Impact of Stars on Human Culture

Abstract

In the Hindu vision, our individual selves, though apparently separate, are interlinked not only to one another, but to the Universe at large. The idea that we are fragments of stars is taken beyond its physical meaning, into the spiritual realm as well. This talk will bring out that thesis by reflecting on the role of stars in human history and culture. This will awaken us to the fact that beyond the astrophysical visions of stars there are also deeper connections between stars and humans that have made life more meaningful. What has remained universal in human culture over the ages is star gazing: at various levels of sophistication and with differing kinds of instruments, no doubt. From the remotest times people have looked at the star studded sky, pondered about it all, recognized patterns, observed motions, formed their own judgments and woven their own pictures as to what those distant little twinkling lights were. We may look upon celestial bodies as a link between ourselves and our ancestors, for even if we do not know our distant forebears individually, we have this in common: We have all looked at our sun and moon, at the age-old planets and the self-same stars. Stars have entered the thoughts and expressions of every human group in practically all epochs of history. They have had impacts of human civilization in strange and unexpected ways. This lecture will touch on some of these: it will discuss the ways in which, over the ages, stars have entered the visions and mindset of religion, mythology, politics, literature, art, music, and even our vocabulary. Perhaps no other theme is more universal and pervasive in human culture than stars and planets.