Science behind Vedic Traditions.

Many Vedic Traditions were considered superstitions, but upon introspection it is becoming evident that these traditions are based on full-proof scientific knowledge. They have moved from generations to generations as traditions and often the common people were unaware of the science behind them. Lets make an attempt to bring forward the science involved in each of these traditions and rituals.

1. Why do we worship Tulsi Plant: Hindu religion has bestowed ‘Tulsi’, with the status of mother. Also known as ‘Sacred or Holy Basil’, Tulsi, has been recognized as a religious and spiritual devout in many parts of the world. The vedic sages knew the benefits of Tulsi and that is why they personified it as a Goddess and gave a clear message to the entire community that it needs to be taken care of by the people, literate or illiterate. We try to protect it because it is like Sanjeevani for the mankind. Tulsi has great medicinal properties. It is a remarkable antibiotic. Taking Tulsi everyday in tea or otherwise increases immunity and help the drinker prevent diseases, stabilize his or her health condition, balance his or her body system and most important of all, prolong his or her life. Keeping Tulsi plant at home prevents insects and mosquitoes from entering the house. It is said that snakes do not dare to go near a Tulsi plant. Maybe that is why ancient people would grow lots of Tulsi near their houses.

2. Joining Both Palms together to Greet:

In Hindu culture, people greet each other by joining their palms – termed as “Namaskar.” The general reason behind this tradition is that greeting by joining both the palms means respect. However, scientifically speaking, joining both hands ensures joining the tips of all the fingers together; which are denoted to the pressure points of eyes, ears, and mind. Pressing them together is said to activate the pressure points which helps us remember that person for a long time. And, no germs since we don’t make any physical contact!

3. Why do Indian Women wear Toe Ring:

Wearing toe rings is not just the significance of married women but there is science behind it. Normally toe rings are worn on the second toe. A particular nerve from the second toe connects the uterus and passes to heart. Wearing toe ring on this finger strengthens the uterus. It will keep it healthy by regulating the blood flow to it and menstrual cycle will be regularized. As Silver is a good conductor, it also absorbs polar energies from the earth and passes it to the body.

4. Applying Tilak on the Forehead:

On the forehead, between the two eyebrows, is a spot that is considered as a major nerve point in human body since ancient times. The Tilak is believed to prevent the loss of “energy”, the red ‘kumkum’ between the eyebrows is said to retain energy in the human body and control the various levels of concentration. While applying kumkum the points on the mid-brow region and Adnya-chakra are automatically pressed. This also facilitates the blood supply to the face muscles.

5. Why do Temples have Bells:

People who are visiting the temple should and will Ring the bell before entering the inner sanctum (Garbhagudi or Garbha Gruha or womb-chamber) where the main idol is placed. According to Agama Sastra, the bell is used to give sound for keeping evil forces away and the ring of the bell is pleasant to God. However, the scientific reason behind bells is that their ring clears our mind and helps us stay sharp and keep our full concentration on devotional purpose. These bells are made in such a way that when they produce a sound it creates a unity in the Left and Right parts of our brains. The moment we ring the bell, it produces a sharp and enduring sound which lasts for minimum of 7 seconds in echo mode. The duration of echo is good enough to activate all the seven healing centres in our body. This results in emptying our brain from all negative thoughts.

6. Why do we have Navratras: Our living style has drastically changed if we compare it to the society hundreds & thousands of years ago. The traditions which we follow in present are not establishments of today but of the past. Ever thought, why do we have Navratras twice a year unlike other festivals like Deepawali or Holi? Well, both these months are the months of changing seasons and the eating habits of both the seasons are quite different from each other. Navratras give enough time to the body to adjust and prepare itself for to the changing season. These nine days were marked as a period when people would clean their body system by keeping fasts by avoiding excessive salt and sugar, meditate, gain a lot of positive energy, gain a lot of self confidence & increase the self determination power (fasts are a medium to improve our will power and self determination) and finally get ready for the challenges of the changed season.

