വളരെ തെറ്റിദ്ധരിക്കപ്പെട്ട ഒരു ശബ്ദം - 'ബ്രഹ്മചര്യം'

ബ്രഹ്മചര്യം (celibacy)എന്ന് പറയുന്നത് സന്ന്യാസത്തിന്റെ ആദ്യത്തെ ഘട്ടമാണ്. സനാതനധർമത്തിൽ ബാഹ്യമായും ആന്തരികമായും ആത്മീയ ശുദ്ധിയും നിയന്ത്രണവും സംരക്ഷണവും ആവശ്യമാണ്.  'ബ്രഹ്മ' എന്ന വാക്ക് സകലശക്തിയായ പരമാത്മാവിനെ പ്രതിനിധീകരിക്കുന്നു, 'ചര്യം' എന്നത് ജീവിതശൈലിയെ സൂചിപ്പിക്കുന്നു. അതിനാൽ ബ്രഹ്മചര്യം കൊണ്ട് ഭൗതിക ഇച്ഛകളിൽ നിന്ന് വിട്ടുനിൽക്കൽ, ആത്മീയ ആത്മാവിന്റെ വളർച്ച, ധ്യാനം, യോഗം എന്നിവ ഉൾപ്പെടുന്നു. നിങ്ങള്‍ സഞ്ചരിക്കുന്നത് ഈശ്വരന്‍റെ പാതയിലൂടെയാണൊ - എങ്കില്‍ നിങ്ങള്‍ ബ്രഹ്മചാരിയാണ്. 

ഒരു ബ്രഹ്മചാരിയുടെ ജീവിതശൈലി സ്വീകരിക്കുവാന്‍ എല്ലാവര്‍ക്കും സാധിച്ചുവെന്നുവരില്ല, എന്നാല്‍ മനസ്സുകൊണ്ട് ആര്‍ക്കും ബ്രഹ്മചര്യം അനുഷ്ഠിക്കാവുന്നതാണ്. ഈശ്വരേച്ഛയ്ക്ക് പൂര്‍ണമായും വിധേയമായികൊണ്ട് ജീവിതം നയിക്കുക. പലരുടേയും വിചാരം, ലൈംഗിക ബന്ധങ്ങളില്‍ നിന്നും വിട്ട് നില്‍ക്കുക എന്നതാണ് ബ്രഹ്മചര്യം എന്നാണ്. അത് തികച്ചും ശരിയല്ല. അത് ബ്രഹ്മചര്യനിഷ്ഠകളില്‍ ഒന്നു മാത്രമാണ്.

വീര്യം (ശുക്ലം) സംരക്ഷിക്കുന്നത്‌ ബ്രഹ്മചര്യം, സന്ന്യാസം പുരോഹിത്യം പ്രാചീന താന്ത്രിക, യോഗ ആചാരങ്ങളുമായി ബന്ധപ്പെട്ടിരിക്കുന്നു.

ശുക്ലം പാഴാക്കാതെ സൂക്ഷിക്കുക അല്ല, ശുക്ലം ശരീരത്തിനുള്ളിൽ വെച്ച് തന്നെ ദഹിപ്പിക്കുന്നത്/ഉപയോഗിക്കുന്നത് എങ്ങനെ എന്ന് ആണ് അറിയേണ്ടത്. ശുക്ലം പാഴാക്കാതെ ശരീരത്തിൽ സൂക്ഷിക്കുക ആണ് ബ്രഹ്മചര്യം എന്നും, അതിലൂടെ ആധ്യാത്മിക ശക്തി കൂടുമെന്നും എന്നുള്ള വിശ്വാസം എല്ലാ മതങ്ങളിലും ഉണ്ട്, പക്ഷേ ശുക്ലം ശരീരത്തിൽ വച്ച് തന്നെ ആധ്യാത്മിക ശക്തിക്കായി എങ്ങനെ പരിവർത്തനം ചെയ്യാം എന്ന് പഠിച്ചാൽ മാത്രമേ ബ്രഹ്മചര്യം എന്ന ത്യാഗത്തിന്റെ ഗുണം കിട്ടൂ.

താന്ത്രിക, യോഗ ആചാരങ്ങളിൽ, ശരീരത്തിൽ ശുക്ലം സംരക്ഷിക്കുന്നത് ആത്മശക്തി വർധിപ്പിക്കുമെന്ന് കരുതുന്നു. ഇത് കുണ്ഡലിനി ശക്തി എന്നറിയപ്പെടുന്നു, ഇത് മൂലധാർ ചക്രത്തിൽ നിലകൊള്ളുന്നു.

ഭൈരവ സാധനയും മറ്റു താന്ത്രിക വിദ്യകളും ശുക്ലത്തെ ആത്മ ശക്തിയിലേക്കു പരിവർത്തനം ചെയ്യാനുള്ള പ്രക്രിയയിൽ സഹായകരമാകുന്നു.

