INDIAN CUSTOMS

Gives a scientific rationale for many of our everyday practices and customs.

 

Some are true, others tweaked to fall in line with the article s hypothesis. And some may be just what the author imagined to suit his thinking.

 

For example take the one on the peepal tree; from what I remember of my school botany all trees and plants give oxygen at night. Which is why you are encouraged to grow trees.

 

But I found the article interesting.

 

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Indian Customs Vs Scientific Reasons

Traditions in Hinduism 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.

 This blog is an attempt to bring forward the science involved in these traditions and rituals…

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 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 sushumnã (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 shikhã 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 and feet, which house nerve endings in the body.

12. 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.

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 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.

15. 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.

16. 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 behaviour 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.

17. 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 upto the pituitary gland where all our feelings are centered. Mercury is also known for removing stress and strain.

18. 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.

19. 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.

20. Why Idol Worship:

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.

21. 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 ones hand and its constant friction increases the blood circulation level. Further more 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.

Indian parents must warn their children against ISIS

Indian parents must warn their children against ISIS

http://www.rediff.com/news/column/general-ashok-joshi-indian-parents-must-warn-their-kids-against-isis/20140923.htm

Indian parents must warn their children against ISIS
September 23, 2014 10:01 IST
'Parents would do well by the nation if they were to persuade their sons and daughters not to become puppets in the hands of the Islamists,&# 39; feels Lieutenant General Ashok Joshi (retd).
News that at least six youth led by one of the Armar brothers from Bhatkal, all members of the Ansar ul-Tawhid, have migrated to the Pakistan-Afghanista n border to participate in jihad did not cause great surprise having learnt a few days earlier that another person form Bhatkal, Anwer Hussain Bhatkal, had been killed during a raid on the Afghan border.
Radical elements from Bhatkal in North Karnataka have gained notoriety as terrorists that engineered and executed many blasts in India including those in Pune and Patna. The organisation that Armar has created is named Ansar ul-Tawhid. It is already in jihad mode.
What does cause concern is the thrust of new arguments advanced by Armar on the one hand, and the choice he has made to act in concert with the Tehreek-e-Taliban, Pakistan (TeTP) on the other hand.
TeTP is an ultra right wing faction of Islamists in Pakistan that is dissatisfied both with the government of Pakistan and the Pakistan army -- read the ISI -- for not doing enough in the cause of the Sharia.
It is not as if its activities are to be restricted to Pakistan. In contrast, the Afghan Taliban, is inspired and supported by the ISI so that it would look after Pakistani interests in that country.
In so far as orthodoxy and commitment to Sharia are concerned, the two are comparable. TeTP supports the Sharia rather than Pakistani interests as viewed by the ISI. The spread of Islam, of the kind that it approves of, all over the world, is nearer to its ideology than Pakistan with fixed international borders.
This marriage of radical elements from India with the Pan-Islamic movement is worrisome. The linking of Indian radicals with Pan-Islamic movements would attract more funds and other help from citadels of orthodoxy and anachronistic Islamist regimes and organisations elsewhere.
It is in India's interest to nip the Taliban connection in the bud. The Taliban that works to further Pakistan' s interest in Afghanistan has largely been equipped and funded by the ISI. Whatever the fine distinction between the two varieties of the Taliban, what is common is their fanaticism and commitment to violence.
It was the Afghan Taliban that created conditions in which Al Qaeda sprouted and flourished in Afghanistan. Al Qaeda had the US in its cross hairs, but its global agenda had also included India.
The direct linkage between the Taliban and Indian radical groups is likely to fire their imagination with the notions and ideas of other Pan-Islamic movements all over the world.
It is significant that Armar draws inspiration from the ISIS -- Islamic State of Iraq and Syria. A little earlier, a foursome from Kalyan, Maharashtra, had directly joined ISIS. Some of these radicals may return to India and inspire other youth.
On the basis of Armar and Arif's public statements, it is apparent that they draw inspiration from the foreign invaders of the subcontinent in medieval times and identify themselves with them. They also express their hatred of Hindus in no uncertain terms. This is also the core of the Pakistani attitude to India. Missiles that Pakistan wishes to target India with are named Ghauri, Ghaznavi etc.
To this cocktail of the hatred of India, commitment to its destruction, and the ongoing proxy war of 'thousand cuts,' something more potent is being added -- the brotherhood of radical Islam without boundaries. The inspiration comes from the new 'Caliph&# 39; of Baghdad.
The head of ISIS, Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, does look upon himself as a Khalifa. He has a doctorate in Islamic studies, and viewing his success against the army of Iraq, and in Syria, his military prowess is considerable. Amongst his missions stands included the Islamisaton of the Indian subcontinent.
