ARYAN CODE of TOILETS and Sulabh International Institute of Rural Development India

ARYAN CODE OF TOILETS - 1500 BC

Ancient India Manusmriti Vishnupuran

Code for married people:

An elaborate drill for defecation is prescribed in the mostrespected Aryan scripture - "Manusmriti Vishnupuran."Before going to the toilet the scripture prescribes elaborate drill.Before going for defecation one was to chant the following mantra from NaradPuran :-"Gachhantu Rishio DevaPishacha ye cha grihya kaPitrbhutagana surveKarishye Malamochanam"Before going for defecation it was prescribed that the sacred thread should berolled to a smaller size and be put on the right ear.The head was to be covered with a cloth. In the absence of cloth, the sacredthread was to be brought over the head and was to be hung on the left ear.Then while observing silence and facing north in the day and south in the nightone could defecate.While defecating one was not to touch water.After defecation the water pot was to be held in the right hand, left hand was tobe used for cleaning.

Ablution code:

In Vishnu Purana some rules are laid down for post defecation stage."Aika Linga guda trin dashabamkare mrid,Hastdve cha samaranyascharana cha tribhistribhi"It says, while defecating the orientation of the face should not be towards "Sun","Brahmin", "Fire", or "Moon".After defecation the "Linga" (generative organ) is to be washed once, "Guda"(anus) to be washed three times, the left hand to be washed ten times, and theright hand seven times, and both the feet to be cleaned with earth and waterthree times.After defecation the water pot was to be held in the right hand and was to beused for cleaning.The "Linga" was to be rubbed once with earth and the "Guda" rubbed three timeswith earth. Then both washed with water. This was to ensure that there is noodour left in the body.After this one should pick up water with right hand. One was advised to pick-upfist full of earth. This was to be divided in three parts. With the first part it was laid

down that the left hand be cleaned 10 times and the right was to be cleaned withthe second part 7 times. The third part was to be used to clean three times thewater utensil.It was also laid down that both the feet were to be washed with water.The following shloka gives the philosophy of protecting environment by adoption ofelaborate defecation practices,"Dashasthana pritjay mutram kuryaJalashay ShathasthanParishartha triya nawan Chaturgunam !Dharashauch na kurvita shauchashudhMabhipsta ! Chulukairaiv KartabyaHashtatshudhi Vidhanta !"Urination ought to be done at least at a distance of 10 cubits from the source ofwater. Defecation to be done at a distance of 100 cubits from the source ofwater.At least 40 cubits distance is to be observed while urinating near a river or atemple and defecation at least at a distance of 400 cubits.Urination and defecation ought not to be done in running water or river. Watershould be taken in hand and washed away from the river.

For different classes:

Manusmriti has also laid specific rules for the specific section ofthe society, it says:"Aitchhouch grihasthana,Divuegun brahmacharyanam !Trigunavanaprasthanam,Yaitna cha chaturgunam !!"Separate rules are laid down for those who are sick or infirm, the following shlokamakes it clear -"Diva shauchalaya nishyardha,Partha pado vidhiyate !Aarte Kuryad yathashaktiShaktaa kuryad yathochitam !!"For those who observe celibacy or have renounced the world should observe the rulesdifferently.Those observing celibacy should observe the rule twice more intensely than themarried ones.Those who are in "Vanaprastha" should observe three times more intensely.

The saints should observe the rules four times more intensely than the marriedones.The above means that all the above rules are for urination and defecation in the daytime. In the night the frequency of wash etc. is reduced by half. If one is travelling therules are further reduced by half. If one is sick, the rules need to be observed as percapacity.

Dr. Bindeshwar Pathak studiedvarious designs of latrines and work done in this field in India andabroad and developed Sulabh Shauchalaya-technology, which is technologically appropriate,socio-culturally acceptable and economically affordable. It is low cost, requires only two litres of water to flush and can function even where enough water is not available. It does not require theservice of scavengers nor does it pollute air and it provides manure on the spot, can be cleanedand easily maintained by house-owners themselves. The two pits work alternately. It has a highpotential for upgradation i.e. can be easily connected to sewer when introduced in the area. TheGovernment of India, State governments, various national, bilateral and international agencieslike UNICEF, WHO,UNDP / World Bank etc. have accepted that Sulabh Shauchalaya (twin pitpour-flush latrine) is the most appropriate low-cost technological option. They have suggestedthe adoption of this system in India and other developing countries. The Govt. of India hasincluded low-cost sanitation as a component in the Integrated Development of Small andMedium Towns (IDSMT) Programme. The Housing and Urban Development Corporation(HUDCO) has also started giving financial assistance for low-cost sanitation to variouscategories of beneficiaries.

AN INTRODUCTION

The Sulabh International Institute of Rural Development, Research and Training (SIIRD) is apioneering venture of Sulabh International Social Service Organization to "go towards villages",in its Silver Jubilee Year-(1994-95). Toeing the new panchsheel principles propounded by PrimeMinister Narsimha Rao of going towards villages, creating model villages and 'marryingtechnology with tradition', the institute is all set to initiate the process of sustainable developmentin rural India.

THE GUIDING SPIRIT

Padma Bhushan Dr. Bindeshwar Pathak-Founder of Sulabh International-is the guiding spiritbehind SIIRD. It, in fact, is his concept of taking Sulabh movement to rural India after its grandsuccess in urban India. There have been quite a number of awards and honours, both national andinternational, conferred upon Dr. Bindeshwar Pathak. In 1991, Dr. Pathak was awarded thecoveted national honour of Padma Bhushan for his social services by the then President of India-Shri R. Venkataraman. In 1992, padma Bhushan Dr. Bindeshwar Pathak was conferred theInternational St. Francis prize for Environment ("Canticle of all Creatures") and greetedpersonally by His Holiness Pope John Paul-II for this unique honour by the world body. He hasreceived many other prestigious honours and awards in India and abroad.