Are current day bathes considered as original bathes in Hinduism?











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Nowadays people bath in personal bathrooms using soap and shampoo. The water will be water from either rivers or other means.



But in Hindu scriptures, bathing generally refers to either bath in sacred rivers or running water etc.,



So, my question is whether the current day bath procedure can be considered as the bathes mentioned in scripture?










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  • 1




    "my questing is whether current day bath procedure can be considered as the bathes mentioned in scripture?" You already mentioned that we use soaps and shampoos. Are you looking for such mention or river bath equivalent to today's bath?
    – Sarvabhouma
    Nov 8 at 7:16










  • Yeah, till I read, I didn't come across such personal bathrooms. If there are any statements saying about the usage of personal bathrooms. I need such statements.
    – hanugm
    Nov 8 at 7:18










  • Please drop a comment for reason to downvote...
    – hanugm
    Nov 8 at 9:05






  • 3




    Don't worry about the downvotes that are given without specifying any reasons. I hv upvoted to negate one. And I m trying to answer this too. @hanugm
    – Rickross
    Nov 8 at 9:17










  • the ideal form of bathing is 'immersion' of head & whole body into sea/river/pond/well. also supposed to do sankalpam (resolution) before bathing, treating it like a ritual. because this is not easy in day-to-day life (it's still possible), as atonement, we are expected to bathe in sea/river/lake/pond whenever we can.. at least once in 12 years at sacred tirthas.
    – ram
    Nov 8 at 19:28















up vote
3
down vote

favorite
1












Nowadays people bath in personal bathrooms using soap and shampoo. The water will be water from either rivers or other means.



But in Hindu scriptures, bathing generally refers to either bath in sacred rivers or running water etc.,



So, my question is whether the current day bath procedure can be considered as the bathes mentioned in scripture?










share|improve this question




















  • 1




    "my questing is whether current day bath procedure can be considered as the bathes mentioned in scripture?" You already mentioned that we use soaps and shampoos. Are you looking for such mention or river bath equivalent to today's bath?
    – Sarvabhouma
    Nov 8 at 7:16










  • Yeah, till I read, I didn't come across such personal bathrooms. If there are any statements saying about the usage of personal bathrooms. I need such statements.
    – hanugm
    Nov 8 at 7:18










  • Please drop a comment for reason to downvote...
    – hanugm
    Nov 8 at 9:05






  • 3




    Don't worry about the downvotes that are given without specifying any reasons. I hv upvoted to negate one. And I m trying to answer this too. @hanugm
    – Rickross
    Nov 8 at 9:17










  • the ideal form of bathing is 'immersion' of head & whole body into sea/river/pond/well. also supposed to do sankalpam (resolution) before bathing, treating it like a ritual. because this is not easy in day-to-day life (it's still possible), as atonement, we are expected to bathe in sea/river/lake/pond whenever we can.. at least once in 12 years at sacred tirthas.
    – ram
    Nov 8 at 19:28













up vote
3
down vote

favorite
1









up vote
3
down vote

favorite
1






1





Nowadays people bath in personal bathrooms using soap and shampoo. The water will be water from either rivers or other means.



But in Hindu scriptures, bathing generally refers to either bath in sacred rivers or running water etc.,



So, my question is whether the current day bath procedure can be considered as the bathes mentioned in scripture?










share|improve this question















Nowadays people bath in personal bathrooms using soap and shampoo. The water will be water from either rivers or other means.



