Question

During a solar eclipse (Suryagrahana), in which direction does the 'Moksha' (the end of the eclipse/release) occur?

• A. Uttaradisha (North)
• B. Purvadisha (East)
• C. Dakshinadisha (South)
• D. Pashchimadisha (West)

Hint:

Solar Eclipse: Starts West, Ends East. Lunar Eclipse: Starts East, Ends West. Think of the Moon as a fast car overtaking a slow car (the Sun) from behind—it enters the view from the back (West) and exits to the front (East).

Answer 1

The Correct Option is B

Step 1: Understanding the Concept:
An eclipse has two main phases: 'Sparsha' (Contact/Beginning) and 'Moksha' (Release/End). The direction from which the eclipse starts and ends depends on the relative motion of the Sun and Moon. In a solar eclipse, the Moon (moving faster from West to East) passes in front of the Sun.

Step 2: Detailed Explanation of Eclipse Motion:
1. Lunar Motion: The Moon moves West to East relative to the stars at about 13 degrees per day.
2. Solar Motion: The Sun moves West to East at about 1 degree per day.
3. Because the Moon is faster, it approaches the Sun from the West.
4. Therefore, the first contact (Sparsha) of a solar eclipse happens on the Western edge (Pashchima) of the Sun's disk.
5. As the Moon continues its Eastward journey, it eventually clears the Sun's disk. The final contact (Moksha) happens when the Moon leaves from the Eastern edge (Purva) of the Sun.

Step 3: Contrast with Lunar Eclipse:
In a lunar eclipse, the Moon enters the Earth's shadow (which is stationary relative to the Sun-Moon motion). Since the Moon moves Eastward, it enters the shadow from its Eastern edge (Sparsha is East) and leaves from the Western edge (Moksha is West). This is exactly opposite to a solar eclipse.

Step 4: Final Answer:
For a solar eclipse, the release (Moksha) occurs in the Purvadisha (East).