The Vedic principle behind achamana

The principle behind achamanam is given in Shatapatha Brahmanam.

व्रतमुपैष्यन् । अन्तरेणाहवनीयञ्च गार्हपत्यञ्च प्राङ् तिष्ठन्नप उपस्पृशति  तद्यदप उपस्पृशत्यमेध्यो वै पुरुषो यदनृतं वदति तेन पूतिरन्तरतो मेध्या वा आपो मेध्यो भूत्वा व्रतमुपायानीति पवित्रं वा आपः पवित्रपूतो व्रतमुपायानीति तस्माद्वा अप उपस्पृशति

अमेध्यो वै पुरुषः – man is normally impure. 

Why impure? 

यदनृतं वदति -  because man tells lies.

Telling lies is built into man.

He may not be doing this purposefully.

We say so many things which we are not sure about.

According to the Vedas, what you have seen with your own eyes is truth.

The rest of it is likely to have errors or may be untrue.

Why purity is essential while doing rituals

While doing Vedic rituals, you are communicating with Devatas.

Devatas are always pure.

To communicate with them, you should also be pure.

How can purity be achieved?

By touching water, by drinking water.

अप उपस्पृशति – तेन पूतिरन्तरतः

Because 

मेध्या वा आपः  पवित्रं वा आपः

Water is always pure.

 Water is never impure.

By being with water, you also become pure.

Why is water pure?

Because, water is what remains after pralaya. 

When the illusion called the world, the untruth called the world is gone, water is what remains.

So there is no untruth is water.

Water is always pure.

Procedure of achamana

There are three types of achamana -

• Based on Srouta sutra
• Based on Grihya sutra
• Based on Agamas

There are many variations in the procedure based on your Veda shakha, Grihya sutra, and regional customs.

But three steps are there in most of them -

• Sipping water three times chanting mantras for internal purity.
• Wiping the mouth twice.
• Touching the organs of the body with a wet hand for external purity.

You can see some of these variations in the videos given below.

Video - Achamana Mantra - Madhwa 

Video - Achamana Mantra - Hindi 

Video - Achamana Mantra - Sanskrit 

Video - Achamana - Telugu 

Knowledge Bank

Evolution of Practices in Sanatana Dharma

Sanatana Dharma, the eternal way, holds core values that remain unchanged. However, its practices and customs have evolved and must continue to do so to stay relevant. Some believe that Hinduism, with all its practices, is unchanging. This view misinterprets history and sacred texts. While Sanatana Dharma embodies eternal principles, it does not imply that every rule and custom is fixed. Hindu philosophy emphasizes the importance of adapting practices based on Desha (place), Kala (time), Patra (person), Yugadharma (dharma of the age), and Lokachara (local customs). This adaptability ensures that Sanatana Dharma remains relevant. Evolving practices are essential for the tradition’s growth and vitality. Rigid adherence to outdated practices risks rendering them obsolete and disconnected from the present age. Thus, while core values remain constant, the evolution of practices ensures the enduring relevance and vibrancy of Sanatana Dharma.

The Unparalleled Devotion and Virtues of Hanuman Ji

Lord Hanuman Ji exemplified the highest standards of service, duty, unwavering devotion, celibacy, valor, patience, and humility. Despite possessing immense strength and power, he was adorned with virtuous qualities like humility, politeness, and modesty. His infinite strength was always utilized for executing divine works, thus embodying divine greatness. If one uses their power for public welfare and divine purposes, the Supreme Being endows them with divine and spiritual powers. If strength is used without desire and attachment, it becomes a divine quality. Hanuman Ji never used his power for petty desires or under the influence of attachment and aversion. He never succumbed to ego. Hanuman Ji is the only deity who was never afflicted by ego. He always performed his duties selflessly, constantly remembering Lord Rama.