Arya Samaj

Arya Putra · Posted: Tue Aug 07, 2007 10:11 pm Post subject: Cleanliness (Sauca)

Cleanliness (Sauca)

We have all heard the saying: “Cleanliness is Next to Godliness.” This ‘cleanliness’ means both mental and physical purity. The mind and body become ‘clean’ when mental and physical impurities have been removed.

What Are Impurities?

Unhealthy thoughts are mental impurities and unhealthy substances constitute physical impurities. An unhealthy thought is any mental wave that disturbs the equilibrium of the mind, and an unhealthy substance is any physical substance that disrupts our physical health.

Negative feelings and emotions (likes grudges, anger, lust, jealousy, infatuation, etc.) and their associated verbal (both vocal and mental) thoughts clothed in language are mental impurities. Consumption of alcohol, meat, junk foods, and even excessive good foods, along with excessive bacteria produced by unhygienic habits (like not properly caring for one’s teeth, skin, hair, and other body parts), as well as any other physical malpractice (wrong practice) invariably malign our physical health and cause imbalance, (avoidable) disease, and premature aging and death.

The mind and body must be kept clean in order to realize (actualize) their full potential. In other words, if these instruments are neglected and not properly cared for, we will not be able to use them to the fullest benefit. The mind and body are instruments of Consciousness. If the instruments are damaged due to misuse, our life will be discordant and we will never find fulfillment or lasting peace and happiness. A healthy mind and body are prerequisites for the highest spiritual attainment.

How are the mind and body cleansed?

We clean the mind with wisdom and meditation, and we clean the body with good hygienic habits including a proper diet, fresh air, clean water, and exercise.

When the mind is cleaned with wisdom and meditation, we remove our bias, images, arrogance, false pride, and other products of ignorance. Basically, when the mind is purified, it becomes extremely clear and simple—it is no longer cluttered and complex—instead, it becomes rooted in the basics of Consciousness, which include humility, gratefulness, truthfulness, non-violence, and so forth. When our mind is purified we can no longer ignore our conscience; hence, we tend to do what is right (what is conducive to our well-being, and the well-being of everyone) without delay or procrastination.

When the body is clean (when the physical impurities have been removed), the body becomes a fit instrument for carrying out the noble desires of the purified mind. When the purified mind and body work together creatively, we are able to realize our full potential as human beings. Our highest potential is to be fully liberated from all pain and misery that ensue from the bonds of Ignorance. Purifying the mind and body are essential practices on the Path of Enlightenment, but they are also essential just to have a happy, satisfying, and productive human existence.

Just as Ahimsa is the first of the five Yamas of YOGA, Sauca (cleanliness) is the first of the five Niyamas of YOGA. Just as the other Yamas can be seen as extrapolations of Ahimsa, in the same way, the other Niyamas (Contentment, Austerity, Self-Study, and Surrender to the Supreme) can all be understood as means of ‘cleanliness’, or ways of purifying our individual being to the point that we realize the closeness or nearness of the self (soul) with the Supreme Self (Oversoul, or Supreme Soul). In other words, we realize the true meaning of “Cleanliness is next to Godliness.”