Uttara Bhadrapada : [3°20’ – 16°40’ Pisces]

CONSTITUENTS OF THE NAKSHATRA

Uttara Bhadrapada is the twenty sixth asterism of the zodiac which extends from 333°20’ to 346°40’ and completely resides in the constellation of Pisces, i.e., the fish. It consists of two stars. Purva Bhadrapada is also made of two stars and when they join together consist of four stars and represents the legs of a cot. But the two stars assigned to Uttara Bhadrapada are set to be symbolized as twins as well the number two. The sign Pisces is ruled by Jupiter where as the asterism itself is ruled by Saturn. The presiding deity of the asterism is Ahir Budhnya, the dragon of the deep sea. The primary motivation of the asterism is kama, desire. Sattva, harmony attribute operates at primary and secondary levels but at tertiary level it is under the influence of tamas, inertia.

NAKSHATRA & ITS SHAPE

The presiding deity Ahir Budhnya, the dragon of the deep sea is connected to Ahi-vritra, the dragon of primordial ignorance which hides himself in primeval darkness. These are known as dual principles of existence, i.e., light and darkness, heat and cold are emphasized by Aja Ekapada and Ahir Budhnya. Cosmic creation is based on these two fundamental principles of eternal conflict. They rule over fire and water, heat and cold and are personified by Agni and Soma. They are also known as two primary rudras which are known as manifestation of Lord Shiva. These two rudras are presenting the unity between Uttara and Purva Bhadrapada, are the four legs of the cot.

The sign Pisces is itself ruled by Jupiter whereas the asterism Uttara Bhadrapada is governed by Saturn. Jupiter and Saturn are poles apart from each other where character and tendencies are concerned. Jupiter being a benevolent planet believes in growth and expansion of the individual as well as the soul. Saturn is just contrary and represents the opposite of Jupiter. Saturn believes in constraints, curtailing, squeezing and putting a lot of trial and tribulation in the process of spiritual growth. Initially Saturn is a spiritual planet but it looks after the practical side of spiritualism. It believes that one cannot achieve oneness with the ultimate unless and until one goes through the path of penance, austerity and develops deeper understanding of humanity. The individual moves between the two basic polarized forces which constitute the universe and if it has to transcend this duality then he has to make a quantum leap to be one with the ultimate.

The deity of the asterism has a very deeper meaning. Ahi is a serpent, a demon and darkness personified. Due to this very darkness an individual remains ignorant even after taking many births on this planet. His bondage with materialism or ignorance is so deep-rooted that it does not get eliminated even after the suffering of many births. It is also believed even if the darkness of ignorance ends there still remains the darkness of wisdom. The symbol of asterism is dragon and all wisdom emanates from him through this nakshatra. It helps the individual to comprehend the knowledge hidden in all forms of manifestations.

NAKSHATRA TRAITS & PERSONALITY

Your Strengths: The Uttara Bhadrapada – Saturn – Jupiter configuration give rise to a very conflicting situation. There is an unfriendly atmosphere between Saturn and Jupiter or tamas and sattva, fire and water. The symbol also assigns a dual personality. You are capable of demonstrating quiet restraint and control over your aggression. Saturn, being a disciplined planet helps you control your feelings and provide self-control. Many a time you prefer to live with pain and agony than to exhibit it. There are two basic principles of cosmic evolution and they are governed by fire and water, heat and cold. That is the reason contradictory tendencies rule, because of the nature of the two planets Saturn and Jupiter, in the end, Jupiter takes over and you become cool, calm, and understanding and the negativity of Saturn is left behind forever.

You put all your energy right from the beginning to establish yourself in whatever field you are. You work very hard and prepare yourself for eternal rest where you are totally detached from material influence and try to attain internal peace. You exert a certain kind of discipline and self-control on your emotions and behaviour. You are quite cheerful, comfortable, kind and generous towards others. However your strong determination, resolve and persuasiveness enables you to reach your goals without much difficulty. There is a tremendous psychic ability in you which helps you throughout. You are caring towards your family, children and spread happiness wherever you are. You believe in giving freely without expecting anything back.

Your Drawbacks: The darker side of your personality could be passion and temper. You may be secretive, lazy, careless, irresponsible and cunning without any reason. Overindulgence in desire and some sort of addiction can create an upheaval in your life. Sometimes your ruthlessness can create a very dangerous situation for you. You need to cultivate patience and exercise utmost control on your negativity.

Purva Bhadrapada : [20°0’ Aquarius – 3°20’ Pisces]

CONSTITUENTS OF THE NAKSHATRA

The twenty fifth nakshatra of the zodiac is known as Purva Bhadrapada which extends from 320°0’ to 333°20’ of the zodiac and consists of two stars. The nakshatra is associated with cosmic stability and imparts fearlessness. The first three quarters of the asterism fall within Aquarius sign ruled by Saturn which extends from 20°0’ to 30°0’ in Aquarius sign and the last quarter lies in Pisces sign ruled by Jupiter. The nakshatra itself is ruled by Jupiter. Its primary and secondary attributes are sattva, harmony while at tertiary level it is rajas, activities. The presiding deity of the asterism is Aja Ekapada, the one-footed goat. The astrological symbol of asterism is a sword. The primary motivational impulse of the asterism is arth or goal directed.

NAKSHATRA & ITS SHAPE

A lot of significance has been attached to the presiding deity of the asterism which is Aja Ekapada, the one-footed goat in the formation of cosmos. According to Vedic literature, deity Aja Ekapada denotes the unborn, transcendent cosmic energy. The goat is a docile, domesticated animal which gives milk and takes almost nothing for its own sustenance. However the role of Vedic deity is tremendous, he is infinite, an entity without motion and speech. Aja Ekapada is the unborn and worshiped as a form of Shiva and a transport vehicle of Agni, the god of fire.

