Astrological Mythology The Meaning of ... - Mandhata Global
Astrological Mythology The Meaning of ... - Mandhata Global
Astrological Mythology The Meaning of ... - Mandhata Global
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2 BHARANI<br />
Bhatani extends from 13° 20' to 26° 40' <strong>of</strong> the zodiac, thereby also falling<br />
within the sign <strong>of</strong> Aries ruled by Mars. <strong>The</strong> asterism itself is ruled by Venus.<br />
Bharani has the basic attribute <strong>of</strong> Rajas or activity on primary and secondary<br />
levels, with Tamas on a tertiary level. Its primary motivation is Artha,<br />
directed activity. Three important keys to reveal its inner meaning are found.<br />
First is its symbol, the yoni or female reproductive organ. Second, is its<br />
basic principle (tattwa) Shakti, the cosmic passive principle, and third, is its<br />
presiding deity is Yama, the god <strong>of</strong> death.<br />
Ashwini, the first asterism, represents the cosmic energy in its latent state,<br />
differentiated from the void or nothingness, yet not in its kinetic potential.<br />
<strong>The</strong> second asterism symbolized by the yoni or female reproductive organ<br />
establishes this potential as the channel for creation.<br />
<strong>The</strong> Sanskrit name for the female generative organ, bhaga, has several<br />
meanings. In Hindu rituals and observances the feminine creative energy has<br />
great importance. It relates symbolically to the arghya, the chalice used for<br />
pouring water on statues <strong>of</strong> deities, signifying thereby a means or channel<br />
for expressing one's devotion to the supreme. <strong>The</strong> cosmic feminine force is<br />
<strong>of</strong>ten compared with a boat which transports people and goods from one<br />
place to another. Water symbolizes the movement <strong>of</strong> the life-force. <strong>The</strong><br />
second asterism also has the connotation <strong>of</strong> transporting souls from one<br />
realm <strong>of</strong> existence to another, or from the realm <strong>of</strong> subjective to objective<br />
manifestation. <strong>The</strong> word bhaga also means that which is auspicious, and is<br />
derived from the root 'Bhaj* which is connected with nourishment. It shows<br />
Bharani's function as a conduit through which the divine energy flows to<br />
nourish the manifestation. <strong>The</strong> Arghya with which water is poured to express<br />
one's devotion also symbolizes a bridge between the human and the Divine.<br />
Noah's ark which resembles arghya, is also a conduit, a channel through<br />
which the divine seed or energy is transported to a safer time and space for<br />
its flowering. It also is a symbol <strong>of</strong> the feminine creative power. In Vedantic<br />
philosophy, the two primary powers <strong>of</strong> manifestation ai said to be Shiva<br />
tattwa and Shakti tattwa, the active and the passive principles, the<br />
centrifugal and the centripetal forces in nature on whose polarization and<br />
interaction depends all subsequent manifestation. Ashwini is <strong>of</strong> the nature <strong>of</strong><br />
Shiva whereas Bharani represents Shakti. As a powerful attractive center<br />
drawing to itself the kinetic potential, it directs the energy on its course.