Article #53: Superstitions

Haachi.. Wait a moment, wondering why? Because I sneezed. 

Do you believe this superstition? But why? Because elders usually say that once after you sneeze you shouldn’t start anything. Otherwise, something bad would happen.  

Hold on, did you ever try to start something even after you sneeze? How was your experience? 

The reason I am asking is because I never tried that way as I believe this so-called Superstition. 

In this Article, let’s find out what these superstitions are and where did these come from? Why do people believe Superstitions? Is it right or wrong to have such beliefs? Let’s see 

Superstition is a belief or practice that contradicts modern science. Some of the Superstitions that we hear here and there are 

1. Not starting something immediately after you sneeze 

2. Stopping at the source place when a widow/widower comes 

3. A black cat crossing the road symbolizes bad luck 

4. A crow cawing indicates that guests are arriving 

5. Drinking milk after eating fish causes skin diseases 

6. Seeing a mongoose symbolizes to be very lucky 

7. Lucky to have a milk man coming your way when you start 

8. Spending money on Tuesday/Friday is not good 

9. Itchy palms mean that money is coming your way 

10. Do not cut nails after sunset 

11. Taking bath after attending last rites 

12. Hanging lemon and chilis at the entrance 

13. Don't go near peepal tree at night 

14. Women not allowed in temples during menstruation 

15. A Widow woman shouldn’t use Kumkum on the forehead 

Superstitious beliefs and practices vary from one region to another. There could be some harmless ones as well as there could be some harmful beliefs. Being part of tradition and religion, these beliefs and practices have been passed down from one generation to another for centuries in India.  

Usually most of the people have the notion that Superstitions are due to lack of education. Although I agree to the statement to some extent, I believe it is not completely true. There are many educated people in the country today with beliefs considered superstitious to the public.  

There would always be two sides of the coin for anything we take. I feel that we cannot simply put aside all the beliefs and practices that we inherit from our previous generations. Of course, there could be some that may not be right, but there would always be a strong reason when our elders talk about a belief or have been following it for years. In fact, there would always be some scientific facts behind some superstitions. 

For instance, if we are told by our elders not to cut the nails post the sunset, we wouldn’t have got the reason behind it from them. But the scientific reason is in earlier times, when there was limited supply of electricity, people avoided cutting nails after sunset because of hygienic reasons - one would not know if the nail particles get stuck to the feet and are carried inside the rooms. 

The same way when we have to take a bath after attending last rites is because the body of the deceased can be home to any kind of bacteria or infections and once the funeral is performed, the infections is spread in the air. Hence it is advisable to take bath soon after attending a funeral to wash off unnecessary infections. 

And the reason why women were not allowed in temples during menstruation was because Earlier, women did not have the convenience of sanitary napkins and few other pain reliever pills. Temples used to be at a distance and it used to be tedious for them to go there and spend long hours in the rituals for the day. Hence women were not allowed in the temples so that they could be home and rest. We clearly misinterpreted the concern of our ancestors.  

Now, coming to the aspect on why do people believe Superstitions. There are many reasons for it. 

1. Decently obeying the elders and following what they say – We can rarely find such people these days of course. 

2. Personal experiences that could have been a mere coincidence – Like If someone starts from their home, crosses the black cat and something bad actually happens, it becomes a belief due to the experience 

3. The practice is making one happy  

4. A kind of comfort zone with the belief or practice 

5. Just part of the culture and religion and it is being followed without any questions 

Well, if you have a question anytime whether it is right or wrong to follow a particular superstition, then don’t worry because it’s just a belief and we don’t have to analyze so much about what is right and what is wrong. I believe your instincts are the best beliefs. You can always follow your instincts rather than a predefined superstition because superstitions can prove you wrong, but most of the times, your instincts cannot. Of course, there are times wherein your instinct could be a superstition like some in my case. Whatever you want to make it happen, you can always do irrespective of all the other beliefs. Wo kehte hai na, Jho kuch bhi insaan real mein chahta hai actual mein vusko life mein vahi miltha hai. Then from where does the superstitions come in between? Give a thought and let me know in the comments section on what you have to say.