Thinking activity
Religious fervour and "A Tale of Tub"
Hello readers, this blog is in response to the task assigned by Kavisha Ma'am, the department of English, MKBU. In this blog I am going to discuss the myth and science behind the festival "Shitala Satam". Click here to read the blog of Barad sir on the topic Shitala Saatam -Religion Vs Science; Inoculation Vs Vaccination; non-acceptance of intellectuals” and Kavisha ma'am on the topic Shitala Satam- Blind Faith Vs Reasonable Doubts.
Religion and science both are contradictory aspects of the world. But both are going side by side or parallel in the modern world. We all are moving forward to the new world. Science has become more powerful to deal with any situation. We all are using technological tools to work effectively. Despite of all these things we are having blind faith in not several but numerous beliefs. We are still following blind traditions which are not at all useful to us. I have found that in the society, people are following such traditions by fear as all the belief laid a kind of fear that if you will not do this you will be punished by the gods or goddesses for your disobedience. As a part of saving and proving their statements some people are even comparing those beliefs with the science, but only a few things or events can be viewed as having scientific insight. Otherwise all fail to prove that thing. So let's have discussion on the topic of Shitala Satam.
Shitala '"coolness"', also spelled as Shitala and Seetla, is a Hindu goddess venerated primarily in North India.She is regarded to be an incarnation of the goddess Parvati. She is believed to cure smallpoxes, and diseases, and most directly linked with the disease smallpox. Sheetala is worshipped Saptami (the seventh day of a Hindu month), followed by Shashthi in the month of Shravana according to Gujarati Calendar.
The deity is principally featured as a women’s goddess, portrayed as a mother who defends children from paediatric ailments. According to religious beliefs, The Goddess carries a 'Kalash' and a 'broom' in her hand. Legends say that around 33 crore Gods and Goddesses reside in the Kalash of Mata Shitala. Shitala Satam is a festival celebrated with a lot of enthusiasm and zeal across India, especially in the states of Gujarat, Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh. The custom of Shitala Satam is similar to that of 'Basoda' and 'Sheetala Ashtami' which is observed just after Holi in the northern parts of India. In Gujarat, Shitala Satam is observed a day before Krishna Janmashtami. Families, especially in Gujarat, observe Shitala Satam rituals to obtain the blessings from the goddess. According to mythology, it is believed that Goddess Shitala protects her devotees from health-related problems like measles and chickenpox. She also serves as a fertility goddess, who assists women in finding good husbands and the conception of healthy sons. Her auspicious presence promises the welfare of the family, and is also considered to protect the devotee's sources of livelihood. Sheetala is also summoned to ensure refreshing rainfall and the prevention of famines, droughts, as well as cattle diseases. There is one temple of Shitala in each village.
On the occasion women observe Vrat. The Katha of Vrat is given in Bhavishyottara Purana . The story is associated with the legend of Indraluma, the king of Hastinapur and his wife Pralima who had great faith in performing religious ceremonies. The whole story is about the Vrat and the outcome of it of the Daughter of Indraluma, Shubhankar. Click here to read the full story. Like this story, so many stories are woven around the deity. All these are about Chamatkar and there is no touch of science.
Blind faith vs science :-
There so many examples, where people blindly faith on such traditions and do not pay sufficient attention towards the main cause or its solutions.
If we look at the food of the day, There are so many things, which differs from region or culture for example,
- In many Bengali homes, an absolute must on this day is the Gota Sheddho (whole boiled) or simply gota. A medley of seasonal vegetables.
- In Maharashtra, people make “extra bhakris the night before and eat them on Shitala Saptami with milk or buttermilk”, said Saee Koranne-Khandekar, an author and culinary consultant.
- The most significant ritual observed by Gujarati families on this day is that they don't light the fire to cook food. Instead, it is considered mandatory to consume stale food on this day. Hence, food is prepared the previous day, which is also known as Randhan Chhath. All the families prepare special food that will be sufficient for the next day.
