Does Keeping a Broom Near the Main Door Bring Bad Luck?
Does keeping a broom near the main door bring bad luck? Discover the Hindu beliefs, Vastu tips, and practical reasons behind this tradition.
Is keeping broom at the doorstep an inauspicious step in Hindu culture? Many of us continue this ancient practice, relating the broom to Goddess Lakshmi, cleanliness and good fortune. Know the significance behind this tradition and is keeping broom at your door-step really considered as bad luck?
Why Is Keeping a Broom Near the Main Door Considered Inauspicious?
More often than not, elders in Indian households recommend that you do not keep a broom near the main entrance. In Indian tradition, the entrance is not just a simple door that leads to your house; it is the gateway through which our guests enter and our home welcomes happiness, positivity, good luck and good vibes.
The broom, for example, will sweep away dust, dirt and trash. The old wives' tale says that we shouldn't keep it near the entrance of the house because it can be viewed as giving the money and fortune our way, instead of us.
But this is a matter of belief and not a reality. There is no scientific proof to support the fact that keeping a broom in the house makes you unlucky or makes you spend loads of money.
Explore Further: Why Is Cutting Nails After Sunset Considered Inauspicious?
What Is the Connection Between a Broom and Goddess Lakshmi?
Many Hindu beliefs regard Lakshmi, the Goddess of wealth and prosperity, as a consort of the broom. A clean and organized home is believed to be very good.
For the family many a clean and nicely kept house is full of good omen and dirt and mess is like to be washed away frequently. As it is the cleaning process by the broom in the house it is regarded with reverence, with some respect too.
Hence some people choose to keep a broom in the corner which is meant for doing so, instead of placing them at the entrance or especially near the puja room.
There needs to be a division drawn between common household practice and biblical instruction. It should not be inferred that one must always keep a broom out of one's sight at home just because the following couplets tell you to keep the broom away from your puja cupboard.
Where Should a Broom Be Kept at Home?
In line with traditional domestic habits, you might end up with a broom stored away in a clean and discreet spot. These mundane routines could also be aiding you to have an organised house.
Here are a few practical suggestions:
Choose a designated corner: Store the broom in a storage space, utility room or another suitable corner.
Keep it away from the main entrance: Don't set it right by the door, if your family practices this.
Store it neatly: Position it where it will not block movement or give it a cluttered look.
Maintain cleanliness: Clear dust from the broom and make sure the place is clean.
Keep it away from food preparation areas: Keep your cleaning supplies away from prep and eating areas.
All these practices can be used to keep a house sanitary and tidy, even if those who live there don't believe in the religion connected to them.
What Do Hindu Scriptures Say About Cleanliness?
Cleaning and discipline have their value in Hindu spiritual thoughts. Still there is a need to differentiate between general scripture orientation and individual household conventions. Do not take it for granted that there is a scriptural rule that there is bad luck if broom hangs near main door.
"The Bhagavad Gita also mentions 'cleanliness' as one of the shlokas related to divine nature."
Sanskrit quote — Bhagavad Gita 16.1:
“अभयं सत्त्वसंशुद्धिर्ज्ञानयोगव्यवस्थितिः।
दानं दमश्च यज्ञश्च स्वाध्यायस्तप आर्जवम्॥”
Fearlessness, purity of mind, steadfastness in knowledge and yoga, charity, self-control, sacrifice, scriptural study, discipline, and straightforwardness are among the qualities of a divine nature.
This verse emphasizes that purity and self-control are spiritual virtues. While it doesn't explicitly explain where to place the broom, it does affirm that it's well to keep your life clean and ordered.
With sanatangyan, we can distinguish between scriptural wisdom and vulgar customs, and never fail to learn traditional knowledge that every house must keep on without stepping over the edge.
Explore This Topic Further: Is Breaking a Mirror Bad Luck? The Truth Behind the Belief
To summarize having a broom close to the front door is an old wives' tale and does not bring you bad luck. Take care of it, store it properly and stay away from old wives' tales!
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