The Vishnu Purana 2 (part IV)

Moon and Time

Moon as the Lord of nakshatras also symbolizes Time. His waxing and waning is symptomatic of the rhythm of life and though his light is periodically extinguished, one invisible 16^th Kala is always vested with Him, and thence he rises like a phoenix again. The symbol of Cancer is a ‘Crab’ and apart from its obvious lunar linkages, it’s ability to shed its ‘shell’ and renew / grow it once again makes it the most apt symbol for a sign ruled by Moon. 

Time is the most powerful force in the world. It governs all entities and all functions. Each individual marks a little leap in its relentless flow, only to ebb when his time comes. Yet there are certain beings who, are above its inexorable pull and for them Time is a mere play thing or an adornment, because They are Imperishable and are the Creators of the matrix of time and space.

Shiva and Gauri wear a “Chandra Rekha’ or ‘Cresecent Moon’ on their head…indicating that they are Timeless or above Time. Similarly, for all Vishnu avataras, Parashara muni stipulateles that Moon should invariably be in the lagna….signifying the Crescent on the Head or Timelessness.

Gaja Kesari Yoga

The combination of Akasha and Soma is interesting because it seems to hold the basis for another celebrated yoga of Vedic astrology.

Gaja Kesari yoga: When Jupiter is in a Kendra (1,4,7,10)from the Moon the combination goes under the name Gaja Kesari. As the name implies, people with this yoga gain prominence and are natural teachers. They have many friends, are builders of villages or magistrate over them and will have lasting reputation even long after death.

Based on the aforesaid paragraphs, it can be seen that while Akasha (Jupiter) bestows the quality of imperishability and advisory capacities, Soma (Moon), apart from imperishability, indicates the royal strain of ruling over villages.

Thus Gajakesari yoga, which can be a very spiritual yoga, can be said to be especially beneficial if it occurs in the 4^th house, or across 1- 4 axis, or with Moon in the 1^st house and Jupiter in the 4^th house (exchange of digbalas).

4^th house in Vishnu Avataras

In the last issue we had already seen how Moon (karaka for 4^th house) in lagna is very important in the charts of Vishnu Avatara. If we were to further keenly examine these charts, we would find that invariably

• The 4^th house / lord, in these charts is extremely strong and
• 4^th house is influenced / tenanted / aspected by Saturn (vayu tattva rules Anahata –Heart -chakra)

In fact, a close perusal of the charts of Poorna avataras Sri Rama and Sri Krishna (Sun as AK) also seem to indicate that the 9^th lord (from lagna / Moon) occupies the 4^th house from Atmakaraka, showing irrefutably that how dear “Dharma’ is to Vishnu avataras and that is the sole root / seed that had impelled the avatara.

4^th and 9^th houses in Vishnu Avataras

Infact, Gajakesari yoga is a raja yoga, born out of the association of the lords of 4^th and 9^th houses. It combines in it the wisdom & prosperity of Gaja (elephant – Airavata, which is the vahana / vehicle of Indra, who is the devata of Jupiter) and the power & authority of Kesari (Lion – which s the vehicle of Gauri, who is the Devata of Moon).

Along with Dharma Karmadhipati yoga, this combination of 4th House / Lord in association with the 9^th H / Lord with 9^th lord also connected to lagna / Moon seems mandatory in all the charts of Vishnu avataras.

• In Sri Rama’s chart, 4^th Lord Venus is exalted in 9H and the 9^th Lord Jupiter is with lagna / Moon
• In Sri Krishna’s chart 4^th lord has rasi drishti on the 9^th house and its Lord Saturn is placed in abhijit rasi and powerfully aspects Lagna / moon
• In Sri Chaitanya’s chart, 4^th and 9^th Lord is Mars, exalted in Capricorn and aspecting lagna / moon in Leo.
• In Sri Ramakrishna’s chart, 4^th and 9^th lord is Venus and Saturn the lagna Lord is exalted in 9H with the co-lord and AK Rahu exalted in 4H.

