Why Superstitions

All humans have an innate desire to control things all around themselves even though it is not possible in most of the cases. When some thing is found to be beyond control, the person perceives through his/her imaginative power and may see anything based on his/her background and education. Faith in existence of ghosts is more prevalent in societies where children are traditionally told ghost stories to entertain them. Such stories when repeated many times get embedded in subconscious minds of the children. And whenever they find something beyond their normal perceptions, their sub-conscious mind takes control and makes them to perceive ghosts in forms of the characters of stories told to them. Similar perceptions are prevalent about Gods and Goddesses in many societies all over the globe. Such imaginary things are all superstitions taking roots from sub-conscious minds of the people.


Knowledge is directly related to control which means anything unknown is found to be beyond control. So, any thing unknown to a person may be perceived as any other thing which he/she knows or has heard about - real or imaginary.If the thing is beyond his/her knowledge of something real, his/her imaginative power makes him/her to perceive an imaginary thing This also leads to a superstition.


If you are in a particular set of mind at an instant, and somebody says something which does not become clear to you, you link the voice with your frame of mind and imagine the words related to that. So, a person wants others to say to meet his/her need at that moment and imagines accordingly. The person in this instance being a prisoner of his/her frame of mind, fails to exert any control on his/her organs to perceive the reality and goes by his/her own thought waves. Such temporary deficiency of control also leads to a superstitious imagination.


Neurons carry information signals in our bodies from one point to the other. All neurons on the way may not be healthy or tuned to isolate the real topical signals from other distractions and involvements of mind and so may carry many more signals, even undesirable at a moment. Such signals are often called as noise. Sch noises often limit our powers of perception and things look beyond our control and understanding. This leads to our misunderstanding the reality as something in our sub-conscious mind. So, such noises also lead to superstitions.


Thus, superstitions about God, ghosts, super-natural, extra-terrestrial, etc. are games played by our sub-conscious minds for various reasons.

What Astrologers Tell to Customers

Astrology, palmistry, numerology, etc. are frauds on humanity because there is no science behind such non-sensible theories of telling about future of a person based on his/her name, date and time of birth, lines on palm, etc. The principal idea behind all such things is a psychological bluff. For this purpose, there are some common ways of how a person is fooled to cheat him/her of his/her hard-earned money.

Firstly, the customer's mind is brought under control by such cheats through some ways which are found to be commonly practiced. The astrologer takes a deep look on head of the customer, opens his/her book and displays deeply pondering over the contents with some movements of his/her lips. This is done to draw full attention of the customer.


1. Rewards Not Commensurable to Hard Work.

The first thing an astrologer tells the customer is that the latter is working hard but not getting suitably rewarded. Since, nobody wants to admit that he is not working hard and thinks or makes others think that he is working really hard, the customer fully agrees with the astrologer.


2. Others are Breaching Trust
If the above-said prediction fails to get information from the customer on him/her, the astrologer shots a second arrow, "Oh, the persons, you are placing your trust on, are bluffing you". Since only a trusted person can breach the trust, every one of us has an occasion when somebody does so hurting us deeply. So, the customer fully agrees with the astrologer on his/her prediction and starts divulging information about him/her experiences with others.

3. In-spite of Lot of Hindrances, You are Doing Your Best
Every one of us faces some or the other problems of life and still trying to do our best to overcome the problems. This is a universal fact. So, when the astrologer tells us this thing, we have a feeling that he has really come to know the problem and can guide towards a solution. With this feeling in mind, the customer starts telling his/her difficulties.


4. You are Honest in Midst of Many Dishonest Persons
When the above tricks fail to entice the customer, he is told that he is an honest person but is surrounded by dishonest persons. Surely, most of the persons agree with such a statement they have no option except to agree with a nodding head in concurrence.


5. Your Days of Misfortune are Close to End
It is a problematic world for most of us, and those reaching an astrologer are surely in some problem. To tighten the grip on the customer's mind, the astrologer tells te customer that his/her problematic time is near ending but he/she is required to make some arrangements. Seeing a solution closeby, the customer agrees with the astrologer.


Once the customer agrees with the astrologer, the astrologer is a sure winner in his/her game of cheating. Then he deals with the victim in a sweet harsh manner to get maximum out of pocket of the customer and that proves to be the end of customer's happy days.

Fraud of Astrology

Astrology, what does it mean - etymologically and conventionally. If we find a logical answer to this question, we will come to know whether Astrology is a science or not. Etymologically, Aster means a star, and so Astrology must mean ‘logia or description of stars’. Under this cover, Astrology is akin to Astronomy, with the difference that the first is description and the second is the nomenclature, thereby both meaning almost the same thing. Thus, Astrology proves to be a science.


