Vedic Astrology, An Introduction by Das Goravani
... Astrology is the science of the effects of the planets movements on our lives and all things. Astrology is based on astronomy
in that astrologers need to know the correct positions of the planets at any given time, as well as the correct positions of the
zodiacal fixed star signs in relation to any place on earth at any given time. ...
... Vedic astrology differs from Western or Tropical astrology mainly in that it uses the fixed zodiac as opposed to the moving
zodiac. Because of the gradual tilting of the earth in space on it's axis, the zodiac, if you calculate it from the Sun's relationship to
the Earth, appears to be moving at the rate of a little less than 1/60th of a degree per year. Currently, the relative or movable
zodiac is off or out of alignment with the fixed or real star-based zodiac by roughly 23 degrees, which is almost one whole sign
of the zodiac. ...
Lesson #1: What does Vedic mean?
Lesson #2: What's Astrology, what does "Vedic" imply?
Lesson #3: Ashvini Star or Nakshatra
Lesson #4: "Bharani" Star or Nakshatra
Lesson #5: Spiritualizing the Great Free Will Debate
Lesson #6: Overview of the Vedic Astrological Process
Lesson #7: Divinely understanding the roots of astrology
Lesson #8: Summary of the East Coast Conference (June 1995)
Lesson #9:
Amazing Psychic Astrologer from
Lesson #10: Developing the Ability to Predict
In the service of Sri Vishnu, I have been writing articles on Vedic Astrology and Spiritual
Philosophy to help the Western world become more acquainted with these primeval divine
concepts. These articles are included in the reference manual within my Vedic Astrology
Software program "Goravani Jyotish":
Lesson #11: Basics
Lesson #12: Components
Lesson #13: The Lords of Houses
Lesson #14: The Houses and Signs
Lesson #15: Going House to House
...
Glossary (searchable)
Request: I have a large amount of service to perform in this life for the divine will. If you can help, please contact me.
Speicifically, I want to write Vedic Astrology Research Software to help prove that the science most definately works. I have
the software planned, but lack funding to get it done. If you or someone you know can help, please contatct me. Thanking you
in advance. Full details and non-profit ID numbers available on request.
I hope these writings aid in your path. -Das Goravani (goravani@aol.com)
Consider to visit Das Goravani's own web-pages at www.goravani.com with further detailed information.
Das Goravani (goravani@aol.com)
541-485-8453
Vedic Astrology
Lesson #1
Copyright 1995 by Das Goravani (goravani@aol.com)
541-485-8453
Permission is granted to re-use these postings
if they remain intact and my name, phone and email are stated as here.
Greetings
Hello, my name is Das Goravani. I love Vedic astrology and I'm really honored and humbled by the fact that the Lord is
allowing me to be involved with his divine sciences. I offer
praise to the Lord Sri
Radharani/Laksmidevi/Bhavani for literally everything. I am trying to become their servitor. May they be pleased with this
program. Everything is but a mere spark of their splendor!
What does Vedic mean?
Veda means original knowledge and truth. Vedic means of the original knowledge and truth. The Lord, who ever resides in his
own blissful abode of Vaikuntha (means "free from anxiety"), the Spiritual World, creates Jiva souls, small souls, that's us, from
the light that shines forth from his divine body. Those spiritual sparks are at first undifferentiated from each other and are called
"tatasta shakti" or the marginal potency of the Lord.
At that stage we are like pencil rays of light all side by side floating in undifferentiated bliss, but inactive and not fully conscious.
In that blissful, peaceful state, an agitation can come which makes the Jiva soul want differentiation and action. Thus, we enter
this plane, known as the material world, where the external potency of the Lord surrounds us on all sides, as our own bodies
and as the environment, the universe.
The purpose of coming here is to play out parts in a drama and learn thereby- it is essentially a school. The lessons are hard,
and often painful. What we are learning is "our position" and our relationships, or "sambandha gyan", with everything. Nature,
being perfectly under the constant, perfect control of an absolutely benevolent divinity, is perfect in gradually raising our
consciousness through the process of "touch-burn-don't touch it again". Everything is working that way- there are easy lessons
and there are hard lessons. Ultimately, the soul must learn that she is prakrti, not purusa. This means that we are subordinate,
yet fully provided for, participants in a play which is for
the pleasure of the purusa, and that is God himself-
purush-uttama, or the Supreme Enjoyer.
When the Universe gets created by Lord Brahma under the instructions of Vishnu, at that time Brahma receives full knowledge
about basically everything. He receives, for example, complete information on how to create the material world. The best
scriptural resource we have that narrates to us the very primeval interaction between Vishnu and Brahma at the time of creation
is the Brahma Samhita. That great scripture, spoken by Lord Brahma, gives detailed information as to what were the main
points, the main knowledge was that was given to Brahma via the Gayatri Mantra.
Part of that was the knowledge of Astrology. Brahma actually creates the material world under the direction and authority of
Vishnu. Brahma directly knows the controlling systems put in place here because he put them there, even though the power
comes from Vishnu. So, Brahma gave Jyotish Vidya to his sons such as Narada Muni, the Four Kumaras, and so on, who in
turn gave it to their disciples, such as Vyasadeva.
That knowledge was passed down through disciplic succession until around the start of Kali Yuga because that is when books
become required because human memorization ability decreases to a large degree. Previously Brahmin children had to simply
memorize everything. So anyway, around the beginning of Kali Yuga sages such as Parasara and Vyasadeva created so many
books so that Vedic knowledge, the original knowledge, would not be lost in this Kali Yuga.