But in Hindu scriptures, bathing generally refers to either bath in sacred rivers or running water etc.,



So, my question is whether the current day bath procedure can be considered as the bathes mentioned in scripture?







practice






share|improve this question















share|improve this question













share|improve this question




share|improve this question








edited Nov 8 at 16:48

























asked Nov 8 at 7:01









hanugm

2,40911130




2,40911130








  • 1




    "my questing is whether current day bath procedure can be considered as the bathes mentioned in scripture?" You already mentioned that we use soaps and shampoos. Are you looking for such mention or river bath equivalent to today's bath?
    – Sarvabhouma
    Nov 8 at 7:16










  • Yeah, till I read, I didn't come across such personal bathrooms. If there are any statements saying about the usage of personal bathrooms. I need such statements.
    – hanugm
    Nov 8 at 7:18










  • Please drop a comment for reason to downvote...
    – hanugm
    Nov 8 at 9:05






  • 3




    Don't worry about the downvotes that are given without specifying any reasons. I hv upvoted to negate one. And I m trying to answer this too. @hanugm
    – Rickross
    Nov 8 at 9:17










  • the ideal form of bathing is 'immersion' of head & whole body into sea/river/pond/well. also supposed to do sankalpam (resolution) before bathing, treating it like a ritual. because this is not easy in day-to-day life (it's still possible), as atonement, we are expected to bathe in sea/river/lake/pond whenever we can.. at least once in 12 years at sacred tirthas.
    – ram
    Nov 8 at 19:28














  • 1




    "my questing is whether current day bath procedure can be considered as the bathes mentioned in scripture?" You already mentioned that we use soaps and shampoos. Are you looking for such mention or river bath equivalent to today's bath?
    – Sarvabhouma
    Nov 8 at 7:16










  • Yeah, till I read, I didn't come across such personal bathrooms. If there are any statements saying about the usage of personal bathrooms. I need such statements.
    – hanugm
    Nov 8 at 7:18










  • Please drop a comment for reason to downvote...
    – hanugm
    Nov 8 at 9:05






  • 3




    Don't worry about the downvotes that are given without specifying any reasons. I hv upvoted to negate one. And I m trying to answer this too. @hanugm
    – Rickross
    Nov 8 at 9:17










  • the ideal form of bathing is 'immersion' of head & whole body into sea/river/pond/well. also supposed to do sankalpam (resolution) before bathing, treating it like a ritual. because this is not easy in day-to-day life (it's still possible), as atonement, we are expected to bathe in sea/river/lake/pond whenever we can.. at least once in 12 years at sacred tirthas.
    – ram
    Nov 8 at 19:28








1




1




"my questing is whether current day bath procedure can be considered as the bathes mentioned in scripture?" You already mentioned that we use soaps and shampoos. Are you looking for such mention or river bath equivalent to today's bath?
– Sarvabhouma
Nov 8 at 7:16




"my questing is whether current day bath procedure can be considered as the bathes mentioned in scripture?" You already mentioned that we use soaps and shampoos. Are you looking for such mention or river bath equivalent to today's bath?
– Sarvabhouma
Nov 8 at 7:16












Yeah, till I read, I didn't come across such personal bathrooms. If there are any statements saying about the usage of personal bathrooms. I need such statements.
– hanugm
Nov 8 at 7:18




Yeah, till I read, I didn't come across such personal bathrooms. If there are any statements saying about the usage of personal bathrooms. I need such statements.
– hanugm
Nov 8 at 7:18












Please drop a comment for reason to downvote...
– hanugm
Nov 8 at 9:05




Please drop a comment for reason to downvote...
– hanugm
Nov 8 at 9:05




3




3




Don't worry about the downvotes that are given without specifying any reasons. I hv upvoted to negate one. And I m trying to answer this too. @hanugm
– Rickross
Nov 8 at 9:17




Don't worry about the downvotes that are given without specifying any reasons. I hv upvoted to negate one. And I m trying to answer this too. @hanugm
– Rickross
Nov 8 at 9:17












the ideal form of bathing is 'immersion' of head & whole body into sea/river/pond/well. also supposed to do sankalpam (resolution) before bathing, treating it like a ritual. because this is not easy in day-to-day life (it's still possible), as atonement, we are expected to bathe in sea/river/lake/pond whenever we can.. at least once in 12 years at sacred tirthas.
– ram
Nov 8 at 19:28




the ideal form of bathing is 'immersion' of head & whole body into sea/river/pond/well. also supposed to do sankalpam (resolution) before bathing, treating it like a ritual. because this is not easy in day-to-day life (it's still possible), as atonement, we are expected to bathe in sea/river/lake/pond whenever we can.. at least once in 12 years at sacred tirthas.
– ram
Nov 8 at 19:28










1 Answer
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5
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As you have already stated the scriptures recommend taking bath either in rivers or in water that is drawn out from wells.



