Inauspiciousness

This concept refers to events or conditions that in their very essence hinder or
are inimical to life, prosperity, and general well-being. Along with purity and
impurity (ashaucha), auspiciousness
and inauspiciousness are fundamental
categories in Hindu life.
Inauspicious conditions can be
caused by a variety of factors. At times
the inauspiciousness lies in the very
moment itself—in an hour or day considered to be unlucky, in unusual
events such as eclipses, or in astrological conjunctions that are considered
inherently unlucky. In such “dangerous” times, one’s activities should be
severely curtailed, except for things that
are absolutely necessary. Certain normally innocuous activities can become
inauspicious in conjunction with particular times, and at these times such activities should be avoided.
Inauspiciousness can also arise from
certain conjunctions in one’s natal
horoscope, or from erecting a home or
building in an inappropriate place. As a
quality, inauspiciousness is conceived of
as a physical entity that is generated
by certain conditions, and which then
attaches to individuals, families, or
larger communities.
Some of these inauspicious conditions can be avoided by refraining
from certain activities at certain times,
yet there are certain conditions that
cannot be avoided—in particular, the
inauspiciousness arising from eclipses
or other astrological conjunctions.
Whereas impurity (ashaucha) can
be removed or destroyed through
purification, inauspiciousness can only
be transferred from one person to
another, most often through the medium of gifts (dana). For more information see Gloria Goodwin Raheja, The
Poison in the Gift, 1988; and David F.
Pocock, “The Evil Eye,” in T. N. Madan
(ed.), Religion in India, 1991.