Traditions in
Hinduism were considered mainly as superstitions, but with the advent of
science, it is becoming evident that these traditions are based on some
scientific knowledge and moved from generations to generations as traditions.
Though many people did not know science in it, they were following it
very faithfully over the years. This is an attempt to understand few of them :
Throwing Coin into
River :
The general reasoning
given for this act is that it brings Good Luck. However, scientifically
speaking, in the ancient times, most of the currency used was made of copper
unlike the stainless steel coins of today. Copper is a vital metal very useful
to the human body and also acts as a cleansing agent in water. Throwing coins in the river was one way our fore-fathers
ensured we intake sufficient copper as part of the water as rivers were the
only source of drinking water. Making it a custom ensured that all of us follow
the practice. - I understood this scientific reason when I was in class 9th told by my science teacher Nafees Ahmed.
Joining both hands to
Greet :
In Hindu culture,
people greet each other by joining their palms - termed as “Namaskar.” The general
reason behind this tradition is that greeting by joining both the palms means
respect. However, scientifically speaking, joining both hands ensures joining
the tips of all the fingers together; which are denoted to the pressure points
of eyes, ears, and mind. Pressing them together is said to activate the
pressure points which helps us remember that person for a long time. And, no
germs since we don’t make any physical contact!
Why Indian Women wear
toe ring :
Wearing toe rings is
not just the significance of married women but there is science behind it.
Normally toe rings are worn on the second toe. A particular nerve from the
second toe connects the uterus and passes to heart. Wearing toe ring on this
finger strengthens the uterus. It will keep it healthy by regulating the blood
flow to it and menstrual cycle will be regularized. As Silver is a good
conductor, it also absorbs polar energies from the earth and passes it to the
body.
Tilak on forehead :
On the forehead,
between the two eyebrows, is a spot that is considered as a major nerve point
in human body since ancient times. The Tilak is believed to prevent the loss of
"energy", the red 'kumkum' between the eyebrows is said to retain
energy in the human body and control the various levels of concentration. While
applying kumkum the points on the mid-brow region and Adnya-chakra are
automatically pressed. This also facilitates the blood supply to the face
muscles.
Why do temples have
bell :
People who are
visiting the temple should and will Ring the bell before entering the inner
sanctum where the main idol is
placed. According to Agama Sastra, the bell is used to give sound for keeping
evil forces away and the ring of the bell is pleasant to God. However, the
scientific reason behind bells is that their ring clears our mind and helps us
stay sharp and keep our full concentration on devotional purpose. These bells
are made in such a way that when they produce a sound it creates a unity in the
Left and Right parts of our brains. The moment we ring the bell, it produces a
sharp and enduring sound which lasts for minimum of 7 seconds in echo mode. The
duration of echo is good enough to activate all the seven healing centres in
our body. This results in emptying our brain from all negative thoughts.
I understood this fact during MBA from my friend -Agyeya Tripathi.
Why
do we have Navratras?
Our living style has
drastically changed if we compare it to the society hundreds & thousands of
years ago. The traditions which we follow in present are not establishments of
today but of the past. Ever thought, why do we have Navratras twice a year
unlike other festivals like Deepawali or Holi? Well, both these months are the
months of changing seasons and the eating habits of both the seasons are quite
different from each other.
Navratras give enough
time to the body to adjust and prepare itself for to the changing season. These
nine days were marked as a period when people would clean their body system by
keeping fasts by avoiding excessive salt and sugar, meditate, gain a lot of
positive energy, gain a lot of self confidence & increase the self
determination power (fasts are a medium to improve our will power and self
determination) and finally get ready for the challenges of the changed season. I came to know this reason during 2003.
Why do we worship ‘Tulsi’ plant?
Hindu religion has
bestowed ‘Tulsi’, with the status of mother. Also known as ‘Sacred or Holy
Basil’, Tulsi, has been recognized as a religious and spiritual devout in many
parts of the world. The vedic sages knew the benefits of Tulsi and that is why
they personified it as a Goddess and gave a clear message to the entire
community that it needs to be taken care of by the people, literate or
illiterate. We try to protect it because it is like Sanjeevani for the mankind.
Tulsi has great medicinal properties. It is a remarkable antibiotic. Taking
Tulsi everyday in tea or otherwise increases immunity and help the drinker
prevent diseases, stabilize his or her health condition, balance his or her
body system and most important of all, prolong his or her life. Keeping Tulsi
plant at home prevents insects and mosquitoes from entering the house. It is
said that snakes do not dare to go near a Tulsi plant. Maybe that is why
ancient people would grow lots of Tulsi near their houses.
