ZODIAC SIGNS IN VEDIC ASTROLOGY (PART-2)

In the last of this series we have discussed about few characteristics of zodiac signs (Rashis) in Vedic astrology and in this post we will continue our discussion on the same topic 

If you haven't read our last part, then I recommend  you to read that one first for a better understanding.

Read here -: Part-1

Signs & Tridoshas

“Tridoshas” can be understood as the tripod of life. They act as the balance factor and imbalance in any one of the “Tridoshas” can make a person sick.

The “Tridoshas” are -: Vat, Pitt & Kaph.

As the name suggest, “Vat” is related to make balance of air circulation in the body , “Kaph” is the thick fluids in body and its imbalance can give problems like cold , cough etc. and “Pitt” is related to thin fluids in body and its imbalance gives rise to problems including vomiting, high fever, urine problems etc.

{Details on “Tridoshas” will be covered in a separate article later}

In the below table (fig-1); signs and the “Tridosha” they represent is given. It is very much useful in predicting the type of disease the person will have.

{All other details will be discussed in “Medical Astrology”}

fig-1 : Signs and their associated Tridoshas

Here, we can notice that; all the fire signs are of “Pitta” nature, all the earth signs are of “Vatta” nature, all the air signs are of “Mishrit” nature and all the water sign are of “Kapha” nature.

People with “Pitta dosha” (Any fire sign as ascendant/any afflicted fire sign) have medium weight, lots of body heat, soft skin that can develop rashes and sun burn easily. They are allergic to hot weather, ambitious, aggressive, quick decision maker. Such people shouldn’t consume too much oily and acidic food as they have a tendency to develop acidity.

People with “Vatta dosha” (Any earth sign as ascendant/any afflicted earth sign) are usually slim and tall. They are very active, restless, emotional and talkative. They have a fast metabolism that results irregular eating habits in the native. 

Such people usually have dry and rough skin and prone to gastric problems.

People with “Kapha dosha” (Any water sign as ascendant/any afflicted water sign) usually have heavy weight and sometimes over weight with smooth and wrinkle free face. They have slow digestion and love to cook and eat their favorite food. They have a tendency to develop diseases related to water.

Such people are lethargic and comfort loving. They may be sentimental but, usually forgive easily. They are slow learners but have a good memory. They cling to their family and prefer to follow the tradition.

People with “Mishrit dosha” (Any air sign as ascendant/any afflicted air sign) have a mixed body type that includes all the Tridoshas up to some extent.

Signs and their Varna (Caste)

In Vedic era, society is classified in four castes or, “Varnas” and known as “Varna system”. 

The 10^th Mandala (or, section) of Rig Veda contains “Purusasukta Hymn” which describes the 4 Varna of the society and the Varna system that was created for the welfare of the whole society in which certain people were associated with certain jobs and as per their nature of duty they were assigned to a Varna.

People who engaged in religious work or, work as priest in temples are considered as “Brahmins”.

People who participate in wars or, responsible for the protection of society from foreign invasions etc. are considered as “Kshatriyas”.

People who are merchants, traders, shopkeepers, businessman etc. are considered as “Vaishyas”.

People who serve others and responsible for keeping the society clean are considered as “Shudras”.

In astrology also, zodiac signs are classified in different Varnas and they possesses the properties of the assigned Varna.

Signs and their associated Varnas are given in below table (fig-2)-:

fig-2 : Signs and their Varna (Caste)

Here, we can notice that; all the fire signs are of “Kshatriya Varna”, all the earth signs are of “Vaishya Varna”, all the air signs are of “Sudra Varna” and all the water sign are of “Brahmin Varna”.

Signs and their motive

As per Vedic literatures, human life has four types of motive, that are -: “Dharma (righteous duty & religion)”, “Artha (Wealth)”, “Kama (Desires)” & “Moksha (Salvation/emancipation)”.

The 12 zodiac signs can also be grouped in these 4 categories and they influence the planet placed in it with its inherent motive.

The signs with fire elements come under “Dharma” category, signs with earth elements under “Artha” category, signs with air element are under “Kama” category and signs with water element are under “Moksha” category.

As we have 3 signs (Occupying 3 houses in the horoscope) in each category, hence they are also known as “Dharma triangle”, “Artha triangle”, “Kama triangle” and “Moksha triangle”.

The below table (fig-3) shows the signs and their respective inherent motive -:

fig-3 : Signs and their motive

The planetary positions and dignity in “Dharma triangle” shows the native’s tendency towards the religion and righteous deeds and that of in “Artha triangle” shows their tendency to gain & accumulate wealth in life.

The word “Kama” means “Desire”. Therefore; for an ascetic person, God is the most desirable object and for an artist or, entertainer; gaining fame in the world might be the most desirable thing.

So, “Kama” can be interpreted as a driving force which shapes the future of a person according to the nature, mode & intensity of it.

The planetary positions & dignity in “Kama triangle” shows how well the native can achieve his/her desires.

Similarly, the planetary placements & dignities in “Moksha triangle” shows the extent up to which the native can get the complete mastery over a subject because, “Moksha” is the ultimate state and goal of human life and thus represents crowning attitude in any subject.

Signs and their inherent nature (Guna)

“Guna” or, “Inherent nature” is of three types as described in Vedic literature, they are -:

1. Satva guna
2. Rajas guna
3. Tamas guna

“Gunas” have always been and continued to be present in all things and beings in the world.

The “Satva guna” is associated with goodness, constructive energy and harmony.

The “Rajas guna” is associated with passion, activeness and confusion.

The “Tamas guna” is associated with darkness, destructive energy and chaos.

