Bhoot

What it is

A bhoot is a supernatural creature, typically the ghost of a deceased person. These entities appear in popular culture, literature, and ancient texts across the Indian subcontinent. They are seen as perturbed souls unable to move on to transmigration or other realms. The cause is often a violent death, unsettled life matters, or failed funeral rites. Belief in them is deeply ingrained in the region. Haunted places include cremation grounds, dilapidated buildings, and forts. Ghosts hold a significant place in Bengali culture and among Muslim and Hindu communities in Bangladesh and West Bengal.

Where it comes from

The word comes from Sanskrit, linking to roots meaning past and being. Cognates exist in Welsh, Irish, English, Latvian, and Persian. In Hinduism, the term also describes five basic elements: earth, water, fire, air, and aether. These form the basis of cosmic creation and the human body. The concept spread into Southeast Asia. In Javanese, it refers to malevolent spirits or demonic giants in wayang stories. In the Malay world, it evolved to mean jinn-like creatures mentioned in the Malay Annals.

How it is done

Stories often involve protagonists failing to flee a bhoot. They may accept companionship, such as walking through a forest with the spirit. The realization comes slowly. The companion wears white, speaks with a nasal twang, and casts no shadow. Their feet face backwards. They float above the ground. Consuming milk contaminated by a bhoot leads to possession. To thwart them, people use iron, steel, or water. Burnt turmeric scent repels them. Sprinkling earth on oneself offers protection. Invoking holy names also wards them off.

Tools and materials

Iron and steel objects provide defense against these spirits. Water is another protective element. Burnt turmeric creates a scent that drives them away. Fibres from the herb bhutkeshi, meaning bhoota's hair, are used for warding. Holy figures and deities are invoked to repel the entities. Earth sprinkled on the body shields the individual. Milk is a vehicle for possession if contaminated. White clothing is preferred by the spirits themselves.

What it is for

These beliefs explain misfortune and fear. A churel, a woman who died in childbirth, lures men to cause their death. People seek protection from harm through charms and rituals. Exorcists perform atma-shanti, a modified death anniversary ritual. This promises the spirit rebirth or completion of unfinished tasks. The goal is to calm the restless soul so it stops haunting. Worship pacifies benevolent bhutas, known as Bhuta Aradhana.

Who does it

Hindu exorcists handle restless spirits. They do not destroy the soul, as it cannot be destroyed. Instead, they perform rituals to help the spirit move on. Folk healers advise on protective measures like iron and turmeric. Ordinary households maintain haunted houses called bhoot banglas. Scholars study the literary and cultural impact of these beliefs. Radio hosts and television producers create entertainment based on these legends.

Peoples and places

The concept is extensive in Hindustani, Punjabi, Kashmiri, Bengali, and Sindhi idioms. Being ridden by a bhoot means obsessive interest. Dismounting it means breaking an obsession. Looking like a bhoot means appearing disheveled. Untidy houses are called bhoot banglas. In Pakistan, the word jinn covers both Arabic jinns and local bhootas. Pakistani society views them with varied identities influenced by Arabic and Persian mythology.

What people believe

Souls cannot be destroyed in Hinduism and Dharmic religions. A bhoot is a lost or angry soul. It seeks resolution through rituals. Benevolent bhutas are spirits of deified heroes or fierce beings. They can cause harm but are pacified through worship. The earth is sacred, so ghosts avoid contact with it. They float above the ground to prevent touching it. Shadows do not form around them. Their physical traits reveal their true nature to observant humans.

When it is done

Rituals occur after death when funerals are missed. The atma-shanti rite addresses restless spirits. Festivals and daily life incorporate idioms about bhoots. Children's tales like Thakurmar Jhuli feature these entities. Modern media includes radio shows and anthology series. Programs investigate haunted locations or present horror dramas. These stories keep the belief alive in contemporary culture.

How scholars and sceptics see it

Anthropologists study how these beliefs shape social behavior. Historians trace the etymology through Indo-European roots. Psychologists might view the obsession idioms as metaphors for mental states. Sceptics see the phenomena as folklore rather than reality. Literary scholars analyze texts like the Garuda Purana and Vetala Panchavimshati. These works contain instructions on controlling or exorcising spirits.

Compare and confuse

The bhoot is similar to the Western ghost. It shares traits with the Arabic jinn in Pakistan. Pretas and pishachas are related restless spirits. Yakshis are female spirits in some traditions. The concept overlaps with general paranormal beliefs worldwide. Different regions name and describe these entities differently.

Questions people ask about Bhoot

Good reading and sources

• Encyclopaedia BritannicaArticle

• Bhoota (ghost) on WikipediaEncyclopedia
• More photos on Wikimedia CommonsPhotos and video
• Wikidata recordOpen data