Indian monk puts his incredibly long life down to NOT having sex

THIS Indian monk who is 120-years-old says NOT having sex has kept him alive so long.

Swami Sivananda, who was born on August 8, 1896 according to his passport, has abstained from sexual intercourse his whole life.

The Hindu is now applying to the Guinness Book of World Records to verify his claim to be the oldest person in the world after Japan's Jiroemon Kimura died in June 2013 aged 116 years and 54 days.

Despite his astonishing age, Sivananda lives with no help or medical aid, performing hours of yoga every day and eating food with no spices.

He said: "Discipline is the most important thing is life. One can conquer anything with discipline in food habits, exercise, and sexual desires."

"Control over your needs is the biggest gain in life.

"I have lived for so long because material things don't make me happy."

Queen Victoria was the reigning monarch when he was born, but the monk insists his personality has never changed.

He said: "Because I was born in poverty, I have never had great demands from life.

"Nowadays, people are unhappy, unhealthy and have become dishonest, which pains me a lot.

"I just want people to be happy, healthy and peaceful."

Standing 1.58 meters tall, the Hindu monk has never slept in a bed or used a pillow in his life.

He sleeps on the floor with a jute mat beneath him and uses a stone brick as a pillow.

People from all over the country flock to see him reportedly in search of peace and the secret to his longevity.

He said: "My followers persuaded me to come forward to claim the record.

"Previously I was worried about inviting publicity into my life as these things don't serve any purpose in life."

"Though my followers would be happy to see my name in the Guinness Book of World Records.";

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