The river water is considered pure as it is always flowing ( i.e because of the current). And, the water in the well is considered pure because it is always in touch with Bhumi (or Earth which is a Vedic deity).



From Dharma Bindu (which has quotes from various scriptures) we get lot of valuable info on Snana Vidhi:




Snaana Vidhi:



Vyasa opines: Praatah kaaletu sampraapte kritvaa chaavashyakam
budhah,
Snaayaannadeeshu shuddhaasu shoucham kritvaa yadhaa vidhi/



A virtuous person would perform his morning routine and then take
bath in rivers or running waters.




But in today's time it is not possible for most of us to follow such instructions. So, we have adjust with whatever we can manage to do.



The book further quotes Manu and other authorities and also gives a shortcut for compensating for not bathing in rivers. It says when we are using stored water for bath first discard seven palmfull of water from it and then bath. Then it is acceptable even by these ancient standards.




Nadeeshu Devakhaateshu Tataakeshu Sarassucha snaanam samaacharennityam
gartaprasravaneshucha/



Manu says that Snaanas be taken among the water bodies like Jeeva
Nadis or ever flowing rivers, divine water bodies like Pushkar and
Manasarovara, and wells and deep water pits.



Puraanaanaam Narendraanaam rishinaamcha mahatmanaam,
Snaanam
kupatataakeshu devataanaam samaacharet/
Bhumishthamudhrutaatpunyam
tatah prasravanodakam,
Tatopi Saarasam punyam Gaangam punyantu
sarvatah/



Markandeya describes that in the past there were some water bodies
dug up in which Kings, Rishis ans Mahatmas bathed and performing
snaana at such places are worthy indeed. Water dug up from the depths
of earth is sacred and so are the water falls and of flows; reputed
Sarovaras and Rivers like Ganga are highly sacred.



Yoga Yagnyavalkya prescribes that whenever one has to take bath elsewhere, then snaana be done by discarding palmful of water seven
times first and then proceed.
Also, wherever there is a running
River of Sacredness nearby, one should prefer bathing in it rather
than in any stored water!




Or else one can also invoke the presence of Ganga, the most holy river, by chanting the Sloka given in this answer.




nandinI naLinI sItA mAlatI cha mahApagA
viShNupAdAbjasaMbhUtA
ga~NgA tripathagAminI
bhAgIrathI bhogavatI jAhnavI
tridasheshvarI
dvAdashaitAni nAmAni yatra yatra jalAshaye

snAnodyataH smarennityaM tatra tatra vasAmyahaM ||








Manu Smriti 5.134. In order to cleanse (the organs) by which urine and
faeces are ejected, earth and water must be used, as they may be
required, likewise in removing the (remaining ones among) twelve
impurities of the body.




Thus,in ancient times purification was attained by the use of earth/soil and water. In today's time the role that earth used to play is played by soaps etc. Also oil bath is mentioned and allowed in scriptures so there is no reason why using soap/shampoo will be bad.



Moreover, the water that we get from overhead tanks are collected from some river or the other. And, water is always pure as even the most impure substances can not sully it.




A woman is not polluted by a lover, a Brahmin by Vedic rites, water by
urine and faeces and fire by the act of burning. (Vashishta Smriti
28.3)




Therefore, there is nothing to worry about.



But if we want then we can employ either of the two techniques described above - the discarding seven palmfull of water technique or the invocation of the holy rivers technique to make our bathing procedure meet the scriptural standards.



