INTRODUCTION:
These 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 the common people did not know
science in it, they were following it very faithfully over the years. Let’s see
how it makes difference in science and religion.
1.
THROWING COINS INTO A 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. Throwing coins in the river was one way our fore-fathers ensured
that 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.
2.
JOINING BOTH PALMS TOGETHER 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 devoted 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!
3.
WHY DO INDIAN WOMEN WEAR TOES RINGS?
Wearing Toes rings are not just
the significance of married women but there is science behind it. Normally toes
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 our body 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.
4.
APPLYING TILAKAM ON THE 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 Tilakam 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 Anya-chakra are
automatically pressed. This also facilitates the blood supply to the face
muscles.
5.
WHY DO WE HAVE NAVRATRI’S?
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 Navratri’s 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. Navratri’s 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.
6.
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. May be that is why ancient people would grow lots of
Tulsi near their houses.
7.
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.
8.
START WITH SPICE & END WITH SWEET?
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.
9.
CHOTI ON THE 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 sushumna (nerve)
arrives from the lower part of the body. In Yoga, Brahmarandhra is the highest,
seventh chakra, with the thousand-petalled lotus. It is the centre of wisdom.
The knotted shikha helps boost this centre and conserve its subtle energy known
as ojas.
10.
APPLYING MEHENDI/HENNA ON THE HAND:
Besides lending color to the
hands, mehendi 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 mehendi can prevent too much stress because it cools
the body and keeps the nerves from becoming tense. This is the reason why mehendi
is applied on the hands and feet, which house nerve endings in the body.
11.
CELEBRATION & 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.
12.
SITTING ON THE FLOOR & 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.
13.
WHY NOT TO SLEEP WITH YOUR HEAD TOWARDS NORTH:
Myth is that it invites ghost
or death but science 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.
14.
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.
15.
EAR PIERCING IN CHILDREN:
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 behavior 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.
16.
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 up to the pituitary gland where all our feelings are centered.
Mercury is also known for removing stress and strain.
17.
THE SCIENTIFIC EXPLANATION OF OUCHING 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.
18.
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.
19.
WHY IDOL WORSHIPS?
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.
20.
WHY DO INDIAN WOMEN WEAR 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 one’s hand and its constant friction increases
the blood circulation level. Furthermore 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.
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