October 21From the World of Religion: KOJAGIRI PURNIMA
The full moon is beautiful and eerie. Its wholesome splendor in a background
of twinkling stars or amidst fast moving cushiony clouds, has a majesty all
its own. Like a resplendent celestial face it grandly stares at earthlings
below. Full moon used to be called by different names in different times of
the year: Buck Moon, Pink Moon, Blue Moon and so on. It is also worshipped
in some traditions. As the poet Shelley wrote:
Bright wanderer, fair coquette of Heaven,
To whom alone its has been given
To change and be adored for ever.
Then there is harvest moon, the full moon appearing after the autumnal
equinox in the Northern hemisphere. Before the invention of tractors with
head-lights, it used to help farmers at harvest time even after an early
autumnal sunset.
Not surprisingly, harvest moon has been celebrated in different ways in
various cultures, associating fascinating legends with the event. In the
Chinese tradition, for example, one imagines Chang Er's face in it. Chang Er
was the loyal wife of Hou Yi who had come to save the world from the
scorching heat of ten suns. But he was cruelly killed, and she was
transported to the lunar realm. Each year on the 15th day of the eighth
month, when the moon is at its fullest and brightest phase, people look at
it and try to see in the image of the bright disk a smiling Chang Er. In
science one believes in what one sees. In religion one sees what one
believes in.
In the Hindu sacred book of Bhagavatam we read that beings live on the moon
with a life-span of ten thousand years, subsisting on a soma-rasa (lunar
potion). In the Bhagavad Gita the moon is described as one of the countless
eyes of the Supreme. Its splendor, as of the sun, is a reflection of God's
glory. One modern interpreter of Hindu scriptures wrote: "Without the
moonshine, the vegetables can neither grow nor taste succulent." As with
other scientific assertions by religious scholars from the traditions, not
everyone acquainted with science may be in full agreement on these matters.
In the Hindu world the full moon in the month of Ashvina, (21 October 2002)
is celebrated as Kojagra Purnima (literally: Who-is-awake?-Full-Moon). It is
believed that on this auspicious night, Lakshmi - the goddess of prosperity
- comes down to our earth and blesses those who are awake. According to one
story, a long, long time ago, when a king came upon difficult financial
times, his queen undertook a fast and nocturnal vigil, paying homage to
Lakshmi. Thereupon, the goddess came and blessed the royal couple, and they
regained all their lost wealth. It is to commemorate that event that Kojagra
Purnima is observed every year. So it is said.
Newly harvested rice is cooked and offered to the full moon this night.
Hindu folklore also tells us that on this night the full moon exudes nectar
which drops down on earth invisibly through moonbeams, and that these can be
collected. So, as per tradition, some people keep vessels filled with milk
in the moonshine. They then add some saffron to it. All through the night
they play games, dance in merriment, recalling the days when Lord Krishna
danced with the milkmaids. The recall of ancient stories, not just in words,
but in acts and plays, adds much richness to the practice of cultural
heritage. By dawn when the moon gently begins to set, they partake of the
beverage in joyous company, for this brings good health and days of
abundance.
The impact of celestial bodies on human culture has been considerable.
From the World of Science: ALFRED NOBEL
In olden days, kings used to support and reward great poets and artists.
Then came a time when scientific academies began to recognize creative
scientists with medals and prizes. Then a very rich industrialist left
behind a large amount of money from which annual prizes were to be given for
outstanding work in various fields. These are the famous Nobel prizes which
have turned out to be the most prestigious awards in the modern world.
Most parents advise their children not to play with fire. But not the
Swedish industrialist Emmanuel Nobel who established a torpedo factory in
St. Petersburg in Russia. He encouraged his sons in similar explosive
enterprises. The third son, Alfred (born: 21 October 1833), became
absolutely fascinated with nitroglycerine.
The explosive liquid nitroglycerine is obtained from glycerol and a mixture
of nitric and sulfuric acids. Its formation is accompanied by an enormous
generation of explosive heat, and the mixture must therefore be cooled
considerably. It was first concocted by Ascanio Sobrero in 1846. It is also
very sensitive to the slightest perturbation. Alfred Nobel wanted to utilize
the power of the explosion in mining for breaking hard rocks.
Nobel discovered that when nitroglycerine is injected into an inert
absorbent, it becomes less prone to immediate explosion, and can be handled
more safely. It can be made into a paste by mixing it with silica. From this
paste one can form rods which can be inserted into drilling holes and then
exploded. Such rods are called dynamite. In 1865 Nobel established a large
factory for mass production of nitroglycerine in the outskirts of Stockholm
in Sweden. Nobel patented his invention of dynamite in 1867. Combining
nitroglycerine with guncotton (nitrocellulose), he produced a still more
explosive material, called blasting gelatin. It was also known by a number
of other names.
Next Nobel went on to produce still more explosive substances with various
other materials. Others experimented with similar things, and at one point
Nobel was involved in a law suit claiming that some people had violated his
patent rights. He did not win the case. At the same time, along with his two
brothers, Alfred invested in oil fields in Baku which again brought them
immense fortunes.
When he died, Alfred Nobel left a considerable sum of money in his will for
the establishment of prizes to be given each year to recognize individuals
for their outstanding contributions to physics, chemistry, medicine or
physiology, for literary work "in the sense of idealism," and for service to
the cause of peace. Not all recipients of the Nobel prize for literature may
have created works of idealism, but the spirit of these prizes have been
respected in all instances. There are, inevitably, many nominations each
year for these highly esteemed awards, perhaps some behind-the-scenes
exertions on behalf of this candidate or that. Some worthy candidates may
have been passed over, some have rejected the award, and others have
provoked resentment, but no unworthy one has received the prize thus far.
Sometimes the Nobel peace prize has been awarded to organizations, as to the
American and British Quaker organizations in 1947 for showing the world that
"it is possible to carry into action something which is deeply rooted in the
minds of many: sympathy with others; the desire to help others; that
significant expression of sympathy between men, without regard to
nationality or race; feelings which, when carried into deeds, must provide
the foundation of a lasting peace."
Thus the most coveted prize in modern history was instituted by the inventor
of one of the most explosive substances in modern times.
V. V. Raman
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