Indians are inheritors of a culture which integrated spirituality and science with great ceremony in the form of festivals. To bring the science and spirituality to life, the philosophical ideas (Vedas) were transformed into beautiful allegorical stories (Puranas). From these Puranas, festivals and traditions are developed to bring family and community together. Underlying it all is the human instinct of joy and happiness and remembrance of the principle of the victory of good over evil in the constant struggle between them.

Makara Sankranthi  in reference to God Surya (Sun):

Makara Sankranthi, also known as Makara Sankramana, Suggi Habba, Magha Mela, Maghi, Bhogi, Pongal, is a festival day in the Hindu calendar, in reference to God Surya (Sun). It is observed each year in January month. It marks the first day of sun’s transit into the Makara (Capricorn), marking the end of the month with the winter solstice (winter season) and the start of longer day’s summer solstice (summer season). The festival Makara Sankranthi is a solar event making it one of the few Hindu festivals which fall on the same date in local calendars every year: 14 January, with some exceptions, when the festival is celebrated on 15 January. 

Makara means crocodile, Sankranthi means to cross into or change. The Makara or crocodile represents the materialistic World and Sankranthi gives an opportunity to get away from the clutches of the crocodile or the materialistic World. Makara Sankranthi marks the transition of the Sun from Sagittarius (Dhanu Rashi) to the zodiac sign of the Capricorn (Makara Rashi).

In other countries too, the day is celebrated by Hindus, but under different names and in different ways like in Nepal – Khichdi Sankranthi, Bangladesh – Poush Sankranthi, and Pakistan – Tirmoori.  

Much before contemporary scientists came up with their observations of solar system a few hundred years ago, scholars of ancient India (5000 years ago) already knew that sun is the center of our celestial system and is the source of energy for all planets including our planet earth, which takes 365 days to revolve around the Sun. This complete cycle of 360 degree which is also called the solar calendar (1 year) is divided into 12 months (January to December) or zodiacs (12 Rashis – Sagittarius Dhanu Rashi to Capricorn Makara Rashi) of 30 degree each (360/12=30) and each zodiac is associated with certain characteristic depending on the positions of earth & sun in relative to each other, which in turn also determines the season & radiation patterns.

The zodiac months of the Sun from July to December witness decreasing sunlight, and after that, the subsequent zodiac months witness increase in sunlight. For an “observer”, it looks like the Sun is on a downward journey between July to December and this downward journey suddenly changes to upward journey or northward movement in late December and early January. Since uttara means northward and aayana means movement in Sanskrit, this phenomenon of phase reversal from southward movement to northward movement of the Sun is called “Uttara Ayana” or “Uttarayan” in short. The Surya Siddhanta defines Uttarāyaṇa or Uttarayan as the period between the Makara Sankranthi (which currently occurs around January 14) and Karka Sankranthi (which currently occurs around July 16) The Sun’s movement from northward to southward, from July to December is called “Dakshinayan”.

Hindus celebrate major cosmic changes, such as the transmigration of the sun from one zodiac sign (Rashi) to other zodiac sign (one month to next month) as Sankranthi.  Of the twelve Sankranthi (12 months), Makara Sankranthi on January 14th is the most significant; the sun passes through the winter season, from the Tropic of Cancer to the Tropic of Capricorn (Makara) summer season.  We witness cosmic, astronomical harmony and prayerfully honor this scientific Truth. The six months of northern movement of the sun is followed by six months of southern movement. The days are warmer and longer than nights.

This festival signifies the harvest of the season:

Sankranthi is the Suggi or harvest festival for farmers of Karnataka. On this auspicious day, all family members wear new clothes to visit near and dear ones with a Sankranthi offering in a plate and exchange the same with other families. This ritual is called “Ellu Birodhu.” Here the plate would normally contain “Ellu” (white sesame seeds) mixed with fried groundnuts, neatly cut dry coconut and fine cut bella (jaggery). The mixture is called “Ellu-Bella”. The plate contains shaped sugar candy moulds (Sakkare Acchu,) with a piece of sugarcane. There is a saying in Kannada “ellu bella thindu olle maathadi” that translates to “eat the mixture of sesame seeds and jaggery and speak only well.”

