We find that in olden days people
took bath in rivers, mountain pools, waterfalls and the seas. This habit is in
vogue even today. Pulanadal or river bath is described as a significant act in
all Tamil Classics. The Tamil proverb "Even if it be the humble gruel to
consume, have it after a bath." Summarize the significance Attached to the
daily bathing. ie Bathing is an integral part of daily routine in every Tamil's
life.
The practice of regular oil bath,
men taking on Wednesdays and Saturdays and women folk on Tuesdays and Fridays
has been in vogue In Tamil nadu from ancient period. Its origins are unknown.
Yet its significance can be understood by the advice of AVVAIYAR'S statement
that one should is regular in Saturday's oil baths. (Athi-16)
That a bath
keeps us healthy through personal hygiene is a well-known fact. But there are
other aspects as well that are not well known. Polygraphic studies proved that
water enhances electro-magnetic activity. In the context of this finding, the
practices like washing hands and feet before entering temples and taking bath
every day, worshipping with wet clothes and offering prayer standing in the
middle of water chest-deep in rivers and tanks etc., seem to be more scientific
than a mere act of cleanliness.
Human body is
Center of electric currents and impulses. A continuous process of generation
and consumption of electric energy takes place in the human body. More energy
is generated in our body whenever we are excited and battle various emotions as
well as indulge in intense physical activity. However, at night when we retire
until the next morning this generation and consumption level of power drops
drastically. This is the reason why we feel so lethargic on waking up in the
morning. We are neither active physically non mentally. Washing our face
immediately clears the cobwebs of drowsiness. A bath certainly freshens up
completely and puts us in our best shape. This happens due to the fact that
water consumes the electricity in our body. This is known as Electro-magnetic
activity. Therefore, taking bath has more to do with such scientific reasoning
than merely cleanliness.
DO NOT TAKE BATH
IMMEDIATELY AFTER EATING:
If a person is
immediately taking bath after a meal, the digestion process gets slowed down by
a great deal as cold water activates certain chemicals in the body that rushes
the blood to the skin to keep it warm and the digestion process takes a
backseat. So, it was always advised by our ancestors to take food after having
a bath. ie Bath will increase blood flow to the hands, feet and body that
causes the amount of blood around the stomach will continue to decrease. This
will weaken the digestive system in our stomach.