Yoga, an ancient practice that has been a part of Indian culture for thousands of years, has become a global phenomenon in the modern world. It is not just a physical exercise but a holistic approach to health and wellness, involving the body, mind, and spirit. Among these purification practices, the Vastra Dhauti holds special significance. It is a part of the Dhauti Kriya and is intended to cleanse the oesophagus and stomach, promote overall health, and prepare the practitioner for deeper yogic practices.

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What is BIS IS 18994: 2024 Vastra Dhautī?

Vastra Dhautī is a modern yogic technique that involves using a cloth to cleanse the oesophagus and stomach. The word "Vastra" means cloth, and "Dhautī" means to cleanse or purify. In this practice, the practitioner swallows a strip of cotton muslin cloth, which is then used to cleanse the upper digestive tract. Its purpose is to remove toxins, waste products, and undigested food particles that can accumulate in the oesophagus and stomach, promoting digestion and overall health. The fabric used in a Dhauti is an important element of its practice, and it needs to meet specific requirements for safety. 

The Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) has recognized the importance of standard specifications for this to ensure safety, quality and effectiveness. The act of Vastra Dhautī falls under the broad category of Dhautī kriya, which is a purification process in almost all hatha yogic texts. The Hatha Yoga pradīpikā, a classical yoga text, describes only Vastra Dhauti, but in the Gheraṇḍa saṁhitā, Dhautī Kriya is described in four ways to cleanse the body, namely Antar Dhautī, Danta Dhautī, Hrid Dhautī and Mulashodhana. Vastra Dhautī falls under the category of Hrid Dhautī. 

Significance of Vastra Dhauti

Vastra Dhauti holds special importance in Hatha Yoga, which focuses on physical postures, breathing exercises, and purification techniques to harmonize the body and mind with higher spiritual practices. The purification techniques used in Hatha Yoga are collectively known as Ṣaṭ-Karma or Śodhana Kriyā. In modern times, digestive problems have become increasingly common, with people often experiencing issues like bloating, indigestion, constipation, and acidity. These issues, if left untreated, can affect overall health, leading to fatigue, poor absorption of nutrients, and more serious conditions like ulcers or gastritis.

By performing Vastra Dhauti, practitioners aim to detoxify the digestive tract, improve digestion, and restore balance to the body. This technique not only helps cleanse the physical body, but also supports the mental and spiritual aspects of the practitioner. It is believed that by removing blockages in the digestive system, the practitioner can experience improved energy flow (prana), which increases both physical energy and mental clarity.

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Key Components of IS 18994: 2024 Vastra Dhautī

1. The Cloth (Vastra): The fabric used in the Vastra Dhauti is of utmost importance. As per IS 18994: 2024, the fabric should be of fine-woven cotton muslin conforming to IS 752. Muslin is a lightweight, open fabric, making it ideal for this practice. The fabric is chosen for its ability to absorb moisture and effectively cleanse the digestive system. The muslin fabric should be clean, trimmed to avoid loose threads, and the selvage should be tucked in for safety.
2. Cleaning technique: The process of swallowing the cloth and using it to clean the digestive system is performed under the supervision of an experienced instructor. The practitioner swallows the cloth, ensures that it is clean and sterile, and then gently pulls it back to remove toxins and impurities from the stomach and oesophagus. This process should be done carefully and under the guidance of experts to avoid damage.
3. Safety guidelines: Since Bureau of Indian Standards Vastra Dhauti involves swallowing a piece of cloth, strict safety precautions should be followed. The cloth should be thoroughly cleaned and disinfected to avoid contamination. The practitioner should have prior experience in Hatha Yoga and should practice Vastra Dhauti under the supervision of a qualified instructor. It is important to follow the correct technique to avoid any risk of injury.
4. Physical and chemical properties of fabric: As per IS 18994:2024, the muslin fabric used for Vastra Dhauti meets certain physical and chemical requirements. These include:

• Mass (g/m²): The mass of the fabric should be 47 ± 5%. 
• Breaking strength: The breaking strength of the fabric, measured in the warp and weft, should be 168 N and 80 N, respectively.
• Fiber identification: The fabric must be 100% cotton to ensure its safety and compatibility with the human body.

Scope of Vastra Dhauti

The scope of the Vastra Dhauti extends to its role as a hand cleansing technique in yoga. While it is not a technique that can be practiced by beginners, it plays an important role for those who wish to advance their practice and achieve a higher level of spiritual and physical health. This technique is usually performed by those who are trained in other yogic practices and have a strong understanding of their body. 

The purpose of Vastra Dhauti is a cleansing process for the digestive system, focusing on the esophagus and stomach. By promoting better digestion and removing impurities, it forms the foundation for further yogic practices, including meditation, pranayama, and asana (physical postures). The technique is also seen as a tool for maintaining overall well-being and detoxification, especially in a world where diet, lifestyle, and environmental factors can cause the accumulation of toxins.

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Benefits of Vastra Dhauti

Vastra Dhauti is very vital yogic practice and it is very beneficial. Here are some key benefits of Vastra Dhauti:

• Improved digestion: One of the primary benefits of Vastra Dhauti is its ability to enhance digestion. By cleansing the esophagus and stomach, this technique helps remove food particles and toxins that can obstruct digestion. As a result, practitioners often experience improved nutrient absorption and a reduction in bloating and discomfort after meals.
• Detoxification: Vastra Dhautī acts as a detoxifying process for the digestive system. It helps cleanse the body of accumulated waste products, promoting the elimination of toxins that can affect overall health. Regular practice of Vastra Dhautī is believed to support the body's natural detoxification process, improving energy levels and vitality.
• Prepares the body for advanced yogic practices: By purifying the digestive system, Vastra Dhauti prepares the body for more advanced yogic practices. With the digestive system functioning better, the practitioner is able to focus on pranayama and meditation, which enhances their spiritual practice. It also helps to create a sense of lightness and clarity, which is conducive to deep meditation.
• Promotes mental clarity and focus: Cleansing the digestive system can have a profound effect on mental clarity. Many practitioners report feeling more focused, clear, and balanced after performing Vastra Dhauti.
• Boosts immunity and overall health: Regular practice of Vastra Dhautī supports the immune system by removing harmful toxins from the digestive system. Vastra Dhautī helps ensure that the body is in a state of balance, which results in increased immunity and improved overall health.
• Cleansing the respiratory tract: Although Vastra Dhauti primarily focuses on the digestive system, it also indirectly benefits the respiratory tract. By cleansing the esophagus and stomach, this practice can help improve breathing and promote the free flow of prana (vital energy) throughout the body.

Conclusion

IS 18994: 2024 Vastra Dhautī is a key standard that outlines the construction parameters, performance requirements and safety guidelines for the practice of Vastra Dhautī. This specification ensures that the cloth used for this cleansing technique is of the highest quality, safe to use and effective in promoting the health and well-being of the practitioners. Vastra Dhauti plays an important role in the yogic process of purification and detoxification. It is a powerful tool for those seeking to deepen their yogic practice and achieve better physical and mental health. When performed correctly under the guidance of an experienced instructor, Vastra Dhauti can help cleanse the digestive system, enhance digestion, detoxify the body, and prepare the practitioner for higher yogic practices. As with all modern yogic techniques, it is important to approach Vastra Dhauti with caution and respect, following proper guidelines and explanations to ensure safety and efficacy.