Introduction
Saucha (also spelled as Shaucha) or cleanliness is the primary Niyama which is the model code of conduct for practicing yoga. There are five important codes as given in Yoga Sutra of Patanjali. Saucha is the first code of conduct. Here, let us have look at its meaning and its relevance to yoga along with rules relating to its observance.
Saucha Meaning
The Sanskrit word शौच (spelled as Shaucha and Saucha) means cleanliness. It is pronounced as Śauca. It is both internal and external cleanliness. As we have already seen, it is the first of the five Niyamas given by Patanjali. Water helps to have external purity by removing dirt in the body; whereas the practice of dispassion helps to have internal purity. Dispassion gives internal purity by removing anger, lust, pride, jealousy, greediness, and passion. Hence, it is regarded as the primary Niyama.
Saucha in Yoga
External cleanliness makes the Yogi free from diseases. Internal cleanliness provides him calmness and cheerfulness. As a result, it helps him to progress to the next level of Yoga. Therefore cleanliness is a prerequisite for the Yogi in the course of Yoga.
Saucha in Yoga Sutra of Patanjali
Saucha Quotes
The following are the two Saucha Quotes from Yoga Sutra.
śaucāt svāṅga-jugupsā parairasaṁsargaḥ
Through cleanliness, dispassion towards own body is developed and that dispassion extends towards the intimacy of other bodies.
– Yoga Sutra 2.40
By practicing cleanliness, one develops an aversion towards his own body. As a result, it stops the inclinations of intimacy towards other bodies. In other words, it gives the power to overcome the sexual urge towards the other bodies. This is possible only when the body consciousness is not there. When it is lost by purification of body and mind, the Yogi does not think of himself as the body.
sattva-śuddhiḥ saumanasya-ikāgry-endriyajaya-ātmadarśana yogyatvāni ca
There arises pure Sattva, mental rejoice, concentration, the conquest of sensual organs, and mastery of Yoga.
– Yoga-Sutra 2.41
In this verse, Patanjali gives a list of the benefits of Saucha. Let me explain.
Benefits Of Saucha
By purification, there arises purified Sattva. Sattva is one of three Gunas. Guna is a trait. It is an idiosyncrasy. The three Gunas are Sattva, Rajas, and Tamas. In Sattva, the subtle qualities of harmony, cheerfulness, and goodness are dominant. It does not mean the absence of other traits like Rajas and Tamas. In Rajas, power, passion, and activity are dominant. In Tamas, inaction, inertia, and darkness prevail.
By purification, Sattva is purified. Purification not only makes Sattva dominant but also removes the presence of other qualities. As a result, it generates calmness that results in cheerfulness.
Concentration or focus is the other benefit of purification. The mind is free from anger, lust, and the like. Hence distraction is avoided and Concentration is gained.
With concentration, the Yogi gets mastery over sensual organs. Hence, there is nothing on his way to stop attaining self-realization.
Saucha in Darshana Upanishad
Dharshana Upanishad places Saucha in the list of Yama contrary to the common practice of classifying it in the list of Niyama.
According to Darshana Upanishad, external cleanliness is getting rid of the impurities of the body; whereas internal cleanliness is getting rid of impurities of the mind through meditation.
Scholars view that cleanliness provides the knowledge “I am pure”. The nature of the body is always impure; whereas the nature of Atman is always pure. Understanding this fact, to which of them (body or Atman) should cleanliness be prescribed?
A dullard enjoys external purity and ignores the purity of internal awareness.
Saucha in Shandilya Upanishad
Shandilya Upanishad also puts Saucha in the category of Yama. Saucha is of two kinds: external and Internal. The external purification comes with the use of water and earth; whereas the internal purification comes with the practice of Atma Vidya, the knowledge of Atman.
Saucha in Bhagavad Gita
Bhagavad Gita defines Tapa as below.
deva-dwija-guru-prājña- pūjanaṁ śhaucham ārjavam
brahmacharyam ahinsā cha śhārīraṁ tapa uchyateTapa (austerity) consists of worship of God, priests, guru, and elders. When it is performed with the observance of cleanliness, simplicity, celibacy, and non-violence, it becomes the kind of austerity by means of the body.
Bhagavad Gita 17.14
Tapa by means of the body is one aspect of Tapa. While performing this kind of austerity, cleanliness is the primary code of conduct.
Conclusion
In the practice of Yoga, Cleanliness, both internal and external, is the primary virtue to observe. External purity is the cleanliness of the body; whereas internal purity is the cleanliness of the mind. Though yoga texts prescribe both internal and external purities, they give more importance to internal purity. Once internal purity is gained, there is no value for external purity. Hence internal purity should be the prime aim of the yogis.