It is a big hassle to make books- even for great sages. It is not pleasant to sit and write and write and write. You just want to
give codes- to make sure the essential is not lost. However, what this means is that there is much detail that is not in the books.
However, the sincere seeker who has a natural insight into things Vedic will be able to discover that which is not literally given.
Because of possessing the proper mood of service and submission to the great truth many hidden things become revealed to the
heart of such a surrendered soul.
Please indulge me a few more points: I have been around this Vedic path for quite some time now and I have seen and heard it
correctly and incorrectly perceived and reflected by others. For example...
Vedic scripture is NOT myth. While there may be interpolations and exaggerations and the like, the basic punch of it all is true.
There is a personal God, there is a creator, the Vedic times
did happen, the battle of Kurukshetra took place,
lived, as did Lord Ramachandra, etc. Lord Ganesh is not an energy nor a myth, he is a real being who can stand in front of you
and chew you out for insubordination should he so desire!
Why not believe? Look at yourself in the mirror- do you not see an amazing creation- isn't it weird and wonderful- two eyes
that roll around, one nose- a mouth, a genital- the whole thing is so strange and bizarre- why can't there also be a human with
what we call an elephants head? Is it impossible to you? Have you ever seen a hammer head shark? Can you believe how
shocking that must have been for persons to see those weird creatures for the first time having never heard that they existed?
When it is foggy we forget that the Sun is shining above the clouds. On mountain tops it is often sunny when the valley is fogged
oversimilarly, just because the coverings of this Universe obstruct and limit our vision doesn't mean there is nothing beyond. So,
why not believewhy can't a benevolent God and cast of demigods such as Lord Ganesh existis there something that says we
must be the only great things around?
It is rather sane to believe in the Vedic version, and rather insane to not believe- that is my carefully considered opinion. That
we are in school learning to become fully trained, willing and detached players in the Lord's eternal pastimes or Lila is wholly
believable, whereas the dialectical materialist or "scientific" atheism is rather unbelievable to me. (where did it all begin- they can
NEVER answer that- Big Bang? Ridiculous!)
The other thing I wish to say is that the correct Vedic understanding is never sectarian, dogmatic or fixed, and, any follower of
the Vedas must be loving and kind. Ahimsa, or non-violence is a primary principle. If you want to be happy, definitely spread
happiness, give protection, serve more than you receive. Definitely be vegetarian. You cannot feel God in yourself in you kill to
eat unless absolutely necessary for survival. Give up being a party to the killing of innocent animals. Learn how to cook enough
variety of vegetarian dishes that you don't miss meat- that is possible, and you need to do it. To be a truly great soul who can
read karma and help others, you can't be involved in such base karma yourselfit will definitely block your vision.
In the beginning of the Parasara Hora Sastra and other classics there are always verses describing who can and cannot be
taught astrology. Astrologers are advised by the great sages, who must be followed, NOT to teach this divine science to those
who are faithless, who do not love and follow the Vedic path, or who are not surrendered, or who are simply not qualified with
the requisite intelligence in the areas of math, calculation, space and time, etc. In the West, these admonitions are not being
followed- and anyone can buy the books, buy the programs, go to the seminars, and learn Jyotish. This is not good, and yet
from another angle, we can say that at least it is spreading- there must be mercy before law is applied. If the Vedas are not
allowed to come to the West freely, they may never come at all, and that would be worse than misuseI agree.
However, if you are sincere and serious about being granted entrance into the deeper truths, then you should not apply such
leniency to yourself. That is for rationalizing the misuse by other beginners- but do you forever count yourself in that group?
Don't. Move on- take responsibility- become a member of the more sincere group who actually want for themselves to become
pleasing to the hidden, yet very real and seeing, Guru Varga (which means the Great Masters of truth and religion as one entity).
I encourage you to read the Srimad Bhagavatam (which is also known as the Bhagavat Purana) as translated by Bhaktivedanta
Swami. It is, as a presentation of this most important Purana, very good at getting across the correct mood of submission and
surrender to the Lord, and the whole Vedic truth and path. Therefore, I recommend reading it and trying to understand deeply,
and follow. Please do that for the perfection of your life.
Try to live cleanly, free from drugs, meat and gross engagements of all kinds. Become a Brahmin in action- clean, merciful,
tolerant, ever learning good things, helpful to all, and devoted to truth. The four pillars of religion or dharma are: Truthfulness,
Mercifulness, Cleanliness, and Austerity. Practice these.
Don't try to get everything you desire (austerity). You will simply become a materialist who is too overwhelmed by their
temporary body and it's temporary desires. Be satisfied with what comes without too much endeavor.
Be merciful to all living beings. Ask much of yourself, but be kind to others while gently encouraging them to raise their own
standards.
Be clean in as many ways as you can- health, bodily, eating, thinking, speaking. Associating with the Tamasic Guna is dirty, so
avoid it. The lower you associate, the lower you are- so associate with cleanliness.
Be honest and truthful- that is said by scripture to be the last leg of dharma left in this Kali Yuga.
If I can be of any help to you in your path do not hesitate to call on me. I hope this introduction has not been offensive to you- it
is quite standard Vedic teaching. You may find it surprising that I have the audacity to "preach" herein, but after all, begging your
indulgence, it is a Vedic science we are talking about here - it is my divine and good duty to tell you these things as hearing these
things is part of the price you must pay to receive this Vedanga, if you are to actually get the real thing and not just the shell or
mirage. Just because I am doing some speaking, Vedic etiquette dictates that it is my duty to say something high and divine at
that time of transfer, lest either of us fall prey to lower conceptions of what we are, where we are, and what really matters. That
is my duty. If in doing my duty I have offended your sentiments in any way, please forgive me.
