Constellation : Nakshtra : Part One

In the Hindu system of Astrology, known in Sanskrit as Jyotish, the 27 constellations, and not the 12 star-signs, form the core of understanding celestial influences on our planet. These 27 constellations are referred to as the 27 Nakshatras.

The term "Nakshatra," when broken down into its constituent parts— "naks" meaning "sky" and "shetra" meaning "region," translates to "Sky Map." Another translation is arrived at by a different dissection where "naksha" means "map" and "tara" means "star," thus Nakshatra translates to "Star Map."

Both meanings clearly show that in the eyes of ancient Vedic seers, it is the 27 Nakshatras (constellations) and not the 12 Rashis (zodiacal star-signs) that map the sky. 

Jyotish (Vedic Astrology) without Nakshatras is as incomplete as the human body is without eyes. If Jyotish is the "eye of the Veda," then Nakshatras are the "eyes of Jyotish."

The 27 nakhatras, in a way, represent our journey from the moment of birth to the moment of death. The ideal path of one's passage in life can be viewed through the 27 nakshatras in a short, general way : 

"Aswini relates to the first year or so of our lives, where we are totally dependent on outside support for our survival and operate from a purely instinctual awareness.

Bharani represents the time, when as infants, we start growing teeth and undergo other transformative processes like change of diet. Here we have to take on more responsibility,  such as starting to learn to eat by ourselves. One notices that a sense of primeval will, which usually relates to wanting and not wanting, is seen here.

Next comes the stage of the learning process where we learn to walk, talk etc. All this initial fearing process happens under the influence of Krittika. This stage can extend up to four or five years of age. The process of learning to write is also part of this stage. A sense of discipline is required at this stage and one has to outgrow the purely primordial  awareness  of Aswini and Bharani'

After this follows Rohini, where one starts understanding  and enjoying the material world with their newfound knowledge gathered in the previous stage.

Mrigashira is the point where we follow wherever our curiosity takes us and in Ardra it is time to analyze and understand  our experiences.

Punarvasu where  emotions come into being for the first time. One begins to understand one's role in family and society. Playfulness   is combined with a sense of caring'. 

Pushay represents the stage when more responsibility is taken. This is the age around 16, where one falls in love with life and everything seems so full of promise and wonder'

                                                                                                                                       Continues ........