Many of us, during our childhood, were told the Hindu Mythological story about Lord Ganesha and Moon, we were also told not to see the moon during Ganesha Chaturthi. It is said that whosoever sees moon on Shukla Chaturthi i.e Ganesh Chaturthi will be falsely accused/blamed. Keeping aside this Mythological Story about Lord Ganesha falling off and Chandra Dev (Moon) laughing at him, let us see what is this all about scientifically.
Before understanding this, one should know that all beings including humans have positive energy and negative energy within them. The one who nurtures a particular energy of his/her's - will lead their life accordingly in the respective path. Based on this you can say that positive or negativity happenings in one's life is the effect of their own self. It is natural that all human beings are derived from nothing but darkness, we keep on adding to this by food (grown on earth - mud), surroundings, thoughts, influences, and upbringing. Our ancestors realized this thousands of years ago and found a way to put light into our body/soul by inventing Pranayama. Prana means light/light particle - Ayama means invoking. Hence Pranayama means invoking light. The light, also called as light particles are invoked from Cosmos. In particular one can say they are invoked from Sun who is the light provider to the entire earth. If practiced properly with the relevant techniques, these Prana Particles will become the guiding light energy for that person and will help him/her in showing the path of their life. Similarly the light energy of an individual will be simultaneously equal to the quantity of the light invoked. This light energy gives answers to lot of questions about self and life, it also helps the person to lead a good peaceful life by manifesting positivity in and around him/her. There are thousands of Pranayama methods invented, of which very few are practiced in today's world - indeed they serve the purpose too.
Coming back to the topic. During the Shukla Chaturthi, which falls on the fourth day of new moon in the bhadrapada month of hindu calender, also called as Ganesha Chaturthi, the rays emitted by the moon will carry negative like prana particles. When a person sees the moon, these negative like prana particles enter the body through his/her eye. Once these particle enters the body the negative like situation, a false blame/accusation gets manifested in their life. Because of this particular reason our ancestors advised us against from seeing moon during Chaturthi Tithi - through a story about Ganesha and Moon.
Upon knowing these facts you may have few questions. I will answer a few of the basic questions here :-
Q: Is the story about Ganesha falling off and the moon laughing at him a false story?
A: Our ancestors had a unique way of telling the facts to common people. Be it early Hindus, or ancient Egyptians or the old Chinese - they have passed on tremendous knowledge to the next generations through symbols and through stories. As a symbol or as a story it is easy to remember the facts. However in this case the story passed on through generations, but not the fact behind it as the way it is.
A: It varies from a person to person. Normally the manifestation happens in one moon cycle or 15 days. Moon passes on in two cycles each month called as New Moon or Amavasya and Full Moon or Poornima.
Q: The mythology also says if one listens or reads the story of Lord Krishna and Syamantaka Mani, the curse will be removed. Will this help?
A: As I mentioned earlier our ancestors passed on knowledge through stories, this is also part of the same story. Reading or Listening to that story will not help
Q: What if I see moon, say by mistake, can I nullify the after effects of seeing it?
A: Yes. There is always a solution or an antidote to a problem. This has to done only by yourself. However one cannot learn this method in a day or two. But there is no harm in trying it!!
Q: Nowadays Ganesha Festival is celebrated for more than a day everywhere. Does it mean I should not see moon on all those days?
A: Shukla Chaturthi is on fourth day after New Moon (Amavasya) i.e on Ganesha Festival. Hence it is advised not see Moon only on that particular day.
Q: Do you mean to say that I should also avoid seeing the moon in images, internet or say even on TV?
A: The prana particles will come from the real moon not from the moon in your laptop or your TV. Hence no harm!!
I wish you and your family a very happy Ganesha Chaturthi. Hope you don't see the moon :)
However let me know if you see the moon on this day!!
P.S: To those who would call this whole stuff as another Indian superstition, you are free to call it so!! Free will is still honored :)
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