The book Dharma Bindu is available on Kamakoti.org and can be downloaded from here: https://www.kamakoti.org/kamakoti/articles/Dharma%20Bindu.pdf






share|improve this answer































    1 Answer
    1






    active

    oldest

    votes








    1 Answer
    1






    active

    oldest

    votes









    active

    oldest

    votes






    active

    oldest

    votes








    up vote
    5
    down vote













    As you have already stated the scriptures recommend taking bath either in rivers or in water that is drawn out from wells.



    The river water is considered pure as it is always flowing ( i.e because of the current). And, the water in the well is considered pure because it is always in touch with Bhumi (or Earth which is a Vedic deity).



    From Dharma Bindu (which has quotes from various scriptures) we get lot of valuable info on Snana Vidhi:




    Snaana Vidhi:



    Vyasa opines: Praatah kaaletu sampraapte kritvaa chaavashyakam
    budhah,
    Snaayaannadeeshu shuddhaasu shoucham kritvaa yadhaa vidhi/



    A virtuous person would perform his morning routine and then take
    bath in rivers or running waters.




    But in today's time it is not possible for most of us to follow such instructions. So, we have adjust with whatever we can manage to do.



    The book further quotes Manu and other authorities and also gives a shortcut for compensating for not bathing in rivers. It says when we are using stored water for bath first discard seven palmfull of water from it and then bath. Then it is acceptable even by these ancient standards.




    Nadeeshu Devakhaateshu Tataakeshu Sarassucha snaanam samaacharennityam
    gartaprasravaneshucha/



    Manu says that Snaanas be taken among the water bodies like Jeeva
    Nadis or ever flowing rivers, divine water bodies like Pushkar and
    Manasarovara, and wells and deep water pits.



    Puraanaanaam Narendraanaam rishinaamcha mahatmanaam,
    Snaanam
    kupatataakeshu devataanaam samaacharet/
    Bhumishthamudhrutaatpunyam
    tatah prasravanodakam,
    Tatopi Saarasam punyam Gaangam punyantu
    sarvatah/



    Markandeya describes that in the past there were some water bodies
    dug up in which Kings, Rishis ans Mahatmas bathed and performing
    snaana at such places are worthy indeed. Water dug up from the depths
    of earth is sacred and so are the water falls and of flows; reputed
    Sarovaras and Rivers like Ganga are highly sacred.



    Yoga Yagnyavalkya prescribes that whenever one has to take bath elsewhere, then snaana be done by discarding palmful of water seven
    times first and then proceed.
    Also, wherever there is a running
    River of Sacredness nearby, one should prefer bathing in it rather
    than in any stored water!




    Or else one can also invoke the presence of Ganga, the most holy river, by chanting the Sloka given in this answer.




    nandinI naLinI sItA mAlatI cha mahApagA
    viShNupAdAbjasaMbhUtA
    ga~NgA tripathagAminI
    bhAgIrathI bhogavatI jAhnavI
    tridasheshvarI
    dvAdashaitAni nAmAni yatra yatra jalAshaye

    snAnodyataH smarennityaM tatra tatra vasAmyahaM ||








    Manu Smriti 5.134. In order to cleanse (the organs) by which urine and
    faeces are ejected, earth and water must be used, as they may be
    required, likewise in removing the (remaining ones among) twelve
    impurities of the body.




    Thus,in ancient times purification was attained by the use of earth/soil and water. In today's time the role that earth used to play is played by soaps etc. Also oil bath is mentioned and allowed in scriptures so there is no reason why using soap/shampoo will be bad.



    Moreover, the water that we get from overhead tanks are collected from some river or the other. And, water is always pure as even the most impure substances can not sully it.




    A woman is not polluted by a lover, a Brahmin by Vedic rites, water by
    urine and faeces and fire by the act of burning. (Vashishta Smriti
    28.3)




    Therefore, there is nothing to worry about.



    But if we want then we can employ either of the two techniques described above - the discarding seven palmfull of water technique or the invocation of the holy rivers technique to make our bathing procedure meet the scriptural standards.



