This notion relates to occurrences or circumstances that, at
their core, obstruct or threaten life, prosperity, or general well-being.
Auspiciousness and inauspiciousness, like purity and
impurity (ashaucha), are basic concepts in Hindu life.
A lot of variables may contribute to unfavorable
circumstances.
In other cases, inauspiciousness may be found in the present
moment—in a bad hour or day, in exceptional phenomena such as eclipses, or in
astrological conjunctions that are fundamentally unfavorable.
In such "dangerous" periods, one's activities
should be severely limited, with the exception of absolutely required tasks.
Certain normally harmless activities may become inauspicious
when combined with certain periods, and such activities should be avoided during
these times.
Inauspiciousness may also be caused by specific planetary
alignments in one's natal horoscope, or by creating a house or structure in an
inopportune location.
Inauspiciousness is seen as a physical entity that is
created by particular circumstances and then attached to people, families, or
bigger groups.
Some of these unlucky circumstances may be avoided by
abstaining from certain actions at certain times, while others cannot be
prevented, such as the inauspiciousness caused by eclipses or other
astrological conjunctions.
Whereas impurity (ashaucha) may be eliminated or destroyed
by purification, inauspiciousness can only be passed on from one person to the
next, most often through presents (dana).
More information may be found in Gloria Goodwin Raheja's The
Poison in the Gift, published in 1988, and David F. Pocock's "The Evil
Eye," published in T. N. Madan's Religion in India, published in 1991.
You may also want to read more about Hinduism here.
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