Superstitions

- A Myth to Be Broken!!!!

Content

 Abstract
 Introduction
 Superstitions in India
 Objective
 Methodology
 Responses
 Remedies
 Conclusion
Abstract
Unlike the usual problem in the Indian society, I had chosen this concept which may be consider as
less important, but if it is left uncared may become one of the serious issue in our society.
Around the world and in popular cultures, we can see ideas and beliefs that, terms of modern
thought, they are classified in superstitious beliefs class. Aim of the present report is to explore the
range and influence of some aspects related to superstition that exists among Indian society. In this
process, the report not only discusses the extent, causes and consequences of the problem, but also
suggests policy measures to reduce superstitions in India.
The term superstition is derived from the Latin superstition, meaning “to stand over in awe.”
Superstition refers to belief that certain event or things will bring good or bad luck. Superstition has
different meanings in different cultures.
Superstition is a kind of blind beliefs on supernatural powers which don’t have any scientific
explanations behind that. Superstitions in India are a serious problem. Though it is hard to believe, it
is true that some ‘pundits’ or fake ‘Babas’ has been still spreading superstitions in India in the name
of religion. The half literate people believe superstitions easily. An educated man can identify the
scientific reasons behind any supernatural explanations or incidents. But an illiterate easily can be a
victim of superstitions. Thus increasing literacy rate is very much necessary to remove superstitions
in India or Indian society.
In ancient time there are many superstitions like Sati Dah, witchcraft etc. in Indian society. But later
it has been removed. With the advancements in science and technology, India has developed a lot..
There are no any scientific explanations behind superstitions like a cat can bring misfortune to us
while journey, an owl can make us sick by his sound, a parrot can tell our future etc. Thus these
superstitions need to be abolished from our society and should try to step forward with the
development of science and technology.

Superstition in India
India is a country full of superstitions. Superstition in Indian society is not a new arrival. It has
come down to us from the ancient days. During the old days, there were many superstitions in
India. Sati dah, consideration of wind, drought, earthquake etc. are the acts of evil spirits are the
example of such Superstition in India in ancient time. Later on, people find the actual logic or cause
of those natural calamities and thus those superstitions have been washed out from the society. But
still, we can find a lot of superstitions in Indian society. In different parts of the country people still
believe that the cawing of a crow on the roof of a house is the sign of the arrival of guests, if a cat
crosses the road in front of a vehicle it’s considered as bad luck. Again adding a coin of Rs 1 in the
gift amount is a traditional superstition in India. There are lots more superstitions in India, but it is
not possible to point out all those superstitions in an essay on superstition in India.
Objective
The purpose of this report is to qualitatively analyze why and how an individual comes about choosing and
using a superstitious behavior in a performance setting.

Methodology
This report is based on primary data collection. The total sample collected from 10 person through
questionnaires. There are 10 descriptive questions each 10 individual person will write his/ her opinions. Out
of 10 persons, 5 are male and 5 are females of age between 21 years to 35 years.

Responses
According to survey, 10 person’s responses are below.
1. Questionnaires were asked by 10 persons in which 5 are females and 5 are males of aged between 21 years
to 35 years. According to survey only 4 persons are superstitions and 6 are non superstitions.

2. Person who is superstition is believed in the power. They believed that there are few logics applied. the
fear of ghost & witch still alive. The belief upon shooting stars that makes the wish come true, and many
more activity which give them the positive vibes about the god & supernatural power.
but there are some who don’t believed in the supernatural power, their opinion are there is no power it’s all
about science which look as the superpower.

3. Some common superstition known by person:

cat crossing path
hanging lemon & chili
don’t give money to other people on diwali.
black magic
gifting perfume
three people together cont travel
dog crying at night
broken g glass & mirror
fasting

4. out of 10 persons 60% belief that superstition is born out of religions, as the day Thursday in Hindu
mythodology is of god Vishnu, on that day they offer praying to lord Vishnu & do sacrificed by not washing
clothes with detergent & eating banana is not allowed as banana tree is worshipped on Thursday. In Muslim
religion they believed in existence of gene. People follow priest blindly. Whereas, left believed that it’s not
religion but by human to human. Religion comes after human being & they are the one who spread the term
name superstition.
5. Luck: success or failure apparently brought by chance rather than through one's own actions. 50% people
believed that luck play the part in their life and they are lucky. Lucky only because god blesses are with
them. Lucky people get success early then unlucky people. Whereas 50% believed in hard work and struggle.
Luck is just a part of life but only work helps to get success.

