How Can I Become Pure?
Eternal Virtues #1 — Shaucham
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What are the qualities of an ideal person? While there isn’t something like a “perfect” person, there are quite a few virtues that cultures around the world respect and agree on that make one a good person.
These are known as Eternal Virtues.
These virtues are timeless, crossing between cultures, nations, generations, and more. The Hindu scripture, Shrimad Bhagvat, describes 39 liberating qualities of God and the true guru. These qualities are cardinal virtues that we too should develop in our life, including:
Truth, purity, compassion, forgiveness, renunciation, contentment, simplicity;
Mental control, sensory control, austerity, equality, tolerance, worldly disinterest, scriptural obedience.
Experiential knowledge, detachment, power, courage, illustrious personality, vigor, remembrance;
Independence, skill, beauty, patience, kindheartedness.
Maturity, love, integrity, endurance, radiance, strength, lordship;
Profundity, mental stability, faith in God, fame, worthy of reverence, humility.
- Shrimad Bhagvat 1:16:26–28
In this series, we will look at a few qualities and how it translates into our daily life.
Shaucham (show-chum) means purity or cleanliness. Many cultures around the world respect someone who adheres to cleanliness. According to one survey, around 90% of respondents around the world said they like a clean house.
The Hindu scriptures describe 5 types of purity — mind, action, character, speech, and the physical body.
Body
Did you take a shower? Did you use deodorant? (Seriously, did you put on deodorant this morning?)
This is the image that many of us have when we talk about cleanliness. There are various ways to keep the body clean. Hopefully, you have taken a shower or bath this morning or last night. Taking a shower is the most common form of keeping your body clean to remove any germs, sweat, and toxins from the day/night. Hygiene is key to living a healthy life, not just for yourself but for people around you, helping reduce the spread of infections and diseases.
Exercise and diet is the main way to keep one’s body clean. Having a proper diet keeps your immune system strong and your health running. Speaking of running, exercise is another component of keeping one’s body healthy. Hinduism promotes yoga, which along with the spiritual benefits, has many physical and mental benefits.
His Holiness Pramukh Swami Maharaj has said, “To become pure within, one must first begin with outer purity.”
Mind
We have around 80,000 thoughts in a day, with 80% being negative and 90% being repetitive thoughts! Our minds have become trained to be negative and repetitive. Mental purity can be simply defined as having pure thoughts. Positive and beneficial thoughts can help us through the day.
Mental purity is also thinking for the benefit of others and respecting all. We may respect other’s cultures, beliefs, or opinions on the outside, but we may find ourselves having hints of judgment, prejudice, or finding faults in others. Developing respect and tolerance for others begins with our thoughts.
Speech
There’s a popular phrase that goes, “Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me.” However, in a world dominated by social media and technology, it has become more evident that words do matter more than actions. Research has shown that verbal aggression has a correlation to higher rates of mental illnesses and drug usage.
It is said that words should be used like milk, not like water, being analogous to speaking with caution and care. Hence, purity in speech should be pure like milk, used sparingly and positively. To have purity in speech, you should use the T.H.I.N.K. method:
- Is it true?
- Is it helpful?
- Is it inspiring?
- Is it necessary?
- Is it kind?
Action
It’s true that “your actions speak louder than your words.” Purity in action is based on proper conduct. Having good conduct in our actions can only be done by reflecting on whether our actions match our values. There are numerous studies that show that acting nice to others has positive health benefits.
His Holiness Pramukh Swami Maharaj lived by his motto, “In the joy of others, lies our own.” Pramukh Swami Maharaj didn’t just say this motto but lived it. From directing relief efforts during a humanitarian crisis to consoling individuals, Pramukh Swami Maharaj’s actions made a difference in the lives of many.
Character
There’s a common Gujarati proverb that goes, “Vartan vato karshe” (Your character will speak for itself). Why are many role models admired around the world? It’s because of their purity in character. It allows people to trust you and develops a sense of commodore with anyone they meet. I think we all can agree that this trait is by far thought of the least out of the five forms of purity. In today’s fast-paced world, we think and question less about our personal ethics and worry more about the person in front of us.
By no means is anyone perfect nor will anyone have spotless character, but the individual effort towards living a positive and ethical life is what’s important. Purity in character is aligning with your ethics and values as much as possible. It’s taking the steps to identify shortcomings and to develop positive qualities into your life.
I think the five forms of purity can be summed up in a famous quote sung by role models around the world:
“Watch your thoughts, they become your words.
Watch your words, they become your actions
Watch your actions, they become your habits
Watch your habits, they become your character
Watch your character, it becomes your destiny.”
