In recent times we have seen how people try to retrofit modern discoveries onto old customs to try and legitimise them. For instance, a wise politician once said that there was internet in the times of the Mahabharata – because how else would Sanjay relay the commentary of what was happening to Dhritrashtra? Similarly, people try to offer ‘scientific’ reasoning for superstitions around black cats, lemon and green chillies, the evil eye, not eating during an eclipse and now.... the application of sindoor:
So apparently applying sindoor which is the red vermillion applied to the parting of a woman’s hair to indicate her married status, has beneficial properties. What benefit? It cools the body and relaxes it, but conversely, also triggers sexual drive.
The contradictory ‘benefits’ aren't even the strangest thing about this. It is that it is the mercury that is beneficial a literal poison! It is apparently mercury – a known toxin – that is supposed to have all these beneficial impacts.
Why should women have all the fun, this tongue in cheek comment seems to suggest.
Some were reminded of the line about ‘ek chutki sindoor ki keemat’ from the film Om Shanti Om.
Think about the importance of sindoor in movies and TV shows – accidental weddings and so on.
Some were simply amazed at the bizarre claim. Also what about sanskaar! Surely the good sanskari woman isn't supposed to be randy!
Others pointed out the absurdity of claiming something can simultaneously calm and arouse a person.
Or both? Many were vexed by this claim.
Of course, there were memes, given how unscientific and contradictory the claim is.
Just sindoor!
Some applauded the woman for her bedroom interests, however.
What would happen to this guy?
This is the sort of misinformation that often circulates on social media; which can often be dangerous. Exposure to even small amounts of mercury is seen to have toxic impacts on the immune system, digestive system, lungs, skin and eyes.
Obviously people countered this nonsensical claim with the fact that traditional sindoor isn't even supposed to have mercury in it.
How can a substance be desirable when it is known to be dangerous for a child in utero? In workers, mercury exposure is seen to cause impaired cognitive function, tremors, sleep disturbances etc.
This sort of mumbo jumbo has become quite common in the age of WhatsApp University as this sarcastic tweet points out. So there we have it – more retrofitting science to custom/superstition: the benefits not just of sindoor, but of mercury... Heaven help us.
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