Crocodile (makara), Varuna (Aquarius) , Tula (Sibi's myth) and their symbolis

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Aum Namah Shivaya

 

Dear group,

 

Talking of the crocodile as the symbol for Capricorn, the other

symbol of the goat-fish (even Varahamihira gives it in Brhat Jataka)

was also in use at some point of time. But the crocodile seems to

have become more popular and started playing the role of

Manmadha's banner (Manmadha the ARCHER), the crocodile of Gajendra

Moksha and most importantly, the vehicle of Varuna. The crocodile as

the vahana of Varuna brings another interesting point into focus- the

symbol of Aquarius.

 

While Varahamihira describes Aquarius as a man carrying an empty pot,

one cannot agree with him. We all know how much he was influenced by

the Yavanas. I am inclined to believe that originally the Vedic

tradition could NOT have been a man carrying an empty pot on his

shoulders. Look at ANY STAR ATLAS. Aquarius is invariably picturised

as a man holding an inverted water pot and pouring the water down on

earth. Doesn't it sound familiar? That IS VARUNA! The Rig Veda

(V.85. 3) describes Varuna thus, "Varuna lets the big cask, opening

downward, flow through the heaven and earth and air's mid-region.

Therewith the Universe's Sovereign waters earth as the shower of rain

bedews the barley".

 

Is there further reason to support Varuna as the symbol of Aquarius?

Varuna is the deity for Satabhisha (Lamda aquarius) and is riding the

crocodile (makara-capricorn). And what of the Indian idea of waiting

for transits through Dhanishta Panchakam, waiting for the KUMBHA

VRISHTI? So Aquarius is not just A MAN with an EMPTY water pot, but

VARUNA with an INVERTED POT POURING WATER down. Thus Makara when

treated as a crocodile could be vahana of Varuna. Remember the

crocodile and Ganga?

 

Likewise for most rasis. Another example would be Tula (Libra). Some

of the qualities of Libra seem to be derived more from the following,

than from Venus or it being the seventh sign. What is it that

BALANCES, about Libra? Apart from the idea that the ecliptic branches

off (vi+sakha) to the south, from Visakha (Vi + Sakha), or that the

days and nights are equal, when the Sun is in Tula, there seems to be

something more. Who are the presiding deities of Visakha? Indra and

Agni. While the shape of Visakha is round and can be interpreted as

the Vedic fire altar, or even the pan of the scales of a Balance,

(the symbol of Libra), something else needs our attention -the story

of SIBI chakravarti that we would have read as kids. Emperor Sibi, an

epitome of Dharma, who weighed (tula) himself in the scale/pan to

satisy the falcon and protect the dove. And do you remember who

actually the Dove and Falcon, who came to test Sibi's sense of

Dharma, his sense of Justice, were? INDRA and AGNI. The very deities

who rule Visakha! So Libra's association with a sense of justice,

judges etc comes not just from the scales/balance, but from the

symbolism of the story of Sibi PROBABLY.

 

So too with the other naksatras. I have just cited two examples from

a few that come to mind. But a word of caution is needed. While it is

becoming increasingly popular for some western vedic astrologers (and

Indian too) to use the symbols of the naksatras in interpretation,

quite often it is done very loosely! Look at how some use Bharani! A

SIGN and SYMBOL are NOT the same. Using the symbol as a sign is worse

than not using it at all. (Please do Not read anything here as

reflecting on any particular discussion here or on anyone. This has

NOTHING to do with the previous discussion. I am just commenting on

the general trend among some vedic astrologers, which comes to mind,

as a passing thought, while we are discussing similar issues.)

 

 

Most myths and deities of the Puranas and Itihasas seem to have an

astronomical basis too apart from the archetypal significance. I

sometimes feel that even the deep-rooted archetypes too have some

unconscious origin in the skies. Are we not "the stuff of the

stars come alive"? (Back to Cosmic Roots). Are they not part of our

identity with the One? Don't we carry the Universe within us,

within our minds? And hence mythology and astronomy will continue to

fascinate us in this unconscious attempt to seek the forgotten

identity with the Cosmos. While it is true that both myth and

astronomy hold a crucial key to unlock more secrets, doing so will

require a more thorough knowledge of the Vedic and Puranic literature

(or sometimes even Myth from other ancient cultures from across the

globe, to see the links) as well as **Astronomy. Quite a tough job!

 

 

Regards,

Satya

 

There are more such examples