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. Though the > common people did not know science in it, they were > following it very faithfully over the years. 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 > wasnt 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 > bodys magnetic field become completely asymmetrical to > the Earths Magnetic field. That cause problems related > to blood pressure and our heart needs to work harder > in[truncated by > WhatsApp] > > > > -- > > Walking is the best > possible exercise. Habituate yourself to walk very > far
Posted on: Wed, 09 Jul 2014 09:29:11 +0000
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