Nakshatras
These tables cover Nakshatras, or the 27 fixed stars of Vedic Astrology. The stars with two Signs (such as Kritika) are the ones whose domain
NAKSHATRAS
GENERAL
These tables cover Nakshatras, or the 27 fixed stars of Vedic Astrology. The stars with two Signs (such as Kritika) are the ones whose domain crosses the border between the two Signs listed.
Here’s more info about the Nakshatras.
The 27 fixed stars used heavily in Vedic Astrology appear to us as stars within the 12 Signs of the Zodiac. Actually, some of them are stars, and some are clusters of stars. In any case, it is known through the descending knowledge, which Gods and Goddesses rule the different Nakshatras. And, through Puranic histories, we can know much about the past activities and therefore the natures of these ruling personalities. Just as you really exist, so do they. The DemiGods are actually higher forms of human's, having more subtle bodies than ourselves, and living on higher, more subtle planes of existence. Nonetheless, they have human forms more or less and activities. Many of the Puranic histories take place on these higher Planets involving these higher DemiGods. From these histories, we can know the true nature of these personalities and thus better understand how their respective Planets, Signs, and stars are directing our world and our lives. This is the true nature of Vedic astrology, to believe and read. It is somewhat foolish to be simultaneously both an Atheist and a Vedic Astrologer.
ABHIJIT NAKSHATRA
Abhijit is the “28th Nakshatra”. It is said that it used to be counted, but that God decided differently and removed Abhijit from the system, leaving us 27 Nakshatras. Some people want to explore using Abhijit. Most do not know or care, and follow the system of 27 as it is given everywhere.
However, two Dasha systems mentioned in BPHS do use Abhijit in the book. They are Ashtottari and Shashtihayani. So, it is used a little at least.
Abhijit takes up a part of 2 “normal” Nakshatras, numbers 21 and 22. Uttara Ashadha 21 is shortened to 600’, or loses it is last 1/4 to Abhijit. Shravan, 22, loses it is 1st 53’ and 20” to Abhijit. So, Abhijit gets a total of 253’ and 20”.
Let us take a deep look into the background of the 1st Star, which is "Ashvini". This will be an example of how deeply it is possible to go into the background of each of the Nakshatras.
ASHVINI, EXAMPLE STAR 1 OF 2
Ketu, within the Sign Aries rules star #1, Ashvini. Ashvini's mode is Tama (lower qualities such as indolence etc.), her nature is Deva (Godly), she aims towards Dharma (Religiosity), her symbol is the Horse Head, and she is controlled by the Ashvini Kumaras.
Independence, working alone, and stubbornness or fixedness in purpose are the traits of this Star's influence. This is the place of exaltation for the Sun, the Planet of independence and authority. Ashvini is a Vaishya (merchants) caste Star, and the Shrimad Bhagavatam (also known as the Bhagavat Purana, a 5000 year old history summing up all prehistory since creation) says that the nature of the Vaishya is that they are never satisfied with their material attainments, and thus always want more. Being the 1st Star, this one stands for jumping forward, into material creation, taking charge, and doing something.
The controllers of this Nakshatra, the Ashvini Kumar twin DemiGods, appeared very early on in the creation, and are mentioned in many places in the Shastras (scriptures). Krishna mentions them to Arjun in the Bhagavad Gita when He is showing Arjun His Universal Form, or the Virat Rupa. Arjun sees within the Virat Rupa all the DemiGods, including the Ashvini Kumaras. Also, in Shrimad Bhagavatam 3,6,14 we learn that it is the Ashvini Kumaras who are partly responsible for the sense of smell in all living creatures within the creation.
Asva means "horse", Ashvini is the "she, horse", and Kumaras means "young boys". Their title as the Ashvini Kumaras means that they are the sons of a mare or female horse. The Star is named after their mother and therefore the symbol is the horse head. One of Vivasvan's (the Sun God) wives whose name is Samjna once took the body of a mare in order to spend some time performing austerities on Earth. During that time, Vivashvan (other names: Sun, Ravi, Surya, Aditya ) also came down as a horse to be with her and together they parented these twin sons, the Ashvini Kumaras.
