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HINDU SUPERSTITION
A belief in good or bad luck is
integral to the lives of many Indian
people and numerous ways of avoiding
misfortune have evolved over the
centuries.
An Indian will avoid embarking on new
ventures during the waning phase of the
moon. Coupled with this, every day of
the week has a 90-minute period, Rahu
Kaalam, which is inauspicious. This
phase differs every day, as shown below.
It is considered bad luck to see a
single Brahmin, or Hindu priest, as one
prepares to leave home. This
superstition originated from the fact
that a single priest performs the Hindu
death ceremonies. Sitting down and
drinking a sip of water neutralizes the
bad luck. In fact, should any person be
due to depart on a journey, it is not
uncommon for a married lady of that
household to walk in the opposite
direction as a good luck sign to ensure
their safe return. Similarly overhearing
a sneeze is inauspicious when setting
out on a task, whilst meeting a married
woman carrying water, curd or milk is a
good sign.
Have you seen an Indian stepping on a
piece of paper, a book or accidentally
another person’s foot and then
performing a brief pranam with
one hand - a prayer gesture offered as
an apology? As these objects are symbols
of Goddess Saraswathi, stepping
on them would amount to stepping on her.
Another stepping superstition says it is
auspicious to step into any new property
or office with the right foot first.
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Peacock
A symbol of spirituality, a sign of
protection, or of bad luck?
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