Skip to Content

SADACHARA SMRITI

In the previous edition of Vol-2, we understood the sloka # 2. The shloka#2 of Sadachara Smriti outlines the immediate duties upon waking in the morning for a pious individual. It emphasizes the importance of starting the day with remembrance of Lord Vishnu, who is considered the supreme controller and sustainer.


The shloka instructs that after remembering Vishnu upon waking (ideally during the Brahma Muhurta, around 4 AM), one should attend to their morning ablutions ("kRutashauco yathAvidhi"). This includes using the restroom and cleaning oneself properly according to scriptural guidelines.

Following this, one should cleanse their teeth ("dhautadantaH") and then perform achamana, which is a ritualistic sipping of water for inner purification. Finally, the verse directs the practitioner to take a bath "vidhAnataH" – meaning according to the prescribed rules and procedures.

In essence, this shloka lays down the foundational morning routine for a devout individual, emphasizing physical purity and a spiritual beginning to the day by consistently remembering Lord Vishnu. It sets the stage for the more detailed bathing rituals described in the subsequent shlokas.


Now lets understand the slok#3 which details the daily ritualistic bath.

Sloka 2

udhRuta iti mRudAlipya dwiShaDaShTaShaDakSharaiH |
trinirmajyApyasUttrena prokShayitvA punastataH |


The ancient texts of Hinduism are replete with intricate details regarding daily spiritual practices, designed to uplift the individual and foster a profound connection with the divine. Sri Madhvacharya's Sadachara Smriti, a revered guide for righteous conduct in the Dvaita Vedanta tradition, offers precise instructions for these rituals. Let's embark on a line-by-line exploration of a pivotal verse from its third shloka, unraveling the layers of meaning behind each phrase of this sacred bathing ritual.


"udhRuta iti mRudA&&lipya": This initial part sets the stage for the sacred bath. It instructs the practitioner to apply "mud" to their body, but not just any mud. This specifically refers to tulasimruttike, a sacred clay often mixed with particles from the holy basil (Tulasi) plant, revered for its purifying properties and association with Lord Vishnu. As this consecrated mud is applied, the devotee is to recite the hymn "OdrutAsi varAhEna." This powerful invocation references the Varaha incarnation of Lord Vishnu, who heroically lifted the Earth from the primordial waters. This act of anointing the body with sacred earth, accompanied by a hymn glorifying divine salvation, transforms the physical preparation into a deeply spiritual consecration, inviting purity and protection.


"dwiShaDaShTaShaDaksharaiH": This phrase then specifies the divine sounds that are to accompany the subsequent actions. It refers to specific Vishnu mantras, categorized by their syllable count:

○ "dwi-ShaT" (twelve syllables): Typically the Vasudeva mantra ("Om Namo Bhagavate Vasudevaya"), honoring a form of Krishna.

○ "aShTa" (eight syllables): The well-known Narayana mantra ("Om Namo Narayanaya"), dedicated to Vishnu's all-pervading form.

○ "ShaT" (six syllables): Commonly "Om Vishnave Namah" (Salutations to Vishnu) or "Om Krishnaya Namah" (Salutations to Krishna). The inclusion of these mantras signifies that the bathing ritual is not a silent or mundane act; it is infused with devotional chanting, ensuring that the mind remains focused on the divine throughout the process.

The initial stage of the sacred bath involves anointing the body with purifying Tulasi mud while simultaneously reciting the "OdrutAsi varAhEna" hymn, invoking Lord Varaha. This preparatory act sets a deeply spiritual tone, as the subsequent actions of immersion are to be performed while chanting one of the powerful twelve-syllable, eight-syllable, or six-syllable mantras dedicated to Lord Vishnu. This holistic approach ensures that the physical purification is intrinsically linked with mental devotion and divine remembrance.


"tri-nirmajya": "Tri" means "three," and "nirmajya" means "having immersed oneself" or "having plunged oneself." This specifies the key action of dipping oneself completely into the water three times. The triple immersion is a common feature in Hindu rituals, symbolizing a complete and thorough purification on multiple levels—physical, mental, and spiritual.


"apya-sUttrena": This compound phrase refers to "with a water-related hymn" or "with a sacred thread/hymn related to water." While not explicitly named in this line, the traditional hymn recited here is often "Apo hi shtha" from the Rig Veda, which invokes the purifying and benevolent qualities of water.


"prokShayitvA": This means "having sprinkled" or "having consecrated by sprinkling water." After emerging from the triple immersion, the devotee performs achamana (sipping water for inner purification) and then sprinkles water over their body, accompanied by the aforementioned hymn. This act serves as a final consecration of the body purified by the bath.

"punastataH": This means "then again" or "thereafter." This crucial phrase indicates that the ritual is a multi-stage process and that further steps are to follow. It connects this part of the verse to the subsequent instructions within the full shloka.

Combined Meaning of Line 3: This line describes the central act of bathing: the practitioner is to immerse themselves in the water three times, all the while chanting one of the specified divine mantras. Following these immersions, they are to sprinkle water upon their body, accompanying this action with a sacred hymn that invokes the power of water. The phrase "then again" signals that this is not the end of the ritual; rather, it leads into a subsequent, similar sequence with a different mantra, as detailed in the full shloka.


The Essence of the Ritual

When these lines are woven together, they paint a vivid picture of a deeply intentional and spiritually charged bathing ritual. It's far more than just cleaning the body. It's a holistic practice that integrates:

• Physical Purity: Through the use of sacred mud and water.

• Mental Focus: By engaging the mind through mantra recitation.

• Spiritual Connection: By invoking divine forms and their purifying energies.

• Ritualistic Precision: By following a prescribed sequence of actions.

This detailed breakdown reveals how even seemingly simple daily acts, when imbued with scriptural guidance and devotional intent, become powerful vehicles for spiritual growth and a deeper connection to the divine. It's a testament to the wisdom embedded in texts like Acharya's Sadachara Smriti, guiding individuals towards a life lived in harmony with spiritual principles.


The sacred bathing ritual begins with a preparatory stage where the practitioner anoints their body with purifying Tulasi mud while reciting a hymn to invoke Lord Varaha. This act sets a spiritual tone for the core of the ritual: immersing oneself in water three times while chanting powerful mantras dedicated to Lord Vishnu. This ensures the physical cleansing is intrinsically linked with mental devotion.

Following the immersions, the ritual continues with the practitioner sprinkling water on their body, accompanied by a hymn that invokes the power of water. The process is described as a continuous sequence, suggesting these actions are repeated with different mantras as part of a larger, holistic ceremony that combines physical purification with deep spiritual remembrance and focus.