The Ashvini Kumaras are the physicians of the DemiGods. They are very learned in Ayurveda, and all forms of medical practice. Once they used this talent to receive knowledge from the sage Dadhici, who was learned in material and spiritual knowledge. Indra warned Dadhici not to teach the Kumaras Brahma Vidya since their occupation placed them outside that realm. He promised to cut off Dadhici 's head should he not heed the warning. Dadhici relayed this to the Kumar's. With their great medical abilities, however they removed Dadhici 's head and replaced it with a horse head. Dadhici then spoke to them through the horse’s mouth. They were then able to replace the original human head of Dadhici after Indra cut off the horse head. In this way they received Brahma Vidya, or spiritual knowledge.
In the eighth canto of Shrimad Bhagavatam we find the history of the Ashvini Kumaras restoring the youth of Chyavana Muni. Through this service to a powerful Muni, the twins were granted the right to drink Soma Rasa, an immortalizing drink, with the other DemiGods. Formerly they were excluded from this elite group due to disqualifications born of their occupational stature as that of physicians only.
The Mahabharata, which is the history of the battle of Kurukshetra and other important events on Earth of roughly 5,000 years ago, is centered around the Pandavas, who were five brothers who were great Kshatriya heroes, and personal friends of the Lord Sri Krishna during His manifest pastimes on Earth during that time. Two of the brothers were twins, born of Madri, the second wife of Maharaja Pandu. However, because Pandu was restricted from sex life by a curse, DemiGods fathered all the five sons, and for the twins the fathers were the Ashvini Kumaras. These five brothers never knew of the sixth, oldest, brother because Kunti, the 1st wife of Pandu, bore this son before she was wed, through connection with the Sun God, Vivashvan, whom she called to herself by accidentally invocating the proper Mantra. That son was the tragic personality known as Radheya in the Mahabharata.
Radheya, son of the Sun God, is therefore a brother to the Ashvini Kumaras, and Radheya was a greatly powerful Kshatriya. Similarly, the Pandava sons of the Ashvini Kumaras, named Nakula and Sahadeva, who are grandchildren to the Sun God, were also powerful Kshatriya princes and highly elevated spiritual associates of the Lord Sri Krishna. Therefore, we can understand why, in Vedic Astrology, that the Sun, especially when powerful or exalted, grants nobility, leadership and other Kshatriya qualities.
Ashvini is a Ketu ruled Nakshatra. Ketu, as all Vedic Astrologers know, is intimately connected with liberation from material bondage, or Moksha. Ashvini is located within the Sign of Aries, which is ruled by the military Planet Mars. Therefore, the Sun is exalted there because He is the father and grandfather of the greatest Kshatriyas. He stands regal and splendid amongst his army, who is headed by Mars. Like all the greatest Kshatriyas or Vedic warriors, His power is based upon service to Vishnu. Hence, Moksha, or liberation from material bondage, which is obtained best by serving the Lord, remains the aim of the Sun, the Karaka of Soul. In the Sign of external action or Aries, the commander in chief, the Sun, stands resplendent and dignified, ready to lead all other leaders, on the righteous path of liberation.
From histories such as those related above, we can gain an understanding of the personalities who are the deities behind the forces that come to us through the stars and Planets. Just as the real, eternal Soul inside each living being is something much more powerful and greater than the bodily casing we see representing it at this time, similarly the Planets and stars we see and track in space are simply representations of greater beings, DemiGods, who are actual personalities who actually exist right now in another dimension our eyes are not privileged to perceive.
Knowing that Ashvini is actually Samjna, the wife of the Sun, we can understand another part of the reason why the Sun feels exalted and powerful under this Star. Also, knowing the nature of Samjna and her sons, the Ashvini Kumaras, we can understand some of the powers and influences that come through this Nakshatra, such as medicinal and spiritual knowledge, and nobility and leadership qualities.
BHARANI, EXAMPLE STAR 2 OF 2
Nakshatra #2, Bharani, is ruled by Venus in the Sign Aries. Bharani's mode is Raja (activity, passion), her nature is Manushya (human), she aims towards Artha (working, acquiring needs), her symbol is the Vagina, and she is controlled by Yamaraj (the God of Death).
