With a total solar eclipse moving through the US and into Canada this Monday, I thought we’d take a look at how Hindus have viewed this phenomenon throughout history. The picture above is of the ravenous Hindu God Rehu, before his head was cut off. You’ll read more about that in the article. Enjoy!
Hindu Thought Surrounding the Solar Eclipse
Introduction In the kaleidoscope of global cultures, the ancient and deeply spiritual heritage of Hinduism holds a unique perspective on cosmic phenomena. Foremost among these is the solar eclipse, or Surya Grahan, a celestial event imbued with profound significance. The alignment of the Sun, Moon, and Earth unfolds not merely as an astronomical occurrence but is imbued with deep spiritual and religious meaning, reflecting the rich traditions and beliefs of one of the world’s oldest religions.
The Cosmic Dance: Hindu Mythology and Eclipses At the heart of Hindu interpretation of eclipses is the enchanting tapestry of myths and legends. One of the most popular is the tale of the churning of the ocean (Samudra Manthan) involving gods (Devas) and demons (Asuras). During this event, the nectar of immortality (Amrit) was produced. To prevent the demons from consuming it, Lord Vishnu transformed into the enchantress Mohini.
However, a demon, Rahu, saw through the disguise and partook of the nectar. Sun (Surya) and Moon (Chandra), who noticed this, informed Vishnu, who in response beheaded Rahu. But having consumed the nectar, Rahu’s head (Rahu) and body (Ketu) remained immortal. Eclipses are thus believed to occur when Rahu and Ketu seek revenge by devouring the Sun and Moon, symbolizing the eternal struggle between light and darkness, good and evil, and knowledge and ignorance.
The Spiritual Aspect Solar eclipses, known as ‘Surya Grahan’ in Hindi, are particularly auspicious. They are considered powerful times for meditation, introspection, and prayer. The period of the eclipse is believed to be conducive for spiritual growth and cleansing of sins. During the eclipse, many Hindus engage in spiritual practices like chanting mantras, performing puja (ritual worship), and observing fasts. Temples often organize special prayers and rituals.
In Yogini: Unfolding the Goddess Within, Yogini Shambhavi wrote, “If one does 100 repetitions of mantra during an eclipse, it’s like doing 1,000,000 tapas on an ordinary day.” You can chant OM HREEM SURYAYA NAMAH to bring in the grace of the Sun and Surya Devata, or any other mantras to the Sun like the Gayatri Mantra. But you should not look at the eclipse.
Traditional beliefs hold that the rays of the sun during an eclipse can be harmful. Hence, people are advised to stay indoors and refrain from eating or cooking food during the eclipse. Pregnant women, in particular, are advised to take extra care as it’s believed that the eclipse might affect the unborn child.
Solar Eclipses in Vedic Astrology Solar eclipses play a pivotal role in Vedic astrology or Jyotish. These cosmic events are considered significant omens, influencing the course of individual lives and world events. Astrologers often interpret the occurrence, duration, and visibility of a solar eclipse to provide insights into future happenings. This intricate connection between celestial mechanics and human destiny echoes Hinduism’s broader view of the interconnectedness of the cosmos.
If you are into Vedic Astrology, see Dr. David Frawley’s update on the cosmic ramifications of April 8 this year at https://www.vedanet.com/vedic-....
The Cultural Influence of Solar Eclipses Solar eclipses permeate various aspects of Hindu culture, from arts to literature. They serve as metaphors in poetry and narratives, symbolizing moments of profound transformation or revelation. Folk tales and regional songs also reference solar eclipses, highlighting the pervasive influence of these celestial events on the collective Hindu psyche.
Scientific Understanding and Cultural Beliefs While Hinduism reveres these celestial events, there’s an acknowledgment of the scientific aspects of eclipses. Astronomy in ancient India was highly advanced, and Hindu scriptures accurately describe the mechanics of solar and lunar eclipses. This blend of scientific understanding with religious and cultural beliefs is a hallmark of Hinduism’s broad perspective on life and the universe.
Historical texts like the ‘Surya Siddhanta’, one of the earliest astronomical treatises in India, and ‘Aryabhatiya’ by the legendary mathematician Aryabhata, offer insights into the early understanding of celestial movements, including eclipses.
It's believed that Aryabhatta was the first person who recorded observations regarding the true cause of eclipses. Born in the late fifth century, his only surviving work, "Aryabhatiya," written in the early sixth century, includes mathematics to predict solar and lunar eclipses. These texts outline the astronomical calculations that can predict eclipses with considerable accuracy, a testament to the advanced state of ancient Indian astronomy.
