Self sacrifice or undertaking some very strenuous tasks is a way of testing and proving one's devotion, loyalty and attachment. This trait is there not just in humans but even in higher animals especially those which are pet animals.
The voluntary or paid bodyguards protect their leaders, Kings or anyone to whom they are attached to. The valiant and patriotic soldiers protect our borders. Political party followers have died for their party and leaders. Their salary or monetary benefits is not the only criteria-it is the sincerity, loyalty and the devoted attachment. It is one's own faith and attachment to the faith or fold that dictates such extra ordinary acts. Sometimes such acts come out of gratitude and a sort of repayment of the benefits received.
Similarly people who are believers or having faith in God and follow their own religious faith also involve in such extraordinary acts. The acts will have some relevance and connection to their lifestyle, occupations and traditions.
As an ordinary person cannot stand on fire without protection, the extra ordinary act of walking or dancing on fire is considered an extraordinary act and something to be looked upon with awe. The other variants of such acts is piercing parts of body like tongue and chins with a 'soolam' etc.
We cannot simply call these as dangerous religious practices, though there is an element of risk in them.
If so what you will call about all the weird acts and activities perpetrated in the name of adventure and for earning Guinness records? Very recently I read a report and saw the video clip of a young woman pulling a heavily loaded truck with her hair. Is it not a dangerous practice? There are many series of adventurous TV reality shows. Why no one is speaking against them? Even the 'Bungee Jumping" and 'Giant wheel' sports have their risk element and many fatalities have occurred.
Let me tell that the fire walking or any other similar acts like body piercing, hanging from a pulley etc. are done after many days of proper preparation under experienced elders and masters. They acclimatize, and tone up their body and mind to undertake such acts. There are certain Herbal or native medicinal preparations which they apply on their body or at the body parts which are going to be exposed to such rigors. If we closely and sincerely look into the correct procedures and practices followed, we can understand that there are scientific principles behind them.
The author has unnecessarily brought in an unwanted insinuation, intentionally or otherwise. Brahmins also undertake certain rigorous practices like fasting on every other day, not indulging in any luxuries etc. Their routine itself is having an extra burden of foregoing many pleasures of ordinary life. They also undertake the 'shayana pradaksinam' "Mandala vratham' and other vrathams. They do not take food before completing the prescribed poojaas or paaraayanams. That is not just for one day, but whole year or whole life. Before the advent of modern facilities pilgrimage to many temples were and some still are extraordinary tasks.
Take up any religion or community or faith and watch their practices closely and in detail, you can see some kind of such In one particular religion or sect, on a particular prescribed day they beat themselves or each other and bleed. That is considered a faithful act by them. Even now in Kerala a section of the Christian faithful trek up a hill carrying heavy cross on their shoulders. There are some other sects who do not even visit a doctor or go to hospital when they are sick, but only pray.
What you say about people tonsuring their hair, growing beard, wearing only a particular colour dress or even killing themselves for their political leaders or filmy celebrities? The most loudly claimed 'rational' party allows 'many 'irrational ' practices by their faithful followers.
I am compelled to say that nowadays political brainwashing is more dangerous than the simple practices of the genuine faithful believers of religions.
My intention here is not to encourage any risky and avoidable practices, but to pint out the bias and narrowminded stereotype mentality of people only to bash and divide the Hindu people.
