According to many historians, India is one of the oldest living civilizations in the world where people still follow their culture, rituals, humanity, and care. This oldest civilization has so many traditions, and practices that are not only eccentric but also widespread around the world. India values its culture more than anything such as inherited ideas, way of people’s living, beliefs, rituals, values, habits, care, gentleness, knowledge, and many more. But before going further to Indian Traditions lets us first understand what Culture actually means?
In simple words, culture is the way we behave to others, how softly we react to things, our understanding of values, ethics, principles, and beliefs. The old generations pass their cultures and beliefs to their next generations so; every child here behaves well to others as he/she already learned about culture from parents and grandparents. We can see culture here in everything like dance, fashion, artistry, music, behaviour, social norms, food, architecture, dressing sense, and many more.
India is the biggest melting pot having various beliefs and behaviours which gave birth to diverse cultures. There are some Indian traditions that most people around the world recognize easily, something as simple as Namaste, just by hearing this word, people get an image of India in their minds and there are many other examples which we have already discussed in detail in our last blog about Indian Traditions, Scientific Reasons Behind Indian Traditions.
INDIGENOUS/INDIAN TRADITIONS AND RITUALS
Today’s generation envisions Indian traditions are based on pure beliefs. It is just because we are not aware of the history that surrounds them. It does not mean that rituals are vague. Have you ever asked that there could be some scientific reason for the same? It is high time we should know that our ancestors were a lot more visionary and intelligent than we are. These religious beliefs and science do not contradict one another. There is frequently a strong hereditary connection. Let’s dig deeper and see how each ritual scientifically aims at our well-being.
From the Dashavatar (Ten Incarnations) to sitting on the ground and eating, everything is pure science. These traditions demonstrate the brilliance of our ancestors and enhance our knowledge base. Travliv360 comes up with a new set of Indian Traditions which we follow, but they also have scientific reasons hidden behind them. So without wasting more time let’s get started.
WHY DO WE SAY NO TO NAILS CUTTING AND SWEEPING THE GROUND AFTER SUNSET?
Our grandparents used to tell us that evil spirits roam in the search of fresh flesh and that if someone gets a cut, these evil spirits will attack him/her. The scientific understanding behind it, In ancient times when there was no electricity, the ultimate source of light was the Sun. It’s a suggestion not to cut the nails after the sunset. It was just to prevent anyone from getting injured at night by the razor or a sharp blade.
There is a belief that if you sweep the floor in the evening, then the goddess Laxmi or prosperity will be away from home and will result in inviting poverty. But, according to science, in ancient times when there was no electricity. The lamps were the only source of light and that amount of light was not enough. Hence, the chances of ornaments and precious items being swept away were high.
WHY HANG OF LEMON AND CHILLIES?
We often find lemon and chillies hanging in front of almost everything like our shops, offices, rickshaws, trucks, and many more. While some say it brings prosperity, some believe it keeps us away from black magic. Although, the traditional belief states that it keeps away ‘Alakshmi’ or god of poverty who is considered unfortunate in Hindu mythology. Scientifically, it was begun to encourage its consumption because of its richness in vitamins. The actual reason is the thread that is employed to pierce the chillies and the lemon absorbs the acid. The flavour prevents pests and insects from affecting your health.
WHY DO WE NEED A LIGHTING LAMP DURING OUR PRAYERS?
The ancient tradition of illuminating oil lamps has a particular meaning. In almost every Indian house, a lamp is lit every day in front of the altar of the Lord. In some houses, it is lit at dawn, in some times, twice a day at dawn and dusk, and in others, it is kept permanently – Akhanda Deepa. All auspicious functions begin with the lighting of the lamp, which is often maintained throughout the occasion.
It is a well-known fact that illuminating a lamp means moving from darkness to brightness. This secular Indian tradition has a reason for being in science. When we light a lamp, the magnetic force generated by the light causes transitions in the atmosphere and eliminates impurities in the breeze. This electromagnetic force also affects our physical structure and skin, rejuvenating our blood cells. It also produces positive vibes.
CHOTI (PONYTAIL) ON A MALE HEAD
Amazed That This Too Has A Scientific Reason? Well yes, Let’s Take A Look
The human body has seven chakras (energy points). Begin with the base chakra or the Moola Dhara and finish with the highest chakra or the Sahasrara or Sahasradala. The Sahasradala is also called the thousand-petalled lotus. The Kundalini energy lies coiled like a serpent at the base chakra. It may induce to arise by yogic exercises until the Sahasradala. The enlightened master is the one who, through his spiritual practices, elevates the Kundalini of the Moola Dhara to the Sahasradala via the Shikha.
In Ayurveda, the eminent surgeon Sushrut Rishi describes the master sensitive spot on the head as Adhipati Marma. There is a nexus from all the nerves, The Shikha shields this place. The Brahmarandhra, the centre of wisdom, lies below in the brain. From where the sushumnã (nerve) comes from the lower part of the body. In Yoga, Brahmarandhra is the most eminent and seventh chakra. It is the centre of wisdom. The knotted shikhã helps to stimulate this centre and retain its subtle energy known as Ojas.
THE SACRED FIRE IN THE INDIAN WEDDING
Sacred fire acts as a natural cleanser; it removes negative energy from the environment and fills the air of optimism. Furthermore, various types of wood, ghee, rice, and other herbs lead the fire. The smoke produced by the fire purifies the air by killing insects. It has a positive effect on the health of the masses attending the wedding. The couple gets more benefits as they are closer to the flaming.