This Star is under the planetary lordship of Venus and is within the Sign of Aries, ruled by Mars. Therefore, this is an passionate, Raja Guna Star because wherever there is a mix of the energies of Venus and Mars simultaneously, and we get strong passion. Raja Guna means passion, or the energy applied for material ends. The word Bharan means to maintain. This Star is connected with the energies we expend to maintain ourselves in the material world. In order to go on in life, we need to maintain our lives with the necessary foods, air, shelter, and so on, and in so doing, we are required to have and use some energy.
The vagina symbol refers not only the vagina opening, but to the entire womb. The womb is the 1st protective and necessities, supplying environment that we take shelter in when entering the world within a new material body. The womb is the place where we receive the most fundamental necessity (Artha) of material life, namely, our body. The way in, which the Bharani Nakshatra is symbolized by the vagina is of the higher order of vision, as a source of provisions, Artha, for maintenance of human life, and not as an object of sensual pleasure.
In general, people in material life are heavily under the sway of things ruled by Venus, namely pleasure giving things. Most people are after pleasure, and certainly, the vagina is one of, if the not the most, popularly worshipped symbol of material pleasure. Therefore, the Vagina can be seen in a very low or very high conception, as the object of pleasure for the man, or as the provider of the body for a life of enlightenment. When a male human acting under normal sexual impulses is under the sway of the Purusha Bhava, or mood of being an enjoyer, he sees the vagina as an object of his enjoyment. When however, the same person becomes enlightened with proper Vedic knowledge through surrender to a teacher in a proper Sampradaya, and assumes the Prakriti Bhava, or mood of surrender and submission, thereafter he sees the same vagina or womb as that serving instrument through, which Souls are fortunate to receive the human body, which they can use for getting free from matter once and for all, by surrendering to the Lord. Such a properly seeing person is not lusty, and his vision of the vagina becomes purified. It is from the platform of such pure vision that the Nakshatras should be understood. In fact, one with polluted vision cannot see the Nakshatras correctly at all.
Since the Soul is eternal and transcendental but the desire to enjoy in the material world is not, the Vedic scriptures prescribe codes for how humans should perform their material lives so that their Kama (satisfaction of physical desires) and Artha (means of acquiring one's necessities in life) don't ruin their Dharma (their religion) and their chances for Moksha (liberation from material entanglement). Following these codes is proper Bharan, or maintenance, and is allowable under the laws of Karma. Proper use of the "womb" of human life on Earth for the purpose of sense gratification, maintenance, religious practice and liberation is allowable and taught in the Vedas.
The demigod who is the judge of how well we performed such actions in our lives is Yamaraj. He is known as the lord of death and judgment of our actions. He is the one who assigns us to our next lives, and sentences us to punishments for our past bad Karmas, known as UgraKarmas or ViKarmas, bad or forbidden actions. If we followed scriptural injunctions either strictly or in spirit correctly, then we shall not fear Yamaraj at the time of our death. Otherwise, his servants, the Yamaduttas will be visiting us in their ghastly forms as we leave our bodies, and they drag us kicking and screaming to the court of Yamaraj where we shall have to answer and pay for our misdeeds. Therefore, it is Yamaraj who is the demigod controller of the Bharani Nakshatra; because of it is intimate link to how we maintain ourselves in this world.
Bharani is an Artha class Nakshatra. Of the four aims of life, Kama, Artha, Dharma, Moksha, Artha is the one, which means "necessities". Arthas are the things we need. We all have some needs, and the fulfillment of such basic needs is allowable under divine or Karmic law. However, Anartha, which means "things, which are unnecessary" are not allowable under divine or Karmic law. Therefore, the true devotees on the Vedic path strive, through their practices, to arrive at the state of Anartha Nivritti, or "freedom from unwanted actions, habits, etc.". If we make a life out of trying to enjoy unnecessary things such as overt sexuality, intoxications, meat eating, exploitation of economics and money, and many other things, then we shall not be very happy in our next life because Yamaraj will have to correct us by applying some restrictions through, which we shall learn to be of a higher nature. Because Artha and Anartha is the primary axis across, which one either stays righteous or deviates, it is therefore appropriate that Yamaraj rule over this Artha class Star, which has much to say about how we maintain ourselves in this life. Hence the connection between Raja, passion, Manushya, of mankind level, Artha, needs, bharan, maintenance, and Yamaraj, judgment.
