prasad1
Active member
Published by ©Kamaal Nishant©
Superstitions are deep-rooted, unreasonable and irrational beliefs, which have no profundity. Still, superstitions are the legacy of every civilization and are inherited by the succeeding generations. It was once believed that superstitions could be rooted out with the spread of education. But these have continued to linger with us through the generations.
Superstitions originated, perhaps, when man was at the mercy of the natural elements. He held them in awe. He respected and worshipped the forces of nature like the sun, the moon, wind and water. He worshipped fire because of its destructive ability. When man started falling prey to diseases he started appeasing the gods with offerings, prayers, penances and sacrifices to ward off evil spirits. It is difficult to use the word superstition unless in an objective manner. Encyclopedia Britannica classifies superstitions into three categories: religious, cultural and personal.
Most of the religious superstitions originate as a set of peripheral beliefs often closely associated with religious principles. One problem arising from this is that followers of one particular religion might think that the rituals followed by the believer of another religion is a superstition and vice versa. Atheists may consider all religious beliefs as superstitions.
Cultural superstitions often overlap with the religious ones. Being wary of an evil eye, believing in the power of amulets, foretelling future, afraid of ill omens - all these are considered to be superstitions which are a part of our culture. These superstitions might be regional or universal. A third category is that of personal superstitions. Beliefs like wearing a particular color or writing with a particular pen will bring good luck are examples of such personal superstitions.
All civilizations have their respective superstitions. But beliefs in ghosts, sorcery, witchcraft and spirits are universal. The western civilization, although very progressive, have their own superstitions. The number '13' is considered to be unlucky in the West because at the Last Supper, Lord Jesus dined with his twelve disciples and was later crucified. Salt was spilled on the table on which they dined and, therefore, even now spilling of salt is considered ominous.
New England in America was infamous for its witches. All women, who were suspected of practicing witchcraft, were tied to a stack and burnt alive. Later, it was realized that such executions were carried out at the behest of some people who had some selfish motives.
In India too, we are confronted by a number of superstitions. A cat crossing one's path, the sight of a Brahmin or a sneeze means the purpose of the journey, which was being undertaken would remain unaccomplished. Hooting of an owl and howling of a dog augurs an impending death or doom. Contracting chickenpox is considered to be the wrath of a goddess. So, the goddess is appeased with offerings.
As we progress scientifically, it is necessary for us to understand whether there is any scientific reason behind these superstitions. One has to look up for some rationality in the superstition, being followed. A cat crossing one's path near one's home means that one should check one's kitchen. A sneeze could mean the onset of cold, so one should take some precautions.
Superstitions can sometimes lead to horrifying crimes. Instances of child sacrifices as a part of superstitious beliefs have been on the rise. In 2003, Uttar Pradesh alone reported 25 such cases till October.
Experiments are on to find out that whether man has a soul, which leaves him when he dies. People are said to have confronted ghosts and apparitions at palaces. But it remains to be proved that ghosts do exist and possess the power, they are supposed to have. Dogs are very sensitive to changes around them. They become restless before the onset of a natural calamity and wait to inform their masters of the impending doom. So, one cannot totally reject this superstition which is backed by scientific reasoning. In south India, people bathe in the morning and apply sandalwood paste on their forehead. People have now realized that sandalwood keeps the forehead cool and soothes the brain and hence, the practice has been there since time immemorial.
In today's scientific world, it is necessary that we do not blindly follow all the superstitions that were passed on to us by our ancestors. We are modem, both in our outlook and the age we are in. Therefore, we should have a judicious approach and look for some logical reason behind every superstition. We would, then, be able to give up those superstitions which have no rationality and application in today's life. It is only in this way that we can lead normal lives, befitting the citizens of the scientific era.
Source: An article published in "Wisdom" magazine in July, 2008 by Rahul Raj
I know one poster has been posting such 'gooble-de-gook' (thanks AMji for correct spelling) as learned postings in this site. Some others have termed it as researched writings. Let us step back and try to find logical reason and debunk all these useless 'gooble-de-gook'.