7. The scientific explanation of touching Feet:

Usually, the person of whose feet you are touching is either old or pious. When they accept your respect which came from your reduced ego (and is called your shraddha) their hearts emit positive thoughts and energy (which is called their karuna) which reaches you through their hands and toes. In essence, the completed circuit enables flow of energy and increases cosmic energy, switching on a quick connect between two minds and hearts. To an extent, the same is achieved through handshakes and hugs. The nerves that start from our brain spread across all your body. These nerves or wires end in the fingertips of your hand and feet. When you join the fingertips of your hand to those of their opposite feet, a circuit is immediately formed and the energies of two bodies are connected. Your fingers and palms become the ‘receptor’ of energy and the feet of other person become the ‘giver’ of energy.

8. Why do we worship Peepal Tree:

‘Peepal’ tree is almost useless for an ordinary person, except for its shadow. ‘Peepal’ does not a have a delicious fruit, its wood is not strong enough for any purpose then why should a common villager or person worship it or even care for it? Our ancestors knew that ‘Peepal’ is one of the very few trees (or probably the only tree) which produces oxygen even at night. So in order to save this tree because of its unique property they related it to God/religion.

9. Start with Spice & End with Sweet:

Our ancestors have stressed on the fact that our meals should be started off with something spicy and sweet dishes should be taken towards the end. The significance of this eating practice is that while spicy things activate the digestive juices and acids and ensure that the digestion process goes on smoothly and efficiently, sweets or carbohydrates pulls down the digestive process. Hence, sweets were always recommended to be taken as a last item.

10. Choti on the Male Head:

Sushrut rishi, the foremost surgeon of Ayurveda, describes the master sensitive spot on the head as Adhipati Marma, where there is a nexus of all nerves. The shikha protects this spot. Below, in the brain, occurs the Brahmarandhra, where the sushumnã (nerve) arrives from the lower part of the body. In Yog, Brahmarandhra is the highest, seventh chakra, with the thousand-petalled lotus. It is the centre of wisdom. The knotted shikhã helps boost this centre and conserve its subtle energy known as ojas.

11. Applying Mehendi/Henna on the Hand:

Besides lending color to the hands, mehndi is a very powerful medicinal herb. Weddings are stressful, and often, the stress causes headaches and fevers. As the wedding day approaches, the excitement mixed with nervous anticipation can take its toll on the bride and groom. Application of mehndi can prevent too much stress because it cools the body and keeps the nerves from becoming tense. This is the reason why mehndi is applied on the hands and feet, which house nerve endings in the body.

12. Celebration & Cleaning During Diwali:

Diwali usually falls in October or November which marks the start of winter season and end of rainy season. Rainy season wasn’t a good time for everyone back then; many homes needed repair and renovation after a heavy fall. That is why time before diwali was considered the period during which everyone can indulge in cleaning and beautification of their home. And also take out their winter clothes and pack the summer ones.

13. Sitting on the Floor & Eating:

This tradition is not just about sitting on floor and eating, it is regarding sitting in the “Sukhasan” position and then eating. Sukhasan is the position we normally use for Yoga asanas. Sitting in this position while eating helps in improving digestion as the circulatory system can focus solely upon digestion and not on our legs dangling from a chair or supporting us while we are standing.

13. Why not to sleep with Your Head towards North:

Myth is that it invites ghost or death but science says that it is because human body has its own magnetic field (Also known as hearts magnetic field, because the flow of blood) and Earth is a giant magnet. When we sleep with head towards north, our body’s magnetic field become completely asymmetrical to the Earth’s Magnetic field. That cause problems related to blood pressure and our heart needs to work harder in order to overcome this asymmetry of Magnetic fields. Apart from this another reason is that Our body have significant amount of iron in our blood. When we sleep in this position, iron from the whole body starts to congregate in brain. This can cause headache, Alzheimer’s Disease, Cognitive Decline, Parkinson disease and brain degeneration.

14. Surya Namaskar:

Hindus have a tradition of paying regards to Sun God early in the morning by their water offering ritual. It was mainly because looking at Sun rays through water or directly at that time of the day is good for eyes and also by waking up to follow this routine, we become prone to a morning lifestyle and mornings are proven to be the most effective part of the day.

15. Ear Piercing:

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.

16. Application of Sindoor or Vermillion:

It is interesting to note that that the application of sindoor by married women carries a physiological significance. This is so because Sindoor is prepared by mixing turmeric-lime and the metal mercury. Due to its intrinsic properties, mercury, besides controlling blood pressure also activates sexual drive. This also explains why Sindoor is prohibited for the widows. For best results, Sindoor should be applied right upto the pituitary gland where all our feelings are centered. Mercury is also known for removing stress and strain.

