The dreaded grey area
By: K S S Pillai
Most of my friends claim they are rationalists believing in science but prefer to be on the safe side when it comes to grey areas like superstition. While searching for a house in a high-rise building recently, one of them told the agent that he did not want one with the number 13 or one on the 13th floor. On another occasion, he insisted that the digits of his new car’s registration number did not add up to 13. Friday the 13th takes the cake when it comes to the superstition about that number.
Godmen and faith healers live in luxury with several affluent and influential people as their followers. Lesser people often consult fortune tellers like palmists and those sitting on the wayside with caged parrots trained to pick fortune cards. Reports of lynching of women suspected to be witches also appear in newspapers now and then.
Of all professionals taking advantage of people’s superstitions, that of an astrologer seems to be the most sought-after one. In many parts of the country, it is considered normal to consult an astrologer before finalising a marriage to ascertain the compatibility of the couple. While constructing a house, the architect is made to change its plan as instructed by the astrologer, who has the final say in matters like the direction of the house, the location of rooms for different family members, and plants to be planted near the house.
The venue and timing of important events like the swearing-in of a ministry are often decided by astrologers. The bigwigs always take their advice about occupying their offices and residences. Inauspicious hours like the daily ‘Rahukalam’, are always shunned.
Many places of worship remain shut during the solar eclipse, and it is common for people not to begin new ventures on those days. Even food is not eaten during the solar eclipse. Likewise, there would be no construction work on ‘Amavas’ or the new moon day. Even some eating places keep their shutters down on those days.
There is no dearth of superstitious beliefs in different corners of the world. When dogs howl continuously, it is believed a ghost is roaming in the area. The cawing of crows indicates that guests are on the way. The itching of the palm is a sign that one will soon get money. One can expect something unsavory if one’s eyelids twitch. Though now illegal, there was a time when human and animal sacrifices were made to propitiate God.
The procession of superstition starts early in the morning in our housing society. The woman selling vegetables does not bargain with the first customer, saying it is bohni, her first sale of the day. She touches the money to her closed eyes, praying to God.
Belief in omens has always been there. If a cat crosses your way, it is considered an ill omen, but if it is a dead body being carried from the opposite direction, it is a good omen. While in school, we believed that our English teacher would be harsh if he came clean-shaven. All used to heave a sigh of relief if he had stubbles of hair on his face.
When a new car is bought, most people go to the showroom with a priest. He performs puja on the vehicle, draws a swastika with vermilion on its hood, and keeps a lemon before a front wheel, to be crushed when the vehicle is driven out.
I often remember an incident when an old woman believed to be an ‘evil eye’ and shunned by all villagers got lucky. No one would proceed on a journey if she crossed his path. Once, I was rushing to catch a bus when this woman was the first person I came across. As I was already late, I proceeded to the bus stop, but missed the bus by a few seconds. It met with an accident a little farther, resulting in a few casualties. All in my family, and even my neighbours, thanked the woman for my escape and showered her with gifts!
(The author is a retired professor of English. A regular contributor to ‘Kashmir Vision’, his articles and short stories have appeared in several national and international publications)