But presently, Astrology is used for a different purpose - Effect of Stars on Human Life. And I take this meaning of Astrology for my discussion. Therefore, henceforth my discussion of the subject, shall be focused on conventional understanding of the word. Conventionally, Astrology means influence of stars on human-beings, what is known as ‘Jyotish’ is India. Under this definition, we will have further investigate whether this subject is fit to be treated as a science or not. For this, it is better to know first, what do we mean by the word ’science’. Science is a stream of definite knowledge of the subject of study. Here, ‘definite’ means logically-derivable and without any ambiguity. This reduces our original question to - whether Astrology is logically-derivable and unambiguous or not. Influence of stars on human-beings is based on mere hypotheses only without any substancial evidence, hence is not logically-derivable. This puts conventional understanding of Astrology out of realm of sciences. I will put forth other evidences also for Astrology’s ambiguity. First, Astrology is a subject having origin in India where an ancient scripture authored by Parashar is treated as the primary source of this knowledge. I have this scripture on my table now. Under Astrology, all humans are put into 12 classes with a representative zodiac sign for each class. These classes are called rashis in India. Unfortunately, for those having faith in Astrology, the original scripture mentions only 10 rashis in its original Vedic Sanskrit script , but its Hindi translation by a renowned Pandit, the number of rashis has been stated to be 12.


This raises doubt on the originality of Astrology and also on the intentions of Pandits practising and preaching Astrology. In India, community of Pandits practises Astrology as a profession. Second, the 12 zodiac signs are allocated on two different bases - Sun-based and Moon-based, raising a question which one is correct. Third, Is it possible that whole of humanity will have only 12 types of influences of stars on them, while every human-being is different from all others, facing different circumstantial difficulties. Fourth, Can any body on this Earth say that two persons born at the same time do have same fortune? If not, how to explain it through Astrological predictions. All these logical considerations make Astrology an ambiguous and controversial subject, and hence does not desrve to be a science.

Dangers of Blind Faith

Written by Excerpts from Speech Sitaram Yechuri



“The idea of having or allowing astrology taught in educational institutions is a regressive one,” thundered Mr.Yechuri. He remembered Murli Manohar Joshi as having said that astrology must be taught, as we must rely on our faith -(vishwas) - also. Recently in Chennai, a delegation of ministers was being received at a function. On the podium table were many water glasses filled with water and one of them had coloured water. This glass was actually used as a flower-vase: the gardener had just taken out the old flowers and was searching for new ones from the garden. Meanwhile the minister drank the coloured water thinking it to be some juice or soft drink. The minister was in hospital for 3 days, for his blind faith in the contents of the glass. So, deduced Mr.Yechuri, there is at least one difference between "vishwas" and scientific thinking: three days in hospital!


“The Government's changing of history records is a cause of concern,” said Mr.Yechuri. The BJP and allies, to prove that Hinduism is a "pure" and native religion, have also to prove that the Aryans did not come from outside. For that, they have to further prove that Mohenjodaro and Harappa had some Aryan culture. One mark of Aryan culture is horses, which they needed for travel and warfare. They found a horse's bone near the site, so, it proves, they said, that they were Aryan settlements and that further proves that the Aryans are from here! However, when the bone was analysed, it was found to be only 200 years old!”


Mr.Yechuri pointed out another ridiculous gaff of the BJP - appointed historians. In the sites, a statue of a bull-like creature with long hair and mane was found. They fed a picture of it into computers, and one computer concluded that it looks like a horse! So, they said, it is actually a statue of a horse, and so it proves that they were fromAryan civilization, and so Aryans are from here. Well, Yechuri said with a smile, “When you call a bull a horse, and try to convince everyone that a statue of a bull is actually that of a horse, we can imagine what sort of ideologies and theories you have!”


Mr.Yechuri recalled a joke from his university professorship days. A professor digs in his garden about 10 feet deep, and finds some sort of wire. So he rushes to a colleague and exclaims, "Look what I found. It proves that the ancient Indians were very advanced - they had telephone!" "Excellent," says the colleague, and begins to dig deeper in the same spot. He finds nothing, so he rushes to the first professor and exclaims, "See, I didn't find anything, so it proves that the very, very ancient Indians were still more advanced - they had wireless!"