May your attention be on Sri Krishna, and may you have a life full of spiritual emotion. Please think of me kindly, as I need the
good wishes of all my brothers and sisters. If in any way, at any time, I offend your soul on the path, please forgive me.
End of lesson One.
Your ever well wishing friend and servant,
Das Goravani
Vedic Astrology
Lesson #2
Copyright 1995 by Das Goravani (goravani@aol.com)
541-485-8453
Permission is granted to re-use these postings
if they remain intact and my name, phone and email are stated as here.
Basically, what is astrology?
Astrology is the science of the effects of the planets movements on our lives and all things. Astrology is based on astronomy in
that astrologers need to know the correct positions of the planets at any given time, as well as the correct positions of the
zodiacal fixed star signs in relation to any place on earth at any given time. Once the correct positions of the signs and planets
are known, the astrologer then constructs charts representing these positions, and using the astrological science, studies the
charts and can make quite a wide range of conclusions about the moment the chart was cast for.
Charts are cast based on an exact moment at an exact place on Earth. Therefore, the moment you were born and the place you
were born has a chart, or can have a chart, and that is called your "birth chart" or "natal chart". By reading the chart of the
heavens for the time and place ofyour birth, we can know much about you. That is the claim of astrology. It can be used for
other things such as the chart of a question asked (called "Prasna" astrology) or for planning when to do some certain action
(called "Muhurtha" or "Electional" astrology).
Primarily, astrology is used to understand ourselves, or our karma for this life.
What does the word "Vedic" imply about this type of astrology?
Vedic astrology differs from Western or Tropical astrology mainly in that it uses the fixed zodiac as opposed to the moving
zodiac. Because of the gradual tilting of the earth in space on it's axis, the zodiac, if you calculate it from the Sun's relationship to
the Earth, appears to be moving at the rate of a little less than 1/60th of a degree per year. Currently, the relative or movable
zodiac is off or out of alignment with the fixed or real star-based zodiac by roughly 23 degrees, which is almost one whole sign
of the zodiac.
So, first and foremost you should know that Vedic astrology sticks with that original, star-based zodiac and thus another term to
describe Vedic astrology is that it is "siderial astrology", which simply means that the real zodiac is used to locate WHICH
SIGNS THE PLANETS ARE CURRENTLY LOCATED IN.
The signs the planets are in is one important part of astrology. Because the two systems are skewed from each other by nearly
one whole sign, most people's "Sun Sign", that which you can get from the paper each day, is usually one sign back when the
chart is refigured using Vedic astrology.
So, the first surprise using Vedic is that you are no longer the Sun Sign you always thought you were. This happens with many
charts. However, if you were born in the last 5 days or so of the Western Sign month, then you will probably still be that sign in
Vedic since the difference is 23 degrees currently, and signs are 30 degrees long in space (12 signs times 30 degrees each each
a 360 degree circle surrounding the Earth).
Vedic astrology also has a great number of techniques for studying the charts once they are cast which give Vedic a predictive
edge. For example, the "dashas" or "planetary ruling periods" system which is a part of the Vedic system give Vedic astrologers
a tool for quite accurately predicting the trends, changes and events in your life with good accuracy regarding dating when things
will take place. Therefore, Vedic astrologers are lesslimited to talking about your general overall self and can get more deeply
into what's going to happen in your life.
These two things are the primary, immediate things you should know about Vedic astrology.
The Signs
Signs are called "Rashis" (raw-shees) in Sanskrit. This table shows the signs with their rulers, sanskrit names and symbols etc. If
you open this table using a monospaced font such as
set your ruler in your word processor to about 7.25 inches wide.
Sign Name
Sanskrit Name
Meaning of
Sanskrit Name
Type
Sex
Mobility
Lord
Aries
Mesha
Ram
Fire
M
Movable
Mars
Taurus
Vrishaba
Bull
Earth
F
Fixed
Venus
Gemini
Mithuna
Couple (embracing)
Air
M
Common
Mercury
Cancer
Karkata
Crab or Circle
Water
F
Movable
Moon
Leo
Simha
Lion
Fire
M
Fixed
Sun
Virgo
Kanya
Virgin or Daughter
Earth
F
Common
Mercury
Libra
Thula
Balance or Weight
Air
M
Movable
Venus
Scorpio
Vrishchika
Scorpion
Water
F
Fixed
Mars
Sagittarius
Dhanus
Bow (the weapon)
Fire
M
Common
Jupiter
Capricorn
Makara
Alligator & Shark
Earth
F
Movable
Saturn
Aquarius
Kumbha
Pot or Jug
Air
M
Fixed
Saturn
Pisces
Meena
Fishes
Water
F
Common
Jupiter
As you can see, the signs are the same ones used in Western Astrology. However, as you go on, you will see that the
understanding of what the signs do, and the demigods behind them, who control them, vary and are greatly augmented in Vedic
astrology.
These tables cover Nakshatras, or the 27 fixed stars of Vedic Astrology. The stars with two signs (such as Kritika) are the ones
whose domain crosses the border between the two signs listed.