    The book Dharma Bindu is available on Kamakoti.org and can be downloaded from here: https://www.kamakoti.org/kamakoti/articles/Dharma%20Bindu.pdf






    share|improve this answer



























      up vote
      5
      down vote













      As you have already stated the scriptures recommend taking bath either in rivers or in water that is drawn out from wells.



      The river water is considered pure as it is always flowing ( i.e because of the current). And, the water in the well is considered pure because it is always in touch with Bhumi (or Earth which is a Vedic deity).



      From Dharma Bindu (which has quotes from various scriptures) we get lot of valuable info on Snana Vidhi:




      Snaana Vidhi:



      Vyasa opines: Praatah kaaletu sampraapte kritvaa chaavashyakam
      budhah,
      Snaayaannadeeshu shuddhaasu shoucham kritvaa yadhaa vidhi/



      A virtuous person would perform his morning routine and then take
      bath in rivers or running waters.




      But in today's time it is not possible for most of us to follow such instructions. So, we have adjust with whatever we can manage to do.



      The book further quotes Manu and other authorities and also gives a shortcut for compensating for not bathing in rivers. It says when we are using stored water for bath first discard seven palmfull of water from it and then bath. Then it is acceptable even by these ancient standards.




      Nadeeshu Devakhaateshu Tataakeshu Sarassucha snaanam samaacharennityam
      gartaprasravaneshucha/



      Manu says that Snaanas be taken among the water bodies like Jeeva
      Nadis or ever flowing rivers, divine water bodies like Pushkar and
      Manasarovara, and wells and deep water pits.



      Puraanaanaam Narendraanaam rishinaamcha mahatmanaam,
      Snaanam
      kupatataakeshu devataanaam samaacharet/
      Bhumishthamudhrutaatpunyam
      tatah prasravanodakam,
      Tatopi Saarasam punyam Gaangam punyantu
      sarvatah/



      Markandeya describes that in the past there were some water bodies
      dug up in which Kings, Rishis ans Mahatmas bathed and performing
      snaana at such places are worthy indeed. Water dug up from the depths
      of earth is sacred and so are the water falls and of flows; reputed
      Sarovaras and Rivers like Ganga are highly sacred.



      Yoga Yagnyavalkya prescribes that whenever one has to take bath elsewhere, then snaana be done by discarding palmful of water seven
      times first and then proceed.
      Also, wherever there is a running
      River of Sacredness nearby, one should prefer bathing in it rather
      than in any stored water!




      Or else one can also invoke the presence of Ganga, the most holy river, by chanting the Sloka given in this answer.




      nandinI naLinI sItA mAlatI cha mahApagA
      viShNupAdAbjasaMbhUtA
      ga~NgA tripathagAminI
      bhAgIrathI bhogavatI jAhnavI
      tridasheshvarI
      dvAdashaitAni nAmAni yatra yatra jalAshaye

      snAnodyataH smarennityaM tatra tatra vasAmyahaM ||








      Manu Smriti 5.134. In order to cleanse (the organs) by which urine and
      faeces are ejected, earth and water must be used, as they may be
      required, likewise in removing the (remaining ones among) twelve
      impurities of the body.




      Thus,in ancient times purification was attained by the use of earth/soil and water. In today's time the role that earth used to play is played by soaps etc. Also oil bath is mentioned and allowed in scriptures so there is no reason why using soap/shampoo will be bad.



      Moreover, the water that we get from overhead tanks are collected from some river or the other. And, water is always pure as even the most impure substances can not sully it.




      A woman is not polluted by a lover, a Brahmin by Vedic rites, water by
      urine and faeces and fire by the act of burning. (Vashishta Smriti
      28.3)




      Therefore, there is nothing to worry about.



      But if we want then we can employ either of the two techniques described above - the discarding seven palmfull of water technique or the invocation of the holy rivers technique to make our bathing procedure meet the scriptural standards.