According to Atharva Veda, Aja Ekapada is deeply connected with Rohit, another deity associated with cosmic evolution. The main job of Rohit was to produce heaven and earth where the thread of the sacrifice is extended. In this scheme of things Rohit was created and Aja Ekapada established himself as the Sun and made the heaven and earth firm with his strength. Aja Ekapada functions as the Sun which provides life and light and becomes a source which provides existence to the entire creation. In this scheme of things the role of Aja Ekapada is to cement this essence of manifestation. As a transport of Agni, fire which energizes all life forms Aja Ekapada takes the abstract image of Rohit, differentiates it, and then provides warmth and nourishment so that it can succeed in completing its journey.

Aja Ekapada, one of the early Vedic deities denotes the stage in cosmic evolution where fire has not taken an active role in creation, though the area of creation has been well-defined. The fire is still on the vehicle and has not been established as energy by itself. It is infinite and within it neither motion nor speech exists. The subject or objective attributes has not taken birth as yet. Manifestation cannot operate unless and until the polarization takes place and only then interplay of different forces start operating. Primarily Aja Ekapada is like a Sun which provides life and light to every form of creation but takes nothing itself. The same way the Lord Shiva in his cosmic dance arouses each and every cell and energizes the whole universe but within himself he is completely still and no activity is operating at any level.

NAKSHATRA TRAITS & PERSONALITY

Your Strengths: The Purva Bhadrapada – Jupiter – Saturn combination is connected with cosmic solidarity and teaches the person fearlessness. You are blessed with creative intelligence and it reflects in your nature early in life. There is an unchannelled latent creative force which starts creating an entirely different persona out of you. There is an ever-changing process of impulses which manifests but remains abstract for quite sometime. There is a live force within that is eager to start its journey to reach the ultimate as soon as possible. Once you gain momentum in your mission, you are unstoppable till you achieve your objectives. In your sojourn, you do not want to break the rhythm. You want to make it a continuum process.

The Purva Bhadrapada – Jupiter – Jupiter makes you extremely passionate, spontaneous and idealistic. You are shy and undemonstrative in the beginning but gradually come to terms with life. You are focused and committed and make sure that whatever task you have is not left undone. Your primary motivation is materialism as you firmly believe that worldly comforts are essential to do something meaningful in this life. You are future oriented and make the best use of the present. You are humane and want to work for the upliftment of humanity. You are non-interfering in others’ life and also make sure that nobody intrudes in your personal affairs. You are confident and follow your own ideology which is different from others. You believe in karma (efforts) and leave no stone unturned to achieve your target.

Success does not come easily and you have a share of failures in the beginning. Every failure fills you with a new resolve and you make sure that the same is not repeated. It takes quite long for you to understand your rare potential and once you have attuned yourself with the cosmic energy, you are unstoppable. You are quite a rebel and this helps you become a pathfinder for others. Your personality could be symbolized with a double-edged sword. When it is directed outwards, it can remove all sorts of obstacles which come in life. If it is the other way, it can be harmful. The real job of the sword is to ignite courage, provide perfect vision and help to unite all the disintegrated forces into a single unit. There is an inner urge in you to work with a missionary zeal to achieve your targets.

There is a desire to stand on your own, without any support and at times, it gives an impression of being eccentric and revolutionary. Perhaps you want to keep your originality intact which is why you do not heed the advice of others and adopt an attitude of ‘couldn’t care less’. There is a belief in you that you are already ahead and are fully capable of managing your show. The basis of this confidence is tat you feel strongly connected with the universal force giving you the needed energy to achieve your goals without any interference. The complete self-reliance of the inner and outer force energy synchronizes so beautifully that every dimension looks easy and possible. The motivational force is so strong that it makes you believe that nothing will come in your way once you are focused. This attitude enables you to transform life in this birth itself.

Your Drawbacks: The negative side of your personality is that you are temperamental, restless and anxious. Your eccentric behaviour and acidic tongue can leave people aghast. Sometimes you could be too self-opinionated and over-idealistic in your principles. You can be very nervous and fearful if confronted by adverse situations. You need to work on your wavering and unstable mind.

Sometimes you become too individualistic and follow the path of materialism which could be termed fanatic and anti-social. If greed sets in you can fall from the path of grace. You need to curb anger, aggression and being over-passionate about things of little consequence. Being too secretive, shrewd or irresponsible can cause a lot of pain and anxiety to you. Be wary of addiction and overindulgence in sex.

Shatabhisha : [6°40’ – 20°0’ Aquarius]

CONSTITUENTS OF THE NAKSHATRA

Shatabhisha is the twenty fourth nakshatra of the zodiac which is located in a large group of dim stars in the constellation of Aquarius, the water bearer. Shatabhisha nakshatra extends from 306°40’ to 320°0’ of the zodiac in Aquarius sign ruled by Saturn. Shatabhisha is also known as the physicians of the gods. The literal meaning of Shatabhisha is hundred physicians or hundred healers. The other meaning of Shatabhisha is hundred stars. Shatabhisha is ruled by the planet Rahu who is known as a shadowy planet which brings karmic rectification. Rahu, the most mystical planet of the zodiac is further highlighted by assigning to it a thousand-petalled flower representing the hundred stars constituting the constellation. Its primary and tertiary attributes are sattva, harmony while on the secondary level it is tamas or inertia. The deity of Shatabhisha is Varuna, the bestower of wisdom. The primary motivation of the asterism is Dharma or honour, i.e., principle.