This festival signifies the harvest of the season, since sugarcane is predominant in these parts. Ellu Bella, Ellu Unde, bananas, sugarcane, red berries, haldi and kumkum and small gift items useful in everyday lives are often exchanged among women in Karnataka. In some parts of Karnataka, a newly married woman is required to give away bananas for five years to married women (muthaidhe/sumangali) from the first year of her marriage and increase the number of bananas in multiples of five. In north Karnataka, kite flying with community members is a tradition. Drawing rangoli in groups is another popular event among women during Sankranthi.

An important ritual is display of cows and bulls in colourful costumes in an open field. Cows are decorated for the occasion and taken on a procession. They are also made to cross a fire. This ritual is common in rural Karnataka and is called “Kichchu Haayisuvudu.”

Makara Sankranthi is celebrated in Kerala at Sabarimala where the Makara Jyothi is visible followed by the Makaravilakku celebrations. In Sikhism, Makara Sankranthi is celebrated as Maghi to pay homage to the forty Sikhs who sacrificed their lives to save Guru Gobind Singh when the Mughals came in search for the Guru.

1. It marks Uttaryana-the day of the Devta’s (GODs) whereas “Dakhsiyana” is the night of the GODs.

2. It is also said that Lord Surya visits his son Shani Deva on Sankranthi day, who is ruling Makara Rashi. It is believed those who so ever leave their body on this day attain Moksha or Liberation.

3. The great saviour of his ancestors, Maharaja Bhagirath, did great Tapasya to bring Gangaji down on the earth for the redemption of 60,000 sons of Maharaja Sagar, who were burnt to ashes at the Kapil Muni Ashram, near the present day Ganga Sagar (West Bengal). It was on this day that Bhagirath finally did tarpan with the Ganges water for his unfortunate ancestors and thereby liberated them from the curse.

4. In Mahabharata battle, Bhishma left this earth on this day. He had boon of iccha mrithu and he chose this auspicious day to depart from earth.

5. On this day, Devi Sankranthi killed the demon Sankrasura; hence this day is called Sankranthi. Next day Devi Sankranthi killed the demon Kinkrasura; hence this day is called Kinkranthi or Karidin.  

6. Lord Vishnu on this day take bath in Triveni Sangama, hence devotees take bath to get blessings of Lord Vishnu. People take bath in river in Ganges, Yamuna, Godavari, Kaveri and Krishna. Once in 12 year they celebrate Kumba mela, and devotees take bath in these river believing that God’s from heaven pour Amrutha in these rivers. It is believed that bathing in these holy rivers relieves oneself from past sins.

 Medical benefits of these traditions:

Ellu Birodhu, Kyte flying, Bath in holy rivers, Display of cows – Kichchu haisodhu, are some of the traditions of Sankranthi festival.

1. “Ellu Birodhu.” Here the plate would normally contain “Ellu” (white sesame seeds) mixed with fried groundnuts, neatly cut dry coconut and fine cut bella (jaggery).

2. Ellu – Sesame seeds – Sesame oil – Til oil is an edible vegetable oil, and Indians use it for traditional massaging of whole body. During winter season, body’s oil reserve is all exhausted; skin has become dry, flaky and itchy. Eating Ellu replenish oil reserve and, oil massage on the body, brings smoothness and suppleness to the skin. Skin looks attractive and flexible. Sesame oil contains mainly mixture of saturated and unsaturated oils. (Linoleic acid, oleic acid, palmatic acid, and stearic acid). It also contains vitamin E, and vitamin K. Eating Ellu helps body to get more energy health improves.

3. Groundnuts also called peanuts are excellent source of monounsaturated fats, polyunsaturated fats, saturated fats, rich source of minerals like magnesium, manganese, phosphorus, potassium, proteins and dietary fibre and vitamin B complex. Good for health.