There is a special resonance in the Indian mind about the institution of Khalifa because of the Khilafat movement in India from 1919 to 1922. Although there are differences among the Sunnis and Shias about the specifics and legitimacy of some historical figures as Khalifas, the basic concept that the 'Khalifa&# 39; is the temporal and spiritual head of the entire Muslim community does not appear to be in dispute.
International borders have no significance in this matter. In a sense, Khilafat creates a borderless Islamic brotherhood that subsumes national interests. It is the Khilafat movement in India that persuaded the common Indian Muslim that he ought to place the concerns of the Islamic brotherhood over his loyalties and interests linked to the subcontinent. It is worthwhile to briefly review the Khilafat movement in its historical context.
Ottoman Sultans started laying claims over the title of Khalifa since they held sway over most of the Islamic world. Such a claim was initially made early in the 16th century when the Turks ruled over much of the Saudi Arabian peninsula and Egypt but it was accepted only in the 18th century.
It implied that the temporal and spiritual power rested in the Sultan. Secularism is antithetical to the concept of Khilafat. Much later, it so happened that the Ottomans, who were on the losing side in the Great War, decidedly lost their temporal power.
The Ottoman Empire was vivisected and new nations were created by the winners of the Great War. This diminution of the Khalifa was resented in the Islamic world from the centre of which the Khalifa had ruled nearly for four centuries.
The Muslims in the Indian subcontinent became restive because they felt that the British owed it to them to protect 'their&# 39; Khalifa and his grandeur as the head of the Islamic community or Ummah. The movement started in the then United Provinces and was led by the Ali brothers.
Mahatma Gandhi decided to support the movement possibly in the hope that this unity amongst the Muslims and the Hindus of the subcontinent would make it more difficult for the British to 'divide and rule,' and further that the Independence movement would gather momentum with the participation of the Muslim community because till then it had largely been a Hindu movement.
A nation-wide joint non-cooperation movement with the support of the advocates of the Khilafat was launched in 1920 against British rule. The unity of purpose and participation of Hindus and Muslims visualised for this movement did not achieve the intended purpose.
Instead, it yielded unthought-of and unfortunate consequences. It ended up emphasising the worldwide Muslim solidarity rather than Indian unity.
To start with, things went well and there was a united front, but then, in 1921 the Moplahs in Kerala turned violently on the British rulers. If anything, they turned on the Hindus with greater ferocity because one of their objectives was to convert them.
The rebellion was put down brutally by the British, but not before a substantive number of Hindus had either been killed or forcibly converted. Did the Khilafat Movement have anything to do with the Moplah Rebellion? Was there a causal co-relation? These questions cannot be answered with certainty.
A year later, the Muslims resented that the non-cooperation movement that was supported by the Ali Brothers and other Muslim leaders was suspended by the Mahatma without consulting them. They were dissatisfied with the reason given by the Mahatma, namely that of the violence in Bihar in 1922.
The upshot was that the Khilafat movement ended up convincing large sections of Muslims that the Islamic brotherhood was more meaningful and relevant to them than their Indian origin or independence of India from the British rule for that matter.
The cause of the world-wide Muslim 'nation, ' that owed allegiance to the Khalifa, appealed to them. The Khilafat movement, in today's terminology, polarised the Muslims in the subcontinent; they eventually ended up seeking British support rather than independence from them.
In a way, the Khilafat movement ended up affirming the 'two-nation&# 39; theory that eventually divided the subcontinent. The notion that the loyalty to the nation State can be subsumed by the loyalty to Islam, unless, of course, the nation State also happens to be Islamic, gained foothold in many minds in the subcontinent.
Ironically, the Khilafat movement in India became irrelevant when the Turks themselves ended the Khilafat in 1924. But by then the damage to the concept of collective identity of Indians, irrespective of the religious affiliations of individuals, had already been done.
In contrast with the Khilafat movement of the yore, the present one is far more detrimental to India's abiding interests. The reservoir of finances from outside India, technology, and technical skills that are easily accessible to the present day radicals, who are driven by their Pan-Islamic agenda, do not bare any comparison with what was available by way of means to the activists of Khilafat movement of the 20th century.
As of now, some Indian youth, inspired by Pakistan, are actively engaged in anti-Indian activities. Some of them have already joined the ultra orthodox faction of the Taliban. It is apparent that many of them admire and support the new Khalifa, his Pan-Islamic movement, and their absurdly violent ways. This is a dangerous trend.
Not many Muslim parents in India support armed resistance to the State or spread of Islam using violent means. These parents would do well by the nation if they were to persuade their sons and daughters not to become puppets in the hands of the Islamists.
No amount of self recrimination would be of any avail after their progeny crosses the line of no return. The developmental agenda has to be pursued, local self government upwards, so that the youth in the country do not face despondency for want of employment opportunities. The spread of general public awareness of the threat that India faces is of vital importance.
It goes without saying that the government can be relied upon to watch out for even incipient signs subversion even as it pursues the developmental agenda for the creation of employment opportunities. A greater public awareness of what is afoot is equally important.
Lieutenant General Ashok Joshi (retd)