Indian tradition is built around myriad beliefs and practices. Our day-to-day life is influenced by these seemingly superstitious and trifling yet deep-rooted beliefs and socio-religious practices. We heed omens and auspicious-inauspicious time or situations. Even our political and administrative heads at various levels pick “auspicious timing” for launching an important project or venture. This consciousness is embedded in the Vedas, Upanishads and religious texts, which guide our tradition to a large extent.
In Ramacharitamanas, for example, we find the depiction of the circumstances of Lord Rama leaving for his bride’s home. “The blue jay started picking up food as if to wish good luck. A cow and mongoose were noticed in the field on the right. A soft, cool and sweet-smelling breeze was blowing. A mother carrying a child in her arms and a pitcher on her head stood on the way to see the Lord’s procession. A fox was found loitering about on the way. A cow licking its calf in front of the procession and a herd of deer on the right side suggested good omen for the journey.”
Omens, it is believed, give an indication of how our future will turn out. In support of this view, astrology also seeks to find out auspicious time for any new venture or event.
There are good omens and there are bad omens. Meeting someone carrying cow dung or a quilt, a procession to the cremation ground, seeing a peacock, a white bullock, a cow, an elephant or a horse are all good omens. Viewing a full vessel, a conch shell, white clothes, sugar canes, curd, honey, rice, sweets, a field full of grain etc. also indicates good fortune.
Conversely, seeing a shooting star, a woman in wet clothes or somebody sneezing as you set out on a journey are bad omens. Dogs wailing, crows cawing, and cats crossing the path or fighting are also indications of bad luck in store. Viewing a broken vessel, dry wood, oil, jaggery etc. and one’s foot slipping or clothes getting entangled are ominous.
There is sound basis to what our tradition expects us to follow but too much dependence on omens will make us superstitious.
Today we know that in spite of the inauspicious circumstances or bad omens, a well-intended, wisely planned and rightly managed venture will meet with success. However, the presence of congenial factors that our tradition prescribes will make success easier to achieve.
“Sadudyesakrite kaarye vivahe jaatakarmaani
Vikhnamsubha muhoorthaanaam prabhaavo nopajaayate”
Nothing inauspicious can affect a noble deed done with a noble object, says the shloka.
But that does not take away the value of the guidelines contained in omens and auspices. Long observation and valuable psychological and social insights have gone into the making of our belief systems and practices, hence they cannot be rejected offhand as superstitions. Instead, making use of the touchstone of our experience and wisdom, we have to assess them afresh.
Dr Venganoor Balakrishnan is the author of Thaliyola, a book on Hindu beliefs and rituals. He has also written books on the Vedas and Upanishads. He can be reached at drvenganoor@yahoo.co.in
Links:
[1] http://archive.asianage.com/dr-venganoor-balakrishnan-630
