What traditions have you not kept that your parents had?

Everything changes with time but some of those changes are beneficial and some are harmful. Sanatan Dharma is full of traditions. Our ancestors always used to tell us that we should do this and that. Some of those traditions have become a part of our daily life even today. Like getting up in the morning and leaving the bed only after taking the name of God, worshipping God daily and offering Prasad, keeping fasts according to religion, obeying the husband, etc. There are many such things which Indian women are following even today. But there are some traditions which our parents used to follow and we are not able to do.

Touching the feet of elders every morning. In childhood, our parents used to tell us that touching the feet of elders brings blessings. Our school bus used to come but we could not go to school without performing this daily routine. After marriage, when I came to my in-laws’ house, I touched the feet of elders every day for a few days. After that, due to the confusion of life, I gave up this tradition.

Brushing our teeth with Neem: In childhood our grandmothers used to teach us that we should brush our teeth with Neem. Now it is popular only in a few villages to break the bark or stick of Neem and clean the teeth with it. Sometimes teeth were also cleaned by mixing salt in 4 drops of mustard oil. The advantage of doing both these daily rituals was that while it kept the teeth and intestines clean and strong, it had other astrological benefits too. Scientists say that because of strong teeth and gums, your eyes, ears and brain also remain healthy. But today, it has been replaced by toothpaste.

Paying obeisance to the rising sun every day,, I remember in my childhood when my mother used to wake us up for school and she used to say, look the sun has also risen. Get up and first of all pay obeisance to the sun. Mother used to say that when the rays of the sun fall on our body then it brings with it many skin benefits. In Hindu religion, the sun is considered a god. Today’s life is different, staying up late at night and getting up late in the morning has become a routine for today’s generation. Even though we know that this is wrong, we cannot stop ourselves. Late night parties were not a tradition of Hindu religion. In Sanatan Dharma, even eating after sunset is prohibited.

Applying kajal or surma in eyes daily, in childhood our mothers and grandmothers used to apply kajal or surma in our eyes daily. And also a black mark on the forehead. Surma is of two types- one white and the other black. Kajal is made from black surma. Applying surma has been prevalent in Central Asia as well as in India. Both types of surma are basically found in the form of stone. Gems are also made from it and kajal is also made from it. Sometimes, while applying surma cures all the diseases of the eyes, some people also use it for Vashikaran. There are many miraculous benefits of wearing its gem. While applying surma saves a person from the evil eye, his eyes also remain healthy. We still apply kajal but only when we have to get ready to go somewhere.

Applying Vermilion in the parting of hair every day, when I got married my mother had said that daughter apply Vermilion in the parting of hair every day. And when I came to my in-laws house my mother in law also said the same. According to Hindu tradition applying Vermilion in the parting of hair increases the lifespan of the husband. But the scientific reason behind this is that Vermilion keeps our head cool. I followed this tradition for a few years. But now according to the changing fashion I have given up this tradition.

Watering the Peepal tree every morning: In childhood we were taught that we should water the Peepal tree daily. Because the Peepal tree produces the maximum amount of oxygen. While other trees and plants emit carbon dioxide gas at night, the Peepal tree releases a lot of oxygen even at night. This is why the elders have laid special emphasis on its conservation. In olden times, people used to forbid going near the Peepal tree at night. According to them, evil spirits reside in the Peepal tree, while the truth is that due to excess of oxygen, the person feels suffocated. The people of the house near which there is a Peepal tree, remain healthy.

Consumption of Tulsi and Panchamrit, when our mother used to worship, she used to give Tulsi and Panchamrit to all of us children. I also worship God today, but life has become so hectic that I do not have time for all these things. Mother used to say that Tulsi and Panchamrit should be consumed every day, that is why there used to be a Tulsi plant in the courtyard of ancient houses. Although even today it can be found in many people’s homes, but people consume it less. They offer Tulsi to God, while keep its leaves in a copper vessel and after a few hours drink that water and eat the Tulsi leaves. By doing this, there will never be cancer in life nor any other disease. Tulsi plant is an antibiotic medicine. Its consumption increases the immunity of the body, diseases go away and the balance of body fluids remains. Apart from this, if there is a Tulsi plant in the house, then there is no danger of mosquitoes, flies, snakes etc. Even today, whenever there is a cold and cough, I make a decoction of Tulsi and honey and give it to the children.

There are thousands of traditions in Sanatan Dharma which are difficult to maintain in today’s life. There are many traditions which we know are beneficial. But in today’s fast-paced life, these have been left behind. But I can say with confidence that All this has scientific benefits too.Salutations to the eternal tradition.