Many rituals/ karmkands practiced by Hindus are best suited for the environment and way of life in Bharat. These rituals or practices were more relevant at the time when those were introduced or practiced. Many rituals have become outdated with new life styles and technologies.
It is hard or almost impossible to practice some of these rituals in a different environment, different country, and with a different way of living life. Their practicality and usefulness needs reconsideration.
It was considered good to wake up early in the morning and to go to bed early in the night. Many people work during nighttime now. Even if they want, they cannot go to sleep early and wake up early. To do the night shift, they need to sleep during the daytime. These people find it hard or impossible to do early morning rituals. Also, there are no sun rays to be seen at the time of wake up, no voice of bird chirping.
People used to light Diya or incence at home and also do Yajnas. Houses had good ventilation at that time. There was no electricity or artificial light then, so it was a necessity also. Now many people live in an enclosed house and therefore cannot light divas in their house. Either the fire alarm will go off or they may end up with complications from smoke inhalation. Wooden houses may catch fire.
People used to feed birds and animals. It is hard to find birds in places like Chicago. The type of food people are eating these days may not be the best for birds and animals.
Surya Namaskar was practiced at the time of sunrise and in outdoor environment. Now a days people are doing sun salutations inside their apartments with out even considering the direction of the sunrise. They may get some physical benefits but can not get all benefits of performing surya namaskar in direct sun.
Doing Yoga--People used to do Yoga outside their house, in open air. Even if they do it inside, the ventilation is usually good in India. Yoga classes these days, especially in western world, are in enclosed spaces. People are inhaling each other's exhaled gases. Is is good for health?. Also, many yoga classes are in evening or early night. Are these classes as beneficial as morning yoga at sunrise time and in open atmosphere?
Deep breathing exercises were considered good. However, we need to remind ourself that these exercises are usually good, but may be harmful in certain situations, surroundings, etc. For example, if someone is in the vicinity of a sick Covid-19 patient, deep breathing near him can be deadly. Even normal breathing near such patients can prove life threatening.
Who will practice deep breathing in a coal factory or on highway where there are lot of exhaust gases?
How cool it is to touch the ground during Yoga practice (ground where people walk with shoes) and at the end of practice place those dirty hands on eyes and face?
In past, Athitis were considered as a form of Bhagwan. Grihast people used to give them food and other things to make their stay comfortable. Now compare this with todays situations. Working couple can not stay at home to take care of guests. Guests are also misusing the hosts, they stay at someones house just to save their own money.
Before practicing these old rituals, we need to assess their usefulness, the feasibility of doing it, any harm associated with it, any alternatives of it, impact on individuals, communities, cities, etc.
Bharti Raizada