SHAKTIS OF THE NAKSHATRAS & 27 DIVINE NAKSHATRA-TREES
(Compilation
for a Discourse at Vedanta Class by N.R. Srinivasan, November 2021)
Nakshatras of ancient Hindu astronomy place very prominent role in supporting development of Hindu mythology and associated deities. The 27 Nakshatras are the signs of a lunar-based zodiac, in compliment to the twelve-sign solar-based zodiac. The Moon travels approximately 27.3 days to complete its orbit around the Earth relative to the “fixed” stars (the Moon’s sidereal period), about 13° 20' per day, hence the 27 Nakshatras, also referred to as “Lunar Mansions. In Vedic astrology, these 27 daughters are the Nakshatra(constellations). These are moon's wives. When Daksha made marriage to his 27 daughters to Chandra Dev (Moon God), then he made a promise from the Moon that he will treat his treat his 27 daughters with equality, love, and care.
Each Nakshatra has its particular power or Shakti. These are the powers of the Devatas or deities that rule over and define them.
This is a special teaching that derives from an ancient Vedic text called
Taittiriya Brahmana I.5.1 and from the medieval commentary of Bhattabhaskara
Mishra. It has not been highlighted elsewhere.
Shaktis of Nakshatras mainly refers to positions of the Moon but can be
extended to the Ascendant and other planets.
The first paragraph on each Nakshatra below relates to the Vedic textual
reference. The others consists his comments based upon it. Note that this is a
teaching that he first uncovered and translated around twenty years ago, though
many Vedic astrologers have since come to use it.
Each of these Nakshatra Shaktis has various effects described metaphorically
as “above” and “below” and a final effect. The symbols used are those of common
factors such as plants, healing, worship, marriage and death.
Surprisingly, this has been true to my life, Vishakha being my Birth star, though I do not have much faith in astrology, but I understand astrology is also coming from Upanishads! Convince yourself checking your life with this astrology prediction, to believe or not astrology!
Ashwini – 00 00–13 20 Aries
Ashwini is governed
by the Ashwins, the twin horsemen. It has the power to quickly reach things
(shidhra vyapani shakti). Its basis above is the creatures to be healed. Its
basis below is the healing therapies. From these three, the entire world
becomes free of disease.
Ashwini Nakshatra
brings about quick aid and energization. The healing power of Ashwini is
evident from these comments, particularly from the Ashwin’s ability to bring
about fast, radical or miraculous cures as well as rejuvenation (rasayana). The
Ashwins are forces of Prana or the life-force, which is quick in its action to
stimulate, help, and initiate a new level of activity. Ashwini Nakshatra
involves these powers of speed, prana, electrical energy and Shakti. It gives
transformation through balance.
Ashwini gives good
powers of hearing, learning and attention. It is an important Nakshatra for
doctors, psychologists and innovative leaders, affording good insight and
original ideas.
Bharani – 13 20–26 40 Aries
Bharani is ruled by
Yama, the God of Death. It has the power to take things away (apabharani
shakti). Its basis above is the removal of life from the body. Its basis below
is the carrying of the soul to the realm of the ancestors. By the combination
of these three factors, creatures move on to the next world.
Bharani Nakshatra
takes away that which has reached its term of life in order to go on to a new
condition. It shows the movement of the soul away from the body. Yama guides
the soul to the astral plane, where it can experience the result of its karma
from the present life and prepare for the life to come. Yama is a figure of
discipline and sacrifice, including the practice of Yoga This Nakshatra has
general powers to bring about change by removing that which is negative or past
its time.
Bharani gives rulership over one’s
ancestral legacy and lordship over one’s equals.
Krittika – 26 40 Aries –10 00 Taurus
Krittika is ruled by
Agni, the God of Fire. It has the power to burn (dahana shakti) and to purify.
Its basis above is heat and below is light. The result of these three is
burning or purification.
Krittika Nakshatra
burns up negativity, purifies what is mixed or contaminated, and cooks or
prepares that which is not yet ripe. Agni is mainly the God of the sacred fire,
so purification is perhaps the dominant action, not destruction, though
purification does involve the destruction of impurity. Agni is also the fire
that cooks our food and so there is a nourishing side to its effects as well.
This fire has a childlike nature. The transformative power of Krittika is
evident from these comments.
Krittika also use to destroy negativity
both around us and within ourselves.
Rohini – 10 00–23 20 Taurus
Rohini is ruled by
Prajapati, the Creator or Lord of Creatures. Its power is growth (rohana
shakti). Its basis above is the plants and below is the waters. The result of
these three is creation.
Rohini Nakshatra
allows for growth and creation on all levels, bestowing great fertility and
creativity. However it also evokes some degree of jealousy because others may
resent that a person gains such abundance. Moreover it can increase desire. But
these are only side effects to its great prosperity. Prajapati is the creator
who can bestow everything, so we should be careful what we want. The benefic
nature of Rohini is evident here and its ability to help all projects flourish
and ascend.
