Monday, July 23, 2012

ARE YOU BORN IN DHANISHTA / AVITTAM'S NAKSHATRA? (Star 23)

DHANISHTA / AVITTAM is represented by 4 stars in the constellation known as "Delphini" (the Dolphin).  Beta Delphini with a visual magnitude of only 3.63 is the brightest, making Dhanishta / Avittam less bright compared to other nakshatras.

DHANISHTA / AVITTAM translates into - "The Wealthiest", which directly hints at the extremely lucky quality of this nakshatra.

All vedic seers agree on the fact that "a musical drum" is the main symbol of this nakshatra.  Tabla, Mridhangam, and Damaru are known as the musical drum, but Damaru stands out because Damaru is Lord Shiva's favourite drum. Some say its symbol is "a flute" too.

DHANISHTA / AVITTAM is presided by a group of 8 gods called the "Vasus" and their names are 1) Apah, 2) Dhruva, 3) Dhara, 4) Anila, 5) Soma, 6) Anala, 7) Pratyusha & 8) Prabhasa. These 8 Vasus are supposed to be wealthy and skilled in music. It means this nakshatra's mastery over the material plane and relates to the rhythm, musical functionings of the universal mind.  This is the reason why a lot of scholars are associated with this nakshatra, which in a way is understanding the rhythm of the universe.

LORD SHIVA is the ultimate presiding deity of this nakshatra. This can be understood from the fact about Shiva's immense musical abilities. Shiva, even while wreaking havoc and destruction, does so in a graceful and rhythmical dance known as THANDAVA DANCE, exemplified by his famous NATARAJA posture. It's a known fact, that the two of the main Indian classical dance systems directly originate from Lord Shiva.
In a way, this nakshatra can be seen as a bridge between VISHNU's & SHIVA's energy.  It can be related to half Vishnu & half Shiva form which can be still be found in some temples in India. Vishnu relates to its mastery of the material world, while Shiva relates to its musical aspect.

It belongs to the Farmer's class.  Although a wealthy and well endowed nakshatra, it falls in Saturn's sign of Capricorn & Aquarius, both planets belonging to the working class / masses. Its a female nakshatra because it is a feminine force which presides over all creative arts like music and dancing.

The body parts it relates to the most are the back and the anus. The spinal cord relates to Saturn and the sign Capricorn. The KUNDALINI energy rises from the area around the anus and travels upwards through the back to the top CHAKRA on the head. Its a pitta (fiery) nakshatra due to its strong relation with MARS.

For those suffering from bad effects resulting from afflictions to this nakshatra, the best remedial measure is worship of the lion-riding goddess DURGA or HARI-HARA, a deity with a half-Vishnu, half Shiva form.

According to Varahamihira,  Moon being placed in DHANISHTA / AVITTAM makes a person "liberal, brave, rich and adept to music and other fine arts.

The 1st paagam of DHANISHTA / AVITTAM relates to the the  ambitious part. It combines the energies of Sun, Mars & Saturn and directs one towards worldly accomplishments, but not so good for marital harmony.

The 2nd paagam of DHANISHTA / AVITTAM relates to the skillful and communicative part of this nakshatra.

The 3rd paagam of DHANISHTA / AVITTAM relates to the the amicable, optimistic, happy, social, musical, & wealthy aspect of this nakshatra, with marital harmony.

The 4th paagam of DHANISHTA / AVITTAM  relates to the excessive martian energy & aggressiveness.  Warriors & sportsperson are known to be born under this paagam.

DO YOU KNOW which paagam of DHANISHTA / AVITTAM you belong ?

Every paagam in DHANISHTA / AVITTAM comes with different interpretations.  Only DETAILED ASTROLOGERS can let you know the difference & the significance.

MOST FAMOUS PERSONALITY OF DHANISHTA / AVITTAM : MARILYN MONROE, the famous model, has her Moon in Dhanishta / Avittam (in the 7th House).

Jyotisha Ravi
Professional Vedic Astrologer

Tuesday, July 10, 2012

A PURANIC STORY FOR SHRAVANA/ THIRUVONAM NAKSHATRA

A demon king called BALI had taken all the 3 worlds, i.e. earth, heaven & the netherworld/hell,  through his might and prowess.  The beaten devas (demi-gods) appealed to VISHNU for help.  Vishnu assured them that he would restore their heavenly abode to them and rid the universe of the rule of the demons.

So he waited for Bali to perfom a big YAGYA (an elaborate religious ritual ceremony).  One of the many rules rule for those performing yagya of this big scale, is that one cannot refuse the demand of any brahmin's request at that point in time. Vishnu, cleverly took the form of a young brahmin boy  (in his VAMANA FORM) requested help from Bali. He asked  "Can I get a land which could cover my 3 strides?".  Bali was amused by this request seeing the Brahmin wanting as little as 3 foot strides of land only.

Bali's preceptor, SUKRACHARYA, could see through Vishnu's act and warned Bali not to give in to the innocent boy's request.  Bali, being a man of his words, insisted he is obliged to fulfil the boy's wish at whatever cost it may be. This infuriated Sukracharya and he left the assembly immediately.

When Bali was pouring the sacred water from his pot as a ritual marking for granting the boy's wish, Sukracharya assumed a tiny form and stuck himself in the pot's spout so that water cannot come out from the pot. This act prevented the water flowing out from the pot. Vishnu obviously knew what was going on, so he took out a sharp blade of grass to clear the obstruction.  As he poked towards the pot's spout, the blade of the grass destroyed one of Sukracharya's eyes, and this is the reason why Sukracharya is seen to have one eye ever since.

With the obstacle successfully removed and the ritual over, it was time for the boy to take his 3 strides worth of land. Suddenly, the boy's size started to increase until it got so big that no one can see his head anymore.  In one stride, he took both the netherworld/hell and the earth, and in the 2nd stride, he took heaven. Then Vishnu turned around Bali and asked "Now where do I put my 3rd foot?" Bali surrendered by offering his own head to be put in the 3rd stride. And Vishnu smiled and happily put his foot on Bali's head. WoW!

Bali was immediately transported into the lowest among the 14 lokas.  And Vishnu had now restored the earth to humans and the heavens to the gods.  He was very pleased with Bali's magnanimity, so he decided to confer upon him the status - doorkeeper of "the outer-most universal sheath".

From this story, it will reveal everything about the nature , functioning and quality of SHRAVANA/THIRUVONAM.  Vishnu in his Vamana form as the brahmin boy relates to the amiable and innocent front projected by this nakshatra. This nakshatra is clever in achieving its goals and is very good in its execution skills in much the same way as Vishnu.

Shravana/Thiruvonam borns are known to very good executors.  Employers should look out for this nakshatra borns as their Administrative Executives.

On the astrological front, being one eye blinded,  that is the reason why Venus/Sukracharya doesn't like to be placed in this nakshatra. Other nakshatras in MAKARAM such as UTTARASHADA and DHANISHTA seems alright with Venus/Sukracharya, except for SHRAVANA/THIRUVONAM.

Regards,
Jyotisha Ravi