Hindus are considered as having the richness of the Scriptures. Hindus are the first one to discover the basic concepts of every field. Vedas are the oldest & its compilation of hymns from many different Sages over a vast span of historical time has the huge number of evidences about Astronomy (खगोलशास्त्रम्), Astrology (ज्योतिःशास्त्रम्), Science (विज्ञानम्), History (इतिहासः), Mathematics (गणितशास्त्रम्) & many more are found in our Scriptures. The contribution of the Hindu Scriptures in the field of Astronomy (खगोलशास्त्रम्) is well known & well documented. The earliest references to Astronomy (खगोलशास्त्रम्) are found in the oldest Scripture Rig-Veda. The ancient Vedic Astronomy (खगोलशास्त्रम्) explains in detail about the calculation of occurrences of the Eclipses (ग्रहणानि), Earth’s circumference, theorizing about gravity, determining the Sun as a star, determining the number of planets in the Solar System, etc. The earliest concept of a Heliocentric Model of the solar system (i.e., the Sun is at the center & the Earth is orbiting it), is found in several Vedic Scriptures.

     Let us take a look at the richness of our Scriptures; according to Aitareya Brahmana (ऐतरेय ब्राह्मणम्), “The Sun never sets nor rises”, which indicates that the Sun is immovable (hence the Earth is moving around it) & the great sage Yagnavalkya (याज्ञवल्क्य) also recognized that the Earth is round & stated that, “the Sun is the center of the spheres & is much larger than the Earth”. Many Indian Astronomers like Aaryabhatta (आर्यभट्ट) & Bhaskaraacharya (भास्कराचार्य), formulated the ideas about gravity & gravitation in the early middle ages. The cosmological time cycles are thoroughly explained in the Surya Siddhanta (सूर्यसिद्धान्तः - Principles of the Sun). The Indian Astronomer-Mathematician Aaryabhatta (आर्यभट्ट), mentioned a Mathematical Heliocentric Model (i.e., the Sun is at the center & the Earth is orbiting it) in which the Earth was taken to be spinning on its axis & the periods of the planets were given with respect to a motionless Sun. After that, Bhaskaraacharya (भास्कराचार्य) explained more about the same with more details & mentioned it in his treatise called Siddhanta-Shiromani (सिद्धान्तशिरोमणिः) in which he explained about the law of gravity & different planets orbiting the sun with different velocities. The ancient Indian astronomers had also recognized that stars are same as the Sun, the Sun is the center of the universe (solar system) & the circumference of the Earth is 5,000 Yojanas (योजनानि) (i.e. a measure of distance that was used during ancient period)  [0१ (01) योजनम् = 7.2 km], which is very close to the actual figure obtained by the modern scientific methods (40,075 km), which is only 10% difference. In the original version of the Valmiki Ramayana, a vivid description of a total Solar Eclipse (सूर्यग्रहणम्) is explained in the Aranyakaanda (अरण्यकाण्डम् - Forest Section), & also mentioned that the Rahu (राहु) (known as the Dragon Head in English) & Ketu (केतु) (known as the Dragon Tail in English) are the cause of the same. It is very important to note here that, the Eclipses (ग्रहणानि) are witnessed & scripted in India since the Vedic period itself. Hindu Scriptures are the proof for the same.

Historical account of the Eclipse (ग्रहणम्) -

     According to the Shiva Purana, Vishnu Purana & Bhagavad Purana; when Tarakasura’s father trick king Bali to help him attack Gods later king Bali attacked Indraloka (इन्द्रलोकः - Indra’s heavenly world) & grabs the pot of nectar/ambrosia (अमृतकलशम्). Lord Indra saw this & went behind him to get the pot of nectar/ambrosia (अमृतकलशम्) back. While trying to take it back, by mistake the pot falls into the ocean. Later, Lord Indra goes to Lord Shiva for the help & Lord Shiva suggests that, only the union of Gods & Demons for the churning of the ocean (समुद्रमन्थनम्) can help in getting the pot of nectar/ambrosia (अमृतकलशम्) back. Lord Indra asks King Bali for the help & he agrees to this. All the Gods & Demons gets united to get the pot of nectar/ambrosia back. King of Himalaya- Himavana offers Mandar Mountain for churning the ocean & Lord Vishnu took the form of a tortoise (कुर्मावतारः) to give the stability to the mountain & the king of the Snake- Vasuki of Lord Shiva was used as a rope to grip the Mandar Mountain for churning. On one side Gods took the position, on the other side Demons & they started churning it by pulling the Snake. After churning for a long time, poison came out of the ocean, which Lord Shiva drank it to keep other Gods & Demons safe. Later, Kaamdhenu Cow (कामधेनुः), Uchaishrava Ashva (उच्चैश्रवा अश्वः) (king of the horses), Airavata Elephant (ऐरावतः), Kaustubha Padmaraga (कौस्तुभ पद्मरागः) (red precious stone), Kalpavruksha (कल्पवृक्षः) (wish fulfilling tree), Apsara Rambha (अप्सरा रंभा ) (Heavenly Damsel Rambha), Varuni Madirasura (वारुणी मदिरासुरः) (Varuni- the Queen of Liqour), Paanchajanesha (पाञ्चजनेशा) (a conch), Lord Chandra (चन्द्रदेवः) (the Moon), Tarangaharidhara Dhanusha (तरंगहरिधर धनुषः) (a bow), Goddess Lakshmi & Dhanvantari (धन्वन्तरिः  - a teacher of Ayurveda) with the pot of nectar/ambrosia (अमृतकलशम्) came out of the ocean one by one during the churning of the ocean (समुद्रमन्थनम्).

