# Brahmacharya—II explained — The Story of My Experiments with Truth

> Chapter companion for The Story of My Experiments with Truth by Mahatma Gandhi.

## What happens

Gandhi describes his decision to take the vow of brahmacharya (celibacy) in 1906, the challenges of controlling passions, and the joy and freedom it brought. He discusses the importance of diet, fasting, and mental discipline in observing the vow, and reflects on the connection between brahmacharya and satyagraha.

## Themes in this chapter

### Self-Discipline and Simplicity

Gandhi discusses the rigorous self-control required for brahmacharya, including diet, fasting, and mental discipline.

### Vegetarianism and Dietary Discipline

Gandhi links control of the palate to the observance of brahmacharya and describes his dietetic experiments.

## Character check-ins

### Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi

Takes the vow of brahmacharya in 1906, reflects on its practice and challenges.

### Kasturbai Gandhi

Consulted by Gandhi before taking the vow; she had no objection.

## Key lines

> The great potentiality of brahmacharya daily became more and more patent to me.

The immense power of celibacy became increasingly clear to me each day.

_Gandhi reflects on the growing realization of brahmacharya's significance._

> Control of the palate is the first essential in the observance of the vow.

Mastering one's eating habits is the primary requirement for keeping the vow.

_Gandhi emphasizes diet as foundational to brahmacharya._

> Fasting is useful, when mind cooperates with starving body, that is to say, when it cultivates a distaste for the objects that are denied to the body.

Fasting is effective only when the mind joins the body in rejecting what is forbidden.

_Gandhi explains the mental aspect of fasting for self-control._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_story_of_my_experiments_with_truth_se/chapters/part-iii-viii-brahmacharya-ii
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_story_of_my_experiments_with_truth_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_story_of_my_experiments_with_truth_se/chapters