The Left Hand

I had traveled to Germany a few years back. As was the traditional practice of my project manager to take us out for a dinner before our departure back to homeland, this time too, it was no different. The only difference when compared to the outing on the previous occasion(s) was the number of people. Along with us three Indians were five non-Indians. With a soothing ambience and chilled wheat beer in long glasses gloriously arranged in front of us, it seemed like eternity. I was desperate to get started and we did so once the last glass was filled to the brim. The glasses clanked in harmony and ‘cheers’ came out the call unanimously.


This outing surely wouldn’t have been memorable had not a colleague in the group asked us a question on why we (Indians) consider the left hand inauspicious. There were many other topics that were discussed prior to this. However, this one question put us all in a fix. As we sat there, gulping beer, thinking of a response to a question fired at us, there was a sarcastic comment made on this practice by another colleague that was rather obnoxious. I would not mention that here but it surely made us feel miserable. The topic of discussion was changed, but the frustration of not having answered one of our followed practices remained deep inside me.


Later, a few years down the line, as my focus shifted in understanding our traditions, customs, practices and beliefs better, I got the answer to this bizarre question on the inauspiciousness of the left hand. The reasoning is that human body is divided in to two states. One is a demonic state and the other a godly state. We all get positive thoughts (happiness, motivation etc) and negative thoughts (anger, resent, greed etc). This is due to the two states that we possess. The left half of the body is considered to possess the demonic state and hence it’s considered to be inauspicious. Just to mention a few, when receiving money, it should not be with the left hand since it might me spent injudiciously and for an incorrect act. The food taken with left hand may cause negative thoughts and should be avoided. This is what our custom says. I wish I had known this earlier so that I could have defended our practice with a strong reasoning than rather having sat mum that evening.


Nevertheless, better late than never. I am in the process of understanding our customs and traditions so that I’m not a silent spectator again when it comes to defending our beliefs in the future. I have started, HAVE YOU?



-Sandeep Mahagaonkar.