Solar Eclipse 01082008

In conjunction with the Friday eclipse which has just ended less than 12 hours ago, I would like to share some information about the believes of the Hindus regarding the eclipses.

Before that, I would like to share the important information who wants to view the eclipse. source

Permanent eye damage can result from staring or even looking at the disk of the Sun directly, or through a camera viewfinder, or with binoculars or a telescope even when only a thin crescent of the Sun remains. The 1 percent of the Sun’s surface still visible is about 10,000 times brighter than the full moon. Staring at the Sun under such circumstances have the same effect on the retina of your eyes than a magnifying glass to focus sunlight onto paper, and eventually burning a hole in it! The retina is delicate and irreplaceable. There is little or nothing a retinal surgeon will be able to do to help you. Never look at the Sun outside of the total phase of an eclipse unless you have adequate protection. Remember, your eyes can be damaged without you feeling any pain.

Once the Sun is entirely eclipsed, however, its bright surface is hidden from view and it is completely safe to look directly at the totally eclipsed Sun without any filters. In fact, it is one of the greatest sights in nature.

When selecting a filter with which to view the sun directly, make sure that the filter’s optical thickness is adequate that only a minuscule fraction of the sun’s light is transmitted. You should be able to view the filament of a high-intensity electric lamp comfortably through your filter. Aluminised polyester, fully exposed and developed black-and-white film (i.e. still containing the silver coating) or welder’s glass, will do. The secret is to have metal in your filter absorbing the excess sunlight. An optical thickness of 5.0 (i.e. only allowing 0.01% of the light) is adequate.

When using any kind of filter, however, do not stare for long periods at the Sun. Look through the filter briefly and then look away. Intuitively, one knows that it is possible to glance at the Sun and immediately look away without eye-damage.

Back to Hinduism and the believes about the eclipse.

Why should we follow the rituals during and after the eclipse and how should they be followed?

Answer:

There are two types of eclipses: solar and lunar eclipses. When an eclipse occurs, only certain regions of the world are affected. The rule for following the eclipse ritual is as follows: if the eclipse affects the region that you are living in, then you should follow the rituals as prescribed by the scriptures. However, if the eclipse does not affect your region, then you should not follow the rituals laid out for the eclipse.

Be it a solar or lunar eclipse, the rules to follow before, during and after the eclipse are as follows:

Before the eclipse:

• One should not eat 12 hours before the solar eclipse begins. One can drink water.
• One should not eat 9 hours before the lunar eclipse begins. One can drink water.
• In addition, one should not offer meals to God during this pre-eclipse period. However, one is allowed to perform arti, pray and sing devotional songs during this period.
• There may be times when the solar eclipse occurs before sunrise. Therefore one may see the eclipse only after the sun has risen. In this case, one should not eat after sunset the previous night.

• While the eclipse is taking place one should sit in one place, chant the name of God and sing devotional songs.
• One should observe a waterless fast while the actual eclipse is in progress.

• One should take a bath with one’s clothes on immediately after the eclipse.
• It is best to take a bath in cold water after the eclipse is over.
• The Satsangijivan, written by Shatãnand Muni, states that after one purifies oneself, one should offer donations according to one’s income. If donations are offered with love and devotion, one will receive appropriate returns as stated in the scriptures. It is in the joy of the Sun and/or Moon-god being released from the clutches of Rãhu that the devotees offer donations. Since sadhus have no money, they rejoice by performing puja.

How to remain pure during the eclipse?

Answer

• One should get rid of extra cooked food after the solar or lunar eclipse.
• One should not touch anything such as clothes, food, personal items, etc. during the eclipse.
• After the eclipse is over, one should not touch anyone and take a bath with one’s clothes on. If one has touched anything by mistake, it should be purified by washing or by sprinkling water over it.

And, folks, as i mentioned, I am just sharing the information with you guys and I didn’t wrote it. It was excerpt from here