Here is a typical verse from scripture (from Chaitanya Charitamrita, Antya 6/226) regarding how persons in the final Ashram of life, the renounced order known as Sannyas, should maintain themselves:
Vairagira kritya, Sada Nama sankirtana
Saka patra phal Mula udara bharan
"It is the duty of a sannyasi to always chant the holy names of the Lord and for his bodily maintenance he should collect whatever vegetables, leaves, fruits and roots are easily available."
Notice the word Bharan at the end of the verse, meaning for the maintenance of the life. If a sannyasi does not follow the Vedic teachings regarding his proper maintenance practices, then he may be liable for correction later.
The Vagina symbol of the Bharani Star does not imply maintenance only for badly inspired pleasures, but rather it just means maintenance of our lives here in an overall sense. Sometimes we say things such as "living in the womb of material life". The womb or vagina should not be thought of as bad in any way. Rather, it should be thought of as a cradle for helping the Soul have a life wherein it can achieve the necessary enlightenment for achieving the higher destinations. Therefore, we are taught to honor and respect motherhood, for, which the vagina or womb is a fundamental instrument. The way that modern society spreads within itself the lust of the vagina, or entire female form, through movies, advertisements and language usage, is very destructive to a proper, enlightened conception of the female form, and the vagina.
It is therefore imperative that the Vedic Astrologer, in order to properly understand Bharani Nakshatra, and guide Souls in their lives, one must lead a personal life of spiritual regimen or Sadhana, with the aim of achieving a proper conception of all creation. If a Vedic astrologer has no better of a conception of sex, the female form, and the vagina, and the eternal purposes of these things in the progressive journey of the Soul to the state of spiritual perfection in service to the all, blissful Lord Sri Vishnu or Sri Radha, Krishna, than an average lusty modern-day person, then such a so-called Vedic astrologer will not be able to really enter into the true workings of the Planets, their vision being clouded by illusion or Mohan, created by Cupid, or Madan.
In Vrindavan, India, the place of the appearance and main pastimes of Lord Sri Krishna roughly 5,000 years ago, their resides an important temple known by the name of Sri Radha, Madan Mohan. This name means, "that Krishna who is so beautiful that he can bewilder even Cupid, or lust personified". Madan means lust, and Mohan means "to put in illusion". Therefore, it is none other than the Lord Himself, Sri Krishna, who can put even illusion personified into illusion. By worshipping Him, the worshipper can become freed from the illusion of lust. The Vaishnavas of Vrindavan worship this deity as the 1st of three important deities for the upliftment of their Souls out of illusion and into the eternal service of the Lord and all his diverse energies, of, which a very important one is the planetary controllers whom we study and use in astrology daily. It is commonly known and understood by proper students of astrology in properly maintained sampradayas or schools of divine teachings that the student must advance on the path of liberation himself, otherwise their no chance of properly understanding any of the Vedic sciences or Vedangas, including that of astrology.
Sometimes Vedic astrologers are found in the West and in India who still maintain their eating of meat and while practicing Vedic Astrology. Such persons can certainly give some correct interpretations and predictions, using the science as they learn it from the scriptures, which are readily available to all. However, they cannot enter into the deeper understandings, and they cannot really receive the blessings of Lord Ganesh or Brihaspati, just to name a few, because of their avoidance submission to the actual path, which begins with "Ahimsa" or nonviolence towards all living beings as far as is practically possible for each person. In other words, you have to be making a conscious effort to spread as much good as possible, while avoiding causing pain to living beings as far as you can.
Some atheists go so far as to call the personalities who preside over the Planets and astrology as mythological beings with no real existence of their own outside of "energies". Their study and practice of astrology shall forever remain on a very superficial level only. Such persons are no doubt very good Souls despite this error in judgment. It is their Karma to not be ready for giving up violence in the form of meat eating or doubting divinity. I know many such persons and they are very likable, kind, giving, good people. But it would be better if one and all could accept that nonviolence is a necessity for peaceful existence and that faith in divinity is the highest nectar and possession one can ever hope for.