PURPOSE OF THE TORAN DECORATION
The most significant thing about Toran’s is that they look fantastic and as a decoration for your home – they are unequalled. Culturally, they are used to invite the Goddess of wealth and money, Devi Lakshmi. Usually, torans are green – representing when they were once made out of mango leaves. Fresh green leaves filter the air and create a clean environment. A sterile atmosphere is necessary for an auspicious occasion like a wedding ceremony. Therefore, people attach torans made of mango leaves at the entrances of their homes.
CHANTING OF GAYATRI MANTRA IN OUR PRAYERS
The chant of the Gayatri Mantra generates about 110,000 different kinds of waves per second. The scientists confirmed several scientific potentialities of the Gayatri Mantra. It stimulates our health immeasurably when we chant Gayatri Mantra 90 minutes before dawn. It may be the reason that a radio station in Paramaribo (part of South America) broadcasts this mantra from 07:00 PM every day.
WHY DO WE APPLY CHANDAN(SANDALWOOD) ON OUR FOREHEAD?
The cooling effect of Chandan relieves a headache as the area between the eyebrows is considered to be a converging point of nerves. It is a belief that it’s the position of the third eye, which is the root of all energies. The applying of Chandan to your forehead helps in cooling the nerves and relieving a headache caused because of excessive sun exposure. The cooling Chandan can also have a significant effect on your body and mind. Not only benefits the skin but also cools the nerves below it.
RANGOLI AT THE FRONT DOORS
Rangoli is a pattern drawn on the floor using rice, a mandatory material, during festivals. The intellect behind it, however, is that rice flour attracts ants and other worms that will eat the rice flour and leave all the delights you’ve prepared for you to eat before they taste them. Ironically, nowadays, people have either a permanently painted Rangoli or use rock powder instead of rice flour. You’re not going to believe this, are you?
There is one more reason a Rangoli is drawn at the entrance of a house is because of its calming effect on a visitor who is just about to enter the house. It manifests into vibrations (brainwaves) in the visitor’s mind, putting him at ease, making him comfortable and happy.
WHY DO WE LOOK AT OUR HANDS AND PRAY WHENEVER WE WAKE UP?
The purpose is to visualize the goddess Lakshmi, Devi Saraswati in the centre, and Sri Govinda at the root of the word in the hands in the early morning and meditate upon them. The underlying science rapidly changes the situation of the body from horizontal to vertical can increase the probabilities of a heart attack. The chanting of the mantra regulates the bloodstream that the heart pumps. An estimated 23% of cardiac patients succumb to heart failure when they stand up or suddenly get up from a resting position.
SCIENCE BEHIND ONE OF THE MOST COMMON PUNISHMENT
Well, it is quite funny and shocking too that punishment can also have a science behind it. Let’s find out what it is.
Do you remember the Indian traditional punishment where you crossed your hands on your chest, held alternate earlobes, and did sit-ups, several times as the master asked for? It is the punishment that invokes at the time of the school and gurukul. However, there was also a scientific logic to this sort of punishment. As you sat and got up several times, the blood circulation was improved, stimulating better concentration and holding capacity. By crossing the hands across the chest and holding alternate lobes. There is good coordination between the right side and the left side of the spirit. Pressing points that are present in the earlobes induces the brain cells. It decreases learning disabilities in weak students.
WHY BATHING AFTER ATTENDING A FUNERAL?
After the demise, the human body starts to slowly decompose. When you attend a funeral, you are, of course, exposed to a wide range of bacteria. In ancient times, vaccination was rare and medical facilities were scarce. If a person passes away due to a prolonged illness, the risk of contracting the disease is enormous. Thus began the practice of cleansing oneself and changing into fresh clothes after attending a funeral.
A COUPLE OF MORE INSTANCES OF INDIAN TRADITIONS
- The falling off a house lizard on a human is considered that something bad is going to happen but it is not true as the fact is, that a house lizard is poisonous and harmful so for avoiding any harm, falling off a lizard on you is not at all good.
- In ancient times, mirrors were expensive to break down. The Romans created such rumours that breaking a mirror brings us bad luck for seven years, but the fact is that this is all just a myth.
- In ancient times, people travelled through the forests at night by bullock carts or horse carts with lanterns. Animals like cats or foxes have glowing eyes which scare the cows or horses. This was the reason why people stopped every time a cat or a fox crossed their path. But people believed the crossing of the cat or fox would bring us bad luck or dismantle the work we were going to do. In today’s time also, some people agree with this belief and follow this regimentally but do not stop at the red traffic signal.
AUTHOR’S PERSPECTIVE ON INDIAN TRADITIONS
In our society, we consider some of these rituals as superstitions. Although, science is researching in this regard. They have managed to answer these questions and left some as superstitious. Those who believe in superstition gives life only out of fear but intellectual people rely on their intelligence and understanding. There is a superstition that also spreads through the modern age in a short period, will not the faith of Indian society of millions of years spread?
It had nothing to do with the religion of the customs, traditions, and practices of Hinduism. All this was for health and these were the precautions, which had to do with our daily routine and people became more confident. It was during this period that the Companions (fake Sadhu and Pandit) took advantage in various ways. The outcome of the same spoils is superstition. Don’t look at their properties now and get blindfolded. The ultimate nature of man has been found here in a broader way. Unfortunately, our culture has many things to lose. We couldn’t keep it safe, but still, it’s a living culture of revival. It will know these traditions and the hidden scientific reasons that most people do not know.
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Composed By: Abhay Ghanghas