Astrological Mythology The Meaning of ... - Mandhata Global

yogis and seers. The special role of the Kundalini in cosmic evolution has
been described in many teachings in a highly concealed manner.
The reference to the serpent inducing Eve to partake of the apple in the
garden of Eden shows directly the function of the serpent in starting the
drama of human creation. In several Hindu myths this revelation is more
indirect. According to one, the world is balanced on the head of Shcsha-
Naga, the celestial serpent. He is the cosmic float for Vishnu, the
preservative principle, when in the form of Narayana, Vishnu moved on the
ocean of primordial matter, known as Kshira-Sagara, the ocean of milk.
When the churning of the ocean by the gods and the demons took place at
the time of cosmic creation, Shesha-Naga functioned as the churning rope.
These allegories are very profound but one aspect of them is very clear.
Whenever the serpent symbol is used in spiritual allegories, it represents the
mystic power which assists the successive stages of cosmic evolution. For
this very reason, there is a wide tradition of snake worship. Serpents have
been considered protectors of many communities and races. Despite the fact
that they contain poisonous venom, which often can be fatal, they are also
considered the embodiment of wisdom and enlightenment. The assignment
of the serpent to Ashlesha indicates the deeply mystical power radiating
from the asterism which rightly absorbed can produce great electrifying
energy, but in case of misuse can be fatally dangerous.
A unique characteristic of the serpent is its bipolarity, its forked tongue. The
serpent represents immense good. It is for this reason that almost every god
and goddess of Hindu mythology has serpents in their ornamentation. Lord
Krishna is fabled as subjugating the serpent lying at the bottom of the
Yamuna river when his ball, with which he was playing, fell into its waters.
In the churning of the ocean, the serpent was instrumental in extracting both
nectar and poison from its depths. Indian teachings consider the serpent as
capable of both good and bad. Classical Indian texts have made the serpent a
symbol of wisdom, procreation, wealth and prosperity, as well as of sex,
trouble, danger and unexpected attack. The asterism Ashlesha is associated
with these contradictory qualities. The effect of Ashlesha is thereby difficult
to predict.
The serpent symbol reveals the complex and often misunderstood
psychology of Ashlesha. People under the influence of this asterism are
deeply philosophical, thoughtful, austere, self-reliant and reclusive, but they
can on occasion behave in the most ordinary and crude manner -harsh,
selfish and venomous. They cannot tolerate any personal humiliation. These
characteristics are well represented by the serpent. The venom in a serpent is
not a part of its general constitution. It is found under its fangs and is not