Pradyumna, Bombay, April 17, 1976: “The Brahmacari should be quite well behaved and gentle in nature. He should not eat or collect more than necessary. He must always be active and expert, fully believing in the instructions of the spiritual master and the sastra. In this way, fully controlled over the senses, behave with women as much as necessary, as well as persons who are controlled by women, should be associated with only as much as necessary.”
Prabhupada:
susilo mita-bhug daksah sraddadhano jitendriyah yavad-artham vyavaharet strisu stri-nirjitesu ca
So now, actually behavior, the first thing is susila, very well behaved, gentle. Sila means behavior, and su means very good. Susilo mita-bhuk. This can be attained only when one practices eating whatever is absolutely necessary, not eating more. This is also enjoined by Rupa Gosvami: atyaharah prayasas ca prajalpo niyamagrahah. Atyahara, eating more than necessary, is condemned everywhere. Spiritual life means reducing eating, sleeping, mating, and defending. That is spiritual life. Nidrahara-viharakadi-vijitau. The Rupa Gosvami and other six Gosvamis, they conquered over these things, nidra-ahara. So a brahmacari should not eat anything except prasadam, that also when he is called by the spiritual master, “You can come and eat.” This we have discussed.
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