The Concise Oxford Dictionary of World Religions (431 page)

 
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Brahmacarin
.

In Hinduism, following a pathway of discipline to attain an end, e.g. in
Yoga
or
Tantra
. It became equated with
celibacy
, brahmac
rin, and is the first of the four
ramas
, or stages of life, of a Hindu. See also
BRAHMACARYA
.

 
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(Skt., ‘behaviour or conduct (
cary
) appropriate to Brahman’)
1
In Hinduism, the mode of life of an unmarried student of the
Vedas
, characterized especially by sexual continence and service to the teacher (
guru
).
Frequently the term brahmacarya is encountered in modern Hindu literature as a synonym for celibacy and self-control.
2
In Buddhism, a life lived in accordance with Buddhist rules of conduct (
la
), especially by
bhik
us
.
3
Among Jains, it is one of the
Five Great Vows
.

 
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(1925–94).
Hindu
guru
and teacher of
yoga
, who exercised much influence on Indira Gandhi—he was known by those who mistrusted him as India's Rasputin. When her son, Sanjay, was killed in an air-crash, she seemed to relate to Brahmachari almost as a surrogate son. He taught her yoga and persuaded her that yoga classes should be introduced into Indian schools.