Significance of Snana

Snana, a term rooted in Vaishnavism and Ayurveda, refers to the act of bathing, which serves multiple purposes including ritual purification, health benefits, and personal cleanliness. In the context of Vaishnavism, Snana involves bathing the deity and at Tirtha for spiritual cleansing. Ayurvedically, it emphasizes daily bathing for hygiene, vitality, and overall well-being, with specific methodologies like using cold water and herbs. The practice is essential in both spiritual and physical health, contributing to purification and enhanced vigor.1
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Synonyms: Bathing, Washing, Cleansing, Purification, Ritual bath, Wash, Ablution, Shower

In German: Snana; In Finnish: Snana; In Spanish: Snana; In Dutch: Snaakt

The below excerpts are indicatory and do represent direct quotations or translations. It is your responsibility to fact check each reference.

Hindu concept of 'Snana'

Hinduism Books

Snana in Hinduism signifies ritual and everyday bathing for physical, spiritual purification, and mental cleansing. It's essential for health and wellbeing, relieving fatigue, enhancing digestion, and is integral to sacred practices at Tirtha sites.

Significance in Ayurveda (science of life):
Ayurveda Books

(1) Bathing is purifying and Vrushya, removing fatigue, sweating, and dirt, while also bringing strength and enhancing Ojas (immunity), and preventing skin diseases.[1] (2) This refers to bathing, which, when practiced after Bhojana, can lead to the formation of Ama.[2] (3) This is the practice of taking a head bath, with hot water being injurious to the eyes and cold water being good for them, and it is recommended to apply specific pastes before the bath.[3] (4) This is a practice that has benefits like purifying, aphrodisiac, provides longevity of life, nourishes and strengthen the body and is the best enhancer of Ojas.[4] (5) This helps relieve fatigue, prevents excessive sweating and dirt from the body, thereby promoting strength and endurance in the body and stimulating digestion.[5]

Ayurveda is a branch of Indian science dealing with medicine, herbalism, taxology, anatomy, surgery, alchemy and related topics. Traditional practice of Ayurveda in ancient India dates back to at least the first millenium BC. Literature is commonly written in Sanskrit using various poetic metres.

Significance in Vedanta (school of philosophy):
Vedanta Books

(1) Bathing; purification of the mind from impurities.[6] (2) Bathing or purification, both physical and metaphorical, to cleanse the mind and spirit.[7]

Vedanta refers to a school of orthodox Hindu philosophy (astika), drawing its subject-matter from the Upanishads. There are a number of sub-schools of Vedanta, however all of them expound on the basic teaching of the ultimate reality (brahman) and liberation (moksha) of the individual soul (atman).

Significance in Vaishnavism (Vaishava dharma):
Vaishnavism Books

(1) A term meaning abhisheka or bathing, referring to the ritual bathing of the Deity in sacred substances.[8]

Vaishnava or vaishnavism (vaishnavism) represents a tradition of Hinduism worshipping Vishnu as the supreme Lord. Similar to the Shaktism and Shaivism traditions, Vaishnavism also developed as an individual movement, famous for its exposition of the dashavatara (‘ten avatars of Vishnu’).