     Later all the received things were distributed by Lord Vishnu amongst those who deserve it the most. Kamdhenu cow was given to the sages, Uchaishrava horse was given to the king Bali, Airavata elephant was given to Lord Indra, Kalpavruksha & Apsara Rambha was given to the Heavenly World (स्वर्गलोकः), Varuni Madirasura was given to the valorous Demons; Kaustubh Padmaraga, Paanchajanesha & Tarangaharidhara Dhanusha was given to Lord Vishnu, Lord Chandra (the Moon) took his place on the head of Lord Shiva, Dhanvantari was allotted to teach Ayurveda & to take care of patients & before declaring that who will get the pot of the nectar/ambrosia, three demons took the pot & ran away. Then Lord Vishnu took the form of Mohini (a beautiful girl) & went to those three demons & explains them that their act is incorrect & they should share the nectar with other Demons & Gods too & told them to trust her that she will distribute the nectar (अमृतम्) equally between the Gods & Demons, to this they agrees & came back. Mohini starts distributing the nectar (अमृतम्) to the Gods first to this one demon named Svarbhanu (स्वर्भानु) gets furious & asks Mohini to start distributing the nectar to Demons first & then to the Gods. But Mohini comforts him by stating that, he should trust her & she will definitely share the nectar (अमृतम्) to the Demons too. But Svarbhanu got impatient, so he took the form of God & sits in the queue of Gods. When his turn came, he got the nectar & while he started drinking Lord Surya (the Sun) & Lord Chandra (the moon) recognized him & complained about him that he is not a God, but he is a demon Svarbhanu (स्वर्भानु) hearing this, at instance Lord Vishnu slashes Svarbhanu’s head with the Sudarshana Chakra (सुदर्शनचक्रम् – a disk-like weapon) but as he drank the nectar (अमृतम्), he became immortal.

     Demon Svarbhanu (स्वर्भानु) gets angry upon Lord Surya (the Sun) & Lord Chandra (the Moon) & all the three of them went to Lord Shiva for justice. To this Lord Shiva said that as Svarbhanu (स्वर्भानु) drank the nectar he became immortal, so from now onwards his head will be known by the name Rahu (the Dragon Head) & his body will be known by the name Ketu (the Dragon Tail) & as Lord Surya (the Sun) & Lord Chandra (the Moon) complained about Svarbhanu, who was already going to get the nectar (अमृतम्) later, but because of this behaviour of complaining, Svarbhanu’s head & body got separated so, from now onwards Rahu & Ketu will impose an Eclipse (ग्रहणम्) upon Lord Surya (the Sun) & Lord Chandra (the Moon) 3-4 times a year for few hours. Thus, the Eclipse (ग्रहणम्) is nothing but the imposition of Rahu & Ketu upon the Sun & the Moon.

Significance of the Eclipse (ग्रहणम्) -

     In the scientific view, the Eclipse (ग्रहणम्) is a celestial process happening often, which helps the scientists to gather information regarding the astronomical, climatic changes & even the influence of cosmic radiation on Earth’s surface. Today, scientists are investigating the change in solar radiation during the process of Eclipse (ग्रहणम्) & its ill-effects on the human beings, birds, animals, etc. during the Eclipse (ग्रहणम्) which is already stated in our Scriptures. Recent scientific explorations in Astronomy (खगोलशास्त्रम्) concluded with the predictions of the Sages of the Indian Vedic period. India is rich in its tradition, culture & is known for its traditional values. India’s rich Vedic scriptures explains the process of Eclipse (ग्रहणम्) in the metaphorical language. Sage Atri was the first to predict the Eclipses (ग्रहणम्) & calculate their durations; the Rig-Veda is the proof of this. He eliminated the darkness caused by the Eclipse (ग्रहणम्), by chanting five shlokas.  Which are stated in the RigVeda (05.40.05-09) & are given below;

