HINDUISM
A week before, I was discussing with my friends about the subject "Effects of eclipses on Human Health".Don't know what happened..!! Suddenly a thought came to my mind asking a question. "What is the scientific reason behind the rituals performed by Hindus during solar and lunar eclipse?". I thought for a long time, searched for reasons in some ritual books, searched on Google, asked my grandma and finally got some of the reasons behind these rituals and thought of sharing this interesting subject with you all.
Initially lets mention the rituals that are performed by Hindus during and after the eclipse. According to the rules and rituals made by our ancestors :
- It is advisable to avoid performing any important work or deal.
- Avoid eating indoor or outdoor food during eclipse. Avoid eating the food which is cooked before Eclipse.
- One should not watch solar eclipse with naked eyes.
- Take the food which is cooked after Eclipse.
- Clean the utensils and containers after the eclipse and then cook the food.
- Perform ritual bath during and after the eclipse release. Taking a holy dip in rivers or lakes is highly auspicious.
- Chant the name of God and recite Japas in a purified state.
- One should not drink stored water ( if grass blades are not kept ).
- Grass blades (Durva or Garika or Darbha) are kept on stored water and food during this time.
- Pregnant women should stay indoors during an eclipse.
These are the most known do's and dont's rituals performed by Hindus.
Then what are the effects that takes place during and after the eclipse? What are the Scientific reasons behind these rituals ?
As per the science Lunar Eclipse has very less effects on living beings compared to Solar Eclipse which significantly affects the living world. It is not a blind belief that they do have effect on human health. It should be based on some ancient scientific belief which might have been lost in course of time. Although there are no direct physical effects involving known forces, but there are certain effects which may even lead to Mental Imbalance and Lunacy. There are some scientific evidences that lunar eclipse does have some effect on the hormones, especially a woman’s monthly cycle and fertility. Yes, a modern theory called Transylvanian effect or Transylvanian hypothesis in intellectual literature presumes that lunar eclipse may affect body and mind as an impact on the circadian rhythm of human body. As per my analysis and collection of information I thought these are the main scientific reasons behind the rituals performed by Hindus.
Pregnant women should stay indoors during an eclipse to prevent the baby from developing birth defects.Pregnant women do have effect on their wombs. Children born to women who exposed themselves to lunar eclipse were affected and children born to them had defects either physically or mentally. This is because eclipse releases x-rays that can harm pregnant women. If women ever go for a health check-up, before taking the x-ray, doctors would ask if the woman is pregnant. Because x-rays will harm a pregnant woman and cause effect on their wombs.
During these eclipses one should not drink water. During a Total Solar Eclipse, Division of Environmental Biology of Vikram Sarabhai Research Center with the association of S.N. Hospitals, proved that purity of the water was reduced after Eclipse which is not good for health. They have researched it for few days and analyzed the results of water before Eclipse and the same water after the Eclipse.
But is this water drinkable if Grass blades (Durva or Garika or Darbha) are kept on stored water ?
Yes, it is drinkable. Its proven scientifically that Grass blades purify the water more than Tulsi (Ocimum) leaves can during Eclipse. Grass blades have immense purifying power. This is the main reason why grass blades are kept on stored water and food like pickles etc,.
Watching a solar eclipse without eye-wear protection can seriously damage your eyesight. This reason is very well known to everyone and hence there is no need of explanation about it.
These are the reasons what our Indian saints and Maharishis’, noticed at the time when there were no scientific instruments, telescopes or something. There is a reason behind every ritual a Hindu performs. So try to understand their rituals instead of believing it as a superstition.
And still more interesting posts with secrets of rituals revealed by MOHAN K V.
Keep update with my Blog.
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