The concept of bath is more profound than is usually considered by us, to be. The bath in neither a meaningless ritual of blind religious belief; nor it is a physical procedure that merely involves cleaning the body and simply refreshing the mind. We have to appreciate that bath has direct influence on all the activities; of all the cells of the body; through its stimulating effects on the skin and subcutaneous tissues; on the central nervous system, autonomic nervous system, endocrine system, immune system and metabolic activities.
It is true that the details of the effects are not described in the text- books of physiology as they are not studied; or even thought over; adequately. In addition, there is a tendency amongst researchers to tread a path of traditional sets of experiments based on traditional schools of thought and not even consider; what appeals to reasoning! This is somewhat similar to gradual loss of clinical acumen and increase in the reliance on the gadgets and the investigations. This has prevented us from studying, investigating, understanding, appreciating and teaching the benefits of bath described in the following shloka.
GUNA DASHAH SNANAPARASYA SADHO
ROOPAM CHA TEJAM CHA BALAM CHA SHAUCHAM
AYUSHYAM AROGYAM ALOLUPATVAM
DUHSWAPNA GHATAHSH CHA TAPAM CHA MEDHA
The meaning is
Oh gentleman! The bath is beneficial in ten different ways.
It improves physical (morphological and physiological) state of existence. It is to be appreciated that ROOPAM does not mean mere appearance. It includes all the morphology interacting with physiology. This is why ROOPAM and NAMA are some times compared and contrasted. ROOPAM is everything that is identified by all the terminology [NAMA] in the morphology and physiology.
It improves the TEJAM i.e. all the activities that generate energy. In modern parlance this refers to formation of ATP [Adenosine Triphosphate] and CP [Creatine Phosphate], besides the calories which are used to maintain the temperature of the body.
It improves BALAM. BALAM refers to the actual power, endurance and working capacity of an individual [through efficient formation and utilization of ATP and CP].
It imparts SHAUCHAM i.e. purity. SHAUCHAM is not merely physical cleanliness of the skin. Bath stimulates the circulation and helps wash away all the waste products; likely to be accumulated; in and around the cells present in every nook and corner of the body.
It gives AYUSHYAM i.e. life. AYUSHYAM is defined as PRAANALAKSHANA VAAYUNAA YOGAH, which means availability to; and utilization of oxygenation by; all the parts of the body. This is achieved through stimulation of central and autonomic nervous systems and in turn; stimulation of the respiratory system, cardiovascular system, which are vital in reaching the oxygen to the body cells. But that is not all. It also stimulates the endocrine, immune and metabolic activities. This implies improvement in vitality.
It improves AROGYAM, which is defined as DHAATUSAAMYAM, which means right proportion of everything in body so as to give power, pleasure, profundity, performance, peace and so on; for prolonged time!
It gives ALOLUPATVAM, which means capacity to rise above gravitating, enslaving, degenerating, distorting, depressing, disorganizing, frustrating, and devastating forces in life. This is important in every sphere of life. In fact ALOLUPATVAM refers to the state of mind; which is invincible.
DUSVAPNAGHAATASH means one, which destroys bad dreams or nightmares. Bath can achieve this through achieving a state of alertness by overcoming the unsteady, imbalanced state of mind, which causes day dreams, bad dreams and nightmares.
TAPAH is of three types [Geeta 17.14, 17.15, 17.16] involving roughly speaking body, intellect and emotions. The TAPAH is also further classified [Geeta 17.17, 17.18, 17.19] into divine, mundane, and devilish. TAPAH means coordinated and controlled activity at an individual level, in the best interest of the universe. This activity viz. TAPAH is made possible, easier and enhanced; by bath. Bath taken thrice a day [TRIKAL SNAANA]; in itself, is a difficult accomplishment and involves all three types of TAPAH!
MEDHAA means enlightened intelligence. The bath involves not only physical cleanliness but it shifts the level of consciousness. This is particularly important because with such shift in consciousness, the perceptions, desires, aims and actions become increasingly in accordance with the cosmic consciousness and hence increasingly more accurate.
Prayer of Ganga
NAMAAMI GANGE TAVA PAADPANKAJAM
SURAASURAIRVANDITADIVYARUPAM
BHUKTIN CHA MUKTIN CHA DADAASI NITYAM
BHAAAVAANUSAARENA SADAA NARAANAAM
This prayer when recited before actual SNAANA (bath) helps in more than one way. It links us with the river Ganga; who has been worshipped by our ancestors and people from most parts of India; and thereby; with our land, our culture, our countrymen and our forefathers. This very prayer has thus tremendous potential to help us get rid of isolated, alienated, lonely existence.
NAMASMARAN makes the bath; conducive to Total Stress Management (holistic health). We can verify the beneficial effects of bath on Basal Metabolic Rate, physical and mental performance, weight control, joint pains, cervical spondylosis, stiffness of back and body; and recovery from diabetes and many other ailments.