Indian Antiquary Vol 46

Author(s): Richard Carnac Temple, Devadatta Ramkrishna Bhandarkar
Publisher: Swati Publications

Page 370

22
THE INDIAN ANTIQUARY
A third explanation of the eclipse is that the sun and the moon revolve round the Meru mountain, and the shadow of the mountain falling upon either of them causes an eclipse,1
It is believed amongst Hindus that eclipses occur when too much sin accumulates in this world. Most Hindus regard an eclipse as ominous, and consider the eclipse period to be unholy and inauspicious. The contact of the demon Rahu with the rays of the sun and the moon pollutes everything on earth. Great precautions therefore become necessary to avoid pollution. A period of three pohors (prakars) in the case of the moon, and of four in the case of the sun, before the actual commencement of an eclipse, is known as vedha, i, e., the time when the luminaries are already under the influence of the demon. During this period and during the time of an eclipse people observe a strict fast. Anyone taking food within the prohibited period is considered sutaki or ceremonially impure, as if a death had happened in his family. An exception is, however, made in the case of children, pregnant women and suckling mothers who cannot bear the privation of a strict fast. From the beginning of an eclipse to its end, everything in the house is believed to be polluted, if touched,1
As the sun and the moon are believed to be in trouble during an eclipse, people offer prayers to God from the beginning of the vedha for their release. It is the custom to visit some holy place on an eclipse-day, to take a bath there, and to read holy passages from the Shastras. Some people, especially Brahmans, sit devoutly on river-banks and offer prayers to the sun. Much secret as well as open charity is given at the time of an eclipse. But the receivers
1 Mr. K. P. Joshi, Limbdi.
3 Mr. Laxmichand Hemji, Vasawad.
Mr. D. K. Pandya, Dhhank,
The Schoolmasters of Jodia and Songadh.
Mr. N. D. Vora, Rajpara.
10 Mr. K. D. Desai.
13 Mr. D. K. Pandya, Dhhank,
of charity during the actual period of an eclipse are the lowest classes only, such as bhangis, mahārs and mangs. When an eclipse is at its full, these people go about the streets giving vent to such cries as apó dan chhuté chand (give alms for the relief of the moon !).5
Among the gifts such people receive are cotton clothes, cash, grain such as sesamum seeds, udad, pulses, and salt." The gift of a pair of shoes is much recommended. Sometimes a figure of the eclipsed sun or moon is drawn in juari seeds and given away to a bhangis
Although the period of an eclipse is considered inauspicious, it is valued by those who profess the black art. All mantras, incantations, and prayogas, applications or experiments, which ordinarily require a long time to take effect, produce the wished for result without delay if performed during the process of an eclipse."
If a man's wife is pregnant, he may not smoke during the period of an eclipse lest his child become deformed, 10 Ploughing a farm on a lunar-eclipse day is supposed to cause the birth of chandra-children, i, e., children afflicted by the moon. 10
After an eclipse Hindus bathe, perform ablution ceremonies and dress themselves in clean garments. The houses are cleansed by cowdunging the floors, vessels are rubbed and cleansed, and clothes are washed, in order to get rid of the pollution caused by the eclipse11. Unwashed clothes of cotton, wool, silk or jute, according to popular belief, do not become polluted.11 The placing of darbha grass on things which are otherwise liable to pollution is also sufficient to keep them unpolluted.12
Brahmans cannot accept anything during the impious time of an eclipse, but after it
2 Mr K. D. Desai.
A pohor or prahar is equal to three hours,
Mr. Khan Babadur Fazlullah.
7 Mr. K. D. Desai.
Mr. G. K Bhatt, Songadh. 11 The Schoolmaster of Jodia.