On measuring "true Hinduism", Mr.Yechuri had something to say. He hails from Andhra Pradesh, where, in some regions a girl is automatically married off to her mother's brother as soon as she comes of age. In North India such a practice would be considered despicable, and the offenders probably lynched. The question is, who is the true Hindu, the North Indians for condemning it, or the Andhraites for allowing it?


The futility of measuring "true Hinduism" can also be seen from the "Mahabali" example. In Kerala and among Keralites, the Onam festival is celebrated. Its theme is that a good and benevolent king Mahabali visits his subjects once a year on that day. The subjects are happy that the king lives at least one day a year for them. In North India, Mahabali is a rakshash who is killed by Vishnu, and whose death was necessary so that the world may exist. So, now, who is the true Hindu, the North Indians for condemning Mahabali, or the Keralites for worshipping him?


Preventing religious beliefs is like Ram telling Krishna-worshippers not to follow Krishna, and Krishna telling Ram-worshippers not to follow Ram. From this we can see that even God does not have the authority to tell you whom to worship and whom not to worship. Atheism is also a belief, so God has no right to condemn anyone for being an atheist. And if even God has no authority in religious matters, who are these saffronites, the BJP and its allies, to tell us?

Women’s Declaration on Eradication of Superstition

Written by Suman Oak

Purpose of Declaration

There is no denying the fact that women are the worst victims of superstition in our country. At the same time they are the main agents who propagate superstitions most. The whole society should acknowledge and understand this fact, so that, ways can be found to eliminate this mental slavery of women. These are the programme of eradication of superstition.

Points to Ponder

The superstitions harboured by women are much too deep-rooted. The reasons are many. They have to face many more difficulties and obstructions, defeats, despair and calamities than the men. Consequently the helplessness that arises out of these is much more pronounced in women than in men. No wonder they become more superstitious.

The second reason is our male dominated society. A good husband and a son is the sole achievement that a woman can aspire to in life. Almost all the religions in the world relegate woman to a secondary status, denying all knowledge and learning to her for thousands of years. These religious teachings are so deep rooted that women have now come to believe that all this is but natural and they tend to find support and help in this very disparity and discrimination engendered by religion between the genders. Sheembraces all outmoded traditions, customs, and rituals with practically no change even to this day. Lack of education lack of jobs or any means of earning, becoming victim to sexual atrocities, less remuneration for the same amount and kind of work, denial of property rights and being looked at as objects of pleasure in the adds, push her into superstition and accepting her lot without protest.

Guidelines to bring about necessary changes

1. Educate women. Not only should women be taught the three 'R's but they should
be educated to think on their own.

2.The habit of understanding the cause-effect relation behind all happenings should be inculcated in her so that she would be able to examine every custom, tradition and ritual and decide on her own what she wants to accept or reject and carry out her decision without fear.

3. In order to remove all gender disparities it is essential that women stop considering themselves lesser beings and instead make all efforts to develop their
intelligence and other potentials.

4.There should not be any discrimination in the treatment of boys and girls in the home. This will avoid development of egoism in the boys and inferiority in the girls.

5.Women are considered polluted and not allowed to participate in certain religious ceremonies. Such practices should be condemned and stopped forthwith.

6.Women should have their own independent identities and not considered as somebody's wife or daughter or some such relation.

7.Women ought to pay as much attention to their own health as they pay to the health of their husbands, children and other members of their family. Proper nutrition, cleanliness, timely inoculation and vaccination, necessary medicines and enough rest are important for the whole family including the women.

8. Women alone should have the right to decide how many children they should have considering their physical and mental health as well as financial ability to support the offspring. She should be able to resist all external pressures.

9.Instead of succumbing to calamities women should face them squarely and not resort to any false hopes offered by Buvas and god men.

10. All of us should condemn the spread of superstition and abuse of women's image
that is carried on by the media- newspapers, television, films, etc. One must
remember that it is not impossible to do this even individually

11.It is important that scientific outlook is inculcated in the children to develop their
rationality and constructive attitudes, which will help them form a fearless and
courageous society devoid of any exploitation.

Faith: Source of Superstition - Part 4

The second criterion of faith is non-violence. In any society people have diverse faiths. They all should be allowed to preach and propagate their faiths as long as they confine their activities within the bounds of propriety. To allow people adhering to faiths other than ours to propagate, to consolidate and to persuade others to accept that faith is akin to reverence for others' faiths. It is tolerance and is rooted in non-violence, the fundamental rule of life. And to insist that 'those who adhere to faiths other than ours have no place here' is in itself an enormous superstition. Thus the first criterion of faith is truth and the second non-violence.