Rohini gives the
power of creation, including the ability to come together with friends and
loved ones. It is good for procreation as well.
Mrigashira – 23 20 Taurus–06 40 Gemini
Mrigashira is ruled by Soma, the God of the Moon and the
immortal nectar. Its power is giving fulfillment (prinana shakti). Its basis
above is extension. Its basis below is weaving (producing clothing), creating a
tapestry, like a beautiful cloth, to make our life more attractive.
Mrigashira Nakshatra
fills or covers with joy or ananda. It is like a beautiful cloth to make our
life more attractive. Soma is a great enjoyment that is won, conquered, bought
or stolen, so its procurement does not always come easily. However, what does
not require effort to gain is not always enjoyed either. The power of this
Nakshatra to bring delight and happiness comes out in these statements. This
bliss can be healing, rejuvenative or transformational.
Mrigashira gives
dominion over plants and all matters relating to them, including healing.
Ardra – 06 40–20 00
Gemini
Ardra is ruled by
Rudra, the fierce form of Lord Shiva who represents thunder. Its power is
effort (yatna shakti), particularly for making gains in life. Its basis above
is hunting or searching. Its basis below is reaching the goal. These bring
about achievement.
Ardra Nakshatra
arouses us to greater effort in life. This struggle can bring great rewards but
not without persistence and a degree of luck. Rudra is the hunter and the
wielder of the bow. The idea here also suggests placing of the arrow and
hitting the target. For this one must have a good aim, as well as the strength
to shoot. Rudra is also the lord of wild animals. One can gain success under
this Nakshatra only through effort, striving and struggle, but great
achievements are possible.
Ardra gives rulership
over the animals or all that they symbolize, including the wilder elements of
human nature. Rudra as the hunter is also the power of discernment and
represents the fierce forms of Lord Shiva.
Punarvasu – 20- 00
Gemini–03 20 Cancer
Punarvasu is
ruled by Aditi, the Great Mother Goddess. Its power is the ability to gain
wealth or substance (vasutva prapana shakti). Its basis above is the wind or
air. Its basis below is wetness or rain. These bring about the revitalization
of the plants.
Punarvasu Nakshatra
brings about the return of energy and vitality, like the return of the monsoon
rains after the dry season. It causes our creative growths and inspirations to
be renewed. Aditi is the Earth Goddess who grants all abundance and gives birth
to all the Gods. The need for feminine and nourishing energies is in evidence.
Punarvasu gives
creative and healing powers, particularly relative to herbs and trees. It is a
Nakshatra of fertility. Yet it also relates to the cosmic Mother overall,
including in her space form that is the womb of all creation.
Pushya – 03 20–16 40 Cancer
Pushya is ruled by
Brihaspati, the God of Divine wisdom. Its power is the ability to create
spiritual energy (brahmavarchasa shakti). Its basis above is sacrificial
worship. Its basis below is the worshipper. These result in the creation of
spiritual energy.
Pushya Nakshatra
increases our good karma and good efforts, including our sadhana or yoga
practice. The value of this Nakshatra for religious and spiritual practices is
emphasized. Brihaspati is the lord of speech, particularly mantras and prayer,
and of all forms of worship, including meditation, so these indications are all
in harmony with his functions. Great success can be gained with dharmic
pursuits under its influence.
Pushya gives
spiritual or religious power and authority. It is good for teaching, connection
with the guru, ritual, teaching and devotion.
Aslesha – 16 40–30 00 Cancer
Aslesha is ruled by the
serpent God. It has the power to inflict with poison (visasleshana shakti). Its
basis above is the approach of the serpent. Its basis below is trembling and
agitation. These together bring about destruction of the victim.
Aslesha Nakshatra
paralyzes the enemy. This can be helpful if we have enemies to remove but it
can serve to give a person an inimical temperament as well. It all depends upon
how the energy of this Nakshatra is used. Serpents also give wisdom, but a
practical wisdom through which one can overcome obstacles. The need to face
challenges is evident under its influence. Such serpents may be of the earthly,
atmospheric or heavenly realms as electrical forces.
Aslesha gives the
ability to destroy ones opponents, foes, enemies and obstacles, whether those
externally or those within our own psyche.
Magha – 00 00 Leo–13 20 Leo
Magha is ruled by the
Ancestors. Its basis above is mourning. Its basis below is leaving the body
(tyage kshepani shakti). These together bring about death.
Magha Nakshatra
causes a change of state or condition, a kind of death. Usually it shows that
we are coming to the end of a cycle. Its condition is prior to that of Bharani
which indicates the movement of the soul away from the body. Of course, there
are higher meanings of this Nakshatra relative to Ancestors including ancestral
pride and power. The importance of moving beyond physical forms and structures
comes out here.
Magha grants the favor of one’s
ancestors and the ability to commune with them inwardly. It tells us we must
honor our ancestors and ancestral energies.
