Partially updated 6/6/16
(PART II of the "Three Pillars for Good Health")
Suchiness or cleanliness is an important and broad subject for anyone wishing to elevate themselves spiritually and keep good health. Internal purity has already been touched upon in previous posts and housekeeping help is upcoming, so the focus here is bodily cleanliness. Many things are found in more detail from the deity worship handbook "Arcana Padati" and also an Ayurvedic text.
FOR WAKING UP
Upon rising, rinsing one's eyes, nose, mouth and face is a refreshing way to wake up .. Pat dry.
CLEANLINESS WHILE PASSING
Maintaining a squatting position while passing stool and urine is now considered by westerners to be very beneficial. Unfortunately, we are still stuck with western toilets. Asian or Indian toilets are specifically designed for squatting position. In the west, the next best thing now available is the "Squatty Potty". True story.
For cleaning up afterwards, a loda is needed. Far superior to the nasty habit of using toilet paper, a lota can be any container that can hold plenty of water to repeatedly pour down one's backside to wash the rear and also poured front side for the front end. Most easy and effective to use is any large, rinsed out dish soap bottle because- besides being squeezable- they have lids that, when the bottle is filled with water, allows the water to be squirted out to make cleaning easier, especially squirting from front to back.
Regardless of the type of lota used, the most important thing is using sufficient water. That's another advantage of Indian bathrooms. Even in the public restrooms there is running water near each individual toilet. Without having to get up from the toilet, therefore, one can fill their lota again and again. In some European private bathrooms there is also a similar facility, but with an attached tube and rinsing and squirting mechanism at the end called a "bidet". Here's an example: Stainless Steel Hose Bidet. Again, the squirt bottle does the same job and much more cheaply. Whenever needed, it can be easily replaced, too.
Repeated rinsing with sufficient water is key. That way one's hand is not involved at all. The only time one would use their hand is in the shower afterward, but even then there is no waste to handle if one has rinsed properly and sufficiently. It is simply used for soaping up one's bottom area. And in that case, the left hand only is used and then washed.
Also it is entirely possible to pass number two first thing in the early morning. At that time, Vata increases and moves the bodily airs more easily. By getting this business done first thing, there is not the problem of having to use a public rest room while away from home. It is a matter of training the body, of regulating one's eating and sleeping for convenience and health reasons. Then one is able to pass, rinse well and take a soapy shower before leaving their house each day.
After passing only urine at different times of the day, the essentials are to rinse with cold water using a lota before flushing. Then at the bathroom sink wash hands with soap and water. Next, rinse the mouth at least three times. Finally, from having squatted on a toilet, the feet should also be rinsed well before leaving the bathroom. A towel can be put on the floor to dry them afterwards. The reason for washing the feet is to avoid cross contamination. More information may be found here: "Think Before You Flush or Brush". The "aerosol effect" is also a reason to shut the toilet lid while flushing, and to rinse your bathroom sink handles whenever washing your hands. and also to not store personal items in a bathroom which has a toilet, what to speak of bringing in there sacred items or things that must be kept clean such as clothing meant to be worn for cooking or puja. Ideally (besides getting a toilet out of one's living space altogether and putting it outside the house), the toilet should be in a small room with a door, separated from the bath room.
MORE CONSIDERATIONS:
Not touching anything or speaking while passing.
Washing one's bottom with the left hand and soap three times after passing number two. Next, washing the left hand ten times with soap afterwards and finish up washing both hands three times.
Keeping the toilet lid and bathroom door shut and a bathroom window open or cracked in between uses. The sunnier the better.
TAKING A BATH
Srila Prabhupada taught that the early morning brahma-muhurta bath during the time 1 1/2 hours before sunrise is most essential for everyone. It is the most auspicious time to bathe, because it gives tremendous spiritual benefits as well as bodily health and luster.
COOL WATER BATHS
Baths are recommended to be taken with cool water. Cool water closes one's pores so that the impurities collected on the skin's surface while sleeping do not reenter the body. Plus, hot water can be very drying for the skin. A sponge bath can be done when one's the body is a little sick and congested. Otherwise, year round, including the coldest months, a cold bath is not difficult once you get used to it, and there are so many noticeable benefits that it's even addictive! Skin will not dry out and crack and the body actually feels warmer throughout the day. Here's some tips for bathing in the cold season for beginners not used to cold showers:
Ladies are not required to wash their hair every day, so first the hair should be loosened and combed before bathing. If very long, put it in a top knot so not to be susceptible to chilling due to wet hair afterwards.
