Evil eye bracelets are casting a spell on customers

Deep down at the end of the twisted roots of evil lies the belief that there is a remedy for everything that is ominous, forbidding and destructive. Ditto with the evil eye, considered to be the active manifestation of passive resentment projected through the gaze. The evil eye concept is a universal one, and Indian society has been no exception. According to beliefs, those who are most oblivious of the malignant gaze are its biggest victims. Also, even a well-wisher's eye can, by virtue of its overindulgent scrutiny, become evil. For those who find the nazar utaarna (neutralising evil influence through black magic) too cumbersome, the latest addition to the urban New Age market could help. On the shelves, already chock-a-block with many-hued, multi-fragrant healing cures, Turkish evil eye charms stand out. "Bracelets with little evil eye beads strung along with coloured stones sell most," says Sharad Goyal, proprietor of Kriti, a New-Age shop at Delhi's Khan Market.

These charms seem to have cast an eye on the sale of other products as every second customer troops in asking for an amulet. For those who don't want it at arm's length, there are hangings, horse shoes, business dragon keychains, miniature carpets, little wreaths, brooms and strings with an evil eye symbol. "There have been amazing results," says Goyal, a trained Feng Shui master, who claims to have sold hundreds of these charms in the past one month. "For some, the charm has broken as it has come face to face with evil, warding it off. For others, it has changed the meaning of fear," he adds. Actor Kareena Kapoor, recently spotted sporting a similar bracelet, may agree.

DISCOURSE

"By thinking He cannot be reduced to thought, even by thinking hundreds of thousands of times." SRI GURU GRANTH SAHIB For the egoistic man, Sri Guru Granth Sahib is only a book. For the seeker of truth, it is Satguru (highest of gurus) in another form. For the enlightened, it is the living Guru Nanak Sahib himself. The Adi Granth says there is nothing in the shastras or smritis that equals Har, Haray, the Lord's invaluable name. "Meditation, chanting, spiritual wisdom, scriptural sermons, practice of yoga, righteous conduct, renunciation, work, charity, offerings of jewels to fire, cutting the body apart and offering it to ceremonial fire, keeping fasts or making vows-nothing equals the contemplation of the name of the Lord, O Nanak."

INSIGHTS
Inhaling Energy

According to Siva Svarodaya, a yoga text, the five basic elements of earth, water, light, air and ether are located in the nose. The flow of vital energy in the breath (pranayam) establishes contact with these energies. Now, with Patanjali's yogic grammar being reinterpreted by modern gurus, Pranayam Shivirs are the most crowded New-Age camps in cities across India. One of the derivations is digital pranayam (where the thumb and fingers are used to regulate the flow of breath). First highlighted by yoga guru B.K.S. Iyengar, it is now being propagated by others like Swami Ramdev Maharaj of Divya Ashram in Hardwar. It is extremely beneficial for those suffering from arterial blocks.

The thumb and fingers of the right hand are used like a pair of calipers. For the right touch, balance and sustained pressure, it needs expert guidance.

Nerves and muscles of the middle portion of the right forearm play the crucial role in digital pranayam.

If the nasal passage is too wide, breathing is rough or quick. Narrowing of the passage makes the flow easier.

Measure the extent of the first breath. If the volume or length of breath begins to vary, stop practice for the day.

Forceful breathing fosters the ego. Inaudible, smooth flow enables humility.

Never practise digital pranayam during headache, fever, cold or mental turmoil.

-Compiled by Shefalee Vasudev

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