പ്രാണായാമം, ധ്യാനം മുതലായവയുടെ സാങ്കേതിക വിദ്യകൾ ഉപയോഗിച്ച് വീര്യം (ശുക്ലം) കുണ്ഡലിനി ശക്തിയിലേക്ക് പരിവർത്തനം ചെയ്യാം.

അശ്വിനി മുദ്ര, മൂല ബന്ധം തുടങ്ങിയ യോഗീക ബന്ധങ്ങൾ ശുക്ലത്തിനെ മുകളിലേക്ക് ഉയർത്താൻ സഹായകമാണ്.

ഈ വിദ്യകളിൽ നിപുണത ഇല്ലാത്തവർക്കു ബ്രഹ്മചര്യം പാലിക്കുന്നത് ശാരീരികവും മാനസികവുമായ സ്ഥിരതക്ക് സഹായകമാണ്. പക്ഷേ ബ്രഹ്മചര്യം മാത്രം പോര മാനസികവും ആത്മീയവുമായ നിയന്ത്രണവും വേണം. അല്ലെങ്കിൽ ബ്രഹ്മചര്യം എന്ന പേരിൽ അനുഭവിക്കാതെ പോകുന്നത് ജീവിതത്തിലെ ഏറ്റവും സുന്ദരമായ രതി എന്ന ക്രിയ ആണ്.

The Mallikarjuna Temple, Srisailam, Andhra Pradesh

Mallikarjuna Temple (also simply known as Srisailam Temple) is a Hindu temple dedicated to the deity Shiva, located at Srisailam in Indian state of Andhra Pradesh.

It is significant to the Hindu sects of both Shaivam as this temple is referred to as one of the twelve Jyothirlingas of Lord Shiva. Here Parvati is worshiped as "Mallika" and Shiva is worshipped as "Arjuna", represented by the lingam.

When Shiva and Parvati decided to find suitable brides for their sons. Shiva got Buddhi (intellect), Siddhi (spiritual power), and Riddhi (prosperity) married to Ganesha. Kartikeya on his return was enraged and went away to stay alone on Mount Kraunja in the name of Kumarabrahmachari. On seeing his father coming over to pacify him, he tried to move to another place, but on the request of the Devas, stayed close by. The place where Shiva and Parvati stayed came to be known as Shrishailam.

As per Hindu legend, the presiding deity in the form of Linga (an iconic form of Shiva) was worshipped with jasmine (locally called in Telugu as Mallika), leading to the name of presiding deity as Mallikarjuna.

Mahashivratri is the main festival celebrated at Srisailam Mallikarjuna Swamy temple.

The temple complex covers 2 hectares and houses four gateway towers known as gopurams. The temple has numerous shrines, with those of Mallikarjuna and Bhramaramba being the most prominent. The temple complex houses many halls; the most notable is the Mukha Mandapa built during the Vijayanagar period. The temple is situated facing East. The center mandapam has several pillars, with a huge idol of Nadikeshwara. The temple is enclosed by tall walls measuring 183 m (600 ft) by 152 m (499 ft) and 8.5 m (28 ft) tall. There are a number of sculptures in the precinct each rising above another. The Mukamandapa, the hall leading to the sanctum, has intricately sculpted pillars. The shrine where Mallikarjuna is housed is considered the oldest in the temple, dating back to the 7th century. There is a Sahasra linga (1000 linga), believed to have been commissioned by Rama and five other lingams believed to have been commissioned by Pandavas. A mirror hall in the first precinct has images of Nataraja.

On the way to the main temple is located Shikhareshwaram temple. It is said that by having darshan in the temple one does not get rebirth. Krishna River here is called Patal Ganga. One has to go down 852 stairs to reach the river. The Shiva Linga is bathed with the water of this river.

The Bhimashankar Temple, Pune, Maharashtra

Bhimashankar Temple is a Jyotirlinga shrine located 50 km Khed taluka (alias Rajgurunagar), near Pune, in Maharashtra. It is located 127 km from Shivajinagar (in Pune) in the Ghat region of the Sahyadri Mountains. Bhīmāshankar is also the source of the river Bhima, which flows southeast and merges with the Krishna river near Raichur. The other Jyotirlinga shrines in Maharashtra are Trimbakeshwar near Nashik and Grishneshwar.

The Bhimashankar temple is a composite of old and new structures in the Nagara style of architecture. It shows the excellency of the skills achieved by ancient Vishwakarma sculptors. It is a modest yet graceful temple and it dates back to the 13th century while the sabhamandap was built in the 18th century by Nana Phadnavis. The shikhara was built by Nana Phadnavis. 