GENERAL
These tables cover Nakshatras, or the 27 fixed stars of Vedic Astrology. The stars with two Signs (such as Kritika) are the ones whose domain crosses the border between the two Signs listed.
Here’s more info about the Nakshatras.
The 27 fixed stars used heavily in Vedic Astrology appear to us as stars within the 12 Signs of the Zodiac. Actually, some of them are stars, and some are clusters of stars. In any case, it is known through the descending knowledge, which Gods and Goddesses rule the different Nakshatras. And, through Puranic histories, we can know much about the past activities and therefore the natures of these ruling personalities. Just as you really exist, so do they. The DemiGods are actually higher forms of human's, having more subtle bodies than ourselves, and living on higher, more subtle planes of existence. Nonetheless, they have human forms more or less and activities. Many of the Puranic histories take place on these higher Planets involving these higher DemiGods. From these histories, we can know the true nature of these personalities and thus better understand how their respective Planets, Signs, and stars are directing our world and our lives. This is the true nature of Vedic astrology, to believe and read. It is somewhat foolish to be simultaneously both an Atheist and a Vedic Astrologer.
ABHIJIT NAKSHATRA
Abhijit is the “28th Nakshatra”. It is said that it used to be counted, but that God decided differently and removed Abhijit from the system, leaving us 27 Nakshatras. Some people want to explore using Abhijit. Most do not know or care, and follow the system of 27 as it is given everywhere.
However, two Dasha systems mentioned in BPHS do use Abhijit in the book. They are Ashtottari and Shashtihayani. So, it is used a little at least.
Abhijit takes up a part of 2 “normal” Nakshatras, numbers 21 and 22. Uttara Ashadha 21 is shortened to 600’, or loses it is last 1/4 to Abhijit. Shravan, 22, loses it is 1st 53’ and 20” to Abhijit. So, Abhijit gets a total of 253’ and 20”.
Let us take a deep look into the background of the 1st Star, which is "Ashvini". This will be an example of how deeply it is possible to go into the background of each of the Nakshatras.
ASHVINI, EXAMPLE STAR 1 OF 2
Ketu, within the Sign Aries rules star #1, Ashvini. Ashvini's mode is Tama (lower qualities such as indolence etc.), her nature is Deva (Godly), she aims towards Dharma (Religiosity), her symbol is the Horse Head, and she is controlled by the Ashvini Kumaras.
Independence, working alone, and stubbornness or fixedness in purpose are the traits of this Star's influence. This is the place of exaltation for the Sun, the Planet of independence and authority. Ashvini is a Vaishya (merchants) caste Star, and the Shrimad Bhagavatam (also known as the Bhagavat Purana, a 5000 year old history summing up all prehistory since creation) says that the nature of the Vaishya is that they are never satisfied with their material attainments, and thus always want more. Being the 1st Star, this one stands for jumping forward, into material creation, taking charge, and doing something.
The controllers of this Nakshatra, the Ashvini Kumar twin DemiGods, appeared very early on in the creation, and are mentioned in many places in the Shastras (scriptures). Krishna mentions them to Arjun in the Bhagavad Gita when He is showing Arjun His Universal Form, or the Virat Rupa. Arjun sees within the Virat Rupa all the DemiGods, including the Ashvini Kumaras. Also, in Shrimad Bhagavatam 3,6,14 we learn that it is the Ashvini Kumaras who are partly responsible for the sense of smell in all living creatures within the creation.
Asva means "horse", Ashvini is the "she, horse", and Kumaras means "young boys". Their title as the Ashvini Kumaras means that they are the sons of a mare or female horse. The Star is named after their mother and therefore the symbol is the horse head. One of Vivasvan's (the Sun God) wives whose name is Samjna once took the body of a mare in order to spend some time performing austerities on Earth. During that time, Vivashvan (other names: Sun, Ravi, Surya, Aditya ) also came down as a horse to be with her and together they parented these twin sons, the Ashvini Kumaras.
