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.