4. Coconut oil contains high level of saturated fatty acids, vitamin E, vitamin K, Iron and phytosterols. Coconut oil is good for body massaging.  

5. Jaggery contains sucrose, give instant energy. It is also good source of calcium, iron and phosphorous.

6. Kite flying is also one of the traditions, early morning family members and friends go to open grounds and fly the kites and all will enjoy. Today we know that, early morning Ultra Violet Rays are mild and will have beneficial effect on the whole body. Vitamin D will be synthesized, thus help in strengthening of bones. Germicidal property of Ultra Violet Rays will remove germs from our body. Today most of the people fly the kite in evening.

7. River bath – people take bath in the early morning in running water, and pray Lord Surya. Running water will take away the dirt accumulated on the body, and while praying Lord Surya, Ultra Violet Rays will warm up the body and clean the body from germs.   

8. Giving gifts – people give gifts during Makara Sankranthi, and help poor people. Wealthy people give Ellu and Bella with cloths or utensils to needy people and poor.

9. Makara Sankranthi songs – In many parts of India, students go to community halls, respected citizen’s house and sing Makara Sankranthi songs. A community people gather around large open fire, night before Makara Sankranthi. They jointly sing songs, dance and welcome warm day in the morning (Lohri).

10. Kichchu Haayisuvudu – like humans cattle too had sufferings in winter season, hence are prepared to be ready for harvest by running them in warm fire.

Every traditional customs of Indians are scientific, today we are analysing them and accepting them as the best customs in World.

Dr K Hanumanthayya Bengaluru

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Darwin’s theory is simple; he observed in Galapagos Islands (Latin America) in 1830-35, that life is evolved in water. All species on the earth from fish to flowers, from banana to birds, have common ancestors. They struggled continuously and started rearranging their genes, their shape, their size, their food habits, selective mating, and finally they got totally new offspring’s, and they were totally looking differently. “Struggle for existence and survival of fittest”, Life evolved in water, slowly they changed to amphibians, and finally they changed to terrestrial animals. On the earth it took 1000s of years to change from monkeys to primitive man and finally to present day human beings.

Lord Vishnu’s  Dashavatar and Darwin’s theory: 

Darwin theory of evolution and Vishnu avatar – When we sit and read Bhagavat purana and Garuda purana, Lord Vishnu has taken Dashavatar (10 avatars). Each and every avatar is inter related, and resembles Darwin’s theory.

1. Lord Vishnu has taken his 1st avatar in water in the form of  fish (Matsya avatar), it fulfills Darwin’s theory of life evolved in water.

2. 2nd avatar is tortoise (Kurma avatar), it is amphibian, it fulfills Darwin’s theory of continuous struggle of fishes to change and adapt to amphibian life.

3. 3rd avatar is boar (Varaha avatar, Pig), it is totally terrestrial animal. Amphibians have struggled continuously to adapt to terrestrial animal. Boar reminds us about the dinosaurs that lived on the earth 1000s of years earlier.

4. 4th avatar is Narasimha avatar, body is human form, and face and hands are like lion.

5. 5th avatar is Vamana avatar, short and intelligent human.

6. 6th avatar is Parshurama avatar, axe man who stayed in jungle.

7. 7th avatar is Rama avatar, perfect gentle man, who followed monogamy, and is called “Maryada Purushottam”.

8. 8th avatar is Krishna avatar, Krishna is wise, shrewd statesman (Today’s politician).

9. 9th avatar is Buddha avatar, Buddha is pursuit of happiness.

10. 10th avatar is Kalki avatar, Kalki  is man with weapons, Techno-humanoid man of tomorrow.

Friends now it is clear, what Darwin has told, every form we find in Dashavatar. “If the Dashavatar was just a figment of someone’s imagination, how did they get the entire evolutionary theory right in so much precision? Does it not mean that our ancestors knew things that we are discovering now?” Our ancestors told evolutionary theory in the form of simple and easily understandable stories.

