A LOOK INTO ZODIAC SIGNS / RASHIS

The twelve signs of the zodiac are called "rashis". The symbols and characteristics of rashis are listed below

  
 Aries

 

Aries / Mesha / Medam Rashi looks like a lamb and is located at the head of Kalapurasha (Ursha major). It moves over pastoral lands and mountains. It lives in hidden places, fire, and the mines of metals and gems. 

Taurus 

  





Taurus / Vrishabha / Idavam Rashi is like a bull and represents the face and throat of the Kaal Purusha (Ursha major). It resides in the summits of mountains, cowsheds, and other places of animal habitats and agricultural lands.

Gemini 

 

 Gemini/  Mithuna/ Mithunam Rashi holds Veena and Gada (mace) and represents the hands and shoulders of Kaal Purusha (Ursha major). The places of dance, music, art galaries, artists, and entertainments are enveloped in its residence. 

Cancer

Crab like Karka /Cancer/ karkadakam rashi lives in water and represents the chest of Kaal Purusha (Ursha major). It moves in Agricultural lands, water bodies, river sides and picturesque places. 

Leo

 

The old scholars say that the lion like Simha ( Leo / chingam) Rashi lives in mountains and represents the hearts of Kaal Purusha (Ursha major). Forests, forts, caves, mountains are considered to be its residence. 

Virgo

 

Kanya ( Virgo/ kanni ) Rashi is like a maid holding a lamp and sitting on a boat, which is floating on water. It represents the abdomen of the Kaal Purusha (Ursha major). This stable sixth Rashi lives in the green places, places fit for sexual activity and artistic places.

Libra 

 

A man placing goods for sale on a balance, which is the picture of Tula ( Libra ) rashi. It represents the lower abdomen of the Kaal Purusha (Ursha major) and lives among the places of merchandising, and lands yielding good vegetables.

Scorpio 

Looking like a scorpion, Vrishchika ( Scorpio ) Rashi represents the private parts of male and females. It dwells in places like caves, water bodies and poisonous shrubs, and places fit for venomous snakes, insects and pythons. 

Sagittarius 

Dhanu ( Sagittarius ) Rashi appears like a man wielding a bow, whose rear half of the body is like a horse. This Rashi represents the thighs of the Kalpurusha (The Ursha Major) and dwells in the forests infested by elephants, stables, armories, vehicles of war fares and so on 

Capricon 

 

The frontal part of the Makar ( Capricorn ) rashi is like a deer nad the rear part is that of an alligator. Being water dweller, this Rashi represents the knees of the kaal purusha and its favourite places include rivers, forests etc.. 

Aquaris

The image of Kumbha ( Aquarius ) rashi is like a man holding a pitcher on his shoulder and it represents the thighs of the Kaalpurusha (Ursha Major). Shallow areas, lands producing coarse vegetables, markets of birds, alcohol, and women and gambling dens are the places of its dwelling.

Pisces

Like a pair of fishes, the last rashi of the rashichakra, Meen ( Pisces ) denotes the feet of the Kaal purusha (Ursha major), and it dwells in the holy places of religious divine and social importance.

The following figures shows the astrology chart or horoscope in South-Indian and North-Indian styles which are used to predict ones nature, future etc.

Each house spans 30 degrees and the whole chart takes 360 degrees. Always, in the south-indian chart, the house where the ascendent is present is taken as the first house and going in clockwise fashion 2,3, .. and the 12th house to complete 360 degrees. 

Rasi Nature

SIGNIFICANCE OF CHANTING "OM"

The 'Om' is one of the most chanted sound symbols. It has a profound effect on the body and mind of the one who chants and also on the surroundings. Most mantras and vedic prayers starts with Om.

All auspicious actions begin with Om. It is even used as a greeting - Om, Hari Om etc. It is repeated as a mantra or meditated upon. Its form is worshipped, contemplated upon or used as an auspicious sign.

 'Om' is the universal name of the Lord. It is made up of the letters A (phonetically as in "around"), U (phonetically as in "put") and M (phonetically as in "mum"). The sound emerging from the vocal chords starts from the base of the throat as "A". With the coming together of the lips, "U" is formed and when the lips are closed, all sounds end in "M". 

 The three letters symbolize the three states (waking, dream and deep sleep), the three deities (Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva), the three Vedas (Rig, Yajur and Sama) the three worlds (Bhuh, Bhuvah, Suvah) etc. The Lord is all these and beyond. 

 The formless, attributeless Lord (Brahman) is represented by the silence between two 'Om'. The 'Om' is also called pranava that means, "that (symbol or sound) by which the Lord is praised". The entire essence of the Vedas is enshrined in the word 'Om'. It is said that the Lord started creating the world after chanting 'Om' and 'atha'. Hence its sound is considered to create an auspicious beginning for any task that we undertake. The 'Om' chant should have the resounding sound of a bell (AUM). 

 The 'Om' is written in different ways in different places. The most common form symbolizes Lord Ganesha’s. The upper curve is the head; the lower large one, the stomach; the side one, the trunk; and the semi-circular mark with the dot, the sweetmeat ball (modaka) in Lord Ganesha's hand. Thus Om symbolizes everything - the means and the goal of life, the world and the Truth behind it, the material and the Sacred, all form and the Formless.

