Through this blog post I reached this page that refers to the “Manusmriti Vishnupuran” in order to throw some light upon the procedure of defecation. It says, before releasing your potty into the mortal world
- Chant a mantra
- Roll the sacred thread and put it on your right ear
- Cover your head with a cloth and in the absence of cloth, cover it with your sacred thread
While you are defecating, don’t say anything (no wonder I’m constipated — I’m always singing). You can face north when you are defecating during day, and south when unleashing during night. Don’t face the sun, the fire, the moon, or the Brahmin (Why on earth would a Brahmin be in front of you while you defecate?)
Then there are various procedures for handling water and washing your linga (penis) and guda (anus). For instance, hold the water in your right hand and then using your left hand wash your linga once and guda three times. Then wash your left hand ten times and the right hand seven times. While washing you need to rub the earth (soil/dirth) to your linga and guda (this must be painful).
I’m sure all these procedures were defined to keep yourself and the environment around you clean and free of disease, especially during those days when you had to go out in the “jungle” (in fact in rural India people actually say, “Jungle jaa raha hoon” — going to the jungle) to ease yourself.
The only problem is the mantra. At times when you don’t even have enough time to lower your pants and position your butt properly, how the hell do you have time to chant a mantra? Just imagine, standing in your bathroom with your pants and undies down, holding your shirt up, using all your might to control your bowels, and chanting
Gachhantu Rishio Deva
Pishacha ye cha grihya ka
Pitrbhutagana surve
Karishye Malamochanam
{ 14 comments }
I read this this morning and I am still cracking up (it’s 10:12 PM). I suppose you could choose a nice short mantra like OM, couldn’t you?
And just as a matter of equality in the 21st century, does it suggest how to clean the yoni? (Being a woman, I have no linga to clean.) I know Manusmriti aren’t exactly into equality, but still.
Being a firm believer of gender equality, I was thinking of exactly that, but I thought “guda” cleaning would suffice. Rubbing earth over the yoni doesn’t seem very appealing, does it?
You know women (myself included) use special mud to make their skin soft and smooth. So if the dirt were free of pebbles and other extraneous stuff, with a little water added, it might be OK.
Still, I refuse to defend Manusmriti. Rubbing a woman with the scent of a female dog in season, then sending male dogs to attack her is just going too far, no matter what she’s done. Imaginative, though.
.. and why did they do that???
Terrorists should be dealt with like that LOL! But yes, why did they do that? Will do some research on it. I too am not a big fan of that Manu dude.
Amrit you and this Mai can always say Wahe guru since you are a sikh so Om doesn’t hold any meaning for you.
You’re right, of course, that this Mai (I’m not really THAT old; I’m called after Mai Bhago) is indeed Sikh. Since I respect all religions, of course, I respect the syllable OM, although I wouldn’t use it as a mantra. However, we are discussing Manusmriti, which is, as I understand it, one of the two major underpinnings of Sanatan Dharma (the Vedas being the other), so OM might be appropriate for Hindus. – Correct me if I am wrong, please. –
As for me, I have been taught that there is no wrong way to naam-jap (chant the Naam of God, which in Sikhi, would be Waheguru), so I suppose chanting the Gur Mantar before pooping would be permissible, as long as it doesn’t become a meaningless ritual. (Sikhi is really against meaningless ritual.)
Waheguru Ji!
I agree, I really have no problem saying, “Wahe Guru Ji ka Khalsa, Wahe Guru Ji ki Fateh” and then unleashing myself
Mai ji if u r not a Hindu then don’t suggest that what should we do. Mind your own religion and be happy.
If one wants to chant while releasing it is already mentioned and Amrit has written it. It is altogether different matter if you love Hinduism so much and want to rewrite Manusmriti. Then u r most welcome.
Anon ji, I am most interested in learning about all religions, including Hinduism. I have no suggestions, I’m just trying to become educated. You really don’t need to be defensive, dear ji.
Then you are the one who without knowing anything believes in throwing his/her/its 2 cents! Good . Hope with age your God/Goddess or it may grant you some grace.
Anon ji, All my best to you. Chardi kala!
Mai Harinder Kaur, (TINK, CRf,N)
Completely agree with your comments on this – thanks for taking the time to post.
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