Jyothisha

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Jayasree

Saranathan

 

The Eye of the Veda Purusha

 

Jyothisha means "Knowledge of Light". The source of Light that increases our intellect is none other than the Supreme God who is mediated upon in the Gayatri mantram.

That God is Savitur, the Sun.

 

The Supreme God who is seen as the Source of Light permeates all the three worlds of Prithvi (earth), Antahriksham (atmosphere) and Dyaur loka (celestial sphere) with his thousand crores of rays. The Light of this deity (Bhargo devasya) is meditated upon so that He will guide us in the right direction.

 

The mechanism of how this deity of the Sun guides Creation, Sustenance and Destruction in these three worlds is understood from the Eye of Veda Purusha, the Jyothisha Sastra!

 

Vedas do not exist without the Vedangas. Vedanga is not complete without Jyothisha.

The Veda Purusha is personified in a form as

 

 

Chandah Padoutu Vedasya Hastaha Kalpoudha Pathyate

Jyothishmayanam Chakshushu Niruktam Shrotra Muchyate

Sikshaghranastu Vedasya Mukham Vyakaranam Smrutam

Tasmat Sanga Madheetyeva Brahma Loke Maheeyate

 

 

Jyothisha is personified as "Chakshus", — the eye that helps to

see the Light of Vedas.

It is said:

 

Sarvendriyaanaam Nayanam Pradanam

 

Eye is the foremost sense organ that helps in grasping the real

import of the things seen. The Jyothishic Eye aids in transcendence from Tamas to Jyothish thereby making the seeker realize Amrutham by overcoming Mrityu.

 

The Deity Of Light — Savitur

 

How astrological principles evolved

 

Every Vedic mantra speaks about the prevalence of Jyothi –the God of Light in some form encircling the Creation. The prayer is for deriving maximum benefits from this Jyothi – the ultimate benefit being –

merger at His Lotus feet after overcoming the cycle of births.

This deity is manifest as different sub-deities in different contexts. For instance, the very first verse on Savitur is

"AGNI I first invoke for our prosperity; I call on Mitra, Varuna, to aid us here." (R-V- 1-35).

 

The primary attribute noticed in Savitur, the Sun is the Agni. The heat of Agni is felt most when the sun travels the part of the sky that is identified with the star Krittika.

 

This attribute of Savitur, namely Agni is therefore a deity who

is said to reign the part of the sky identified as Krittika. Therefore the star Krittika came to be ruled by the deity called Agni. From Krittika arises the term Karthari. Karthari is the time the Sun travels in Krittika, burning the world. From this arose the Karthari yoga, popularly known as `Katthiri yoga' of summer when the heat is unbearable.

From this perception of heat felt by mankind, arose a set of rules for the sake of reducing the hardship thus caused by the excess heat. The Karthari-phalan is framed such that no work on soil, wood and stones must be done during this period.

Mrut daru sila karmaani varjayet

It is difficult to work with these things under the hot sun without jeopardizing one's health. Thus arose the Karthari rule of not doing any festivities that required setting up Mantaps or work in the outside during this period so that people can avoid venturing out in the

hot sun.

In this way numerous other Jyothishic principles are formed by `seeing' the Veda Purusha and how he influences the worlds!

 

Explanations and interpretations can be developed for all the Gods of the Vedas. For example, in the above quoted first verse on Savitur, the invocation is on two other deities namely Mitra and Varuna.

 

Mitra follows behind Agni. Mitra means friend. If Agni becomes unbearable, Mitra following him from behind reduces the heat by the sub-deity in his charka, namely Varuna. Whenever heat crosses a limit, Mitra's blessings come in the form of accumulation of clouds and attraction of monsoon rains. Even if Agni is not severe, Mitra does his job of a Friend of Nature by attracting water molecules. Every arghyam that is given at midday and every tarpanam that is given at midday or any water particle that escapes into atmosphere from anywhere on earth at any time is absorbed by Mitra to be transferred to Varuna. This is not just an interpretative logic. This is made out in Vaastu pada vinyasa! The Sun with his sub-ordinate deities praised in Veda mantrams are depicted as a charka in Vastu sastra. The primary depiction of the Sun god surrounded by 8 deities on 8 directions is depicted as below. Varuna follows Mitra in the West.

 

 

 

It is not an exaggeration to say that almost all the Gods praised or worshiped in Veda mantrams are physically or symbolically identified with some entity in Jyothisha sastra. The deities of the Vedas are identified with some part of the sky and Surya's sojourn in that part gives rise to certain `climate' or varthamaana, which is extracted by the Vedic mantras for some benefit.

