Our house is situated on a ‘T’ junction of
roads and directly faces a road. Such a house plot that sits at the top of the
road is called “Theru kuththu” in Tamil, (“Road hit” literally in English) and
is considered inauspicious and susceptible to the influence of evil spirits. Many
good friends warned us about this and one Christian friend very graciously
suggested that we put up or at least paint a cross on our compound wall or gate
and assured that the abiding presence of God will provide us all protection. A
Hindu neighbor also persuaded us saying, “You see, sir, we place the image of
Ganesh or an iron trident to ward-off evil spirits. As a Christian you may not
like to do that; but like other Christians, put up your cross to protect your
family. This is vasthu sasthra, just do it; everybody does it.”
It was only then I started looking around and noticed
that most smart people who live in ‘road hit’ / ‘theru kuththu’ plots live
hiding behind either a trident or a cross! I made a “Theru kuththu Christian’ friend
to talk about the cross on his gate. He was shocked; but quickly pulled himself
together and said, “He..He..We have placed the cross just to bear witness to
the presence of Christians in this house.”
In the years past, Christians used to stand in street
corners and preach the Gospel. Now a days, only the cross we place in the
street corners bear witness. I wonder what the cross bear witness to? To the saving
love of Christ who set us free from fears or to the superstition of Vaastu
which binds us with fear? I have heard an old saying, “Not to fear the
frightful is folly” I am a fearless idiot but a Christian idiot.
