Astrological Mythology The Meaning of ... - Mandhata Global

unconventional, even perverse. Whatever the final outcome, whether in the
mental realm, or on the psycho-somatic composition of the being, Rahu's
effect is aways indirect. There will be a primary impulse at a psychological
level which, interceded by something else, creates perversions,
derangements, psychological imbalance or physical ailments.
Much of Rahu's effect can be understood by the serpent which symbolizes it.
In all ancient religions, serpents are important objects of worship. Saturn,
giving his advice leading to Adam's fall from the Garden of Eden, was
represented as a serpent. In some religions the serpent is worshipped as God
itself.
Yet actual snakes are different from the Nagas, the serpent gods who are
highly evolved Divine powers, the sages who hold the reins of Divine
manifestation. The Nagas are snake-shaped but they do not creep; they stand
erect and move. This is allegorical but it serves to distinguish the ordinary
reptile from the adepts symbolized by serpents. It explains why the Puranas
call Rahu "snake-shaped" rather than a mere snake. Geoffrey Hodson
indicates that serpents are a symbol of both wisdom and the wise (HWIIB p,
124). He states that the Nagas of Hindu mythology are none other than the
ancient seers, the great Rishis. As the rationale for chosmg the serpent as a
symbol for wisdom, he points out that it glides secretly, and for the most part
unseen, on the surface of the globe just as wisdom does. Like wisdom, the
serpent is a concealed power potent either to illumine if rightly employed, or
to destroy if misused. The smooth sinuousity of the snake and its movement
aptly portray the harmonious and rhythmic self-expression of wisdom. Men
of wisdom are not perceived by the world at large, and they often prefer to
live an obscure life, like the snake that is hidden.
Another reason for the serpent symbolizing wisdom is because it is born of
an egg (SD Vol. II, p. 79), In this way it becomes the emblem of the Logo! or
self-born. True wisdom can never be imparted by another. It has to be selfborn.
This wisdom sustains manifestation by providing the basic energy for
cohesion and binding interrelationship. According to Hindu mythology,
Vishnu, who sustains the universe, rests on Ananta-Naga or Sesha-Naga
meaning "the Infinite Serpent." He sleeps on it until the next dissolution
when everything is once again withdrawn into the Absolute. The serpent as
the vehicle for Vishnu implies that it provides the basic channel for the
preservation of the universe. This august status is assigned Vishnu's serpent,
as he is considered to be the embodiment of wisdom.
The couch of Vishnu is formed by the seven coils of this serpent, Sesha-
Naga. It indicates infinite time and space that contains the seed of creation
and periodically throws it off, the efflorescence of which becomes the