Purva Phalguni – 13 20–26 40 Leo
Purva Phalguni in the
Vedic order is ruled by Aryaman, the God of contracts and unions, though later
it was shifted Bhaga, the solar deity of happiness. It gives the power of
procreation (prajanana shakti). Its basis above is the wife or the female
partner. Its basis below is the male or masculine partner. These together bring
about the creation of the fetus.
Purva Phalguni brings
about union and procreation on all levels. Yet this follows some official
agreement or marriage and is part of the creation of a new family or social
order. It governs such productive alliances and also arranges the marriage
festival. The need for alliances and unions for success is indicated.
The marriage festival
of the Sun Goddess and the Moon God, or Shiva and Shakti, occurs in the
Phalguni month. It shows the need to balance male and female energies.
Uttara Phalguni – 26 40
Virgo–10 00 Virgo
Uttara Phalguni in
the Vedic order is ruled by Bhaga, the God of happiness, though later it was
shifted to Aryaman, the God of contracts and unions. Its power is the giving of
prosperity (chayani shakti) through marriage or union. Its basis above is the
wealth gained from ones own family. Its basis below is the wealth gained from
ones partner. These together bring about the accumulation of wealth.
Uttara Phalguni
brings the prosperity that results through union. It indicates both the need
for union and for organizing the resources gained through it. Bhaga is also a
God of wealth who brings about the right apportionment of resources. While the
previous Nakshatra shows marriage, this shows the setting up of the household
for the newly married couple. Such agreements extend beyond marriage to any
type of union. Establishment of proper resources is a key point here.
Hasta – 10 00-23 20 Virgo
Hasta is ruled by
Savitar, the creative, inspirational and transformative form of the Sun God. Its
power is the ability to gain what we are seeking and place it in our own hands
(hasta sthapaniya agama shakti). Its basis above is the seeking of gain. Its
basis below is the process of gaining. These together place what one wishes to
gain in ones own hands.
Hasta gives the
ability to achieve our goals in a complete and immediate manner. Such goals are
usually creative in nature. Savitar is the creative will that builds up the
universe with all of its beauty. His productions are most wonderful. The indications
here are that our own creative efforts will have great success under the
influence of this Nakshatra. We should choose a high aspiration accordingly.
For example, Savitar also directs and inspires the practice of Yoga and the
path to enlightenment.
Chitra – 23 20
Virgo–06 40 Libra
Chitra is ruled by
Tvashtar, the Cosmic craftsman. Its power is the ability to accumulate merit in
life (punya cayani shakti). Its basis above is the law. Its basis below is the
truth. Through these, the worker is able to gain honor in his work.
Chitra allows us to
gain the fruit of our good karma that comes through righteousness. It has a
highly spiritual energy and effect. Tvashtar creates enduring forms, like a blacksmith,
and also produces variety and abundance. He rules over all arts and crafts.
Dharmic principles applied in action are shown here.
Chitra grants manifold progeny or great
creativity.
Swati – 06 40–20 00 Libra
Swati is ruled by
Vayu, the God of the Wind. It gives the power to scatter like the wind
(pradhvamsa shakti). Its basis above is moving in various directions. Its basis
below is change of form. The result of these is transformation.
Swati Nakshatra
causes things to move and scatter. This can be destructive unless we learn how
to use it to remove negativity. All these indications are basically those of
the Wind, which has both healing and destructive powers. Under its influence
major changes, transformations and shifts of energy are indicated that one must
have the power to endure. Then one can be taken to a higher level of existence.
Swati gives freedom
of motion and travel, literally the ability to do what we want in all the
worlds.
Vishakha – 20 00 Libra–00 3 20 Scorpio
Vishakha is ruled by
Indra and Agni, who represent the powers of heat and lightning in the
atmosphere. It gives the power to achieve many and various fruits in life
(vyapana shakti). Its basis above is plowing or cultivation. Its basis below is
the harvest. These give us the fruit of the harvest.
Vishakha provides the
effort to achieve our goals abundantly through time, like a farmer plowing his
field. It does not give immediate results but perhaps greater long term gains.
Indra and Agni here are agriculture Gods showing the ripening effect of heat,
rain and seasonal changes. The need for proper and long term cultivation of
energy is highlighted.
Vishakha grants glory
and pre-eminence among the Gods or cosmic powers.
Anuradha – 03 20 Scorpio–16 40 Scorpio
Anuradha is ruled by
Mitra, the Divine Friend. It gives the power of worship (radhana shakti). Its
basis above is ascension. Its basis below is dissension. From these honor and
abundance are gained.
Anuradha Nakshatra
gives balance in relationship, both honoring others and seeking ourselves to be
honorable, through which we acquire fame and recognition. Mitra indicates
compassion, devotion and right relationship. Success is gained through honoring
and respecting the higher powers. We must ascend through our own efforts, in order
for the Divine grace to descend upon us.