      The book Dharma Bindu is available on Kamakoti.org and can be downloaded from here: https://www.kamakoti.org/kamakoti/articles/Dharma%20Bindu.pdf






      share|improve this answer

























        up vote
        5
        down vote










        up vote
        5
        down vote









        As you have already stated the scriptures recommend taking bath either in rivers or in water that is drawn out from wells.



        The river water is considered pure as it is always flowing ( i.e because of the current). And, the water in the well is considered pure because it is always in touch with Bhumi (or Earth which is a Vedic deity).



        From Dharma Bindu (which has quotes from various scriptures) we get lot of valuable info on Snana Vidhi:




        Snaana Vidhi:



        Vyasa opines: Praatah kaaletu sampraapte kritvaa chaavashyakam
        budhah,
        Snaayaannadeeshu shuddhaasu shoucham kritvaa yadhaa vidhi/



        A virtuous person would perform his morning routine and then take
        bath in rivers or running waters.




        But in today's time it is not possible for most of us to follow such instructions. So, we have adjust with whatever we can manage to do.



        The book further quotes Manu and other authorities and also gives a shortcut for compensating for not bathing in rivers. It says when we are using stored water for bath first discard seven palmfull of water from it and then bath. Then it is acceptable even by these ancient standards.




        Nadeeshu Devakhaateshu Tataakeshu Sarassucha snaanam samaacharennityam
        gartaprasravaneshucha/



        Manu says that Snaanas be taken among the water bodies like Jeeva
        Nadis or ever flowing rivers, divine water bodies like Pushkar and
        Manasarovara, and wells and deep water pits.



        Puraanaanaam Narendraanaam rishinaamcha mahatmanaam,
        Snaanam
        kupatataakeshu devataanaam samaacharet/
        Bhumishthamudhrutaatpunyam
        tatah prasravanodakam,
        Tatopi Saarasam punyam Gaangam punyantu
        sarvatah/



        Markandeya describes that in the past there were some water bodies
        dug up in which Kings, Rishis ans Mahatmas bathed and performing
        snaana at such places are worthy indeed. Water dug up from the depths
        of earth is sacred and so are the water falls and of flows; reputed
        Sarovaras and Rivers like Ganga are highly sacred.



        Yoga Yagnyavalkya prescribes that whenever one has to take bath elsewhere, then snaana be done by discarding palmful of water seven
        times first and then proceed.
        Also, wherever there is a running
        River of Sacredness nearby, one should prefer bathing in it rather
        than in any stored water!




        Or else one can also invoke the presence of Ganga, the most holy river, by chanting the Sloka given in this answer.




        nandinI naLinI sItA mAlatI cha mahApagA
        viShNupAdAbjasaMbhUtA
        ga~NgA tripathagAminI
        bhAgIrathI bhogavatI jAhnavI
        tridasheshvarI
        dvAdashaitAni nAmAni yatra yatra jalAshaye

        snAnodyataH smarennityaM tatra tatra vasAmyahaM ||








        Manu Smriti 5.134. In order to cleanse (the organs) by which urine and
        faeces are ejected, earth and water must be used, as they may be
        required, likewise in removing the (remaining ones among) twelve
        impurities of the body.




        Thus,in ancient times purification was attained by the use of earth/soil and water. In today's time the role that earth used to play is played by soaps etc. Also oil bath is mentioned and allowed in scriptures so there is no reason why using soap/shampoo will be bad.



        Moreover, the water that we get from overhead tanks are collected from some river or the other. And, water is always pure as even the most impure substances can not sully it.




        A woman is not polluted by a lover, a Brahmin by Vedic rites, water by
        urine and faeces and fire by the act of burning. (Vashishta Smriti
        28.3)




        Therefore, there is nothing to worry about.



        But if we want then we can employ either of the two techniques described above - the discarding seven palmfull of water technique or the invocation of the holy rivers technique to make our bathing procedure meet the scriptural standards.



        The book Dharma Bindu is available on Kamakoti.org and can be downloaded from here: https://www.kamakoti.org/kamakoti/articles/Dharma%20Bindu.pdf






        share|improve this answer














        As you have already stated the scriptures recommend taking bath either in rivers or in water that is drawn out from wells.



