Why Achamana?

Why Achamana?

Achamana is a very important part of all types of deeds i.e. good deeds and selfless deeds. Achamana has extraordinary importance not only from the religious point of view but also from the point of view of health. What benefits are gained by drinking water in small quantities with a spoon, this experiment has been proved recently. Instead of drinking water filled in a cup, glass or a lota in one go, drinking it in small quantities with a spoon makes it disease-destroying and beneficial. The scripture says about Achamana- Tripved Aapo Gokarnavarad Hasten Trirachamet. That is, Gokarna mudra of the left hand is recommended for Achamana.

While making this mudra, bend the index finger and press it with the thumb. After that, join the middle finger, ring finger and little finger together and bend them in such a way that the shape of the hand becomes like the ear of a cow. Brahmatirtha is used for Achamana. Brahmatirtha is also called Atmatirtha.  The part on the palm near the wrist is Brahmatirtha.  Here, rest your lips and take the water placed on your palm three times.  For the fourth time, drop a paali of water in the plate from above the Brahmatirtha on the left hand side.  This action is called Aachman.  Regarding Aachman, it is said in 'Smriti Granth' - Pratham Yat Pibati Ten Rigveda Preenati.  Yad dwitiyam ten yajurveda preenati.  Yat Tritiyam Ten Samaveda Preenati.

 This clearly means that in the Aachman Kriya, one gets the satisfaction of each Veda every time.  By doing Aachman at the beginning of every work, mind, body and work get happiness.  By starting the ritual by doing Aachman, disturbances like sneezing, belching and yawning usually do not occur or their incidence is reduced.  The rituals prescribed by Aachman are fruitless.  This is the purpose behind this recognition.

 Eclipse rituals, Purashcharana and funeral ceremonies start with Aachman. During the fast of sixteen Mondays, no water is consumed throughout the day. But if Puja or Abhishek is to be done on that day, then it is necessary to start with Aachman. During fasting, fatigue, bile or diarrhea start. Repeat the position twice.  When suffering from fever, bathing with pure water provides health benefits.  Yatha- atyambu paananna cha piryatannanam.  Anambupanaccha bhavedhi doshah.  Tasmannaro the same extension.  Muhurtamahuvardarari pibedabhurishah.

 The meaning of the above statement is that it is worse to not drink water at all than to drink too much water.  Therefore, to ignite the gastric fire, one should drink small amounts of water at regular intervals.  Here the words 'Muhurtmuh' and 'Abhurishah' indicate Aachman.  Drinking a little water produces more saliva.  Due to saliva, the hard part of the food becomes soft due to which digestion process happens smoothly.  This cures diseases like dysentery and leprosy etc.

 It is said in 'Manu Smriti' that one must gargle after waking up from sleep, when feeling hungry, after eating, when sneezing, when speaking a lie, after drinking water and after studying. On close observation of these things, it is proved that saliva is secreted from the salivary glands on all the above mentioned occasions. Gargling at such times has a good effect on the body. Gargling after food causes the saliva to be filled with saliva to enter the stomach, which helps in digestion of food. If a sinful act of speaking a lie is committed or if a harmless lie is to be spoken, then one must gargle. This prevents the bad effects of speaking a lie from affecting the mind.

The scriptures also prescribe gargling at the occurrence of various air disorders in the body, eating food, passing urine and stools or on the occasions of a gruesome sight. But it is not possible to gargle at the time of every disorder like burping, sneezing, hiccups and Apana Vayu.  In such a case, instead of Jalachaman, Shrotrachaman has been prescribed in the scriptures, that is, touch the left ear. If there is any problem in doing this, then remember Lord Vishnu.