NAKSHATRA & ITS SHAPE

Flower is the most auspicious symbol which appears after completing the efforts which are required to achieve the goal. In this sense the flowering of Shatabhisha represents the achievements of the purpose for which the manifestation came into its being. It indicates that the creation is blossoming at the optimum. The flowering of the thousand-petalled flower is referred to for the ultimate in the multi-dimensional evolution process. For us mortals or human beings it is directly connected to the thousand-petalled lotus or the Crown Chakra. This energy or shakti is known as Kundalini Shakti. When the Kundalini Shakti arises then a person becomes liberated from the process of birth and death.

Another meaning of Shatabhisha is hundred physicians or hundred healers, pouring the secret pot containing the divine nectar of immorality. These reference points indicate that Shatabhisha has a powerful influence which is capable of transforming the entire human being. Its influence is such that an individual is fired with missionary zeal and enthusiasm. He can easily sacrifice all kind of worldly attainments to fulfill his spiritual objectives. The presiding deity of Shatabhisha is Varuna, earlier Vedic god. He is bestowed with unlimited cosmic knowledge. It has been mentioned in the Vedas that with his knowledge he can hold together mankind and the earth. He is also known as the god who had made the golden sunshine in the heavens. The wind which fills the atmosphere is his breath. He can weigh ‘True’ and ‘False’ correctly. He taught the rishi Vashishtha the mystery of the world which no ordinary man can understand. Varuna controls and directs all mysterious powers of wisdom and compassion so that the individual under the influence of Shatabhisha can readily transform and become a new ray of light himself. Rahu is the lord of the asterism who also controls all the six mysterious powers which surrounds his crown.

NAKSHATRA TRAITS & PERSONALITY

Your Strengths: The Shatabhisha – Rahu – Saturn combination will produce harmony despite initial hiccups and difficulties. You are blessed with mysterious powers of wisdom which are capable of transforming you completely. The basic impulse of your personality is to get into the revolutionary process and after achieving secret knowledge, you dedicate your energy for the upliftment of others. You are fired with a tremendous zeal and you cannot rest till you express and communicate your vision to others. More often than not, you are born with futuristic ideas of the world. You are always motivated to create a new life out of the old one and you consider yourself a thinker in your own right. You are extremely practical and work first for duty and later for personal satisfaction or glorification. You are like a flower whose beauty and fragrance is for others, and not for self.

Being a practical person, you are concerned about your personal image, socializing patterns and are ready to adjust to the changing patterns of the world. You understand that a strong body possesses a strong mind, one which can be used effectively in this world. You try to work for the development of your consciousness because you believe that the tuning of the mind, body and soul can create wonders. Sometimes you can put voluntary restrictions on yourself to be more proper and dutiful. Your missionary zeal and enthusiasm helps you to achieve your targets easily. You are a firm believer that the infinite cosmos is full of knowledge and energy and is ready to shower this on anyone who is willing to accept it. You have the bona fide right to utilise it for yourself and for the benefit of others. This very attitude will single you out among others.

Your Drawbacks: On the other side of your personality is isolation and depression. Sometimes you feel life is nothing but a duty and one has to do it under certain restrictions. If you allow yourself more suffering and apathy, you can create major problems for yourself. Invariably, you have a difficult and unstable childhood and these impressions live long in your memory. You can be harsh and your acidic tongue can create problems for you.

Dhanishtha : [ 23°20’ Capricorn – 6°40’ Aquarius]

CONSTITUENTS OF THE NAKSHATRA

Dhanishtha is the twenty third asterism of the zodiac which extends from 23°20’ to 30°0’ Capricorn and from 0°0’ to 6°40’ Aquarius. Dhanishtha Nakshatra extends from 293°20’ to 306°40’ of the zodiac. Dhanishtha consists of a group of four stars located in the head of Delphinus, the Dolphin. First half of the nakshatra falls in Capricorn and the latter half of the constellation comes under Aquarius. Both the signs Capricorn and Aquarius are governed by Saturn. The asterism itself is ruled by Mars. Its primary attribute is sattva, lightness but the secondary and tertiary levels are controlled by tamas, inertia. The presiding deities of the nakshatra are eight Vasus, the epitomes of cosmic energy. The symbol of the nakshatra is a Drum, also known as Mridanga. The motivational impulse of the nakshatra is Dharma, i.e., honour or principle.

NAKSHATRA & ITS SHAPE

The symbol of Dhanishtha is drum which is very significant. Lord Shiva’s musical instrument is damroo or a miniature drum. The drum is hollow and covered by stretched leather which is systematically tied with tiny knots of two ropes. These small ropes are used to stretch the leather so it can produce the desired sound. The drum is played by tapping rhythmically on either side. When Shiva takes the form of Nataraja, the divine dancer then this cosmic music is played by himself. It is believed that the whole universe starts dancing with the beat of his divine drum. The music has inherent divinity within itself which can connect each and every particle of this universe with oneness. The same divinity was created by Lord Krishna when he was playing a bamboo-cane flute while sitting in an isolated place under the tree. The sound of the flute was so lovely and alluring that all the gopis and cows surrounded him within no time. Dhanishtha also shows the preparedness of the soul for higher ascendance.

