Prabha Govind, 27, a software engineer from Kochi who works in Bengaluru, has all the trappings of modernity. An MP3 player and iPhone are his constant companions while he is dressed stylishly in jeans and black Adidas T-shirt, sneakers and sunglasses. But mention the word puja and Prabha will discard his jeans and wrap around the traditional mundu.
He haunts the malls of the city on weekends but at the first sign of trouble, Prabha rushes to the nearby temple to offer a Ganesh puja. “That is for relatively smaller troubles. When it gets bigger I go for a Shayana Pradashinam (rolling around the sanctum sanctorum) in the Guruvayur Krishna temple. It is believed that any desire of yours — no matter how unjust it may seem — will be fulfilled if you go to Guruvayur.”
Prabha belongs to a new class of fun-loving and hep youth who have no qualms about seeking spiritual solutions to their problems. They don’t find anything contradictory in their beliefs, which border on the superstitious and their modern way of life. Prabha’s friend Harilal Krishnan did the Shayana Pradashinam three times last year. “I go to Sabarimala, Guruvayur and Mookambika once a year,” says the IT engineer. He also makes it a point to visit an Ayyappa temple every Saturday and offer Neeranjanam (sesame seeds wrapped in a towel, dipped in oil and then lit in a broken half of a coconut).
Anu George, who is an assistant professor in the Idukki Engineering College, is a member of a prayer group that meets her at residence at least twice a month. “Sometimes, these fellowship meetings are held at someone else’s place. Different people pray for different things and we have seen many people getting cured of ailments. About two years ago, I was being troubled by spondylitis and got relieved of the pain during such session,” says Anu. She, however, adds that it is not as though the prayers are only to get things done. “If God doesn’t want to grant a wish, we accept it.”
Rose Mary, a bank employee, and her husband Ajith Joseph, the director of a Norwegian Research Institute, also attend prayer sessions where ailments are “cured” with faith. “I had this dizziness which even came in the way of my work. In one such session, the person who was leading the session announced that someone has been cured of dizziness. It was only later that I realised it was me because I never had that problem again. But the main purpose of our attending these sessions is to get peace of mind,” she says.
Aishwarya B., a chartered accountancy student, is often made fun of by her friends for being superstitious. That doesn’t stop her from avoiding the Rahukalam (inauspicious period) like the plague and consulting her horoscope before doing anything. She is in fact preparing for a trip to the Srikalahasthi temple to get rid of any doshas that she may have. Is she looking for a solution to any particular problem that is haunting her? “Not really. Astrologers there would identify my dosha,” says Aishwarya.
The attitude of these youngsters seems to be, “why take a chance when it comes to something you can’t possibly explain”. Techie Anju Nair never fails to observe thinkalazhcha vratham (fasting on Monday) for her husband. “I also fast on Tuesdays or Fridays and monthly offer Shastha Vratham for my children.”
“Superstitions are stupid, and stupidity can be tolerated as long as it does not become counterproductive,” says Dr R.K. Rudhran, a consultant psychiatrist.
Make Light of the darkness
Astrologers prescribe remedial measures to negate the adverse effects of the Longest and darkest lunar eclipse in 40 years.
* Though a treat for sky-gazers, astrologists say that the June 15 lunar eclipse will far-reaching effects and will affect the houses of Scorpio and Sagittarius the most.
* Says experienced astrologer Ramesh R., “As Rahu is controlled by the Goddess Durga, individuals should offer prayers to the deity, especially at temples near a water body. You can go to Vijayawada to worship the Goddess Krishnaveni on the shores of River Krishna.”
* Dr Mukesh Jain says, “Scorpios should donate red items like red dal, while Sagittarians need to donate yellow objects.”
* Charity work is important, says Rajini Kukreja, “Donating any white object, such as milk or rice, will help everyone. A visit to a holy place and prayers will also be beneficial.” Kukreja adds that in general “those struggling for a long time will have a nice break, while those in comfort may face problems.”
* Dr C. V. B. Subramanyam says, “The time of the eclipse is an auspicious time for donation. The person whose moon sign is being affected by the eclipse should donate the following items: sun and snake made of gold, moon made of silver, bell metal plate filled with ghee, sesame, clothes and cash. If it’s not possible to donate during the eclipse period, the same can be kept in one’s puja mandir and donated later.
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