The Moon and the Ocean: How Science and Mythology merge

The relationship between the Moon and the ocean has been a topic of both scientific and mythological interest for centuries. According to Hindu mythology, the Moon has a special connection with the ocean, which is attributed to its role in the creation of Amrita, the nectar of immortality. This belief has been reflected in various myths and folklore across cultures, which often depict the Moon and the ocean as lovers or as having a special bond.

Part 1: The Science

Science provides a clear explanation for the Moon's influence on the ocean through the force of gravity. The Moon's gravitational pull causes the ocean's waters to rise and fall, resulting in the ebb and flow of tides. The Moon's gravitational pull is strongest during the full and new moon phases, when it is in alignment with the Earth and the Sun. This causes higher tides, known as spring tides. Conversely, during the first and third quarter phases of the Moon, its gravitational pull is weaker, resulting in lower tides, known as neap tides.

Low Tides and High Tides

Part 2: The Mythology

It is worth noting that mythology and science are not necessarily separate entities.

Mythologies often passed down through generations, are a rich source of cultural knowledge and history. However, they are not merely tales that provide entertainment. In fact, many mythologies contain valuable scientific lessons, often in the form of stories that are accessible and engaging for people of all ages and backgrounds. In fact, many ancient myths and folklore incorporate scientific concepts, even if they are not always presented in a scientifically accurate way.

Mythology often draws upon natural phenomena to explain the world and to provide meaning and context to human experiences. In some cases, these explanations may align with scientific principles, such as the relationship between the Moon and the ocean, which has been understood through the scientific concept of gravity.

Indian mythology has always depicted a unique connection between the moon and the ocean. A fascinating tale that captures this relationship involves a puzzling story. To truly appreciate this story, one must keep in mind that it revolves around the Moon and Ocean. Although it may seem cryptic at the outset, the story's conclusion will undoubtedly bring clarity to its underlying meaning.

Once upon a time, Daksha Prajapathi, a distinguished son of Lord Brahma, bestowed his 27 daughters in matrimony to Lord Chandra. Daksha cautioned Chandra not to show any bias towards any of his wives and treat them all equally. However, Chandra became infatuated with Daksha's fourth daughter, Rohini. This obsession led him to devote an excessive amount of time to her, neglecting his other wives. The aggrieved wives brought this to their father's notice, infuriating him.

Chandra and Rohini

Fueled by anger, Daksha lashed out at Chandra with a curse: ‘May your powers decline with the passing of each day’. It was only when Chandra realized the gravity of his mistake that he turned to Lord Shiva for help. Appearing before him, Lord Shiva could not erase the curse entirely, but he did find a way to ease its effects. Chandra's brightness would now wane for 15 days (in Krishna Paksha) and then increase for 15 days (in Shukla Paksha). And thus, the waxing and waning of the moon began, as the tale goes.

Part 3: The Logic

Look at how carefully the numbers are presented in the mythological stories. They had to present Moon with exactly "27 wives".

Firstly, as we all know, our Moon takes 27 days to revolve around the Earth.

Secondly, throughout the course of its daily journey through the ecliptic, the Moon occasionally passes in front of a star, creating what is known as a lunar occultation. Interestingly, our ancestors were aware of this phenomenon and observed that there were 27 stars that would align with the Moon.

Among all the 27 stars, Aldebaran is the brightest star. The Moon occults with Aldebaran as much as 49 times in a span of 4 years while the occultation with others stars is not even a fraction of this number. Here's a picture of the both together.

Aldebaran and the Moon

It is a fascinating fact that Aldebaran, one of the brightest stars in the night sky, is in fact the same star as Rohini, the fourth daughter of Daksha Prajapati.

Another fascinating thing- Rohini is none but the Goddess of Ocean- again explaining the relationship of the Moon and the Ocean.

Natural phenomenons depicted in the story are as follows:

1. The waxing and waning of the moon

2. Lunar occultation

3. The affinity of Ocean to the Moon

This story is nothing but a testament to our ancestors' impressive knowledge of astronomy and other scientific phenomena. Their mastery of astronomy is evident in the science of Vaanashastra or Nakshatravidya, which was developed to study the stars and planets. The knowledge they possessed was truly remarkable, and it's possible that they may have even had rudimentary telescopes to aid in their observations.

There are also different accounts for the relationship of the moon with the Ocean in our mythology. The Moon played a crucial role during the churning of the ocean (Samudra Manthan), which resulted in the creation of Amrita, the nectar of immortality. According to the myth, when the ocean was churned, the Moon emerged and was later used to cool down the hot and poisonous Amrita. Its cooling effect made the nectar drinkable and prevented harm to those who consumed it.

Part 4: Mythologies around the World

One way in which mythologies all around the world impart scientific knowledge, is by using metaphors and symbols that convey complex ideas in an understandable way. Greek mythology contains stories that explain natural phenomena, such as the tale of Demeter and Persephone, which explains the changing of the seasons. By using stories and metaphors, mythologies are able to convey important scientific concepts in a way that is accessible and engaging for the audience.

Demeter and Persephone

Moreover, the stories and characters in mythology often serve as archetypes that represent universal human experiences and emotions. These archetypes can be used to teach important scientific principles, such as the impact of climate change on natural resources, by connecting them to human experiences such as loss and grief.

