![]() ![]() ![]() When Ashe discusses how these ascetic ideals are expressed in the Gita, it shows that Gandhi was still following religious tradition. Because he had children, he thought that sex was not necessary anymore for reproductive purposes, and therefore, his attentions could be centered more towards the spiritual realm. He was in his later thirties, and this was his time to think about ascetic values since his children were growing up (Gandhi 206). His sexual desires might have still persisted, but the vow he made put his wishes into action. He did not appear to be avoiding sex just to have a better relationship with his wife, but he also felt that ceasing to have sex would enable him to become stronger spiritually by removing his animal passions. Ashe also insists that Gandhi’s “aim in fact was not to mortify passion but to get rid of it… ordinary sexual resistance seemed to him insipid and animal like” (94). Geoffrey Ashe, who wrote a biography on Gandhi, describes that this particular vow is expressed in the Gita as well (93). Sexual restraint is a key word to focus on because it is more than mere abstinence and transcends into mental desires as well. One should note that the Brahmacharya means self-control and sexual restraint (Ashe 92). When Gandhi pledged his Brahmacharya Vow in 1906, he did so in an ascetic fashion because his intentions were to suppress his desires in order to achieve a higher spiritual state. Key factors in his early years contributed to his yearning for control over his carnal desires (see Part II) he did this by taking the Brahmacharya Vow. This transformation would definitely lead to an ascetic life, but one that was uncharacteristic in spirit. While his early years showed “signs” of asceticism, the second portion of his life brought a more complete sense of ascetic values in the physical and psychological sense. ![]() If you missed Part 1 see below (also contains all sources of entire you missed Part 2 see Mahatma Gandhi: The Atypical Ascetic Part III: The Brahmacharya Vow Transition State If you are hungry, it is very unlikely you will crave sex as much. I personally believe he thought fasting was necessary because hunger is always a more primitive desire than those of sex. Before exploring the third part of my essay, I would like to make a note on this quotation. Part III covers Gandhi's action in taking the Brahmacharya Vow - a vow of abstinence and release from sexual desire. This quote was taken from Gandhi's autobiography, and, indeed, expresses his ascetic nature. “Fasting undertaken with a view to control the senses is, I have no doubt, very helpful…extinction of the sexual passion is impossible without fasting” (Gandhi 210). ![]()
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