Why sex is forbidden for a saint?

[Reply to a question by Shri Hrushikesh] Swami replied: Sex is not forbidden for a saint. Sainthood (saṃnyāsa āśrama) just comes at the end of one’s life, after gradually passing through the three previous stages or āśramas, namely, brahmacarya, gṛhastha and vānaprastha. The duty of the saint is to preach correct spiritual knowledge to humanity. The saint should not reject sex by forcible effort. The rejection of sex must happen spontaneously, due to the total diversion of one’s attention to God. No preacher should suppress his sexual activity because sex is also a normal biological need of the body, like hunger, thirst and sleep. The preacher should not hypocritically give the impression to the public that he is above the need for sex. In that case, let him prove that he is above hunger, thirst and sleep also! People are giving unnecessary importance to sex and are always trying to hide it. It need not be hidden. In olden days, sex was even depicted on the walls of temples. It is just a biological need and is meant for the good purpose of continuing the human race. A spiritual preacher need not pose as if he has conquered sex. Whether or not the preacher has conquered sex, is irrelevant for the disciples. The disciples only require the preacher to give perfect spiritual knowledge, which will lead them onto the correct path, either in spiritual life or in worldly life. In ancient times, the preacher would go to the disciples’ homes along with his wife. Legitimate sex is not a sin at all. In fact, it is considered meritorious and sacred (Dharmāviruddhaḥ…—Gita).

People even fast by force, which also is not correct. If the devotee forgoes meals as a result of being immersed in the subject of God, that is real fasting (upavāsa). Similarly, if a devotee forgoes sex as a result of being immersed in God, that is real bachelorhood. People eat a lot of food in the name of a special fasting-tiffin and still say that they are fasting! People keep awake all night on the Śivarātri festival, playing cards and watching movies! But that is not the real jāgaraṇa, which means forgoing sleep for God. If a devotee does not sleep as a result of being immersed in devotion to God, then that forgoing of sleep is the real jāgarana. Sage Vātsyāyana wrote a book on sex called Kāmasūtra and it was intended only for legitimate sex. But people get a very different idea with the mention of Vātsyāyana or Kāmasūtra.

| Shri Dattaswami | dharmaaviruddhah Sanyasa Ashrama Samnyasa Upavaasa Jaagarana