Shaucha

{{transliteration|sa|Shaucha}} ({{Langx|sa|शौच|translit=Śauca}}) literally means purity, cleanliness, and clearness.{{cite web|url=http://spokensanskrit.de/index.php?script=HK&beginning=0+&tinput=saucha+&trans=Translate&direction=AU|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141227022439/http://spokensanskrit.de/index.php?script=HK&beginning=0+&tinput=saucha+&trans=Translate&direction=AU|archive-date=2014-12-27|title=zauca|website=Sanskrit English Dictionary|location=Koeln University, Germany}} It refers to purity of mind, speech and body.{{Cite book |last1=Sharma |last2=Sharma |title=Indian Political Thought |year=2001 |publisher=Atlantic Publishers |isbn=978-8171566785 |page=19}} {{transliteration|sa|Shaucha}} is one of the {{transliteration|sa|niyamas}} of Yoga.{{Cite book |author=Patañjali |author-link=Patañjali |translator-last=Woods |translator-first=James Haughton |year=1914 |title=The yoga-system of Patañjali; or, The ancient Hindu doctrine of concentration of mind |chapter=Book 2, Means of attainment (sādhana)|chapter-url=https://archive.org/stream/yogasystemofpata00wooduoft#page/180/mode/2up |publisher=Harvard University Press |isbn=978-0-486-43200-7 |pages=181–182}} It is discussed in many ancient Indian texts such as the Mahabharata and Patanjali's Yoga Sutras. It is a virtue in Hinduism and Jainism.{{multiref2

|1={{Cite journal |first=Paul S. |last=Reinsch |year=1911 |title=Energism in the Orient |journal=International Journal of Ethics |volume=21 |number=4 |pages=407–422|doi=10.1086/intejethi.21.4.2376566 |s2cid=144966077 }}

|2={{Cite journal |first=John |last=Taber |year=1991 |title=India and Europe: An Essay in Understanding by Wilhelm Halbfass |journal=Philosophy East and West |volume=41 |number=2 |pages=229–240|doi=10.2307/1399772 |jstor=1399772}} }} In Hinduism purity is a part of worship and an important quality for salvation. Purity is a mind pure and free of evil thoughts and behaviors.{{cite web |title=Purity of Intellect |url=https://www.hindupedia.com/en/Ideals_and_Values/Purity_of_Intellect |website=Hindupedia |access-date=27 June 2019}}

{{transliteration|sa|Shaucha}} includes outer purity of body as well as inner purity of mind.{{multiref2

|1={{Cite journal |last1=Markil |last2=Geithner |last3=Penhollow |year=2010 |title=Hatha Yoga: Benefits and principles for a more meaningful practice |journal=ACSM's Health & Fitness Journal |volume=14 |issue=5 |pages=19–24|doi=10.1249/FIT.0b013e3181ed5af2 |s2cid=78930751 |doi-access=free }}

|2={{Cite journal |first=C. P. |last=Bhatta |year=2009 |title=Holistic Personality Development through Education—Ancient Indian Cultural Experiences |journal=Journal of Human Values |volume=15 |issue=1 |pages=49–59|doi=10.1177/097168580901500104 |s2cid=145692374 }}

|3={{Cite journal |first=Sridevi |last=Seetharam |year=2013 |title=Dharma and medical ethics |journal=Indian Journal of Medical Ethics |volume=10 |issue=4 |pages=226–231|pmid=24152344}} }} It is synonymous with {{transliteration|sa|shuddhi}} ({{lang|sa|शुद्धि}}).{{cite web|url=http://spokensanskrit.de/index.php?tinput=zuddhi&direction=SE&script=HK&link=yes&beginning=0|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141227021139/http://spokensanskrit.de/index.php?tinput=zuddhi&direction=SE&script=HK&link=yes&beginning=0|archive-date=2014-12-27|title=zuddhi|website=Sanskrit English Dictionary|location=Koeln University, Germany}} {{clarify|reason=explain who LePage is and what makes them an authority?|text=LePage|date=September 2023}} states that {{transliteration|sa|shaucha}} in yoga is on many levels, and deepens as an understanding and evolution of self increases.{{Cite journal |first=J. |last=LePage |year=1995 |title=Patanjali's Yoga Sutras as a Model for Psycho-Spiritual Evolution |journal=International Journal of Yoga Therapy |volume=6 |issue=1 |pages=23–26|doi=10.17761/ijyt.6.1.d3j5663g6127rp0j |doi-access=free }}

