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How To Keep Jhadu At Home In Hinduism?

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In Hinduism, a jhadu (broom) holds symbolic significance as a tool of cleanliness, discipline, and prosperity. It's closely associated with Goddess Lakshmi, the deity of wealth and abundance, as cleanliness is considered a precondition for inviting her blessings. Here's a detailed guide for keeping and handling a broom at home, enriched with practical suggestions, spiritual practices, and lesser-known facts.

Significance of a Jhadu in Hinduism

  1. Symbol of Cleanliness: Cleanliness is considered vital in Hindu culture for maintaining physical and spiritual purity.
  2. Connection with Lakshmi: A clean home is believed to invite Goddess Lakshmi. Conversely, improper handling of a broom may symbolize disrespect to her.
  3. Sweeping Away Negativity: The act of sweeping is believed to metaphorically remove negative energies from the house.

Methods and Discipline for Keeping a Jhadu

  1. Designated Place: Always keep the broom in a corner of the house, hidden from plain sight, ideally on the floor or in a storage area.
  2. Never Keep It Upright: The broom should not be kept standing or leaning against a wall as it symbolizes instability.
  3. Away from Sacred Spaces: Avoid placing the broom near pooja rooms, altars, or places of worship. It should be kept in areas associated with cleaning.
  4. Avoid Stepping Over It: Stepping on a broom is considered disrespectful and inauspicious. If done accidentally, one should apologize silently to Goddess Lakshmi.

Direction of Placement

  1. Tip Orientation: The tip of the broom (bristles) should face south or southeast when not in use. These directions are associated with eliminating negativity.
  2. Handle Position: The handle should face north or northeast, signifying stability and support.

Daily Routine and Handling

  1. Sweeping Time: It is best to sweep the house early in the morning before sunrise. Avoid sweeping after sunset, as it is believed to drive prosperity (symbolized by Lakshmi) out of the house.
  2. No Sweeping on Specific Days:
    • Avoid sweeping on Amavasya (new moon day).
    • In some traditions, sweeping is avoided on Thursdays to honor Guru (Jupiter) as sweeping is thought to disrupt the energies.
  3. Separate for Indoors and Outdoors: Use separate brooms for indoor and outdoor cleaning to maintain hygiene and prevent energy mixing.

Mantras and Prayers Associated with Jhadu

Before using the broom, you can chant a prayer to invoke positive energies and express gratitude to Goddess Lakshmi:

Mantra for Goddess Lakshmi:

ॐ श्रीं ह्रीं क्लीं महालक्ष्म्यै नमः।
Om Shreem Hreem Kleem MahaLakshmyai Namah.

General Purity Chant:

शुद्धं शुद्धं च सर्वदा, गृहं मे लक्ष्मी वासं कुरु।
Shuddham Shuddham Cha Sarvada, Griham Me Lakshmi Vaasam Kuru.

Recite these mantras to create a sanctified environment before or after cleaning.

Practical Suggestions for Maintenance

  1. Periodic Replacement: Replace the broom when it becomes worn out, typically once a year or during Navratri or Diwali.
  2. Avoid Sharing: A broom is personal to a household and should not be lent to others, as it is believed to transfer energies.
  3. Burn Old Brooms: When discarding a broom, burn it or dispose of it respectfully rather than throwing it haphazardly.

Lesser-Known Facts

  1. Significance on Auspicious Days:
    • Buying a new broom on Akshaya Tritiya or Dhanteras is considered auspicious for wealth accumulation.
    • It symbolizes removing old obstacles and inviting prosperity.
  2. Superstition About Borrowing: Borrowing a broom from someone is thought to "borrow their luck," leading to financial instability for both parties.
  3. Cleansing Ritual: Occasionally, sprinkle Ganga jal (holy water) or turmeric-infused water on the broom to cleanse it spiritually.

Connecting Jhadu with Discipline

Using the broom as a symbol of discipline means instilling habits such as:

  • Cleaning regularly to prevent clutter.
  • Ensuring spiritual cleanliness by maintaining harmony at home.
  • Respecting tools and objects as manifestations of divine energy.

By following these practices, keeping a broom at home becomes a blend of practical discipline and spiritual reverence, aligning with Hindu principles of cleanliness, prosperity, and respect for Goddess Lakshmi.