Tuesday, May 26, 2009

The Importance of Indian Traditions

All the customs and traditions of Sanatana Dharma have a perfect scientific basis. The ascetic, Rishis and Munis of India went into deep meditation and investigated various ways and means, for the humanity at large, to lead a happy and healthy life. Hindus and those believing in Hindu religion have been practicing these ancient traditions over the years.

For example, eating basil, leaves, offering oblation to the Sun-God, taking dinner early at night, abstaining from conjugal bliss on full moon day, new moon day, etc. (It may result in the birth of a congenitally deformed child if conception takes place).

Those who have followed these instructions, regardless of their religion or faith, have certainly been benefited. What a great altruistic research this is! Any individual following any religion can adopt these radition in his lifer and receive benefits. At the same time, neglecting these norms can be equally harmful. It has been observed that one who looks at the moon Ganesh Chaturthi day, is slandered. Even Lord Krishna was blamed for stealing the Syamantak gem because he had looked at the moon on that day. Pujya Bapuji also had a similar experience.

Many scientists across the world have studied these ancient traditions in detail and have found them to be based on solid scientific foundation.

Dr. Annie Besant opined, “ I have studied all the great religions of the world over the past 40 years. There is no religion comparable to Hinduism in greatness, perfection and rationalism.”

It is alarming that a number of convent schools in the country impose a ban on students in the country impose a ban on students wearing traditional Indian dresses and ornaments, and mete out punishment to student wearing them.

To wear traditional Indian ornaments is not a mark of fashion, but it is a type of therapy that plays a vital role in promoting good physical and mental health. Out ancestors were well aware of the impact of different metals on the human body. Not only this, metals have been used and are even now being used as medicines; for example calx of gold, silver, tin, iron, etc.

Ornament theraphy is practiced as a method of treatment in some other countries as well. Dr. Hardstone of the US has used metals and gems as a part of his Gem theraphy. France has also experimented in this field and met with success.

Scientific Basis of Ornaments

Anklet (Payal) : (1) Wearing of anklets (rings) or thick anklets made of pure silver around the anklets stops the inflammation of foot soles. (2) Provides protection against swelling of the heels. (3) Regulates peripheral blood circulation. (4) It helps patients of sciatica. (5) Activates lymph glands in the body and boosts immunity. (6) Is beneficial in gynaecological disorders like menstrual diseases, infertility, hormonal imbalance and abnormal conditions of obstetrics. (7) Regulates the flow of life force within the body improving health and looks and thus helps maintain health. (8) Helps in keeping sexual desires under check.

It is beneficial for women to wear silver ornaments below the waist. Ayurveda prohibits wearing Gold-ornaments below the waist.

Earrings: Piercing the ears has a great importance in Indian ethos. Indian physicians and philosophers believe that piercing the ears helps in the development of intellect, power of thinking and decision making faculties. Talkativeness fritters away life energy. Ear piercing helps in speech-restraint. It helps to reduce impertinent behaviour and the ear-channels become free from disorders. This idea appeals to the Western world as well, and so they are getting their ears pierced to wear fancy earrings as a mark of fashion.

Bracelet: Bracekets controls the sex-organs and keep sexual desires restrained. It also strengthens the heart and helps regulate blood pressure.

Armlet : It induces valour and helps to keep the body in shape. It keeps the digestive system in order and protects against allergies.

Necklace : Necklace made from a variety of gems and metals are useful in controlling a number of diseases. They have a beneficial impact on the thyroid gland and the respiration system.

Waist-chain : It activates the Mooladhar charka and improves efficiency of the kidneys and the urinary bladder, and gives relief from backache and other pains.

Ring : Rings made of pure gold are worn to augment energy levels, to prevent mental tension, to exercise control over reproductive organs and sexual desires, and to strengthen the digestive system. Rings made of different gems and metals have their own characteristic effects on the body.

An experiment conducted at the Canterbury Institute proved that keeping the navel, head, hands and feet covered, heightens the sense of security. The energies, flowing in the brain, pass through the space between the eyebrows. A tilak applied between the eyebrows, as Hindus do, preserves this energy. Iron rings are worn for preservation of energy in the feet.

Importance of Tilak

The space on the forehead between the eyebrows is the centre of the brain’s thinking faculties. The Yogis call it the Ajna Chakra. It is also termed as Lord Shiva’s third eye as it is the abode of noble thoughts. Application of sandalwood paste or vermillion as a tilak on this spot helps in nurturing the Ajna Chakra and the two adjacent glands; namely the pineal and the pituitary glands. This also develops intellectual power, vitality and the faculty of thinking. Therefore, application of a tilak is beneficial from both a scientific and spiritual point of view. That is why there is a custom in Hindu religion to apply tilak before starting any auspicious task.

