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Brahmacaris and Brahmacarinis
There is also sometimes a thin line between a brahmacari's
obligation to protect his celibacy and his obligation to be kind to women
devotees. When a brahmacari becomes fanatical in his behavior, he exhibits the
"love-hate" syndrome, manifesting attraction to women by displays of
hatred for them. A moderate but strict approach is advisable.When a brahmacari
decides to become a grhastha, is that a falldown? The answer is no. He should
be encouraged to take the responsibility for the asrama that is most suitable
for him.
However, devotees in the Krsna consciousness movement should
encourage unmarried men and women to remain celibate if they desire to do so. A
brahmacari once wrote to Prabhupada that the temple president was pressing him
to get married. Prabhupada replied:
I do not think that Hamsaduta is pressing you for marriage.
Marriage is a concession for a person who cannot control his sex desires. Of
course it is a difficult job for the boys in this country because they have
free access to intermingling with the girls. Under the circumstances, it is my
open order for everyone that everyone can marry without any artificial pose.
But if somebody is able to remain a brahmacary, there should not be any
canvassing for his marriage.
. . . Our students, either brahmacary or householder, are being
trained up for constant engagement in Krsna consciousness service without any
personal interest. This is perfect order of
sannyasa. So if everyone is trained up in this line of action, all
of us are sannyasins in all circumstances.—Letter, 3/15/70
Unmarried ladies who aspire for celibacy are encouraged by several
verses in the Srlmad-Bhagavatam, Fifth Canto, spoken by Laksmi-devi. She
advises all women to accept only Krsna as their husband, otherwise one will
have to accept a creature made of flesh, blood, mustaches, stool, and urine, a
so-called husband who cannot offer his wife any ultimate protection.