The drum as a symbol of Dhanishtha connects the individual soul to its roots of manifestation which starts echoing on its own. Cosmic void emits sound waves which cements cosmic ideas. Mahashunya or cosmic void is the basic necessity from which the perception of all sound arises. When the world is filled with noise and agitation then beneath it one can see the great silence which rules the real nature of things. This process automatically leads towards the soundless sound which is the main aim of the meditation. All forms of manifestation are born out of void with certain divine purpose. However at this stage the individual may experience a great sorrow, suffering, difficulties and at times maladjustments with the environment. Because bipolarity of personality is reflected by the symbol of the asterism – drum also plays a big role at this stage. One needs a divine strength to make a quantum jump across the realm of bipolarity. The presiding deity of the asterism are the Vasus, the cosmic gods who are there to provide the necessary help.

NAKSHATRA TRAITS & PERSONALITY

Your Strengths: The Dhanishtha – Mars – Saturn combination indicates that the basic impulse is to empty out your inner self or soul from all the past experiences and ready yourself for some bigger transfusion. Living with past experiences and regression will not help you learn something new or perceive something extremely beautiful which has the capacity to transform you completely. It is true that this stage can be attained only after going through stress, pain, frustration, depression and loneliness at a greater level. A temporary hell-like situation automatically opens a door to heaven through which you can walk freely. Dhanishtha’s basic role in this sign is to prepare you for something big after touching the lowest ebb of your being. Through the passage of a lonely path, darkness and deep silence, one can prepare himself for divine music or greater harmony within. The basic job of the sign Lord Saturn is to go through all sorts of discomforts and stress in order to lift you from the ordinary experience to the greater heights of your being.

The Dhanishtha – Mars – Saturn combination will generate a very different and unifying magnetic current due to the influence of the sign Aquarius. Aquarius is considered a sign of humanity and its symbol of an overflowing pitcher speaks volumes for its kindness, generosity and compassion. Rain is eager to fill the pond to the optimum with its fresh shower provided it is already emptied out in the same way if one is to create Mahashunya or cosmic void; it can only then be filled by sound waves to energize the whole atmosphere.

This combination also enables you to discard the past and look for new ideas to create a congenial world where one can easily float. You may experience acute stress and agony but then it is the only way to transform yourself completely. One cannot experience the inner divinity until and unless one has gone through the process of suffering. Your greatness lies in that you do not give up but fight till the end to achieve your mission. Once that is accomplished, you are in a comfort zone.

You are gifted with insight, are a perfect listener and have great admiration for truth. The search for unity and connection with one and all takes you places. You are aware o the ground realities, and therefore, start working with limitations keeping unlimited goals in mind. You are a visionary, and believe in moving step by step. You are a born fighter and blessed with a never-say-die spirit till the goals are met.

The global ideas are very appealing and they can unify people for a common cause. The humanitarian side of your being is so charming that it attracts others towards you even as become a focal point. You are very forceful and a great explorer of the truth. These basic traits help you gain fame and recognition. You are resourceful and it helps you to explore unknown areas. Your search for knowledge or newness never ends and this puts you ahead of others. Primarily you have a great desire to acquire wisdom which can be used for the benefit of self as well as others.

Your Drawbacks: You may have tremendous lust for materialism. Sometimes you can be over ambitious, insatiable and miserly and may eye another’s wealth. You can be extremely jealous, aloof and insensitive, callous and exceptionally revengeful. Your selfish attitude can cross the limits if this combination is afflicted at the time of birth.

On the negative side you could be cruel, selfish and callous and mindlessly striving to acquire everything for your own selfish satisfaction. Your over-ambitiousness and narcissist attitude could put off many. You can be stingy and extremely revengeful. If you do not change your attitude, you will suffer and repent for long.

Shravana : [10°0’ – 23°20’ Capricorn]

CONSTITUENTS OF THE NAKSHATRA

Shravana is the twenty second nakshatra of the zodiac which extends from 2800’ to 29320’ in the sign of Capricorn ruled by Saturn. Its main star is Altair, Alpha Delphines. The lord of nakshatra is the Moon. Lord Vishnu is the presiding deity, the preserver of the universe. With the help of Vishnu one can perceive the truth of manifestation hidden by the world of Maya, i.e., illusion. The symbols of the asterism are an ear and arrow. Its basic attribute is sattva, harmony with tamas, inertia at secondary and rajas, action at tertiary level. Its primary motivation is artha directed activities. Sharavana’s basic direction is towards the Great Silence which provides the background to survive the entire scheme of manifestation. The power of nakshatra is that it can lead the person to deeper meditation. However if he still choose to be materialistic then he gets involved in it also.

NAKSHATRA & ITS SHAPE

The word Shravana is derived from the Sanskrit verb shru which means to listen and it symbolizes the ear. Vedas as well as Upanishads were full of praise of Shravana to hear. Shravana is the only sense of human being which is most active when it is absolutely passive. One can hear without making any effort. As a matter of fact all kind of noises of the world keep attacking your ear drums all the time without your even being aware of it. However if you have to see something then you have to make an effort and focus your entire attention on that object if it is not clearly visible. Without effort one cannot speak and if you want to speak louder, then your efforts have to increase accordingly. When you want to smell something of your choice you have to again make some sort of efforts but listening is the only action which happens when there is no action at all.

Perhaps that is the reason that Upanishads gave so much importance to the Shravana. It has been said in Upanishads that the master and the disciple should listen together to what is really listenable. During the time of Vedic culture all the teachings were dependent on two instruments – one is Shravana and another is Shruti, to remember. Whatever one has heard from the masters and out of that whatever he can reveal at a given time comes under the area of Shruti, remembrance. Silence and Nada sound were the two primordial sources of manifestation. Nada is known as Nada Brahma also the first sound of the universe (god’s voice) which appeared out of the Great Silence. When one starts listening and understands the meaning of listening then one can hear the eternal sound or Nada Brahma. That is the reasons that Upanishads were full of praise of Shravana.

