The story of Saturn

श्लोक: मंदाय मंदचेष्टाय महनीयगुणात्मने। मर्त्यपावनपादाय महेशाय नमो नमः॥

According to the Hindu belief our life is governed by the planets. Each human being is influenced by the planets in his/her charts. Each planet is said to have its own plus points and drawbacks according to its placement.
As stated in the scriptures Shani or Saturn  is said to be the most slow moving planet of all. To cross one sign Saturn takes about 2.5 years. There is a very interesting story about as why Saturn moves slowly. The scriptures state that the reason behind the slow planatery movement of  Saturn is the fact that it limps and therefore takes more time than the other planets.There is a very interesting story about the same.
It is believed that Sun ( Suryadev)had a wife called Sangya ( Chhaya)  Devi. Sangya had children with sun and Saturn was one of them. Sangya Devi could not take the heat of Sun and she could not convey the same to her husband as well. Unable to take it anymore, she created a shadow exactly like her and named her “ Swarna”. She asked her to take her place and also take care of her kids too. Sangya Devi then left her for her father’s house. Swarna in the meantime did her duties so well that even Sun could not suspect that she was not his real wife Sangya but a shadow created by her. As the time passed Swarna gave birth to 5 sons and 2 daughters. Having her own kids she now gave less importance to the kids of her creator Sangya. One day when Saturn ( Son of Sangya) asked for food from her step mother, She retorted saying that “ first the food will be offered to God and then the younger siblings and then only he will get the food.” This made Satrun see red with anger. He lifted his foot to kick the food. Seeing this his step mother gave him a curse that since he insulted the food the same leg will break in pieces. Saturn froze as his heard his mother’s curse. He then went to his father Sun and told him about the curse. Sun Immediately understood that Swarna is an imposter, as no mother can be so harsh with her kids to give such a curse. He immediately summoned Swarna, who revealed the truth. Sun them said to Saturn that though Swarna is not your real mother, but she still is your mother so I cannot remove the curse but I can reduce its severity. He told that his leg would not be severed but it will be fractured. This is the reason as to why the Saturn limps and therefore walks slowly.

My take on the story: The Saturn is said to be the most feared and therefore the most misunderstood planet. The story gives us a little insight into his life. To me it is the perfect example of those appearances can be deceptive. One must never be judgmental about the others without knowing the real background of the person. Knowing the story can make you see a person or a situation in a better light and picture. Stories in the scriptures often have more than single motive. If read properly it gives a multi dimensional message

Edited and compiled by
 Mrs  Shruti Chabra

Astrology and Sports!

In astrology there are various hidden rules which are yet to be tested and analysed in a prudent way in the modern context. During my Banaras visit I was searching for some books on astrology. I found an intresting material on “chakras”.The “chakras” is the nakshatra based system of prediction. I always found “Chakras” are the most mysterious and challenging . This is the reason I decided to do research on it. During world cup hockey 2010, I got a call from one person(who was also a well known astrologer) ,asked for the prediction of the outcome of the semi final match between Australia and Netherlands since he was banking upon Netherlands to win the match(even the media was favouring Netherlands). But I was not agreed with him. I am presenting excerpt (only a part is published here)of my research work. I took account of Rahu , the sun and the moon. It is important to note that 13 nakshatras which are yet to be traveled by Rahu is called “Mrit Paksha”(considered inauspicious) and the remaining 13 are called “Jeeva Paksha”(considered auspicious). In the analysis Moon is called “The attacker” and the sun is called “ the attacked”. Now it is the position of sun and moon during the match decides the outcome. If the moon is in Jeeva paksha then the attacker wins and if the sun is in the Jeeva Paksha then the defender wins.
Interpretation of Result
1)If Moon’s nakshatra is between 2nd and 14th from the Rahu’s nakshatra then the Attacker wins
2) If Sun’s nakshatra is between 2nd and 14th from the Rahu’s nakshatra then the defender wins.
3) If Moon’s nakshatra and Sun’s nakshatra is between 2nd and 14th from the Rahu’s nakshatra then the both wins.
4) The nakshatra from the 16th to 28th (including Abhijit) is the indicator of loss.
5) The 15th nakshatra from the rahu’s is the neutral point.
Example- If rahu is transiting in Rohini nakshatra and Moon is in Mrigshira and Sun is in Ashiwini nakshatra , then the team that begins the attack will win. In vice versa case, where Moon is in Ashwini nakshatra and Sun is in Mrigshira nakshatra then the team that begin attack will loose because at that time the sun is transiting in Jeev Paksha making the attacked party stronger.

