Astrological Mythology The Meaning of ... - Mandhata Global

y Mercury. Its symbol is a human head and it is often said to resemble a
precious stone or jewel. Its presiding deity is Rudra, the god of destruction
and its planetary ruler is Rahu, the north node of the Moon. The primary
motivation of the asterism is Kama, desire or passion, while its basic
attribute is Rajas, activity, with Tamas at a secondary and Sattwa at a tertiary
level.
Ardra means green, fresh, soft, moist, not dry. It is also a name of the demon
Taraka, referred to relative to the asterism Krittika. An understanding of the
spiritual implications of Ardra are made easier by a closer study of the story
of this demon.
The main point to consider in this regard is the devotion of Taraka to
Brahma, the creator of the universe, for whom he practiced severe austerities
to get his desired boon of undefeatable power. He did not desire immortality
but great prowess. He asked for such strength that only a seven day old child
could slay him, which he thought impossible. Having received this boon, he
began to oppress the gods.
The meaning of Ardra is also indicated by the softness and freshness of new
growth attributed to it. The effusiveness of activity, enthusiasm and the urge
for expansion are inherent qualities of Ardra.
Ardra represents the mind or thinking capacity, the essential characteristic of
human beings, symbolized by the human head. The nature of the mind is the
ability to comprehend. This asterism refers to the power to comprehend
generally and not with knowledge of anything in particular. The possibility
of recognizing oneself, seeing the working of one's mind, and thereby
acquiring self-knowledge, also occurs through the mind. Such a
comprehension, that is, the direct perception of a reality, whether within
oneself or outside, is always new. It does not assume any previous
knowledge.
Having become aware of one's existence under Mrigashira, under Ardra the
individual looks, perceives, searches within as well as without, and through
this mental activity arrives at the perception of things. The understanding of
the relationships in which one exists is the outcome of the mind. It is the
mind which imposes itself on the things we perceive and establishes
connection with them. This faculty is generally described as intelligence.
The ethereal nature of intelligence is comparable to the tenderness or
freshness of any pure experience like that of first love or affection. Ardra
means freshness, wetness and newness. Intelligence has the same qualities
which arise as a result of direct perception, which occurs through the
inquiring mind signified by the previous asterism, Mrigashira.