स्नान

 स्नान or taking a bath in a morning is a social norm that almost everyone follows. Taking a bath is not only a hygiene routine but has many other benefits that will leave us amazed.

दीपनं वृष्यं आयुष्यं स्नानं ऊर्जाबलाप्रदम

कण्डूमलश्रमस्वेदतन्द्रातृटदाहपाप्मजित | -वाग्भट सूत्र 2/15

स्नान Bathing has a cleansing action on all the dirt, pollutants or stickiness over the body. कण्डू or itching due to these irritations also vanishes with a thorough bath. But that's not all.

स्नान or taking a bath increases peripheral blood circulation. That means, blood circulation in all extremities, skin, face, fingers, toes is enhanced during bath; owing to nerves stimulation. This can be well demonstrated by having goose bumps after a cold water or increased body temperature after a hot water bath. In both these cases, bathing stimulates nerve endings present on our skin. Thus this peripheral stimulation after स्नान decreases श्रम or exertion and तन्द्रा or fatigue.

स्वेद (Excess perspiration or sweating) leads to sticky feel on skin with unpleasant odour and itching. स्नान or bathing controls स्वेद and all its unwanted effects leading to a fresh and energetic feel.

दाह or Hot flushes or feeling of excess warmth over body can also be controlled by स्नान. This दाह is due to nerve ending irritation. Bathing calms this irritation and gives a relaxed soothing effect.

तृट or तृष्णा (thirst) is a feeling of dryness in not only throat but at a mental level. Exhaustion after a heavy physical or mental work or any emotional challenge leads to increased stress which in turn disturbs thirst center in brain. Everyone must be aware of that…”गला तो सभीका सूखता है” type nervous thirst effect before any difficult challenge. A relaxing bath with aromatic atmosphere gives an excellent result in such conditions.

स्नान is considered a holy ritual in many cultures. It is considered to remove all पाप or sins. Here this पाप refers to unwanted things from our body and mind which are flushed out with स्नान.

Ayurved recommends स्नान with hot or warm water below neck. Never use hot water to wash head as it damages hair and vision. Cold or slightly warm water should be used to wash head. Only in ग्रीष्मऋतु or summer season, one can bath with cold water to regulated body temperature.

Aromatic herbs like rose petals or वाळा can be added in bathing water for pleasant calming effect. In case of कण्डू or itching, use of निम्बपत्र in bathing water gives best results.

स्नान is contraindicated in fever, indigestion, diarrhoea or loose motions as these diseases drains out energy. So one must restrict to only sponging rather than having a regular bath. Also one should never take a bath after meals. After meals, blood circulation is more towards stomach to facilitate digestion. However bathing after meals shifts blood circulation intensity peripherally, leading to improper digestion.

So with all this, one must be aware of how detailed स्नान is explained in Ayurved. Next time when you take a bath, do remember all the benefits of स्नान and follow a healthy दिनचर्या .