Do you clean your house daily? What if you skip one day? Why it is needed to clean the house? How do you clean it? When do you clean it? What is the purpose of cleaning?
Well, you are thinking; Why all these questions? So let me tell you, these questions are to make you aware of the importance of cleaning. I know you know how necessary it is to keep everything clean. But we want answers to these questions as it will clear your confusion about later things.
Here are the answers!
Yes, you clean your house daily. Skipping cleaning even for just one day makes the house dirty. It is needed to clean the house to make it a better place to live. Dusting cloth and broom help in cleaning. It is needed to clean every day. To make the house look beautiful and germs-free, cleaning is done.
With the same perspective, you also clean your body by bathing daily. But this is all about outer cleaning. What about internal cleaning? Sounds confusing? But it’s true, internal cleaning is also done. In our Hindu scriptures and texts, there are solutions to all problems. So, now, we are telling you about that internal cleansing method which not only helps in cleansing but also helps in fighting many physical and mental illnesses.
Our body is generally made up of Vata, Pitta and Kapha. In this, Vata controls the movement processes, Pitta controls all the chemical functions of our body, and Kapha is considered the structural manager of the body. To lead a healthy and disease-free life, then it is needed to balance all three. The environment around us and our actions can disturb the balance in it. Deterioration of the balance can cause health-related problems.
In ancient times, six types of kriyas were done to make the body healthy. With this, the yogi could purify the body internally as well. In Shatkriyas, “Shat” means “Six” and “Kriyas” means “Actions”. These six kriyas are used in yoga for the purification of the body. That is why they are called by the name ‘Shodhankriya’ in the sense of the word Shatkarma or six actions of purification of the body. In Hathayoga Pradipika, these six actions are depicted as –
कर्म षटकमिदं गोप्यं घटशोधनकारकम्।
विचित्रगुणसंधायि पूज्यते योगिपुंगवैः।। (Hathayoga Pradipika 2/23)
- Neti
- Dhauti
- Nauli
- Basti
- Kapalbhati
- Trataka
Also Read: Simple Yoga Asanas for Daily Life
Neti Kriya
The main purpose of this action is to purify the nasal passages. By doing this, the impure and incompletely opening nostrils will open completely. Due to this the irregularity of breathing is removed. That is why it is also called a nasal cleansing exercise.
Dhauti Kriya
Dhauti Kriya is performed for cleaning the intestine. It is a Sanskrit word which means “purification”. It is derived from the root word “dhau” which means “to wash.” Dhauti Kriya is specially performed for cleaning the upper intestine. In this process, various techniques are used to flush out the toxic and undigested food particles from the internal organs.
Vastra, Vamana and Dand Dhauti are quite popular in Dhauti Neti.
Nauli Shatkarma
Nauli is considered a difficult exercise, which can only be learned with perseverance and patience. It strengthens the abdominal muscles. Nauli is an essential action for the purification and toning of the stomach and its internal organs. This is a self-administered abdominal massage, in which only the muscles of the abdominal wall are used. To do this, you have to stand at 45 degrees with your hands on your knees. Later the abdominal muscle is rotated.
Basti Shatkriya
If the stomach is divided into three parts, then this action is done to purify the lowest part. The large intestine is purified through Basti kriya, which stores food and removes water from it. Through this process, the large intestine has to be cleaned.
Kapalbhati Kriya
Kapalbhati is a type of pranayama which purifies the front part of the brain and cures many brain-related diseases. When one practices the kriya 10-20 times, then the respiratory system of the body becomes strong. It increases memory power.
Trataka Shatkriya
Trataka Kriya is related to the eyes. It improves eyesight and increases focus. It is useful in mental dedication. It should be started with candle light in the beginning. There should be a distance of around 2 meters between the eye and the flame of the candle.
Benefits of Shatkarma
- It helps in purifying the body internally.
- It balances Vata, Kapha and Pitta in the body.
- Due to this, the chemical elements of the body remain in balance, which gives a positive energy experience.
- This also helps in keeping the brain healthy.
- This will make it easier to focus and give freedom from negative energy and the mind will become sharp.
- Every action of this will give good auspicious results at some particular place in the body.