Sex in Krishna Consciousness
One of the four regulative principles for initiated devotees of Krishna is "No illicit sex." So what does that mean? Does it mean that one can only have sex with one's wife? Or does it mean something more than that?
In this connection Srila Prabhupada has written n his purport to Srimad Bhagavatam, Fifth Canto, Chapter 13, Text 4 as follows: "Those who strictly follow the rules and regulations of householder life engage in sex only once a month, at the end of the menstrual period." In this connection he also explained in a morning walk conversation on 17 February 1974 in Bombay: "You cannot have sexual intercourse with wife as you like, no. That is also illicit sex. Then... When the woman is in menstrual period, after five days, you can have once. As soon as she is pregnant, no more sexual intercourse. This is human being. Not that like animal."
In the Vedic culture the act of begetting of a child is not done whimsically but is only done in conjunction with a ceremony known as Garbhadhana-samskara, which Srila Prabhupada describes as follows in his purport to Srimad Bhagavatam, Canto 3, Chapter 20, Text 28:
"The mental condition of a child depends upon the mental status of his parents at the time he is conceived. According to the Vedic system, therefore, the garbhadhana-samskara, or the ceremony for giving birth to a child, is observed. Before begetting a child, one has to sanctify his perplexed mind. When the parents engage their minds in the lotus feet of the Lord and in such a state the child is born, naturally good devotee children come; when the society is full of such good population, there is no trouble from demoniac mentalities."
Since elaborate Vedic rituals are not very practical at the present time in the Kali Yuga, Srila Prabhupada has given us a simplified version of the garbhadhana-samskara in his order that before having sex, once in a month the husband and wife must both chant at least 50 rounds of japa. In this regard he wrote to his disciple Syama Dasi as follows in a letter dated 18 January 1969 from Los Angeles:
"You have asked me some questions about the functions of sex life in Krishna Consciousness, and the basic principle is that it should be avoided as far as possible. However, if it is unavoidable, then it should be utilized only for begetting Krishna Conscious children. In that case, the husband and wife should chant at least fifty rounds before going to sex. The recommended period is six days after the menstruation period."
In 1977 when he was asked if we should observe the garbhadhana-samskara before attempting to conceive children he said, "We do not want all these rituals. Chanting Hare Krishna is our only business." and he repeated the same instruction he gave in 1969 regarding 50 rounds of japa.
So considering the above instructions it is clearly understood that it is better to completely avoid sex and if that is not possible, then our married couples should have sex no more than once a month five or six days after the wife's menstrual cycle and after the husband and wife have both chanted at least 50 rounds of japa. By strictly following these instructions of Srila Prabhupada children who are very spiritually qualified will take birth.
Mike Castrova
Sankarshan Das Adhikari
In this connection Srila Prabhupada has written n his purport to Srimad Bhagavatam, Fifth Canto, Chapter 13, Text 4 as follows: "Those who strictly follow the rules and regulations of householder life engage in sex only once a month, at the end of the menstrual period." In this connection he also explained in a morning walk conversation on 17 February 1974 in Bombay: "You cannot have sexual intercourse with wife as you like, no. That is also illicit sex. Then... When the woman is in menstrual period, after five days, you can have once. As soon as she is pregnant, no more sexual intercourse. This is human being. Not that like animal."
In the Vedic culture the act of begetting of a child is not done whimsically but is only done in conjunction with a ceremony known as Garbhadhana-samskara, which Srila Prabhupada describes as follows in his purport to Srimad Bhagavatam, Canto 3, Chapter 20, Text 28:
"The mental condition of a child depends upon the mental status of his parents at the time he is conceived. According to the Vedic system, therefore, the garbhadhana-samskara, or the ceremony for giving birth to a child, is observed. Before begetting a child, one has to sanctify his perplexed mind. When the parents engage their minds in the lotus feet of the Lord and in such a state the child is born, naturally good devotee children come; when the society is full of such good population, there is no trouble from demoniac mentalities."
Since elaborate Vedic rituals are not very practical at the present time in the Kali Yuga, Srila Prabhupada has given us a simplified version of the garbhadhana-samskara in his order that before having sex, once in a month the husband and wife must both chant at least 50 rounds of japa. In this regard he wrote to his disciple Syama Dasi as follows in a letter dated 18 January 1969 from Los Angeles:
"You have asked me some questions about the functions of sex life in Krishna Consciousness, and the basic principle is that it should be avoided as far as possible. However, if it is unavoidable, then it should be utilized only for begetting Krishna Conscious children. In that case, the husband and wife should chant at least fifty rounds before going to sex. The recommended period is six days after the menstruation period."
In 1977 when he was asked if we should observe the garbhadhana-samskara before attempting to conceive children he said, "We do not want all these rituals. Chanting Hare Krishna is our only business." and he repeated the same instruction he gave in 1969 regarding 50 rounds of japa.
So considering the above instructions it is clearly understood that it is better to completely avoid sex and if that is not possible, then our married couples should have sex no more than once a month five or six days after the wife's menstrual cycle and after the husband and wife have both chanted at least 50 rounds of japa. By strictly following these instructions of Srila Prabhupada children who are very spiritually qualified will take birth.
Happy Krishna Conscious Family Life
ISKCON Founder:Acharya--His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Answers According to the Vedic Wisdom
Question: Head of ISKCON?
Who is the head of ISKCON?Mike Castrova
Answer: Srila Prabhupada
His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada in the form of his perfect divine instructions always remains the head of ISKCON, the International Society for Krishna Consciousness. In this regard he has a title which will never be given to anyone else. His title is “ISKCON Founder-Acharya.”Sankarshan Das Adhikari
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