17. Throwing Coins into a River:

The general reasoning given for this act is that it brings Good Luck. However, scientifically speaking, in the ancient times, most of the currency used was made of copper unlike the stainless steel coins of today. Copper is a vital metal very useful to the human body. Throwing coins in the river was one way our fore-fathers ensured we intake sufficient copper as part of the water as rivers were the only source of drinking water. Making it a custom ensured that all of us follow the practice.

18. Why do we Fast:

The underlying principle behind fasting is to be found in Ayurveda. This ancient Indian medical system sees the basic cause of many diseases as the accumulation of toxic materials in the digestive system. Regular cleansing of toxic materials keeps one healthy. By fasting, the digestive organs get rest and all body mechanisms are cleansed and corrected. A complete fast is good for heath, and the occasional intake of warm lemon juice during the period of fasting prevents the flatulence. Since the human body, as explained by Ayurveda, is composed of 80% liquid and 20% solid, like the earth, the gravitational force of the moon affects the fluid contents of the body. It causes emotional imbalances in the body, making some people tense, irritable and violent. Fasting acts as antidote, for it lowers the acid content in the body which helps people to retain their sanity. Research suggests there are major health benefits to caloric restriction like reduced risks of cancer, cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, immune disorders etc.

19. Why do Indian Women wear Bangles:

Normally the wrist portion is in constant activation on any human. Also the pulse beat in this portion is mostly checked for all sorts of ailments. The Bangles used by women are normally in the wrist part of ones hand and its constant friction increases the blood circulation level. Further more the electricity passing out through outer skin is again reverted to one’s own body because of the ring shaped bangles, which has no ends to pass the energy outside but to send it back to the body.

20. Why Idol Worship:

Hinduism propagates idol worship more than any other religion. Researchers say that this was initiated for the purpose of increasing concentration during prayers. According to psychiatrists, a man will shape his thoughts as per what he sees. If you have 3 different objects in front of you, your thinking will change according to the object you are viewing. Similarly, in ancient India, idol worship was established so that when people view idols it is easy for them to concentrate to gain spiritual energy and meditate without mental diversion.

Source: Internet

The Great Escape

Netaji had escaped from the house arrest by British for an unknown political destination in 1941. Very few of us know exactly what had happened that night. This is certainly beyond the conventional thrillers. Mr Sujoy Dhar (Correspondent- Reuters Writer, Inter Press Service; Editor- India Blooms News Service / Trans World Features) gives a interesting account of that chilling escape story.

17 JANUARY, 1941. 1-30 a.m.: A loud clearing of the throat was heard from the top floor of a house on Elgin Road in Calcutta. It was a signal that stirred three anxiously waiting men into action. Like apparitions, they tiptoed down the rear staircase of the house, to a waiting car, a rare German-model Wanderer. The people of Calcutta were in deep slumber that wintry night, but the moon was staring bright on the city. So, the men were cautious that there were no shadows on the walls. One of the three was a distinguished-looking Pathan, in his closed-collar brown long-coat, broad pyjamas and black fez. The one carrying a hold-all opened the rear door for the Pathan, after putting the baggage by the driver's seat. Then he walked quickly to open the front gate of the house. The Pathan took his seat but held the door without closing it, so that anybody awake might not hear two doors closing instead of one. The third person now took the driver's seat and slammed the door, the sound of which only roused a pack of crows from their sleep. When the front gate was opened, he started the car and drove out, making a lot of noise and whizzing past the unsuspecting CID men, comfortably settled under blankets on a makeshift wooden bed, at the strategic junction of Elgin Roadand Woodburn Road. They slept, as Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose left Calcuttaforever, for an uncertain future and an unknown political destiny .

But lets move back a month or so, to a day in early December, 1940: Mian Akbar Shah was sitting at his home in Badrashi village, in the Nowshera district of the then North West Frontier Province, when peon brought him a telegram that read: "REACH CALCUTTA-BOSE". The 42-year-old handsome Pathan, then a leader of Netaji's Forward Bloc in the North West Frontier Province, took the earliest Frontier Mail, a night train from Peshawar. He reached Calcutta after three days and put up in a hotel on Mirzapur Street. The next morning he went to see Netaji at his Elgin Road residence where he was convalescing after his release from the Presidency Jail on 5 December that year, following a hunger-strike he had launched in jail. Two court cases were pending against Bose, and he was sure the British would not let him out before the War was over. Hence, he resorted to hunger-strike. Akbar Shah found his leader lying on the bed - weak and bearded.

