Hindu Omens, Superstitions, blind beliefs- how to read them?

Since time immemorial, we have believed in omens- good and bad, tell tale signs whenever, we have certain important tasks to be accomplished or to be done. It is but human psychology to worry and get anxious over the result of any particular task, hence these so called omens, superstitions, or certain ordinary happenings such as ‘cat crossing path’, ‘offered flower falling off a certain side of the deity’, ‘calling out a person from behind’, observing natural events such as- ‘a myna bird’, or a crow on certain days, evokes positive or negative vibes about the task being done.

 

These are but mere ‘feel-good’ or may I say to some it is very important observance, as their entire day- mentally is then based on these events. It is only this morning that I observed a ‘mongoose’, enter my home in the front-yard that it set me thinking, what these omens foretell. You may dismiss this post for fun, but for many of you, this is serious piece of writing. Here are some omens, superstitions followed by us.

 

You’re leaving home for an important task, you see a dog and it starts scratching its ears, your job will not be done. So wait for some time at home and then leave.

 

It’s very common belief that if a dark-coloured cat crosses your way; your job will not be done. It too has the same remedy, come back home and wait for some time and then leave. But if an off-white cat crosses your path, it’s quite lucky. The following is a free translation of all that is said there :—”Should a cat be in front of anyone when he may be considering any business, that business will not prosper”.

 

If anyone sees a cat, just on awaking in the morning nothing he may do that day Will prosper. A cat coming towards anyone who is leaving home shows that the object he had in view will fail.

 

Should a cat follow anyone who is leaving the house, the object in view will be accomplished without any hindrance. 

 

 It’s common belief that if crow…repeatedly at your roof top or in your courtyard, its an indication that some guests are coming to your home. Be prepared to welcome your guests.

Guests are gods. (Atithi devo bhava).

 

 

 If a ‘nevala’/mongoose crosses your path or you have seen nevala/mongoose while going for an important task, your job will definitely be done.

 

 It is a good sign, if a dog comes near anyone with a piece of old shoe in its mouth.

 

 If a dog passes by with a raw bone in its mouth it is a lucky sign.

 

If a dog has a burning stick or a dry bone in its mouth, it foretells death.

 

If a dog sneezes while  one is going out, it is a good omen.

 

If you happen to hear the voice of a koel, it’s a good omen. But if you happen to see koel, then it’s a bad omen. But nullify the effect, one should see a green tree almost immediately. 

 

If an owl, pigeon, bat, crane/Bagola, eagle or vulture come and sit in and round home, it’s bad omen. If a dead vulture drops on the roof, courtyard or veranda of your home, it’s quite likely that some death would take place (touchwood) in your family.

 

If chakva (normally during rains), kingfisher or fish (even dead) are seen accidentally, your job is likely to be done.

 

Cow entering the house is a good omen.

 

If one sees a cow along with its calf, it is a good omen.

 

Lizard Omen

 

• If lizard chirps, it is a bad omen.
• If lizard falls on body, in general it is considered as bad and one should take bath immediately. Also depending on the part on which it has fallen, there are different effects: For example, if it falls on back – bad for the next sibling.
• Stomach(of women) – indicates that soon a child is going to be born.
• Falls on Hand and legs – bad in general.
• Falls on head – it is good – for girls it is said as ‘ she will be a queen”!

Snake Omen

• To see two snakes fighting denotes a quarrel between the beholder and his relatives
• To see two snakes making off in the same direction forebodes poverty.
• One snake swallowing another is a sign of famine.
• The entrance of a snake into a house denotes wealth to the householder ; but just the reverse if it is seen departing from a house.
• If a cobra is seen with its hood expanded and its tail erect, going across from the left to the right, it is a good sign; if only its hood is expanded as it thus proceeds, it denotes a good meal for the beholder.
• If a snake comes towards a person from the right side it foretells success ; but it is a bad sign if it should come from the left. If anyone sees a snake crawling about in the road in front of him, it denotes success to his projects; but evil will follow if the person halts.
• If when the snake sees anyone it expands its hood and erects its head, it foretells wealth and prosperity; but, if it crawls into its hole, it denotes wealth to the poor, but poverty to the rich.

People Omen

 
Another commonly believed bad omens are: If you’re going for an important task, somebody in family or in the  neighbour-hood sneezes, you may not accomplish your job.
 
If you encounter somebody and he or she asks where are you going? is also a bad omen.
 
Or somebody calls you when you have your back to them, then too, your job may not be done.
 
If you see a group of nine-women, then take it that your job will not be done. If you see a ‘suhagan’ (happily married woman), your job will be done.
 
If crossed by a woman with pot of water, it is considered a good omen.
 
If crossed by a (Brahmin) widow with shaved head, it is considered a bad omen.
 
If crossed by a barber with his instruments, it is a good omen. But if crossed by a barber without his instruments, it is a bad omen.
 
If a flower falls from God’s idol or photo towards right side, a good omen.
 
If lower left eye lid  twitches , it is a good omen for women, but bad for men and vice versa.
 
If a dead body is being taken across, it is a good omen.
 
If the  coconut that is offered to God turns out to be  spoiled inside, then it is a good omen. 

Adopted from: http://www.astropeep.com/tone-totke/hindu-omens-superstitions-blind-beliefs-read/