#
Name
Lord
Sign(s)
Guna
Gana
Type
Symbol
1
Ashvini
Ketu
Ari
Tama
Deva
Dharma
Horse Head
2
Bharani
Venus
Ari
Raja
Manushya
Artha
Vagina
3
Kritika
Sun
Ari/Tau
Raja
Rakshasa
Razor
4
Rohini
Moon
Tau
Raja
Manushya
Moksha
Chariot
5
Mrigashira
Mars
Tau/Gem
Tama
Deva
Moksha
Deer Head
6
Ardra
Rahu
Gem
Tama
Manushya
Head
7
Punarvasu
Jupi
Gem/Can
Satva
Deva
Artha
Bow
8
Pushya
Sat
Can
Tama
Deva
Dharma
Flower
9
Ashlesha
Merc
Can
Satva
Rakshasa
Dharma
Serpent
10
Magha
Ketu
Leo
Tama
Rakshasa
Artha
Palanquin
11
Purva Phalguni
Venus
Leo
Raja
Manushya
Front Legs of Cot
12
Uttara Phalguni
Sun
Leo/Vir
Raja
Manushya
Moksha
Back legs of Cot
13
Hasta
Moon
Vir
Raja
Deva
Moksha
Palm
14
Chitra
Mars
Vir/Lib
Tama
Rakshasa
15
Swati
Rahu
Lib
Tama
Deva
Artha
Sapphire
16
Vishakha
Jupi
Lib/Sco
Satva
Rakshasa
Dharma
Potters Wheel
17
Anuradha
Sat
Sco
Tama
Deva
Dharma
Umbrella
18
Jyeshtha
Merc
Sco
Satva
Rakshasa
Artha
Umbrella
19
Mula
Ketu
Sag
Tama
Rakshasa
Crouching Lion
20
Purva Ashadha
Venus
Sag
Raja
Manushya
Moksha
Front of square
21
Uttara Ashadha
Sun
Sag/Cap
Raja
Manushya
Moksha
Back of square
22
Shravan
Moon
Cap
Raja
Deva
Artha
Arrow
23
Dhanistha
Mars
Cap/Aqu
Tama
Rakshasa
Dharma
Drum
24
Satabishak
Rahu
Aqu
Tama
Rakshasa
Dharma
Flower
25
Purva Bhadrapad
Jupi
Aqu/Pis
Satva
Manushya
Artha
Front Legs of Cot
26
Uttara Bhadrapad
Sat
Pis
Tama
Manushya
Back legs of Cot
27
Revati
Merc
Pis
Satva
Deva
Moksha
Fish
More info about the Nakshatras (knock-shut-raws)
#
Name
Demigod
Sex
Body Part
Caste
1
Ashvini
Asvini Kumars
M
Top of foot
Vaisya
2
Bharani
Yamaraj
F
Sole of foot
Lower
3
Kritika
Agnidev
F
Head
Brahmin
4
Rohini
Lord Brahma
F
Forehead
Sudra
5
Mrigashira
Candrama
~
Eyebrows
Servant
6
Ardra
Lord Rudra
F
Eyes
Butcher
7
Punarvasu
Sri Aditi
M
Nose
Vaisya
8
Pushya
Brihaspati
M
Face
Kshatriya
9
Ashlesha
Nagas
F
Ears
Lowest
10
Magha
Pitris
F
Lips/Chin
Sudra
11
Purva Phalguni
Bhaga
F
Right hand
Brahmin
12
Uttara Phalguni
Aryaman
F
Left hand
Kshatriya
13
Hasta
Suryadev
M
Fingers
Vaisya
14
Chitra
Visvakarma
F
Neck
Servant
15
Swati
Vayu
F
Chest
Butcher
16
Vishakha
Indra & Agni
F
Breasts
Lowest
17
Anuradha
Mitra
M
Stomach
Sudra
18
Jyeshtha
Indra
F
Right torso
Servant
19
Mula
Nritta
~
Left torso
Butcher
20
Purva Ashadha
Apas
F
Back
Brahmin
21
Uttara Ashadha
Visvadev
F
Waist
Kshatriya
22
Shravan
Sri Visnu
M
Genitals
Lowest
23
Dhanistha
Vasus
F
Anus
Servant
24
Satabishak
Varuna
~
Right Thigh
Butcher
25
Purva Bhadrapad
Ajaikapad
M
Left Thigh
Brahmin
26
Uttara Bhadrapad
Ahirbudhnya
M
Lower legs
Kshatriya
27
Revati
Pushan
F
Anklrs
Sudra
Lesson #3
Copyright 1995 by Das Goravani (goravani@aol.com)
541-485-8453
Permission is granted to re-use these postings
if they remain intact and my name, phone and email are stated as here.
The 27 fixed stars used heavily in Vedic Astrology appear to us as stars within the 12 signs of the zodiac. Actually, some of
them are stars, and some are clusters of stars. In any case, it is known through the descending knowledge which Gods and
Goddesses rule the different nakshatras. And, through Puranic histories, we can know much about the past activities and
therefore the natures of these ruling personalities. Just as you really exist, so do they. The demigods are actually higher forms of
human's, having more subtle bodies than ourselves, and living on higher, more subtle planes of existence. Nonetheless, they have
human forms more or less and activities. Many of the Puranic histories take place on these higher planets involving these higher
demigods. From these histories we can know the true nature of these personalities and thus better understand how their
respective planets, signs, and stars are directing our world and our lives. This is the true nature of Vedic astrology- to believe
and read. It is somewhat foolish to be simultaneously both an Atheist and a Vedic Astrologer.
