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CHAPTER 6
'EARTH' A MYSTERY
The earth has always remained a mystery to the human mind When was it originated? When will it be destroyed, and how is it maintained now etc are the questions which the man has tried to answer More is his knowledge widened, the more ridiculous appear his former imaginations But he never has an idea that whatever he thinks today will also become one of the link of this chain of ridiculous thoughts, in a distant future What unbelievable thoughts the people had in the past as well as what strange imaginations the science has today, regarding the above questions constitute an interesting subbelieved that the earth is the work of God, and it is ject which ought to be studied "The ancient Hindus believed that the earth is the work of God and it is supported by a huge cobra known as Seshnaga. The ancient Greeks believed that the earth is similar to a very large, flat roof supported by 12 pillars, known as "pillars of Hercules" There is also a belief that a giant called Atlas carries the earth on account of a curse According to the ancient Jews, the earth is the bottom of an elliptical universe"
1 Hindi Vishwa Bharati, part 1, p 28