The symbols of the asterism are ear and arrow. The ear is directly connected with the Shravana; voice synchronizes to the ears only. Another symbol of the asterism is arrow. The arrows have been used widely in Vedic culture to explain that energy was directed to yield certain kind of results. The archer is standing at one point but aiming somewhere else with his arrow which is more significant than his presence at a particular point. In present reference arrow and ear are interconnect which enables the person to hear what is really worth hearing. The presiding deity of asterism is Vishnu, the preserver of the universe. With his support one can come out from the clutches of Maya or the illusionary world.

NAKSHATRA TRAITS & PERSONALITY

Your Strengths: The Shravana – Moon – Saturn combination denotes that every impact under it should stimulate a profound insight into the harmony that exists around oneself. This situation arises out of personal discontentment that you feel when confronted with life’s problems which are then set aside. Probably from this point onwards, you develop an attitude of complete rebellion against the existing situation and set yourself free from the past with non-expectations of any perceived results. This could only be possible when you go deep into the silence of your being and start listening to the inner voice in an uninterrupted way. When you are connected with yourself, then communicating with others is no longer an issue. However it is very hard in the beginning to connect with one’s umbilical cord, but the moment you succeed and the connection is made then from that point you are transformed person. The beauty of life unfo0lds in front of you and divinity can be felt at this stage.

You are extremely active, hard working and focused on your projects. You do not believe in leaving work half done and this trait helps you to achieve your targets. There is a keen desire to develop your skills and share your ideas with others. This makes you quite famous and you can shine as a writer, teacher, philosopher or a scientist. You also love solitude and it helps you to get connected with yourself and that is the magic of your entire personality. Financial security is also very important to you. And it helps you to achieve your goals. Success comes to you after an initial struggle. Sometimes you suffer pain and unhappiness due to your own commitments.

Your Drawbacks: You can be quite rigid and obstinate in your behaviour. Do not waste your time in gossip. You are very sensitive and can get hurt easily. You can face a lot of disillusionment in the early part of your life. You can have enemies because of jealously, suffer from an inferiority complex but as you grow older things improve.

Rohini : [10°0’ – 23°20’ Taurus]

CONSTITUENTS OF THE NAKSHATRA

Rohini is the fourth constellation of the zodiac which extends 40°0’ to 53°20’ of the zodiac. The entire asterism resides on Taurus, the Bull. Five stars of the constellation make Rohini most beautiful in the sky, including the bright red giant Aldebaran Alpha Taurus. Rohini is ruled by Moon whereas the sign Taurus is governed by Venus which represents the creativity of the entire cosmos. The symbol of this nakshatra is a chariot that transports royalty from one destination to another. The primary motivation of Rohini is moksha i.e., liberation. Its basic attribute is rajas, tamas at secondary and rajas at the tertiary level. The presiding deity of the constellation is Brahma or Prajapati, the creator of the universe who works on a cosmic design given to him by superior gods.

NAKSHATRA & ITS SHAPE

We may find many reference points of Rohini in various ancient literatures. According to Atharva Ved, Rohini was the consort of Rohit, the reddish Sun. it has been mentioned in ancient literature that out of the relationship between Rohini and Rohit, the heaven and earth were produced. Rohit was a powerful deity who also made the earth and heaven strong. It is also believed that he established light in the heaven. He had the ability to measure the space and atmosphere and through his grace gods attained immorality. His colour is bright red and deeply connected with the Sun. he is responsible for the very life force which gives shape to the entire manifestation. This shows that Rohini has huge creative energy which is totally dedicated to total creativity. Rohini is a centre of feminine energy which attracts male energy towards her for the purpose of procreation. It is also believed that through this constellation the fruit of ones actions are also realized.

There is another puranic story connected with Rohini and Moon. Out of 10 Prajapatis Daksha was the one. The king Daksha fathered 60 daughters out of which 27 were wedded to the Moon. Rohini was the most beautiful and sensuous among all her sisters. The Moon was hugely attracted towards her and started living with her only and ignored his all other wives. The other sisters of Rohini did not like the hostile attitude of the Moon and became very jealous and angry. They all approached Prajapati who in turn cursed the Moon and he started becoming ill (black). After seeing the precarious condition of the Moon all the sisters felt very bad and approached the father once again to pardon Moon. Once the curse was cast it could not be taken back therefore some amendments were made and from that day onwards Moon started waxing and waning in the sky.

NAKSHATRA TRAITS & PERSONALITY

Your Strengths: Rohini – Moon – Venus all three are associated with huge reserves of creative power. The Moon – Venus combination is one of the best poetic combinations from where the poetry of life starts taking new shape. This is a unique configuration which creates most suitable conditions from where the fruit of ones efforts starts ripening. It does not take very long for people belonging to this combination to connect with the world. Rohini functions at a universal conscious level which is beyond all rationality and reasoning. The transcendental consciousness also starts flowing through Rohini for world manifestation. It is noted that Lord Krishna was born when the Moon and its ascendant were in Rohini.

You have tremendous confidence in your potential. You work religiously to create an environment from where you can gain strength. There is a strong belief deep inside you that your efforts will bear fruit. This belief helps you set very high standards and prove your worth. An element of divinity is rooted in your psyche which helps you to achieve a higher awareness of your being; this inspires you to help humanity at large.

Your Drawbacks: You need not get too indulgent with your possessions as well as pleasures. A deeper involvement in sexual relationships can lead you to cross all social limits. Getting intoxicated with your success and the use of chemical substances can lead to your downfall.