Ve	Su	Me	Ke
	Sri Rama		Asc Mo & Ju
Ma
Ra		Sa

 

Leo : Vama / Angirasa

The literal meaning of ‘Vama’ is ‘what came out’ or ‘what was vomited’ indicating a beneficial deity that grants plentiful boons. Since it is connected to Leo, what is vomited / emitted by its ruler Sun is Sun light, which is the greatest blessing for all earthly beings.   

Thus we can connect the term “Vama’ to the creation itself, which came out of Narayana. Coincidentally the 5^th incarnation (Leo is also the natural 5^th house) of Narayana is called Vamana, and what poured out of Narayana was Himself, as he just grew and grew till there was nothing left unconquered. Though He virtually straddled the firmament and had the whole universe at His feet, He was still a Sattwik avatara. Thus Simha is an apt royal symbol for this sign, because Lord Krishna in Bhagavadgita had described himself as “MrigaaNaamcha mrigendroham” that among animals, He is the Lion…

The Three Steps of Vamana

TrINi padA vichakrame viShNur gopA adAbhyaH . ato dharmANi dhArayan (rig veda)

The three steps Vamana took can be likened to the three Sandhyas, covering the earth with His first step (Sunrise), conquering the nabhas with his 2^nd step (at noon) and the third step on Bali’s head, pushing him to Paathala, indicates the sinking Sun, or the Sunset. Thus doing Sandhyavandanam religiously thrice every day, symbolizes worshipping the three steps of Vishnu, with which He upholds Dharma in the world. 

The three steps can also be likened to the Pingala, Sushumna and Ida nadis and their respective functions of heating up, awakening and cooling down the body. Thus this sign is closely linked to ‘Yoga’, because only through ‘Yoga’ such untrammeled ‘growth’, which breaches all physical barriers can be achieved. “Yoga’ basically means union and Yoga is synonymous with Yoga Nrisimha, who effortlessly yokes and neutralizes all the contrarieties within Himself. The symbol of Leo, the Simha, also accentuates this aura of power and regal dignity. 

Vamana avatara is linked to Jupiter (karaka for 5^th house) and Jupiter is indeed a higher vibration of Sun. Jupiter has digbala in the 1^st house whose karaka is the Sun and has full aspect on the 5^th and 9^th houses (Trines are ruled by the Sun, while Kendras are ruled by the Moon). In the 1,5,9 trine, 1 and 5 (Sun / intellect / attitude -centric houses) are more similar than 9^th,  Thus in Jaimini Upadesa Sutras, one can see a number of yogas where a planet posited in 1^st /  5^th houses yields similar results.

From the table 1.3, we can also see Brihaspati’s father Angirasa is another deity / Rishi connected to Leo. Who came out of Angirasa is his son Jupiter, thus 5^th house is also the house of children and students. Angirasa himself is the son / manasaputra of Brahma (signified by the 1^st house) thus it is the house of children.

According to Mahabharata, Angirasa is the Rishi who discovered Agni / fire. Anga rasa or the characteristic of any living being is said to be heat. When heat is absent it indicates that the being is not alive. Thus Angirasa is one having heat inside thus making him a synonym for Sun. His son is Brihaspati (literally one who tries to attain something “brihat’/big). It is knowledge / sound / akasha alone which is limitless and imperishable, thus Brihaspati is the Karaka for knowledge, manthra and Vamana avatara. The quality of ‘Far-sightedness’, which is linked to Leo & ‘Medha’ granthi (Table 1.3), also implies a ‘person who is very tall / situated in a very high station’, because he can see the farthest. 

 Perhaps Leo is the only sign linked to a Rishi in the entire zodiac. Infact, Vamadeva is also the name of a Rishi, credited with most of Mandala 4 of the Rigveda, thus establishing 5^th house as the house of “Manthra’.