The Ashvini Kumaras are the physicians of the DemiGods. They are very learned in Ayurveda, and all forms of medical practice. Once they used this talent to receive knowledge from the sage Dadhici, who was learned in material and spiritual knowledge. Indra warned Dadhici not to teach the Kumaras Brahma Vidya since their occupation placed them outside that realm. He promised to cut off Dadhici 's head should he not heed the warning. Dadhici relayed this to the Kumar's. With their great medical abilities, however they removed Dadhici 's head and replaced it with a horse head. Dadhici then spoke to them through the horse’s mouth. They were then able to replace the original human head of Dadhici after Indra cut off the horse head. In this way they received Brahma Vidya, or spiritual knowledge.
In the eighth canto of Shrimad Bhagavatam we find the history of the Ashvini Kumaras restoring the youth of Chyavana Muni. Through this service to a powerful Muni, the twins were granted the right to drink Soma Rasa, an immortalizing drink, with the other DemiGods. Formerly they were excluded from this elite group due to disqualifications born of their occupational stature as that of physicians only.
The Mahabharata, which is the history of the battle of Kurukshetra and other important events on Earth of roughly 5,000 years ago, is centered around the Pandavas, who were five brothers who were great Kshatriya heroes, and personal friends of the Lord Sri Krishna during His manifest pastimes on Earth during that time. Two of the brothers were twins, born of Madri, the second wife of Maharaja Pandu. However, because Pandu was restricted from sex life by a curse, DemiGods fathered all the five sons, and for the twins the fathers were the Ashvini Kumaras. These five brothers never knew of the sixth, oldest, brother because Kunti, the 1st wife of Pandu, bore this son before she was wed, through connection with the Sun God, Vivashvan, whom she called to herself by accidentally invocating the proper Mantra. That son was the tragic personality known as Radheya in the Mahabharata.
Radheya, son of the Sun God, is therefore a brother to the Ashvini Kumaras, and Radheya was a greatly powerful Kshatriya. Similarly, the Pandava sons of the Ashvini Kumaras, named Nakula and Sahadeva, who are grandchildren to the Sun God, were also powerful Kshatriya princes and highly elevated spiritual associates of the Lord Sri Krishna. Therefore, we can understand why, in Vedic Astrology, that the Sun, especially when powerful or exalted, grants nobility, leadership and other Kshatriya qualities.
Ashvini is a Ketu ruled Nakshatra. Ketu, as all Vedic Astrologers know, is intimately connected with liberation from material bondage, or Moksha. Ashvini is located within the Sign of Aries, which is ruled by the military Planet Mars. Therefore, the Sun is exalted there because He is the father and grandfather of the greatest Kshatriyas. He stands regal and splendid amongst his army, who is headed by Mars. Like all the greatest Kshatriyas or Vedic warriors, His power is based upon service to Vishnu. Hence, Moksha, or liberation from material bondage, which is obtained best by serving the Lord, remains the aim of the Sun, the Karaka of Soul. In the Sign of external action or Aries, the commander in chief, the Sun, stands resplendent and dignified, ready to lead all other leaders, on the righteous path of liberation.
From histories such as those related above, we can gain an understanding of the personalities who are the deities behind the forces that come to us through the stars and Planets. Just as the real, eternal Soul inside each living being is something much more powerful and greater than the bodily casing we see representing it at this time, similarly the Planets and stars we see and track in space are simply representations of greater beings, DemiGods, who are actual personalities who actually exist right now in another dimension our eyes are not privileged to perceive.
Knowing that Ashvini is actually Samjna, the wife of the Sun, we can understand another part of the reason why the Sun feels exalted and powerful under this Star. Also, knowing the nature of Samjna and her sons, the Ashvini Kumaras, we can understand some of the powers and influences that come through this Nakshatra, such as medicinal and spiritual knowledge, and nobility and leadership qualities.
BHARANI, EXAMPLE STAR 2 OF 2
Nakshatra #2, Bharani, is ruled by Venus in the Sign Aries. Bharani's mode is Raja (activity, passion), her nature is Manushya (human), she aims towards Artha (working, acquiring needs), her symbol is the Vagina, and she is controlled by Yamaraj (the God of Death).
