Grahanam: The Science and Spirituality of Eclipses in Hindu Tradition
The Sanskrit word for Eclipse is “Grahanam”. Aryabhatta the great Indian astronomer (476 C.E) was the first person in the world who did deep research into this dramatic astronomical event called the eclipse and discovered how it was caused. He gave the perfect scientific explanation for it, way back in the fifth century - long before the western scientists even thought about it. So, Indians were well aware of the scientific facts behind this phenomenon. In the ancient world people were more superstitious and less scientific than they are now, so our sages always clothed the dry scientific facts behind all natural phenomena in beautiful stories so as to make them more palatable to the ordinary person. Hence, we find that our Puranas contain thousands of stories that actually hide deep scientific truths. All the dos and don’ts that have been given to us to be followed during the time of an eclipse are based on some scientific truth and should not be shrugged off as superstitious nonsense. More and more of these so called “superstitious nonsense” are being found to be absolutely scientific by modern scientists!
Now let us see what the Veda has to say about this phenomenon of the eclipse.
The Rig Veda is the oldest record of humanity known to us. The Taittiriya Upanishad which comes in this Veda mentions a solar eclipse that was witnessed by the great Sage Atri. In the Panchavimsi Brahmana of the Rig Veda, the Rishi Atri is said to have dispelled the darkness caused by the eclipse by chanting 4 mantras. He differentiated the changes that occur during an eclipse into a 4 - step process which has been verified by modern science! Research done on sea water during an eclipse reveals the startling truth behind the rishi’s statements. During the eclipse the induced gravity causes a reduction of the ozone layer in the stratosphere. This allows more cosmic radiation of different wavelengths to surface on the earth. This in turn causes changes in the oceanic pH which influences living organisms. This can be noted in the erratic behaviour of animals, birds and marine organisms. Marine organisms are seen to hide from the exposure to the sun during the time of an eclipse. Thus, scientific research strongly supports the traditional Hindu view. Vedic astrologers were able to accurately predict the movement of the planets and even the comets and thus they knew exactly when eclipses would occur. It must be stressed, that the fact that stories were woven over these natural occurrences did not mean that they did not know the underlying scientific reason.
Mention is also made in other places which point clearly to the fact that our ancients knew all about this phenomenon and could accurately predict the times when they would occur. How they did this without modern instrumentation is anybody’s guess.
As has been said before, Hinduism is filled with symbolism which is only a cover for the scientific facts of which they were well aware. The sun and moon have such a powerful effect on our lives that they realised that when these two orbs were temporarily cut off from us it would create a temporary aberration in the world order. Even though their influence would not last long it would still leave a mark on the celestial map as well as on the lives of all creatures living on this planet.
Eclipses overshadow our karma and destinies and create havoc in our lives, just as bad karma brings darkness into our lives and disturbs our peace of mind.
The sun, which is a major life force in the universe, disappears during the solar eclipse, making it a negative omen. The absence of the sun's rays increases the number of bacteria and germs in the atmosphere, thereby harming everything. These scientific truths gave rise to the superstitions surrounding the eclipses that state that harmful agents are at play during these periods, and so, all actions should be done with utmost caution. The entire period of an eclipse from its onset to its culmination is extremely important.
There are many health hazards which can affect us during this special period of time. Since micro-organisms multiply fast during an eclipse there is a tendency for food to get spoilt so we are asked not to cook during the time of the eclipse and not to eat food cooked the previous day since it would have become spoilt. Immunity to disease is also lowered so we are told not to wander all over the place but to sit quietly in one spot and practice meditation or do mantra japa.
One should never look directly at the sun during an eclipse. Pregnant women are considered to be especially vulnerable to evil forces during eclipses. They are not allowed to go outside where the rays would be stronger. They are told to abstain from such activities like cutting vegetables and stitching clothes. This is because any cut that causes blood to flow would be dangerous since the ability to clot is reduced during an eclipse.
The mantra that is chanted during Surya Grahan by pregnant women is the Santana Gopala Mantra.
In order to minimise the negative effects of this phenomenon we are asked to follow some rules. One should take a bath at the very onset of the eclipse. During the eclipse, tarpan (offering water to deceased ancestors), chanting mantras, performing havans (fire sacrifices) and giving charity can be done. We should bathe once again at the culmination of the eclipse. It is said that during an eclipse any water becomes equivalent to the water of the sacred River Ganga. Merit increases progressively by bathing with water drawn from a water body, flowing water, water from a lake, large river, the Ganga and the sea. Special benefit is supposed to be got from bathing in the River Narmada during and after a solar eclipse. If bathing in the Narmada is not possible, one can chant the mantra which is supposed to be chanted over all waters when we take a bath.
Gange cha Yamune chaiva, Godavari, Saraswati, Narmade, Sindhu, Kaveri, jalesmin sannidhim kuru.
“O Gange, Yamune, Godavari, Saraswati, Narmade, Sindhu, Kaveri, do thou enter into this water and (make it pure)”!
This ensures that the waters of all these rivers enter into your bucket of water and purify it. This mantra can be chanted even if you are taking a shower.
The benefit derived from spiritual practices performed during an eclipse is thousands of times greater than at other times. This is precisely why it is important to give priority to spiritual practices during this period. Reading of holy books, meditation, asanas and other types of sadhana are highly beneficial and will give double their benefit when practiced during the time of an eclipse.
For spiritual practices, a solar eclipse is more beneficial than a lunar eclipse. As it is a transitory period the effects of spiritual practices performed during this period are visible at once. During a solar eclipse chanting performed with immense faith and concentration by remembering God or Guru in different ways, overcomes physical, psychological, spiritual and worldly distress. Success is certain for all spiritual tasks. No japamala (prayer beads) is required for chanting during this period.
There are some things that are forbidden during solar eclipses. No pujas should be done since we are not supposed to touch the murtis at this time. Temples are closed during an eclipse to prevent negative energy emitted by the planetary bodies from harming the murtis. After it is over the murtis have to be washed with Ganga water if available or ordinary water.
Sleeping, cooking, eating and sexual intercourse are totally prohibited during an eclipse. No food should be cooked during the eclipse. Leftovers should be eaten before the period of the eclipse. If due to some health problems we are forced to drink water we are told to put a tulsi leaf into it which will remove the negative vibrations.
It is most advisable to take a bath after the eclipse is over and change into fresh clothes. Sprinkling of Ganga water or taking a dip in the Ganga is also supposed to wash away the negativity incurred during the eclipse.
The mind is also affected during an eclipse. According to psychiatrists some individuals develop psychological problems such as depression, anxiety etc. during this period. In fact, you will find that patients in lunatic asylums exhibit a lot of extra abnormal behaviour. Hence you find that eclipses were considered to be inauspicious according to Hindu thought. They are associated with suffering and adversity. If the eclipse occurs on one’s raasi or birth star, we are asked to do some special pujas.
All living organisms appear to be affected by an eclipse. During this period, you will find that the whole of nature seems to have withdrawn into itself. Animals and birds seldom come out. No bird sounds will be heard. A hush envelopes, the countryside. Plants are all in a state of suspended animation. They seem to withdraw into themselves. Thus, it is most advisable to follow the practices which our rishis had given us centuries ago and preserve our health and increase our spiritual wealth!
Let me repeat that all the “so called superstitious practices” of the Hindus always cloak deep scientific truths so even if you don’t know the reasons it would still be advisable to follow them!
Next solar eclipse is on the 29th March 2025.
Hari aum tat sat