In yogic practice, {{transliteration|sa|shaucha}} is considered essential for health, happiness, and general well-being. External purity is achieved through daily ablutions, while internal purity is cultivated through physical exercises, including {{transliteration|sa|asana}} (postures) and {{transliteration|sa|pranayama}} (breathing techniques). Along with daily ablutions to cleanse one's body, {{transliteration|sa|shaucha}} suggests clean surroundings, along with fresh and clean food to purify the body.{{multiref2

|1={{Cite book |first=Christina |last=Brown |title=The Yoga Bible |year= 2003 |isbn=978-1582972428 |pages=14–17|publisher=Penguin Publishing }}

|2={{Cite book |first=Beryl |last=Birch |year=2010 |title=Beyond Power Yoga: 8 Levels of Practice for Body and Soul |publisher=Simon & Schuster |isbn=978-0684855264 |pages=78–79}} }} Lack of {{transliteration|sa|shaucha}} might be the result, for example, of letting toxins build up in the body.{{Cite book |first=K. V. |last=Raghupathi |title=Yoga for Peace |year=2007 |isbn=978-8170174837 |pages=60–61|publisher=Abhinav Publications }}

{{transliteration|sa|Shaucha}} includes purity of speech and mind. Anger, hate, prejudice, greed, lust, pride, fear, and negative thoughts are sources of impurity of mind.{{Cite journal |first=Elizabeth |last=Kadetsky |year=2008 |title=Modeling School |journal=The Antioch Review |volume=66 |number=2 |pages=254–268}} Impurities of the intellect can be cleansed through the process of self-examination, or knowledge of self ({{transliteration|sa|Adhyatma-Vidya}}).{{cite web|url=https://www.hinduismtoday.com/magazine/july-august-september-2007/2007-07-hinduism-s-restraints-and-observances/|title=Hinduism's Restraints and Observances] Hinduism Today|first=K.N.|last=Aiyar|date=July–September 2007|website=Hinduism Today}} The mind is purified through mindfulness and meditation on one's intent, feelings, actions, and its{{ambiguous|reason=|date=September 2023}} causes.{{Cite web |first=Judith Hanson|last=Lasater |url=https://www.yogajournal.com/article/philosophy/cultivate-your-connections/ |title=Cultivate your connections |website=Yoga Journal |date=28 August 2007}}

Teachers of the Vedanta path of yoga prepare to have holy thoughts and to perform holy actions. Students and the young help teachers prepare for worship, building{{ambiguous|reason=who is building? students & the young, or teachers?|date=September 2023}} self-control and selflessness.{{cite magazine |first=Annapurna |last=Sarada |title=Sowing Seeds for an Age of Light |magazine=Nectar |issue=24 |date=21 February 2009 |publisher=Sarada Ramakrishna Vivekananda Associations; SRV associations |pages=54–55 }} Sarada Devi said "pure mind begets ecstatic love ({{transliteration|sa|prema-bhakti}})".{{cite web |last1=Vedanta Society of New York |title=Sayings of Holy Mother Sarada Devi |url=http://www.vedantany.org/saying-holy-mother-sarada-devi/ |website=vedantany.org |access-date=28 June 2019 |archive-date=10 July 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190710173809/http://www.vedantany.org/saying-holy-mother-sarada-devi |url-status=dead }}{{better source needed|date=September 2023}}

Literature

{{transliteration|sa|Shaucha}} is included as one of five {{transliteration|sa|niyamas}} in Yoga, that is activity that is recommended for spiritual development of an individual. Verse II.32 of Yogasutra lists the five {{transliteration|sa|niyamas}}.{{multiref2

|1=Original Sanskrit: {{lang|sa|शौच संतोष तपः स्वाध्यायेश्वरप्रणिधानानि नियमाः}} Translation: {{transliteration|sa|saucha}} (purity), {{transliteration|sa|santosha}} (contentment), {{transliteration|sa|tapah}} (meditation), {{transliteration|sa|svādhyāya}} (continuous learning), and {{transliteration|sa|isvarapranidhana}} (contemplation of one's origins, God, Self) are the niyamas

|2={{Cite book |first=Michele |last=Desmarais |year=2008 |title=Changing Minds: Mind, Consciousness And Identity In Patanjali's Yoga-Sutra |publisher=Motilal Banarsidass |isbn=978-8120833364 |pages=125–134}} }} In verse II.40, Patanjali describes outer purity, while verse II.41 discusses inner purity, as follows:

{{Verse translation|lang=sa|सत्त्वशुद्धिसौमनस्यैकाग्र्येन्द्रियजयात्मदर्शन योग्यत्वानि च|Through cleanliness and purity of body and mind ({{transliteration|sa|shaucha}}, {{transliteration|sa|shudhi}})

comes a purification of the essence ({{transliteration|sa|sattva}}),

a goodness and gladness of feeling,

a sense of focus with intentness, the mastery and union of the senses,

and a fitness, preparation and capability for self-realization.|attr1=Patanjali Yogasutras{{cite web|url=https://sanskritdocuments.org/doc_yoga/yogasuutra.html|title=Patanjali Yogasutra|website=Sanskrit Documents|at=II.41}}{{r|jw|at=II.41}}}}

