Gangajal, tulsi water, camphor and other ways to purify a home when cow urine is unavailable

Hindu tradition gives special importance to worship and to the purity of the home. Cow urine is commonly used to purify a house, as it is believed to have great power to drive away negative energy and make the atmosphere sacred. But if cow urine cannot be found for some reason, there is no cause for worry. Sanatan Dharma describes good alternatives with which a home can be made just as pure and sacred.

The first and best alternative is Gangajal, which is considered supremely sacred. To use it, take clean water in a copper or brass vessel and add a few drops of Gangajal. Then, chanting "Om Namah Shivaya" or "Ganga Mata", sprinkle the water in all corners of the house and at the main door.

The second remedy is tulsi water. The tulsi plant has natural properties that purify the atmosphere and destroy germs. Fill a copper vessel with water and put a few tulsi leaves in it. Take leaves that have been used in Vishnu worship, or fresh ones. Leave the water for a while so that the extract of the tulsi passes into it. Then, using a tulsi leaf itself, sprinkle the water throughout the house. It is said that this removes negativity from the home.

The other components of panchagavya can also be used. If cow urine is not available, mixing a little raw cow's milk or curd in water and sprinkling it throughout the house is said to purify it. Cow's milk is also regarded as very sacred.

A home can be purified not only by sprinkling water but also with smoke. For this, after worship, burn Bhimseni camphor instead of ordinary camphor and carry its smoke around the house. It is said that the fragrance of camphor kills tiny germs in the house, removes Vastu dosh and creates positive energy.

Dhoop, guggul and loban have also been used since ancient times to purify homes. Light a piece of cow-dung cake (with an incense stick or charcoal) and put guggul, loban and a little cow ghee on it. Carrying its fragrant smoke into every corner of the house is said to drive out evil forces or negative energy and keep the mind happy.

Turmeric and salt water is another remedy. From both scientific and spiritual viewpoints, turmeric and salt are good purifying agents. When mopping the house, or for sprinkling in corners, add a little turmeric and coarse salt (sea salt) to water. Turmeric is regarded as a symbol of Mars, while salt absorbs negative energy.

While purifying the house or sprinkling water, one's mind should be happy and pure. While sprinkling, one should chant the mantra "Om Apavitrah Pavitro Va Sarvavasthām Gato'pi Va | Yah Smaret Pundarikaksham Sa Bahyabhyantarah Shuchih ||" or the Gayatri Mantra. It is said that this increases the effect of these remedies.

(Note: Articles on subjects such as religion, astrology, Vastu and feng shui are meant only for readers' information. Experts should be consulted before trying any of these practices.)