Writer Dr M S Krishnamurthy MD PhD (Ayu) is a clinician, academician in addition to a researcher.
A ‘Holy Bathtub’ can discuss with totally different practices relying on the cultural, non secular, or spiritual context. As per ayurveda perspective, bathing (snana) has a number of well being advantages like carminative, aphrodisiac, anti-ageing, well being restorative, power enhancing, immunity selling and physique strengthening; it additionally helps to alleviate the physique morbidity and to remove the blemishes (shareera mala) and relive itching. Moreover, it helps to beat the fatigue or work exhaustion, drowsiness too.Amongst few, it induces good sleep additionally. Burning of the physique, extra thirst and many others additionally significantly decreased by the recent water bathtub. A chilly water bathtub is very really helpful for all of those. Importantly ayurveda proclaims that bathing helps to alleviate the ‘papma’ i.e sin.
Now with this background it turns into simple to discover the advantages of holy bathtub which is practiced with a number of views in India. Throughout this holy season of ‘Maha kumbha mela’ which is being celebrated in Prayagraj of Uttara Pradesh of North India, it turns into extra related and necessary to know the rationality and sanctity of this.
Holy bathing- Non secular and Non secular Contexts
In some non secular traditions, a Holy Bathtub (‘Punya snana/Teertha snana’) is a ritualistic cleaning observe to purify the physique, thoughts, and spirit. This may contain immersion in water related to prayer and meditation. In Christian traditions, ‘baptism’ is a sacred ritual that includes water, symbolizing non secular rebirth and cleaning. In Jewish custom, a ‘mikvah’ is a ritual bathtub used for non secular purification and cleaning. Within the Muslim group too bathing/holy baths are thought of to be a part of non secular purification and are generally known as ‘Ghusl’ or ‘Istinja’. Additional, ‘wudu’ is a partial bathtub taken to purify oneself earlier than prayer.
Right this moment, some wellness retreats and spas supply Holy baths as a approach to promote rest, rejuvenation, and non secular progress. Usually they seem as commercials too. The newer traits are additionally rising like E- service of holy bathing the place on correct cost of the charge, the holy dip is being taken on account of the payee’s title or household. Nonetheless, its relevance, the hidden agenda behind such ways will not be the scope of this text.
In Ayurvedic drugs, aside from the washing in respective holistic locations of the person’s alternative like Rameshwaram, Kashi, Gaya, Gangotri and many others, holy baths can discuss with natural baths or different cleaning practices used to steadiness the physique’s energies.
Why is a holy bathtub necessary?
The importance of a Holy bathtub can range relying on the cultural, non secular, or spiritual context. Nonetheless the holy dips are believed to purify the physique, thoughts, and spirit, getting ready people for non secular progress, prayer, or rituals.
In some traditions, holy baths symbolize non secular rebirth, renewal, and transformation too. Sacred baths can facilitate a deeper reference to the divine, selling non secular consciousness, and introspection.
Similar to common baths, holy baths is usually a calming and soothing expertise, decreasing stress and selling rest. However because of the sanctity, holiness of the realm or rive, time interval and many others, additional the true advantages could also be multifold!
Some holy baths, like these utilizing natural or mineral-rich waters, can have therapeutic advantages for the physique. Additionally, few of the river water or water of the ponds/effectively or stream have proven the presence of sulphur or sodium/potassium and many others which can be once more the components to assist the physique immunity aside from spiritual views. The ritualistic nature of Holy baths can present emotional consolation, solace, and therapeutic. The sacred hymns or chants or the herbs/ decoction themselves could act on a delicate stage to remove the morbidity and therefore to detoxify the physique and thoughts.
If we see the current context of ‘Maha kumbha mela’, it seems that Holy baths may be an integral a part of rites of passage, and it could possibly foster a way of group, shared values, and non secular connection amongst members. Undoubtedly it enhances the cultural heritage, preserving conventional practices and customs.
Holy dip in ‘Maha Kumbha mela’ and its significance
The Holy dip in Kumbha mela is a sacred ritual that holds immense significance in Hinduism. Kumbha mela takes place at a particular astrological conjunction, thought of extremely auspicious for non secular progress and self-realization. The competition brings collectively saints, sages, and non secular seekers from throughout India, creating a novel alternative for non secular progress and trade.Additionally, Kumbha mela is a celebration of India’s wealthy non secular heritage, showcasing the nation’s numerous cultural and spiritual traditions. It happens as soon as in twelve years(kumbha mela) and the current one is Maha kumbha mela, which is well known as soon as after twelve Kumbha mela, which means as soon as in 144 years! Importantly, it’s believed that taking a holy dip throughout the kumbhamela can redeem previous sins and detrimental karma. The holy dip in Kumbha mela is a transformative expertise that gives devotees an opportunity to attach with the divine, purify their souls, and expertise non secular progress and liberation.
Reference of holy bathtub (Punya snana) in Ayurveda
Classical Ayurveda literature mentions the idea of Holy bathtub, and it’s understood at present as ‘Punya Snana’ or ‘Dharmika Snana’. This historical Ayurvedic textual content describes the significance of bathing in holy rivers and streams for purification and non secular progress. Ashtanga Hridayam- classical Ayurvedic textual content emphasizes the significance of holy bathing as a way of bodily and psychological purification. It additionally describes the varied kinds of holy baths, together with bathing in sacred rivers, streams, and lakes. Bhavaprakasha textual content mentions the advantages of holy bathing in varied sacred websites, together with the Ganges river.
