The Vishnu Purana 2 (Part III)

Budha Aditya Yoga

If Mercury combines with the Sun, but not within 14 degree (some say 10 degrees), this combination is caused. The native concerned will be highly intelligent, skilful in all works, good reputation, personal respect and surrounded by all comforts and happiness. Dr B V Raman opined that though generally, any planet in association with the Sun becomes combust and loses its power to do good, perhaps Mercury is an exception. 

In the light of the above given table and the preceding paragraphs, the readers can readily grasp the significance of this yoga. Because Sun is the Karaka for cosmic intelligence and Mercury is the Karaka for intelligence and these two are the lords of 3 & 6 and 5 houses of natural zodiac and thus it can be construed as a sort of Dhimanta yoga, the definition of which follows:  

Dhimanta yoga

The 1^st lord placed in 3^rd or 6^th house or associated with 3^rd or 6^th lord, then dhimanta yoga is formed. The native will be born a researcher and intellectual. He will be very interested in studies and have many questions. The yoga is also formed with 5^th lord’s association with 3^rd and 6^th lords.

Lagna Lord Mercury is conjoined 3^rd Lord Sun and 5^th Lord Venus in the 10^th house, directly aspecting lagna. Verifying from Paka Lagna (Pisces), we see that the 3^rd Lord Venus and 6^th lord Sun are placed in the Paka lagna itself, thus signifying a brilliant intellect.

Cancer : Akasha / Soma

Akasha / Ether is the omnipresent primal source of energy that creates and nourishes the other four elements, Fire, Earth, Air and Water. Akasha is about infinite potential and possibilities, both material and spiritual. Akasha represents the ‘centre’ and the soul, without which there is no existence.

In astrology, we all know that Jupiter represents Akasha tattva and he gets exalted in Cancer, which, as per the table 1.3, is ruled by Akasha. Because Cancer, of all the signs, represents Akasha tattva, Jupiter gets exalted here. It is also interesting to note that the ‘gland / granthi’ that is activated at this point is “tustu’ ruling over well being and satisfaction / happiness, both of which are again ruled by Jupiter & Cancer (the natural 4^th house).

Dahara Akasha

Cancer is also symbolic of heart and when we combine this signification with the term akasha, it is much more than mundane Akasha and what immediately comes to one’s mind is “dahara aakaasha’, which means the subtle akasha in the heart cave, which is equivalent to Para Brahma. The 609th name in Lalitha Shasranaamam extols Divine Mother as “Dahara aakaasha Roopini’..as the very embodiment of the subtle akasha in the heart-cave. Narayana / Vishnu as the tattva devata of Aakasha tattva epitomizes this ‘avyakta’ dahara akasha, which is often expressed in the Upanishads, as the Atma, the Absolute, abiding in each individual.

There are several references in the scriptures to the Brahman as placed in the cave.

Kathopanishad I-2-12 "The ancient who is hidden in the cave, who dwells in the abyss".  Taittiriya Upanishad II-1 "He who knows him hidden in the cave, in the highest ether" and "search for the self who entered into the cave".

Brahma Sutras 1.3.14-21

 

 The Dahara or the 'Small Akasa' is Brahman.

Dahara uttarebhyah I.3.14 (77)

The small (ether, Akasa, is Brahman) on account of the subsequent arguments or expression).

The Chandogya Upanishad  further endorses this thus

8.1.1 There is this city of the Brahman (body) and in it the palace, the small lotus (of the heart), and in it that small ether.Now what exists within that small ether, that is to be sought for, that is to be understood.

8.1.3 As large as this ether (space) is, so large is the ether within the heart. Both heaven and earth are contained within it…

One must bear in mind that it is this akasha, where Jupiter is exalted.

Two Birds in the Heart Cavity

In the second parivritti, Soma is portrayed as the Deity of Cancer. Soma refers to the Moon god, the divine drink and the plant. Soma is said to be the drink for the immortal soul and Amrita for the immortal body. It is interesting to see Jupiter (Akasha) and Moon (Soma) as the dual deities for Cancer. 

Moon is treated as a surrogate lagna for all astrological purposes and symbolizes Jeevatma, while Jupiter, as the ruler of eternal Akasha tattva stands for Paramatma. They are like the legendary ‘two birds in the heart cavity’ that all Scriptures speak of. The cavity perhaps evolved into the signification of ‘home’ for Cancer sign.

Brahma Sutra 1.3. 11-12 talks about two birds symbolizing Paramatma (Super Soul) and Jeevatma (Individual soul) nestling together in the heart-cavity

(The dwellers in the cave of the heart are the individual soul and Brahman).

  

 Guham pravistavatmanau hi taddarsanat I.2.11 (42) 

(The two who have entered into the cavity of the heart are indeed the individual soul and the Supreme Soul, because it is so seen).

In the Kathopanishad 1-3-1 we read, "Having entered the cavity of the heart, the two enjoy the reward of their works in the body”.