The brahmachari's code of conduct and lifestyle is an important discipline in the realization of God. Although designed primarily for celibate renunciants, it can be practiced by all sincere spiritual aspirants, married or celibate.

Married seekers will naturally have to take their family duties into consideration and make some allowances. Their ideal is to live a balanced family life while maintaining inner renunciation.

1. Developing control of the senses and self-discipline is the main purpose of brahmacharya.

2. A brahmachari is very careful in the use of his senses. He avoids exposing himself to over-stimulating, vulgar, or controversial situations (through the media, books, movies, or encounters with people).

3. A brahmachari's foremost duty is to protect the purity of his mind. Before speaking any word or engaging in any action, he will reflect whether it is compatible with his vow of brahmacharya or not.

4. A brahmachari lives only to serve; all thoughts of personal pleasure or self importance must gradually subside, to be replaced by an ardent desire to serve and see God in all.

5. "An idle mind is the devil's workshop" goes the saying. A brahmachari is always engaged in inner contemplation, study, and work, seven days a week. In ashrams, a brahmachari is the first to rise and last to go to bed.

6. A brahmachari's morning starts at 5 a.m. with some hatha yoga postures (20-30 minutes), followed by some chanting and memorizing of mantras or sacred chants (20-30 minutes), and concludes with Kriya Yoga meditation (1 hour).

7. A brahmachari dedicates some time daily to the contemplative study and memorization of the Bhagavad Gita and the scripture of his own religion (the Holy Bible for Christians, for instance).

8. A brahmachari is a life-long learner. He will study and learn to appreciate the basic tenets of all authentic religions.

9. A brahmachari always work with love and conscience of the breath in the fontanel. He offers all his work to Baba and God.

10. A brahmachari will do a short period of meditation (10 minutes) before taking his lunch, and always prays before meals.

11. A brahmachari is moderate in his food, and prefers a sattvic diet conducive to a contemplative lifestyle. In particular, he refrains from eating meat, eggs, onions, garlic, and hot spices.

12. A brahmachari will engage daily in some gardening work or walk in nature (1 hour)

13. A brahmachari will meditate every night after sunset, and review his day's study and memorizing of the scriptures.

14. Before retiring at night, a brahmachari may read some spiritual books before going to bed and pray. He will not watch the television, listen to the radio, or go out for social functions.

15. A brahmachari is always cheerful and thankful. He never complains or grumbles.

16. A brahmachari works in a spirit of selfless dedication and purity to overcome selfishness and attachments.

The Laws of Manu, one of Hinduism's most ancient book, spells out the code of conduct of brahmacharis. Among the key points are the following:

A teacher is the image of Brahman. So a student should show complete reverence and obedience to his teacher all the time. In the presence of his teacher, he should never show any sign of disrespect or carelessness. He should respect not only his teacher but his entire family irrespective of whether they are younger or older than him and whether they are male or female (...)

He should be very strict in practicing self-restraint. He should abstain from honey, meat, perfumes, garlands, spices, women and foods that are acidic. He should never anoint his body, apply collyrium to his eyes (...)

He should stay away from the female members of the teacher's household and keep as much distance as possible from them.

He should cultivate virtues by controlling his sensual desires, anger and greed. He should practice humility and restraint in speech, behaving like an idiot even if he is wise. He should avoid causing injury to living creature. and should not participate in vices such as gambling, idle disputes, backbiting, lying, looking at and touching women and hurting others.

He should always sleep alone and never waste his manhood. Manu declare that he who voluntarily wasted his manhood, broke his vow.