This Star is under the planetary lordship of Venus and is within the Sign of Aries, ruled by Mars. Therefore, this is an passionate, Raja Guna Star because wherever there is a mix of the energies of Venus and Mars simultaneously, and we get strong passion. Raja Guna means passion, or the energy applied for material ends. The word Bharan means to maintain. This Star is connected with the energies we expend to maintain ourselves in the material world. In order to go on in life, we need to maintain our lives with the necessary foods, air, shelter, and so on, and in so doing, we are required to have and use some energy.
The vagina symbol refers not only the vagina opening, but to the entire womb. The womb is the 1st protective and necessities, supplying environment that we take shelter in when entering the world within a new material body. The womb is the place where we receive the most fundamental necessity (Artha) of material life, namely, our body. The way in, which the Bharani Nakshatra is symbolized by the vagina is of the higher order of vision, as a source of provisions, Artha, for maintenance of human life, and not as an object of sensual pleasure.
In general, people in material life are heavily under the sway of things ruled by Venus, namely pleasure giving things. Most people are after pleasure, and certainly, the vagina is one of, if the not the most, popularly worshipped symbol of material pleasure. Therefore, the Vagina can be seen in a very low or very high conception, as the object of pleasure for the man, or as the provider of the body for a life of enlightenment. When a male human acting under normal sexual impulses is under the sway of the Purusha Bhava, or mood of being an enjoyer, he sees the vagina as an object of his enjoyment. When however, the same person becomes enlightened with proper Vedic knowledge through surrender to a teacher in a proper Sampradaya, and assumes the Prakriti Bhava, or mood of surrender and submission, thereafter he sees the same vagina or womb as that serving instrument through, which Souls are fortunate to receive the human body, which they can use for getting free from matter once and for all, by surrendering to the Lord. Such a properly seeing person is not lusty, and his vision of the vagina becomes purified. It is from the platform of such pure vision that the Nakshatras should be understood. In fact, one with polluted vision cannot see the Nakshatras correctly at all.
Since the Soul is eternal and transcendental but the desire to enjoy in the material world is not, the Vedic scriptures prescribe codes for how humans should perform their material lives so that their Kama (satisfaction of physical desires) and Artha (means of acquiring one's necessities in life) don't ruin their Dharma (their religion) and their chances for Moksha (liberation from material entanglement). Following these codes is proper Bharan, or maintenance, and is allowable under the laws of Karma. Proper use of the "womb" of human life on Earth for the purpose of sense gratification, maintenance, religious practice and liberation is allowable and taught in the Vedas.
The demigod who is the judge of how well we performed such actions in our lives is Yamaraj. He is known as the lord of death and judgment of our actions. He is the one who assigns us to our next lives, and sentences us to punishments for our past bad Karmas, known as UgraKarmas or ViKarmas, bad or forbidden actions. If we followed scriptural injunctions either strictly or in spirit correctly, then we shall not fear Yamaraj at the time of our death. Otherwise, his servants, the Yamaduttas will be visiting us in their ghastly forms as we leave our bodies, and they drag us kicking and screaming to the court of Yamaraj where we shall have to answer and pay for our misdeeds. Therefore, it is Yamaraj who is the demigod controller of the Bharani Nakshatra; because of it is intimate link to how we maintain ourselves in this world.
Bharani is an Artha class Nakshatra. Of the four aims of life, Kama, Artha, Dharma, Moksha, Artha is the one, which means "necessities". Arthas are the things we need. We all have some needs, and the fulfillment of such basic needs is allowable under divine or Karmic law. However, Anartha, which means "things, which are unnecessary" are not allowable under divine or Karmic law. Therefore, the true devotees on the Vedic path strive, through their practices, to arrive at the state of Anartha Nivritti, or "freedom from unwanted actions, habits, etc.". If we make a life out of trying to enjoy unnecessary things such as overt sexuality, intoxications, meat eating, exploitation of economics and money, and many other things, then we shall not be very happy in our next life because Yamaraj will have to correct us by applying some restrictions through, which we shall learn to be of a higher nature. Because Artha and Anartha is the primary axis across, which one either stays righteous or deviates, it is therefore appropriate that Yamaraj rule over this Artha class Star, which has much to say about how we maintain ourselves in this life. Hence the connection between Raja, passion, Manushya, of mankind level, Artha, needs, bharan, maintenance, and Yamaraj, judgment.