Let us take a deep look into the background of the first star, which is "Ashvini". This will be an example of how deeply it is
possible to go into the background of each of the Nakshatras.
The Ashvini Star or Nakshatra
Star #1, Ashvini, is ruled by Ketu within the sign Aries. Ashvini's mode is Tama (lower qualities such as indolence etc.), her
nature is Deva (Godly), she aims towards Dharma (Religiosity), her symbol is the Horse Head, and she is controlled by the
Asvini Kumars.
exaltation for the Sun, the planet of independence and authority. Ashvini is a Vaisya (merchants) caste star, and the Srimad
Bhagavatam (also known as the Bhagavat Purana- a 5000 year old history summing up all pre-history since creation) says that
the nature of the Vaisya is that they are never satisfied with their material attainments, and thus always want more. Being the first
star, this one stands for jumping forward, into material creation, taking charge, and doing something.
The controllers of this nakshatra, the Asvini Kumar twin demigods, appeared very early on in the creation, and are mentioned in
many places in the Sastras (scriptures). Krsna mentions them to Arjuna in the Bhagavad Gita when He is showing Arjuna His
Universal Form, or the Virat-Rupa. Arjuna sees within the Virat Rupa all the demigods, including the Asvini Kumars. Also, in
Srimad Bhagavatam
creatures within the creation.
Asva means "horse", Asvini is the "she-horse", and Kumars means "young boys". Their title as the Ashvini Kumars means that
they are the sons of a mare or female horse. The star is named after their mother and therefore the symbol is the horse head.
One of Vivasvan's (the Sun God) wives whose name is Samjna once took the body of a mare in order to spend some time
performing austerities on Earth. During that time, Vivasvan
(other names: Sun,
to be with her and together they parented these twin sons, the Ashvini Kumars.
The Ashvini Kumars are the physicians of the demigods. They are very learned in Ayurveda, and all forms of medical practice.
Once they used this talent to receive knowledge from the sage Dadhici , who was learned in material and spiritual knowledge.
Indra warned Dadhici not to teach the Kumars Brahma-Vidya since their occupation placed them outside that realm. He
promised to cut off Dadhici's head should he not heed the warning. Dadhici relayed this to the Kumar's. With their great medical
abilities however they removed Dadhici's head and replaced it with a horse head. Dadhici then spoke to them through the
horses mouth. They were then able to replace the original human head of Dadhici after Indra cut off the horse head. In this way
they received Brahma-Vidya, or spiritual knowledge.
In the eighth canto of Srimad Bhagavatam we find the history of the Ashvini Kumars restoring the youth of Cyavana Muni.
Through this service to a powerful Muni, the twins were granted the right to drink Soma Rasa, an immortalizing drink, with the
other demigods. Formerly they were excluded from this elite group due to disqualifications born of their occupational stature as
that of physicians only. The Maha Bharat, which is the history of the battle of Kurukshetra and other important events on Earth
of roughly 5,000 years ago, is centered around the Pandavas, who were five brothers who were great Ksatriya heroes, and
personal friends of the Lord Sri Krishna during His manifest pastimes on Earth during that time. Two of the brothers were twins,
born of Madri, the second wife of Maharaja Pandu. However, because Pandu was restricted from sex life by a curse, the five
sons were all fathered by demigods, and for the twins the fathers were the Asvini Kumars. These five brothers never knew of
the sixth, oldest, brother because Kunti, the first wife of Pandu, bore this son before she was wed, through connection with the
Sun God, Vivasvan, whom she called to herself by accidentally invocating the proper mantra. That son was the tragic
personality known as Radheya in the Maha Bharat.
Radheya, son of the Sun God, is therefore a brother to the Ashvini Kumars, and Radheya was a greatly powerful Ksatriya.
Similarly, the Pandava sons of the Ashvini Kumars, named Nakula and Sahadeva, who are grandchildren to the Sun God, were
also powerful Ksatriya princes and highly elevated spiritual associates of the Lord Sri Krishna. Therefore, we can understand
why, in Vedic Astrology, that the Sun, especially when powerful or exalted, grants nobility, leadership and other Ksatriya
qualities.
Ashvini is a Ketu ruled Nakshatra. Ketu, as all Vedic Astrologers know, is intimately connected with liberation from material
bondage, or Moksha. Ashvini is located within the sign of Aries, which is ruled by the military planet Mars. Therefore, the Sun is
exalted there because He is the father and grandfather of the greatest Ksatriyas. He stands regal and splendid amongst his army,
who is headed by Mars. Like all the greatest Ksatriyas or Vedic warriors, His power is based upon service to Visnu. Hence,
Moksha, or liberation from material bondage, which is obtained best by serving the Lord, remains the aim of the Sun, the
Karaka of soul. In the sign of external action or Aries, the commander in chief, the Sun, stands resplendent and dignified, ready
to lead all other leaders, on the righteous path of liberation.
From histories such as those related above we can gain an understanding of the personalities who are the deities behind the
forces that come to us through the stars and planets. Just as the real, eternal soul inside each living being is something much
more powerful and greater than the bodily casing we see representing it at this time, similarly the planets and stars we see and
track in space are simply representations of greater beings, demigods, who are actual personalities who actually exist right now
in another dimension our eyes are not privaledged to perceive.
