India on the Moon: The Story of a Millennia-old Romance — Kalampedia

On 23rd August 2023, the skies whispered tales of triumph for Indians as Chandrayaan-3, India’s illustrious lunar mission, made its successful touchdown on the moon’s surface. It was not just a nod to India’s advancing scientific prowess but also resonates with its deep-seated cultural affinities with the moon.

Diving into India’s luminous past, the moon has always been more than a celestial body. The ancient Rig Veda encapsulates the moon, or “Chandra”, as a deity racing across the heavens in a magnificent chariot. Beyond a symbol of beauty and romance, it was the very chronometer of time, dictating the rhythms of the Hindu calendar.

This text also hints at the moon being the reservoir of Soma, a divine nectar. This elixir was believed to confer immortality and epitomised the moon’s sacredness in ancient Indian ethos. Similarly, in Puranas, we find more fantastical forms of moon, where it is described as born from the cosmic ocean during the churning of the milk ocean (Samudra Manthan). Later on, it married 27 stars and thus laid the foundation of the lunar dynasty.

But it wasn’t all myths and legends…

When we look at India’s astronomical history, we find significant contributions from its scholars. Aryabhatta, in his magnum opus Aryabhatiya, detailed the phases of the moon and the phenomena of eclipses with astonishing precision. After Aryabhatta, Varahamihira and Brahmagupta carried on this legacy with their own unique contributions. Such pioneering works mirror India’s enduring lunar enchantment, aligning ancestral wisdom with contemporary scientific explorations.

Indeed, in one way or the other, India has maintained its millennia-old romance with the moon. Literature from the epic recalls the moon’s beauty being compared to Sita’s radiant face, while the Mahabharata often associates moonlit nights with profound introspection and events of cosmic significance. In art, the moon frequently graces miniature paintings, its silvery glow symbolising serenity, love, and divine presence.

Modern-day Bollywood, too, hasn’t been immune to its charm. Melodious songs like “Chand Sifarish”, “Chand Chupa”, not to forget the classic “Chaudhvin Ka Chand” all eulogise the moon’s splendour, speaking of love and longing under its glow.

From ancient manuscripts to silver screens, from sacred verses to soulful ghazals, from monks and mystics to philosophers, the moon has remained India’s perennial muse, reflecting its aspirations, dreams, and deepest contemplations.

Considering all this, seeing India on the moon should not come as a surprise; it was bound to happen. As A.L. Basham wrote in The Wonder That Was India, “our subcontinent has always been a crucible of exploration and introspection.” The lunar landing, thus, is not just a leap for India but a cosmic dance that marries its past wonders with present aspirations.

Originally published at https://kalampedia.org on August 23, 2023.