Hence, one could say that mythologies are a powerful tool for teaching valuable scientific lessons. By using storytelling and symbolism, they are able to convey complex ideas in an accessible and engaging way. Additionally, the stories and characters in mythology can serve as archetypes that represent universal human experiences, making them a powerful tool for teaching science in a way that is both informative and relatable.

Part 5: Self-Composed Shloka

I want to end this piece with a shloka I wrote about the Moon (please do note, this is not a shloka about the Chandra devata).

Shloka:

ଶଶାଙ୍କ ସୋମସୁ ନିର୍ମଳୋତ୍ପଳକୃତିଃ ସୌମ୍ୟବିଶ୍ଵଜିତ । ଶିତଳମ୍ ତବ ଜ୍ୟୋତିର୍ମଧୁରମ୍ ସ୍ଫୁରତି ସଦା ହୃଦୟେ । ସର୍ବାଣାମ୍ ସୁଖଦମ୍ ଦେବ ତ୍ଵଂ ପ୍ରକାଶୟତ୍ୱିମମ୍ । ତ୍ଵଂ ତମୋଃଧିପତିଃ ସର୍ବୋ ଜଗତାଂ ସ୍ଫୁରତାଂ ସ୍ୱୟଂ । ଦୁଃଖହନ୍ତା ଜଗନ୍ନାଥ ଶାନ୍ତି କୁରୁ ମମାନ୍ତରେ ॥

Transliteration:

śaśāṅka somasu nirmalotpalakṛtiḥ soumyabiśwajita । śitalam taba jyotirmadhuram sphurati sadā hṛdaye । sarbāṇām sukhadam deba tvaṃ prakāśayatwimam । tvaṃ tamoḥdhipatiḥ sarbo jagatāṃ sphuratāṃ swayaṃ । duḥkhahantā jagannātha śānti kuru mamāntare ॥

Direct Meaning:

Oh Moon, the holder of Nectar, you have the form of a pure lotus, whose beauty conquers the world! Your light is cool, sweet, and gentle, and it shines and illuminates the heart constantly. You are the one that illuminates and are the giver of joy to all. You are the ruler of darkness, and your radiant presence fills the entire world with light. O Lord of Universe, the remover of suffering, grant me peace from within!

Detailed explanation:

1st line:

śaśāṅka somasu nirmalotpalakṛtiḥ soumyabiśwajita

Oh Moon, the holder of Nectar, you have the form of a pure lotus, whose beauty conquers the world!

1. śaśāṅka: another name for the Moon, derived from the words "śaśa" (rabbit) and "aṅka" (mark or sign), referring to the rabbit-shaped spot on the Moon's surface

2. somasu: another word for the Moon, derived from the Sanskrit word "soma" which means Moon or nectar. Here in this shloka, the nectar being referred to is the cool light of the moon.

3. nirmalotpalakṛtiḥ: "nirmala" means pure or immaculate, and "utpala" means lotus flower, while "kṛti" means form or shape. So, nirmalotpalakṛtiḥ means "having the form of a pure lotus".

4. soumyabiśwajita: "soumya" means beautiful, gentle, or pleasing, while "viśwajita" means one who conquers or wins over the world. So, soumyabiśwajita means "the Moon, whose winning beauty conquers the world". This also works as the line where I show that I, Soumya Biswajit, is the author of this shloka.

2nd line:

śitalam taba jyotirmadhuram sphurati sadā hṛdaye

Your light is cool, sweet, and gentle, and it shines and illuminates the heart constantly.

1. śitalam: cool, refreshing

2. taba: your (referring to the Moon)

3. jyotir: light

4. madhuram: sweet, gentle, pleasing

5. sphurati: shines, glows, illuminates

6. sadā: always, constantly

7. hṛdaye: in the heart

3rd line:

sarbāṇām sukhadam deba tvaṃ prakāśayatwimam

O Moon, you are the one that illuminates and are the giver of joy to all

1. sarbāṇām: of all or everyone

2. sukhadam: giver of happiness

3. deba: the divine

4. tvaṃ: you (referring to the Moon)

5. prakāśayati: shines, illuminates, reveals

6. imam: this

4th line:

tvaṃ tamoḥdhipatiḥ sarbo jagatāṃ sphuratāṃ swayaṃ

You are the ruler of darkness, and your radiant presence fills the entire world with light.

1. tvaṃ: you (referring to the Moon)

2. tamoḥdhipatiḥ: Lord of Darkness- the moon is also said to rule over the mind and emotions, which can be subject to confusion and delusion. Hence, the moon is seen as the lord of darkness because of its association with reflected light and the realm of the mind, which can be subject to ignorance and illusion.

3. jagatāṃ: of the world

4. sphuratāṃ: shining, radiant

5. swayaṃ: by yourself, on your own

5th line:

duḥkhahantā jagannātha śānti kuru mamāntare

O Lord of Universe, the remover of suffering, grant me peace from within!

1. duḥkhahantā - the remover of suffering

2. jagannātha - "lord of the universe"; another name for Lord Krishna but used as a description of the Moon.

3. śānti - peace

4. kuru - grant or give

5. mama - my

6. antare - within my soul

That's it from my side! See y'all in the next post!