AN ANALYSIS Superstition

AN ANALYSIS Superstition is widely prevalent in our country. It is believed in other countries also. The logic of superstition is unexplained. there is blind belief & faith of the people which lacks basis. The analysis says that it is based on unnatural happenings or events, irrational fear for omission or commission of certain activities, practice of unknown or mysterious beliefs and other similar situations. Mental state of mind of people is influenced by above features of superstition. Under such influence, normally people have notional feeling of getting satisfaction and hope of achieving desired results, objectives or wishes which are normally incidental. Generally, people experience disappointment. It is common belief in the people of our country to observe fasts, promise to visit temple and similar other acts with the objective of achieving wealth, success , status, position and similar other material desires and ambitions. The observance of above acts and in its engagements, based on the belief for achieving material desires and ambition, has no direct relationship unless it is supported by established norms of efforts i.e. karma, as explained in Bhagwat Gita. Such beliefs, only followed by acts, as mentioned above, is known as superstition. Under the influence of superstition, normally fruitful results are not achieved and there is great possibility of harmful results. The above acts have their religious sanctity as per prescribed order of religious ceremonies or practicing religion. The object of such acts have their divine and spiritual values which aid the human beings in achieving spirituality, peace, tranquility, morality, character, harmony and other related virtues. Observing religion and its related ceremonies, as per prescribed order, strengthen spiritual values in human beings which support them to devote their energy in performing karma, in prescribed manner, and in achieving their material desires and ambitions. Superstition has two categories - superficial & non - superficial Superficial superstitions are belief in super-natural happenings which have no basis or foundation or reasoning e.g. belief in evil spirits, ghosts, un-natural events etc. and therefore do not give any benefit to the society. Non-superficial superstitions are belief in observing social and religious customs and systems which are based on reasoning , principles of established traditions which are beneficial to society and environment but the people are ignorant about their benefits, utility and scientific foundation. They do not follow these beliefs as per prescribed principles and are therefore devoid of the benefits of these non-superficial superstitions while observing them. It is very important to understand the reasoning, basis and principles of established traditions to understand the background and to attain knowledge about these superstitions to dispel ignorance from established knowledgable person. Only then it will deliver benefits and the purpose for which they have been observed. It will educate the society and bring knowledge to the masses to eradicate superstitions and the real purpose of observing established traditions shall be attained. The fact is that the traditions and customs followed in our country are primarily based on the sources of nature which provide life providing and life saving substance to all the living entities. It has been emphasized in Bhagwat Gita that it is essential to understand and gain knowledge about the divine qualities and characteristics of Nature from established knowledgableperson which will prevent the society from observing and practicing unscientific beliefs and will save the society from miseries, diseases, poor quality of life and natural calamities etc. Actually these traditions, observed as non – superficial superstitions, are ancient discoveries of our sages for mental and physical benefit of mankind which were drawn from the nature. These discoveries have withstood the test of time. They were relevant in Treta Yuga and are equally relevant in Kaliyug. These discoveries were made from the mystries of nature. That is why, emphasis has been given in the Bhagwat Gita for understanding the mysteries of nature which encompasses, within it, enormous power, benefits, source and solution for safeguarding and enhancing the quality of life of all the living entities. These sages were actually scientists and had acquired divine knowledge about the power and mysteries of nature and its beneficial values for all the living entities. Because of extremely vast powers and the size of nature, it is not possible to exhaustively describe the power and its beneficial values, however example can be given for the people to understand the benefits and utilities of nature to dispel superstition. We all know that sunlight, air, water, fire, trees and various forms of vegetation etc are part of the nature. These substances of nature are so essential for the existence of all the living entities that even the paucity of these substances seriously dis-balance the life on the earth and brings various types of miseries, diseases, discomforts and natural calamites. Our sages had discovered the divine power of the nature and prescribed to worship various elements of nature. There advice was meant to preserve the nature in its original form so that divine benefits of nature are available to all the living entities on the earth for preservation of their health, peace and welfare. With the passage of time, people started forgetting the divine benefits of the nature for obtaining material comforts. This resulted in pollution, scarcity and destruction of natural resourses. The results of such interference in the nature by human beings are evident in form of innumerable diseases, miseries, natural calamities, loss of peace, poor quality of life, moral degeneration and other ill effects. The concept of worshipping nature was not limited to preserving the nature and its sources but to make use of them regularly as part of daily routine so that all the living entities enjoy the benefits provided by the nature. How essential is the regular use of natural light, fresh & clean air & water,various products provided by the nature in form of cereals, herbs & leaves having medicinal values, seasonal fruits and various natural substances, can very well be understood. In short, an attempt has been made to explain the superstitions in our social systems and customs which has creeped in due to ignorance of divine benefits & power of nature and prescribed principles of traditions. It is essential to understand the distinction between the religion and superstition. Religion means any activity i.e. karma which has scientific connotations with faith and belief in GOD resulting into fruititive results and benefits. Superstition means any activity or practice under the influence of ignorance, fear, mysterious & unreasonable beliefs mostly resulting into either no result or harmful results. Educated persons understand the ill effects of superstition and insulate them from harmful effects and therefore they remain free from useless and unnecessary anxieties, fear and sufferings. There is a section of human beings who are ignorant and have no knowledge. They have little or no means to attain knowledge.