The Evil Eye: Between Faith, Fear, and the Invisible Threads of Belief

The Evil Eye: Between Faith, Fear, and the Invisible Threads of Belief

In the vast and vivid cultural landscape of India—where faith flutters between logic and legend, and the seen blends with the unseen—the concept of nazar (evil eye) stands as one of the most fascinating intersections of belief, psychology, and social practice. From bustling bazaars to silent courtyards, from grand mansions to humble huts, the phrase “nazar lag gayi” (to be affected by the evil eye) still carries a deep resonance, blending fear and fascination, spirituality and superstition. It is both a reflection of human vulnerability and an expression of the unseen energies that shape our collective consciousness.

The Meaning and Mystique of Nazar Lagna (Being Affected by the Evil Eye)

The term “nazar lagna” (to be struck by the evil eye) is the belief that excessive admiration, jealousy, or even a lingering gaze can transmit harmful energy to the object of attention—be it a person, a child, an animal, a house, or even success itself. It signifies an imbalance in the cosmic harmony caused by the unseen power of human emotions.

In Sanskrit, this condition is referred to as Drishti Dosha (दृष्टिदोष)—drishti meaning sight or gaze, and dosha meaning defect or affliction. Ancient Indian scriptures recognise the spiritual potency of the human gaze. The Rig Veda (ऋग्वेद 10.137.7) mentions:

“यस्य चक्षुः न निमिषति तस्य दृष्टिः अमृतस्य भवति।”
Yasya chakṣuh na nimiṣati tasya drishti amrutasya bhavati.
He whose eyes do not waver, his vision becomes immortal.

This verse reveals the dual nature of vision—it can bless or blemish, heal or harm, depending on the intent of the beholder.

Another verse from traditional Tantra Shastra expresses the subtle danger of envy:

“असूया हि मनुष्याणां दोषः सर्वत्र वर्तते।”
Asūyā hi manuṣyāṇāṃ doṣaḥ sarvatra vartate.
Envy is the defect that dwells in all human hearts.

Thus, nazar lagna becomes not just a supernatural concept but also a moral reflection on the frailty of human emotion.

The Act of Nazar Lagana (Casting the Evil Eye)

Nazar lagana (to cast or inflict the evil eye) is often considered unintentional, arising from unguarded admiration or concealed envy. A passer-by who gazes too long at someone’s prosperity, a friend who lavishly praises another’s child, or even a stranger admiring a bride’s beauty—all may unwittingly project negative vibrations.

The saying “Buri nazar wale, tera muh kala” (O bearer of evil eyes, may your face be darkened) is not merely a curse but a cultural mechanism to resist harmful intentions. It encapsulates the moral message that one should celebrate others’ happiness without envy.

In ancient India, this idea was expressed in the following Sanskrit maxim:

“परद्रव्येषु लोभो हि दृष्टिदोषस्य कारणम्।”
Paradravyeṣu lobho hi drishti doṣasya kāraṇam.
Greed for what belongs to others is the cause of the evil gaze.

Thus, the act of nazar lagana represents the shadow of unbalanced desire—an occult interplay between emotion and energy.

Nazar Utarna (Removing or Reversing the Evil Eye)

If nazar lagna (being affected by the evil eye) is the illness, nazar utarna (removal or reversal of the evil eye) is the cure—a symbolic act to cleanse and restore spiritual equilibrium.

Common household practices include rotating red chillies, mustard seeds, or salt around the affected person’s head and then discarding or burning them. Hanging lemon-and-chilli garlands at entrances, tying black threads on wrists or ankles, or applying a small dot (kajal ki bindi) behind a child’s ear are believed to deflect negative forces.

These rituals represent the ancient Indian understanding of energy transfer: if the harm comes through sight, it can be nullified through symbolic acts of fire, motion, and mantra. A sacred invocation used during nazar utarna rituals is:

“ॐ नमो भद्राय महादृष्टये स्वाहा।”
Om namo bhadrāya mahādrishṭaye svāhā.
Salutations to the benevolent vision that destroys the malignant gaze.

Another powerful chant from the Atharva Veda (4.4.5) offers protection:

“दृष्टिं मे पापिनीं हन्तु, दृष्टं पापं निवर्तय।”
Drishtiṃ me pāpinīṃ hantu, drishtaṃ pāpaṃ nivartaya.
May the sinful gaze be destroyed, may its evil return to naught.

By uttering such verses, one invokes not just divine protection but also a psychological assurance—a cleansing of the mind from fear and uncertainty.

The Occult and Psychological Undercurrents

The idea of nazar treads the fine line between cult and culture, between occult practices and psychological necessity. Amulets, charms, black threads, and even blue glass beads are thought to absorb negative vibrations. But beyond the ritual lies a profound truth about human psychology.

The fear of nazar stems from the fear of exposure—the anxiety of being too happy, too fortunate, or too visible in a world where envy lurks in silent hearts. These practices offer comfort through symbolic control—a way to externalise inner fears into tangible acts, giving the believer both solace and strength.

Modern psychology recognises this phenomenon as a form of external locus of control, where individuals perceive their wellbeing as influenced by external forces. In uncertain times, belief in nazar utarna offers emotional balance, serving as both protection and placebo.

A Social and Cultural Mirror

Every civilization has acknowledged the gaze of envy. The Greeks called it Baskania, the Arabs Ayin al-Hasad, the Italians Malocchio, and the Turks Nazar Boncugu. Yet, in India, the nazar transcends religion and geography.

Hindus perform aarti with salt and chillies, Muslims recite dua for protection, and Christians bless their homes with holy water. The practice unites people across faiths in the shared recognition of invisible energies that shape human destiny.

It is not merely superstition but a spiritual metaphor for human vulnerability, reminding us that envy can corrode not only the envied but the envious themselves.

When praise turns heavy with unseen sighs,
And smiles conceal the shadowed eyes,
We seek a thread, a stone, a prayer,
To guard our joy from envy’s glare.

For sight can wound, though soft its hue,
A spark of envy pierces through;
So chant we softly—“Om Shanti, Om,”
Let peace, not malice, fill our home.

Let every gaze be pure, benign,
Let hearts with others’ joy align;
Let blessings flow where curses die,
And faith outshines the darkest eye.

“शान्तिः दृश्येषु सर्वत्र, दृष्टिदोषो न जायते।
शुभदृष्टिः भवेत् सर्वे, मङ्गलं च सदा वसेत्॥”
Śāntiḥ drishyeṣu sarvatra, drishti doṣo na jāyate;
Shubha drishtiḥ bhavet sarve, maṅgalaṃ cha sadā vaset.

Let peace dwell in every sight, may the evil gaze never arise;
May every vision be auspicious, and may goodness forever reside.