CLEANLINESS IS NEXT TO GODLINESS

CLEANILINESS IS NEXT TO GODLINESS

This has been said long, long ago but in different context. Presently it is interpreted as physical cleanliness –personal hygiene including the cleanliness around us. Since we live in a material world, we think, talk and act materialistically. By cleanliness we mean there should be no dirt or garbage around. It is another issue we ourselves are responsible for the dirt and garbage sitting around us. But then there are always people available to remove our dirt and garbage, we need not much worry about the creation part of it. What is important is the removal and disposal part of it. And since money can do anything all we have to do is to collect from those who can pay and distribute it among those who can remove and dispose this garbage. Those who can pay and are also the chief creator of this garbage, will not pay it voluntarily, we take it from them by way of taxing them. This is Government Job.

But there is another type of cleanliness, which was in vogue long, long back when it was said cleanliness is next to Godliness. Then, they meant it by inner cleanliness –cleanliness in our thinking, speech and action-MANSA, BACHANA, KARMANA. Then they were not much worried about physical cleanliness as there was not any garbage or dirt created and the surroundings, rivers, wells, tanks, lakes, air-all were clean.  It was the emphasis on this type of cleanliness that ensured physical cleanliness. If we are clean in our thoughts, speech and actions, we will not create any dirt or garbage around us. We will ensure that we do everything in our control to create minimum garbage and pollution and remove/dispose it without anyone telling us or taxing us to do it.

But that is not going to happen because there is no  authority in the world that can force you be clean in thoughts, speech and actions unless you directly cause some serious damage to others. You will keep on polluting the atmosphere with your dirty thoughts, foul mouth and reprehensive actions and no one will be in a position to touch your hair.   

I am in no way representing the cleanliness drive of Modi Government although by itself it is a laudable effort. This type of cleanliness drives was driven in the past by similar sounding names and therefore I see no reason why the past efforts failed and why this one will succeed unless we ourselves clean our thoughts, speech and actions.