A
Apoorva Devanshi
Guest
Recently, Japan was struck by several earthquakes, the largest of which was a 7.6 magnitude earthquake in Noto, Ishigawa prefecture. It also saw five-foot tsunami waves. In the impacted areas, power supplies and communication services were interrupted, and bullet train services were discontinued.
The modern world has extremely sophisticated technology. However, despite these developments, no invention is able to predict earthquakes. Science is still unable to accurately predict the location, timing, and frequency of earthquakes, despite having established departments and a Richter scale to quantify them. So far scientists mainly hold tectonic activities responsible for earthquakes. However, ancient Indian texts like 6th century, Brihat Samhita contains methods to predict earthquakes.
Varahamihira (505–587 AD) was a Philosopher, Mathematician, and Astronomer whose greatness cant be described. He was a scholar born in Ujjain and was a Navaratna in King Vikramaditya Chandragupta II’s court. He was the one who proposed that moon and planets are lustrous not because of their own light but because of sunlight. His writings on ancient Indian astronomy and astrology, the Pancha-Siddhantika (The Five Astronomical Canons) and the Brihat Samhita (The Great Compilation), are regarded as seminal works.
In Hindu literature, there are a number of causes given for earthquakes. The very first shloka of Brihat Samhita states the different causes of earthquakes. According to Maharishi Vasishta they are caused by colliding of atmospheric winds which shake oceans and earth.
He made correlations between planetary influences, the atmosphere, and the terrestrial earth. He talked about how the earth is a mass floating on water and how strange cloud formations and strange animal behavior can be signs of impending earthquakes.
After stating the causes the chapter 32 deals with the classification and signs of earthquakes. In this chapter Varahamihira basically classifies earthquakes in four groups. He classifies them into seismological zones on the basis of their geographical locations and 27 Nakshatra. He named them as Wind (Vayavya) circle, Fire (Agneya) Circle, Varuna circle and Indra circle. Each circle is a group of 7 nakshatra and he explains how the earthquakes occur under their influences.
He states that earthquakes occur when-
Its fascinating how a 6th century text is still applicable and talks about planetary positions and cloud formations to predict earthquakes. A concept which even modern scientists are unable to conceive. Its only recently that a Dutch researcher named Frank Hoogerbeets, has just started talking about the alleged role of planets in forecasting earthquakes. Similarly, it is now that Chinese scholar Zhonghao Shaou is researching on Earthquake Clouds which is covered in great detail in 32nd chapter of Brihat Samhita!
Thus, instead of mocking astrology and discarding it as trash. Efforts should be made by all to understand the science behind it. For astrology is the study of light. It involves mathematics and astronomy. Indian government should fund research in this area so that we can develop beyond what’s stated in our texts in a scientific manner.
The post Earthquake Forecasting In Ancient India appeared first on The Jaipur Dialogues.
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The modern world has extremely sophisticated technology. However, despite these developments, no invention is able to predict earthquakes. Science is still unable to accurately predict the location, timing, and frequency of earthquakes, despite having established departments and a Richter scale to quantify them. So far scientists mainly hold tectonic activities responsible for earthquakes. However, ancient Indian texts like 6th century, Brihat Samhita contains methods to predict earthquakes.
Varahamihira-
Varahamihira (505–587 AD) was a Philosopher, Mathematician, and Astronomer whose greatness cant be described. He was a scholar born in Ujjain and was a Navaratna in King Vikramaditya Chandragupta II’s court. He was the one who proposed that moon and planets are lustrous not because of their own light but because of sunlight. His writings on ancient Indian astronomy and astrology, the Pancha-Siddhantika (The Five Astronomical Canons) and the Brihat Samhita (The Great Compilation), are regarded as seminal works.
Earthquakes in Brihat Samhita-
In Hindu literature, there are a number of causes given for earthquakes. The very first shloka of Brihat Samhita states the different causes of earthquakes. According to Maharishi Vasishta they are caused by colliding of atmospheric winds which shake oceans and earth.
He made correlations between planetary influences, the atmosphere, and the terrestrial earth. He talked about how the earth is a mass floating on water and how strange cloud formations and strange animal behavior can be signs of impending earthquakes.
After stating the causes the chapter 32 deals with the classification and signs of earthquakes. In this chapter Varahamihira basically classifies earthquakes in four groups. He classifies them into seismological zones on the basis of their geographical locations and 27 Nakshatra. He named them as Wind (Vayavya) circle, Fire (Agneya) Circle, Varuna circle and Indra circle. Each circle is a group of 7 nakshatra and he explains how the earthquakes occur under their influences.
He states that earthquakes occur when-
- Earthquake and eclipse: There are never any earthquakes during an eclipse. But in the upcoming post-eclipse lunar phase of the full moon or new moon (Purnima and Amavasya, respectively), there is a chance of an earthquake. Then if a month has two or more eclipses whether lunar or solar earthquakes occur.
- When major planets are in mutual conjunction (square or trine), such as Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, and Rahu.
- Severe earthquakes happen when big planets are in air or earth signs. During turkey earthquake the Mars was in earth sign Taurus and Saturn was transiting through Aquarius.
- Placement of Moon and mercury in same constellation.
- When many planets are positioned in one sign or are near/with Sun.
- If any comet/meteorite passes in the proximity of Sun or Earth then an earthquake can be expected within two months around new moon or full moon. It also predicts that in such cases an earthquake will occur in the Agnay Mandal.
- Cloud Formations- Varahamihira states that prior to an earthquake, unusual cloud formations can be seen in the sky a week before its occurrence. For instance, clouds resembling blue lily in colour with flash of lighting will yield sharp rains along with earthquake. Then in case of earthquake in the constellation of Vyaya Mandal (North-west). Dusty storms, smoke and a slowing of the sun’s rays can be observed in the sky. Then before an earthquake occurs in the constellations of the fire circle- meteorites falls and strong winds with forest fires can be observed. By coincidence, the earthquake that struck Turkey happened in the Agni Mandal, or fire circle. There was also a green comet visible in the sky that day.
Conclusion-
Its fascinating how a 6th century text is still applicable and talks about planetary positions and cloud formations to predict earthquakes. A concept which even modern scientists are unable to conceive. Its only recently that a Dutch researcher named Frank Hoogerbeets, has just started talking about the alleged role of planets in forecasting earthquakes. Similarly, it is now that Chinese scholar Zhonghao Shaou is researching on Earthquake Clouds which is covered in great detail in 32nd chapter of Brihat Samhita!
Thus, instead of mocking astrology and discarding it as trash. Efforts should be made by all to understand the science behind it. For astrology is the study of light. It involves mathematics and astronomy. Indian government should fund research in this area so that we can develop beyond what’s stated in our texts in a scientific manner.
The post Earthquake Forecasting In Ancient India appeared first on The Jaipur Dialogues.
Continue reading...