Look at this photo – What Darwin has described, same sequence of avatar of Vishnu is also described.

Charles Darwin’s theory of evolution:

Charles Darwin born in a small town called Mount (England), on 12th February 1809. His father was a popular doctor; he wanted him to take up medicine as his career. Darwin joined HMS Beagle (name of the ship) group as scientist, and his sea journey began on 27th March 1831, from England towards Latin America. Continuously 5 years, the ship sailed from one island to another island, in every island he studied the animals, fossils, flowers, fruits, and the men on the island.

He collected large number of fossils, animals, flowers from Galapagos Islands, Falkland Island, made careful study, and noted each and every observation in his notebooks. On 2nd October 1836, he came back to England, and shared all his observations and fossils with his good scientist friends, like botany professor, zoology professor, nature scientist, and Geologist. He and all his friends concluded, “Life evolved in water in the form of simple single cell creature, over 100s of year, this single cell evolved into complex multicellular organism”.

The aquatic animals slowly started changing their habitat from water to earth, by changing their body shape, body colour, and food habits. Initially they had changed to 100s feet animals like centipedes, then to four legged animals, and later two feet human beings. Many changes are also noticed in human beings, dwarf man, to man with weapons, intelligent human beings.

Next change in humans will be his intelligence, and he will become super humans with modern computers and lethal weapons. These weapons he may use it for destruction of this beautiful World. During evolution, only those animals which change from good to better, from better to best, and who continue to produce their offspring are the only animals to survive in this World. Darwin’s theory in short “Struggle for existence and survival of fittest”.

Lord Vishnu avatars and evolution – Lord Vishnu’s Dashavatar and evolution
Our sages narrated the entire evolutionary theory in the form of simple stories, so that Children also can understand the complex theories easily. Darwin’s common ancestor for all plants, animals, and human is from Lord Vishnu. Lord Vishnu takes Dashavatar, 10 avatars, destroys evil people, and protects good people and preserves our earth and our environment.

1st avatar is Matsya avatar:
Matsya is the fish avatar of the 10 primary avatars of Hindu god Vishnu. Lord Vishnu in the form of fish comes to Cherivi River and appears to king Manu and tells him about end of the Yuga, where entire earth will be submerged in flood water soon. He asks Manu to build a ship and take all people, all types of grains, and all types of animals in the ship, and tie to his horns. “I will take you to a safe place; you start new Yuga, new beginning of the life on earth.” he says.  Matsya avatar Vishnu also kills demon Hyagriva, and brings the Vedas and give them to Satyvrata sage and Saptarishis for their study.

2nd avatar is Kurma avatar :
Kurma is the 2nd avatar of Vishnu. Kurma appears at a time of crisis to restore the cosmic equilibrium. Kurma appear as tortoise or as half man-half tortoise. Sage Durvasa curses Devas (Gods) to lose their powers because they ignored him. The Devas needed nectar of immortality (Amrit) to overcome the curse, and they make an agreement with the Asuras (Demons) to churn the ocean of milk. They used Mount Mandara as the churning staff, and the serpent Vasuki as the churning rope, while the Kurma (Tortoise) bore the mountain on his back, so that they could churn the ocean easily.

3rd avatar is Varaha avatar:
Varaha appear as a boar, or boar’s head and human body. When the demon Hiranyaksha troubles the Bhudevi (Earth) and its inhabitants, and sinks them in primordial waters, Vishnu takes the form of Varaha and descended into the depths of the oceans to rescue earth and its inhabitants, killing Hiranyaksha.

4th avatar is Narasimha avatar:
Narasimha appear as human body, with a lion face and claws. He kills the demon Hiranyakashipu. He kills the demon by placing demon on his laps, and tearing his body with his claws.

