Cleanliness and Orderliness in Spiritual Life

Principles of Internal Purity

One of the 64 aspects of devotional service is offering one's daily activities to Krishna. As soon as a person begins to engage in devotional service, Krishna Himself appears in the lotus of their heart.

🏛️ The Body as a Temple

A devotee should view this body not as a source of sense gratification, but as the Lord's temple. Since this body is a very valuable instrument with which we can serve Krishna, the body must be correctly cared for and maintained, following the principles of the mode of goodness.

The Krishna Consciousness movement is a brahminical movement. A brahmana must be clean. The highest standard of cleanliness applies to them. A Vaishnava is considered above a brahmana, because he is also a devotee of Krishna. Another name for a brahmana is shuchi – clean.

Cleanliness is of Two Types

Internal Purity

Created through regulated practice of devotional service – vaidhi sadhana bhakti. By hearing and chanting, we purify our consciousness.

External Purity

Many things that must be performed externally – bathing, cleanliness of clothes, cleaning the environment.

Garuda Purāṇa

oṁ apavitraḥ pavitro vā

sarvāvasthāṁ gato 'pi vā

yaḥ smaret puṇḍarīkākṣaṁ

sa bahyābhyantara-śuciḥ

"Whether one is pure or impure, or has passed through all conditions of material life, if one can remember the lotus-eyed Lord, one becomes clean both externally and internally."

Health

Remembering that our body belongs not to us but to Krishna, one must certainly also take care of health. Prevention is the best form of treatment.

7 Rules for Good Health

Cleanliness. Cleanliness is next to Godliness.

Daily routine. Strengthens discipline and responsibility.

Eating. Devotees eat to live.

Drinking. At least a few liters of water per day.

Physical exercise. Or yoga exercises.

Dress appropriately. Feet warm, head cool.

Peace of mind. No need to worry about what cannot be changed.

A Person Becomes Contaminated

After eating – rinse the mouth, wash the hands

After intercourse – bathe with cool water

After using the toilet – wash hands, bathe

After sleep – wash the face or bathe

Manu smṛti 5.109

"The body is purified by water, the internal organs are purified by truthfulness, the individual soul is purified by transcendental knowledge and austerities, and the intellect is purified by correct knowledge."

Sleep

One should go to sleep as early as possible. Preferably at 8-9 PM. Ayurveda states that the most valuable sleep is before midnight. Prabhupada says that for a healthy person, 6-7 hours of sleep per day is sufficient.

🌙 Rules for Sleep

• For half an hour before sleep, devote time to listening to lectures or reading books
• When going to bed, offer the results of the day's works to Krishna and guru
• Rise before 4 AM – the time of the mode of goodness
• Upon waking, say "Krishna Krishna!"
• Sleep with the head to the east or to the south

Vaishnava Appearance

Vaishnava appearance is very dear to Lord Gauranga. A beautiful Vaishnava appearance leaves a good impression on ordinary people and helps them remember Krishna.

🔱

Tilaka

Marks on the body that turn it into a temple of Vishnu

📿

Kanthi mala

A necklace of Tulasi beads on the neck

✂️

Shikha

A tuft of hair on the back of the head

"A forehead without tilaka is like a crematorium" – Lord Chaitanya

Story: Tilaka at work

Once in India there was a factory where only Indian Vaishnavas worked. When the owner changed to a Muslim, he forbade the wearing of tilaka. Most obeyed, but one employee came with a bright white tilaka. The owner said: "This Vaishnava wearing tilaka is very brave. He can continue to wear tilaka. However, for everyone else, it is forbidden."

Srila Prabhupada used this story to encourage devotees not to give up Vaishnava signs. Even in 1966 in New York, he was happy when his students wore tilaka in government services. If the situation does not allow, one can put on "water" tilaka, but the principle remains – we must remain devotees.

Daily Cleanliness Principles (26 Rules)

Body Hygiene

Brush teeth and tongue upon waking up in the morning.
Bathe daily in the morning (with cold water) and, if possible, after work.
Use individual hygiene products.
After using the toilet, wash hands with soap and bathe (after bowel movement).
Fingernails and toenails must be short.
Use soap and toothpaste without animal additives.
Sleep with the head to the east or south.

Clothes and Environment

Wash underwear and Vaishnava clothes daily.
Wash living quarters daily (especially after sleep).
Socks must be clean and identical.
Do not use leather items.
Do not waste Krishna's property in vain.
Do not point feet at the Deities.

Eating Culture

Before and after meals, wash hands and rinse the mouth.
Do not eat or drink in the kitchen.
Wash dishes immediately after eating.
Use the right hand when eating.
Do not touch the vessel with lips when drinking (or use a separate one).
When distributing prasadam, do not touch plates with the ladle.

Holy Objects

Do not put japa beads, tulasi neckbeads, or books on the ground.
Do not take holy objects into the toilet.
Read and chant only with clean hands.
Men should not grow long hair, women should tie their hair (especially when cooking).

Self-Check Questions

Why is it so important to be clean in Krishna Consciousness?
How do cleanliness and order help develop the mode of goodness?
Which rules are more important and which are secondary?
What are the main forms of devotional service?
How should one prepare for sleep?
How often should one bathe?
What daily routine should be followed?
List things that help maintain cleanliness and order.