Significance of Solar eclipse
In various philosophical and cultural perspectives, Solar eclipse is understood as a significant astronomical event with spiritual implications. Vaishnavism describes it as a time for rituals and gatherings to honor Krishna, while the Purana highlights its auspiciousness for performing religious acts and ablutions. Kavya portrays it as Rahu's attempt to swallow the sun, while Jyotisha links it to future effects and potential negative impacts. Overall, the Solar eclipse is recognized across traditions as a time that enhances spiritual merit and religious observances.
Synonyms: Solar obscuration
In Dutch: Zonsverduistering; In German: Sonnenfinsternis; In Spanish: Eclipse solar
The below excerpts are indicatory and do represent direct quotations or translations. It is your responsibility to fact check each reference.
Hindu concept of 'Solar eclipse'
In Hinduism, a solar eclipse symbolizes a significant celestial event associated with spiritual practices and rituals, believed to enhance spiritual merit and linked to divine observations and transformative rituals, particularly in sacred places like Kurukshetra.
From: Vishnu Purana
(1) Solar eclipses are caused by Rahu, who directs his course from the sun to the moon and vice versa.[1] (2) An event when the moon moves between the Earth and the sun, creating a shadow on the Earth, significant for ancestral offerings.[2]
From: Bhagavad-gita Mahatmya
(1) The event during which King Candrasharman performed the gift that was targeted by censure and sin.[3]
From: Bhagavad-gita-mahatmya
(1) The celestial event during which King Chandrasharma intended to give charity, marking a significant time for spiritual activities.[4]
From: Bhakti-rasamrta-sindhu
(1) An astronomical event that the speaker associates with a significant memory of beauty and experience.[5] (2) The astronomical event that Krishna travels to observe, setting the scene for His glorification.[6]
From: Garga Samhita (English)
(1) An astronomical event that occurs at Kurukshetra, which impacts the effectiveness of pious acts.[7]
From: Bhajana-Rahasya
(1) The astronomical event during which the Vrajavasis gather at Kurukshetra to meet Shri Krishna.[8]
From: Brihat Samhita
(1) Events involving the obscuration of the Sun, which are associated with various negative impacts on mankind.[9] (2) A celestial event where the effects will occur after a year.[10] (3) An event in which the moon obscures the sun, varying in visibility based on different geographical locations.[11]
From: Vivekachudamani
(1) A phenomenon where the sun appears to be swallowed, caused by Rahu, leading to delusion among people who do not understand the sun's true nature.[12] (2) An astronomical event where the moon passes between the Earth and the sun, temporarily obscuring the sun.[13]
From: Manusmriti with the Commentary of Medhatithi
(1) An astronomical event that is associated with the impurity of Rahu and is noted as an unfit time for study.[14] (2) Natural phenomena during which the sun is obscured, noted as a time when performance of Shraddha may be permissible despite general prohibitions.[15]
From: Kathasaritsagara (the Ocean of Story)
(1) A cosmic event where Rahu attempts to swallow the sun, resulting in the sun being obscured.[16]
The concept of Solar eclipse in local and regional sources
The solar eclipse is a celestial event causing conflict over beliefs and education, essential in Indian astronomy for understanding complex computations, including lunar eclipses, and is linked to astronomical phenomena involving Rahu's alignment with the Moon and Earth.
From: History of Science in South Asia
(1) The text mentions the knowledge of solar eclipses, which is a topic covered in one of the chapters.[17] (2) The Gargasamhita deals with these events, with longitudinal and latitudinal parallaxes being the main topics, and the text also deals with lunar eclipses briefly.[18] (3) Solar eclipses are important topics within Indian astronomy and involve complex computations. The book provides worked-out examples of these computations, which are valuable for understanding the underlying models and practical applications.[19] (4) This is an astronomical event, and one table is dedicated to ghatikas of half-duration of solar eclipse.[20] (5) This celestial event happens when the moon passes between the earth and the sun, blocking the sun's rays from reaching certain areas of the earth.[21]
From: Triveni Journal
(1) Astronomical events that occur when Rahu, in conjunction with the moon and shadow of the earth, blocks sunlight from reaching the earth.[22] (2) A celestial event mentioned by the narrator, which sparks a disagreement over beliefs and education with grandmother.[23]
From: The Complete Works of Swami Vivekananda
(1) The text mentions this astronomical event in the context of women's knowledge, referencing the ability of Indian women to calculate such events, as cited by a historian.[24]