 

The Basis Of Astrology

 

The travel of the Sun in the sky is perceived from different angles — in the background of the stars, the zodiac and the planets. The basic grasp of these stars (who are identified by their lords in the

Vedas), the zodiac with 12 signs and 12 bhavas and the grahas is what Jyothisha is all about.

It is said that one must know a thing and by knowing that thing, everything of it can be known. In Ramanuja Bhashyam on Brahama Sutras we hear of the analogy of knowing the nature of clay so that one can know about everything made of clay. This is analogous to knowing the

nature of Brahman to know everything of His creation which is nothing but Himself in manifest form. Similarly by knowing the above said basics

(stars, signs, bhavas and planets), one can understand any application in astrology. What is to be remembered in this context is that these basics are part and parcel of the Sun and the travel of the Sun seemingly around the world.

This is analogous to the protection given to Parikshit in the womb of Uttara. Like Sriman Narayana who protected the baby by going round and round the baby as a Chakra of Light, this world is protected by the Sun that is tirelessly going round and round the earth. Sun is the Prathyaksha God of this world. The worship of this God was brought to the notice of mankind by sage Vishwamitra — the friend of the Universe — in the form of Gayatri mantra.

 

The Supreme Mantra For Release From All Diseases

 

No wonder almost all the sages who have been recognized as Jyothisha Pravarthakas (pioneers) have prescribed Gayatri mantra as the prime medicine for any cure – karmic or of the body. They further simplified by introducing one mantra in their samhitas, for persons of any background. They recommend `Achyutha, Ananda, Govinda' as a cure for

all diseases. All the other pariharas are of secondary nature only! What all the sages have said was again reiterated by Veda Vyasa by handing out a triple promise of Satyam.

 

 

Achyudananda Govinda Namocchaarana Bheshajaath |

Nasyanthi Sakalaa Rogaa Satyma Satyam Vadamyaham |

Satyam Satyam Punar Satyam ||

 

 

This is the mantra for kaliyuga for any ailment ranging from bad dreams to unbearable pain. This mantra has been promised by the sages. This mantra also bears the stamp of promise by the Lord Himself who calls "Maam Ekam Sharanam Vraja".

 

The sages have also handed down the utility of worshipping other attendant devatas of Sun.

It is like how the Light of the sun is not always used directly

as it is — but derived through other means. The benefit of the Sun God

is derived through his attendant deities. These deities have selective relevance and so selective benefits are derived from them. This is found

in Veda mantras too in the form of different verses on different deities. This rationale is applicable to planetary deities too.

The Relevance of Planetary Devatas

 

The journey of the Sun across the sky with its attendant deities is explained in Aruna Prasnam in Yajur vada. The Deities or Devathas are seen as Light Forces that occupy all the three worlds. The planets that receive the Devathas in the form of Light reflect back the light to the earth. The planets are perceived as the 7 grahas (5 planets

+ Moon + Sun) controlling the 3 forms of life on earth, namely sthavara, jangama and manushya.

There may be any number of planets in the solar system at present or discovered later. But according to sage Parasara, only those planets whose light reaches earth must be considered as Grahas in astrology. Only those planets whose light reaches the earth are said to guide Life on earth by means of the deity present in the light they reflect.

Each graha reflects light of a selective wavelength in such a way that the deity represented by them becomes the ruler of a specific set of significances. The Sun as the source of all light is the foremost

Graha among others. The 8th and 9th grahas are the nodes which influence life on earth by association with other grahas.

 

The Uniqueness of the Navagraha mantras is that they are placed

after the Aruna Prasnam in Yajur Veda — as a continuation of the depiction of the way that Sun rules the world. The Sun is manifest as graha devathas at Dyaur loka.At the level of Prithvi, it is manifest as Vastu Purusha with attendant deities.

According to Vastu Sastra, the sun light falling on the earth comes with 32 deities.

 

In that way, the entire earth is filled by Surya and 32 deities. Just as how the image of sun captured in water kept in a million cups will show a million suns, the sun light falling on any object and every object on earth will capture the Sun with its deities. In this way the Sun God dominates all life and non-life forms on earth. The Sun God is surrounded by 8 primary deities in a specific order. Wherever Sun light falls, these deities also descend along with the Sun light in the specific pattern. This is depicted as below.

 

 

 

Aryama in the east, Mitra in west, Prithvidhara in the north and Vivaswan in the south. The four corners are occupied by other deities. The central region Brahmasthaan is always occupied by the Supreme lord Surya Narayana Himself.