Knowing that Ashvini is actually Samjna, the wife of the Sun, we can understand another part of the reason why the Sun feels
exalted and powerful under this star. Also, knowing the nature of Samjna and her sons, the Ashvini Kumars, we can understand
some of the powers and influences that come through this Nakshatra, such as medicinal and spiritual knowledge, and nobility
and leadership qualities.
Vedic Astrology
Lesson #4
Copyright 1995 by Das Goravani (goravani@aol.com)
541-485-8453
Permission is granted to re-use these postings
if they remain intact and my name, phone and email are stated as here.
The "Bharani" Star or Nakshatra
Nakshatra #2, Bharani, is ruled by Venus in the sign Aries. Bharai's mode is Raja (activity, passion), her nature is Manushya
(human), she aims towards Artha (working, aquiring needs), her symbol is the Vagina, and she is controlled by Yamaraja (the
God of Death).
This star is under the planetary lordship of Venus and is within the sign of Aries, ruled by Mars. Therefore, this is an passionate,
Raja Guna star because wherever there is a mix of the energies of Venus and Mars simultaneously, we get strong passion. Raja
Guna means passion, or the energy applied for material ends. The word bharan means to maintain. This star is connected with
the energies we expend to maintain ourselves in the material world. In order to go on in life, we need to maintain our lives with
the necessary foods, air, shelter, and so on, and in so doing we are required to have and use some energy.
The vagina symbol refers not only the vagina opening, but to the entire womb. The womb is the first protective and
necessities-supplying environment that we take shelter in when entering the world within a new material body. The womb is the
place where we receive the most fundamental necessity (artha) of material life, namely, our body. The way in which the Bharani
nakshatra is sybolized by the vagina is of the higher order of vision, as a source of provisions, arthas, for maintainence of human
life, and not as an object of sensual pleasure.
In general, people in material life are heavily under the sway of things ruled by Venus, namely pleasure giving things. Most
people are after pleasure, and certainly the vagina is one of, if the not the most, popularly worshipped symbol of material
pleasure. Therefore, the Vagina can be seen in a very low or very high conception, as the object of pleasure for the man, or as
the provider of the body for a life of enlightenment. When a male human acting under normal sexual impulses is under the sway
of the purusha bhava, or mood of being an enjoyer, he sees the vagina as an object of his enjoyment. When however, the same
person becomes enlightened with proper Vedic knowledge through surrender to a teacher in a proper Sampradaya, and
assumes the prakriti bhava, or mood of surrender and submission, thereafter he sees the same vagina or womb as that serving
instrument through which souls are fortunate to receive the human body, which they can use for getting free from matter once
and for all, by surrendering to the Lord. Such a properly seeing person is not lusty, and his vision of the vagina becomes
purified. It is from the platform of such pure vision that the nakshatras should be understood. In fact, one with polluted vision
cannot see the nakshatras correctly at all.
Since the soul is eternal and transcendental but the desire to enjoy in the material world is not, the Vedic scriptures prescribe
codes for how humans should perform their material lives so
that their
of aquiring one's necessities in life) don't ruin their dharma (their religion) and their chances for moksha (liberation from material
entanglement). Following these codes is proper bharan, or maintainence, and is allowable under the laws of karma. Proper use
of the "womb" of human life on Earth for the purpose of sense gratification, maintainence, religious practice and liberation is
allowable and taught in the Vedas.
The demigod who is the judge of how well we performed such actions in our lives is Yamaraj. He is known as the lord of death
and judgement of our actions. He is the one who assigns us to our next lives, and sentences us to punishments for our past bad
karmas, known as ugra-karmas or vi-karmas, bad or forbidden actions. If we followed scriptural injunctions either strictly or in
spirit correctly, then we shall not fear Yamaraj at the time of our death. Otherwise, his servants, the Yamaduttas will be visiting
us in their ghastly forms as we leave our bodies, and they drag us kicking and screaming to the court of Yamaraj where we shall
have to answer and pay for our misdeeds. Therefore, it is Yamaraj who is the demigod controller of the Bharani Nakshatra,
because of it's intimate link to how we maitain ourselves in this world.
Bharani is an artha class nakshatra. Of the four aims of
life,
"necessities". Arthas are the things we need. We all have some needs, and the fulfillment of such basic needs is allowable under
divine or karmic law. However, anarthas, which means "things which are unnecessary" are not allowable under divine or karmic
law. Therefore, the true devotees on the Vedic path strive, through their practices, to arrive at the state of anartha nivritti, or
"freedom from unwanted actions, habits, etc". If we make a life out of trying to enjoy unnecessary things such as overt sexuality,
intoxications, meat eating, exploitation of economics and money, and many other things, then we shall not be very happy in our
next life because Yamaraj will have to correct us by applying some restrictions through which we shall learn to be of a higher
nature. Because artha and anarthas is the primary axis across which one either stays righteous or deviates, it is therefore
appropriate that Yamaraj rule over this artha class star, which has much to say about how we maintain ourselves in this life.
Hence the connection between raja-passion, manushya-of mankind level, artha-needs, bharan-maintainence, and
Yamaraj-judgement.
Here is a typical verse from scripture (from Caitanya Caritamrta, Antya 6/226) regarding how persons in the final ashram of life,
the renounced order known as sannyas, should maintain themselves:
vairagira krtya- sada nama sankirtana
saka patra phal mule udara-bharan
"It is the duty of a sannyasi to always chant the holy names of the Lord and for his bodily maintainence he should collect
whatever vegetables, leaves, fruits and roots are easily available."
