Why should one bend in the waist while sweeping the floor?

1. Appropriate time for sweeping and its underlying science

Everyone knows how to clean the house and the courtyard. From the scientific and hygienic point of view, cleanliness is important. However, at a spiritual level, this is an important Conduct (Achar). Abiding by it, one benefits at the subtle level too.
Sweeping with a broom creates friction with the floor and distressing vibrations are generated. In addition to the person who is sweeping with a broom, these vibrations are distressful for the other members of the family too in less or more proportion. When one sweeps in the morning, due to the sattvik and Chaitanya waves present in the environment, these distressing vibrations are kept under control and no one is distressed by the act of sweeping the floor. Hence, sweep the floor once in the morning only. Some people sweep the floor in the evening too. If the floor is swept in the evening, there is a greater possibility of negative energies entering the premises (Vastu).

2. Methods of sweeping the floor

Some people sweep the floor by bending forward at the waist, whereas some do so while squatting. Now-a-days, a vacuum cleaner is also used instead of a broom for cleaning the house. This appliance does clean at a gross level; however, it has adverse effects at a subtle level.

3. Appropriate method of sweeping the floor

Effects at subtle level while sweeping the floor:

3.1 Spiritual science underlying bending at the waist

Bending at the waist for sweeping exerts pressure at the nabhi chakra and its five vital energies (Panchpran) are awakened. By bending on the right side, the person’s Sun channel (Surya-nadi) is activated and the person is protected from the distressing vibrations emanating from the earth through the medium of the Absolute Fire Principle (Tej-tattva).

3.2 Spiritual science underlying not bending on the knees to sweep the floor

Due to the posture of the body created while sweeping by bending on the knees, the Rajasik-Tamasik air accumulated in the void of the knees gets momentum and there is a possibility of the distressing waves emanating from the Hell region towards the environment getting attracted towards the person. This is the reason why we should not sweep the floor in this posture.

3.3 Spiritual science underlying not moving or proceeding towards the East while sweeping the floor

The waves of Sagun Principle of the Deities descend on the earth from the East. Garbage is Rajasik-Tamasik. Due to the Raja-Tama present in the garbage, the waves of the Deity Principle descending from the East get obstructed. Hence, do not move towards the East while sweeping the floor.

3.4 Reason for not dragging/ drawing the broom in the rear or opposite direction

By dragging or drawing the broom towards the rear while sweeping, rapid whirls moving in an anti-clock wise direction are created and the distressing vibrations adjacent to the ground get accumulated in these whirls. This is the reason why instead of dragging/drawing the broom in the rear direction, one should lift the broom, again sweep from the rear and take the broom forward.

3.5 Why the broom should not be thumped on floor or dragged with force?

Distressing sound is created by actions like sweeping the floor forcefully or thumping the broomstick. Due to this, the distressing vibrations of the Hell region and the premises get activated. This is the reason why such actions are avoided.

3.6 Reason for collecting the garbage in the garbage bin

The garbage is collected and put in the garbage can or bin kept in the corner of the house. The garbage can is covered. The reason for this is that the corner of the house has the ability to attract the Rajasik-Tamasik and distressing vibrations. Thus, by collecting the garbage in the garbage can / bin, the distressing vibrations present in the garbage remain there itself and do not spread in the house.

4. Conducts (Achars) associated with swabbing the floor

In olden days, the floor was waxed with or smeared by cow-dung. Today’s houses have tiles which need to be swabbed with a damp cloth. Modern appliances are also available through which the floor can be swabbed while standing too.

4.1 Effects of swabbing the floor with an appliance

4.2 Correct method of swabbing the floor

4.3 Effect of bending and swabbing the floor with the right hand

Due to the posture formed by bending and swabbing the floor with the right hand, the five vital energies present in the Manipur chakra are activated. By the activation of the Sun channel (Surya-nadi), the vitality of the body in the form of Absolute Fire element (Tej-tattva) is also activated. The flow of activated vitality is transferred in the cloth through the right hand. This creates a protective sheath of Absolute Fire Element on the ground with the help of the Absolute Water Element (Apa-tattva) present in the water. This sheath obstructs the distressing vibrations. Thus, by swabbing the floor immediately after sweeping the floor with utmost spiritual emotion and chanting, the rajasik-tamasik distressing vibrations are destroyed. The premise becomes sattvik and full of Chaitanya. This not only benefits the premise but also all the family members spiritually.