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We all follow the traditions; and especially in Hinduism, they play a vital role in our lives. Ever since my childhood, I have been asking the reasons behind some of our customs and rituals where I always was handed over the same answer “that’s what our religion teaches us”. But I was pretty sure that our ancestors won’t have been that silly to design a ritual or custom with a meaning to it. So, I began the hunt to find the roots. And if you too (just like me) want an answer to every WHY, dive-in to the factual points given below.
Namaste
Covid-19 thought the world the value of Namaste. While people round the globe accepted our ancient way of greeting, it surely has a deeper meaning than just a contact free salutation. Joining both the hands ensures the pressing of the right-hand fingers to the left. Since our fingers are linked to the pressure points of eyes, ears and mind, pressing them ensures the activation of our organs and helps us remember the other person for a long time.
Tilak
Kumkum tilak or Chandan tilak, whatever you like has a much deeper meaning than just a tradition. The point between the eyebrows are considered to be a major nerve point of our body. Applying tilak ensures at this point not just cools the temperature of the body but also the mild pressure felt at the time of application helps regulate the flow of blood to the facial muscles.
Not Chewing Tusli Leaves
How many of you have had an instruction from your parents to not chew tulsi (holy basil) leaves and instead just swallow? Well, I have had my share of scolding all my life for I always chewed it just to see what bad could happen. And to be honest, it did happen. Not on the religious grounds but on the dental. Holy basil is very strong and has the power to weaken the gums and the roots of your teeth. It is hence advised not to chew the same. Now since most of the people in India are willing to ignore the medical advises ad follow the religious one, our ancestors must have picked this way then.
Toe Rings for Married Women
Ok. Before we women pull out our feminist guns here, protested against the marriage symbols for women and not men, toe rings have a much deeper meaning than just being a symbol. Indian women mostly wear the toe ring on the second toe. A particular nurse is said to pass through the toe connecting the uterus to the hearth. A ring on here boost the blood flow to the uterus, hence strengthening the same and regularizing the mensural period of the women.
Sindoor
For what we consider as a martial sign had a much deeper meaning before our ancestors decided to adopt it. Sindoor is made of turmeric, lime, and a minute level of the metal, mercury. Application of the same helps control the body temperature of the bride/ women and also trigger a sexual drive. It is exactly the reason why sindoor is applied only after marriage and isn’t allowed to be applied by unmarried and widows in India (which is something debatable, but let’s not get there now).
"Customs and rituals had deeper meanings till they were framed to extract monetary benefits".. Just a thought..
Simple explanations to rituals actually. Most of them probably began because man will not simply do something for itself. If it is combined with religion, fear might make him follow it. 😊