Patanjali Yoga Sutra II:40
“Sauchat sva-anga jugupsa paraih asamsargah”
Through cleanliness and purity of body and mind (shaucha), one develops an attitude of distancing or disinterest towards one’s own body and becomes disinclined towards contacting the bodies of others.
Key Terms:
- Sauchat = cleanliness, purification (of body and mind)
- Sva-anga = one’s own body (sva = one’s; anga = limbs, body)
- Jugupsa = disinclined, distanced from, drawn away from
- Paraih = and with that of others
- Asamsargah = cessation of contact, non-association
Patanjali Yoga Sutra II:41
“Sattva shuddhi saumanasya ekagra indriya-jaya atma darshana yogyatvani cha”
Through cleanliness and purity of body and mind (shaucha) comes a purification of the subtle mental essence (sattva), a pleasantness, clarity, and gladness of feeling, a one-pointed focus, mastery over the senses, and a readiness for self-realization.
Key Terms:
- Sattva = purest subtle essence, internal being
- Shuddhi = purification
- Saumanasya = clarity, cheerfulness, gladness
- Ekagra = one-pointedness, focus
- Indriya-jaya = control of the senses
- Atma = the Self, center of consciousness
- Darshana = realization, seeing, experiencing
- Yogyatvani = readiness, qualification
Understanding Saucha
“The body is your temple. Keep it pure and clean for your soul to reside in.” – B.K.S. Iyengar
Shaucha, or holistic purity, is essential for well-being. It is cultivated on multiple levels: externally, through cleanliness, and internally, through practices that purify the body, mind, and speech.
- External Purity: This includes hygiene, fresh surroundings, and nourishing food. Regular ablutions, clean attire, and fresh, sattvic nutrition contribute to bodily purity. Accumulating toxins – whether physical or emotional – creates impurity.
- Internal Purity: The mind must be cleansed of negativity – anger, prejudice, greed, or fear. Yoga aids in releasing past impressions (samskaras) embedded within the subconscious. The intellect is purified through self-examination (Adhyatma-Vidya), mindfulness, and meditation.
“By personal hygiene and cleanliness, attachment to the body is lifted, revealing awareness of the inner self – the light that you are.” – Sri Sri Ravi Shankar
“Cleanliness reveals what needs maintenance and what is eternally pure. What decays is external; what endures is deep within.” – T.K.V. Desikachar
Saucha and Yogic Cleansing Practices
Traditional yogic texts emphasize purification techniques (shatkarmas) before practicing asana. The Hatha Yoga Pradipika outlines essential cleansing methods used by yogis:
- Neti – Nasal cleansing (Jala Neti & Sutra Neti)
- Dhauti – Digestive tract purification
- Nauli – Abdominal massage or churning
- Bhasti – Colon cleansing
- Kapalabhati – Detoxifying breathwork (“shining skull breath”)
- Trataka – Concentration through blinkless gazing (often with a candle)
Applying Saucha in Daily Life
- Maintain a clean and organized living space – clarity in surroundings fosters clarity in thought.
- Reduce pollution and waste.
- Wear clean and comfortable clothing as a reflection of self-respect.
- Practice hygiene as a ritual of self-care.
- Eat fresh, plant-based, sattvic foods.
- Cultivate pure thoughts – replace negativity with mindful reflection and kindness.
- Breathe deeply to cleanse and revitalise the body.
- Incorporate daily physical activity and traditional yogic cleansing techniques.
Saucha in Asana Practice
- Begin practice fresh, hydrated, and clean.
- Maintain a neat space – place personal belongings tidily at the start of class.
- Wash your mat regularly.
- Contribute to the cleanliness of the yoga space – help clean before and after class.
- Align mats neatly to create harmony in the room.
- Use breath awareness (pranayama) to cleanse both mind and body, promoting a meditative focus.
Reflection Questions
- How does physical cleanliness contribute to mental and emotional well-being?
- In what ways can purification practices help cultivate self-awareness?
- How do negative emotions and thoughts accumulate as “impurities,” and how might they be cleansed?
- How can the principle of Saucha be extended beyond personal hygiene into relationships and environmental care?
- What modern adaptations of yogic purification techniques resonate most in daily life?
Deepening the Understanding
“Clarity is the absence of distortion – when the mind is clear, it reflects the truth like still water.”
“The lotus grows in mud but remains untouched by it. Purity is not avoidance – it is remaining untouched by impurity, even when surrounded by it.”
Yoga teaches that purity is not merely about external cleanliness but a state of inner refinement. As water purifies itself by flowing, so too must we cultivate practices that allow impurities to wash away – through movement, breath, and contemplation.