{{transliteration|sa|Shaucha}} is one of the ten {{transliteration|sa|yamas}} (virtuous restraints) listed by Śāṇḍilya Upanishad,{{cite book|translator-first=K. Narayanasvami|translator-last=Aiyar|year=1914|title=Thirty Minor Upanishads|url=https://archive.org/details/thirtyminorupani00xxxxuoft|location=Madras|chapter=Sandilya-Upanishad of Atharvanaveda|pages=[https://archive.org/details/thirtyminorupani00xxxxuoft/page/n190/mode/1up 173]–176}} as well as by Svātmārāma.{{multiref2

|1={{cite book|title=The Hatha Yoga Pradipika|author=Svātmārāma|author2=Pancham Sinh |publisher = Forgotten Books|edition= 5|year=1997|isbn= 9781605066370|page=14|quote=अथ यम-नियमाः
अहिंसा सत्यमस्तेयं बरह्यछर्यम कश्हमा धृतिः
दयार्जवं मिताहारः शौछम छैव यमा दश}}

|2={{cite book|last1=Lorenzen|first1=David|title=The Kāpālikas and Kālāmukhas|year=1972|publisher=University of California Press|isbn=978-0520018426|pages=[https://archive.org/details/kapalikaskalamuk0000lore/page/186 186]–190|url=https://archive.org/details/kapalikaskalamuk0000lore|url-access=registration}}

|3={{cite book |title=Merging with Śiva: Hinduism's contemporary metaphysics |last= Subramuniya |publisher= Himalayan Academy Publications|year= 2003|isbn= 9780945497998 |page=155 }} }}

The Epic Mahabharata mentions the virtue of purity ({{transliteration|sa|shaucha}}) in numerous books. For example, in Book 14 Chapter 38, it lists {{transliteration|sa|shaucha}} as a quality found in the liberated, happy, and dharmic person,

{{Verse translation|lang=sa|निर्ममॊ निरहंकारॊ निराशीः सर्वतः समः । अकाम हत इत्य एष सतां धर्मः सनातनः ॥
विश्रम्भॊ हरीस तितिक्षा च तयागः शौचम अतन्द्रिता । आनृशंस्यम असंमॊहॊ दया भूतेष्व अपैशुनम ॥
हर्षस तुष्टिर विस्मयश च विनयः साधुवृत्तता । शान्ति कर्म विशुद्धिश च शुभा बुद्धिर विमॊचनम ॥
उपेक्षा बरह्मचर्यं च परित्यागश च सर्वशः । निर्ममत्वम अनाशीस्त्वम अपरिक्रीत धर्मता ॥|(He is) free from possessiveness, free from egoism, free from pessimism, looks on all with an equal eye, free from craving. (In him) is seen confidence, endurance, renunciation, purity, absence of laziness, absence of cruelty, absence of delusion, compassion for all creatures, absence of the disposition to slander others or to exult at gains; (he is) satisfied, humble, emancipated, indifferent, peaceful, unaffected by ups and downs, pursuer of Brahma, and exhibits purity in all acts aiming for tranquillity, understanding and the right.|attr1=Ashvamedhika Parva, The Mahabharata, 14.38.5–8{{multiref2

|1={{cite web|title=The Mahabharata in Sanskrit: Book 14, Chapter 38|url=https://sacred-texts.com/hin/mbs/mbs14038.htm}}

|2={{cite book|url=https://archive.org/stream/mahabharataofkri09royp|title=The Mahabharata: Açwamedha Parva|translator=Kisari Mohan Ganguli|location=Calcutta|publisher=Pratap Chandra Roy, Bharata Press|year=1894|page=[https://archive.org/details/mahabharataofkri09royp/page/94/mode/1up 94]}} }}}}

Bhagavad Gita describes purity at three levels in Book 17, verses 14–16, namely body, speech and thoughts.{{Cite book |first=Gavin |last=Flood |date=2005 |title=The Ascetic Self: Subjectivity, Memory and Tradition |publisher=Cambridge University Press |isbn=978-0521604017 |pages=77–93}} Purity of body comes from cleanliness of body as well as from what one eats and drinks. Purity of speech comes from being truthful and through use of words that are not injurious, hurtful, or distressing to others or self. Purity of thoughts comes from reflection, peace of mind, silence, calmness, gentleness, and purity of being.

Purity of mind, speech, and body has been one of the important virtues in Indian philosophy.{{Cite journal |first=S. |last=Radhakrishnan |date=1922 |title=The Hindu Dharma |journal=International Journal of Ethics |volume=33 |number=1 |pages=1–22|doi=10.1086/intejethi.33.1.2377174 |s2cid=144844920 |doi-access=free }}

References

Category:Yoga concepts

Category:Hindu philosophical concepts

Category:Jain ethics

Category:Relational ethics

Category:Hindu ethics

Shaucha

Literature

See also

References