So after having passed and thoroughly rinsed with a lota at the toilet, the lower part of the body from waist down to the feet can be washed at the bath tub spigot. Washing one's face and rinsing the mouth once again can follow.
Filling a large bucket with water, as cool as possible, is the next step. While squatting down, the entire upper torso can be washed with mugfuls of cool water, while soaping up in between. Squatting is key for beginners. It helps keep one's body heat around the chest area, therefore making cold water bathing much easier. As you gain experience, its becomes easier to stand up and rinse with a bucketful of water and then squat to refill and keep warm in the meantime. Repeat as necessary until one feels really clean. Don't forget the remaining gate of the body- the ears- should be washed.The final rinse can be as cold as possible. You will feel the blood rush to your skin, providing nourishment and warmth.
After a cool bath, you'll notice that the air temperature is warmer and therefore chills are unlikely, but one should still dry off well. Drying near a small heater in the bathroom is recommended at first if one is more vata or susceptible to cold. Rubbing the body with the towel is further invigorating.
A bath may also be done after an oil massage followed by a sunbath before noon. Mustard oil and sitting in sunshine (morning sun is energizing) is especially warming before bathing in the cold season. Also housework and hand washing clothes or other exercise is helpful beforehand. It's a good time to get the bathroom clean also or other muchi job requiring bathing afterwards. Begin by massaging with a suitable oil (cooling in summer such as sesame oil, and warming in winter such as mustard). Next, the body should be doused with cold water while massaging vigorously with a coarse washcloth or loofah to help scrape off the oil. Pouring on lots more water, the massage should be repeated, rubbing rapidly. This can be repeated until one feels fresh. Then towel dry vigorously.
Ideally, or as done in other countries, a river bath where there is fine sand available to absorb the oil and impurities on the skin would be done to help remove the oil (and avoid plugging modern plumbing with oil buildup). We can compensate by (using soap) towel drying to remove any remaining oil during the washing process, but a little oil remaining will surely be absorbed naturally. Arcana padati also advises wearing a gumshaw while bathing, out of respect for the various deities that witness all our activities.
BATHING BEFORE MEALS
After a large meal, Ayurveda says one should not bathe again for about 3-4 hours (or depending on how large the last meal was) so as not to cool down the digestive process. But what if one has to cook or go on the altar? All that is needed is to change into clean clothing. Bathing is not necessary unless one passes number two. In that case, one must become more regulated so this only happens first thing in the morning as mentioned above.
MORE CONSIDERATIONS:
Calling the sacred rivers to your bathing spot via mantra.
Bathing at least once a day for brahmacari, twice for householder, thrice for renunciates is suggested.
All nine gates of the body should end up cleansed- eyes, nose, mouth, anus, genitals, and ears.
Putting on fresh clothing if one is next going to do puja or other deity worship.
Do not bathe after eating, but taking a bath right before eating can increase the appetite.
Other bathing times and details are mentioned in the Deity Worship Handbook, "Arcana Paddhati" which must be read by all serious sadhakas.
CLEANLINESS WHILE EATING
Washing one's hands and mouth and feet should be done before eating. The reason the mouth is washed is because bacteria accumulates inside. Rinse so not to swallow it when eating.
Ideally, one's mouth should not contact one's fingers or cup while eating. This is accomplished partly by tearing off pieces of chapati rather than biting it directly and leaving saliva on uneaten portions. Also with chapati pieces one can scoop up rice and dahl and deftly pop it in the mouth with little direct contact with the fingers.This is not difficult with a little practice. More difficult may be pouring a drink into one's mouth without any contact. That takes a lot more practice.
At home, eating at one designated place only is desirable. That way there is less risk of inviting unwanted pests as well as cleaning disasters by eating anywhere and everywhere around the house.
Hands, mouth, dishes and eating place should be cleansed immediately after eating, preferably outside of the kitchen or in a separate (“muchi”) sink. Kitchen clean up must be done immediately because not only does unwashed dishes and pots breed bacteria, but it eventually creates an odor that will attract unwanted pests in no time.
HOW TO DRINK "BRAHMANA STYLE"
Drinking “brahmana style” means without oral contact. A good way to practice this is by holding the top of the bottle or cup with one's right fist while leaning one's head back. The fist acts as a cushion and physical barrier when pointing the container toward the mouth.
MORE CONSIDERATIONS
Eating and drinking with the right hand only.
Not placing prasadam on one's lap
Not reading or doing anything else while eating
Not eating in the kitchen (if possible) where Krsna's food is prepared.
Never eating out of Krishna's cooking pots.
Using separate serving pots and utensils
Not bringing leftovers into the kitchen or storing them in a bhoga refrigerator. It is better to distribute prasadam. This is the ideal.
