Evil in Eye (Drishtidosha)

There are some who carry evil in their eye, what we call drishtidosha; whatever they see, gets spoiled. Our grandmother used to say that while cooking; if such a person enter the house all food loses its fragrance. Even chillies lose their savour. I may narrate here a true story.

There was a temple somewhere in south Indian where a sculptor made a beautiful idol in white marble. It was splendid. As it was getting ready, one person came in, saw, and excalimed how beautiful is was. Immediately there was a crack in the marble statue and the sculptor had to redo the whole thing. These are not stories but facts. That is why, in order not to attract the attention of the evil eye, we have a tradition a putting mark of smudge on the face of our children. It is not a superstition, there is an occult truth behind such precautions that we take in our daily life. We have lost sight of the meaning that is why we dismiss them as superstition. In an old civilization like the Indian, everything has a meaning and significance. Few civilizations have had such an occult tradition governing the life of the common folk.   

            Introducing SAVATRI, By M.P. Pandit