Evil eye: The Ancient Cooking Pot Explained

Did you ever sense the presence of vicious eyes staring at you? Or did you ever face a lot of unforeseen troubles one after another and think that maybe someone has cursed you without your knowledge?
Or have you come across Nimbu-Mirchi, randomly discarded on the roads?
One last question.
Do you believe in the evil eye?
If you do, let me tell you that you are not the only one.
We are all cooked in the same pot.

Evil Eye Explained

In various parts of the world, this phenomenon has been coined differently. While in India its popularly known as Drishti, in Turkey it’s known as Nazar and in Greece, it’s known as Mati.
To define in layman’s term, the evil eye is an envious glare of a person which causes harm – in any form, to another person. Sometimes knowingly and sometimes unknowingly. It’s said that if you share a lot of personal things with another person then there are high chances of you being the receiver of this negative energy. This glare is said to be a magical curse which brings misfortune, health issues and sometimes even death.
It is a popular notion in various regions around the globe and they all have their exclusive ways of warding it off, repelling it or reducing the effect of it.
So, where did the “evil eye” belief origin?

Maleficient cursing sleeping beauty?

No. Let’s go to Greece.

History of the evil eye

The belief of evil eye backdates to the roman empire’s classical antiquity.
It can be seen mentioned in many works of classical authors who tried to explain the chief role of eyes. In those times, not every individual was considered to possess the power of an evil eye. Slowly this belief started spreading in Europe and then throughout the world.

Essentially they used a phallic-shaped object called the fascinum to protect themselves from this evil eye. This phallic charm could be seen adorned as a piece of jewellery by people and sometimes even carved on buildings. It was considered as a “kind of lightning conductor for good luck”.

Wondering if the evil eye talisman is a better ornament to wear than a phallus-shaped pendant around your neck? Well, me too.

So let’s check what’s happening in India

Humankind always feared evil spirits and you must have come across various rituals to keep them away. Let’s see what Indians do.

1) Babies are said to be the most all-embracing recipient of the evil eye. So you will always see a kid with one or more black kajal dots on their cheeks or forehead. You didn’t? Check behind their ears.

2) A popular tradition called Drishti Suthi in the south, women are shown a disinfectant before entering her husband’s house. This disinfectant is made of turmeric, lime and water. After displaying it to her, the solution is thrown out. This disinfectant is said to absorb all the evil energy and cleanse the bride’s aura. Oh, no neighbours. Please keep your eyes away from the bride.

3) It is said that elders should ward off the evil from the younger ones. So moms usually cast off the negative energy from their kids using coconut, salt and mustard seeds. She would chant a few mantras and move her hand in a circular motion holding these three things around her kid and then either burn it or wash it off in the water. And apparently, Saturdays are considered to be the best day for this. Yes, finally its Friday.

4) How can we forget the cows?
Farmers tie a black rope around their cattle to ward off the negative energy of the evil eye. Soon this practice upgraded and now you can see black ropes around tractors too. Well, not only farmers we have cabbies and truck drivers also.

5) You must have noticed the phrase “Buri nazar tera mooh kala ” written behind trucks. Loosely it means, You with the evil eye, your face will be blackened. Not only this. In case this doesn’t work, they have another way of defending themselves. Two huge black eyes painted on their trucks.

Do you have an evil eye?

Wondering if you are unintentionally causing anyone trouble?

Rooted in the glorious superstition, the evil eye doesn’t necessarily need to be a consciously spelt curse. Someone with no bad intentions can also possess the energy to harm someone.

Is this true and whether you should believe it?

Well, not sharing your private things with strangers is always advisable and boasting about yourself constantly isn’t great either.
In the end, it’s up to you whether to believe this ancient ongoing superstition or not. But if your beliefs are causing harm to someone then we have electric chairs ready.
But human beings have pretty eyes. How can they cast any curse?

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