Grahan: Celestial Shadows and Sacred Insights

It is believed that during a Grahan, the energy around the Earth is disturbed. This disruption is not merely physical but also subtle and spiritual.

- TDG NETWORK

In Hinduism, celestial events are not merely astronomical occurrences; they are deeply intertwined with cosmic symbolism, mythology, and spiritual meaning. Among such events, eclipses both solar and lunar hold a profound place in the Hindu worldview. Known as "Grahan" in Sanskrit, eclipses are considered powerful yet inauspicious moments that offer a unique opportunity for spiritual growth, introspection, and purification.

While modern science explains eclipses as natural alignments of the sun, moon, and Earth, Hindu philosophy views them through the lens of cosmic order, karma, and dharma. This blend of mythology, astrology, and spiritual practice makes eclipses deeply significant in Hindu tradition.

Mythological Roots: The Story of Rahu and Ketu

The spiritual interpretation of eclipses in Hinduism begins with a well-known tale from the Puranas, particularly the Bhagavata Purana and Mahabharata. During the Samudra Manthan (churning of the ocean), the Devas (gods) and Asuras (demons) came together to obtain amrita, the nectar of immortality. Lord Vishnu, in the guise of the enchanting Mohini, began distributing the nectar exclusively to the Devas.

An Asura named Swarbhanu, disguised as a Deva, sat among them and drank the nectar. Before it could pass fully through his throat, Lord Vishnu recognized the deception and severed his head with the Sudarshan Chakra. Since he had consumed a drop of the nectar, Swarbhanu did not die. His head became Rahu, and his body became Ketu—the two shadow planets in Vedic astrology.

Rahu and Ketu are believed to periodically "swallow" the sun or moon in vengeance, causing solar or lunar eclipses. Spiritually, this myth symbolizes the battle between light and darkness, truth and illusion, clarity and confusion. The swallowing and subsequent release of the luminaries represent the cyclical nature of delusion and enlightenment in human life.

Eclipses as Periods of Negative Energy