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Solar eclipse pits superstition against science
By Phil Hazlewood (AFP) – Jul 19, 2009
MUMBAI — Indian astrologers are predicting violence and turmoil across the world as a result of this week's total solar eclipse, which the superstitious and religious view as a sign of potential doom.
But astronomers, scientists and secularists are trying to play down claims of evil portent in connection with Wednesday's natural spectacle, when the moon will come between the Earth and the sun, completely obscuring the sun.
In Hindu mythology, the two demons Rahu and Ketu are said to "swallow" the sun during eclipses, snuffing out its life-giving light and causing food to become inedible and water undrinkable.
Pregnant women are advised to stay indoors to prevent their babies developing birth defects, while prayers, fasting and ritual bathing, particularly in holy rivers, are encouraged.
Shivani Sachdev Gour, a gynaecologist at the Fortis Hospital in New Delhi, said a number of expectant mothers scheduled for caesarian deliveries on July 22 had asked to change the date.
"This is a belief deeply rooted in Indian society. Couples are willing to do anything to ensure that the baby is not born on that day," Gour said.
Astrologers have predicted a rise in communal and regional violence in the days following the eclipse, particularly in India, China and other Southeast Asian nations where it can be seen on Wednesday morning.
Mumbai astrologer Raj Kumar Sharma predicted "some sort of attack by (Kashmiri separatists) Jaish-e-Mohammad or Al-Qaeda on Indian soil" and a devastating natural disaster in Southeast Asia.
An Indian political leader could be killed, he said, and tension between the West and Iran is likely to increase, escalating into possible US military action after September 9, when fiery Saturn moves from Leo into Virgo.
"The last 200 years, whenever Saturn has gone into Virgo there has been either a world war or a mini world war," he told AFP.
It is not just in India that some are uneasy about what will transpire because of the eclipse.
In ancient China they were often associated with disasters, the death of an emperor or other dark events, and similar superstitions persist.
"The probability for unrest or war to take place in years when a solar eclipse happens is 95 percent," announced an article that attracted a lot of hits on the popular Chinese web portal Baidu.com.
Sanal Edamaruku, president of the Indian Rationalist Association, dismissed such doomsday predictions.
"Primarily, what we see with all these soothsayers and astrologers is that they're looking for opportunities to enhance their business with predictions of danger and calamity," he told AFP.
"They have been very powerful in India but over the last decade they have been in systematic decline."
Astronomers and scientists are also working to educate the public about the eclipse.
Travel firm Cox and Kings has chartered a Boeing 737-700 aircraft to give people the chance to see the eclipse from 41,000 feet (12,500 metres).
Experts will be on board to explain it to passengers, some of whom have paid 79,000 rupees (1,600 dollars) for a "sun-side" seat on the three-hour flight from New Delhi.
The eclipse's shadow is expected to pass over the aircraft at 15 times the speed of sound (Mach 15), said Ajay Talwar, president of the SPACE Group of companies that promotes science and astronomy.
"It's coming in the middle of the monsoon season. On the ground, there's a 40 percent chance of seeing it in India. On the aircraft you have almost a 90 percent chance of seeing the eclipse," he added.
Siva Prasad Tata, who runs the Astro Jyoti website, straddles the two worlds.
"There's no need to get too alarmed about the eclipse, they are a natural phenomenon," the astrologer told AFP.
But he added: "During the period of the eclipse, the opposite attracting forces are very, very powerful. From a spiritual point of view, this is a wonderful time to do any type of worship.
"It will bring about good results, much more than on an ordinary day."
GULF TIMES
PUBLISHED FROM DOHA, QATAR
Superstitions likely to eclipse solar spectacle
While the scientific community is gearing up for the solar eclipse, the people too are preparing themselves for the rare event in their own way - with many still firm in their superstitious beliefs
DPA/New Delhi
A majority of Indians are gripped with fear rather than excitement at the forthcoming solar eclipse.
An undeclared battle is on between astrologers, self-proclaimed godmen and scientists amid India’s emergence as a scientific power. As new-age gurus spout mythological beliefs that eclipses spell misfortune and disorder, scientists organise workshops and fan out to rural areas with eclipse kits to dispel traditional fears.
