294 Ashtanga Yoga Niyamas Shoucha Part III

Synopsis of lesson 294:
Shaucha: the first of the Niyamas. Beyond cleanliness and hygiene.
Vyasa explains Bhaya Shaucham. Mult jaladi Shaucham . Use of clay or a fine mud like Multani mitti which is used for cleaning the outer body.
Food we eat is Aahaara; in Indian tradition there is concept of Pavitra Aahaara which is food offered to the Deity and then partaken. It becomes Naivedyam. It becames Bhagwat Prasadam. It is offered to the Vaishwanaraagni - the Aahuti is given.
In Parmartha and Adhyatma and Yoga sanskruti food should not be taken for passion or Vaasanaa.
Food must be taken with purity and pure mind. Panchgaavya- concept that the Vaidikas would take Panchagavya when there is indiscipline in body mind and speech. It is a cleansing process- 5 products of the cow must be taken in different combinations. This is said to purify. It is intriguing for modern times.
Aahaara Shuddhi is not just about food which is clean and hygienic. Gitabhashyam of Shrimad Ramanujacharya says, raw material of the food should be procured by money earned by righteous means. By Dharma Maarga of virtuous acts. It should have ‘Arthashuddhi’.
Food must be cooked by a pure mind. ‘ Swayampaaka’- cooked by oneself. Either cook yourself or have it cooked by someone very close to you and have love for you.
Food to be eaten in the correct frame of mind. Not to offer to gastric fire but to the Vaishvanaara Agni.
Don’t eat when you are angry, don’t eat when you are hungry, don’t eat when the Shadripus are rampant and tormenting . Only eat when mind is pure and contented.
Eat in a sublime state, at least let the mind be ignoble.
All the nine gates, Navadwara of the body have to be clean.
The nose, ears, etc are physical organs. But cleaning dirt is not only about the material dirt, but also about the dirt of the 5 Indriyas for which Shatkriyas to clean and cleanse to be used.
Antara Shaucham: Ahirbudhanya Samahita: need internal and external purity of the 14 Indriyas.
Bathing, cleaning teeth, Anus, genital areas, 2 eyes, 2 nostrils, 2 ears, skin all have to be cleaned.