Astrological Mythology The Meaning of ... - Mandhata Global

Nakshatra-Nath or "Lord of the astcrism" alludes to an important aspect of
cosmogenesis (see p. 180). Daksha Prajapati, a great cosmic progenitor, gave
twenty-seven of his sixty daughters to the Moon to further the creation.
These twenty-seven became the various nakshatras or asterisms that the
Moon regularly visits. During the course of his relationship with them, the
Moon became extremely fond of Rohini, the fourth asterism which has great
creative power and fertility. This special attention to Rohini aroused jealousy
among the others. They complained of this discrimination to their father.
Daksha became enraged and cursed the Moon to childlessness and to die of
consumption. This harsh punishment was removed by the piety of his wives.
They interceded with Daksha in the Moon's favor. As a curse once
pronounced cannot be recalled, Daksha agreed to modify it. The Moon has
to decay periodically but gradually it can regain its earlier strength.
This story about the Moon has a deep significance. Aslrologically it is
recognized that the power of the Moon's influence depends upon its
association with various asterisms. The Moon and the asterism Rohini are
both concerned with concretizing the creative potential in nature. They have
much affinity between them, but such an intensification of the creative
impulse is liable to make the individual emotionally unbalanced. The curse
of childlessness cast on the Moon refers to the passivity of its creative
potential. Being pure consciousness, the Moon must have the association of
a masculine or active influence to make it objective. As the personification
of the female generative principle, the Moon requires an active agent to
make it fertile. For the actualization of the Moon's creative influence, it must
be examined in its relationship with planets and the asterisms where it is
placed.
The Rig Veda eulogizes Soma as the source of wisdom. This characteristic of
the Moon is amplified in Puranic mythology as Taraka Rahasya or the
Mystery of Tara's seduction. The Moon became fond of Tara, the wife of
Brihaspati or Jupiter who was the priest of the Gods and engaged in the
meticulous performance of religious rituals and the rules of ethical conduct.
Tara had a craving for the direct perception of the realities of life or the
higher wisdom. Jupiter was unable to satisfy her desire. This was
represented by their inability to have children. The Moon wanted to seduce
Tara; that is, he wanted to impart his inner understanding to her so as to
enable both of them to be in unison. He induced Jupiter to proceed with his
morning rituals. Meanwhile, he eloped with Tara, seduced her, and made her
pregnant. He was not willing to part with Tara and return her to her husband,
nor was she desirous of returning.