One of the techniques used to control sexual
energies in men is wearing the traditional
Vedic/yogic underwear known as lungota (langota,
langot, lungoti, etc. - many cultures have a similar
style of traditional underwear such as the Japanese
fundoshi).
The lungota is a simple loincloth that brings the
sexual organ of men close to their bodies. It
keeps the sexual organ tightly controlled and
prevents unwanted erections.
Also, it is a scientific fact that heat decreases
the production of sperm in men. That is why
when the weather is hot, the testicles lower to
bring the testes away from the heat of the body, so
they can maintain their required temperature.
This is reversed when the weather is cold. The
lungota keeps the testes always close to the body
heat. This decreases the production of sperm.
These effects lower the undesirable sexual energies
and bring greater control of them to the person.
The energy saved by not producing excess erections
and sperm is channeled towards a person's vigor.
This leads to higher thoughts and
energy, a clearer mind and greater effectiveness, etc.
The lungota does not destroy sexual energy, but channels
the excess energy to higher chakras. It even helps
in directing sexual energies created by dancing the Tandava to the
higher chakras, in a greater degree!
Wearing the lungota also gives other benefits
such as excellent support for the groin and pelvis
during yoga (innercise) and exercise.
This
underwear is especially recommended for sannyasins (renunciates) and
those who want to have greater control over their
sexual desires and have greater vigor. This
underwear does not interfere with sexual function, so it
is also recommended for married men. The lungota should not be
worn by males below the age of 12.
If women would like to wear the lungota, although
they cannot benefit from the sexual
control given by it, they can benefit from
its support of the body and other advantages.
It is recommended that sannyasins wash their lungotas themselves. It can be easily
washed with a little detergent, and can be hung to dry from a
hanger. Dry it in a private place out of public sight.
Tying and Wearing the Lungota
This video demonstrates how to tie and wear the
lungota:
Comfort in wearing the lungota is enhanced if you
apply coconut oil over the area with hair
which will be covered by the lungota. You also can
use coconut oil on hair in other parts of the body,
especially under the armpits, etc.
Ordering a Lungota
The handmade lungota exhibited in the above video,
as well as the design pattern (if you would like to
sew your own),
can be purchased
here.
Note: We came across some more
information about the lungota on
this site. Some of it seemed useful, so we
have excerpted portions of it below. We cannot
verify the validity of everything stated here; however,
it still seems helpful enough to include:
What is a Langota?
The Langota is a very traditional
piece of Vedic clothing, worn like underwear. In India,
people have been wearing this since the Vedic period
(more than 5,000 years ago). All the yogis and
Rishis were wearing the Langota during their
yoga practice, meditation and austerity.
...
Benefits:
The pelvis area serves as the junction
between the top and bottom sections of the body. When
the Langota is worn and tied tightly it supports the
nervous system, the spine and all the internal organs.
In this way it prevents bone and organ displacement and
strain on the nerves during physical exercise or yoga
practice.
It enables the energy to flow
correctly and in the right proportions throughout the
body. The prana is concentrated so as to flow from the
base chakra up to the crown chakra, due to the Langota’s
tightness, instead of being dispersed through the body.
Traditionally worn to help awaken Kundalini power.
The langota helps to stop displacement
of the intestines during yoga practice and heavy manual
work. It helps to prevent hernias and hydrocele in men.
Provides energy, strength and stamina
during exercise or yoga practise. The difference can
easily be felt when practising yoga for a few weeks
without wearing the Langota and then a few weeks with.
If it is worn everyday for a long
period of time the temperature of the genital area is
raised by one degree, in this condition sperm cannot
survive easily so sperm count will decrease. However if
the person wants to have a child the Langota should not
be worn for the whole life. In practical life, in India,
I have seen many people who have been wearing Langota
for their entire life but have many children. If only
worn during exercise or for up nine hours a day, it will
not have any adverse effect on sperm count. In the case
of existing low sperm count it should not be worn for
more than three hours a day.
Contraindications:
1. In the case of aggravated eczema around the waist
or in the groin the Langota should not be worn.
2. In the case of hydrocele, fluid retention in the
testicles, where the size of the testicles becomes
uneven, the Langota can be worn but should be tied to
the comfort of the individual and both testicles must be
level and balanced.
3. In the case syphilis and gonorrhea or other STDs
it should not be worn.
4. In the case of hydrocele surgery, pelvic injury or
surgery and fractured femur it should not be worn.
5. In the case of intestinal hernia it should be worn
carefully.