यत् त्वा सूर्य स्वर्भानुस्तमसाविध्यदासुरः।

अक्षेत्रविद् यथा मुग्धो भुवनान्यदीधयुः।।०५।।

Meaning- O Surya! When the demon’s descendant Svarbhanu (another name of Rahu & Ketu) pierced you through with the darkness; all creatures looked like the one who are confused & who does not know where they are standing.

स्वर्भानोरध यदिन्द्र माया अवो दिवो वर्तमाना अवाहन्।

गूळ्हं सूर्यं तमसापव्रतेन तुरीयेण ब्रह्मणाविन्ददत्रिः।।०६।।

Meaning- O Indra! You were struck down with the illusions of Svarbhanu, who spread himself below the sun; by this sacred prayer, Atri discovered the sun by the darkness obstructing his functions.

मा मामिमं तव सन्तमत्र इरस्या द्रुग्धो भियसा नि गारीत्।

त्वं मित्रो असि सत्यराधास्तौ मेहावतं वरुणश्च राजा।।०७।।

Meaning- O Atri! Let not the torturer swallow me up with fearful darkness, as I am yours; you are Mitra a true giver of blessings, you & Varuna please protect me.

ग्राव्णो ब्रह्मा युयुजानः सपर्यन् कीरिणा देवान् नमसोपशिक्षन्।

अत्रिः सूर्यस्य दिवि चक्षुराधात् स्वर्भानोरप माया अघुक्षत्।।०८।।

Meaning- Then Brahman Atri, applies the stones together, serves the Gods with praise & adoration; establishes the eye of the sun in the heaven & dispelled Svarbhanu’s delusion.

यं वै सूर्यं स्वर्भानुस्तमसाविध्यदासुरः।

अत्रयस्तमन्वविन्दन् नह्यन्ये अशक्नुवन्।।०९।।

Meaning- The sun, whom the demon Svarbhanu covered with darkness; Atri subsequently recovered as no other had power to do so.

     The Eclipse (ग्रहणम्) conceives the gravity waves which cause a reduction in Ozone layer & the absorption in the stratosphere, which allows more cosmic radiations of different wavelengths, to the surface of the earth. The research carried out about the radiations received during the past Eclipses (ग्रहणानि) & its influence on seawater, reveal the scientific knowledge behind Sage Atri’s eliminating of darkness through the hymns. Hence, for the first time, the eclipse event was differentiated into a four-stage process, as per the recent findings on the change in Oceanic pH (potential of hydrogen) which is already described by the Sage Atri.

     The influence of the Eclipse (ग्रहणम्) on living creatures, especially, the unpredictable behaviour of animals, birds & marine creatures during Eclipse (ग्रहणम्) are seen many times. This new scientific finding supports strongly the Vedic predictions of the Eclipse (ग्रहणम्) & the traditional practices of Indians especially Hindus. It is believed & proved that the animals/birds can identify the natural calamities/events even before its occurrence. Animals/ birds are also able to identify the humidity change before rain. Similarly, the death rate is always low of animals /birds compared to humans during the Tsunami or earthquake or any such natural calamities, which indicates the capacity to identify the forthcoming event. There is a possibility that, they are getting disturbed due to the atmospheric or Earth’s magnetic field change & maybe they can feel such arrivals of distressing vibrations. In the event of eclipse also the unpredictable behaviour of animals/ birds are reported by many. The behavioural change of the marine creatures is also seen in the same manner. Hence, we considered the concept of radiational cause to the behavioural changes of living creatures during Eclipse (ग्रहणम्).