Krittika : [26°40’ Aries – 10°0’ Taurus]

CONSTITUENTS OF THE NAKSHATRA

Krittika is the third nakshatra of the zodiac which extends from 26°40’ minute to 40°0’ and resides in the two constellations of Ram and Bull. The first quarter of nakshatra up 30°0’ of the zodiac comes under Aries ruled by Mars while the remaining three quarters fall under the sign Taurus ruled by Venus. The ruling planet of the asterism is the Sun. The deity of nakshatra is Agni, the god of fire. The symbol of nakshatra is a razor. The attribute of nakshatra is rajas or activity on both primary and secondary level and sattva at a tertiary level. The primary motivation of asterism is kama or desire.

Krittika is made up of six visible brightest stars and the seventh one is invisible. These stars are also known as the constellation of Pleiades. The combination of these seven stars is also known as seven sisters which are believed to be the wives of seven great seers who also figure astronomically as the seven stars of Ursa Major, the Big Dipper. Their connection with the ancient rishis shows the importance for the evolution of our planet with their guiding energy.

NAKSHATRA & ITS SHAPE

The ruling deity of Krittika is Agni, the fire god. The importance of fire has been established in all the Vedic literatures. Fire has been used in all its possible forms. The primary source of fire is the Sun. The purest form of fire is the light which is very important for the existence of the world. When this light is converted into lightening, it starts creating many hidden minerals, metals in the deepest layers of the earth. Agni or fire is capable of construction and destruction of anything on this earth. It itself remains imperishable. When it is burning it can consume anything which comes within its range. Fire also operates as a great purificator of this universe. Without fire in the belly the process of digestion cannot take place. When it converts itself into heat it gives warmth, when it maintains temperature then life starts taking shape on this planet. Latent heat is very essential in the process of manifestation of life in the womb or hidden form. In other words fire is the essential part of life force or the existence. The cessation of fire is also the end of existence. The seven flames of fire provide seven planes of existence to manifest. The fire god is deeply connected with this constellation and operates on atmic principles. Krittika also stands for total transformation of the being.

It is also believed that the seventh or invisible star of the nakshatra or seven sisters is married to Dhruv or the Pole star. The entire globe rotates around the Pole and Krittika provides the guiding force and through its seven fold manifestation life happens on the earth. Therefore the connectivity between Krittika and the Pole star establishes the importance of a central and hidden principle from which the laws of life establish themselves.

NAKSHATRA TRAITS & PERSONALITY

Your Strengths: Krittika – Sun – Mars provide a deep-rooted confidence and firmness of character to achieve greatness. Invariably, a person from this constellation fights for a social cause and could easily be termed as a spiritual warrior. The person has an inherent search for truth and possesses an inner fire which starts burning for literal transformation. The negative side of this nakshatra could be a stubborn and aggressive attitude. Sometimes, a destructive tendency could be quite shocking.

Krittika, Sun and Venus suggest a nervous energy, extremely keen to express itself and experience a fresh manifestation. People born with this combination invariably direct their passion towards their goal and their pursuit remains unemotional till the desired results are obtained. Your basic impulse is to strive for creativity which you strongly believe you possess. It takes quite a while before you can prove your worth to yourself as well as to the world. Being practical and disciplined, you channelize your energy in a particular direction with certain objectives in mind. You neither remain in a state of euphoria nor anticipate results till they start happening in reality. You are skeptical of you success since you have worked very hard from the beginning, but you enjoy living with hope. This attitude helps you achieve your goal and emerge as a winner.

You are blessed with constructive as well as destructive energy. Essentially, you believe that creating something different is more valuable than taking the wrong side. The constructive aspect of life is so deep in you that you literally devote yourself to social causes. You cannot remain selfish for a long time because whatever you experience after putting in tremendous efforts, you are always willing to pass it on to others. As you are aware of your potential, you work on it and bring it to a higher level. There is an inherent desire to help others who find difficulty in organizing themselves and in staying focused. You are blessed with the sharpness of a doctor’s scalpel who uses this knife for the benefit of mankind. The influence of your nakshatra, Krittika, is so huge that a divine quality automatically builds within you. It is reflected in your selflessness as the basic nature of divinity is impersonal.

You are extremely missionary in your approach, right from the beginning. You operate with a single objective in mind and make sure you achieve it with dignity. You organize and channelize your energy in such a way that it starts giving maximum results. Perhaps, by being methodical and disciplined, you can do wonders with your thought process. You are a practical person and prefer helping people rather than forcing them to do something. It does not matter whether they are related to you or not, but they should be genuine seekers and you will help them to the best of your abilities. Once you are convinced of their credibility you can go to any extent to help them. Your magnanimity does not know limits as you do not expect anything in return.

Your Drawbacks: The destructive side of your personality can also be force to reckon with if it ever takes root. On the rampage to destruction, you can, to a great extent, even destroy the possibility of revolutionary forces. It has the capability of affecting not only an individual but also a community. You need to understand this destructive force of your which is equally powerful.

Suspicion and jealousy are two areas which can wreak havoc with your personality. Once you are on the warpath with your negative thought process you can easily head towards destruction. At times, lust also plays a negative role. Therefore, these traits should be checked well in time lest they contribute to your downfall.

