Shloka 9
Procedure of Ācamana and Rules of Ritual Purity (Śauca)
शौचेऽप्सु सर्वदा चामेदासीनः प्रागुदङ्मुखः । शिरः प्रावृत्य कंठं वा मुक्तकेशशिखोऽपि वा
śauce'psu sarvadā cāmedāsīnaḥ prāgudaṅmukhaḥ | śiraḥ prāvṛtya kaṃṭhaṃ vā muktakeśaśikho'pi vā
Ketika bersuci dengan air, hendaklah sentiasa duduk di alas yang bebas daripada lemak/minyak, menghadap timur atau utara; dengan kepala atau tekak ditutup, atau sekalipun rambut terurai tanpa sanggul pun dibolehkan.
Not explicitly stated in the provided excerpt (contextually: an instructional/normative voice within Svargakhaṇḍa).
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Sandhi Resolution Notes: śauce'psu = śauce + apsu; cāmed = ca + āmed; prāgudaṅmukhaḥ treated as prāk-udaṅ-mukhaḥ (bahuvrīhi); muktakeśaśikho'pi = mukta-keśa-śikhaḥ + api.
FAQs
It prescribes posture and orientation: sit during purification facing east or north, on a seat free from grease/fat, with the head or throat covered, or with loosened hair (even without a topknot).
In Dharma/Ācāra literature, east and north are conventionally treated as auspicious orientations for many rites, aligning the practitioner with a ritually favorable direction while performing śauca.
The verse reinforces disciplined attentiveness to purity and decorum—small bodily and environmental details are presented as supports for inner order and respect toward sacred practice.