Shaucha

 (शौच) literally means purity, cleanliness, and clearness. It refers to purity of mind, speech and body. is one of the of Yoga. It is discussed in many ancient Indian texts such as the Mahabharata and Patanjali's Yoga Sutras. It is a virtue in Hinduism and Jainism. In Hinduism purity is a part of worship and an important quality for salvation. Purity is a mind pure and free of evil thoughts and behaviors.

includes outer purity of body as well as inner purity of mind. It is synonymous with (शुद्धि). states that in yoga is on many levels, and deepens as an understanding and evolution of self increases.

In yogic practice, is considered essential for health, happiness, and general well-being. External purity is achieved through daily ablutions, while internal purity is cultivated through physical exercises, including (postures) and  (breathing techniques). Along with daily ablutions to cleanse one's body, suggests clean surroundings, along with fresh and clean food to purify the body. Lack of might be the result, for example, of letting toxins build up in the body.

includes purity of speech and mind. Anger, hate, prejudice, greed, lust, pride, fear, and negative thoughts are sources of impurity of mind. Impurities of the intellect can be cleansed through the process of self-examination, or knowledge of self. The mind is purified through mindfulness and meditation on one's intent, feelings, actions, and its causes.

Teachers of the Vedanta path of yoga prepare to have holy thoughts and to perform holy actions. Students and the young help teachers prepare for worship, building self-control and selflessness. Sarada Devi said "pure mind begets ecstatic love ".

Literature
is included as one of five in Yoga, that is activity that is recommended for spiritual development of an individual. Verse II.32 of Yogasutra lists the five. In verse II.40, Patanjali describes outer purity, while verse II.41 discusses inner purity, as follows:

is one of the ten (virtuous restraints) listed by Śāṇḍilya Upanishad, as well as by Svātmārāma.

The Epic Mahabharata mentions the virtue of purity in numerous books. For example, in Book 14 Chapter 38, it lists as a quality found in the liberated, happy, and dharmic person,

Bhagavad Gita describes purity at three levels in Book 17, verses 14–16, namely body, speech and thoughts. Purity of body comes from cleanliness of body as well as from what one eats and drinks. Purity of speech comes from being truthful and through use of words that are not injurious, hurtful, or distressing to others or self. Purity of thoughts comes from reflection, peace of mind, silence, calmness, gentleness, and purity of being.

Purity of mind, speech, and body has been one of the important virtues in Indian philosophy.