Jyeshta – 16 40 – 30 00 Scorpio
Jyeshta is ruled by
Indra, the ruler of the Gods. It has the power to rise, conquer and gain
courage in battle (arohana shakti). Its basis above is attack and its basis
below is defense. The result of these is that one becomes a hero.
Jyeshta allows us to
reach the summit of our personal powers but it requires great courage, daring
and effort. It shows karmic battles that require our complete energization in
order to overcome. Indra is the king of the Gods who must eventually alone and
single handed defeat the dragon, the most fearful of serpents. Though his
position looks hopeless, he wins by courage and cunning, not by strength of
arms. The indications here are of great struggle and great opposition which
requires effort, resolve and independence to overcome.
Jyeshta gives us
priority and preeminence over others, the ability to overcome all obstacles and
to achieve our best.
Mula – 00 00–13 20 Sagittarius
Mula is ruled by Nirriti,
the Goddess of destruction. It has the power to ruin or destroy. Its basis
above is breaking things apart (barhana shakti). Its basis below is crushing
things. Through these one gains the power to destroy destruction.
In bringing
afflictions Mula Nakshatra also allows us to destroy their root, as long as
they don’t overcome us. It shows the necessary destruction to precede a new
creation. Nirriti is Alakshmi or the denial of Lakshmi (abundance and
prosperity). She is Kali or the negative effect of time that we must protect
ourselves from or use to our advantage. Here destruction is indicated in order
to pave the way for a new creation.
Mula gives the power
to get to the root of things, including connecting with primordial creative
powers.
Purvashadha – 13 20–26 40 Sagittarius
Purvashadha is ruled
by the Waters (Apas). Its power is that of invigoration (varchograhana shakti).
Its basis above is strength. Its basis below is connection. Through these one
gains lustre.
Purvashadha brings
about purification and regeneration, like the energy gained through taking a
bath in water. It provides us additional power for our efforts. These effects
flow from the Waters, which in this instance are heavenly in nature and can
provide inner purification. Cleansing and purification are indicated here in
order to gain what we seek.
Purvashadha connects
us with the ocean and the ability to cross the sea (which has various symbolic
meanings, including crossing over illusion).
Uttarashadha – 26 40 Sagittarius–10 00 Capricorn
Uttarashadha is ruled
by the Universal Gods (Vishvedevas). Its power is to grant an unchallengeable
victory (apradhrisya shakti). Its basis above is the strength to win. Its basis
below is the goal that one can win. From these one becomes the unchallenged
winner.
Uttarashadha brings
us to the summit of our power, support and recognition, not so much through our
personal efforts (which is more the case in Jyeshta) but with the appropriate
alliances and support of all the Gods. Our victory depends upon a righteous
cause that is beneficial to all, which we are helping in. Here we fight more as
the leader of an army, working for the benefit of the greater victory. Great
achievements are indicated here from concerted and long term efforts.
Uttarashadha gives the supreme victory
that can never be taken away. It helps us gain our highest goals.
Shravana is ruled by
Vishnu, the preserver among the great trinity of Hindu deities, here in his
form of Trivikrama, who measures the universe with three great strides. Its
power is that of connection (samhanana shakti). Its basis above is seeking. Its
basis below is the paths. The result of these three is the connection of all
things together.
Shravana enables us
to link people together by connecting them to their appropriate paths in life.
This requires receptivity and listening, and results in understanding and
aspiration. Vishnu with his three strides links together the three worlds of
Earth, Atmosphere and Heaven, connecting all creatures with the Divine. The
importance of knowledge, teaching and communication is indicated here, without
which our efforts cannot succeed.
Shravana causes
others to speak well of us and for their praise to come into the field of our
hearing.
Dhanishta – 23 20 Capricorn–06 40 Aquarius
Dhanishta is ruled by
the eight Vasus, the Gods of abundance that rule the earthly sphere. Its power
is to give abundance and fame (khyapayitri shakti). Its basis above is birth.
Its basis below is prosperity. These three give the power to bring people
together.
Dhanishta allows us
to bring the resources of people together. In this way it builds upon the
connections of Shravana and makes them more practical. The Vasus are the
deities of the Earth that give abundance on the earthly plane. They are
manifestations of Agni or the sacred fire and show the gifts that it can
dispense. Outer success is gained under this Nakshatra, including a great deal
of recognition.
Dhanishta allows us to become the
center of attention for our friends and peers.
Shatabhishak – 06 40 –20 00 Aquarius
Shatabhishak
is ruled by Varuna, the God of the cosmic waters. It has the power of healing
(bheshaja shakti), which reflects upon its name as Shatabhishak or holding a
hundred medicines. Its basis above is extension or pervasiveness over all. Its
basis below is the support of all. These three make the world free of calamity.