Notice the word bharan at the end of the verse, meaning for the maintainence of the the life. If a sannyasi does not follow the
Vedic teachings regarding his proper maintainence practices, then he may be liable for correction later.
The Vagina symbol of the Bharani star does not imply mainainence only for badly inspired pleasures, but rather it just means
maintainence of our lives here in an overall sense. Sometimes we say things such as "living in the womb of material life". The
womb or vagina should not be thought of as bad in any way. Rather, it should be thought of as a cradle for helping the soul have
a life wherein it can achieve the necessary enlightenment for achieving the higher destinations. Therefore, we are taught to honor
and respect motherhood, for which the vagina or womb is a fundamental instrument. The way that modern society spreads
within itself the lust of the vagina, or entire female form, through movies, advertisements and language usage, is very destructive
to a proper, enlightened conception of the female form, and the vagina.
It is therefore imperative that the Vedic Astrologer, in order to properly understand Bharani Nakshatra, and guide souls in their
lives, lead a personal life of spiritual regimen or sadhana, with the aim of achieving a proper conception of all creation. If a Vedic
astrologer has no better of a conception of sex, the female form, and the vagina, and the eternal purposes of these things in the
progressive journey of the soul to the state of spiritual perfection in service to the all-blissful Lord Sri Visnu or Sri
Radha-Krishna, than an average lusty modern-day person, then such a so-called Vedic astrologer will not be able to really enter
into the true workings of the planets, their vision being clouded by illusion or mohan, created by Cupid, or Madan.
In Vrndavan
important temple known by the name of Sri Sri Radha-Madan
Mohan. This name means "that
he can bewilder even Cupid, or lust personified". Madan means lust, and Mohan means "to put in illusion". Therefore, it is none
other than the Lord Himself, Sri Krishna, who can put even illusion personified into illusion. By worshipping Him, the
worshipper can become freed from the illusion of lust. The Vaisnavas of Vrndavan worship this deity as the first of three
important deities for the upliftment of their souls out of illusion and into the eternal service of the Lord and all his diverse
energies, of which a very important one is the planetary controllers whom we study and use in astrology daily. It is commonly
known and understood by proper students of astrology in properly maintained sampradayas or schools of divine teachings that
the student must advance on the path of liberation himself, otherwise their no chance of properly understanding any of the Vedic
sciences or Vedangas, including that of astrology.
Sometimes Vedic astrologers are found in the West and in
Vedic Astrology. Such persons can certainly give some correct interpretations and predictions, using the science as they learn it
from the scriptures which are readily available to all. However, they cannot enter into the deeper understandings, and they
cannot really receive the blessings of Lord Ganesh or Brhaspati, just to name a few, because of their avoidance submission to
the actual path which begins with "ahimsa" or non-violence towards all living beings as far as is practically possible for each
person. In other words, you have to be making a conscious effort to spread as much good as possible, while avoiding causing
pain to living beings as far as you can.
Some atheists go so far as to call the personalities who preside over the planets and astrology as mythological beings with no
real existence of their own outside of "energies". Their study and practice of astrology shall forever remain on a very superficial
level only. Such persons are no doubt very good souls despite this error in judgement. It is their karma to not be ready for giving
up violence in the form of meat eating or doubting divinity.
I know many such persons and they are very likeable, kind, giving, good people. But it would be better if one and all could
accept that nonviolence is a necessity for peaceful existence and that faith in divinity is the highest nectar and possession one can
ever hope for.
Vedic Astrology
Lesson #5
Copyright 1995 by Das Goravani (goravani@aol.com)
541-485-8453
Permission is granted to re-use these postings
if they remain intact and my name, phone and email are stated as here.
Personal Note: I have a received a number of thank you notes for this series. I wish to thank you instead, for being
there to read these, which along with your thanks is validation enough for me. I am a spiritualist student in divinity's
school of the universe of soft and hard knocks- trying to get it right. Thanks for your part in shaping my path. -
Goravani@aol.com
Spiritualizing the Great Free Will Debate
Before we begin, let us recognize the transcendental truths that surround us and go on for infinity, beyond the covering of this
universe, which we may never discover while in these bodies. Let us be centered on truth and devoted to truth. Let us be
humble and sincere.
I offer my praise to the Supreme Divine Couple who is sometimes manifest as Sri Sri Sita Rama. I offer my praises to their
servant who is my personal guardian, Sri Hanumanji.
To begin, let us remember that since we small souls actually do not know for sure what is really going on "out there" beyond the
Universe, and since we really don't know for sure anything other than what we can see, let us remember that all opinions about
the unknown remain only opinions and faith. And that is good- for it seems that that is exactly the way divinity wants it,
otherwise divinity would do something more than what he and she already do. Since they're in control, we can assume that what
is happening is very well and good indeed. In fact, it's ecstatic.
But back to the point: The conclusions that each of us has about divine matters and arguments are derived sometimes from our
own speculative thinking, and sometimes from what we've heard from others, perhaps even from scriptures or spiritual leaders.
Nevertheless, humility dictates that none of us be so boisterous as to think or project that our conclusion from our own
processes of reception is THE ONE AND ONLY ONE that is right for everyone.
So, it is normal and good to humbly admit one's bias before speaking. If for no other reason than to help the listener more
quickly realize where you're going with your arguments.