Bharani : [13°20’ – 26°40’ Aries]

CONSTITUENTS OF THE NAKSHATRA

Bharani is the second nakshatra of the zodiac which extends from 13°20’ to 26°40’ degrees and resides in Aries. Both the nakshatra Ashwini and Bharani reside completely within the sign Aries ruled by Mars. The lord of Bharani nakshatra is Venus. Mars represents the male energy and Venus denotes the feminine aspect of it. Due to the intersection of feminine and masculine energy, creative potential of existence is felt in this sign. The basic attribute of Bharani nakshatra is rajas and activities can be seen on primary as well as secondary level. However the tertiary level is governed by tamas. The primary motivation of nakshatra is Arth directed activity. This nakshatra has three hidden meanings. The symbol of nakshatra is yoni or female reproductive organ. On the second level Shakti Tattva or energy resides here. At the third level the deity of this nakshatra is Yama, the god of death. Bharani is made of three faint stars in the sign of Ram.

NAKSHATRA & ITS SHAPE

The word Bharani means she who bears or she who nourishes. The female reproductive organ, yoni is also known as Bhag. According to Vedic philosophy yoni or bhag has been given special importance in many Indian rituals. On the surface of it, it may look like a symbol of sensual pleasure but in the deeper sense it operates on the cosmic principle that transports soul (people) from one shore to another. Another meaning of bhag is auspicious which indicates that Bharani is a conduit through which divine energy flows to nourish the manifestation. According to Vedantic philosophy there are two primary forces of manifestation which Shiva-Tattva and Shakti-Tattva. They are active and passive principles of the universe. Ashwini represents the Shiva energy and Bharani denotes shakti (energy). Ashwini is ruled by Ketu and Bharani is governed by Venus. These planets play a very important role to generate evolutionary impulse. Ketu operates at mental level and has the understanding of the world through intuitive wisdom. Therefore Ashwini understands the intricacies of life at only the psychological level, however, Venus operates at the physical level and nothing remains impersonal because without being interpersonal and physical one cannot experience how life manifests on this planet.

Yama, the god of death is the presiding deity of Bharani. The primary job of Yama is to take the departed soul and provide him the kind of support, shelter till this soul starts its new journey. The name of Yama may be creating terror in people’s mind but Yama plays a very important role because he cleanses the environment and does not leave the souls wandering unnecessarily till they begin their new manifestation. As a matter of fact, Yama was among one the ancient ancestors of man.

The other meaning of Yama is widely used in yogic kriyas (terms). Under Yama discipline one has to perform many kriyas or process to purify the energy channel. The basic conducts of Yama are non-violence, truthfulness, non-stealing, brahmacharya and leading a life of purity. When a seeker follows these conducts then he directs life-force towards a new birth for the soul. Similarly, when the body becomes weak and cannot carry the burden of soul any longer then Yama, the god of death enables it to detach from the old form to assume the new one. Yama as a deity provides suitable passage for the more efficient flow of life energy.

NAKSHATRA TRAITS & PERSONALITY

Your Strengths: The lord of Bharani nakshatra is Venus and the sign Aries is ruled by Mars. The element of this sign is fire and symbol is a ‘Ram’. The Sun remains exalted in this sign.

Bharani, Venus and Mars provide infinite potential; it is capable of creating the necessary environment from where a unique kind of life force starts engaging. This combination also indicates that big dreams or desires can be converted into reality if the concept is clear. Once the seed is sown and is about to germinate, it has the capacity to become a tree, provided it is nourished properly. The mind tends to get automatically focused because you are not deprived of the fruits of labour for long. The taste of initial success paves the way for the long and impossible journey ahead. There is some mysticism involved in the actualization of a dream and once this mysticism overpowers man, then success starts following the person. Their authority, leadership quality and power make them almost invincible.

You are kind and generous. People may take advantage of this; not easily though, since you have a very shrewd mind and quickly grasp what is in the offing. Your own family will get a lot of your attention, but your love and affection remains undemonstrated and this could sometimes be misunderstood. A very hygiene conscious person, you love a neat and clean house. Love for antiques will help you to decorate your house with rare artifacts. You get highly emotional when you get to know of somebody’s miseries or pain. People do take advantage of your sincerity, but it does not bother you at all. You help people to rejuvenate and re-invent themselves and you apply the same formula for yourself as well.

Your Drawbacks: You are extremely sensitive. You do not easily forget the good and bad done to you by anybody. You can go up to any extreme in both the situations. When you are good there is no limit to your goodness, and if you are ruthless, then god bless the others! You are often restless, impatient and uncharitable to those who did not endorse your activities or ideas. Try not to stretch your ideas to an extreme because this can turn out to be your greatest weakness.

Ashwini : [0°0’ – 13°20’ Aries]

CONSTITUENTS OF THE NAKSHATRA

Ashwini is the first nakshatra of the zodiac which covers 0°0’ to 13°20’ degrees. It consists of three stars in the form of a horse. Ashwini played a big role to the activation of the primordial energy from its state of latency. The first nakshatra is concerned with the resurrection of these egos and putting them in order of new cycle. The lord of this nakshatra is Ketu, the northern node of the Moon. Ketu, considered a planet of wisdom, rules over impulses and Ashwini was chosen as the first nakshatra to provide the impulse required for the beginning of the cosmic cycle. The phenomenon is taking place in the sign of Aries which is represented by the Ram who is full of raw energy and ready to explode with his full might. The needed force and energy is provided by the dynamic sign lord Mars.

NAKSHATRA & ITS SHAPE

The birth story of Ashwini is quite interesting and reveals its cosmic power also. According to mythology, radiance of the Sun god was so strong that nobody could bear it due to his effulgence. He was left alone and had nobody to share life with him. Marriage seemed impossible. Aditi, mother of the Sun approached her husband Kashyap to do something about it. Kashyap divided Sun into 12 parts and made each a Sun in its own realm. The Sun of our universe was married to Sangya, the daughter of Tvashtra, also known as Vishwakarma, the celestial architect. Sangya was not able to bear the heat (Fire) of the Sun therefore she went to the jungle for penance because she could not perform the duty of a wife. Before she left the place she instructed her handmaid Chhaya (shadow) to look after her husband.

