Nakshatra Connections to Rashis
- Sam Geppi – http://vedicastrologycenter.net
Most students are comfortable interpreting planets in Rashis (zodiac signs) but may stumble when attempting to
analyze the same portion of space, through the Nakshatras. Today we will look at the nakshatra based sky and how
to see the transitional Nakshatras as existing/bridging 2 Rashis.
Nakshatras based zodiac and timekeeping
From the Yajur Veda we see the earliest Vedic astrological references, and how timekeeping was approached. The
year, yuga, solar months and seasons were all pinned together, then measured against the sidereal sky.
(Nakshatras)
Book 4, V. 4, stanza 11 states:
(Ye are) Madha and Madhava, the months of spring. (Vasanta)
(Ye are) Çukra and Çuci, the months of summer. (Greeshma)
(Ye are) Nabha and Nabhasya, the months of rain. (Varsha)
(Ye are) Isa and Urja, the months of autumn. (Sharad)
(Ye are) Saha and Sahasya, the months of winter. (Hemanta)
(Ye are) Tapa and Tapasya, the months of the cool season. (Shishira)
These twelve portions/months of the year were pinned to the Earth/Sun (Saura year), like the twelve months of the
calendar. These twelve seasonal months are akin to the Gregorian calendar months of January, February, etc.
The year length and the connection of the seasons to the solstices are seen.
“366 days for the solar year. In the year there are six ritus (seasons) and two ayanas (solstices). In the year there
are twelve solar months. Five years make a yuga.”
The following verses show how the new moon, at that time, was in Dhanishta (Shravishta) Nakshatra. It began the
soli/lunar month of Magha. It also shows the solar / calendar month (Tapa) and the year / yuga beginning on the
winter solstice or that new moon.
“When the Sun and Moon occupy the same region of the zodiac together with the asterism Shravishta, at that time
begins the yuga, and the (synodic) month of Magha, the (solar seasonal) months called Tapa, the bright fortnight (of
the Synodic month Magha) and their northward course (uttarayan / winter solstice).”
Below we see the Nakshatras measuring both the northern and the southern course, at the time of this text.
“When situated at the beginning of the Shravishta segment, the Sun (and Moon) begins to move north. When they
reach the midpoint of the Aslesha segment, they begin moving south.
And this:
“Four and a half asterismal segments is one ritu (season).”
This confirms that six seasons multiplied by 4.5 Asterisms (Nakshatras) = 27 Nakshatras.
And this, measuring five-year yugas by the number of Nakshatras transited by the Sun in five years:
“In the same way the total of the asterisms of the Sun (which comes round five times) is 135.”
It is clear, in the Vedas, approximately 1200 BC, that the Indians connected the seasons to the solstices (and the
new moon of that month) and also began the year / yuga at that time. They also measured everything with sidereal
space and time.
Nakshatras based Sidereal Zodiac in 6 Major Astrology and Astronomy
Texts
The zodiac in India was/is Sidereal, using the Nirayana Chakra (circle without the Ayana - Solstice) to measure the
movement of objects and other phenomena, like the precession of the equinoxes, solstices, etc. The texts and
reflect this. Thus, in every astrology book, the zodiac signs are pinned to the Nakshatra circle (Nirayana chakra).
Zodiac Defined at the Beginning of the Text
Notice these explicit statements about the Sidereal zodiac are at the beginning of the book, before any methods are
described. This is in keeping with proper exegesis. First, we need to know how to calculate the chart and find the
planets before we analyze them. This is not by accident.
Brihat Parashara Hora Sastra – Sage Parashara (Exact age unknown)
Ch. 3, V. 4-6:
Those are called “Grahas,” that move through the Nakshatras (or stellar mansions) in the zodiac. The said zodiac
comprises of 27 Nakshatras commencing from Ashvini. The same area is divided in twelve parts equal to twelve
“Rashis” commencing from Mesh.
BPHS says planets move through 27 Nakshatras and the same area is divided into 12 portions beginning with Aries.
Also, in BPHS there is an explicit rule to add the ayanamsha portion (to “the zodiac”) when calculating Ayana bala (a
source of planetary strength).
Brihat Parashara Hora Sastra—Ch 17, V. 15
Add Ayanāńś to the Grah and find out the Bhuja (distance from the nearest equinox),…
Ayana bala is purely a tropical consideration, declaring that planets are stronger based on their proximity to the
nearest solstice point. We see in this passage, the directive to add the ayanamsha to the zodiac to determine which
Ayana is present. Meaning, the zodiac is Sidereal, thus in order to find the ayana we need to add the ayanamsha to
the (Sidereal) zodiac.
Brihat Parashara Hora Sastra is definitely a Sidereal zodiac text. It is not a debatable point.
But there are explicit statements in every Vedic astrology text that defines the zodiac. They all do it Sidereally. But
also remember, there was no need to do it in every book, because it was clearly common knowledge at the time.
