Tag: Bath

Upachaaras Five Ten Sixty Four Offering To God

But the import of the word is 'welcoming, making one comfortable, saying things that ere agreeable, offering that are close to one's heart'

In Hindu tradition God is offered all these as we would one who visits our home.

There are strict rules for this.

There are different Upacharas.

Five-Panchopachara,

Six-Shadopachaara,

Shodosupachaara-Sixty four.

Some opt for the Ten Upachaaaras.

Of these the sixty-four are practiced in temples, while Five or six are at Homes.

In some texts, Snana or Bathing is taken as a Upachaara, while in some the other Upachaaras are done after the Bath(Snana)

It may be noted that these procedures are not prescribed by the Vedas.

These are later developments set by Smritis and for Temples in the Agama Shastra.

A. Pancha Upachaara.

Hinduism accords highest priority to cleanliness both mental and physical.

One is expected to take bath thrice a Day, one at early morning between 430 and 5, another at Noon and yet another around Dusk(6pm).

One is expected to wash hand and feet when he returns home and wash hands and feet after taking food.

One should take bath in either of the following, in the order provide.

1.Running water(River)

2.Tanks.

3.Sea.

4.Well in the House.

Bathing in the Sea can be done when an opportunity is available and one has to take bath in normal water after Sea bathing.

When river water is unavailable, well water at Home is recommended.

There are different types of Bathing.

1.Agnayaka Snam.

One has to keep both his hands over the Head , face the East, close the eyes and let the rays of the Sun bathe.(about ten minutes).

2.Mala Snanam.

One can apply the Earth,Sand, Clay.

Again for ten minutes.

3.Mahendra Snanam.

Taking bath in Water after Mala Snanam is Mahendra Snanam.