Shatabhishak counters
difficult karmas through Divine grace and repentance. These include not only
diseases but difficulties of all kind, including wrong karmas. While Ashwini
gives more immediate cures, Shatabhishak brings about a healing crisis leading
to revitalization. Varuna is a God of sin, debts, injury and disease, who
cannot only bring these calamities upon us but can remove them from us, if we
propitiate him sincerely. This is an important Nakshatra for physical and
psychological healing through widening our view in life.
Shatabhishak makes us
firm and strong and helps us overcome weakness.
Purva Bhadra – 20 00 Aquarius–03 20 Pisces
Purva Bhadra is ruled
by Aja Ekapad, the one-footed serpent or goat. It gives the fire to raise a
spiritual person up in life (yajamana udyamana shakti). Its basis above is the
good of all. Its basis below is what is good for the Gods. These cause the
entire world to be supported.
Purva Bhadra grants a
universal view through internal purification. This raises up our spiritual
aspiration in life and takes us out of the domain of selfish behavior. Aja
Ekapad is the cosmic or celestial form of Agni or the sacred fire, sometimes
identified with the Sun, reflecting also the Kundalini Shakti. The influence
here is transformative through spiritual effort, discipline and tapas. It
raises up our spiritual aspiration in life.
Purva Bhadra gives
creative fire and spiritual lustre, something like Pushya.
Uttara Bhadra – 03 20–16 40 Pisces
Uttara Bhadra is
ruled by Ahir Budhnya, the serpent of the depths of the atmosphere. Its power
is the bringing of the rain (varshodyamana shakti). Its basis above is the
raining clouds. Its basis below growing of the plants. From these three factors
the three worlds gain their stability.
Uttara Bhadra grants
growth and prosperity in a broad way, benefiting the entire world. This makes
it very auspicious. Ahir Budhnya is the benefic serpent who brings the rain,
connecting us with the creative powers at the foundations of the world. This
Nakshatra allows things to grow and shows the descent of grace from above.
Uttara Bhadra gives
us a firm foundation in life, protecting us from the depths.
Revati – 16 40–30 00 Pisces
Revati is governed by
Pushan, the nourishing form of the Sun God, sometimes identified with the power
of seeing. It has the power of nourishment symbolized by milk (kshiradyapani shakti).
Its basis above is the cows. Its basis below is the calves. These three bring
about the nourishment of the entire world.
Revati creates
abundance through providing proper nourishment. It helps all people in their
efforts. Pushan is the lord of cattle and the lord of the paths. He leads,
protects and gathers the herd in their movement, particularly to new pastures.
In this way he also protects the soul in its journey to the next world. This
Nakshatra promotes fertility and growth and gives abundance and completion to
our projects.
Revati gives power
over cattle, power over sources of nourishment. Yet cattle also symbolize what
we have seen and experienced.
Bhrigu to Vyas--5000 Years of Fortune-telling
The Bhrigu Saṃhitā is a Sanskrit astrological (Jyotisha)
treatise attributed in its introduction to Maharishi Bhrigu, one of the
Saptarishis (seven sages) of the Vedic period. The Bhrigu Samhita claims to contain predictions about current and future lives as well as information
about past lives.
In the dusty village of Karoli, north of the tourist town of Udaipur, five German visitors, two Jain monks and three small-town boys longing to go to the US flicked flies off their tea cups, their eyes fixed on the door leading to a small, yellow room.
They were waiting to meet a bald, 76-year-old man who reads fortunes from the Bhrigu Samhita, Hinduism’s most esoteric and famous book of destinies. According to legend, Bhrigu, the son of Brahma, whom believers worship as the creator, wrote the book on palm leaves about 5,000 years ago. Samhita means a collection in Sanskrit.
“Vyas, one of about 100 people in the country who interpret the Bhrigu Samhita, shot to national fame in 2007, when Pratibha Patil, an unlikely candidate, became President of the country—he had predicted her victory six months before her nomination was filed—but his reputation was built long before that.
One of the tourists, Ulrich Bremer from Berlin, heard about him in Germany. “It was the most incredible experience to sit there and listen to him read me things that I have never shared with anyone before," he says.
Like Bremer, many say they were astounded by the readings. Sunita Nevatia, 68, a homemaker from Mumbai, who has been visiting Vyas for three decades, says she does not take any major decision without consulting the book. “I was a young woman in Udaipur when I heard about him. When some friends told me about him, I went along. I was curious. And then, after seeing my palm, he told me everything about my life—the names of parents, the fact that I had three brothers, five sisters. He said my father did not have a long life and as it turned out, I lost my father (when) he was just 54." She says so many predictions based on his reading of the Bhrigu Samhita had come true—about her health, her family’s well-being, and her children—that “I have unshakable faith in it".
