Hello, dear fellow travelers! Welcome to our Niyamas series. In this series, we will focus on the niyamas of yoga and meditation. First, we will explore Saucha, which translates as 'purity'.
Saucha is a Sanskrit word that means 'purity'. However, it encompasses not only physical cleanliness but also mental and emotional purity.
There is a traditional Indian story that can help us better understand the principle of Saucha. It is the story of the renowned hero Bhima, as told in the Mahabharata. Bhima is born with extraordinary strength, but this power feeds his ego and anger, creating a kind of 'impurity' within him. One day, a sage teaches Bhima the practice of meditation, and through this practice, Bhima learns to 'cleanse' his mind and emotional state. Thus,
Bhima not only harnesses his physical strength but also learns to control his emotional and mental state.
Similarly, the principle of Saucha is also reflected in Turkish folk tales. For example, there is a story of Nasreddin Hodja. Hodja carries a pot with him and constantly cleans the outside of the pot but does not pour out the dirty water inside. This situation becomes a subject of mockery by those around him. Eventually, someone advises Hodja to pour out the dirty water inside the pot. Hodja explains that this situation is actually a metaphor, symbolizing how people often strive to keep their outward appearances clean while neglecting the 'impure' thoughts and emotions within their inner world.
In this post, we explored Saucha, the first niyama of yoga and meditation. Physical, mental, and emotional purity form the essence of this principle. Indian and Turkish folk tales highlight the universal nature and applicability of this principle.
Tomorrow, I will share meditation techniques in line with the principle of Saucha. Stay tuned to learn how to cultivate inner and outer purity!
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