Understanding Grahas and Nakṣatras
The grahas are energy centers, energy fields that planets exert in the universe. Each of the nine main grahas in Vedic astrology has a specific energy field that creates specific effects on our planet Earth. For example, the moon has a strong impact on the movements of the sea and on plant growth; it even influences the mind of human beings. In the same way, the major energy centers produce an effect on living beings and influence their potential at birth, their mental set-up and, therefore, the course of their destiny. In Jyotiṣa, grahas are often referred as the agents of the karmas for which the soul took birth. Human personality and life have their counterparts in the structure of the cosmic physiology, represented by the grahas and the nakṣatras.
There are nine grahas (nine influences or 'planets') in our solar system: the Sun (Sūrya), the Moon (Candra), Mars (Mangal), Mercury (Budha), Jupiter (Guru), Venus (Śukra), Saturn (Śani) and two nodes called Rāhu (ascending lunar node) and Ketu (descending lunar node). These represent archetypes. Sūrya, for example, represents consciousness; Candra represents the cosmic mind; Budha represents the cosmic intellect, etc.
Most of the calendars of the world have been set by the Sun's and Moon's movements (measuring the day, month and year) and were of great importance for agriculture, because the harvest depended on planting at the correct time of the year. But the Vedic tradition uses a system of 27 nakṣatras to calculate months. The nakṣatra is the constellation in which the moon sits in the heaven at a particular time. In each month, the full moon sits in a particular constellation, and the Vedic month will have this nakṣatra'sname.
Each nakṣatra falls under the rule of one, sometimes two grahas. Each graha is assigned three nakṣatras. For example, if the child is born when the moon sits in Aśvini nakṣatra, his birth star will be Aśvini, and his sign will be Aries (called mesha in Sanskrit), ruled by planet Mars (Mangala). Bharaṇi and Kṛttika, the two next nakṣatras, also fall under the lordship of Aries sign. All three will therefore have similar characteristics and will influence the child's mind and consciousness at the time of birth, shaping his destiny.
If Jupiter is your Planet
'I worship Jupiter, the teacher of the Gods and the seers, who has the luster of gold, endowed with wisdom, the ruler of the three worlds.'
- Veda Vyāsa
Dynamic: How we expand ourselves on all levels without expectations
Keywords: Wisdom, knowledge, justice, learning, goodness, optimism, good fortune expansion, righteousness, prosperity
Sign: Sagittarius, Pisces
Color: Yellow
Gender: Masculine
Cakra: Sahasrāra and Viśuddhi
Temperament: Sattva(pure)
Governing deity: Guru, Bṛhaspati
Jupiter in Vedic Scriptures
A king had seven sons. One day, sādhus (holy mendicants) came begging for alms, but the wives of these sons
turned them away empty handed. Jupiter became angry with them, and as a result, the prosperity of the kingdom diminished.
The youngest wife visited a sage to ask for a solution to this problem. The sage advised her to fast on Thursdays and to give alms to spiritual people. The master also suggested that if any one of the girl's husbands had gone to a foreign country, the wife should create two human figures and place them behind her door, which would ensure the safe return of her husband.
The youngest wife did so, as her husband has gone on a tour to a foreign country.
The other six sons were also gone on a tour to a neighboring country. The youngest wife did the ritual, as instructed by the sage. The youngest son was in a country where the king died. The king had no son. In order to find a suitable successor, a garland was put on the horn of a female elephant and whoever was garlanded by the elephant would be king. The elephant put the garland on the youngest son's neck. He became king.
The youngest wife's spiritual discipline brought prosperity to the kingdom.
The other six wives also repented and began to do Vara Pūjā (worshipping Jupiter on Thursdays) for Jupiter to bless their families and kingdom as well.
Tendencies of Jupiter and Sagittarius
'Jupiter has a big body, tawny hair and eyes, is kapha*, intelligent, and learned in* Śāstras*.'*
- Bṛhat Parāśara Horā Śāstra
Symbol: The Centaur
Element: Fire
Ruling Planet: Jupiter /Guru
Āyurvedic constitution: Kapha(water)
Healing stone: Citrine
Jupiter's impact is to impart religious satisfaction, peaceful contentment, and a sense of inner fulfillment. Physical existence is usually easy under Jupiter, one's desire to live, to do social work, to speak and undertake activities in the name of the Truth. Such an individual strives to spiritualize his life.
The natives can grow prosperous, their life will be fruitful, and they will attain satisfaction from their prosperity. An important attribute of the Jupiterian influence is its concern for the welfare of humanity. This includes spiritual as well as physical welfare.
Jupitereans' approach to life is benevolent and positive. They naturally feel God is present in the whole of creation and in all beings. They find great fulfillment in working for society and for humanity in general.
Sagittarius natives have an expansive and pure heart, as well as deep spiritual inclination. They will always keep active and engaged in work and hate external pomp. They are honest, humble, free from hypocrisy. They are generally generous and conventional.
Their sense of principles is overly strong; they follow laws and justice. They may become lawyers, religious leader or successful business men.
They can be athletes, but not too competitive; they like the outdoors, wilderness, and enjoy nature more than any other sign. Enthusiastic, they create many friends.
But their mind may be too discriminating and fault finding; this may not enable them to see their own unawareness. Their over-optimism can sometimes make them take decisions too lightly and impulsively or without awareness of the actual reality of their decision.
Jupiter Nak¾atras: M¦la, P¦rv¢¾¢²a, Uttar¢¾¢²a