Millions have observed Pujapaad Sant Sri Asaramji Bapu delivering satsang, with tilak applied on his forehead. His Holiness inspires others to apply tilak as well.

The focus of consciousness in the majority of women is generally centred at the Swadhishthan or Manipur centres. These centres are filled with the attributes of fear, emotions and fancy. Rishis have prescribed the use of tilak for ladies so that they are not carried away by emotions and fancies; and their third eye, the abode of the brain’s thinking faculties, is properly developed. A tilak of sandalwood or vermillion is far more beneficial than today’s bindis with chemical adhesives.

The Importance of Keeping a Shikha

Keeping a shikha (the extra-long lock of hair on the crown of the head) is a pious trait of our culture. Accepting the importance of shikha, the renowned western scientist Nelson writes in his book ‘Human Machine’, “The function of awareness and alertness in the human body is performed by the brain centre at the place where shikha is kept. The maintenance of internal milieu by detecting changes in the external environment is called homeostasis. A centre located at the place of shikha governs it.”

The abode of extra-sensory perception, and the main centre of receiving the cosmic power through meditation is shikha itself.

Nelson further adds, “Just like an aerial or an antenna receives radio or TV signals, so also the cosmic powers are received at the point of the shikha.”

When Sant Haridas came out after a month long meditation to the court of Ranjit Singh, scientists observed that the place of his shikha had become so hot that it could not even be touched. This led them of maintenance of the koshas (Sheathe; subtle body; there are five sheath of food) of the body, checking their metablic activities, are also attended to by the centre.

In yogic parlance it is termed as the Sahasrar Chakra, which is the ultimate destination (for the coiled serpent like energy at the base of the spine) through the seven charkas of body. The move we cultivate and develop this centre, the more we can experience and appreciate the mysteries of this universe, the mysteries of the soul and the complete and true verification of events of the past and future. Our Rishis and Munis were able to predict the future by concentrating on this very centre. Every prophecy made thousands of years ago in the epic of ‘Srimad Bhagwat’, about the probable happenings in the Kaliyuga, is coming true. Scientists have experienced and found that this portion of the brain acts as a receiver.

The Rishis and Munis of India have discovered so many laws of the subtlest nature, but we are still running crazy after Western culture. The Rishis and Munis have left an invaluable treasure trove for us on how to lead a practical and spiritual life, but the youth of India have abandoned it, and instead are aping Western culture. What a misfortune!

Necktie or a Hangman’s Noose

Schools and colleges, under the influence of Western culture, force their students to wear a necktie. The necktie is neither good in the Indian climate, nor is it good for our health. In fact, the necktie has become an instrument of sowing the traits of slavery in our children’s minds from early childhood.

Swami Sivananda replied, “The climate in Western countries is very cold and a necktie is worn to avoid catching a cold. India has a hot climate. The necktie puts pressure on the blood vessels in the neck, which obstructs blood circulation. So long as you do not remove the primary cause of your headache, which is this noose around your neck, no medicine can cure your headache.”

This statement turned out to be true. When the man removed the tie that he was wearing, he was relieved of the headache, tension and egotism, and thus learnt to live a natural simple life.

Similarly, tight, close-fitting clothes restrict the sweat glands of the skin. It stops perspiration and the kidneys are adversely affected.





9 comments:

Abigail said...

Great post.It is true that traditional ornaments can enhance both the physical and mental conditions of the body.Gem theraphy along with astrology is growing popular all over the world which includes traditional ornaments.I saw something interesting about gem theraphy in the following link.May be it is usefull for the readers.
http://www.ckcsons.com/diamonds_jewels/gem_therapy_for_health.html
Thanks for sharing useful information.

Dr.Swati Gadgil. said...

Thanks for the sharing the logical reasoning behind our traditions.
Globalization is todays mantra and thus some changes in lifestyle are inevitable. Climatic changes over the years also signify the changing trends.Treasuring our values and customs is indeed our responsibility but not creating a hype about it is our duty. More so, changing with times is key to success and happiness! Change is the only thing which is constant and spending more energy in trying to retain what we have leaves very little to explore newer avenues.

Unknown said...

I am really impressed from this post! The person who created this post is a generous and knows how to keep the readers connected. I have found some of great designs in buy indian anklets online .Do check it out.

Ajaykumar said...
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Ajaykumar said...
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Unknown said...

lovely article the traditional indian anklet collections…………….i prefer the colors matching with different attires

Unknown said...

Wow! It's good to know that our ornaments and jewellery are of such a great importance. I also heard that Diamond Jewellery also proves to be lucky for some kind of people.

Avi Goyal said...

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petercohen090 said...

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