Deadly Duo

In Astrology the 6th and 8th house are among the list of dusthan(Bad houses). That is why 6/8 relation is considered harmful and it is frequently used in dasha analysis.Planets placed in 6th or 8th from the planet of running dasha generally diminishes the good effect of dasha.Here the same rule is applied while judging the strength of a house where two planets of different nature are placed.
Step1
Place all the 9 planets in order as follows
Sun
Moon
Mars
Mercury
Jupiter
Venus
Saturn
Rahu
Ketu
Step2
The planet 6th from itself is the shatru graha(enemical)
Step-3
We will have the following enemical combinations after applying step-2 in the step-1 list
Sun-Venus
Moon-Saturn
Mars-Rahu
Mercury-Ketu
Jupiter-Sun
Venus-Moon
Saturn-Mars
Rahu-Mercury
Ketu-Jupiter
Step-4
If the lord,Karka doesnot support the bhava, then the above combination placed in any bhava will harm the signification of that bhava.

Mythology of eclipse

In Hindu mythology there is a wonderful story that describes how the gods and the demons once formed an alliance to produce a nectar that could give them immortality. This is the story of the churning of the milk-ocean and the descent of Lord Visnu as the Kurma avatara, the divine tortoise. When the nectar that was churned from this ocean was being served to the gods, a demon, disguised as a god, sat between the Sun and the Moon in an attempt to procure the nectar. When he was detected by the Sun and the Moon, Lord Visnu immediately severed his head from his body. Unfortunately, it was not fast enough, for the demon had already tasted a small quantity of the nectar and had become immortal. Ever since, this demon is said to wreak vengeance on the Sun and Moon whenever they come near. The head of this great demon is known as Rahu and his tail is known as Ketu.Since then Rahu and ketu promised that they will going to trouble sun and moon from time to time to take the revenge.In Hindu astrology Rahu and Ketu are known as two invisible planets. They are enemies of the Sun and the Moon, who at certain times of the year (during conjunction or opposition) swallow the Sun or the Moon causing either a solar or a lunar eclipse.

Amrit Paan

In jyotish(astrology), the Sun is considered as the Soul and Moon as subtle mind. In our puraans moon is describe as a God riding a chariot with three wheels. This chariot is hauled by ten horses. During its entire journey, the Moon passes through all the twenty-seven Nakshatras of a zodiac. It is rays of the sun which causes moon to appear as bright. The sun not only causes the formation of day and night but also act as a source of nourishment for the celestial sphere. Sun lights up all the places in the entire world except Brahmaloka. Sun’s rays that reach Brahmaloka return back turn into ineffective by the glow of Brahma. One of the Sun’s rays named Sushumna nourishes the Moon during its brighter phase(Shukla Paksha) in the form of nectar. Then during the darker phase(Krishna Paksha), the Gods drink the phases of the Moon, which are actually , ambrosia accumulated during the shukla paksha. When two days are left for the completion of Krishna paksha i.e. Chaturdashi and Amavasya, Pitragana drink the remaining two phases of the Moon. At the begining of amavasya moon is 12.5 degrees away from the sun. This is a crucial phase of journey of moon towards sun. At this moment the stage is set for the moon to enter the surya-loka. That day, the Moon first enters the water then the plants and creepers and ultimately enters the Sun’s sphere. That is why, on this day anybody who cuts trees or even plucks a leaf commits crime equal to killing of Brahmin . On the day of Amavasya, Pitragana drink the nectar from the Moon . Pittraganas are the ruling diety for the amavasya tithi. It is very auspicious to do tarpan for the ancestors on amavasya tithi.