Brihat Jataka – Varahamihira (5-6th Century) Ch. 1, V. 4:
“In the celestial Chakra (globe) the signs commencing with Mesha and Aswini, are each formed by nine padams
(quarters) of stars and govern the following organs of Kalapurusha…”
Hora Sara - Prithuyasas - Son of Varahamihira (Approx. 7th Century) Ch.1 V.14
“Two and a quarter of stars make one Rasi. Each of the 12 signs is constituted by two and a quarter of stars or nine
padas with Ashwini in the start in Aries and Revati at the end in Pisces.”
Jataka Parijata - Vaidyanatha Dikshita (1463 CE) Ch1. Sloka 7
“Kriya (Aries) and other zodiacal signs in the heavens consist of nine quarters of stars reckoning from Ashwini,..”
Surya Siddhanta, Ch. 1 – "Mean Motions of Planets"
25-28. The planets moving westward with exceeding velocity, but constantly beaten by the asterisms (nakshatras),
fall behind, at a rate precisely equal, proceeding each in its- own path,.. By their movement, the revolution is
accounted complete at the end of the asterism Revati. Sixty seconds make a minute; sixty of these, a degree; of
thirty of the latter is composed a sign (rashi); twelve of these are a revolution (bhagana).
Surya Siddhanta, Chapter 2 – “Precise Location of Planets”
V. 64. The portion of an asterism is eight hundred minutes; of a lunar day (tithi), in like manner, seven hundred and
twenty. If the longitude of a planet, in minutes, be divided by the portion of an asterism, the result is its position in
asterisms: by means of the daily motion are found the days, etc.
We see that the planet’s positions are to be located as being in the Nakshatras, Sidereally. Again:
“If the longitude of a planet, in minutes, be divided by the portion of an asterism, the result is its position in
asterisms.
Surya Siddhanta, Chapter 8 – “Of the Asterisms”
V. 13. In Taurus, the seventeenth degree, a planet of which the latitude is a little more than two degrees, south, will
split the wain of Rohini.
Here we see clearly that the 17th degree of Taurus is said to be in the middle of Rohini. That is just as true now as it
was when this was written, at least 1,000 years ago. Rohini occupies 10:00 – 23:20 of Sidereal Taurus. The point at
17 degrees Taurus would be almost exactly in the middle. This is clearly a Sidereal zodiac sign directive and further
nails the Nakshatra circle to the Sidereal Zodiac signs, not the tropical signs or the Vernal equinox, etc. Based on
precession, that same point in the sky is now in Tropical Gemini.
The Holistic, Nakshatra Based Sky
Once we realize that the Nakshatras and Rashis are aligned, it becomes crucial to see planets as being in both a
Nakshatras and a Rashi. As we have limited time today, we can examine how 9 of the Nakshatras bridge 2 Rashis
and have qualities of both.
Kritikka bridges Aries and Taurus. It means “cutter” and shows how the fire of purification is embedded and
captured by the earth. This is symbolized by a sacred fire ceremony and the fire pit of consciousness contained in
the body.
Mrigashira bridges Taurus and Gemini. It is symbolized by a deer, which is a gentle four-legged animal (like a
bull/Taurus). But a deer is also a fast, curious, and nimble creature like a human being, or two human beings
(Gemini).
Punarvasu bridges Gemini and Cancer. It means “return of the light” and shows how knowledge from the head in
Gemini must sink into the heart if we are to “return to the light” in our mind and consciousness.
Uttara Phalguni bridges Leo and Virgo and shows how the power of Leo must be filtered into many skills and
tasks if we are to live a happy and intelligent life. Success in life comes when we can organize the details properly.
Chitra bridges Virgo and Libra and shows How the practical structure of Virgo becomes something we want to
share with others and enjoy with them in Libra. The Deity is the celestial architect, where we build something useful
and enjoyable.
Vishaka bridges Libra and Scorpio and shows the desire and skill to elevate relationships beyond just personal
happiness, toward more purity and transcendence. The God’s Indra (lightning) and Agni (fire) predominate. This
leads us to more emotional courage and personal leadership.
Uttara Ashada bridges Sagittarius and Capricorn and shows how our beliefs and inspirations lead to hard work,
determined effort and authentic spiritual growth. The deities here are the universal gods. These are the forces we
need to develop spiritually, through tangible work and effort.
Dhanishta bridges Capricorn and Aquarius and shows how our spiritual values an inner stillness is our highest
value and must be shared with the world. Seeing ourselves as a universal being, not just an emotionally frail human
comes to fruition in this nakshatra.
Purva Bhadra bridges Aquarius and Pisces and shows a lightning strike which descends from heaven and
connects us to the other world. Bridging the world of culture (Aquarius) and the other world (Pisces)is shown by this
nakshatra.
