Abhyang Snaan / अभ्यङ्ग स्नान

Diwali is just round the corner and am sure most of you in India are eagerly awaiting the mid-term break. Diwali means lights and sparkles, new clothes (and sometimes white goods and cars too!), crackers (not anymore ☹), specially made sweet and savoury items (that are now available round the year too!) and lots of family functions (ohh! Not those relatives again!!)

Which is your favourite Diwali activity? Do let me know in the comments section!

One ritual unpopular with the younger generation could be the अभ्यङ्ग स्नान (Abhyang Snaan) – waking up early in the morning and taking a long bath involving a set of rituals before sunrise (oh! Who wakes up before sunrise!!)

Well, like most other customs of our ancestors, this one also has sound reasoning behind it. The “Snaan” (Bath) itself is a ritual in Hinduism and right from the Vedic period the scriptures prescribed as to when a bath was to be taken, different types of bath (Mala Snan, Mantra Snan, Varuna Snan, Jala Snan, etc) and what were the steps to be followed in each one.

Interestingly, baths were not taken daily either in India or the Orient or even in the Western World till the early 20th century when indoor plumbing was invented. So the next time your mother is nagging you to take your bath, you can tell this to her (at your own risk, of course!!). People bathed 3 or 4 times a year and hence probably these rituals around a bath.

The अभ्यङ्ग स्नान (Abhyang Snan) during the Diwali festival was taken on the first day of Diwali – नरक चतुर्दशी (Narak Chaturdashi), 14th day of अश्विन कृष्णपक्ष (Ashwin Krushnapaksha.)

First, sesame oil is massaged all over the body. Sesame oil gives warmth to the body (since it’s the onset of cooler climes) and helps in reducing the Pitta dosha (remember we spoke about this last week – Pitta dosha/imbalance is there in the Sharad ritu during which Diwali falls).

After leaving it on for half an hour, then a bath is taken with warm or hot water. Ubtan (special mix of Kapur, Chandan, turmeric, flowers and hebs) is applied. In the pre-soap era, this much was enough!! Now we also apply soap.

This ritual of अभ्यङ्ग स्नान (Abhyang Snan) thus moisturises our body, clears out the pollutants, toxins and dead skin. It prepares us for the oncoming winter season!

Water was rightly recognized as a precious resource by the Vedic people. Water was considered sacred and is also called "तीर्थ / Teertha” in Samsrkita. There was a specific deity – Lord Varuna (वरुण) – the God of the Rains and the King of the Oceans who was worshipped devotedly.

There is one Shloka where you recognize this importance of Water and express gratitude to Varuna for providing it to us. It is to be recited when one takes a holy bath and may be recited daily during bath.

त्वं राजा सर्वतीर्थानां त्वमेव जगतः पिता। याचितं देहि मे तीर्थ सर्वपापापनुत्तये।।

It means -

त्वं राजा सर्वतीर्थानां - (O Lord Varuna,) You are the King of all Water bodies

त्वं एव जगतः पिता – You, only, are the Father of the World (as Water is essential for every Life)

याचितं देहि मे तीर्थ – Give me pure water that I am requesting from you

सर्वपाप अपनुत्तये – so that I may get rid of all sins (and dirt)

Thus a Snaan / Bath, is for internal as well as external shuddi / purification.

Everyday whenever you bathe, aim to clean not just your body of the dirt, sweat and impurities - visible and invisible, but also clear your mind of any bad thoughts, negativity and sins.

Reciting this shloka daily, during your bath, will remind you to thank Mother Nature for giving you clean water throughout the day (many in this world do not have this luxury anymore!) and also act as a reminder to cleanse your body, mind and soul!