It is believed that, The food is typically kept overnight at room temperature and often tends to become a little sour. And that’s the point. This practice is a great way to introduce the body to the approaching season’s probiotic as well as pathogenic microbes through the food that has been allowed to lightly ferment overnight. I believe that only a day can not cure the problem. Though we are following the rituals, we are not out of the diseases.
It is also believed that this kind of food has vitamin B12. But we come to know that not so many but almost everyone observes this, but still we are taking B12 injections. We can't find that a person who has not observed the tradition is having deficiency of B12 vitamin. And we also can't find that a person who is observing this is not having deficiency of B12.
Science:-
Science is growing rapidly in this 21st era. The vaccination of shitala was invented in 1796 by the British doctor Edward Jenner, who demonstrated that an infection with the relatively mild cowpox virus conferred immunity against the deadly smallpox virus. Cowpox served as a natural vaccine until the modern smallpox vaccine emerged in the 20th century. From 1958 to 1977, the World Health Organization (WHO) conducted a global vaccination campaign that eradicated smallpox, making it the only human disease to be eradicated.
Here is the whole information about the invention of Smallpox vaccine.
The book ,Angel of Death: The Story of Smallpox is written by Gareth Williams is all about smallpox, it was published in 2010.
Now we can see that vaccination of smallpox has spread across the world, but still there are some families who believe it is against their religion. They say that if they do that Shitala mata will curse them. This is a dire situation of our time. But it is in less numbers. We are not thinking that there is no such requirement of following this kind of rituals as we all are having a vaccine for it.
During Covid crisis and now also there is blind faith against taking Covid Vaccine. We can say that people of Uttar Pradesh invented Korona Mata and built the temple. Even in this 21st century, people believe in such things, which shows the dire situation of India. Rather than being at home, people go to pray mata Korona at the mandir. Here is a glimpse of that
According to The Hindu News, The "Corona Mata" temple was built at Juhi Shukulpur village in Pratapgarh, seeking divine grace to stay clear of the infection. The temple built on June 7 and was demolished on June 11 night. Villagers alleged that it was demolished by police, which denied the charge, saying it was constructed on a disputed site and one of the parties involved in the dispute razed it. By the time, supre court dismisses Corona mata mandir. Click here to read news of it.
We all are religion addicted people. During Covid crisis, people were not having vaccines, which is the only option to cure diseases. Many such rumours were also there. Still there are so many people who are not having vaccines. Government has made it compulsory to be vaccinated. But I am amazed by the fact that people avoid many things as they don't want to take vaccines according to some misconceptions.
We all are addicted to religious practices, and that's why many of our rituals are made on a religious basis but have scientific reasons as well. For example, Shravan is in Monsoon season, the rate of Fever, cold and other diseases are also on its peak, so the fast is a kind of solution. It also helps us maintain health.
Put all rituals aside, I have found that on the day while praying Mata, women offer Coconut. But the thing is that while doing so, they don't collect coconut water and it runs on through the ground.
This photo is clearly witnessing what I want to say. I have no objection of their performing rituals, by doing so please don't waste food or coconut water which is very healthy. It is only an example of my village, and of Shitala Satam, but there are so many rituals which are worse than this also. For example, the whole month of "Sharavan" is dedicated to Lord Shiva. People become mad in this month behind Mahadev. They offer water and Milk. This time also large amount of water and Milk get its way to gutter. Instead they can give milk to those needy children. I think then Mahadev will be happy.
I have found only a few examples, where people are using it in a good way.
To read more about this Click here.
Despite science and Blind faith, I liked this the most, because in our Village, on this day we gathered at the Mandir, and spent some time with each other, which is not possible in their daily working lives. We meet each other and feel very happy, which even Diwali or New year can't grant. The reason is that only women are there. Yes, it is also right that on the Randhan Chhath, they have to manage and cook food, but on the next day they are granted to be free from cooking and that's why they are able to spend some time with their friends. Here are the joyful memories of this year.
You can see here that women are enjoying the day. And that's why I like it the most.
To sum up, we can say that for the people, blind faith is more important than scientific insight. The major problem is that people don't consider this thing even in this modern world. For this reason we can say that they are or we are still living in the18th or 19th century.
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