Nazar Battu, The Evil Eye Warder Poem by S.D. TIWARI

I was walking in the street
with grandma holding her finger.
Caution! caution! she shouted
and pulled me towards her.

Look ahead! that’s lemon and chilli,
it’s thrown out an evil eyes charm.
Don’t step over it or invite for you
bad influences in time to come.

Nazar Battu or the evil eye warder
is used to ward off the evil spirits.
Dangled at entrance of home or shop,
changed and thrown, every week.

Some chilli and a lemon are hanged
tied together with a string;
to protect from the evil spirits and
prosperity and fortunes, to bring.

It is also believed Alakshmi, who brings
poverty, misery and the ill fate;
likes sour, pungent and hot things
takes food and goes, from door itself.

Taking the advantage of darkness
sometimes, after the shops are shut;
fearless slum boys pick from the doors
and get theses vegetable free of cost.