 

These deities possess the power to create certain energies. Apah in NE is the creator of Life.

 

Savita in SE destroys hunger. Savita is eulogized in Savittri Upanishad as the twins Balai- ati balai in whose presence one feels full

at stomach.The east is for growth and prosperity. The North is ruled by

Prithvidhara. The deity of this part makes the person follow the Purusharthas with perfection. Though the South is identified with Yama, the Vastu deity of this part ensures a safety net from losses. The NW is

ruled by the deity who gives protection from diseases.

 

The SW is ruled by the deity who gives protection from any danger, particularly against danger to crops. The west is ruled by a deity who makes one supreme with good qualities and thwarts all opposition from enemies. It gives a resting place from enemies and troubles.

 

The spread of these 8 deities is further supported by other sub-deities who occupy any object or area on the earth. The systematic spread of these deities is deduced as VAstu pada VinyAsa by ancient works such as Mayamata, ManasAra, AparAjitha Priccha and Shilpa Tratnadhi grantha.

There are 32 types of Pada VinyAsa depending on the application

and purpose.

 

For residential purpose, EkashIti pada vastu is suitable. This is done by dividing the site into 9 X 9 equal parts. For Mantaps and yaaga shalas, shata-pada vastu is applicable whereby the area is divided

into 10 X10 . For installation of Navagraha deities, PItha vastu is done whereby the area is divided into 3 X 3. The Navagrahas are Dyaur devathas and their installation is in tandem with the spread of VAstu devathas on the ground.

The navagraha mantras coming after Aruna Prasnam, are about how

these grahas take position in accordance with the spread of Sun and his

VAstu devathas.

 

 

 

The Brahmashaana is in the Centre – the place of the Supreme God. Surya is praised in this position. Soon after installation of the Main deity, the first action is to take care of the direction of South. It is because the South is the way to the other world. Since the desire is to live for long, the South is first guarded by the warrior or Commander of the sun, namely Kuja (Mars). From South, the next step is the east. East stands for Prosperity. The Indra-pada of the east is the best door way to have in any house. So that direction is taken care of by installing Sukra or Venus, the giver of Prosperity. Once the area or mandala is made secure by a front door, the attention is turned to the next immediate requirement of food. That is the SE corner endowed with savita and savitri who can make one free of hunger. Food grows in the place where Savita resides. That is why kitchen is established in the SE corner of a house. Moon is responsible for the growth of crops and food. Soma fulfils all thirsts. So Chandra is installed next in this corner.

 

Once the food needs are taken care of, the attention is diverted into the vital functions of the body. The vital functions are controlled by Fluids. The fluids can be anything from nervous fluids to the fluids found in cells and glands. The Deity that bestows benefits to

fluids is `apah' found in the NE. Mercury or Budhan is installed there so that he can always help in keeping the fluid systems of the body in good stead. Mercury is considered as one who works in accordance with the graha he is associated with. This tendency is understood from the fluid that moves all over the body and in all organ systems. The characteristic of the fluids is such that it works along with organ system where it is found.

 

After bodily requirements are taken care of, it is time for spiritual growth. This can happen with proper adherence to the 4 Purusharthas. The North with the deity Prithvidhara is a place for shower of all riches with reference to Dharma and Artha. So Guru is installed here next. Once this is done, it is time for rest. The West is

the place of Mitra and also deities like Varuna who provides freedom from enemies and gives comfortable resting place. Saturn is installed here. Saturn in its positive end confers good relaxation. Relaxation and

rest are not possible if one is suffering from ailments. The two sides

of the West (Saturn) are occupied by Ketu in NW and Rahu in SW. There is a difference in the location of these 2 nodes in some places. But the

above depiction is as per Vastu principles. The NW is ruled by Rudra with sub-deities that control Roga or diseases.

 

The SW is ruled by Indra whose sub deities Nairtti and Mrga control one from dangers and protects crops respectively. Crops and cultivation are connected with Rahu. Even a small digging of the earth invites the wrath of Rahu. Any abuse of earth or harm to the lives found inside the earth will attract the wrath of the deities of this direction. That is why is why Rahu is installed here to relieve one from the troubles of this nature. NW is ruled by Rudra with attendant deities who control diseases of different kinds. Ketu is signifactor of peculiar diseases and also the Karmic diseases. He is one who guides one

from the affliction of Karma-phala. He is installed in this location as

the Final deity.

 

(to be continued)

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