KNOWLEDGE FROM COSMOS

Interpreting the Universe Celestial phenomena are joyful to watch, they are both amazing and, at times, frightful to watch. Eclipses, the passage of comets and shooting stars inspire a sense of awe and possibly instil fear in some minds, even now. Initially, these phenomena could have been regarded as fearful and portentous of divine wrath. Christopher Columbus used this to his advantage to the natives of an island, stating that the Sun god would hide when he was displeased and then reappear subsequently. Also, it is a known fact that around 584 BC, the 5-year war between Lydia and Media came to an end, because both the warring factions were horrified by the  Solar eclipse which occurred during that time. Mahabharat has similar incidents recorded of two eclipses within 13 days resulting in tremendous loss of life. The Puranas do mention such phenomena preceded the calamities. Having known the natural units of time, day, month and year created by celestial phenomena. The seasons are...

History of Astronomy during the Vedic and Vedang Period The Begining  Looking up at the sky is captivating to the human mind. He is naturally attracted to the wonders of the sky. People use the stars in the sky for guidance in various tasks. In fact, very few people would be found in our country who do not possess any elementary knowledge of the sky. The rising and setting of the Sun, Moon, and other planets, as well as the onset of seasons, which recur in their regular order, is a routine phenomenon. But the ancient man would certainly be wonder-struck with such recurring events in the sky.  His curiosity to look deeper into the sky probably led to the Study of Astronomy. The Sun, having disturbed the primitive mind, is not a figment of fantasy. Evidence of such primitive thought is found in Jain literature, which shows that they believed in the existence of two suns! The Puranas, too, postulate 12 Suns. The 12 Aditiyas of Vedic literature are well known. Today, these appear ...