Disease Introduction
Unfulfilled desires of a person take them into the world of dreams. Mental and social restrictions suppress those desires that are considered immoral, improper, irreligious, or antisocial from the perspective of our values. However, in dreams, these suppressed desires cross those boundaries. In the dream, a person experiences sexual pleasure with an imaginary woman and thus intensifies their lust. As a result, the semen that is discharged during such dream-intercourse is called “Swapnadosh” (Nightfall).
Antiquity of the Disease
In today’s time, this is a widely discussed disease, and modern youth are affected by it. However, ancient Aryan texts do not describe this disease clearly or independently. Although, classical references confirm the discharge of semen in dreams:
“Swapne siktva brahmachari dwija shukramagatah,
Snatva kemarchyitwa vipanaditya rishyajapet.”
Meaning: If a celibate (Brahmachari) experiences semen discharge in a dream, it leads to mental weakness and sensual thoughts. To purify the mind, one should bathe, worship the sun, and chant mantras.
Impure tendencies of the mind lead to sexual acts in dreams. Thus, this condition is named “Swapnadosh.”
Symptoms of the Disease
Swapnadosh is both a physical and mental disease. While the body discharges semen through physical activity, the mind triggers this due to excitement. The disease starts in the mind and later affects the body. With mental control and purity, this condition can be managed.
Physical Symptoms:
- Excessive nightfall causes the body to become weak and pale.
- Facial glow disappears, cheeks become sunken, and eyes appear deep-set.
- Excessive sweating from palms and soles.
- The heart becomes weak and beats fast.
- Multiple diseases can occur, and even slight exertion leads to fatigue.
- Memory power also weakens.
Mental Symptoms:
- Weak brain leads to poor memory and lack of concentration.
- Students who earlier scored well start falling behind in studies.
- They become irritable, get angry easily, and feel mentally blank.
- Sleepiness and laziness increase; life feels hopeless.
- Excessive nightfall may lead to impotence.
- Eventually, body and mind suffer, and life feels like a burden.
Precaution:
The above symptoms are seen in people suffering from excessive nightfall. In normal cases, where diet and lifestyle are balanced and nightfall occurs 2–3 times a month, it is not harmful. Minor loss is covered by daily nutrition.
Young boys are advised not to compare themselves with these symptoms unnecessarily, as similar symptoms can be caused by other diseases or weaknesses. One should get proper diagnosis and treatment from experienced physicians instead of self-diagnosing based on symptoms. Avoid being misled by flashy advertisements in magazines promoting sexual medicines.
Causes of Nightfall:
- Sexual organ development and onset of puberty.
- Sexual urges and strong lust.
- Habit of mental masturbation and perverted sexual thoughts.
- Unhealthy environment – exposure to radio, cinema, excessive cycling.
- Spicy, improper diet and lifestyle.
Puberty and Sexual Glands (Gonads):
Nightfall occurs only after puberty, which is governed by secretions of the sexual glands.
As boys and girls enter adolescence, the gonads begin to function, and sexual energy starts circulating, leading to the following changes:
- Beard and mustache begin to grow.
- Pubic hair appears.
- Voice becomes deeper (in girls, it becomes thinner).
- Semen formation begins and genitals develop.
- Pimples appear on the face.
- Reproductive ability develops.
- Nightfall starts.
Due to hormonal changes, sexual excitement builds up in the brain. In dreams, an environment of sexual intercourse is created. The parasympathetic nerves stimulate the genitals, increasing blood flow and testosterone. This creates a situation like intercourse. When it reaches a peak, semen is discharged due to spinal reflex action – like a pressure valve releasing steam.
2–3 times of nightfall per month is considered normal, but it is neither necessary nor mandatory for everyone. Comparing it to urine or stool discharge is a false belief promoted by modern sex writers.
Mental Masturbation and Nightfall:
During puberty, boys and girls become mentally agitated. Due to mental excitement and inability to fulfill sexual urges, their imagination creates sexual scenarios which appear in dreams as nightfall.
Ashtang Maithun (Eight-Step Sexual Excitation Process):
Ancient sages emphasized avoiding this eight-step path that leads from desire to nightfall. These are:
- Remembrance (Smaran): Thinking about past sexual experiences or sexual thoughts.
- Talk (Kirtan): Talking about sexual topics, reading vulgar stories or magazines.
- Play (Keli): Flirting, touching, teasing, inappropriate play.
- Observation (Prekshan): Secretly watching sexual content, stalking, fantasizing.
- Secret Talks (Guhya Bhashan): Talking about sex in secret, desiring privacy for such talks.
- Determination (Sankalp): Mentally deciding to have sex.
- Effort (Adhyavasaya): Making effort by any means to fulfill sexual desire.
- Act (Kriya Nivritti): If not fulfilled, turning to masturbation, animal sex, or nightfall in dreams.
Each step awakens lust in the mind and leads to nightfall. Thus, celibacy and moral living are encouraged.
Treatment Principles for Nightfall:
After explaining the causes, here are treatment principles:
- Control the Mind (Satvavajaya): The main reason is uncontrolled desires and mental weakness. Strong willpower brings success.
- Victory through Mind Control: If the mind is firm, nightfall can be controlled. Keep thoughts pure, avoid sexual thinking. Pray to God before sleeping.
- Follow Healthy Lifestyle (Swasthavritta): Develop good habits, faith in God, and avoid anger and lust.
- Lack of Proper Guidance: Today’s youth lack proper sex or celibacy education. They are exposed to contraceptives and vulgar content without guidance, leading to confusion and nightfall.
- Avoid Bad Company and Spicy Food: Keep away from bad friends, vulgar books, and tamasic (impure) food.
- Avoid Addictions: No tea, coffee, marijuana, cigarettes, alcohol, garlic, onion, spicy or non-veg food. These excite sexual desires.
- Wake Up Early: Get up at 4–5 AM and don’t go back to sleep. Nightfall usually happens after waking and going back to sleep.
- Have Dinner Early: Eat by 6–7 PM to allow proper digestion before sleep. Avoid sexual thoughts before bed.
- Purity of Body and Mind: As the saying goes, “As is the food, so is the mind.” Pure food leads to pure mind, helping control nightfall.
- Avoid Over-Cycling or Lying Idly: Stay active and energetic.
- Role of Teachers and Parents: They must instill good values and guide students toward discipline. Wrong influences can push students toward bad habits and nightfall.
Divine Support Therapy:
Faith in God and regular worship provide immense strength. Through Pranayama, physical and mental powers can be controlled. Divine prayer increases life-force and mental strength. With discipline, one can overcome lust and related disorders.