Holy dips in Historic Indian texts
The Rigveda mentions the sacred river Ganges as an emblem of purification and non secular progress. Mahabharata – the epic poem describes the holy bathtub of the Pandavas within the Ganges River, highlighting its purifying and rejuvenating properties. Bhagavata Purana – Hindu scripture describes the holy bathtub of Lord Krishna within the Yamuna River, emphasizing its non secular significance. The Padma Purana mentions the holy bathtub of Lord Vishnu within the Ganges River, highlighting its purifying and redemptive properties.
Different Indian literature like Tirukkural – historical Tamil textual content emphasizes the significance of holy baths in sacred rivers and streams, highlighting their function in non secular progress and self-purification. The Bhakti motion’s literature (BhaktiVedanta) usually describes the holy bathtub as an emblem of devotion and non secular give up, highlighting its function within the devotee’s non secular journey.
Necessary rivers in India, thought of auspicious for holy dips
·    Ganges River (Ganga)- (Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh)
The Ganges River is taken into account essentially the most sacred river in Hinduism, originating from the Gangotri glacier within the Himalayas.
·    Yamuna River-(Mathura, Uttar Pradesh)
The Yamuna River is one other sacred river in Hinduism, originating from the Yamunotri glacier within the Himalayas.
·  Godavari River-(Nashik, Maharashtra)
The Godavari River is taken into account one of many seven sacred rivers in Hinduism, originating from the Western ghats in Maharashtra.
·  Krishna River-(Vijayawada, Andhra Pradesh)
The Krishna River is a sacred river in Hinduism, originating from the Western Ghats in Maharashtra.
·  Kaveri River-(Tiruchirappalli, Tamil Nadu)
The Kaveri River is a sacred river in Hinduism, originating from the Western Ghats in Karnataka.
·  Narmada River
The Narmada River is a sacred river in Hinduism, originating from the Amarkantak Plateau in Madhya Pradesh.
·  Saraswati River
The Saraswati River is a sacred river in Hinduism, believed to be invisible and flowing underground.
·  Tapti River
The Tapti River is a sacred river in Hinduism, originating from the Satpura Vary in Madhya pradesh.
·  Brahmaputra River
The Brahmaputra River is a sacred river in Hinduism, originating from the Angsi glacier in Tibet.
·  Shipra River
The Shipra River is a sacred river in Hinduism, originating from the Vindhya Vary in Madhya Pradesh.
Holy dips in these rivers are believed to purify the soul and grant non secular progress. They’re meant to grant non secular liberation and wash away sins.
Importantly, Prayagraj (Uttar Pradesh) is the confluence of the Ganges, Yamuna, and Saraswati rivers. So, its significance is being highlighted in previous in addition to current days.
Hindu Festivals and particular events of Holy dip
Makar Sankranti, Kumbh Mela, Lord Jagannath Rathayatra, Mahalaya amavasya, .
Navaratri/Dusshera, Diwali and many others are the varied events folks take holy bathtub.Apart from that throughout the photo voltaic eclipse, lunar eclipse and planetary alignments additionally in several elements of the nation decide holy dip, as pert their perception, practices and with their comfort.
Holy bathtub throughout private and non secular milestones
Beginning and naming ceremonies, sacred thread ceremony, in few communities in wedding ceremony ceremonies in addition to funeral rites holy dips are taken.
Few decide full moon(Amavasya) and new moon(Pournami) days for holy dips to harness the lunar power.
Holy dip/ sacred bathtub in pores and skin ailments and psychological disturbances
In Leucoderma, eczema, psoriasis and many others holy dips are really helpful in many of the ayurveda literatures together with Charaka- Sushruta samhita, Ashtanga hrudaya/sangraha, Basavarajeeyam and many others. Within the psychological disturbances like Epilepsy,Despair,Nervousness, Mania, Schizophrenia and many others too in varied contexts indigenous literatures like Jyotisha granthas have referred to have holy dips or Punya snana. Curiously, in a number of forms of continual fevers, infectious ailments, infertility circumstances and menstrual issues too sacred baths are really helpful.
Uncommon Holy dips – Current Indian practices
Kumbh mela holy dip- Happens each 12 years, throughout the Kumbh Mela competition, the place thousands and thousands collect to take a holy dip within the Ganges River.
Maha Kumbh mela holy dip- Happens each 144 years, thought of the rarest and most auspicious holy dip, the place thousands and thousands collect to take a holy dip within the Ganges River.
Simhastha Kumbh mela Holy dip- Happens each 12 years, in Ujjain, Madhya Pradesh, the place devotees take a holy dip within the Shipra River.
Ganga sagar Holy dip- Takes place yearly on Makar Sankranti, the place devotees take a holy dip on the confluence of the Ganges River and the Bay of Bengal.
Pushkar Lake holy dip- Happens yearly throughout the Pushkar truthful, the place devotees take a holy dip within the sacred Pushkar lake.
Brahma Sarovar holy dip- Takes place yearly throughout the photo voltaic eclipse, the place devotees take a holy dip within the sacred Brahma sarovar.
Sure., Holy dip contains spiritual considerations, conventional celebrations, cultural significance, and well being views. In reality Indian tradition and heritage will not be mere rituals or blind acts; they’ve an extended historical past of practices and variety too.
Hara hara Mahadev….Shiva shambhu… swayambhu….Namaste
Greatest needs of the seasons to all.
Click on to seek the advice of Dr MS Krishnamurthy BAMS, MD (Ayu), PhD