INTRODUCTION TO PLANETS / GRAHAS

In Hindu Astrology there are nine planets or grahas. These include Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter,Sun, Moon,Saturn ,Rahu and Ketu , which are astronomical points formed where the moons orbit intersects the apparent path of the Sun around the earth. Each planet is considered to be having masculine, feminine or neutral characteristics as well .

Table : Planets 

Planet	Western name	Sex
Ravi	Sun	Musculine
Chandra	Moon	Feminine
Kuja	Mars	Masculine
Budha	Mercury	Neutral
Guru	Jupiter	Masculine
Sukra	Venus	Feminine
Sani	Saturn	Neutral
Rahu	Dragon's Head	Feminine
Ketu	Dragon's Tail	Neutral

Rahu & Ketu

The Moons apparent path intersects the ecliptic obliquely at two points called the nodes. The point where the Moon crosses the ecliptic from south to north is called the ascending node or Rahu, where it crosses the ecliptic from north to south is called descending node or Ketu. These two points are 180 degrees apart and their movement is constantly  retrograde, meaning, against the normal direction of movement of planets. Rahu and Ketu are given special status and considered as planets in Indian astrology.But they are not included in Western Astrology. Rahu and Ketu take approximately eighteen years and ten days to complete one round of the zodiac .

Relationship between Planets

Each planet or Graha considers another planet as friend, enemy or equal. Some relationships
 are not mutual, for example, while one planet considers another as a friend, the second planet in turn may not see the first one as a friend. Mercury and Moon are examples.

Planets & Gemstones

 Each planet of Indian astrology has a gem stone associated with it. The nine stones corresponding to the nine planets are called the Navaratna group of stones

Planets & Associated colors

Each planet has an associated color. 

Planets &Their elements

  

 

INTRODUCTION TO ASTROLOGY

Astrology sees mankind as being not only influenced by hereditary factors and the environment, but also by the state of our solar system at the moment of birth. Planets are regarded as basic life-forces, the tools we live by as well as the basis of our very substance. These planetary forces take on different forms, depending on their zodiacal position and on the way they relate to one another. 

The aspects formed between the planets describe these relationships, the positions of the planets in relation to the place of birth tell us of their expression in the spheres of life depicted by the astrological houses.  

By interpreting the roles of these  planets and their qualities (the elements, signs and houses) and creating a synthesis, astrology is able to present a complete and comprehensive picture of the person and his potential, based on the natal horoscope. 

 Indian astrology is popularly referred to as Vedic astrology. This is not because it is there in the Vedas. There is no mention of astrology in the Vedas. However, it is one of the Vedangas, i.e., limb or branch of Vedas, and dates back to the Vedic period. Several of the Poojas and remedial measures prescribed in the Indian astrology are as per the Vedic system. Hence, it is called Vedic astrology.

 It is impossible ascertain the exact time of origin of our astrology.Our astrology has details of the horoscopes of Lord Krishna, Lord Rama and many other ancient Indian kings and queens, recorded thousands of years ago. The Bhishma Parva and Udyoga Parva chapters of Mahabharata mention many astrological descriptions and omens just before the Mahabharata war.Hindu epics like Mahabharata and Ramayana have been written off as myths by the western historians. However the recent discovery of the submerged ancient city Dwaraka, (the site of the legendary city of Lord Krishna, which got submerged in the sea after the death of Lord Krishna), led by Dr. S.R. Rao of the Marine Archaeology Unit of the National Institute of Oceanography of India lends a lot of credence to our mythology. Various texts attribute the origin of Indian astrology to various gods and Rishis. It is futile to ascertain who was the originator. The most popularly followed astrological classics today are the ones written by Rishis like Parashara, Varahamihira, Garga, Jaimini and their followers. People in those days had no satellites or telescopes and yet the planetary positions and their motions recorded by them are as accurate as the planetary positions and degrees recorded today using the space satellites. Our ancient astrologers used their divine intuition to record these planetary movements and their effects on us.

Astrology has a twofold purpose. On one hand it is used as a tool to select the right month the right date and the right time to start various auspicious rites and rituals so that the results are better. On the other hand it is used as a guide to study the destiny of an individual.

Indian astrology is based on the theory of fate. The good and the bad actions of the past life determine your fate or Karma of your present life, and the actions of your present life determine your future Karma. According to Indian astrology a person is born at that place, on that day and on that moment when his individual fate is in perfect mathematical harmony with the progress of the stars in heaven. However it does not preach total dependence on fate. Astrology lets you know what you were born with, what your possibilities are, the limitations, your strong points and your drawbacks. What type of life partners and professions suit you and to expect is also indicated. It also prescribes various remedial measures to ward off the bad effects and to enhance the good results.

 The exact time of birth of a person with the actual number of vighatikas elapsed as revealed by foot measurement or by gnomonic shadow and other apparatus should first be specially ascertained.Then the position of the planets coincident with observation should be set down with the help of mathematical instruments.Then the bhavas and the strength of planets should be investigated and through  them the effects should be judged.