Introduction
“Superstition
is the religion of the feeble minds”, said edmund burke. It is a belief that
has no basis in reason and thrives on ignorance, generating fear and misery.
The word literally means standing over, or standing still in fear and awe.
Since superstition thrives on ignorance, it is
prone to afflict the poor and illiterate, who follow senseless rituals,
beliefs, supernatural spirits and omens, which add to their misery.
Some
superstitious beliefs are so deep rooted that even the intelligent, comprising
the middle and the upper crust of society, follow its dictate. All superstitions have
their origin in human psychology of fear of ill-luck, insecurity and the dread
of inexplicable forces in nature.
When some phenomena
cannot be made out or explained, people start dreading them and assign them
supernatural, divine and mysterious origins.
Superstitious
beliefs stems from religion
Most
of our superstitious beliefs stem from religion. Thus, some days are believed
to be good and auspicious, while few are inauspicious.
Many people may
believe that faith is also a form of superstition. But, as we can see if we
think deeply, there is a difference. Faith is a positive factor whereas superstition
is a negative factor.
It
is also quite common to find people consulting astrologers and pundits, to
begun a new work or project. Besides these there are other beliefs which are
predominant in the villages and the tribal areas.
Thus,
diseases like small pox and chicken pox, are considered to be the displeasure
of evil spirits or demons.
To
please them, people seek help from the ojhas and holy men, who torture the poor
victim. Quite often this proves fatal and superstition claims the life of the
poor victim, who could have been saved.
Tantriks, priests,
godmen, babas, other vested interests also help in spreading superstitions. In
superstition, the astrologers, priests, stargazers, magicians, god-men, quacks
and babas have a very good business.
Some
beliefs and customs people follow blindly since ages
Besides
religion, there are some beliefs and customs, that people have been following
blindly since ages. Thus, for example the number thirteen being considered to
be inauspicious or not venturing out if a cat has crossed one’s path.
There
are particular numbers or specific color or dresses, which are considered to be
auspicious or lucky.
Such
beliefs have no logical explanation, yet one consciously or unconsciously follows
them in daily life. They are innocuous so long as they do not cause any
physical harm.
Curse
for the poor and illiterate
However,
superstition becomes a curse for the poor and the illiterate people living in
villages, who fall easy prey to the evil designs of ojhas, tantriks and
so-called godmen.
They
instigate them to sacrifice small children to appease imaginary gods and
goddesses to cure diseases or get wealth and prosperity.
There
are also instances of old women being lynched and stoned to death, for allegedly
practicing witchcraft, or to rid the village of evil spirit.
While
such barbaric practices thrived in the past, it is surprising to find them
still being perpetuated on the people in the garb of superstition.
Such
superstitions hamper the progress of the people and the society. Just as a tree
is judged by its fruits, similarly the fruit of superstition are bad and evil.
It
is responsible for cruelty, madness and misery to the people in the past and in
the present. The beliefs that one ascribes to superstition, have no logic or
reason. It causes narrow-mindedness, bigotry and needless suffering, which need
to be immediately eradicated from the society.
Superstitions stand in the way of progress and civilization and make our
perspective limited and enhance our weakness. We hesitate and falter in taking
decisions and therefore we cannot contribute to progress thoughts.
Superstitions are a hindrance to clear thinking, reasoning and logic. Superstition, at best, should be avoided and not encouraged otherwise we will also be doing the same what our forefathers did.
Since superstition thrives in the absence of knowledge, it is hoped that as knowledge increases, such beliefs shall die a natural death. This is for people now are less superstitious that their forefathers, for science has given explanation to most natural or celestial phenomenon’s, which were ascribed to be acts of god, demons and goblins.
Conclusion
The need of the hour is to cultivate more and more objectivity,
rationality and scientific spirit in our approach to things, including those
which are inexplicable and in some way or other mysterious.
We need not give up our ideals, imagination, emotions and
impulses and become living robots, but we must be alert and watchful so as not
to allow these to dominate and dictate our faculties of reasoning, logic and
analysis.
Religion is certainly blind if not blended with science and
reasoning; and, science is lame, unless guided by conscience and emotions. Our
only hope is in sanity, balance and cultivation of scientific outlook and
temper.
“science
is the great antidote to the power of enthusiasm and superstition”, said
voltaire. One must beware of this evil, which perpetuates only fear, pain and
suffering. It is hoped that as knowledge spreads, this evil will dwindle to
finally disappear from our life.
- By Adarsh Rai
0 Comments