Jain Journal 1985 10

SR No.: 520080
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: Jain Bhawan Publication
Publisher: Jain Bhawan Publication
Publication Year: 1985
Total Pages: 45
Language: English
Classification: Magazine, India_Jain Journal, & India
File Size: 3 MB

Page 32

OCTOBER, 1985
Himasitala, Kailasa, Arunabha, Parirjaka, Nabhasuraka, Kapilika, Pimgalaka and Rahu.
When all these fifteen kinds of black matter always become the followers of the moonlight or the sunlight by shadowing it, then the people in the human world say that surely the Rahu has captured the Moon or the Sun." When all these fifteen kinds of black matter do not always become the followers of the moonlight or the sunlight by shadowing it, the people do not say that the Rahu has captured the Moon or the Sun. 8
63
The Jainacaryas do not accept these contentions of the above mentioned two popular schools of astronomy of the ancient past. They maintain that the Rahu has nine names: Simghataka, Jatilaka, Kharaka, Khetraka, Dhardhara, Makara, Kacchapa, and Kannasappa (Krsnasarpa). Its vimānas (heavenly abodes or houses) are of five colours, viz. black, blue, red, yellow, and white.10
Cause of Eclipses
Against the popular and scholarly ancient beliefs as mentioned above, the Jainacaryas explain the causes of the eclipses of the Moon or the Sun partial or total, in this way that the Rahu, the celestial graha, is no doubt powerful to cause eclipses. When the Rahu passes into the celestial space of the west from the east by covering the moonlight or the sunlight in the east on its celestial journey, then the Moon or the Sun becomes visible in the east and the Rahu in the west. When it passes into the celestial space of the east from the west by covering the moonlight or the sunlight in the west, the Moon or the Sun becomes visible in the west and the Rahu in
tatta nam ime pannarasakasinapoggala pa.ta, simghanae...rahu 1, Ibid.
7
ta jaya nam, etc., pannarasa kasina 2 poggala sada camdassa va surassa va lesanubaddhacarino bhavamti, tadanam manusaloyamsi manusa evam vadamti evam khalu rahu camdam va suram va genhati,
Ibid.
8 ta jata nam, etc. pannarasa kasina 2 poggala no sada camdassa va surassa va lesanubaddhacarino khalu tada manusaloyammi manusa vam vadamti evam khalu rahu camdam suram va genhati 1,
Ibid.
• Rahussa nam devassa nava namadhejja pam tam-simghadae.. .kannasappe 1,
Ibid.
10 Ibid.