Medical lighthouse
It may sound like magic,
but is actually very hard work, says Vyas. “I am only reading what Bhriguji
wrote and still, it is not simple because these pages are filled with
authoritative information about past lives, diseases, the future and future
lives of millions of souls. It was written with yogic powers and mathematical calculations
that we no longer have," he says. Wielding such a powerful repository of
human destiny is very difficult, he explains. “I do 8 hours of sadhana
(meditation) and havan (fire rituals) every day to be able to find the right
page for visitors and tell them their fortunes."
But the manuscript is not just a chronicle of fate that outlines coming events and past-life tales. Sometimes, it is a medical lighthouse, warning the listener of potential health risks, says Ashok Vaidya, a physician-scientist who runs a center of reverse pharmacology in traditional medicine for the Indian Council of Medical Research in Mumbai and has written a master’s thesis on medical references in the Bhrigu Samhita.
“I found references to cancer, tuberculosis, sexually transmitted diseases and heart, lung and kidney transplants in his predictions. Not only does he describe these ailments with incredible accuracy, he also gives incredibly effective prognoses." But Vaidya’s thesis was not accepted by Mumbai University. “The sad part is that we have not looked at the book as a resource at all. We are completely unwilling to investigate our heritage in a scientific manner."
Chandrama Pandey, head of the Jyotish (astrology) department at Banaras Hindu University agrees. “Theories about the origins of this book traverse through legend, myth and thousands of years of history," she says. “No one really knows for sure since no effort has been (made) to consolidate information about the manuscript and fundamental questions about it remain unanswered: When was this book written? Why was it written? How was it written? And if the future is cast in iron and mathematical calculations then does it mean that human will has no meaning?"
More importantly, does it contain the future of everyone? Did Bhrigu write the future of six billion people? Vyas laughs. “No. Bhrigu Maharaj has not written everyone’s future. See, when someone comes to me and asks me to read their future—I look at their palms to make calculations. I write a number for my reference. After that I show him a paper that has 15 circles with numbers in them. The numbers in one of those circles match what I have written in my slate. If the circle he selects has the same number as on my slate, then it means that I have their destiny page and that I must read it out to them. If there is no match, I have to tell them to try again later."
Saying sorry
If the visitor returns
and Vyas still does not find the page meant for him or her, he says he has to
tell them “sorry, but Bhriguji has not written your future since he did not
expect you to come asking for it. After all, Bhriguji is not always absolutely
right".
Most experts say that Bhrigu calculated 500,000 horoscope combinations using Vedic mathematics and his yogic prowess and that these half a million permutations can be extrapolated to tell the future for 45 million people.
But no one has ever seen
the complete manuscript. It is believed that marauding Mughal armies destroyed
most of the original work when they ransacked a library at the Nalanda
University 900 years ago. What remained was scattered among Brahmins across the
country and between five and 100 people in different parts of the country
possess some part of it. A printed version is rumored to contain at least 200
volumes, but no one confirms any statistic with certainty.
And since most Indian astrologers who use the system work with loose manuscript pages, it is impossible to tell if the pages are genuine or fake. “But the bottom line is that we cannot tell the genuine readings from the fake. If your reading comes true, the reader has a genuine Samhita. If it turns out to be wrong, then the reader has a fake copy and you should not go back to him again. That’s all there is to it," says Pandey.
The debate is further complicated by the existence of undocumented copies. Since the original manuscript was written in neo-classical Sanskrit on palm leaves, it had to be protected. “I could not risk using the original every day. It would cause too much wear and tear," said Vyas, who was just 17 when his guru gave him the pages and taught him how to read them.
So, he spent six years in the 1950s, laboriously copying every word from the “original" onto another paper. He is not the first to do that. Many generations of Brahmins have reproduced the entire text on palm leaves, bark, cloth, rough paper and, eventually, in print. However, no records were ever maintained and now, no one knows how many copies exist.
Pandey says that there is no original text left anymore because “there is no leaf that will survive 5,000 years. In fact, writings on palm leaves do not survive more than 500 years. I suspect that what people are passing off today as the original is actually one of the many copies made by Brahmins when the original began to crumble." priyanka.p@livemint.com
Appendix
Nakshatravanam: the link between man, nature, and the great
cosmos
Astrology is a unique science. Here
human beings and nature are not two distinct subjects. They are part of the
whole. In Vedic
astrology, the Janma Nakshatra or birth star is very important. It
determines the fate of the person. Accordingly, there exists one tree for every
nakshatra. Traditionally, it has been a common practice in village households
to plan 27 trees of nakshatras for each of their family members on the
premises. A nakshatra vanam or a star forest is a place where all the 27
nakshatras trees related to each of the 27 stars are planted.
A Nakshatra or constellation is the position of the moon in the sky at the time of birth of a person. For example, if a person is born in Ashwini nakshatra the Moon was seen among the Aswini group of stars in the Aries sign. There are 27 such stars, starting from Aswini to Revathy. The Moon completes one rotation around the Earth in 27 days and 8 hours. So, the Moon is stationed at one Nakshatra for roughly one day. This position of the Moon as per the Nakshatras is called ‘thithi‘.