Mian listened attentively as Netaji said, "Now I intend to go abroad, through the tribal territories of Kabul. So I need your help. You have the experience."

"Yes. It is not a difficult task. But you have to travel up to Peshawar by train, and through the tribal border in disguise," Shah replied.

Bose continued, "Mohammed Sharif, a member of the All India Forward Bloc Working Committee, is helping me. On his advice, I have stopped shaving and have grown a beard. I have a black Sherwani, and am learning from Sharif whatever else is necessary for the disguise." Shah told Netaji to assume the name "Ziauddin', and dress like a Muslim.

"It is time to rise and do something for the freedom of our motherland. The war is on, and I think I must get out of India and personally approach the leaders of countries which are enemies of British imperialism, including those of the Soviet government", Bose stated. The two then discussed the plan threadbare. Shah was introduced to Sisir Bose, Netaji's nephew. Shah and Sisir later went out to shop for the necessary items of disguise from Wachel Molla's, the famous Mohammedan departmental store on Dharamtala Street. Before leaving Calcutta, Shah spent some more time with Netaji, instructing him about his behaviour while passing through the tribal areas, and told him to let the beard grow freely. The language barrier, Shah said, could be solved by covering Bose's mouth and ears with a turban and passing him off as deaf and dumb.

The Boses had two houses. Netaji was staying at the Elgin Road house, while the one at Woodburn Park belonged to his elder brother, Sarat Bose. Sisir Bose, son of brother and freedom fighter Sarat Bose, got a summon from Netaji during the week following Netaji's release. It was about 57 years ago, but Dr Sisir Bose can still vividly recall the day which was to change his life so drastically. Reminisces Dr Bose: "My uncle called me and asked, "Can you do a job for me?' I answered with an ambiguous nod. "How well can you drive?" he enquired. I replied, "Tolerably well on the whole." He continued, "Have you ever done long distance driving?' I said 'no'. 'Look here, you'll have to reach me by car, one night, quite far, say Burdwan or some such place. But nobody must know.' Netaji slowy unravelled his mission. Dr Bose, a person not given to excitement outwardly, walked back to his Woodburn Park home, dazed with subdued excitement. His uncle had, in fact, told him to come back with a plan the following day. The secret confabulation began, and the two sat together on the bed and talked like equals. "What struck me most was that uncle was prepared to accept proposals from me ", Dr Bose recalls.

Initially, Netaji wanted his nephew to execute the whole thing without telling his parents, to which Dr Bose had agreed uncomfortably. The escape plan first went thus: Netaji would openly announce that he was retiring for convalescence to Sarat's garden house at Rishra, and from there Sisir would drive him secretly to Burdwan or Asansol. But this plan was cancelled. So was another plot or depart from Woodburn Park. The ground for the cancellations was the same-such moves would unnecessarily alert the police. Finally, they decided that the escape had to take place from the Elgin Road house itself. Netaji's niece, Ila, became a collaborator along with Sisir.

Relations, visitors, servants, the plainclothes policemen around the house, and even the Alsatian of one of Netaji's brothers, were closely watched. The run-up to the escape had its share of comic elements too. Says Dr Bose, "An unemployed but over-inquisitive relative of ours grew suspicious and started asking questions. So Netaji gave him a letter of introduction to some high-up person in the Tata's at Jamshedpur, along with a lecture on the shame of being in a continued state of unemployment, provided him with the requisite money and told him not to return to Calcutta till he was assured of a job. The gentleman predictably returned toCalcutta after Netaji had escaped, and of course without a job.

On 25th December 1940, Sisir gave his first endurance test, driving at a stretch to Burdwan in the morning and then returning to Calcutta to report to his uncle on the degree of fatigue he felt. He was also assigned to get Netaji's visiting cards printed in the name of Mohd Ziauddin, an insurance company travelling inspector.

