Jainthology

Author(s): Ganesh Lalwani
Publisher: Jain Bhawan Publication

Page 81

prediction the comet did appear in the year 1758 and his discovery was universally acknowledged after his death. The comet was named after its discoverer as Halley's comet.
This particular comet is orbitting in an elongated orbit. Its remotest point (aphelion) is situated between the orbit of Pluto and Naptune some 496 crore kilometres away from the sun. When it comes near to the sun it passes between the sun and the orbit of the earth. At this time which comes every 76 years, it appears like a very bright star in the western sky after sun set or in the eastern sky before the sun rise when viewed from the earth. The sight is undoubtedly memorable one for those who study it but for the general public it is a foreteller of calamity, war, epidemic and death of prominent persons. This myth is equally shared by east and west even to this date.
The ancient philosopher Plinny described a comet as of a particularly frightful body which could not be easily stoned. The people looked upon these occasional visitors to our sky with awe and v onder. Pope Calixtus III in the 15th century ordered general prayer seeking deliverance from the comet. It was generally regarded as precursor of momentous events like war, invasion, death of prominent persons etc. William Shakespeare rightly referred to this popular superstition in queen Calphurria's comment. About comets Swift remarked 'old men and comets have been reverred for the same reason, their long beards and pretances to forestall event's.'
In the east it is depicted as Bhaşma Graha-one who brings destruction or disaster or dhūmaketu- one with mysterious tail of smoke. The pandits of Astrology are always ready to predict ominous effect of such events. In this context the prediction of Kalpa Sūtra undoubtedly testified to the appearance of a comet of unprecedented brilliance which was acclaimed to be evil enough to cast bad effect for two millennium.
Talking about the Halley's comet, it last appeared in January 1910 and according to calculation it is to appear again in the year 1986 when it will come nearest to the sun and will be seen for some twothree hours after the sun set in the western sky or before the sun rise in the eastern sky. The American and Russian scientists have confirmed with the aid of gigantic telescopes that the Halley's comet is on its way and it is approaching the sun as per schedule. It is still thousands of millions of kilometers away from the earth, but its schedule is very
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