List of 27 Nakshatras Tress
Bharani--Indaian Gooseberry-Amla-Phyllanthus emblica/ Emblica officinalis
Krittika--Cluster
Fig--Ficus glomerata/ Ficus
racemosa-
Rohini--Jamun--Black
Plun--Eugenia jambolana/ Syzygium
cuminii
Mrigashirsha--
Cutch tree; bony--Acacia catechu/ Diospyros ebenumAardra/
Aaridra--Cashmere Tree/ Long Pepper/ Red Sandal--Diospyros melanoxylon/ Pterocarpus santalinus/ Aquilaria agallocha
Punarvasu--Bamboo--Bambusa vulgaris/ Bambusa arundinacea-
Pushya-- Sacred
Fig/ Peepal/ Ficus-- Ficus
religiosa
Aaslesha-- Messua
Tree/ Alexandrian Laurel/ Beauty Leaf Poon--Calophyllum inophyllum/ Mesua ferrea
Magha-- Banyan Tree/ Indian Fig--Ficus
benghalensis
Poorva Phalguni-- Flame of the Forest/ Parrot Tree--Ficus tinctoria/ Nerium indicum/ Ficus arnottiana
Uttara Phalguni-- Indian Laurel/ Rose Laurel/ Indian Cleaner--Ficus tinctoria/ Nerium indicum/ Ficus arnottianaChitra-- Beal Tree/ Bengal Quince/ Stone
Apple/ Wood--Aegle
marmelos
Hasta-- Hog Plum/ Neem/ Royal Jasmine--Azadirachta
indica/ Jasminum grandiflorum
Chitra-- Beal Tree/ Bengal Quince/ Stone
Apple/ Wood Apple--Aegle marmelos
Swati-- Arjuna Tree /
Queen's Flower-Terminalia
arjuna/ Lagerstroemia speciosa
Visakha--Governor's
Plum/ Wood Apple/ Ceylon Ironwood/ Indian rose chestnut--Feronia elephantum/ Feronia limonia
Anuradha-- Bullet Wood
Tree--Mimusops
elengi/ Mesua ferrea
Jyeshtha--Bodh Tree/
Stunted Jack-- Aporosa lindleyana/ Calamus
rotang/ Calamus wightii
Mula--White Dammar/
Hardwickia/ Sal Tree--Boswellia
serrata/ Mangifera
indica/ Shorea
robusta/ Hardwickia
binata
Purva Ashadha-- Fish
Poison Tree/ Tinospora--Salix
tetrasperma/ Tinospora cordifolia/ Calamus pseudotenuis
Uttara Ashadha-- Jack
Fruit Tree/ Bread Fruit--Artocarpusheterophyllus/ Artocarpus communis
Sravana--Gigantic Swallow/
Swallow Wort--Calotropis procera/ Calotropis gigantea
Dhanishtha-- Indian Gum
Tree/ Indian Mesquit/ Kejari--Moringa
oleifera/ Prosopis cineraria/ Prosopis spicigera/ Prosopis juliflora
Satabhisha--
Kadam Tree/ Indian Oak--Anthocephalus cadamba/ Mitragyna parviflora/ Neolamarckia cadambaca
Purva Bhadrapada--Saj--Gluta
Travancori
Uttara
Bhadrapada--Bajarbattu --Corypha Umbraculifera
The majority of the nakshatras tress mentioned above have medicinal value. If a person is able to enjoy the proximity of the tree corresponding to his Janma Nakshatra, it can do well physically and spiritually. For example, nakshatra tress with Bharani as their birth star can be prone to diseases connected with the eyes and brain. There are chances for night blindness besides vulnerability towards cold and fever. The tree corresponding to Bharani is Amalika. Also known as Amla, it is known for strengthening the immunity of the body. It is also very good for the eyes and is a good revitalizer.
Trees are more genetically evolved than human beings. They understand nature better. They absorb various energies from nature and dissipate them to their surroundings. It is good for a person to spend time with their respective star-trees on their birthdays. Enlightened souls like Buddha, Adi Shankaracharya, and Thirumoolar had spent a long time meditating under a specific tree as part of attaining ultimate knowledge. They were able to identify various locations and trees that would heal all the layers of the human body of a person born at a particular time.
Back when the joint family system was prevalent in society, people used to plant their star trees in their land. Trees were planted when a baby was born as per the zodiac or star. Nakshatras trees are planted in a particular direction as per the nakshatra it is related to according to the principles of Vastu Shastra. This ensured a rich diversity of habitat around the household.
Besides giving fruits, these trees also served to meet the medicinal requirements of the family members while providing clean air and pure water. The nakshatras tress includes four types of Ficus trees also. The Ficus trees provide Oxygen, improve water retention in soil, and are also excellent medicine for skin problems. It also gives protection from lightning.
