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Does Brahmcharya break even by masturbation or any type of ejaculation (like night fall) ?

Or Does Brahmcharya break only by having sex or by touching a woman ?

river
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  • Touching a woman might not cause violation of brahmacarya because it would imply that touching the feet of the gurupatni causes loss of brahmacarya. – অনু Oct 26 '22 at 17:25

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There are two types of Brahmacharya.

Brahmacharya (celibacy) for monks

Not indulging in sexual intercourse, mentally, verbally or physically is the vow of celibacy, with reference to the ascetics and the religious students.

Linga Purana I.8.16

Abstinence from sexual acts, neither brooding nor imagining about it and complete sexual detachment is called celibacy (Brahmacharya).

Vayu Purana I.59.46

Brahmacharya (celibacy) for householders

In their case, as prescribed, indulgence in sexual intercourse with their wives and abstention from it with other women mentally, physically and verbally should be understood as brahmacharya.

Linga Purana I.8.18

Brahmacharya is broken by masturbation. Non-sexual touching of a woman (like handshake) is Ok.

Wet Dreams do not break Brahmacharya vow

One's vow of Brahmacharya is not broken by having wet dreams. In such cases the expiation laid down consists in the pouring of libations of clarified butter on the blazing fire.

Mahabharata Santi Parva Section XXXIV-XXXV

Pradip Gangopadhyay
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