Significance of the Moon in Ancient Civilizations
by Radhakrishnan. P | 2017 | 51,158 words
This study analyzes the Significance of the Moon in Ancient Civilizations and it’s contribution to modern astrology. This thesis also aims at integrated scientific explanations on New and Full Moon and their influence of Geo-physical phenomena and also analyzes how significant a role the moon plays in keeping the life on earth. Astrology is the or...
1. Assumptions of Vedakala
Vedas are primitive and Apourusheyas which is having a predominant role in Indian Civilization wherein appropriate illustrations about adoration of moon persists. Historically, it is not possible to fix-up the exact period of inception of Jyotisastra. Historians assume that Astrology was in its existence much earlier than the Veda-Kala. In Veda Mantras there are ample narrations about the Yuga, Samvatsara, Ritu, Sooryamasa, Chandramasa, Adhimasa, Paksha, Poonima, Amavasya and Grahana.
Historically Veda Kala has been described as under:-
- Veda Poorva Yuga: before 10000 BC.
- Veda Yuga: 10000 BC to 1400 BC.
- Vedanga Yuga: 1400 BC to 1100 BC.
- Smiti Bharatadi Yuga: 1100 BC to 500 BC.
- Swarna Yuga: 500 BC to 500 AD
- Siddhanta Prakalpana Yuga: 500 AD to 1200 AD.
- Karanadi Yuga: 1200 AD to 1400 AD.
- Anukara Yuga: 1400 AD to 1900 AD.
- Adhunika Yuga: 1900 AD to till date
The modern period known as adhunik yuga commenced from 1900 AD onwards. Before Veda-kala itself the human activities were systematically regularized according to movement towards the Sun and the Moon. The day, night, solar and lunar bodies, waxing and waning of moon, season, ayanas, years and the changing nature are the source of spirit for discovery. The mental abilities and knowledgeable thoughts of primordial man developed only through the glistening bodies in the sky and were literally transformed into various sciences. Before the inception of languages the changes of lunar bodies were noticed by the mankind resulted in the subsequent development of the science of Astrology.