Superstitions are deep-rooted, unreasonable and irrational beliefs, which have no profundity. Still, superstitions are the legacy of every civilization and are inherited by the succeeding generations. It was once believed that superstitions could be rooted out with the spread of education. But these have continued to linger with us through the generations.
Superstitions originated, perhaps, when man was at the mercy of the natural elements. He held them in awe. He respected and worshipped the forces of nature like the sun, the moon, wind and water. He worshipped fire because of its destructive ability. When man started falling prey to diseases he started appeasing the gods with offerings, prayers, penances and sacrifices to ward off evil spirits. It is difficult to use the word superstition unless in an objective manner. Encyclopedia Britannica classifies superstitions into three categories: religious, cultural and personal.
Most of the religious superstitions originate as a set of peripheral beliefs often closely associated with religious principles. One problem arising from this is that followers of one particular religion might think that the rituals followed by the believer of another religion is a superstition and vice versa. Atheists may consider all religious beliefs as superstitions.
Cultural superstitions often overlap with the religious ones. Being wary of an evil eye, believing in the power of amulets, foretelling future, afraid of ill omens - all these are considered to be superstitions which are a part of our culture. These superstitions might be regional or universal. A third category is that of personal superstitions. Beliefs like wearing a particular color or writing with a particular pen will bring good luck are examples of such personal superstitions.
All civilizations have their respective superstitions. But beliefs in ghosts, sorcery, witchcraft and spirits are universal. The western civilization, although very progressive, have their own superstitions. The number '13' is considered to be unlucky in the West because at the Last Supper, Lord Jesus dined with his twelve disciples and was later crucified. Salt was spilled on the table on which they dined and, therefore, even now spilling of salt is considered ominous.
New England in America was infamous for its witches. All women, who were suspected of practicing witchcraft, were tied to a stack and burnt alive. Later, it was realized that such executions were carried out at the behest of some people who had some selfish motives.
In India too, we are confronted by a number of superstitions. A cat crossing one's path, the sight of a Brahmin or a sneeze means the purpose of the journey, which was being undertaken would remain unaccomplished. Hooting of an owl and howling of a dog augurs an impending death or doom. Contracting chickenpox is considered to be the wrath of a goddess. So, the goddess is appeased with offerings.
As we progress scientifically, it is necessary for us to understand whether there is any scientific reason behind these superstitions. One has to look up for some rationality in the superstition, being followed. A cat crossing one's path near one's home means that one should check one's kitchen. A sneeze could mean the onset of cold, so one should take some precautions.
Superstitions can sometimes lead to horrifying crimes. Instances of child sacrifices as a part of superstitious beliefs have been on the rise. In 2003, Uttar Pradesh alone reported 25 such cases till October.
Experiments are on to find out that whether man has a soul, which leaves him when he dies. People are said to have confronted ghosts and apparitions at palaces. But it remains to be proved that ghosts do exist and possess the power, they are supposed to have. Dogs are very sensitive to changes around them. They become restless before the onset of a natural calamity and wait to inform their masters of the impending doom. So, one cannot totally reject this superstition which is backed by scientific reasoning. In south India, people bathe in the morning and apply sandalwood paste on their forehead. People have now realized that sandalwood keeps the forehead cool and soothes the brain and hence, the practice has been there since time immemorial.
In today's scientific world, it is necessary that we do not blindly follow all the superstitions that were passed on to us by our ancestors. We are modem, both in our outlook and the age we are in. Therefore, we should have a judicious approach and look for some logical reason behind every superstition. We would, then, be able to give up those superstitions which have no rationality and application in today's life. It is only in this way that we can lead normal lives, befitting the citizens of the scientific era.
Source: An article published in "Wisdom" magazine in July, 2008 by Rahul Raj
I know one poster has been posting such 'gooble-de-gook' (thanks AMji for correct spelling) as learned postings in this site. Some others have termed it as researched writings. Let us step back and try to find logical reason and debunk all these useless 'gooble-de-gook'.
Plus, few wishes will remind the receiver of not abusing the money and using it for right purposes.
