borrowed from Mr Iyengar
“The meaning of Hatha Yoga is SUN (HA) and MOON (THA), Yoga in which Sun is the Soul and Moon is Consciousness. Consciousness can be compared to a lens. Its inner surface faces the soul itself, and its outer surface comes into contact with the world. Inevitably a degree of grime attaches itself to that outer surface and obscures our vision. In fact it prevents us from seeing clearly what is outside, and it equally prevents the light from shining out. if our house is gloomy because the windows are dirty, we don`t say there is a problem with the sun; we clean the windows. Therefore Yoga cleans the lens of consciousness in order to admit the sun(soul). so purity is not an end in itself. Similarly when a woman in India washes and says prayers before preparing food, she is purifying herself, not for the sake of purity, but to ensure that her intentions are clearly transmitted, not perverted or obscured. The loving intention behind cooking is to sustain, nourish and uphold others. This intention can be transmitted best through a pure or clean consciousness. Clean body, clean mind, clean hands, and clean pots and pans equal a happy, healthy, loving family.”