The Mokshakund thirtha is behind the Bhimashankar temple, and it is associated with the rishi Kaushika. There are also the Sarvathīrtha, the Kusharanya thirtha - where the Bhima river begins to flow eastward, and the Jyanakund.

Bhimashankar can be termed a pilgrim's paradise. The dense forests surrounding the high ranges are an abode for rare species of flora and fauna.

Bhimashankar is the source of the Bhima River, which flows southeast and merges with the Krishna River.

The Kedarnath Temple, Garhwal, Uttarakhand.

Kedarnath Temple dedicated to Shiva, is located on the Garhwal Himalayan range near the Mandakini river, in the state of Uttarakhand. Due to extreme weather conditions, the temple is open to the general public only between the months of April (Akshaya Tritiya) and November (Kartik Purnima, the autumn full moon). During the winters, the vigraha (deity) from Kedarnath temple is carried down to Ukhimath where the deity is worshiped for the next six months.

The temple is not directly accessible by road and has to be reached by a 22 kilometres (14 mi) uphill trek from Gaurikund. Pony and manchan service is available to reach the structure. According to Hindu legends, the temple was initially built by Pandavas, and is one of the twelve Jyotirlingas, the holiest Hindu shrines of Shiva. Pandavas were supposed to have pleased Shiva by doing penance in Kedarnath. The temple is one of the four major sites in India's Chota Char Dham pilgrimage of Northern Himalayas and is the first of the Panch Kedar pilgrimage sites. This temple is the highest among the 12 Jyotirlingas. Kedarnath was the worst affected area during the 2013 flash floods in North India. The temple complex, surrounding areas, and Kedarnath town suffered extensive damage, but the temple structure did not suffer any "major" damage, apart from a few cracks on one side of the four walls which was caused by the flowing debris from the higher mountains. A large rock among the debris acted as a barrier, protecting the temple from the flood. The surrounding premises and other buildings in the market area were heavily damaged.

It is one of the 275 Paadal Petra Sthalams, expounded in Tevaram, a sacred Tamil Shaivite text written during 6th and 7th century by 63 saints called Nayanars. This temple is sung by Thirugnanasambandar, Appar, Sundarar and Sekkizhar in their Tevaram texts.

After completing the pilgrimage of Lord Shiva's darshan at the Panch Kedar Temples, it is an unwritten religious rite to visit Lord Vishnu at the Badrinath Temple, as a final affirmatory proof by the devotee that he has sought blessings of Lord Shiva.

According to the hagiographies based on Madhava's Sankshepa-shankara-vijaya, the 8th century philosopher Adi Shankara died at the mountains near Kedarnath; although other hagiographies, based on Anandagiri's Prachina-Shankara-Vijaya, state that he died at Kanchipuram. The ruins of a monument marking the purported death place of Shankara are located at Kedarnath.

The head priest (Raval) of the Kedarnath temple belongs to the Veerashaiva community from Karnataka. However, unlike in Badrinath temple, the Raval of Kedarnath temple does not perform the pujas. The pujas are carried out by Raval's assistants on his instructions. Kedarnath Teerth Purohits are the ancient Brahmins of this region, their ancestors (Rishi-Muni) have been worshiping the lingam since the time of Nara-Narayana. King Janmejay, grandson of the Pandavas, gave them the right of worshiping this temple, and they have been worshiping pilgrims ever since.

The Omkareshwar Shiva temple, Khandwa, Madhya Pradesh

Omkareshwar Shiva temple, is in Khandwa, Madhya Pradesh. It is one of the 12 revered Jyotirlinga shrines of Shiva. It is on an island called Mandhata or Shivapuri in the Narmada river at Khandwa district in Madhya Pradesh. The shape of the island is said to be like the Devanagari ॐ symbol.

There are two main temples of Lord Shiva here, one to Omkareshwar (whose name means "Lord of Omkara or the Lord of the Om sound") located in the island and one to Mamleshwar (whose name means "Immortal Lord" or "lord of the Immortals or Devas") located on the south bank of Narmada River on the mainland.

As per Hindu legend, Vindya, the deity controlling the Vindyachal mountain range was worshipping Shiva to propitiate himself from the sins committed. He created a sacred geometrical diagram and a Lingam made of sand and clay. Shiva was pleased with the worship and believed to have appeared in two forms, namely Omkareshwar and Amaleswara. Since the mud mound appeared in the form of Om, the island came to be known as Omkareswar. There is a shrine for Parvati and Ganapati in the temple.

The second story relates to Mandhata and his son's penance. King Mandhata of Ikshvaku clan (an ancestor of Lord Ram) worshipped Lord Shiva here until the Lord manifested himself as a Jyotirlinga. Some scholars also narrate the story about Mandhata's sons-Ambarish and Muchukunda, who had practiced severe penance and austerities here and pleased Lord Shiva. Because of this, the mountain is named Mandhata.

