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OCTOBER, 1985
the maximum, while the solar eclipse takes place after six months in the minimum and after forty-eight years in the maximum.44 During the course of a saros of these periods there occur the minimum and maximum number of eclipses.
The Vārāhisamhita45 also mentions indirectly the recurrence of eclipses in a year and their apparent effects on the earth.
According to Jaina Astronomy, there seems to be two conditions necessary for the recurrence of an eclipse : (1) the appropriate phase of the Moon brought about by Dhruva Rahu and (2) proximity of Parva Rahu to the Moon or the Sun at proper time at full Moon or at new Moon on its celestial journey, and the consequent covering of the moonlight or the sunlight partially or totally.46
Modern astronomy explains this recurrence of eclipses in this way that “as two conditions necessary for an eclipse are the appropriate phase of the Moon and proximity of the Sun to the Moon's node, an eclipse must repeat itself after an interval that contains without a remainder both the synodic month and the eclipse year."47
Although the Jaina views on the recurrence of eclipses and the saros and the conditions of the recurrence of eclipses do not fully agree with the modern astronomical views on them, it is important on this point that the Jainacaryas have observed this recurrence of eclipses after an interval.
Eclipses of the Moon
To sum up, Jaina Astronomy indicates that a lunar eclipse whether partial or total, can be observed simultaneously from every place on the terrestrial Earth. The passing of Parva Rahu by the side of the Moon makes no perceptible change whatever in its brightness. But, as it enters into the space in between the Earth and the Moon by covering the moon
4 Bhagavati Vyakhyaprajnapti, 12. 6. 453-455.
Suriyapannatti, pahuda 20.
Camdapannatti, pahuda 20. 4 Varahisamhita, ch. V, vv. 26, 63, 69-8. · Suriyapannatti, pahuda 20.
Camdapannatti, pahuda 20. 47 Astronomy, p. 148, John Charles Duncan.
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