Summary
This article explores various superstitions surrounding pregnant women and newborn babies, focusing on beliefs intended to ward off bad luck or evil spirits.
Superstitions Related to Pregnancy and Newborns
Highlights
Birth Months and Days
Superstitions suggest that babies born in the month of Bhadra or on a Saturday or Tuesday are associated with bad character or inauspiciousness, with their gaze or words believed to bring misfortune.
Protection from Evil Spirits
To protect newborns from evil spirits, mothers often carry a knife, as iron is thought to scare away these entities. Additionally, a black spot is placed on a baby's forehead to guard against the 'evil eye'.
Ritual for Protection
A specific ritual involves applying a paste made from mud, taken from where the mother urinated, onto the baby's forehead. This is believed to deter evil spirits, as urine is thought to be effective in their destruction.