Sun could not distinguish between the real wife or shadow and started living with Chhaya as a husband. After sometime Sangya came back to the Sun and was very angry to know what was going on behind her back. In her temper she leaves the Sun once again and goes back to the jungle and takes the form of a mare and starts hiding in the jungle from the Sun. when Sun came to know about his real wife, he started following her in the jungle and took the form of a horse and mating took place. This allegory further describes the beginning of solar evolution and provides a hint to the mysterious process of activating the primordial force. Out of this union Ashwini Kumars were born. Ashwinis were blessed with a rejuvenating power and they are the great healers of the cosmos.

Besides its association with power and energy Ashwini is also connected with the seven channels of evolution flaws. The septenary energy channels are described in the Vedas as the seven rivers, sapta sindhus, sapta rishis and seven flames of sacrificial fire though Ashwini operates as the main aquaduct through which the seven channels flowed to the world or manifestation. Ashwini also provides necessary environment for Shiva-Shakti-Tattva to plat its role at manifestation level. Ashwini asterism represents the Shiva-Tattva while the Shakti-Tattva is represented by the second asterism i.e., Bharani.

There is another story attached with Ashwnis. There was a rishi called Chyavan, who was very old and wanted to marry young princesses. Rishi Chyavan approached Ashwini Kumars and requested them to make him young once again. As the story goes, Ashwini Kumars obliged the rishi. Ashwini Kumars are nature’s physicians who are capable of restoring latent live force without following the ethics of it. They are also involved with cyclic order of manifestation. This nakshatra is a source of huge solar energy which is capable of activating new creation. Creative process is deeply related with Ashwini’s impulse. Though Ashwini represents the keenness to involve itself in creative mission, it does not have a clear road map which becomes a handicap at times. This is the big drawback which also comes to the fore in the life of people born under Ashwini nakshatra.

NAKSHATRA TRAITS & PERSONALITY

Your Strengths: Ashwini, Ketu and Mars provide a dynamic environment to the person in which it can cultivate its fierce activities and from the where the thirst for life can get manifested. Here, energies are in the process of unification, so it provides a perfect platform for the awakening of consciousness in a particular direction. The Sun becomes exalted in this constellation and hence there is an apparent desire in the subject to establish his authority and leadership.

You are blessed with a dauntless spirit which likes to explore many new dimensions of your personality. Being playful and childlike in nature, you can experience many things that come your way. You are very kind and generous towards people whom you love immensely. You give importance to your family and friends. You are also very protective about them and the idea of losing them can scare you. Should you sense that you are about to lose them, you throw yourself in pursuing and sustaining the relationship at all cost. At times, you may appear brash in your behavior to others, but this is only an outcome of loneliness and a sense of insecurity as far as relationship are concerned.

Your Drawbacks: Uncontrollable aggression, impulsiveness, lust and a lack of concern for others are your great weakness. At times your arrogance and stubbornness can cross all limits, which can definitely land you in trouble. In some cases, a person of this sign follows the path of destruction and brings misery to the lives of innumerable people. You tend to have a fatal attraction towards the opposite sex which could easily bring about your downfall.

Sun: The Source of Light

The symbol of the Sun consists of a circle and right in the middle of this circle is a perfect spot. The circle is extremely important because it represents nothingness, which is also referred to as zero. The beauty of a circle is that it can be interpreted in many ways. It can be called a state of completion where nothing can be added or subtracted from. There are two different schools of thought. One, which interprets the world of nothingness and the other, which believes that the world is the only platform which provides plenty of opportunities to fulfill all ambitions and desires.

The symbol, which is a circle with a perfect dot in the centre, represents an atom. The presence of an atom in the centre of the symbol gives a different meaning to the glyph of the Sun. The Universe is made up of atoms and these are the sources of energy and life. If the glyph of the Sun consisted of only the circle, then it would be confusing, but the atom present in it makes it very potent. It is a known scientific fact that life revolves around the atom, and in astrology, we believe that life is possible in areas where the Sun’s rays penetrate the earth. Perhaps that is why the Vedas treated the Sun as a god. It is difficult to find any ancient culture or civilization in the world where the Sun is not praised or worshipped. The symbol of the Sun, the circle, represents the absolute; therefore, the Sun should be referred to as an absolute manifestation of the world. Kings, heads of states and administrators of various regions come under the influence of the Sun. Without the blessings of the Sun, it is not possible for anybody to remain at the helm of affairs for long. The Sun has the capacity to instill tremendous confidence and courage in a person to face challenges squarely.

Under the influence of the Sun, a person develops an inner understanding and is able to realise a psychological harmony within. The moment one realises that he is capable of conquering the world, then a feeling of inner satisfaction starts creeping in, which frees man from all psychological bondage. The circle is also the symbol for infinity, in perfect shape, without a beginning or an end.  The real achiever puts forth all his life energy to reach the target, without bothering the consequences. Once he reaches the zenith of his achievements, he wants to create a universal harmony. It is also strange that winning the world remains the target but once one has achieved that, real satisfaction remains elusive. Spiritualism can be an answer to this feeling of a vacuum. At this point, more than anywhere else, the symbol of the Sun that comprises of a circle which denotes nothingness, becomes most meaningful and one starts striving towards being a fraction of infinity.