5th avatar is Vamana avatar:
Lord Vishnu takes the form of Vamana (Dwarf man) to restore cosmic balance by defeating the Asura king Mahabali (Bali chakravarti). Mahabali acquires disproportionate power over the Universe. The demon king sponsors a sacrifice and gift giving ceremony to strengthen his power. Vishnu appears as dwarf beggar, and asks for three paces (Foot) of land. Mahabali grants three paces of land. Vamana then grows into a giant of cosmic proportions. In one step he covers the earth, in another the heaven, for the third, Mahabali offers his head on which Vamana steps sending the demon king to the Patala and protects the earth and its inhabitants.

6th avatar is Parshurama avatar:
Parshurama is son of sage Jamadagni and Renuka Yellamma. Sage Jamadagni had celestial cow called Surabi. Surabi had special powers to produce everything, what Jamadagni desired, hence it was called Kamadenu. Kshatriya king Kartavirya Arjuna forcefully snatches Kamadenu from Jamadagni. Parshurama challenges Kartavirya Arjuna and kills him in battle. Followers of Kartavirya Arjuna challenges Parshurama, and in fight all of them were killed. Parshurama was a warrior sadhu, a sage, and teacher of martial arts.

7th avatar is Sri Rama:
Sri Rama is son of king Dasharatha. Marries the daughter of Janaka Maharaja Sita. Demon Ravana abducts Sita, and in a battle Ravana was killed. From Sri Rama and Sita’s life we learn how to live in society, how to respect our parents, our relatives, our teachers, our friends, and our enemies also. Sri Rama is called Maryada Purushottam. His life taught us Monogamy and Monoandry. All scholars respect him as “Daivam Maanusharoopena”. God has come in the form of man.

8th avatar is Sri Krishna:
Sri Krishna is clever and shrewd person, play tricks with human mind. Arjuna was not willing to fight with his own kin and kith. He counseled so well, he took up the bow and arrow and fought. He helped the needy people, punished the evil people. He is successful politician.

9th avatar is Buddha:
Buddha is pursuit of happiness. He taught us life is Dukkha (Sorrow), dukkha arise from craving and greediness, if we control greediness, selfishness, and jealousness, we come out of dukkha. He also taught death is eternal; everybody on the earth has to die.

10th avatar is Kalki avatar:
Purana teach us that, Lord Vishnu has completed already 9 avatars, 10th Kalki avatar is due. Kalki is supposed to come on white horse with wings, with all lethal weapons. He is man of tomorrow. His lethal weapons will destroy entire World; end of present Kali Yuga, and once again Nobel Sathya Yuga will start.

Conclusion:
Friends our sages so perfectly narrated the Dashavatar, it almost tallies with Darwin’s evolutionary theory. They predicted the Solar and Lunar eclipse correctly 100s of year early. It means our sages were intelligent; hence we should respect our sages, our parents, our teachers, our friends, our neighbors, and every one on this beautiful earth. We should respect our religion and our tradition.

Dr K Hanumanthayya      
Professor & HOD
Dermatology Department
Vydehi Institute of Medical Sciences & RC Bangalore – 560066
ph:080-4906 9000.Extn: 1147/1366 

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 The history of discovery of the agent of scabies and of the disease itself is fascinating. In the fourth century BC, Aristotle described scabies and called it Akari, a wound dwelling mite. Napoleon I suffered from scabies. Scabies is described in the Old Testament. Celsus, a physician of Rome, coined the term “scabies” to describe this condition in 1^st century AD. It is a Latin word means scratch. The Italian physician Bonoma, explained the conducive agent of scabies, parasitic mite known as Acarus Scabiei / Sarcoptes Scabiei in 1687. According to the ancient Ayurvedic scholar Charaka, the prevention of scabies is by application of turmeric oil, neem oil and regular bath. He also describes animal scabies, today it is called Mange.

