297 Ashtanga Yoga Niyamas Shoucha Part VI

Synopsis of lesson 297:
Bahya Shaucha: Patanjali mentions Swaangjugupsa and Paranga Jugupsaa.
- Jugupsa means disgust.
Bahya Jugupsa is external disgust. Disgust for others bodies. Having cleaned oneself one may want to keep a distance from others bodies to maintain one’s hygiene. This is Paranga Jugupsa.
Swang Jugupsa is to be disgusted with one’s own body. Now, this is not about hygiene. We don’t need Patanjali to tell us about hygiene. Everyone understands about hygiene and can advocate it.
When someone wants to maintain a social distance, that one may not like to associate with those who are not hygienic. Or sometimes one is unwell and wishes to keep a distance from others. One does not want Janasamparka.
Swang Jugupsa is about recognising how the body is inherently a lump a flesh and bones. This recognition is not at all bewitching. There is a constant generation of dirt in the body. It catches dirt and creates dirt. The human body is naturally obnoxious. We constantly clean and use perfumes etc to keep it smelling good. Yet it needs to be cleaned constantly. It has been generated from the womb, which is also full of dirty matter. Source being semen and ovum, it is also dirt. So, little wonder as to why it is disgusting for the thinker. Hence, Swang Jugupsa. Therefore one does not want others also to come closer physically.
This is much beyond hygiene and cleanliness.
Aahara Shuddhi Shaucham. The food consumed by all the senses and mind.
Vihaara Shuddhi Shaucham. The places we and our mind visit and reside in.
Vichaara Shuddhi Shaucham. The cleansing of all thoughts. The mind which brings us to behave with others as well as ourselves, and in isolation. This is Antara shaucham.
Sheelam - behavioural cleanliness. ‘Sheela purusa’. Appearancive behaviour.
Yaugika Shaucha and Sanskrutika Shaucha. The Yogic and cultural cleanliness.
Difference and non- difference. Both have consideration of Aarogya or good health and wellness.
The means to Shaucha which are used by yoga practitioners are more than the ones used by non- yoga practitioners.
Oriental and western process of cleanliness are different traditionally. West uses paper tissue.
Ancestors in Bharata Varsha taught cleaning the anal mouth with soap and water. Urinary organ to also be washed after passing urine.
Modern culture has become animalistic and has no discipline.
Bed tea and coffee is not a hygiene concept at all.
Material world and its pleasures, consumerism is encouraged and valued.
Philosophical values are no longer appreciated.
Food to be consecrated to the vaishnavanara agni. Chanting of shlokas - Sahana Varati, Sahana bhunaktu….
Bathing not just for hygiene but a sanctifying process.
Shaucham is for Saumanasya, Prasannataa, Paavitrya, Mangalya, Shanti, Samaadhaan, Udattataa. Noble qualities surface by methods of Shaucha.
Peace, tranquility, sublimity should be the result of Shaucham.
This opens the portal of Antara Shaucham.

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नमस्कार सर 🙏