2024-09-06 17:33:32
New Delhi: Astronomers have recently found the oldest mention of a solar eclipse. They have found a mention of an eclipse that occurred about 6,000 years ago in the ancient Hindu text Rig Veda. Compiled around 1500 BC, the Rig Veda is a collection of records of historical events as well as sayings and hymns related to various religious and philosophical ideologies. Most of these events date back to the time when the text was written, some of them are even older.
Mention of ancient eclipse in Rigveda
Astronomers Mayank Vahia of the Tata Institute of Fundamental Research and Mitsuru Soma of the National Astronomical Observatory of Japan reported in the Journal of Astronomical History and Heritage that they had found a mention of an ancient eclipse. Various passages in the Rig Veda mention the location of the rising sun during the spring equinox, with one reference stating that the event occurred in Orion, while another states that it occurred in the Pleiades.
There is also mention of the earth rotating on its axis
As the Earth rotates on its axis, the relative positions of these important celestial events also change. Currently, the spring equinox is in Pisces, but it was in Orion about 4500 BC and in the Pleiades about 2230 BC. This has made it possible for astronomers to find the time period when this event occurred.
What is written about solar eclipse in Rigveda
The passages describing the eclipse do not mention the event. They talk about the sun being “pierced” by darkness and gloom, and the sun being “vanquished by magical arts” by evil beings. However, these have nothing to do with the story of Rahu and Ketu, as they are more modern myths. The Rig Veda is much older than them. Passages following these mentions have also given astronomers the time frame of the total solar eclipse, which suggests that the event occurred three days before the autumnal equinox.