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yajvan
26 July 2007, 08:39 PM
Hari Om
~~~~~~

Namaste,

This part of Nakshatra is getting to know them, these asterisms, a bit better. Lets talk about them as a group and sub-groups before going into each Nakshatra itself.

Qualities of Nakshastras
Krsna says, of the stars I am the moon - so as we see Krsna dancing as the moon going for one Nakshatra to another each evening. These Nakshatras help one understand the mental plane of the individual - the mind, emotions, psyche etc. of the native.

Sometimes we're aware of subtle changes in our feelings, thoughts, behaviors, personalities, and sometimes not. Other times the changes are substantial ( bad hair day) and some times they are joyous, challenging, uplifting, etc. We are influenced because of the movement of this cosmic impulse of the moon, transiting the Nakshatras. Add to this the other 8 planets and it is an orchestra playing, yes?

There are many ways to look at these asterisms… lets tart with Groupings.

3 Groups of 9 ( A common theme)
It is of great interest that each Nakshatra is owned by a Graha. Under this scheme the 9 graha's are represented 3 times ( 3 X 9 = 27). They go in order starting in Aries Rasi, with the first asterism of Ashwini. This is owned by Ketu. Then Venus is the next owner of Te next asterism Bharani, then Sun owns Krittika. So here is the order that repeats 3 times in the 360 ° cycle.

Ketu, Venus, Sun, Moon, Mars, Rahu, Jupiter, Saturn, Mercury. This set of 9 then went exactly 120° in the zodiac. Ending in Cancer, 30°. Note that 9 Nakshatras are completed and 4 rasi signs are also completed ( Aries, Taurus, Gemini, and Cancer) - Keep in mind that we just went though the 4 aims of life purushaartha of Dharma, Artha, Kama and Moksha
Also note that we went though 120° of the zodiac and the basis for the length of life in Kai Yuga. Hence this Vimshottari Dasa
(120 year division) is based on these 9 graha's (planets) and the longitude of 120°. More on this later, but wanted to make a point Of this as we will use this later in other posts - so this is a 'note to self'.

When the next set of Nakshatra's that start the 120° segment, of 9 Nakshatras ( this is called a paryaya) and 4 rasi's they will follow the same Graha pattern of Ketu, Venus, Sun, Moon, Mars, Rahu, Jupiter, Saturn, Mercury. This starts in the rasi (sign) of Leo. So what changes? The qualities of the Nakshatras. What are those qualities? Lets take a look.

Nakshatra Qualities
There are considered 3 groups ( Macro level)
Forceful and positive group of 9 that influence the native
Moderate and tolerant group of 9 that influence the native
Not So Forceful~ Passive group of 9 that influence the native
A total of 27. So what does this mean? What are the qualities these asterism possess and transfer to the native?

The Forceful and positive
You may want to think of assertiveness. Bold, courageous, daring, ability to win over obstacles. These asterisms are passionate as a nature and force is the driver.

Moderate and tolerant
Tolerance, love of the arts and wealth e.g. abundance is attractive here. A live and let live philosophy - let have grief over others that that interfere in their way of life.

Not So Forceful~Passive Group
Think of truthful, kindness, more purity in motive and intent. If there is a choice of controversy or compromise, compromise would be the order of the day. Due to this quality, one can bring the best out in peoples' POV's, yet without the challenge and friction. Where this could be accomplished by the Forceful and positive, more energy would be expended.

Purushaartha Group - the 4 aims of life: Dharma, Artha, Kama and Moksha we have discussed in the past.
Dharma - that which upholds; some call righteousness in action, purposefulness
Artha - relating to ones life supporting actions; abundance, wealth, prosperity.
Kama - that of desires and fulfilling them; passion to succeed, to fulfill, to achieve.
Moksha - that of liberation. If there were people thinking in Maslow's principles, this would be Self-acutualization; Satyam, Truth
in ones actions, family, society and like [ one does not need to be of sanatana dharm to desire Self-actualization ]

Next Group - Yoni
That is the gender of the Nakshatra
Male or purusha yoni
Female or sthree yoni
Neuter or eunuch called napunsaka yoni

Why is this group important ? It contributes to how it shapes one thinks about oneself , actions and the environment. Each group tends to have a certain quality and place where one would excel - say being a doctor (Purusha yoni) or cooking (sthree yoni) , working with gold and silver (sthree yoni), warriors fall under napunsaka yoni per the texts , yet seems like this is a combination of Forceful + purusha group, yet I digress.
More on this after we lay out all the groups.

Guna ( my favorite)
We know there is sattva, rajas and Tamas. The Nakshatras have these qualities also. We can talk for some time on these qualities,
Yet for now:
Sattva is more then 'goodness' it is a quality of purity, and a derivative of that is goodness. More illuminating
Rajas is that of action, motion and dynamism - mobility, achievement and movement. More energy, tajas, fire.
Tamas is that of inertia some say darkness, yet we need dark? How would one sleep or retire without this quality. So there is a restraining quality, more material.

Recall from past posts each graha also has a guna quality attached to it. This will assist if you care to take a look at this HDF Post: http://www.hindudharmaforums.com/showthread.php?t=1648 (http://www.hindudharmaforums.com/showthread.php?t=1648)
Now to confuse the issue and we will take this up later as this is an advanced Jyotish concept that I am just getting my arms around…. The Guna's operate at 3 levels: primary, secondary and tertiary. Each Nakshatra has these 3 levels operating all the time. To explain this now, is not the right time but wanted to inform you , we now have a Nakshatra that can have 3 guna's to each ( because that always come in 3's)… even the most sattvic person is 99.999999999 % Sattva, the other 0.0000000001% is made of rajas and tamas. Its just part of the package of this material loka.

Gana
This is another grouping. What loka or world is the Nakshatra connected with??
Deva Loka - ruled by the deva's or gods - some say Swarga Loka
Manushya Loka - ruled by humans
Asura Loka - ruled by asura or raksha


Dosa - ( from Ayurveda)
Vata , Pitta and Kapha. Each Nakshatra has a particular dosa (constitution) quality.

What of Tattva? - 4 groups of 7
There are 5 tattva . Akasha, Agni, Vayu, apa, prithi - Space, fire/energy , wind/gas, water/fluids, and earth or material level. All of the Nakshatras as all the 12 sun constellations are supported in akasha, all have this quality. So, the Nakshatra's are then divided up into the 4 groups ( of 7 each as Abhijit is counted here) for Agni, Vayu, Apa and Prithi (some write Prthvi) These Groups are lead by Vayu, Varuna, Agni and Indra.


These qualities then are conferred to the native… you can see there is lots of moving parts, yes? I can appreciate why there can be so many permutations of human beings let alone other beings on this good earth. What starts this 'wheel' moving? The ascendent (Lagnam) and the Janma Nakshatra, the asterism the Moon is in, and Surya Lagna , the postion of the Sun.


I leave you with Parashara-muni , from the Rig Veda.
'The Lord has decorated the heavens with the constellations like pearls on a dark steed. The light of Surya hides them in the day, and all knowledge of them is Divined in the darkness of the night'.


All glory to Him who breathes out the Ved