Hindu Traditions – Zenith of civilization

Traditions are the set of rituals practiced by a group of people which define the behavior of the people of that group on specific occasion. For generations, specific traditions are followed by Hindus religious without the clear knowledge of science behind them. Many people have been questioning the Hindu traditions and terming them as backwardness.
It is really wonderful to know the deep-rooted benefits of age old traditions followed by Hindus and science behind them. These traditions are helpful in personal hygiene & health, developing positive behavioral attributes and living in non-violent way and happily in joint family system. The advantages are as under:

Personal hygiene & health

1. Namaskar/ Namaste - It is used to welcome someone and also to bid farewell. This gesture is marked by placing both the palms together raised below the face to greet a person.

Scientific explanation: By shaking hands or any other body part, the contagious diseases are likely to be transmitted.
 

1. Shoes are kept outside temples.

Scientific explanation: Floors of the temples in the old times were constructed in such a way that these have been the largest source of electric and magnetic waves. When the bare foot goes on, the maximum energy enters the body through the legs.
 

1. Use of spices in Indian cuisine (including ginger, coriander, cardamom, turmeric, dried hot peppers, and cinnamon, among others) – we have six different types of tastes necessary in our diet viz. sweet, sour, salty, bitter, pungent, and astringent. These tastes are balanced through food intake.

Scientific explanation: Spices activate the digestive juices and acids and ensure that the digestion process goes on smoothly and efficiently.
 

1. Much of Indian food is eaten with fingers.

Scientific explanation: Eating with bare fingures keeps all 5 elements in balance. Through the thumb comes space, with the forefinger comes air, the middle finger is fire, the ring finer is water and the little finger represents earth. It stimulates these five elements and helps in bringing forth digestive juices in the stomach. The nerve endings on your fingertips are known to stimulate digestion.
 

1. Sitting posture – preferred posture while eating is sitting in cross-legged manner or 'sukhasan', a yoga posture.

Scientific explanation - This helps in digestion of food. While eating in this posture, we bend and become straight alternately. This leads to muscular movement in our stomach, which helps in creating digestive juices and in taking the swallowed food ahead.
 

1. Marriage in different Gotra – In Hindu system, marriage within the same gotra is not encouraged or practiced.

Scientific explanation: A study done by scientists of Cellular and Molecular Biology in Hyderabad published in Indian Express dated 18.07.2017, supports the view of those who are opposing the marriages within the same Gotra. The report found out that even two people, not related to each other but belonging to same community, caste or tribe, if they marry each other, stands at the risk of transmitting the genetic defects in their DNA – a result of age old endogamy practice – to their offspring.
 

1. Use of Right hand – It is considered pure.

Scientific explanation: Because left hand is used after answering the call of nature.
 
Developing positive behavioral attitude

1. 'Atithi Devo Bhavah' - The mantra is from the Taittiriya Upanishad (Shikshavalli I.11.2) that says, guest is akin to god. The maxim is being used for promoting tourism in India.

Social Advantage: It promotes universal brotherhood.
 

1. Hindu culture is a culture of love, respect, honoring others and humbling one's own ego. As a tradition of respecting the elders such as touching their feet and taking blessings, sitting to the left of elders, calling them by name of relation, bringing gifts on special occasions, not sitting while they are standing, not contradicting or arguing, seeking their advice and blessings, giving them first choice in all matters, even serving their food first.

Social Advantage: It promotes mutual respect and discipline.
 
Living in non-violent way and happily
Hindu undivided family system (HUF) has been prevalent historically. Under the system, two or more generations stay together, headed by senior most person called as Karta. Karta makes decisions on economic and social matters and his wife extends control over domestic matters. Family income flows into a common pool, from which resources are drawn to meet the needs of all members, which are regulated by the heads of the family. After amendments in Hindu Succession Act 1956, the female members are given the right of share to the HUF property. In 2016, a judgment of the Delhi High Court ruled that the eldest female member of a Hindu Undivided Family can be its 'Karta' (manager).
 
Due urbanization, economic development, job opportunities and western influence, HUF witnessed break up and converting into nuclear families.
 
Personal & Social Advantages: HUF system proved to have following advantages:

1. It provides social security to unemployed, old, frail and diseased persons.
2. Members of HUF learn inter-dependence, co-operation, discipline, patience and care for others which are so vital for personal growth. Break up of HUF has led to increase in several problems in the society like depression, suicides and heart disorders due to highly stressed lives and little outlet.

 
Note:

1. Please also see related article named as “Hindu Traditions & Social Practices” published on 19.10.2018 under the category “Hindu Symbols & customs”.
2. Please also see related article named as “Puja – Beginning of Spiritual Journey” published on 09.10.2017 under the category “Puja System”.