     The Solar Eclipse (सूर्यग्रहणम्) being a rare natural phenomenon gives an opportunity to investigate how the ionizing radiations react to the material surface of the earth due to the fast solar radiation changes. A huge quantity of shorter wavelength radiations reaches to the surface of the Earth during Solar Eclipse (सूर्यग्रहणम्) since the disturbance of the heat balance along the supersonic travel of the trajectory of the Moon’s shadow will generate eclipse-induced gravity waves, which results a reduction in the stratosphere ozone layer concentration. During the Lunar Eclipse (ग्रहणम्), Earth blocks sunlight from reaching the Moon directly. But some sunlight still gets through, refracted through Earth’s atmosphere. The amount varies, depending mainly on how much dust from volcanic eruptions is floating around at high altitudes. During the Lunar Eclipse (चन्द्रग्रहणम्) the surface of the Moon cools quickly. The temperature swing is so dramatic that the surface of the Moon goes from being in an oven to being in a freezer in just a few hours. Normally, the transitions into & out of darkness, & the temperature changes that go with them, are spread out over the course of a lunar day, which lasts 29 & a half days. The Lunar Eclipse (चन्द्रग्रहणम्) shifts these changes into high gear. So scientifically speaking, the effect of any Eclipse (ग्रहणम्) is really harmful to the nature due to which it does affect the human body, even the worse & this is the reason, Hindu Scriptures suggest not to go out during the Eclipse (ग्रहणम्).

     Since the ancient time itself, our ancestors follow the practice of staying inside, eating nothing & many such rules are followed during the Eclipse (ग्रहणम्). Some say it’s just a pure myth & there is nothing to do with the science. But this is not at all a myth & it is very closely intact with science. The science has clearly explained that the Earth is largely affected by the sun & the moon & thus all the creatures on the Earth, including humans too gets affected by the radiations of the sun & the moon during the Eclipse (ग्रहणम्). On the full moon day, the whole ocean rises up around 15 meters & during the Lunar Eclipse (चन्द्रग्रहणम्), it rises even higher. Do you think our body don't get effected having around 70% water content? As human bodies are not as big as oceans, the effects are hardly noticeable & thus people think that not going out during the Eclipse (ग्रहणम्) is just a myth. The people who think they are very intelligent can raise many questions about Hinduism. But they should look at the things from every perspective. Unfortunately, which is not happening. As per the tradition, Hindus avoid doing many things during Eclipse (ग्रहणम्) such as not eating, not taking a bath, covering the windows with curtains & not letting a single eclipse radiation to enter the house & many other things as these harmful radiations can even affect the food & spoil the food by giving birth to bacteria in it. Spoiled food can cause serious diseases.

      Astrologically (ज्योतिःशास्त्रम्) speaking; Eclipses (ग्रहणानि) generally occur 4-5 times in a year, & many individual feels anxious during the Eclipse period. Although the Eclipse energy, mostly prevails for a week before or after the Eclipse or sometimes both, the influence of events continues much longer, i.e., up to 03 months in advance which may last up to 2-3 years. Additionally, the constellation (नक्षत्रम्) in which the Eclipse (ग्रहणम्) falls also gives a hint about its effect on the countries & individuals. Usually, it will have an impact on the constellation (नक्षत्रम्), & whatever it signifies for the next 06 months or sometimes more than a year after the Eclipse (ग्रहणम्). Thus, since olden days various remedies are suggested by the Astrologers (ज्योतिषाचार्य) to neutralize the negative effects of the Eclipse (ग्रहणम्) in each constellation (नक्षत्रम्). The recent Lunar Eclipse (चन्द्रग्रहणम्) is the recent example, which held on 5th June 2020 on the full moon day (ज्येष्ठा शुक्लपक्षे १५ २०७६). On that day, the Eclipse (ग्रहणम्) held during Jyeshtha Nakshatra (ज्येष्ठा नक्षत्रम्) (constellation) upon Scorpio zodiac sign (वृश्चिक राशिः). Jyeshtha Nakshatra (ज्येष्ठा नक्षत्रम्) is the constellation which doubles everything, whether it’s good or bad. But as this Lunar Eclipse (चन्द्रग्रहणम्) had a worst effect than other Eclipse, Jyeshtha Nakshatra (ज्येष्ठा नक्षत्रम्) brought huge destruction to the whole world especially in India. Such Eclipse is called Poisonous Eclipse (विषग्रहणम्). Due its worst impact, the world is fighting with this huge pandemic. It is stated by the Sages that such huge pandemic period arrives once in a hundred years & this year the impact of this Lunar Eclipse (चन्द्रग्रहणम्) was worse due to which this pandemic will continue for approximately two years in India.

