Article by Dr Raghuram Y.S. MD (Ay) & Dr Manasa S, B.A.M.S

Pancha = five

Vidha = types

Shaucham = cleanliness or purity

Note – Shaucham has different meanings and should be contextually understood. It means cleanliness, purity, clarity, honesty, transparency, chastity and many more.

Panchavidha Shaucham

Five kinds of Shaucham i.e. purity have been mentioned. Looking at them even from the modern day perspective, each one of them makes so much sense. My admiration to the ancient people who have written these valuable quotes which are applicable in any century or era goes sky high. These five kinds of purity are very essential for our physical, mental, emotional, sensual and social wellbeing.

Let us quickly see what those five kinds of shaucham are!

मनः शौचं कर्म शौचं कुलशौचं तथैव च।
शरीरशौचं वाक् शौचं, शौचं पञ्चविधं स्मृतम्॥(महाभारतम्)

 

1. Manah Shaucham – purity of mind

For having purity of mind, the sattvika quality of the mind should be high while the other two qualities i.e. rajas and tamas, which are also considered as manasika doshas i.e. contaminants of the mind, should be in a state of balance. Manasika Shaucha would help us be in harmony with ourselves, establish mental health and peace and prevent or cure mental ailments.

Below mentioned would contribute towards manasika shaucha –

–        following the principles of sadvrutta, sadachara and achara rasayana on daily basis

–        thinking, taking decisions and acting in accordance to the purushartha chatushtayas i.e. four goals of one’s life – dharma, artha, kama and moksha,

–        keeping away from the bad and harmful emotions – like lust, greed, anger, fear, jealousy, hatred etc

–        indulgence in Yoga, meditation, charity, religious activities

–        always thinking good and positive

2. Karma Shaucham – purity of action (honesty in conduct, action and behavior)

Purity of action is very important in one’s life. All actions should be done with pure intentions and without hurting the others in the proceedings. Purity of actions would pertain to all three tiers of action i.e. physical, verbal and mental. Our Karmas also should be focused towards attaining Purusharthas. The principles and activities mentioned in the context of sadvrutta and achara rasayana also help in achieving karma shaucham. If our activities are pure and clean, it would give us satisfaction and peace. We will be mentally and emotionally happy and healthy.

3. Kula Shaucham – purity or chastity of the family

Some of us are identified and respected in the society based on the name and reputation our family carries. Some villages and towns are recognized on the basis of few families which were and are famous therein. This is because the name and fame of those families have strong foundations contributed by all the good works our ancestors have done. The Kula Shaucham is a summary of hundreds of good deeds and it becomes the responsibility of each individual of that family to carry the legacy forwards, to maintain the sanctity of the name and reputation it has and also pass on the same responsibility to the next generation. It is also important to keep contributing the same bundle of goodness towards society. It will bestow us with not only a social status but also love and affection from everyone around. This will contribute towards one’s mental and emotional health and one would feel safe, loved and protected.

4. Sharira Shaucham – cleanliness / purity of body

It is the basic responsibility of each one of us to keep our body clean and pure of its impurities. Sharira Shaucham includes both external and internal cleansing. The regimens like oil bath / massage, powder massage, brushing of teeth, taking bath etc mentioned in the context of Dinacharya – daily regimen emphasizes the important of cleansing, caring and pampering the body on daily basis which would keep us physically active and mentally healthy apart from rejuvenating, refreshing and rebooting the body-mind and senses on daily basis. On the other hand, the Panchakarma therapies will help in cleansing the interior of the body and expelling the morbid doshas, malas and toxins. These cleansing therapies can be taken by healthy persons also, as a part of body-mind balancing and for rejuvenation, of course with the consent of the physician. They also expel the morbid doshas and cure the body of the diseases if any.

5. Vak Shaucham – purity of speech / truthfulness

Purity of speech is very important because our speech tells the society how good or how bad we are. Monitoring on what, when and how much we speak, the occasions in which we should speak and where we should not, everything matters and these parameters help people to judge our character. Speaking well, sensibly, in a balanced and measured way, keeping our speech situational and contextual making sure they do not hurt the feelings of others is ideal for each one of us. Purity of speech is not easy and comes with constant practice and application. It will bring us respect and honor. This will contribute towards mental and emotional health. It will earn us good relationships, good status in the society and fewer haters.

To sum up

The above said five kinds of Shaucham contribute immensely towards physical, mental, spiritual, sensual and social health and wellbeing. They would also help us to achieve the purusharthas and open up the pathway for moksha – salvation.

Coming to the reference of this quote,

While some have mentioned it as a reference in Mahabharata, some opine that it is from Bhagavadgita / Bhagavata. But there are mixed opinions and I did not find any clear opinion about the reference of the quote on Pancha Vidha Shaucham.

There is one site where I came across the discussion about the reference of this quote and the quotes preceding and succeeding this. It says that this verse is not from Bhagavadgita but is taken from the Asvamedha Parva of the Southern Recension of the Mahabharata (Kumbakonam Edition).

This is the closest reference I got about this quote – ‘Ashvamedhika Parva, Adhyaya (chapter) 14-116-9’