Why Our Ancestors Were Wiser Than We Think
By: Dr. Sunil S Rana
In today’s world, we are so quick to call the practices of our parents and grandparents “superstitions.”
But over the years, I have realized something very important: behind almost every tradition, there lies a hidden layer of science and deep human psychology.
I have experienced this revelation many times in my own life. Let me share a few simple yet profound examples.
Sleeping with Head Towards the North
As a child, I was told-“Never sleep with your head facing North.” I never questioned it then; I simply obeyed.
But later in life, when I studied the scientific reason, I was amazed. The Earth itself is a giant magnet. Our body too has its own magnetic field. Sleeping Northward disturbs the blood circulation in the brain and can even cause restlessness or health issues.
What I once thought was blind belief, turned out to be geography, biology, and wisdom woven together.
Every Ekadashi, Navratri, or even on Karva Chauth, I saw people around me fasting. In childhood, I thought; “Why starve to please God?”
But today, science tells us that intermittent fasting detoxifies the body, gives rest to the digestive system, and even slows down aging.
Our elders may not have used the word “autophagy,” but they knew its benefits through centuries of lived experience.
Fasting, I realised, is not about denial; it’s about cleansing and renewal.
I still remember my mother lighting a diya every evening. The house, otherwise noisy and restless, would suddenly become calm.
Years later, I understood why. The soft firelight helps balance melatonin in the body and signals the mind to prepare for rest. Psychologically too, that tiny flame brings a sense of security and hope.
When compared with the harsh glare of screens, the diya is not just religious; it is a therapy for the soul.
The Tulsi Plant in Every Courtyard:
Almost every Indian home once had a Tulsi plant at its entrance. We were told to water it daily, pray to it, and never pluck its leaves after sunset.
As a student of science, I later discovered Tulsi releases oxygen for nearly 20 hours a day, has powerful antibacterial properties, and purifies the surrounding air. In fact, modern medicine continues to rediscover Tulsi’s role in immunity and stress reduction.
The ancients didn’t just plant a herb; they planted health and spirituality together at the doorstep.
I grew up touching the feet of my parents, teachers, and elders. As a child, I did it out of habit. But today, I reflect on its deeper meaning.
Physically, it bends our body and makes us humble. Psychologically, it reduces ego and increases respect. Spiritually, it’s believed that elders’ blessings carry energy that strengthens the younger generation.
Science too says that when we bow and touch, we activate the parasympathetic nervous system, lowering stress and calming the mind.
It is not just a gesture; it is a silent transmission of love, respect, and energy.
One of the habits we now mock is eating with our hands. We see it as unsophisticated in front of spoons and forks.
But modern neuroscience proves that when we eat with our hands, our skin sends signals to the brain about texture and temperature. This stimulates digestion even before the first bite enters the mouth.
Eating with hands is not backward; it is a mindful connection between food, body, and soul.
My Realisation:
The older I grow, the more I see that these traditions were never about blind faith. They were codes of life; disguised in culture, simplified in rituals, and carried across generations.
I often tell myself: If we listened to our elders with the same seriousness as we listen to Google, half our life’s confusions would vanish.
Today, I no longer dismiss our age-old practices. I respect them, observe them, and try to pass them on to the younger generation; not as rules, but as wisdom. Because the truth is simple:
Our ancestors were not superstitious; they were simply ahead of their time.
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