Vamadeva also refers to the preserving aspect of panchamukha (five-faced) Siva,  Vamadeva appears on the right hand side, representing the female / ida manifestation of Shiva--the peaceful, graceful and poetic--associated with the element of water.

From Cancer onwards, it can be seen that the emphasis is more on watery / Ida / dakshinayana kind of influence. The Rishi-connection also establishes this ayana as the pithri ayana ruled by Moon.

Virgo : Varuna / Viswadeva

Varuna is a god of the sky, waters and ocean, as well as a keeper of the souls of the drowned and can grant immortality. He is also a digpala and rules over the western direction. He holds a noose and rides the Makara.

It is noteworthy that the deity of the natural 6^th house is Varuna, whose pasha (noose) is that of shadripu, beguiling hapless human beings into depths of sin, from where they can only sink deeper and deeper, pulled by the mystic pancha makara.

The other deity ruling Virgo are the Visvedevas, who can be a specific group of Devas,

(one of the nine ganadevatas) or it can be a collective term referring to all Devas (as in Rigveda).

The nine gana devatas according to their character, can be classified as under:

Table 1.4 : Gana devatas

S.No	Graha	Gana Devatas
1	Sun	Adityas
2	Moon	Viswedevas
3	Mars	Tushitas
4	Mercury	Abhasvaras
5	Jupiter	Vasus
6	Venus	Maharajikas
7	Saturn	Anilas
8	Rahu	Rudras
9	Ketu	Sadhyas

Thus, Visvedevas are linked to Moon and it becomes increasingly apparent that the texture of the 6^th house is woven around the weaknesses of human beings.

If we look at the granthis connected to this sign, Revathi and yogamaya, we would understand this concept better…Revathi ruling Love and yogamaya ruling awakening. Infact I personally feel that the symbol of Virgo, which is a Maiden, is based on the ‘Yogamaya’ criteria. Yogamaya is but another name for Devi / Vishnu Maya / Durga and perhaps it is not arbitrary that Devi Navaratri is celebrated when Sun transits Kanya.

Libra : Brihaspati / Ashwini

Bṛhaspati also known as Brahmanaspati  is the chief priest and preceptor of gods. He is considered to be the personification of piety and religion. He also rules over wisdom and eloquence. After severe penance, due to the grace of Shiva, he obtained the position as Deva Guru and among nava grahas. He is also the ruler of Akasha tattva that brings and balances everything together.

'Who is he to be able to balance himself if this aakaasha is not to be there...' says Taittiriya Upanishad, pointing to Akasha tattwa as the sole balancing factor in the world. Scales / Tula is the emblem of Justice and one should not forget here that Judges are signified by Jupiter.

Ashwini Devatas are well known in Vedic liturgy as the sons of Surya and Sangya. Ashwini kumars are also credited with being the first physicians, doctors to both humanity as well as the gods. They are the Lords of Speed, agile and brilliant according to the Rigveda. They are the deities symbolizing the shining of sunrise and sunset, appearing in the sky before the dawn in a golden chariot, bringing treasures to men and averting misfortune and sickness.

In accordance with the preceding paragraph, it is worth mentioning here is that Ashwini devatas rule the very first nakshatra of the zodiac, where Sun is exalted (sunrise), and strangely they are also the deities of Libra (sunset), where Sun is debilitated. Thus they hold the balance of the zodiac along with Brihaspati.

Libra is associated with the granthi called ‘sookshma’, which rules money and wealth (pl. see Table 1.2). Thus 7^th house, Libra is not only connected to relationships / partnerships (yogini granthi-creation), but also to Money and the rulership of Shukra seems to confirm this. Brihaspati is also linked to treasuries and is the natural dhanakaraka. Of all the assets of mankind, wealth is the most measurable commodity.

Perhaps this table also illustrates why Brihaspati / Jupiter is traditionally considered to be the karaka for husband, while Shukra / Venus is karaka for a wife, perhaps hinting that spouse is the real wealth, the real partner and the real balancing force in the world, thus making the symbolism of Tula look most apt.