Astrological Mythology The Meaning of ... - Mandhata Global

This allegory describes the beginning of solar evolution and provides a hint
to the mysterious process of activating the primeval energy. The word Surya,
which means Sun, is derived from the root 'Su' which means "to produce,
bring forth, a parent" and is also related to courage, valor and so on.
Tvashtar means a carpenter, a builder, a workman. Tvashtri as his daughter
has these capacities as well. Aditi, the mother of the Sun, means the earth
and is also the mother of the gods. It stands for that which is the beginning
and the end, the alpha and omega. Aditya, meaning the son of Aditi, stands
for the Sun. Sanjna, another name of Tvashtri the wife of the Sun, means
consciousness, understanding and intellect, as well as a sin. Chhaya
ordinarily means shadow, but it also means a reflected image, the blending
of colors, protection and darkness.
Returning to the story, while the Sun was taken care of by Chhaya, who
always remained with him, he mistook her for his real wife and became
infatuated with her. When his real wife returned, she was upset and felt hurt.
In remorse, she left the Sun. She did not wish to return to her father, so she
began to wander in the form of a mare. When the Sun realized the deception,
he began to seek his real wife. He found Tvashtri in the form of a mare, so
he assumed the form of a horse. He pursued her and became united to her.
From this union was born the twin Ashwins, the two horsemen, and they
were placed in the sky as the first asterism, Ashwini*.
The Ashwins possess great healing and rejuvenating powers. Their powers
are described in the story of an old sage, Chyavan by name, who married
some young princesses who were thereby eager for a full marital relationship
with him. In pursuance of their request, the Ashwins made the sage young
again so that his consorts could enjoy him. This same power was displayed
on other occasions. When Parikshit, the last of the Dwapara Yuga kings, was
condemned to die by the bite of Takshat — the principle serpent of the
underworld — the Ashwins were about to restore his life. However, Takshat
insisted that they should consider whether it was right to do so. After
thinking it over, they left king Parikshit to die according to the course of his
own destiny.
The asterism Ashwini also represents rejuvenating power capable of
restoring youth to the old and decrepit and of life to the dead — even when
death is by the bite of the most venomous serpent. But this healing power
needs the guidance of spiritual teachers (Takshat was a Naga, a wise teacher)
to judge whether or not it should be used.
Ashwa, the horse, the symbol of this asterism, is associated with the number
seven, the most sacred of all the numbers. Everything important and
auspicious is connected with seven. The creative energy which emanates