What is the third criterion? It is being dynamic. It can be tested as below. Fear and lure are two drives that weaken a human being's determination. For example, you believe in your religion. Your faith is strong and deep. Now some one asks you, 'Come on, I will give you 20 lakh rupees cash down, will you change your faith?' It is likely that you first make sure that nobody is around within a hearing distance and ask him, 'will you really give me that much money? Then may be I need not fuss over my religion and do as you ask me to do.' Similarly if someone puts a sword to your or your child's throat and threatens, 'either you change your religion or you (or your child) are dead', how will you react? You will certainly think, 'let me extricate my neck first, and then think what to do next. I can change my hats any number of times only if my head remains intact on my shoulder.' You will then tell him, 'my life is worth millions. I am prepared to change my religion as you wish.' You also quietly contemplate, 'Eventually as the situation improves I will be back into my fold again.' This you may call a wise decision but you are certainly not faithful to your religion. In both these cases it is not the faith but lure and fear that drive you to action against your faith. Excepting such extreme situations, it should be the other way round.

The fourth criterion is that faith sublimates your value judgement while; superstition on the contrary, debases it. Whenever I accept something as part my faith, I have to accept its value content too. If Lord Ram occupies an important place in my faith, then the values- truth and constancy (to his wife despite the custom of the day of having several wives)-that he upheld should also be important to me. It would be quite interesting to find out whether those who extol Lord Ram so fervently accept and stick to these two values-Truth and Constancy, in their personal life. About truth less said the better in this country. ‘Truth alone triumphs’ is our motto that is engraved on our national emblem. But our everyday experience tells us that untruth generally triumphs. What we regard as faith, some of them call loyalty. Others describe it as sensible (or shrewd?) faith. The choice of the word aside, what is important is whether you examine your faith or not; whether you tolerate other faiths and do them no violence; whether your faith drives you to action.

The most important, whether your faith makes you a sublime human being or a debased one. So, these are the criteria that help you examine your faith. Insistence on such examination alone brings about human progress. Discourse on faith and superstition therefore is an important matter in the ideological discussions of the ANS movement.

Dr Narendra Dabholkar

Faith: Source of Superstition - Part 3

Meaning of Faith - a Paradox

Now we turn to the most important point i.e., 'my faith' and what does my faith mean to me and also if my faith is superstition in your opinion and if so what does it mean to you. Since we respect individual freedom in this country, you are free to follow your faith. But at times two equally predominant faiths contradict each other, as is the case in our country. Some feel that our country ought to be a Hindu nation while others think that this nation should not be allowed to become a religious state at any cost and remain a secular one. ANS agrees with the later. The problem here is how does one decide which of these is faith and which is superstition? Here we have to take into consideration an important aspect of the chemistry of faith. Every faith is deeply coloured by emotion. A man cannot go by his intellect alone. Intellect as well as emotions forms the basis of his decisions. So his decisions are coloured by his emotions and thereby create the problem of faith and superstition. Make a continuum with trust at one end and superstition at the other, placing faith in the middle. Now trust is where thought predominates while emotion has no place at all in it. If someone tells you very emphatically that two and two do not make four, you will take him to be a fool and just ignore him. Here he is not challenging your faith. But in case of those who sacrifice a human being in order to obtain a male child, it is sheer superstition that has no place for thought what so ever. It is all entangled with just emotion. What is faith then? Faith is emotion that develops into thought founded in truth and translates into a motivating value.

We have already seen that man has intellect as well as emotion and he needs both. A train cannot run with just an engine (i.e., intellect) but needs fuel as well (i.e., emotion). Many a time human beings instead of reasoning let their emotions decide for them. But that should not obliterate thinking altogether. This tendency of letting emotions rule over you with no place for thought becomes superstition. However if the decisions taken on the spur of emotion are put to test by reasoning it means developing it into a thought.

Four Criteria of Faith

The first is verifying the facts or the truth. The faith that does not allow to be questioned on the basis of facts or truth is a superstition. What does this mean? Babasaheb Ambedkar gives an apt illustration. He says, 'If you find a yellow shining piece of metal, do you burst with joy that you have found a precious piece of gold? No. You argue with yourself that when put to the test of fire, the piece will shine if it is gold and will not if it is only a piece of brass. You give so much thought while deciding about a piece of metal. Why don't you take such a considered decision regarding your values that guide and sustain your life? You must take a decision about your values thoughtfully. It means that you ought to put your faith to the test of the fire of truth.'