        The river water is considered pure as it is always flowing ( i.e because of the current). And, the water in the well is considered pure because it is always in touch with Bhumi (or Earth which is a Vedic deity).



        From Dharma Bindu (which has quotes from various scriptures) we get lot of valuable info on Snana Vidhi:




        Snaana Vidhi:



        Vyasa opines: Praatah kaaletu sampraapte kritvaa chaavashyakam
        budhah,
        Snaayaannadeeshu shuddhaasu shoucham kritvaa yadhaa vidhi/



        A virtuous person would perform his morning routine and then take
        bath in rivers or running waters.




        But in today's time it is not possible for most of us to follow such instructions. So, we have adjust with whatever we can manage to do.



        The book further quotes Manu and other authorities and also gives a shortcut for compensating for not bathing in rivers. It says when we are using stored water for bath first discard seven palmfull of water from it and then bath. Then it is acceptable even by these ancient standards.




        Nadeeshu Devakhaateshu Tataakeshu Sarassucha snaanam samaacharennityam
        gartaprasravaneshucha/



        Manu says that Snaanas be taken among the water bodies like Jeeva
        Nadis or ever flowing rivers, divine water bodies like Pushkar and
        Manasarovara, and wells and deep water pits.



        Puraanaanaam Narendraanaam rishinaamcha mahatmanaam,
        Snaanam
        kupatataakeshu devataanaam samaacharet/
        Bhumishthamudhrutaatpunyam
        tatah prasravanodakam,
        Tatopi Saarasam punyam Gaangam punyantu
        sarvatah/



        Markandeya describes that in the past there were some water bodies
        dug up in which Kings, Rishis ans Mahatmas bathed and performing
        snaana at such places are worthy indeed. Water dug up from the depths
        of earth is sacred and so are the water falls and of flows; reputed
        Sarovaras and Rivers like Ganga are highly sacred.



        Yoga Yagnyavalkya prescribes that whenever one has to take bath elsewhere, then snaana be done by discarding palmful of water seven
        times first and then proceed.
        Also, wherever there is a running
        River of Sacredness nearby, one should prefer bathing in it rather
        than in any stored water!




        Or else one can also invoke the presence of Ganga, the most holy river, by chanting the Sloka given in this answer.




        nandinI naLinI sItA mAlatI cha mahApagA
        viShNupAdAbjasaMbhUtA
        ga~NgA tripathagAminI
        bhAgIrathI bhogavatI jAhnavI
        tridasheshvarI
        dvAdashaitAni nAmAni yatra yatra jalAshaye

        snAnodyataH smarennityaM tatra tatra vasAmyahaM ||








        Manu Smriti 5.134. In order to cleanse (the organs) by which urine and
        faeces are ejected, earth and water must be used, as they may be
        required, likewise in removing the (remaining ones among) twelve
        impurities of the body.




        Thus,in ancient times purification was attained by the use of earth/soil and water. In today's time the role that earth used to play is played by soaps etc. Also oil bath is mentioned and allowed in scriptures so there is no reason why using soap/shampoo will be bad.



        Moreover, the water that we get from overhead tanks are collected from some river or the other. And, water is always pure as even the most impure substances can not sully it.




        A woman is not polluted by a lover, a Brahmin by Vedic rites, water by
        urine and faeces and fire by the act of burning. (Vashishta Smriti
        28.3)




        Therefore, there is nothing to worry about.



        But if we want then we can employ either of the two techniques described above - the discarding seven palmfull of water technique or the invocation of the holy rivers technique to make our bathing procedure meet the scriptural standards.



        The book Dharma Bindu is available on Kamakoti.org and can be downloaded from here: https://www.kamakoti.org/kamakoti/articles/Dharma%20Bindu.pdf







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        edited Nov 8 at 9:58

























        answered Nov 8 at 9:41









        Rickross

        44.6k363172




        44.6k363172















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