MORE SUCHI RULES AND HELPS
Some of these things one may have known since grade school, but a review may be helpful since cleanliness and frequent hand washing is the #1 way to prevent spreading germs.
Eyes, nose or mouth should not be touched with unclean hands.
Brushing teeth, cutting nails, shaving and passing should be done before bathing. .
It's a good idea to use one's finger to get toothpaste onto a toothbrush, to avoid touching the toothbrush to the toothpaste tube.
Nails should be kept trimmed and clean.
Coughing or sneezing toward one's upper arm and shoulder or downward towards one's feet keeps germs from spreading. If you must sneeze in your hands, be sure to wash them immediately afterwards.
One's right hand should be used to touch sacred items, touch prasadam, or anything clean. It's called the "suchi hand".
The left hand is meant for washing the back side after passing stool. It's the "muchi hand".
Hands should be washed after touching anything unclean- hair, animals, a garbage can, feet, etc. especially before touching sacred items like japa beads.
One's feet should not touch or step over another person, bhoga, or sacred item. Shoes should be kept outside or on a shoerack, never worn indoors (unless they are "house shoes")
A FEW QUOTES from Srila Prabhupada
"The proper upkeep of health is cleanliness. If you keep yourself clean, then your, I mean to say, problem of health is solved. Simply cleanliness." -SB 5.5.1-2 lecture, 9/13/69, London
“If you are not clean, Krishna will remain a thousand miles away.”
"If the cleanliness is neglected, it is a sure sign of laziness. If one is lazy, one doesn't keep his environment clean. 'First let me sleep.' This is the mode of ignorance, tama-guna. We have to overcome raja-guna and tama-guna."
“A Vaisnava leaves a place cleaner than he found it.”
"Cleanliness is essential for making advancement in spiritual life. There are two kinds of cleanliness: external and internal. External cleanliness means taking a bath, but for internal cleanliness one has to think of Krishna always and chant Hare Krishna, Hare Krishna, Krishna Krishna, Hare Hare/ Hare Räma, Hare Räma, Räma Räma, Hare Hare. This process cleans the accumulated dust of past karma from the mind." -Bg 13.8-12p
“By bathing regularly we stay invigorated and healthy and better able to chant Hare Krishna.”
"Cleanliness is Godliness."
(PART II of the "Three Pillars for Good Health")
Suchiness or cleanliness is an important and broad subject for anyone wishing to elevate themselves spiritually and keep good health. Internal purity has already been touched upon in previous posts and housekeeping help is upcoming, so the focus here is bodily cleanliness. Many things are found in more detail from the deity worship handbook "Arcana Padati" and also an Ayurvedic text.
FOR WAKING UP
Upon rising, rinsing one's eyes, nose, mouth and face is a refreshing way to wake up .. Pat dry.
CLEANLINESS WHILE PASSING
Maintaining a squatting position while passing stool and urine is now considered by westerners to be very beneficial. Unfortunately, we are still stuck with western toilets. Asian or Indian toilets are specifically designed for squatting position. In the west, the next best thing now available is the "Squatty Potty". True story.
For cleaning up afterwards, a loda is needed. Far superior to the nasty habit of using toilet paper, a lota can be any container that can hold plenty of water to repeatedly pour down one's backside to wash the rear and also poured front side for the front end. Most easy and effective to use is any large, rinsed out dish soap bottle because- besides being squeezable- they have lids that, when the bottle is filled with water, allows the water to be squirted out to make cleaning easier, especially squirting from front to back.
Regardless of the type of lota used, the most important thing is using sufficient water. That's another advantage of Indian bathrooms. Even in the public restrooms there is running water near each individual toilet. Without having to get up from the toilet, therefore, one can fill their lota again and again. In some European private bathrooms there is also a similar facility, but with an attached tube and rinsing and squirting mechanism at the end called a "bidet". Here's an example: Stainless Steel Hose Bidet. Again, the squirt bottle does the same job and much more cheaply. Whenever needed, it can be easily replaced, too.
Repeated rinsing with sufficient water is key. That way one's hand is not involved at all. The only time one would use their hand is in the shower afterward, but even then there is no waste to handle if one has rinsed properly and sufficiently. It is simply used for soaping up one's bottom area. And in that case, the left hand only is used and then washed.
Also it is entirely possible to pass number two first thing in the early morning. At that time, Vata increases and moves the bodily airs more easily. By getting this business done first thing, there is not the problem of having to use a public rest room while away from home. It is a matter of training the body, of regulating one's eating and sleeping for convenience and health reasons. Then one is able to pass, rinse well and take a soapy shower before leaving their house each day.
