Is wearing dhoti or Sari and Kaupin compulsory for devotees?
A male devotee (name hidden) asked like this:
“Hare Krishna ! Please can you explain the science behind Kaupin. Why Indian sadhus and brahmacharis wears Kaupin. Why one should wear Kaupin. Who can wear Kaupin. If there is any rules and regulations to wear Kaupin. A grihstha should wear Kaupin. And when Kaupin should not be wear (in night wear or not.) How to wear Kaupin and what are the benefits of wearing it. Thank you.”
Another male devotee asked:
“Hare Krishna Prabhu, why Sari and dhoti are recommended for the devotees?”
REPLY:
Ha Ha.
You have asked about the science behind the kaupin, a piece of cloth worn by males and some females as underwear.
Many may say many things about it. But, the reality is different.
Of course, wearing dhoti or Sari and Kaupin is recommended for the devotees, but doing some modification is also good.
There is no major science in wearing kaupin.
Kaupin is used to keep the male organ intact and less disturbing. Now a days, the underwear/panty solves this problem.
And, there is no major scientific benefits in wearing dhotis also. But, dhotis and saris give a traditional feeling as uniforms for the devotees.
(Will selecting a devotee for marriage seeing appearance work correctly? READ HERE!)
In those days, ie, thousands of years ago, there were no sewing machines to prepare pants, underwear, panty, etc.
They had known only about the handlooms through which they made piece of saris or dhotis. They could make a long piece of fabrics, but they had no facilities to stitch them in different shapes.
So, they used dhotis and sarees as the main outer clothes. They did not give any shape for their clothes. They were just like the piece of clothes that can be kept intact surrounding their body.
They used a towel around their chest. That too, only the higher caste men wore towels around their chest. Not others.
The women wore the saree itself in such a way that it hides their whole body.
They had known to some extent to stitch shirts that was considered as royal clothes.
The sewing of blouse, panties, underwear, pants, shirts, etc., came only after they invented sewing machines.
So, we can’t imagine the clothes like underwear during vedic period, ie, about 5000 years ago.
So, both the men and women wore a piece of cloth to hold the male and female organs safely and tightly. The women used piece of clothes even for managing their monthly menstruation (periods). Usage of napkins came to practice just a few decades ago.
This is the reality behind the clothes used thousands of years ago.
Do not develop imaginations seeing the drawn Pictures in the media/ books.
Now, Let us see about about kaupins and dhotis for the present days.
(Colours of clothes to wear in temples as followed in India! READ HERE!)
The devotee communities are still giving importance only for the dhotis even in the days in which the clothes can be sewed to the desired size and model.
This is to be changed and will change in future.
In fact, wearing dhotis is very difficult and exposing.
Pants are safer than dhotis.
Whenever I wear dhotis, I always fear when it will slip out of the waist. So, I frequently check it or wear a belt around it.
When I board the bus, the dhotis expose the body.
Since the dhotis are very thin, even our legs and underwear are visible outside. So, I have to wear a costly and thick dhoti that is very difficult to wash and maintain because of big size and weight.
(Why the dress codes for women when the men walk half open publicly? READ HERE!)
I feel safe whenever I wear pants and shirts.
Dhotis and saris can be used only when we go to the temples, festivals and functions.
Why should we still use the dhotis in leisure time also even after we have modern sewing technology?
The ancient people were using them because they did not know how to stitch faster using machines.
Sewing machines are the very useful technique found by the man. No doubt in it.
The women are allowed to wear even salwars/ chuditars.
It is very safe for them compared to sarees.
Why should we insist on sarees when safe salwars and chuditars are available?
We should accept healthy and useful developments of science. It makes our work easier.
That is why, I wear dhotis only when I go to the temples because they won’t believe me as a good devotee if I do not wear dhoti (!!!).
During other times, I am in casual dress depending on the situations.
Some devotees give importance only for outer appearance.
(Is loving a devotee boy for his neat Vaishnava outlook & music wrong? READ HERE!)
The devotees use smartphones, mike, car, planes, air conditioning, etc. Then, why should we discourage the clothes made using sewing machines?
So, let us accept good facilities given by the science.
Kaupin is used by only a few people now days. Others wear underwear only.
So, it is not wrong in skipping the kaupin and wearing the underwear available in the market.
If you wear a right size of underwear, it will hold the organs better than the kaupins do.
So, embrace some healthy changes and do not be over old fashioned.
I strongly believe that today’s spiritual organizations will allow such changes in future. I forecast it even now. These unwanted and blind codes and practices can not stay for a long period because the people are no longer ready to hear impractical suggestions. Particularly, I won’t do that blind approach and I always accept good and harmless facilities developed now and then.
(Scientific reasons to wear Saffron Colour dress by the renounced sanyasis! READ HERE!)
All we need in our devotional life is the following things and I WILL NEVER ALLOW ANY LIQUIDATION IN THE FOLLOWING SEVEN:
SEVEN ESSENTIALS FOR DEVOTEES
(1) Chanting from the heart, not just from the lips.
(2) Following four regulative principles is more important for every devotee, than the kaupin or dhotis or sarees.
(3) Offering food to Krishna and then homouring prasadam is logical and meaningful because it is the good show of our love towards Krishna and a way to free the food from karma.
(4) Humbleness and Respecting other vaishnavas/ devotees is compulsory because satva guna is the symbol of every devotee.
(5) Reading as much as possible about Krishna is important because it keeps us connected to Krishna without dilution.
(6) Associating with the devotees is also important to keep up the spirit of devotion.
(7) Performing all our assigned duties in our life is very important, because it is the first advice given by Krishna in Bhagavad Gita.
These seven are COMPULSORY.
(Should a devotee in Gopi Bhawa dress like a Gopi? 15 Point Reply! READ HERE!)
Other things, ie, these kaupins, dhotis, sarees, panties, etc are just local factors that can be followed by everyone according to his situation and background.
These local external factors will change from time to time.
Do not get confused with these external factors.
Follow the above seven. Krishna will be with you.
Become pure inside. Wear a dress that is decent and does not induce others. It is my humble view.
Go to the temples in the recommended uniforms they expect from others. If possible, you can wear dhotis and saris all the time.
If all the time is not possible, wear sari or dhoti atleast whenever you visit the temples and devotees’ houses.
Why should we wear traditional dhoti, sari etc in the temples?
Because they give a devotional feeling with less distractions because we tell others thru our clothes that we are the devotees living for God.
So, unwanted or very materialistic persons will not come to us and disturb us. We will show that we are not ready for materialistic way of life.
(It is wrong going to temples without bathing and wearing unwashed dress? READ HERE!)
So, we have less distractions from materialistic persons.
Moreover, white and Saffron are the symbols of Purity and renouncement respectively.
So, when we wear dhotis or saris, we feel as if we are trying to be pure.
However, purity and renouncement are not dependent on the clothes. So, they are necessary during the initial stage of sadhana bhakti to develop a feel of purity.
As per the scriptures, even the temple worship is not recommended for the advanced devotees who FEEL that they have installed Krishna in their heart. However, such devotees may be less in number. So, for most of the devotees, temple worship helps them to enhance their attachment with Krishna.
So, my advice is: Wear wearing dhoti or Sari and Kaupin or Panty while going to the temples. Wear any other decent but comfortable clothes during the other times.
Never wear any dress that expose your body. This is important.
Be relieved about wearing dhoti or Sari and Kaupin.
(DRESSING & BEHAVIOUR OF VAISHNAVA IN PUBLIC PLACES! READ HERE!)