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trueayurveda.wordpress.com /2017/09/05/bathing-snanam/

9/5/2017

I have decided to revamp the way I am writing this blog since all of Vedic knowledge is actually not a
memorization of superficial informations without a container but rather a experiential science based in
awareness from a platform of knowledge of the workings of nature/god. I get all sorts of emails and questions
that are showing the lack of a experience of knowledge but rather a request and want for a check list of things to
do and not do without any comprehension that there is something else than this. Everything is changing with
time. Mahakala. Everything therefore needs to be seen thru wisdom in this lens.

Food changes during the seasons but the same food substance can have different gunas and rasas depending
upon where it was grown, when it was harvested, and a whole slew of other things. Nothing is a simple recipe to
follow. Everything is individual to the person, location, time, as well as the substance or action.

A regimen or conduct suitable is based on location (desha-satmya), time (kala-satmya), and habit or lifestyle
(oka-satmya). When one takes food for example, it is according to aahara vidhi visheshayatana.. the food
having six rasaja, taken at proper time, proper place, in proper quantity, and that which is wholesome in nature.
All based in much deeper levels of knowledge and categorizations of what these are.

So here we go..

Snanam the basics

Bathing every day at least once is a necessary discipline of Vedic way of life. Actually there are several baths
taken in one day, not just one. It is used to clean the body and open the srotas. Bathing in the morning removes
all the drowsiness, laziness, and refreshes the body. It soothes the mind and hence helps in concentration,
meditation, studies, etc. Water has been referred as amrat or nectar and jivana, life giving, in the Vedas.

Apa Id Va U Bheshajirapo Amivacatanih | Apo Vishvasya Bheshajistastva Muncantu Kshetriyat ||

Water is a medicine in itself; it is an enemy of diseases. It has a potential to kill diseases used properly and just
as everything in this world, as everything else if used incorrectly it creates disease.

Pavitram Vrashyamayushyam Shramaswedamalapaham | Sharira Balasandhanam Snanamojaskaram

Param || -Charaka Samhita

The body is purified by bathing. Bathing enhances life span, eliminates fatigue, sweat and dirt. It augments the
liveliness and force of the body.

Snanam Dahashramaharam Swedakandutrashapaham | Hrdyam Malaharam Shreshtham

Sarvendriyavishodhanem || Tandrapapopashamanam Tushtidam Punsatva Vardhanam |
Raktaprasadanam Capi Snanamagneshca Dipanam ||
Sushruta Samhita

Bathing eliminates heat, fatigue, sweat, itching, and thirst. It cleans the sweat on the body, strengthens the heart
and naturally cleans the sense organs. It removes the drowsiness and helps in re-charging the blood circulation
and energy. Bathing is purifying, libidinal stimulant, increases longevity, removes fatigue, sweating and dirt which
is why it is done after exercise. It also brings about strength in the body and is an aid par excellence for the
enhancement of Ojas. It improves the appetite, removes itching, drowsiness, thirst, burning sensation, and sin.
Snana is good for heart, purifying all organs, gives satisfaction, enhances virility, improves appetite, clears the
blood.

Bathing should be done in early morning as it relieves all sins (whether or not you have beliefs in sin or not),
destroys the Doshas of bad dreams, and is auspicious. It removes all morbid matters of the body, improves
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lustre, helps in beautification of body, brings pleasing or happiness to the body, increases the digestive fire.
Rubbing the entire body with cloth soon after bathing improves lustre, removes itching and disorders of skin. Hot
water should not be used for bathing above the collarbone as the heat has negative effects on the senses and on
delicate skin. In general, bathing with comfortably cold water is best for healthy effects. It allays the excess heat
of the body and plethora of other problems. Bathing should be started from the head. A bucket bath is the
healthiest and a shower the least as it aggravates vata. In a bucket bath, at least three to four bathing cups full of
water should be poured on the head in its straight and bent positions. Doing so helps release the heat of the
head and the whole body. The other parts of the body should then be bathed in succession from top to bottom.

There are actually 7 different types of bathing explained. Mantra, Bhouma, Agneya, Vayavya, Divya, Varuna and
Manasa. Bathing by mantra is called as Mantra Snana. Bhouma Snana is by smearing the whole body with the
mud. Application of bhasma (Ash), burnt powder of cow dung or other ash is Agneya Snana. The most
auspicious is called as Vayavya Snana which is with dust that arises while cow is walking. Divya Snana is
bathing in sun rays or the glare of the sun while it is raining. Bathing in river water is called Varuna Snana and is
considered very auspicious. Thinking about the sacred soul is called Manasa Snana.

Place of bathing is given. Snana daily in a river, sacred places, ponds, etc

Ayurveda would have you use a paste of besan (chick pea flour), turmeric and some mustard oil, or just a paste
of mung dahl flour or other suitable natural herbs rather than the soaps. In the modern world we use soap. Soap
takes the natural oils out of the skin. This makes very little sense when really thought about. Much like
shampooing our hair strips the natural oil out of the hair then we try to replace it with a conditioner.

The body should be clothed only after it has dried completely. Absolutely do not bathe after having food or when
having fever, or weakness due to dysentery, etc. Proper sponge bath could be taken while suffering from minor
cold and/or some disease of ears or eyes. Also do not bath the head in the evening or go to sleep with a wet
head. There are more contraindications of bathing as well. Everything is based in an individuals situation based
off the original comprehension of the knowledge.

Bathing with cold water relieves bleeding diseases where hot water increases strength and decreases Vata and
Kapha Doshas. Hot water to the body below the clavicle level increases strength whereas to head decreases the
strength of hairs and eyes and senses. Hot water bath to head causes harmful effect to eyes and senses all the
time. Bathing is contraindicated in diseases of facial palsy, diarrhea, distension of abdomen, colds and rhinitis,
indigestion and when there is aama, immediately after taking food, when there is fever, earache, Vata
aggravation, anorexia or tastelessness or lack of appetite, eye oral and ear diseases.

Bathing in very cold water and in cold seasons aggravates Vata and Kapha while bathing in very cold water in
hot season causes aggravation of Rakta and Pitta. A person should not bath when he had enough food,
diseased, or at midnight, while clothed (but should be lightly clothed) and while in unknown ponds (Not like this
is even a thought in the modern world). One should not see his own image in water (meaning the water should
be flowing).

So here is the challenge, for two months take only this bucket bath. Youll save $$$ on your water bill and be
amazed at how much water we waste.

And here is how.

Get a bucket, a five gallon one will work. Get a two or three cup measuring cup preferably plastic as well. A large
plastic cup can work just as well. You can get a very small stool or something maybe plastic that is only a foot off
the floor that you can sit on while bathing. Put both of them in your tub or shower.

Before eating in the AM, fill the bucket with cool water that is slightly uncomfortable, specially in the
season it is that I am writing this post in. Pitta is aggravated.
Use the cup to pour (slowly) a couple fills of water over your head slowly first
at this point use your shampoo and soap on your head and body, soap up or use chana/besan powder as
explained above as a scrub your whole body. You can use the flour in your hair as well, just be sure you
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 have made a thin paste of it by adding water to it before hand
Continue to use the cup and slowly pour the water while rinsing the body
After you are done, use a rough towel to dry off, not a soft fluffy one

Notice the difference in this routine and its effects afterwards and in the following duration you try this.

Comparatively, a shower is aggravating. Most people do not feel, bottom line, we are mainly numb. Using hot
water on the head or above the collarbones will deaden the senses as well as create diseases of the senses and
head.

Notice what you can and comment back here after observing a week or so of this.

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