Life cycle of Sarcoptes Scabiei:

Sarcoptes Scabiei mites are o.3 to 0.4 mm in size, distributed worldwide. Scabies mites are generally host specific, and Sarcoptes Scabiei is dependent on humans for its lifecycle. Their bodies are enclosed with fine lines and lengthy hairs. They are oval and straw colored. They have short and thick 4 pairs of legs. Females are little bigger than males. Females secrete pheromones – special chemicals to attract males for sex. A newly mated female excavates a tunnel into the outer layers of human skin in 1 to 2 hours. Female burrow the tunnel with her mouth parts, 0.5 to 5 mm per day. While tunneling they suck tissue fluid and eat skin debris. After 2 to 3 days of mating, females lay 1 to 2 eggs per day a week, which hatch into nymphs and later adults. Each tunnel contains only one gravid female. Newly molted adult male and female Sarcoptes come out of tunnel for their sex partners to mate and to continue their progeny. Average 10 to 12 female mites dwell in healthy adults. If more than 12 mites present, than underlying immunodeficiency has to be investigated.

Transmission of scabies:

It is contagious and can be contracted through prolonged physical contact with an infested person. The transfer of a fertilized female to another host results in successful new infection. The prolonged and intimate contact between individuals will happen among household family members, school children, residential hostels, military camps, jail inmates and during sex act. Healthcare staffs are at high risk of developing scabies from patients, as they have close contact with them.

Pathophysiology:

The symptoms are caused by an allergic reaction of the host’s body to mite proteins. The mite feces are taken up by macrophages, processed and presented to Immuno competent cells, which produce IgE antibodies. These antibodies attack the mite and mite fecal matter and produce allergic reactions. Hence to develop antibodies to mite products, it will take 4-6 weeks first time. Subsequent reinfection will result in early symptoms. Hence incubation period is 4-6 weeks.

Signs and symptoms:

The characteristic symptoms of a scabies infection include intense itching and superficial burrows and characteristic distribution of lesions. Rapid involution of lesions occurs following the topical application of effective scabicide. Itching is worse at night. Warm bed and fewer distractions at night, make patient feel more itching. The scabetic burrow may be seen in finger web spaces. Scabetic lesions seen in the interdigital spaces of the fingers, the palms and flexor surface of the wrist. Scabetic lesions are also seen over the medial border of forearm, elbow, anterior axillary fold, nipple and areola in women, periumbilical region, genitalia, anterior thighs, and buttocks. Because of scratching, excoriations are seen, tiny erythematous papules, papulo-vesicles and pustules and crusted lesions are also seen. In adults, scabies spares face and head. In infants, scabies affect face and scalp. Other family members, friends, class mates may show itchy lesions.

In Immuno compromised patients, HIV/ AIDS patients, leprosy patients and cancer patients develop severe scabies called crusted scabies. Neglected scabies patients develop eczema, kidney disease and rheumatic fever.

Treatment:

All family members, all children in the school, all groups should be explained, how scabies spreads, importance of personal hygiene and treatment of all patients at same time. All clothes should be washed and ironed. Heat of iron box will kill scabies mites effectively. Anti-scabies soap, anti-scabies shampoo and anti-scabies lotions are available in the market. Permethrin, 5% lotion is very effective.

Permethrin should be applied below the neck, and bath to be taken after 24 hour. The patient is instructed to take a bath with Anti-scabies soap, scrubbing the areas of greatest involvement, provided these areas are not already excessively irritated. An emulsion containing 5% Permethrin is then applied over the entire cutaneous surface from the neck down, especially between the fingers and toes. It is important to reach all areas, with particularly careful and thorough application to the sites of greatest involvement.

The application is most effectively done by an attendant or some other member of the family, since the patient himself may miss some portions of the body. The patient is instructed not to take bath for succeeding 24 hours. At the end of 24 hours, the patient should take bath, and he should then put on fresh, ironed or dry-cleaned cloths. He should understand that the itching may not be relieved immediately by the treatment, but that its persistence should be regarded as an indication for further application of Permethrin.

• Acarophobia also called parasitophobia will be observed in certain patients who have acquired scabies.
• Antihistamines and antibiotics may be necessary.
• If animals are suffering, then they have to be treated.
• Ivermectin is effective orally in treating scabies.

Dr K Hanumanthayya And Dr Menakaa  Mohan
Dermatology

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