ON SUPERSTITION

India is a land of unity in diversity. It is also a multi cultural, multi religious, and multilingual nation given to different customs

in religion, beliefs, customs and habits! Every part of India has its distinct identity and set of beliefs rational or irrational! it is interesting to peep into some of the beliefs held by the society from time Immemorial. The beliefs that society holds without any scientific basis is generally called superstition. Superstition is the outcome of lack of education according to many. But in India even educated people believe in them. What is this superstition?   Any belief or practice that is irrational and arises from ignorance, a misunderstanding of science or causality is termed as superstition. It entails a positive belief in fate or magic or fear of the unknown. It also refers to religious beliefs or actions of irrationality.

The word superstition was first used in English in the fifteenth century. Derived from the verb  “super stare" it meant ‘ to stand upon, survive’. It can also be interpreted as standing over a thing in amazement or awe. Fear of Gods was what the Romans meant by superstition. Superstition has become  a widespread social problem. Some beliefs and practices are considered superstitious by a few while others do not call them so. The gap between what is  superstition and what is not, is very wide. Superstition is not confined to one field of activity. It encompasses almost all activities of man and his society. It is incredible but a hard fact that many in our own times, reputed scholars, thinkers, scientists, professionals, business magnates and of course, politicians are the victims of superstitions! These beliefs have taken a very deep root in society from ages and it is practically impossible to get rid of them despite any scientific onslaught!

Sati, the practice of the wife immolating herself on the pyre of the husband was an ancient custom. Rajaram Mohan Roy fought against this and today it it is almost extinct. But off and on we hear some isolated cases in Rajasthan! In South India too much of importance is given to Rahukalam presided over by Dragon Rahu a malefic! Astrology is the reason behind this superstition. Another belief is that Mars, another malefic planet, is detrimental to marriage and conjugal relationship. Many marriages  are cancelled because of this fear! It is believed that snakes drink milk. Many snakes were forced to drink milk and they died. The belief that Lord Vinayaka idol drinks milk was disproved by scientific experiment! To see peacock before a journey is considered auspicious! People believe that planetary position at the time of their birth define their fate!  NASA says that Astrology is pseudoscience! There are others that proclaim it is one of the Vedangas. Cat crossing one’s way is bad luck. Adding one rupee for a gift sum is auspicious! (Rs 21, 101,,501)

Mother puts a black mark on the baby's face to Ward off evil eye! It is again bad luck when a person sneezes before starting anything! Widows are considered inauspicious! No haircut on Tuesdays and Saturdays. It brings bad luck! Shaking legs invites bad luck! If the right eye twitches it is good for the male but bad for the female! If the left twitches it is bad for the male and good for the female! Another practice prevalent in society is to take bath after cremation and funerals. It is believed that all negative energies shall be warded off if done so!  Yet another belief is that you should never sleep stretching your legs towards south that being the direction of the God of Death, Yamadharmaraja! People are afraid of the Banyan and peepal trees as

they are believed to be the abode of malevolent spirits! We usually find a large number of devotees in temples dedicated to Hanuman and God Lakshmi Narasimha. Some of them are possessed and go on turning and twisting their heads ceaselessly! The belief is that they would be free from the tormenting Spirits by worshipping these deities!

Many more beliefs and superstitions are prevalent even today despite the wonderful advancement of science and technology! These beliefs and practices are ingrained in society from time Immemorial and it is practically impossible for anyone to remove them! It is the unshakable faith that they have on these beliefs that compels them to follow those practices! Thus science, knowledge, and rationalism do not come into the picture where there is implicit faith! Science wants proof and rational explanation! Superstition can never prove itself through scientific experiment or explanation! Thus in our modern age, science, rationalism, faith and superstition coexist without interfering with the other! The scientist and rationalist calls the superstitious and the ignorant fools while the latter calls the scientist and the rationalist a faithless creature! The battle between science and religion and faith is as old as earth! We cannot avoid it until there's a major change in the mind of Man!