Indian Customs Vs Scientific Reasons
CA. Sanjay Kumar Ruia
![CA. Sanjay Kumar Ruia]()
CA. Sanjay Kumar Ruia
Chartered Accountant I Corporate Lawyers for NCLT-NCLAT under I&B Code I FEMA I ITAT I Arbitration I Recovery Suits I MSME Council I Forensic Auditor l eMedica - Alternate Medicine Cure
1. Throwing Coins 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. 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.
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 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!
3. Why do 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.
4. Applying Tilak 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 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.
5. Why do Temples have Bells:
People who are visiting the temple should and
will Ring the bell before entering the inner sanctum
(Garbhagudi or Garbha Gruha or womb-chamber) 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.
6. 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.
7. 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.
8. 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.
9. 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.
10. 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 sushumn? (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 shikh? helps boost
this centre and conserve its subtle energy known as
ojas.
11. Applying
Mehendi/Henna on the Hand:
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 a
nd feet, which house nerve endings in the
body.
12. Celebration
& Cleaning During Diwali:
Diwali
usually falls in October or November which marks the start o
f 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.
13. 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.
14. 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..
Walking is the best
possible exercise. Habituate yourself to walk very
far..
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