho bhutesu kāmo 'smi. Sex not contrary to religious principles is a representation of the Supreme Lord.
Garbhadhana samskara, is a vedic ritual which educates people about how to use one's senses to create progeny. Children born thereof will be eligible to participate in Varnasrama dharma and gradually progress in Spiritual life.
If one is determined to make Spiritual advancement, he will not beget a child unless able to make that child a devotee. It is necessary for people to be educated Spiritually so that instead of begetting children like cats and dogs, they will undergo austerities to produce devotees. This will make their lives successful.
If one wants to get very good sons and daughters for the benefit of human society, one must follow the Spiritual way of life, and practice austerties by controlling the senses before procreation. By practicing penances, one's mind will be cleansed of all dirty things. Engage in creating children with peaceful mind fixed upon Krsna. Human life is meant for transcendental austerity, tapasya. Although it may not be possible to undergo tapasya and vedic rituals like that of various devotees mentioned in Srimad Bhagavatam, the Sastra has given an opportunity for the method of tapasya easy to perform- the sankirtana movement.
Therefore Srila Prabhupada gave devotees the standard of chanting atleast 50 rounds of Hare Krsna Mahamantra before engaging in sex life.
Instead of desiring to have children like that of Supreme Lord or pure devotees or ray of God, one should desire to become free from all material desires and go back home, back to Godhead.
In short, there should be zero sex life for devotees, if one is not able to control the senses one should live like an ordinary Grhasthas and beget children by following Garbhadhana samskara as mentioned above.
Srila Rupa Goswami's Upadeshamrta, first verse indicates one who can tolerate the urges of the senses is qualified to make disciples. In the commentary on that verse Srila Prabhupada has written,
In a similar manner, the urges of the genitals , the sex impulse, can be controlled when not used unnecessarily. The genitals should be used to beget a Kṛṣṇa conscious child, otherwise they should not be used. The Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement encourages marriage not for the satisfaction of the genitals but for the begetting of Kṛṣṇa conscious children. As soon as the children are a little grown up, they are sent to our gurukula school, where they are trained to become fully Kṛṣṇa conscious devotees. Many such Kṛṣṇa conscious children are required, and one who is capable of bringing forth Kṛṣṇa conscious offspring is allowed to utilize his genitals.
If one wants to go back home, back to Godhead, one must be niskincana free from all material desires. One should also be free from the desire to beget a child like Krsna by sexual enjoyment. In Spiritual life, this desire for sex is not very much appreciated.
Instead of artificially repressing the urge of genitals, by birth control or refraining from giving birth to many children, according to vedic civilization, procreation not contrary to religious principles should be adopted as stated by Bhagavad Gita (7.11) dharmāviruddho bhutesu kāmo 'smi. Sex not contrary to religious principles is a representation of the Supreme Lord.
Garbhadhana samskara, is a vedic ritual which educates people about how to use one's senses to create progeny. Children born thereof will be eligible to participate in Varnasrama dharma and gradually progress in Spiritual life.
If one is determined to make Spiritual advancement, he will not beget a child unless able to make that child a devotee. It is necessary for people to be educated Spiritually so that instead of begetting children like cats and dogs, they will undergo austerities to produce devotees. This will make their lives successful.
If one wants to get very good sons and daughters for the benefit of human society, one must follow the Spiritual way of life, and practice austerties by controlling the senses before procreation. By practicing penances, one's mind will be cleansed of all dirty things. Engage in creating children with peaceful mind fixed upon Krsna. Human life is meant for transcendental austerity, tapasya. Although it may not be possible to undergo tapasya and vedic rituals like that of various devotees mentioned in Srimad Bhagavatam, the Sastra has given an opportunity for the method of tapasya easy to perform- the sankirtana movement.
Therefore Srila Prabhupada gave devotees the standard of chanting atleast 50 rounds of Hare Krsna Mahamantra before engaging in sex life.
Instead of desiring to have children like that of Supreme Lord or pure devotees or ray of God, one should desire to become free from all material desires and go back home, back to Godhead.
In short, there should be zero sex life for devotees, if one is not able to control the senses one should live like an ordinary Grhasthas and beget children by following Garbhadhana samskara as mentioned above.
Based on the Srimad Bhagavatam purports of His Divine Grace Srila Prabhupada
Very nice! Thank you, Anupama!
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