Rapid urbanization and nuclear families have made this a thing of the past. However, the nakshatras tree of star forest is a practical way of ensuring species diversity in an urban landscape. It will also help the new generation maintain their link with nature. Some of the trees like Jamun, Karaskara (Strychnos), Kath, Ficus species, Spondias, Bilwa( Aegle manelos), Arjuna, Kadamba, Mahua, etc. are lesser-known to the new generation. It is calculated that 20 trees are required to meet the Oxygen requirements of a human being. One day’s oxygen from a parlor costs more than Rs. 500 today. Thus, maintaining the nakshatras tress makes sense not just ecologically, but financially as well.
As per Vedic knowledge, everything dead and living is made up of the five elements or the Pancha Bhootas. They are soil, water, fire, air, and ether. Trees and human beings are also made out of the Pancha bhootas. It means that humans are not separated from plants, birds, or animals.
We all have to live together in this universe. As per astrology, a person keeping proximity to his astral tree will experience a positive atmosphere, spiritual solace, meditation, rejuvenation, tranquility, mental peace, and relaxation. This makes the person healthy and calm. Nakshathra vanam will provide people with at least one fruit. It also ensures fresh air and conservation of water. Establishing a nakshatra vanam will bring the species diversity that existed once in the villages.
Mr. S. Unnikrishnan is an astrologer and a former DFO. He has taken the initiative to reclaim ecological parity by raising Nakshatra Vanam in schools, colleges, panchayath-owned places, churches, mosques, and temples. Altogether, more than 1200 nakshatra vanam have been established between 2010 to 2015 with his involvement.
Is Vedic astrology real or fake?
How astrology is fake,
pseudoscience and dangerous to mental health
On one fine day, I just saw a
Facebook post on astrology and quickly for fun I tried to check my horoscope
and kundali etc., on an astrology app which I installed from Google Play Store.
Vedic astrology is based on date and time of birth so I put my details and my
Kundali came up with details. The charts with complex numbering etc., were
confusing so I moved forward. And finally, I saw some doshas attached to me.
These included 'kaalasarpa dosha', 'pitrau dosha' etc. These doshas read that I
would live a very miserable life ahead in future. From health to wealth
everything would be miserable. Now my fun turned to horror and sweat started to
drip from my body with shock. Now I was cursing myself for why I checked this.
I couldn't sleep for many days. I lost interest in the things which I used to
like. My mental health was in shambles now. Now I tried to study the
authenticity of astrology. I went through many articles written by rationales
where I found it to be a hoax and pseudoscience. Astrology has been debunked
time and time again through experiments and studies. Now my take on astrology
after some research.
Do you think that people born in
the same place at the same time would have the same future? Think of identical
twins who are born with few minutes of time difference. Are they going to have
identical futures? No, they grow up with different traits and so the different
futures. Vedic astrology is based on. As per astrology, nine planets affect our
lives. They have also included the sun and moon in these nine planets which
clearly shows how credible astrology is as the sun is a star and the moon is
the natural satellite of the earth. Why astrologers don't consider Uranus and
Neptune as planets that are well defined through astronomy, shows the fake
nature of astrology. Aren't astrologers aware of newly discovered dwarf planets
that are bigger in mass than the moon so why can't they affect the lives of
people according to astrology? There are
more than 100 confirmed moons discovered till now that orbit around the
planets, why isn't astrology accepting their effect? Two other imaginary
planets they have introduced are Rahu and Ketu and based on these two shadow
planets astrologers scare people the most. Astrologers scam people by attaching
these doshas to individuals and obviously, the person would fall for more
information and remedies for the same and in the course, they would reach to
these astrologers offering money to them for those remedies. Astrologers have
always been predicting by the support of the word ' may ' which means there is
a possibility. If they had such a vision to predict the future why isn't it
precise and certain. Why don't they warn people and the government before any
natural calamity that takes place in our country so that people find safe
places and both lives and effort could be saved. Why don't they warn the nation
of any threats of terrorist attacks which would also save the lives of people?
This all sums up a fact that astrology is pure guesswork and has no sense. It
ruins the lives of people who are sensitive and imparts superstitious feelings
in the minds of people. In the past, many people did suicide because of these
negative doshas in their horoscopes. Recently Indira Gandhi National Open
University (IGNOU) has launched two years' Master's program in
Astrology (Jyotish). On one hand, ISRO is undertaking orbital
launching and on the other hand, we are introducing pseudoscience in our
universities. Need of the hour is to make people aware of this pseudoscience
and people should embrace scientific temper which would be beneficial for this
nation. Many astrology applications are present on the play store and app store
which are ruining the lives of people so authorities must act upon them.
NOTE: Main article also says how many
astrologers have been forced to resort to fake astrology as original Brahmasutra is not available and astrologers
who have made it a profession are educated with fake astrology but very few
had access to genuine copies of Brahmasutra and therefore all predictions may be true, when coming from genuine sources.