Meanwhile, Sisir made a reconnaissance sortie to Bararee, near Dhanbad, where his elder brother was working, in a coalfield.

Ostensibly, Sisir was to bring back his mother from there to Calcutta. The details of the plan had been worked out by then. Netaji declared he was going into seclusion for a few days, when he would not see or talk to anyone. Food, strictly vegetarian, would be passed to him across a screen, to be put up in his room. Sarat Bose and his wife were also taken into confidence, and Dwijendranath, son of Sisir's eldest uncle, was to carry on the drama after escape. The Alsatian of Netaji's doctor brother could have posed problems, if left free in the night. So, when it luckily attacked a visitor one night, the collaborators got enough reason to convince the dog's master to keep it chained at night.

The D-Day arrived and night approached. But two cousins in that large joint family chose to hang around. Dwijen had to lead them upstairs and confine them to bed somehow. He later signalled Netaji, Sisir and Aurobindo, another cousin involved in the plan and entrusted with the job of opening the gate, when the road was clear of CID men.

"We drove out and took a detour deliberately. Moreover, in order to get to the G T Road crossing, we avoided the more convenient Willingdon Bridge at Dakhineshwar, taking the Howrah Bridge instead, because there was a toll system on the former. We heaved a sigh of relief only when we reached French post Chandernagore unscathed, without any encounter with the French police. At one point, while passing through Durgapur, then a forested area infamous for its dacoits, we had a near collision with a pack of buffaloes. Fortunately, the brakes worked and we were saved", narrated late Dr Bose, going down the memory lane.

On reaching his brother's house at Bararee, another round of acting followed. The next day, Sisir, his brother and his wife, drove Netaji to Gomoh, from where he was to catch the Delhi-Kalka Mail. "The train was scheduled hours after midnight. We watched him mount the over-bridge and disappear into the darkness. The rumbling of the approaching mail was audible. Eventually we heard the train steam off and then we saw a garland of lights moving away and away …", writes Dr Bose in his account of The Great Escape.

For a whole week, the drama was carried on, till it became public in a pre-meditated manner. Rumours abounded. Even the AIR, in a bulletin, announced that Netaji was arrested near Dhanbad. This was, however, contradicted later by the Associated Press of India.

According to an article by Mian Akbar Shah, titled "Netaji's Escape - An Untold Chapter", Subhas Bose reached Peshawar Cantonment station on 19 January in the same disguise. He was received there by Akbar himself, and Mohammed Shah and Bhagat Ram, also members of the Forward Bloc. Netaji was first taken to a good Muslim hotel, recommended by their tongawallah, but was later shifted to the house of Abad Khan, a trusted friend of Shah's. From Khan's house, Netaji left in the company of Bhagat Ram, Mohammed Shah and a guide, on 26 January, to find his way to Europe through the tribal territory.

In April 1941, all the upcountry collaborators of Netaji were arrested under the Defence of India Rules and put in jail for several years. In Peshawar, Netaji was helped by these men immensely, and made to look like a perfect tribesman.

According to Dr Bose, for two years, the British administration had no clear idea about the episode in Calcutta. The Central Intelligence even took the Bengal CID to task, and replaced them by the Punjab CID, to deal with what they called the Bose File. The Bengal CID's credibility had nose-dived. According to Dr Bose, though some British diehards, till today, try to project that Netaji could escape because the Bengal CID's surveillance on him had laxed, and that he was a free man when he escaped, the fact remains that there was never a moment when the vigil was relaxed on Netaji. The British had agents inside the Bose house, and even used some of his relations for information. "The truth is, Netaji was tracked down even in foreign countries in the '30s. There were at least 12 agents watching him constantly and reporting to the Special Branch on his every activity- from what he ate to who visited him, when. But nobody could dream that Subhas Bose would escape. After all, his plan was to catch the opponent unaware", says Dr Bose." But there was betrayal at some point later, and the British came to know of our involvement," he adds. Dr Sisir Bose was finally arrested in October 1944, and sent to the notorious Lahore Fort before his release in September 1945. 

Netaji had, in fact, maintained his contact with Calcutta after his escape, and sent messages to his brother, Sarat Bose, through the Japanese consulate. But his meticulous escape plan and its execution became the greatest adventure in the Indian freedom movement, and perhaps the most serious bungle of the British Intelligence in India.