In ancient Egypt, when a king or a queen died or when a prince or a princess died, they were buried in the chambers of the pyramids. Along with them were buried gold pieces, diamonds and other precious stones. Several youth and maids were also buried alive in the same chamber of death in the belief that in the other world they would serve as maids and servants to the dead members of royal families. In a certain film, it was shown the ancient Egyptians drowned young living maids as offerings to the crocodile gods of the Nile. A complete history of superstitious beliefs and practices will fill a big volume.

Till recent times many women were burnt alive as witches. Even in modern India occasionally we read in the newspapers about human sacrifice. These are extreme examples of superstition. Some years ago astrologers had spread an alarming news about “Ashtagraha”. Eight planets, it was said, had lined up together. All imaginable disasters, including the end of the world, were predicted. Tons of butter, grain, incense and other valuable articles were burnt as fire offerings to propitiate the planets. What a waste of national wealth! Are we then very far off from the Middle Ages and the Inquisition?

Then there are a very large number of less dangerous and harmless superstitions. We should not travel in certain directions on certain days in the week. If a cat rosses your way or somebody sneezes while you are about to begin some work, it is a bad omen. If you meet a funeral on your way, it is a good omen. A woman or a maiden meeting you on the way with a pitcher full of water is a good omen. But if the pitcher is empty, it is a bad omen. If you dream that you have enjoyed a feast you will incur a loss of money or property. If you kill a cat or a monkey, the result will be disaster of misfortune. If a lizard falls from the ceiling or the wall on the left side of your body it is auspicious. If the right eyelid of man is subject to temporary flicks or slight trembling sensation, it is lucky sign. If the same thing happens to the left eyelid of a woman, it is also an equally lucky sign. If your inkpot is split on your clothes while you are on your way to the examination, it is lucky sign.

These and quite a number of similar superstitions are harmless. Man shall not live by reason alone. Magic, witch-craft, oracles, prophecies, rituals, sacrifices, charms, belief in ghosts and haunted hues, supernaturalism and séances are flourishing all over the world even in this age of science. Superstitions perhaps cannot be entirely abolished. Proved knowledge alone cannot satisfy us. The unknown and the unusual have a charm and a fascination. Cruel and criminal superstitions must go. Granted this, it seems that in addition to the evidence of our senses and our love of truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth, we can also do with a little nonsense, falsehood and a few harmless superstitions. These add spice to life.