After passing only urine at different times of the day, the essentials are to rinse with cold water using a lota before flushing. Then at the bathroom sink wash hands with soap and water. Next, rinse the mouth at least three times. Finally, from having squatted on a toilet, the feet should also be rinsed well before leaving the bathroom. A towel can be put on the floor to dry them afterwards. The reason for washing the feet is to avoid cross contamination. More information may be found here: "Think Before You Flush or Brush". The "aerosol effect" is also a reason to shut the toilet lid while flushing, and to rinse your bathroom sink handles whenever washing your hands. and also to not store personal items in a bathroom which has a toilet, what to speak of bringing in there sacred items or things that must be kept clean such as clothing meant to be worn for cooking or puja. Ideally (besides getting a toilet out of one's living space altogether and putting it outside the house), the toilet should be in a small room with a door, separated from the bath room.
MORE CONSIDERATIONS:
Not touching anything or speaking while passing.
Washing one's bottom with the left hand and soap three times after passing number two. Next, washing the left hand ten times with soap afterwards and finish up washing both hands three times.
Keeping the toilet lid and bathroom door shut and a bathroom window open or cracked in between uses. The sunnier the better.
TAKING A BATH
Srila Prabhupada taught that the early morning brahma-muhurta bath during the time 1 1/2 hours before sunrise is most essential for everyone. It is the most auspicious time to bathe, because it gives tremendous spiritual benefits as well as bodily health and luster.
COOL WATER BATHS
Baths are recommended to be taken with cool water. Cool water closes one's pores so that the impurities collected on the skin's surface while sleeping do not reenter the body. Plus, hot water can be very drying for the skin. A sponge bath can be done when one's the body is a little sick and congested. Otherwise, year round, including the coldest months, a cold bath is not difficult once you get used to it, and there are so many noticeable benefits that it's even addictive! Skin will not dry out and crack and the body actually feels warmer throughout the day. Here's some tips for bathing in the cold season for beginners not used to cold showers:
Ladies are not required to wash their hair every day, so first the hair should be loosened and combed before bathing. If very long, put it in a top knot so not to be susceptible to chilling due to wet hair afterwards.
So after having passed and thoroughly rinsed with a lota at the toilet, the lower part of the body from waist down to the feet can be washed at the bath tub spigot. Washing one's face and rinsing the mouth once again can follow.
Filling a large bucket with water, as cool as possible, is the next step. While squatting down, the entire upper torso can be washed with mugfuls of cool water, while soaping up in between. Squatting is key for beginners. It helps keep one's body heat around the chest area, therefore making cold water bathing much easier. As you gain experience, its becomes easier to stand up and rinse with a bucketful of water and then squat to refill and keep warm in the meantime. Repeat as necessary until one feels really clean. Don't forget the remaining gate of the body- the ears- should be washed.The final rinse can be as cold as possible. You will feel the blood rush to your skin, providing nourishment and warmth.
After a cool bath, you'll notice that the air temperature is warmer and therefore chills are unlikely, but one should still dry off well. Drying near a small heater in the bathroom is recommended at first if one is more vata or susceptible to cold. Rubbing the body with the towel is further invigorating.
A bath may also be done after an oil massage followed by a sunbath before noon. Mustard oil and sitting in sunshine (morning sun is energizing) is especially warming before bathing in the cold season. Also housework and hand washing clothes or other exercise is helpful beforehand. It's a good time to get the bathroom clean also or other muchi job requiring bathing afterwards. Begin by massaging with a suitable oil (cooling in summer such as sesame oil, and warming in winter such as mustard). Next, the body should be doused with cold water while massaging vigorously with a coarse washcloth or loofah to help scrape off the oil. Pouring on lots more water, the massage should be repeated, rubbing rapidly. This can be repeated until one feels fresh. Then towel dry vigorously.
Ideally, or as done in other countries, a river bath where there is fine sand available to absorb the oil and impurities on the skin would be done to help remove the oil (and avoid plugging modern plumbing with oil buildup). We can compensate by (using soap) towel drying to remove any remaining oil during the washing process, but a little oil remaining will surely be absorbed naturally. Arcana padati also advises wearing a gumshaw while bathing, out of respect for the various deities that witness all our activities.
BATHING BEFORE MEALS
After a large meal, Ayurveda says one should not bathe again for about 3-4 hours (or depending on how large the last meal was) so as not to cool down the digestive process. But what if one has to cook or go on the altar? All that is needed is to change into clean clothing. Bathing is not necessary unless one passes number two. In that case, one must become more regulated so this only happens first thing in the morning as mentioned above.
