Why do you hold your ears when you make a mistake?

The Gautama, Vasishtha, Apastamba Dharmasutras, and Parashara Smriti, among other texts, contain numerous points of wisdom. These texts also outline rules and regulations for living. According to these texts, different representative organs of the five elements have been considered in our body such as nose represents earth, tongue represents water, eyes represent fire, skin represents air and ears represent sky. All other elements become impure due to various reasons, but the sky never becomes impure. Therefore, the ears are considered more sacred in the scriptures.

1. According to Manu Smriti, the body above the navel of a human being is considered sacred and the body below it is considered impure because of holding urine and feces. This is why the sacred thread (Janeu) is wrapped around the right ear while defecating because the right ear is considered more sacred than the left ear. Therefore, when a person takes initiation, the Guru tells him the secret mantra in his right ear only, that is why the right ear is considered more sacred than the left.

2. According to the Gobhila Grihyasutra, the gods Vayu, Moon, Indra, Agni, Mitra, and Varuna reside in the human right ear. Therefore, this ear is considered more sacred.

Verse from Gobhil Grihyasutra….
Marut: Som Indragni Mitravarinau Tathaiv Ch.
Ate survey cha viprasya shrotre tishanti dakshinai.

3. The 19th verse of the 12th chapter of the Parashara Smriti states that touching the right ear when sneezing, spitting, having unclean teeth, or speaking a lie is essential. This purifies the person.

paraashar smrti ka shlok……

kshute nityevane chaiv dantochchhishte tathanrte.

patitaanaan ch sambhaashe dakshinan shravanan sprshet..

From a new perspective, holding one’s ears means vowing to cut off one’s ears.

It is also said that the nerves at the base of the ear are connected to the bladder and anus. The nerve in the right ear is connected to the bladder, and the nerve in the left ear is connected to the anus. Wrapping the right ear around the ear while urinating puts pressure on those nerves, which in turn tighten the nerves in the bladder. Consequently, diseases like polyuria, diabetes, and gonorrhea, etc., are prevented. Similarly, by pressing the nerves of the right ear, anal diseases like catarrh, fistula, piles etc. do not occur. Many gentlemen wear the sacred thread on both ears while going to the toilet. Their argument is that urine is also passed during defecation, hence the sacred thread should be worn on both the ears.

Kshute Nishthivane Chaiva Dantechhipte Tathannritya.
Patitaanaan chasambhaye dakshinam shravan sprishyet.
Parashar Smriti 7. 38

That is, touch your right ear while sneezing, spitting, biting any part of the body with your teeth, telling a lie and talking to readers.

Minor impurities are removed simply by touching the ear. Touching, holding, or pressing the ear is associated with atonement for a mistake. The purpose of teachers holding a child’s ears is to develop their divinity and morale. The placing of a sacred thread on the ears also serves the same purpose in a subtle way. This is also why it is customary to place it on a child’s ears during defecation.

Adityavasavo Rudra Vayuragnishva Dharmarat.
Viprasya Dakshine Karne Nityam Nishthanti Devta:॥

Shankhyayan-
Agnirapashcha Vedascha Soma: Suryo’nilastatha.
Survey Devastu Viprasya Karne Tishthanti Dakshine.

pickle mayukh-
Prabhasadini Tirthani Gangadya Saritastatha.
Viprasya Dakshine Karne Vasanti Munirbraveet॥

Parashar:

The above three verses describe the sanctity of the right ear. Sankhayana holds that the gods Aditya, Vasu, Rudra, Vayu, and Agni always reside in the right ear of a Brahmin. Acharya Mayukhkar states that fire, water, the Vedas, the Sun, the Moon, the Sun, and all the gods reside in a Brahmin’s right ear. Parashara believes that rivers like the Ganges and other sacred rivers and pilgrimage sites reside in the right ear. Therefore, while defecating or urinating on such a sacred part, one wears the sacred thread so that it does not become impure.
Jai Shri Ram