The truth is that God is the force. He is the essence of life. He is pure and undefiled consciousness. He is eternal. And yet, strangely enough, all are not able to derive either benefit from or shelter in the all-pervading living presence.
Electricity is a powerful force. Not all can benefit from it. It can only be produced by following certain laws. It is a lifeless force. Man can utilize it if he labors hard enough to acquire the knowledge of its laws.
The Living force which we call God can similarly be found if we know and follow His law leading to the discovery of Him in us. But it is self-evident that to find out God’s law requires far harder labour. The law may, in one word, be termed brahmacharya. The straight way to cultivate brahmacharya is Ramanama. I can say this from experience. Devotees and sages like Tulsidas have shown us this royal path. No one need give undue importance to my own experience. Perhaps I am right in saying that the potency of Ramanama was brought vividly home to me in Uruli-Kanchan. It was there that I asserted that the surest remedy for all our ills is Ramanama. He who can make full use of it can show powerful results with very little outside effort.
Following this line of thought I can say with conviction that the orthodox aides to brahmacharya pale into insignificance before Ramanama, when this name is enthroned in the heart. Then and then only do we realize its transcendent beauty and power. In the vigilant search for this matchless and unfailing weapon we find that it is hard to differentiate between ends and means. Thus, the eleven rules of conduct are the means to enable us to reach God. Of the eleven rules Truth is the means and God called Rama the end. Is it not equally true that Ramanama is the means and Truth is the end?
But let me revert to the original point. The acceptad meaning of brahmacharya is the attainment by man of complete control over the sex organ. The golden to attain that end is Ramanama.
Hindu Dharma, Mahatma Gandhi
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