This deep scientific awareness is seamlessly integrated with religious practices. For instance, the timing of various rituals and the duration for which certain practices should be carried out during eclipses are often based on these precise astronomical calculations. This demonstrates a unique harmony between the reverence for celestial events as divine manifestations and the recognition of their scientific basis.
Furthermore, this integration extends beyond mere calculation and into the realm of philosophy. In Hindu thought, the cosmic dance of the celestial bodies, as seen during eclipses, is a reflection of the cyclical nature of the universe and life itself – creation (srishti), preservation (sthiti), and dissolution (samhara). This cosmic cycle is mirrored in the human experience, encouraging a broader contemplation of life’s transient nature and the pursuit of spiritual wisdom.
Additionally, eclipses in Hinduism are also seen as opportunities to reset and renew. Just as the eclipse momentarily disrupts the natural order, it’s believed to offer a chance to break away from the mundane and introspect on deeper spiritual and existential questions. This perspective underscores the importance of balance – between the material and spiritual, the scientific and the mystical, and the outer worldly and inner consciousness.
A more modern view of the phenomenon Ahead of Monday's total solar eclipse — where Essex County, Ont. will be the first in Canada to see totality — here's a bit of history from a Hindu University of Toronto PhD student, Eesha Das Gupta, on how Hindus have explained the solar phenomenon. She says the eclipse is still generally seen as an inauspicious event in India.
"The story of eclipses, especially solar eclipses, falls around demons swallowing the sun, so it's seen generally as ominous. In modern India that also leads to many people being discouraged from viewing the eclipse, although as a Hindu astronomer, I don't completely agree with that.”
Das Gupta noted that last week Hindus celebrated Holi, and many people delayed their celebrations a day so as not to fall on the same day as a lunar eclipse. The April 8 solar eclipse falls on the first day of the New Year in many places in India, so she says those celebrations will be put off until April 9.
She says that while there are beliefs about what caused an eclipse, Hindu astronomers were working to explain eclipses with the movement of the sun and moon as early as the 6th century in the texts that make up Hinduism's astronomical and astrological beliefs.
"Even though it's described as some demons swallowing the sun ... there's a calculation of how the ...demon moves and it's like very much mathematical," she said, noting it would often help inform the war, or peace, plans of rulers.
Laura Danly, an astrophysicist and the curator of the Griffith Observatory, was one of many researchers who pointed out how commonly people interpreted solar eclipses as the sun being eaten by some horrible creature.
“It’s a natural thing to think if you’ve ever seen one,” Dr. Danly said. ”The moon literally looks like it’s taking a bite out of the sun until it consumes it completely.” Since the sun always reappears, she said, “some throwing up or regurgitation is often a part of the story as well.”
Das Gupta also says it was no wonder people found it alarming before we understood how to safely observe an eclipse with special glasses. "The whole hoopla around eclipse safety is also because it can cause severe eye damage, and you can think of this being 'ominous' as a way of caution from a day and age when eclipse glasses weren't there," she said. "Now that we have safe means to do so, we should go out and enjoy this.”
"If you are a Hindu, no matter what your parents or older people say — that eclipses are ominous and you shouldn't see it — try to educate them as well and take them with you to see the eclipse and how amazing it's going to be.
"Get the whole family involved and be proud that you are part of a legacy that explored eclipses as a means of exploring science and astronomy such a long time ago.”
Paresh Pandya, the pandit, or spiritual leader, of Windsor's Hindu Temple and Cultural Centre added that observant Hindus will try to avoid eating or drinking for the duration of the eclipse, and pregnant people will avoid using sharp objects "We have to take a certain precaution of the event happening," he said.
Conclusion In Hinduism, solar eclipses transcend their astronomical definitions, becoming richly layered holistic events that interweave mythology, spirituality, and science. They are moments that prompt introspection, spiritual practices, and societal rituals, reflecting the culture’s deep connection with the cosmos. As such, eclipses in Hinduism are not just observed but experienced, reminding us how how ancient cultures blended their understanding of the cosmos with their spiritual beliefs, creating a rich, interconnected tapestry of knowledge and reverence.
For more interesting information on how different cultures around the world have understood a solar eclipse, visit these sites: https://blogs.loc.gov/folklife... https://www.britannica.com/lis... https://www.msn.com/en-us/news... https://www.nytimes.com/2017/0...
Resources: https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada... https://prayagpandits.com/the-... https://cultureandheritage.org... https://www.vedanet.com/vedic-... http://timesofindia.indiatimes...
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