Chandrayaan-1: the end of a superstition, the beginning of a superpower
JD | October 28, 2008
India has a long history of astrology. It has been an undeniably important part of Indian culture for centuries. But at what point does a cultural tradition come to be seen as an impediment to progress and development?
A visitor to Bengal in the 19th century wrote the following words*.
“The science of Astronomy is in Bengal, entirely subservient to that of Astrology; as it is the latter only which holds out any hope of pecuniary advantage to students, it is eagerly pursued, to the almost total neglect of the nobler science. There is no astronomical school in Bengal; the number of pundits who pursue the study of it is inconsiderable, and even among them it is studied for no higher purpose than to rectify their astrological calculations.”
In 1825, while the astronomers of Europe were revealing the secrets of the cosmos, astronomy in India was languishing. As the writer points out, there was money in astrology. People that studied astronomy could look forward to a career casting horoscopes.
It was obvious back then, at least to that observer, that astrology was holding back the nation of India and the study of astronomy. Writing of the astronomy students of the time:
“They appear most fully to have imbibed the opinion which was held by one of our English Astrologers, that Astronomy was of no utility but as it gave aid to astrology; and that to acquire the names and laws of the stars, would be a waste of time without understanding their language. Thus one of the noblest sicences within the compass of human pursuits, is thoroughly debased by its unholy alliance with a study which every nation throws aside, as it makes progress in knowledge and civilization; and thus is the country deprived of all the assistance which mathematical and astronomical pursuits never fail to bestow. There can be no genuine progress in astronomy, unless it be altogether dissevered from the puerile art of astrology.”
Could the author have imagined that, 183 years later, India would have a space program? How did it happen? At least in part because as a nation, India began to focus on scientific pursuits and to reward its adherents. With the luxury of looking back on almost two centuries of achievement in Indian sciences, these words appear prescient:
“It would be conferring a real boon on India, to establish an astronomical class, the students of which should possess every facility for pursuing the track of our European astronomers, even in their sublimest flights. Such a body of men, could not fail to attract notice, and to acquire renown, and all renown acquired in the puruit of genuine science, is so much gain to the best interests of society. The numerous astronomical errors of the Shastras they would detect, and undoubtedly oppose. Astronomy would thus, after the lapse of so many centuries, be pursued.”
In 2008, India launched Chandrayaan-1, a lunar exploration mission. There is a pleasing symmetry in thinking that the early tradition of astronomy, as undertaken by Aryabhatta, Bhaskar I and Varahamira in the 5th to the 8th centuries, has once again come to preeminence. The Chandrayaan mission will provide the first extensive 3-dimensional topological map of the moon. Just as the early Indian astronomers opened up their world for navigation and trade, Chandrayaan will help to reveal the surface of the moon.
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*The Friend of India. Published by the Mission Press, 1825