The third story from Hindu scriptures says that once upon a time there was a great war between Devas (gods) and Danavas (demons), in which Danavas won. This was a major setback for Devas and hence Devas prayed to Lord Shiva. Pleased with their prayer, Lord Shiva emerged in the form of Omkareshwar Jyotirlinga and defeated Danavas.

Philosophy of Omkaar - Advait Matt says Omkaar is composed of two words, Om (sound) and Akaar (srishti). Both are one not two since Advait means "not two". Om beej mantra of Srishti, itself is creator of Srishti.

Adi Shankara's Cave – Omkareshwar is said to be the place where Adi Sankara met his guru Govinda Bhagavatpada in a cave. This cave can be found even today just below the Shiva temple where an image of Adi Shankara has been installed.

Mahakaleshwar Jyotirling Temple, Ujjain, Madhya Pradesh

Mahakaleshwar Jyotirling is one of the twelve Jyotirlingams at Ujjain, Madhya Pradesh.The temple is situated on the side of the holy river Shipra. The presiding deity, Shiva in the lingam form is believed to be Swayambhu, deriving currents of power (Shakti) from within itself as against the other images and lingams that are ritually established and invested with mantra-shakti.

The idol of Mahakaleshwar is known to be dakshinamukhi, which means that it is facing the south. This is a unique feature, upheld by the tantric shivnetra tradition to be found only in Mahakaleshwar among the 12 Jyotirlingas. The idol of Omkareshwar Mahadev is consecrated in the sanctum above the Mahakal shrine. The images of Ganesh, Parvati and Karttikeya are installed in the west, north, and east of the sanctum sanctorum. To the south is the image of Nandi, the vehicle of Shiva. The idol of Nagchandreshwar on the third storey is open for darshan only on the day of Nag Panchami. The temple has five levels, one of which is underground. The temple itself is located in a spacious courtyard surrounded by massive walls near a lake. The shikhar or the spire is adorned with sculptural finery. Brass lamps light the way to the underground sanctum. It is believed that prasada (holy offering) offered here to the deity can be re-offered unlike all other shrines.

Devotees are not allowed to bring bags , mobile phones and cameras during the visit . Lockers and Cloak Rooms are there for devotees where they can keep their belongings.

Shakti Peethas are shrines that are believed to have enshrined with the presence of Shakti due to the falling of body parts of the corpse of Sati Devi, when Shiva carried it. Each of the 51 Shakti Peethas has shrines for Shakti and Kalabhairava. The Upper Lip of Sati Devi is said to have fallen here and the Shakti is called as Mahakali.

According to the Puranas, the city of Ujjain was called Avantika and was famous for its beauty and its status as a devotional epicenter. It was also one of the primary cities where students went to study holy scriptures. 

The temple complex was destroyed by Sultan Shams-ud-din Iltutmish during his raid of Ujjain in 1234-5. The Jyotirlinga was dismantled and believed to be thrown into a nearby 'Kotiteerth Kunda' (a pond neighbouring the temple) with the Jaladhari (a structure supporting the Lingam) stolen during the invasion. The present structure was built by the Maratha general Ranoji Shinde in 1734 CE after Baji Rao I appointed him to collect taxes in malwa region.

The Somnath temple, Prabhas Patan, Gujarat.

The Somnath temple or Deo Patan, is located in Prabhas Patan, Veraval in Gujarat. Reconstructed several times in the past after repeated destruction by several Muslim invaders and it is unclear when the first version of the Somnath temple was built.

The Somnath temple was actively studied by colonial era historians and archaeologists in the 19th- and early 20th-century, when its ruins illustrated a historic Hindu temple in the process of being converted into an Islamic mosque. After India's independence, those ruins were demolished and the present Somnath temple was reconstructed in the Māru-Gurjara style of Hindu temple architecture.

The Somnath temple is located close to the ancient trading port of Veraval, one of three in Gujarat from where Indian merchants departed to trade goods. The 11th-century Persian historian Al-Biruni states that Somnath has become so famous because "it was the harbor for seafaring people, and a station for those who went to and fro between Sufala in the country of Zanj (east Africa) and China".

Somnath means "Lord of the Soma" or "moon". The site is also called as Prabhasa. Somnath temple has been a jyotirlinga site and a holy place of pilgrimage. It is one of five most revered sites on the seacoast of India, along with the nearby Dvaraka in Gujarat, Puri in Odisha, Rameshvaram and Chidambaram in Tamil Nadu. The Somnath temple is not mentioned in ancient Sanskrit texts of Hinduism. The "Prabhasa-Pattana" site of Somnath is mentioned in ancient texts.