The eclipse, which will be the longest one until 2132, begins at 5.20am on July 22 (2350 GMT Tuesday), when the shadow of the moon cast by the sun hits the earth near the country’s west coast.
The moon’s umbral shadow will sweep over 13 of India’s 29 states, through the densely populated regions of west, central, east and north-east India and cross through parts of Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh and Myanmar before entering China.
The eclipse is to last the longest - 3 minutes and 30 seconds - around Patna, the capital of Bihar state. Over 20,000 “astro-tourists” and scientists are flocking to Taregna, a nondescript hamlet near Patna that is said to give the best view of the eclipse in India.
Perhaps no country manifests the extremes between blind belief and science like India. An ancient Hindu civilization that reveres the Sun and Moon as gods, India is a deeply superstitious society. At the same time, it is also among the few space-faring nations and routinely launches satellites.
During the eclipse on Wednesday, most Indian towns and villages will fall eerily silent - temples will close and many locals will remain indoors to avoid the eclipse owing to superstitions. According to Hindu mythology, the eclipse represents the demon Rahu attempting to swallow the Sun, Avadhesh Kumar Pandey, chief priest at Delhi’s popular Laxminarayan Temple said.
“It is an inauspicious time when the Sun god is in trouble. The rays emanating are impure and harm people’s health and future. Eclipses spell disorder, wars and destruction, so 15 of us priests will do the yagna (fire rituals) to nullify its malefic effects,” Pandey said.
Pandey, whose devotees include businessmen and housewives, forbids people to either sleep or work but instead to fast and chant mantras during the eclipse.
Millions are expected to offer water to the Sun god and take a dip in the holy Ganges river in the Varanasi temple city or the sacred lakes in Kurukshetra to ward off the “evil effects” of the eclipse.
Such notions are widespread not only in rural areas. Savita Rai, a housewife in Delhi, said food, unless kept covered, gets “polluted” and should be consumed only after “purifying” it by adding a leaf of the tulsi (basil) plant.
Pregnant women are advised to avoid going out or cutting and sewing or else they will have a blind baby or one with deformities, she added.
India’s top astrologers like Bejan Daruwala predict difficult times until September as fallout from the eclipse. Stock markets may be adversely affected and political leaders are warned to be on guard since assassinations have taken place in such periods.
Astrology and religious beliefs often intertwine in India where families routinely consult priests who double up as astrologers. Advice is sought during important occasions in life, matching birth charts and determining an auspicious time for weddings.
At the same time, the eclipse is an opportunity of a lifetime for scientists and stargazers to witness the grand spectacle of nature. Organisations associated with science and astronomy are arranging events and expeditions, some chartering planes for a view of the eclipse. Teams will camp at central cities like Ujjain to witness the spectacle against heritage monuments and astronomical observatories.
Scientists are determined to step up their fight against superstitions and mumbo-jumbo. “The eclipse provides a crucial opportunity to fight superstitions by raising awareness to remove the fears foisted by some people and electronic media,” said N Rathnasree, director of the Nehru Planetarium in Delhi.
“What is peculiar is that a large number of superstitions have prevailed despite cutting-edge science and astronomy happening in India. They are refusing to occupy a small harmless space.”
Although eclipses are an established scientific phenomenon, the young seem to cling on to beliefs propagated by elders. “We would not have gone outside but we have classes that day. We hope nothing happens,” college student Anand said. “We’ll meet for a date, but not eat anything,” said his girlfriend Cheshta.
The Indian Rationalists’ Association, which aims to free people from superstitions and blind beliefs, says it is disseminating scientific information and arranging workshops to counter the resurgence of new-age gurus and astrologers, made popular by television and congregations.
“The godmen and astrologers work on the fears of people. They want them to panic and in turn consult them for remedies, which boosts their business,” said Sanal Edamaruku, president of the 100,000-member association.
“They claim the eclipse is a bad omen but it’s quite a good omen for them. They make hay even when the sun doesn’t shine.”
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Solar Eclipse and Indian Rationalists
