Astrological Mythology The Meaning of ... - Mandhata Global

necessary for completing its mundane journey. Under Magha, the soul
begins the outer journey ordained for it. The palanquin symbolizes the soul's
preparedness for the journey. On a chariot the king goes to the battlefield but
on a palanquin he undertakes his usual visitations.
The palanquin and chariot are both modes of transportation but quite
different from each other. This distinguishes the basic nature of the two
asterisms with which they are associated. The chariot is related to Rohini,
while the palanquin refers to Magha. A chariot is generally associated with
the army, while the palanquin is for the nobles and tne elite. A chariot is
pulled by horses, an inferior level of creation, while the palanquin is carried
by human beings. This shows that the individual in the palanquin enjoys
special status among people, A chariot is pulled on wheels but the palanquin
is built around the central, generally undulated, pole.
The wheel represents Divine perfection and the nature's inherent creative
impulse. This impulse leads to gradual involution of the spirit into matter.
Such is the influence of the fourth asterism, Rohini. But the undulated pole,
usually made of bamboo, has several knots in it, which symbolically relate
to the spinal cord within which is concealed the serpent fire or Kundalini.
The servants who carry the palanquin represent the five organs of action and
five sense organs which carry the soul where it wants to go. At Magha, the
human individual is bestowed with Divine capabilities. The soul is informed
of its Divine mission and is stationed at the place wherefrom it can make its
onward journey. This also shows the significance of the house, the other
symbol of this asterism. At this stage of evolution, the individual has to
make up his mind, take decisions and direct his faculties towards the
destined goal. The human soul has reached a situation where the natural
impulses guiding his progress cease and he is required to take a stock of his
resources and regulate his own actions.
The house emphasizes the human body as a vehicle of the Supreme, while
the palanquin refers to an external means of transportation. The comparison
between the human body and a house is often found in spiritual literature.
The great Vedantic philosopher Shankara explains this comparison in great
detail in Vivekachudamani (verse 92). The physical sheath sustains and
nourishes the individual as well as provide the necessary means of action for
it. Even in the Bible, there is mention of the tabernacle, as the seat of the
Supreme. The tabernacle was made so that "I may dwell among them." The
purpose of this tabernacle is to transport the experiencing soul from one
stage of development in another. At Magha, the Divine radiance produces
the human being complete in his material sheaths so that he can fulfill his
Divine mission.