Scientific reasons to avoid going out during the Eclipse (ग्रहणम्) –

1. During Solar Eclipse (सूर्यग्रहणम्), it is possible to look directly at the sun without much discomfort to your eyes at the time, but doing so can cause severe damage to the eyes without even knowing it, the retina will damage which may lead to the permanent blindness.
2. During Solar Eclipse (सूर्यग्रहणम्), Sun rays contain harmful rays like X-Rays, UV Rays, etc. which also cause harm to the body.
3. Sun light is the source of food, but during the Solar Eclipse (सूर्यग्रहणम्) we only get partial sun light, which has passed through the moon's atmosphere & this light contain the radiations that are not completely absorbed by the earth's atmosphere & hence there are complete chances of contamination of the food items during Eclipse (ग्रहणम्). Even during the Lunar Eclipse (चन्द्रग्रहणम्) the rays of the Eclipse are very strong & it disturbs the atmosphere due to which the food gets contaminated. Due to this reason, one should always avoid eating or making food during Eclipses (ग्रहणम्). And, if one wants to eat, one should eat before starting the Eclipse (ग्रहणम्) which is made without the use of water (i.e., making the vegetables in the oil without using water & making chapati dough, adding milk in place of water) but, this food should only be consumed before starting the Eclipse (ग्रहणम्) & not during or after the Eclipse (ग्रहणम्).
4. During Eclipse (ग्रहणम्), all the temples are usually closed & the reason behind it is, during Eclipse (ग्रहणम्), there's a strong negative energy covering the Earth. Since the temples are built to attract astral energy & positively charge the devotees; the positive effects will be reversed during the Eclipse (ग्रहणम्). Even the positivity of the God’s idol gets affected negatively this is the reason the temples are always closed during Eclipse. But when sometimes if any temple is open then they wash the whole temple & the idol thoroughly while chanting the purification (शुद्धिकरणम्) shlokas after the Eclipse gets over to get rid of the negative effect on the temple.
5. A Pregnant lady should also avoid going out during the Eclipse (ग्रहणम्) because it affects the embryo & child could be born handicapped or mentally retarded. If we consider science, many negative vibrations hit the Earth during the Eclipse so when women go out during Eclipse, she can face difficulty during delivery or her child will be born with abnormalities.
6. According to the Vedas, a human body goes through some severe changes during the Eclipse (ग्रहणम्). During this time, human’s body undergoes some major imbalance. Its radiations affect the growth of the muscles, immune system, etc. because of this reason, Hindus stays at home with doors & windows closed & covering the windows with the curtains so that not even a single radiation can enter the house & affect the body/ house (kitchen/ bedroom/ bathroom/ etc).
7. Its harmful radiations also affect the skin, which increases the risk of skin diseases so this is another reason one should avoid going out during the Eclipse (ग्रहणम्).
8. It also affects the digestive system. Because of this reason too one should avoid eating during the Eclipse (ग्रहणम्).
9. Due to its negative effects on the body, one may feel tired, fatigued & lethargic after going out during the Eclipse (ग्रहणम्).
10. Lunar Eclipse (चन्द्रग्रहणम्) also affects psychologically, which in turn affects physically.
11. This astronomical event has a negative impact on the mood. One may feel irritated or sad for no particular reason, if they go out during the Eclipse & because of such reasons it is advised to stay at home while chanting shlokas which helps to boost the mood & eliminate the negative effect on the body, mind, etc.
12. During this period sages or some pandits recharge the Mantras & Stotras which are already overpowered by them. Because, while chanting already overpowered Mantras/Stotras during the Eclipse (ग्रहणम्), it recharges those Mantras/Stotras with the double positivity [for e.g., they recharge the mantras to heal jaundice, fever, headache, sinus, etc. & also Durgashaptashati or Chandipaatha (दुर्गासप्तशती or चण्डीपाठः), Bhagawad Gita, etc.] during the Eclipse.
13. Even the oceans get affected because of its radiations, Lunar Eclipse (चन्द्रग्रहणम्) occurs only on full moon nights. It generally lasts for a period of three hours. Hence, the tides during this time are even higher than the normal full moon nights.
14. Our culture provides ways to save ourselves from the critical situations. Scriptures have also provided the way, if someone has any emergency to go out, in that case, one must keep Darbha grass (Kusha grass) (दर्भः) on a head by wearing a hat or something & later one can go out during Eclipse (ग्रहणम्) & after returning back to home one should take a bath.

     Thus, India’s rich Vedic tradition has a powerful influence in the field of astronomy & the eclipse events is well documented. Hindus does not do everything in superstitions but during ancient times normal people used to understand things more easily if it is connected to the spirituality because of which it was easy for them to understand & perform such small religious rituals with more faith in God, but unfortunately today’s so called modern generation questions the faith in God & thinks that this is just a superstition/myth which does not have any base of science. Such thinking is totally wrong because, the base of our Scriptures is solely connected to the Science & it will not be wrong if we affirm that “Hinduism means Science & Science means Hinduism, which has its roots connected to each other”.

चैत्रः शुक्लपक्षे ०७, २०७७

अस्तु।