MORE CONSIDERATIONS:
Calling the sacred rivers to your bathing spot via mantra.
Bathing at least once a day for brahmacari, twice for householder, thrice for renunciates is suggested.
All nine gates of the body should end up cleansed- eyes, nose, mouth, anus, genitals, and ears.
Putting on fresh clothing if one is next going to do puja or other deity worship.
Do not bathe after eating, but taking a bath right before eating can increase the appetite.
Other bathing times and details are mentioned in the Deity Worship Handbook, "Arcana Paddhati" which must be read by all serious sadhakas.
CLEANLINESS WHILE EATING
Washing one's hands and mouth and feet should be done before eating. The reason the mouth is washed is because bacteria accumulates inside. Rinse so not to swallow it when eating.
Ideally, one's mouth should not contact one's fingers or cup while eating. This is accomplished partly by tearing off pieces of chapati rather than biting it directly and leaving saliva on uneaten portions. Also with chapati pieces one can scoop up rice and dahl and deftly pop it in the mouth with little direct contact with the fingers.This is not difficult with a little practice. More difficult may be pouring a drink into one's mouth without any contact. That takes a lot more practice.
At home, eating at one designated place only is desirable. That way there is less risk of inviting unwanted pests as well as cleaning disasters by eating anywhere and everywhere around the house.
Hands, mouth, dishes and eating place should be cleansed immediately after eating, preferably outside of the kitchen or in a separate (“muchi”) sink. Kitchen clean up must be done immediately because not only does unwashed dishes and pots breed bacteria, but it eventually creates an odor that will attract unwanted pests in no time.
HOW TO DRINK "BRAHMANA STYLE"
Drinking “brahmana style” means without oral contact. A good way to practice this is by holding the top of the bottle or cup with one's right fist while leaning one's head back. The fist acts as a cushion and physical barrier when pointing the container toward the mouth.
MORE CONSIDERATIONS
Eating and drinking with the right hand only.
Not placing prasadam on one's lap
Not reading or doing anything else while eating
Not eating in the kitchen (if possible) where Krsna's food is prepared.
Never eating out of Krishna's cooking pots.
Using separate serving pots and utensils
Not bringing leftovers into the kitchen or storing them in a bhoga refrigerator. It is better to distribute prasadam. This is the ideal.
MORE SUCHI RULES AND HELPS
Some of these things one may have known since grade school, but a review may be helpful since cleanliness and frequent hand washing is the #1 way to prevent spreading germs.
Eyes, nose or mouth should not be touched with unclean hands.
Brushing teeth, cutting nails, shaving and passing should be done before bathing. .
It's a good idea to use one's finger to get toothpaste onto a toothbrush, to avoid touching the toothbrush to the toothpaste tube.
Nails should be kept trimmed and clean.
Coughing or sneezing toward one's upper arm and shoulder or downward towards one's feet keeps germs from spreading. If you must sneeze in your hands, be sure to wash them immediately afterwards.
One's right hand should be used to touch sacred items, touch prasadam, or anything clean. It's called the "suchi hand".
The left hand is meant for washing the back side after passing stool. It's the "muchi hand".
Hands should be washed after touching anything unclean- hair, animals, a garbage can, feet, etc. especially before touching sacred items like japa beads.
One's feet should not touch or step over another person, bhoga, or sacred item. Shoes should be kept outside or on a shoerack, never worn indoors (unless they are "house shoes")
A FEW QUOTES from Srila Prabhupada
"The proper upkeep of health is cleanliness. If you keep yourself clean, then your, I mean to say, problem of health is solved. Simply cleanliness." -SB 5.5.1-2 lecture, 9/13/69, London
“If you are not clean, Krishna will remain a thousand miles away.”
"If the cleanliness is neglected, it is a sure sign of laziness. If one is lazy, one doesn't keep his environment clean. 'First let me sleep.' This is the mode of ignorance, tama-guna. We have to overcome raja-guna and tama-guna."
“A Vaisnava leaves a place cleaner than he found it.”
"Cleanliness is essential for making advancement in spiritual life. There are two kinds of cleanliness: external and internal. External cleanliness means taking a bath, but for internal cleanliness one has to think of Krishna always and chant Hare Krishna, Hare Krishna, Krishna Krishna, Hare Hare/ Hare Räma, Hare Räma, Räma Räma, Hare Hare. This process cleans the accumulated dust of past karma from the mind." -Bg 13.8-12p
“By bathing regularly we stay invigorated and healthy and better able to chant Hare Krishna.”
"Cleanliness is Godliness."