The Surya Namaskaar mantra

The method for salutaion to Lord Surya(Sun) involves 12 different postures,breathing pattern along with specific mantra associated with each posture. Following are the 12 mantra to be recited during salutations to Lord Surya. ‎


Om Mitraya namah (The friend of all)

Om Ravaye namah (Praised by all)

Om Suryaya namah (The guide of all)

Om Bhanave namah (The bestower of beauty)

Om Khagaya namah (Stimulator of the senses)

Om Pushne namah (The nourisher of all)

Om Hiranyagarbhaya namah (The creator)

Om Marichaye namah (Destroyer of disease)

Om Adityaya namah (The inspirer)

Om Savitre namah (The purifier)

Om Arkaya namah (The radiant)

Om Bhaskaraya namah (The illuminator)

Even recitation of above mantra at the time of sunrise brings good health

Akshay Navami

In the Kaartik month,shukla Paksha and Ashtmi tithi is considere best for charity.Many legends are associated with this day. It is believe that on this day
1) Surya Dev(the Sun God) worshiped goddess Durga to acquire its properties because of which he is lighting the whole world.
2) Bharat met Lord Rama after 14 years.
3) It is considered auspicious to eat food under the Amla tree.this ritual is associated with good health.
4) Satya yug also began on this day.
5) The amla fruit is considered as divine fruit of Lord Vishnu.This is the ripening time of this fruit.
6) Amla tree is manifistation of goddess Lakshmi.

The Legend of Kumbh Mela

“Kumb mela “ is a holy fair which is one of the greatest festival in the life of a hindu.There is a legend behind the occurance of this fair. As per legend once Gods and demons churned the cosmic ocean for the search of amrit(the divine nectar for immortality). At the end of churning, the pot (kumbh,in hindi) of amrit emerges from the ocean. At that moment the fight broke between Gods and demons for the possession of the pot. The battle for the possession of pot continued for 12 days which are equivalent to 12 human years. During that battle few drops of amrit fell on 4 places- Prayag, Haridwar, Ujjain and Nashik. During the war, 3 planets Sun,Moon and Jupiter played significant role in protecting the pot from breaking. To commemorate this holy event Kumbh Mela is celebrated in every twelve years at the four sacred places where the drops from Kumbh were fallen. Since then it is believe that according to particular planetary position of Sun,Jupiter and moon respectively these places acquires special divine powers and bathing in these pilgrimage sites in the sacred river helps to ward off the sins. This fair,kumbh mela occurs four times every twelve years and rotates among four locations: Prayag, Haridwar, Ujjain and Nashik. Each twelve-year cycle includes one Maha Kumbh Mela(GreatKumbhMela).
Following are the planetary combinations for each site for Kumbh festial.
1) At Prayag, the Maha Kumbh Mela is held in the month of Magha (January/February in the Gregorian calendar). when Jupiter is in Taurus and both the Sun and Moon are in Capricorn.
2)At Haridwar, the Kumbh Mela is held in the months of Phalgun and Chaitra, when the Sun passes to Aries, the Moon is in Sagittarius and Jupiter is in Aquarius.
3)In Ujjain, it is held in the month of Vaishakha, the Sun and Moon are in Aries and Jupiter is in Leo.
4) At Nasik, the Kumbh Mela takes place in the month of Shravana, when the Sun and Moon are in Cancer and Jupiter is in Scorpio.It takes nearly one year for Jupiter to transit through one zodiac sign.Thus,for each site Kumbh Mela comes in every 12 years.