Why
do we worship 'Peepal Tree'!
Peepal’ tree is
almost useless for an ordinary person, except for its shadow. ‘Peepal’ does not
a have a delicious fruit, its wood is not strong enough for any purpose then
why should a common villager or person worship it or even care for it? Our
ancestors knew that ‘Peepal’ is one of the very few trees (or probably the only
tree) which produces oxygen even at night. So in order to save this tree
because of its unique property they related it to God/religion.one of the very few trees (or
probably the only tree) which produces oxygen even at night. So in
Or
Start with spice, end with sweet
der to save this tree because of its unique property they related
it to God/religion.
Our ancestors have
stressed on the fact that our meals should be started off with something spicy
and sweet dishes should be taken towards the end. The significance of this
eating practice is that while spicy things activate the digestive juices and
acids and ensure that the digestion process goes on smoothly and efficiently,
sweets or carbohydrates pulls down the digestive process. Hence, sweets were
always recommended to be taken as a last item.
Sikha on male head
Sushrut rishi, the
foremost surgeon of Ayurveda, describes the master sensitive spot on the head
as Adhipati Marma, where there is a nexus of all nerves. The shikha protects
this spot. Below, in the brain, occurs the Brahmarandhra, where the sushumnã
(nerve) arrives from the lower part of the body. In Yog, Brahmarandhra is the
highest, seventh chakra, with the thousand-petalled lotus. It is the centre of
wisdom. The knotted shikhã helps boost this centre and conserve its subtle
energy known as ojas.
Applying Mehndi/ henna on hands
Besides lending color
to the hands, mehndi is a very powerful medicinal herb. Weddings are stressful,
and often, the stress causes headaches and fevers. As the wedding day
approaches, the excitement mixed with nervous anticipation can take its toll on
the bride and groom. Application of mehndi can prevent too much stress because
it cools the body and keeps the nerves from becoming tense. This is the reason
why mehndi is applied on the hands and feet, which house nerve endings in the
body.
Celebration and cleaning during Diwali
Diwali usually falls
in October or November which marks the start of winter season and end of rainy
season. Rainy season wasn't a good time for everyone back then; many homes
needed repair and renovation after a heavy fall. That is why time before diwali
was considered the period during which everyone can indulge in cleaning and
beautification of their home. And also take out their winter clothes and pack
the summer ones.
Tradition of seating
on floor and eating :
This tradition is not
just about sitting on floor and eating, it is regarding sitting in the
“Sukhasan” position and then eating. Sukhasan is the position we normally use
for Yoga asanas. Sitting in this position while eating helps in improving
digestion as the circulatory system can focus solely upon digestion and not on
our legs dangling from a chair or supporting us while we are standing.
Why not to sleep with your head towards North?
Myth is that it invites
ghost or death but since says that it is because human body has its own
magnetic field (Also known as hearts magnetic field, because the flow of blood)
and Earth is a giant magnet. When we sleep with head towards north, our body's
magnetic field become completely asymmetrical to the Earth's Magnetic field.
That cause problems related to blood pressure and our heart needs to work
harder in order to overcome this asymmetry of Magnetic fields. Apart from this
another reason is that Our body have significant amount of iron in our blood.
When we sleep in this position, iron from the whole body starts to congregate
in brain. This can cause headache, Alzheimer’s Disease, Cognitive Decline,
Parkinson disease and brain degeneration.
Surya Namaskar :
Hindus have a
tradition of paying regards to Sun God early in the morning by their water
offering ritual. It was mainly because looking at Sun rays through water or
directly at that time of the day is good for eyes and also by waking up to
follow this routine, we become prone to a morning lifestyle and mornings are
proven to be the most effective part of the day.
Ear Piercing :
Piercing the ears has
a great importance in Indian ethos. Indian physicians and philosophers believe
that piercing the ears helps in the development of intellect, power of thinking
and decision making faculties. Talkativeness fritters away life energy. Ear
piercing helps in speech-restraint. It helps to reduce impertinent behaviour
and the ear-channels become free from disorders. This idea appeals to the
Western world as well, and so they are getting their ears pierced to wear fancy
earrings as a mark of fashion.
