Astrological Mythology The Meaning of ... - Mandhata Global

1 ASHWINI
Ashwini, the first asterism or lunar mansion starts at the beginning of the
sign Aries and extends from 00° 00' to 13° 20' of the zodiac. It consists of
three stars in the form a horse. The Vedas represent the asterism by two
horses. Classical texts link it with a celestial nymph who in later times was
considered the mother of the Vedic gods, the Ashwins. Ketu, the south node
of the Moon which relates to the abstract intellect, is the planetary ruler of
Ashwini. Mars, which aids in the expansion of the internal to the external in
order to carry forward the evolutionary process, owns the sign Aries which
contains it. The asterism has the basic attribute of Rajas, activity, which
occurs on all levels. Its primary motivation is dharma, principle or honor.
The Sun is exalted here.
Ashwini is related to the activation of the primeval energy from its state of
latency. In Hindu mythology no one is able to withstand the radiance of the
Sun-god (Surya). The Sun-god was therefore left alone without anyone to
share his life. To enable him to have a wife, the first task was to reduce his
effulgence.
The resplendence of the Sun was so unbearable that his mother, Aditi,
approached her husband, the sage Kashyapa, for help in reducing it.
Kashyapa divided the fetus into twelve parts, and made each a Sun in its
own realm.
The Sun belonging to our universe was married to the daughter of Tvashtar
(also called Vishwakarma), the celestial architect, but the girl found it
difficult to discharge her marital responsibilities with such a dazzling
spouse. In order to discover her own dharma (responsibility), she went to
perform penance. As she left to do so, she instructed her handmaid, Chhaya
(meaning shadow), to look after her husband.