So, I would like to reveal my background briefly before speaking: I was introduced to formal and strict Vaishnava Hinduism at
the age of 19. Vaisnavism is that branch of Hinduism which chooses to worship Vishnu, the Supreme God, rather than
worshipping separately any of his parts or expansions such as Siva or Durga Devi. Vaisnavas are personalists, which means
they believe that there actually are spiritual planets or "heaven" where there are actual spiritual people in spiritual bodies, and
that this can be attained after many births when one is finally ready. This is in opposition to those who believe that the highest
attainment is merging into one great, formless soul known as "Brahman" or just "pure spirit". So, I'm a Vaisnava by faith. I have
had my own visions, and done my own studies, and have my own realizations, which embellish what I write. But in overall
conclusion I am one with the Vaisnava followers of the Sri Chaitanya branch of Bengali Vaisnavism. I lived for a long time with
the monks at the Sri Chaitanya Gaudiya Math temple which is
near the border with
outskirts of the city of
the nature of the soul, and the science of Karma, Reincarnation, Free Will, Destiny, etc.
We are considering now the subject of Free Will verse Destiny. The Question is: Which one is correct? Do we have free will-
are we creating our future? Or, is a predetermined path of destiny guiding our every step and thought as if we have no freedom
at all? Or is it some sort of mix?
First I will give my conclusion, then the supporting understanding. The conclusion which I ascribe to after much careful thought
on the matter is that which I feel was a central expression of the philososphy of Sri Chaitanya. Namely, that he described reality
as "acinta bed abeda tattva", which means "that everything is inconceivably simultaneously one with yet different from divinity".
Therefore, I believe and more than belief, I can see it happening, that we are fully controlled- our thoughts, everything, is in one
sense, fully controlled. I will explain how and why I believe that. But also, at the same time, due to the great wonderful magic of
the source of our creation, we feel free will at every step- as if we are doing it. This is the wonder of creation!!!
all- but instead everything is carried out by my external energetic force known as the material nature".
So, I conclude, as per the Gita's version, that the soul is merely a witness in the body. And that the lives we go through are a
gradually improving building process of graded lessons, one after the other, much like school. The soul is raised up through a
pre-determined or fully controlled lesson plan, but simultaneously always feels right at home and identifies with the lesson fully
due to having really no other choice.
When you're in a body, you usually feel pretty much like it's you, and most conscious sentient beings don't take too kindly to
someone ending their bodily existence early for them. So, we feel like we have free will, but it's really not that- we indentify with
our conditioning in the form of our body and all it's likes and dislikes which are also automatically coming to us based on our
birth- our race, family, nation, particular sub-culture experiences, schooling, exposure, and so on. It's all a part of the universe
and because we're plunked down into the middle of a body as a conscious witness, and our brain is hooked up to what feels
like the control panel, we feel pretty much like pilots.
In fact our so called "choices" are taking place within such a totally predetermined spectrum. We can't choose to date martians,
we can order food not on the menu, we can't decide to not breath, we can't change our parental set in for another. A baby born
with half a heart or no brain doesn't have much choice, does it? My daughter, burned badly when one years old doesn't have
much choice about that event or the scars. The dead on the
ground in
Since I program and use Vedic astrology daily, and since I've seen many charts and discussed peoples lives with them so much
using the Vedic chart as a guide and reference, I have literally seen repeatedly that people are all following their karma as
specified by their Vedic chart. It is very rare that a chart will not match or appear to match what the person describes of their
life. It is a most amazing and excellent science and enlightening tool.
So I see regularly that what people are doing was indicated and could have been known at the time of their birth. This includes
people with serious mental disease and serious physical problems. So, if we say that in this life you are getting reactions to your
past good and bad deeds and acting accordingly, then isn't it also true that that was the case in the last life. If we are constantly
products of reactions to OUR OWN past deeds, then how can we create new good and bad deeds, if we are going to be
limited by our past?
Some babies are born totally mentally retarded and live their whole life in an institution. What is the point? Is God punishing the
soul for being bad in a past life? What is God doing to the souls in animal bodies? What's the point of those incarnations?
The atheists and scientists have a view which cannot answer these basic questions in any way which gives the mind and
intelligence the loving, protective peace that is necessary for happiness. The Vedic theistic conception can and does however.
So which is right?
The Vedic conception is that the soul, encased in bodies in this plane is a student of divine teachings by need and nature. The
karma is a lesson plan to refine our conceptions of oursleves, our needs, and the answers to our needs. Gradually divinity raises
us in that we become purified. As Krsna says in the Gita "vasudevam sarvam iti, sa mahatma sudurlabha", that the soul is indeed
rare in this world who, after many births, finally throws up his or her arms and surrenders to divinity in devotion. Until that point,
we find that the soul remains stubborn, trying this theory and that pursuit according to their own mental speculations. Thus the
scientists and atheists are described by Krsna, and we see they are doing just what he said they will do. Then we find the
devotees, the surrendered souls, who attain real peace due to acceptance of divinity. Thus we see the purpose of this world, as
taught in the Vedas, panning out in real life.
We see that we are fully controlled, yet we see that we are forced to indentify with our lives as if we are responsible for our
choices. So again the conclusion is that free will is a planned, cognitive part of our controlled lives. Part of the absolute control is
that we are forced to face our lesson plan as if it's our own- we have to own it- even though it is also obviously fully planned
and cast upon us by divine will or destiny. Thus the conclusion "acinta bed abed", the "one yet different" philosophy, is the one
that is most correct.
The astrologer has the unique position of being able to read the karma of self and others. Thus the astrologer has the unique
position of hopefully being at peace with the divine paradigm of simultaneous destiny and