Why no meat on a
particular day :
Hindus do not eat
meat on particular days - not limited but including: Tuesdays, Thursdays, and
Saturdays. The reason is that as a human being we need only a little amount of
meat to fulfill the requirements of our body such as iron, vitamin B12 and
other vital nutrients. But we often get addicted to eating meat which is not
good for health. It can cause diseases like piles, kidney stones, colon cancer
etc. Therefore, Hinduism has placed some restrictions by assigning days to
particular deities.
Application of Sindoor or Vermillion
It is interesting to
note that that the application of sindoor by married women carries a
physiological significance. This is so because Sindoor is prepared by mixing
turmeric-lime and the metal mercury. Due to its intrinsic properties, mercury,
besides controlling blood pressure also activates sexual drive. This also
explains why Sindoor is prohibited for the widows. For best results, Sindoor
should be applied right upto the pituitary gland where all our feelings are
centered. Mercury is also known for removing stress and strain.
The Scientific explanation of touching feet
(charan-sparsh):
Usually, the person
of whose feet you are touching is either old or pious. When they accept your
respect which came from your reduced ego (and is called your shraddha) their
hearts emit positive thoughts and energy (which is called their karuna) which
reaches you through their hands and toes. In essence, the completed circuit
enables flow of energy and increases cosmic energy, switching on a quick
connect between two minds and hearts. To an extent, the same is achieved
through handshakes and hugs.
The nerves that start
from our brain spread across all your body. These nerves or wires end in the
fingertips of your hand and feet. When you join the fingertips of your hand to
those of their opposite feet, a circuit is immediately formed and the energies
of two bodies are connected. Your fingers and palms become the ‘receptor’ of
energy and the feet of other person become the ‘giver’ of energy.
Why Do we Fast :
The underlying
principle behind fasting is to be found in Ayurveda. This ancient Indian
medical system sees the basic cause of many diseases as the accumulation of
toxic materials in the digestive system. Regular cleansing of toxic materials
keeps one healthy. By fasting, the digestive organs get rest and all body
mechanisms are cleansed and corrected. A complete fast is good for heath, and
the occasional intake of warm lemon juice during the period of fasting prevents
the flatulence.
Since the human body,
as explained by Ayurveda, is composed of 80% liquid and 20% solid, like the
earth, the gravitational force of the moon affects the fluid contents of the
body. It causes emotional imbalances in the body, making some people tense,
irritable and violent. Fasting acts as antidote, for it lowers the acid content
in the body which helps people to retain their sanity. Research suggests there
are major health benefits to caloric restriction like reduced risks of cancer,
cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, immune disorders etc.
Why worship Idol :
Hinduism propagates
idol worship more than any other religion. Researchers say that this was
initiated for the purpose of increasing concentration during prayers. According
to psychiatrists, a man will shape his thoughts as per what he sees. If you
have 3 different objects in front of you, your thinking will change according
to the object you are viewing. Similarly, in ancient India, idol worship was
established so that when people view idols it is easy for them to concentrate
to gain spiritual energy and meditate without mental diversion.
Why should Tulsi not be chewed with teeth?
It is a popular
belief that Tulsi is the wife of Lord Vishnu; therefore, chewing it will be a
mark of disrespect. However, botanists, in the course of their research, found
that Tulsi plant has the maximum of mercury. If raw mercury is applied to
teeth, they fall immediately. That’s why in Hindu religion, Tulsi leaves are
not chewed but swallowed.
Tilgur :
Tilgul is a very
colorful and excellent sesame candy made of sesame seeds and jaggery. Til means
sesame seeds whereas gul means jaggery in Marathi/ Hindi. Since Makar Sankranti
is celebrated in mid winter ideally Tilgul recipe is a combination that helps
keep the body warm due to these heat generating ingredients making it a healthy
sweet to enjoy. In Ayurveda, Sesame is considered to be an extremely beneficial
and strong medicine. Sesame laddu's are beneficial for those children who
normally have the problem of bed-wetting in winters.
Bangles :
Normally the wrist
portion is in constant activation on any human. Also the pulse beat in this
portion is mostly checked for all sorts of ailments. The Bangles used by women
are normally in the wrist part of ones hand and its constant friction increases
the blood circulation level. Further more the electricity passing out through
outer skin is again reverted to one's own body because of the ring shaped
bangles, which has no ends to pass the energy outside but to send it back to
the body.
There are many other traditions which people are following without knowing a reason . Though most of them still make sense even if we don't know the reason but many of them are outdated as well and hold no relevance in today's time. All elders should try to figure out reasons for all these traditions and youth should try to search more about these as everything has a reason it's just we know the right reason or not.