Here is a typical verse from scripture (from Chaitanya Charitamrita, Antya 6/226) regarding how persons in the final Ashram of life, the renounced order known as Sannyas, should maintain themselves:
Vairagira kritya, Sada Nama sankirtana
Saka patra phal Mula udara bharan
"It is the duty of a sannyasi to always chant the holy names of the Lord and for his bodily maintenance he should collect whatever vegetables, leaves, fruits and roots are easily available."
Notice the word Bharan at the end of the verse, meaning for the maintenance of the life. If a sannyasi does not follow the Vedic teachings regarding his proper maintenance practices, then he may be liable for correction later.
The Vagina symbol of the Bharani Star does not imply maintenance only for badly inspired pleasures, but rather it just means maintenance of our lives here in an overall sense. Sometimes we say things such as "living in the womb of material life". The womb or vagina should not be thought of as bad in any way. Rather, it should be thought of as a cradle for helping the Soul have a life wherein it can achieve the necessary enlightenment for achieving the higher destinations. Therefore, we are taught to honor and respect motherhood, for, which the vagina or womb is a fundamental instrument. The way that modern society spreads within itself the lust of the vagina, or entire female form, through movies, advertisements and language usage, is very destructive to a proper, enlightened conception of the female form, and the vagina.
It is therefore imperative that the Vedic Astrologer, in order to properly understand Bharani Nakshatra, and guide Souls in their lives, one must lead a personal life of spiritual regimen or Sadhana, with the aim of achieving a proper conception of all creation. If a Vedic astrologer has no better of a conception of sex, the female form, and the vagina, and the eternal purposes of these things in the progressive journey of the Soul to the state of spiritual perfection in service to the all, blissful Lord Sri Vishnu or Sri Radha, Krishna, than an average lusty modern-day person, then such a so-called Vedic astrologer will not be able to really enter into the true workings of the Planets, their vision being clouded by illusion or Mohan, created by Cupid, or Madan.
In Vrindavan, India, the place of the appearance and main pastimes of Lord Sri Krishna roughly 5,000 years ago, their resides an important temple known by the name of Sri Radha, Madan Mohan. This name means, "that Krishna who is so beautiful that he can bewilder even Cupid, or lust personified". Madan means lust, and Mohan means "to put in illusion". Therefore, it is none other than the Lord Himself, Sri Krishna, who can put even illusion personified into illusion. By worshipping Him, the worshipper can become freed from the illusion of lust. The Vaishnavas of Vrindavan worship this deity as the 1st of three important deities for the upliftment of their Souls out of illusion and into the eternal service of the Lord and all his diverse energies, of, which a very important one is the planetary controllers whom we study and use in astrology daily. It is commonly known and understood by proper students of astrology in properly maintained sampradayas or schools of divine teachings that the student must advance on the path of liberation himself, otherwise their no chance of properly understanding any of the Vedic sciences or Vedangas, including that of astrology.
Sometimes Vedic astrologers are found in the West and in India who still maintain their eating of meat and while practicing Vedic Astrology. Such persons can certainly give some correct interpretations and predictions, using the science as they learn it from the scriptures, which are readily available to all. However, they cannot enter into the deeper understandings, and they cannot really receive the blessings of Lord Ganesh or Brihaspati, just to name a few, because of their avoidance submission to the actual path, which begins with "Ahimsa" or nonviolence towards all living beings as far as is practically possible for each person. In other words, you have to be making a conscious effort to spread as much good as possible, while avoiding causing pain to living beings as far as you can.
Some atheists go so far as to call the personalities who preside over the Planets and astrology as mythological beings with no real existence of their own outside of "energies". Their study and practice of astrology shall forever remain on a very superficial level only. Such persons are no doubt very good Souls despite this error in judgment. It is their Karma to not be ready for giving up violence in the form of meat eating or doubting divinity. I know many such persons and they are very likable, kind, giving, good people. But it would be better if one and all could accept that nonviolence is a necessity for peaceful existence and that faith in divinity is the highest nectar and possession one can ever hope for.