All the three “Gunas” are present in everyone and everything but, in different proportion. The interplay of three “Gunas” defines the character of someone or, something, of nature and determines the progress of life.

The twelve zodiac signs are also associated with these three “Gunas”.

In the below table (fig-4), the zodiac signs and their respective “Gunas” are given-:

fig-4 : Signs and their associated guna

Planets in such zodiac signs tend to be influenced by the “Guna” that the sign represents.

Satvic Signs (Signs possessing “Satva Guna”)-: 

These are related to higher spiritual thinking and behavior, seeking out higher wisdom and truth, Meditating, focusing, worshipping God or Nature, universality and altruism in thoughts and actions, Pure, Learned/ Wise, etc. 

        

The signs ruled by the Sun, the Moon and the Jupiter are under “Satvic signs”.

Rajasic Signs (Signs possessing “Rajas Guna”)-: 

These are related to action and adventure, Passions &desires, Energy, Seeking power/ Money / Fame, ambitious and materialistic.

The signs ruled by the Mercury and the Venus are under “Rajasic signs”.

Tamasic Signs (Signs possessing “Tamas Guna”)-: 

These are related to pleasing the senses, seeking lower order gratification of senses in form of intoxicants/ drugs/ heavy food, seeking pleasure in carnal desires, lover of negative tantric or lower order deity worship and satanic practices, loving occult and misusing power, cruel in nature, ignorant, etc.

The signs ruled by the Mars and the Saturn are under “Tamasic signs”.

Violent, Barren & Fruitful signs

Violent signs -: 

The signs ruled by Mars & Saturn especially, “Aries”, “Scorpio” and “Capricorn” are known as “Violent signs”. These signs are tend to be destructive and “Tamasic” in nature and when afflicted in a horoscope will manifest violent characteristics.

Barren signs -: 

In terms of female fertility (for conception); “Aries”, “Gemini”, “Leo” and “Virgo” are considered as “Barren signs” (i.e., not be fruitful for conception).

Fruitful signs -: 

In terms of female fertility (for conception); the water element signs like “Cancer”, “Scorpio” and “Pisces” are considered as “Fruitful signs” (i.e., fruitful for conception).

The below table (fig-5) shows the signs and their above said characteristics -:

fig-5 : Violent, Barren & Fruitful signs

Shirshodaya, Pristodoya & Ubhayodaya rashi

Shirshodaya Signs –: 

The very word “Shirshodaya” means “Rising the head first”. Zodiac signs like “Gemini”, “Leo”, “Virgo”, “Libra”, “Scorpio” and “Aquarius” come under this category.

Planets placed in these signs will tend to give results in the first half of their ‘Dashas’ (Ruling period) or, “Antar-dasha” (Ruling sub-period) etc.

{We will discuss about “Dasha”, “Antar-dasha” etc. in our future posts}

Prishtodaya Signs –: 

The very word “Prishtodaya” means “Rising the back first”. Zodiac signs like “Aries”, “Taurus”, “Cancer”, “Sagittarius” and “Capricorn” come under this category.

Planets placed in these signs will tend to give results in the second half of their ‘Dashas’ (Ruling period) or, “Antar-dasha” (Ruling sub-period) etc.

Ubabodaya Signs –: 

The very word “Ubabodaya” means “Rising both sides at the same time”. “Pisces” is the only zodiac sign that come under this category.

Planets placed in “Pisces” will tend to give results in the second half of their ‘Dashas’ (Ruling period) or, “Antar-dasha” (Ruling sub-period) etc.

The below table (fig-6) shows the signs and their above said characteristics -:

fig-6 : Prishthodaya, Sihirshodaya & Ubhyodaya signs

Divabali & Ratribali rashi

Divabali rashi -: 

The zodiac signs that are strong in the day time (The duration of time between sun rise to sun set) are known as “Divabali rashi”.

Signs like “Leo”, “Virgo”, “Libra”, “Scorpio”, “Aquarius” and “Pisces” come under this category.

Ratribali rashi -: 

The zodiac signs that are strong in the night time (The duration of time between sun set to sun rise) are known as “Ratribali rashi”.

Signs like “Aries”, “Taurus”, “Gemini”, “Cancer”, “Sagittarius” and “Capricorn” come under this category.

The below table (fig-7) divides the 12 zodiac signs in these two categories -:

fig-7 : Divabali & Ratribali signs

 

Dwipada, Chatuspada, Jaliya & Keet rashi

The zodiac signs are often represented as different creatures in Vedic astrology that certainly defines the nature and characteristics of that sign.

As per the creature emblem that a sign resembles, they can be sorted in the following four categories -:

Dwipada rashi -: 

The signs that has a two legged creature emblem come under this category, such as, “Gemini”, “Virgo”, “Libra”, “Aquarius” and only the upper portion of “Sagittarius”.

Chatuspada rashi -: 

The signs that has a four legged creature emblem come under this category, such as, “Aries”, “Taurus”, “Leo”, only the lower half of “Sagittarius” and the upper half of “Capricorn”.

Jaliya rashi -: 

The sign that have an aquatic creature emblem come under this category, such as, “Cancer”, “Pisces” and only the lower half of “Capricorn”.

Keet rashi -: 

The sign that have an insect creature emblem come under this category and “Scorpio” is the only sign that come inside this category.

The below table (fig-8) summarizes the above said categorization -:

fig-8 : Dwipad, Chatuspad, Jaliya & Keet signs

These are the basic & major categorization of the zodiac signs but, we have other such classifications that are used in “Horary astrology”. We will study them when we'll discuss those subjects.

Thank you