6. Horoscope: a forecast of a person's future. 60% don’t read or believed in horoscope. Future decide by
their present hard work and dedication. Whereas 40% read because they believed in god and in magic. It
gives them hope and satisfaction. Also give them positive vibes.

7. Carrying any object which named as lucky object is also one of the popular superstition. According to
survey only 20% carry any object like god key chain, any bracelet, or any god name for positive vibes.
Whereas 80% believed carrying any object didn’t gives any luckiness. Only positive mind and hard work
make you lucky in your way.

8. Cause of superstitions:
illiteracy
negative thinking
fear & lack of confidence
fear of losing someone or some things
friend, relatives & society
media through horoscope programs on television.
Unsatisfaction in life.
illogical thinking
lack of awareness
Being unlucky of number thirteen

9. Benefits of superstition:
temporary satisfaction
feel positive and lucky
it protect from going against nature
gives hope
make aware of going unwanted place
its way of good habit, like don’t waste food.
Mentally peace

10. Overcome
believed in yourself
by thinking logically
Accepting whatever happening
erase all superstition belief from mind
awareness about things
changing people mentality
education
positive vibes
yoga
Remedies
1. Thinking positive: one should think positive and try to develop attitude towards challenges and or duos
tasks. This can be achieved through reading, listening and watching positive material in form of books.
Biography, audio video means etc., in order to get rid of the failure syndrome.

2. Parental guidance: parents play an important part in removing all the fears and beliefs in superstitions
through personal guidance and real life examples.

3. Teacher’s guidance: teacher should encourage healthy discussions in the classroom to get a clear picture
of what’s the true and what’s a lie. This can dispel student’s belief in superstitions.

4. Campaigns and other events: government and other non-governmental organisations can enlighten the
clouded minds with various events and campaigns which can be effective tools in eliminating myths.

5. Role of media: various means of media can contribute to a large extent in bringing a change in attitude
towards these beliefs. The media should acts more responsibility towards the young generation rather than
carrying about their TRP’s.

Conclusion
Superstitions are the types of belief’s practices or rite irrationally maintained by ignorance of the laws of
nature or by faith in magic or chance. Superstitions plays important role to develop positive attitudes in some
situations and in some situations it become a bad practice. Superstitions and blind faith are two of the
weakest mental quantity of any human being on earth not only with Indian society. It is impossible to change
society on whole but yes as an individual one can adopt changes in life style and beliefs. Today science and
technology growing fast, so we must develop scientific attitude among the people to eradicate superstitions.
 SNDT College of Education, Pune

Contemporary India and Education

Assignment Work

Topic:
SUPERSTITIONS
-A myth to be broken

Questionnaires

Name: ____________ ननन: ___________

Age: _____________ ननन: ____________
Gender: ___________ नननन: ___________

1. Do you believe in SUPERSTITION?

क्या आप अंधविश्वास में विश्वास करते हैं?

[] YES [] NO [] NEUTRAL

2. If 'yes' why and what is the most powerful superstition in your life?
यदि ‘हां’आपके जीिन में सबसे शविशाली अंधविश्वास क्यों और क्या है?
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________

3. What kind of superstitions do you know about? Name it.

आप दकस तरह के अंधविश्वासों के बारे में जानते हैं? नाम िें।
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________

4. Do you believe in superstitions are born out of religion? How and why?
क्या आप मानते हैं दक अंधविश्वास धमम से बाहर पैिा हुए हैं? कै से और क्यों?
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________

5. Do you think luck plays a part in your life? Are you generally lucky or unlucky!
क्या आपको लगता है दक भाग्य आपके जीिन में एक भूवमका वनभाता है? क्या आप आम तौर पर भाग्यशाली या बिदकस्मत
हैं!
________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________

6. Do you read horoscopes? How does it help you?

क्या आप कं डली पढ़ते हैं? यह आपकी मिि कै से करता है?
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________

7. Do you carry any kind of objects that is meant to bring you luck?
क्या आप दकसी भी तरह की िस्तओं को ले जाते हैं, जो आपको भाग्य लाने के वलए होती हैं?
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________

8. What do you think is the cause of superstitious?

आपको क्या लगता है दक अंधविश्वास का कारण क्या है?
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________

9. What do you think the benefits from superstition?

आपको क्या लगता है दक अंधविश्वास से क्या लाभ हैं?
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________

10. How to overcome superstitions?

अंधविश्वास को कै से िूर करें?
_________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________