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 43

JAIN JOURNAL
a region which may be 230 miles wide ; and a solar eclipse is partial any
here within the Moon's penumbra which at the Earth's distance is some 4000 miles in diameter-sufficient to include about half the exposed hemisphere.”69
In regard to the solar eclipse the difference between Jaina Astronomy and modern astronomy is clearly marked, for their respective approaches to this problem at ancient and modern periods respectively are different in regard to the cause, frequency, recurrence, the saros, the perceptibility of the solar eclipse, etc. But both of them point clearly to this phenomenon of the solar eclipses-partial and total, taking place in the world for some duration at an interval.
Effects of Total Lunar and Solar Eclipses
It is suggestive from the Jaina astronomical views on the total lunar or solar eclipse caused by the covering of the moonlight or the sunlight by Parva Rahu with its dark rays from all sides that at the time of eclipse the moonlight or the sunlight is completely overpowered by the strength of too strong dark rays of the vimāna of Parva Rahu and it is overshadowed.60
An effect apparent on the Earth is reflected in the image of the Moon or the Sun formed by the circular shape of darkness. At the time of total eclipse the landscape appears to be perceptibly darkened and the Earth and the Sky are covered with darkness. 61
Aryabhatiya described the effects of eclipses in this way that at the beginning of an eclipse the Moon becomes dhumra (smoke like), at partial eclipse it becomes black, at total eclipse it becomes kapila (or brown or tawny colour) and entering into complete darkness (at the middle of an eclipse) it becomes of black copper-colour. Like the Moon the colours of the Sun should be knowne2 as a result of the solar eclipse.
58 Ibid. 60 Bhagavati Vyakhyaprajnati, 12. 6. 453-4.
Suriyapannatti, pahuda 20. Camdapannatti, pahuda 20. disai param na disai jaha gahane pavvarahassa...tenam vattaccheo gahane u tamo tamoaahulo 1, Visesanavati, Jinabhadragani,
Vide comm. on Suriyapannatti, pahuda 20, p. 290. 61 See the Commentary of Suriyapannatti, pahuda. " pragrahanane dhumrah khandagrahane sasi bhavati krsnah I sarvagrase kepilassa
krsnatamratamo medhye I, Aryabhatiya, Golapada, v. 46.