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Glossary of Astrology & other terms |
AHAMKARA [(Aham = self) + (Kara = maker)] Egotism, self-love born of avidya (q.v.), spiritual ignorance; the conception of "I" distinguished from the universal One-Self personality. In Vedanta, it is considered as the third of 8 producers of illusory creation in the sense of conceit, or the conception of individuality. It is rooted in the nature of Manas, the thinking principle, which arises from Mahat, the illumined mind. It is dual in nature as it has affinity with Atma-Buddhi as well as with the physical counterpart of man. Astrologically, Mercury produces self-conceit as well as spiritual ignorance, Avidya, especially when it is associated with the materialistically afflicted Sun, or when it is adversely aspected or is conjunct with Saturn or the nodes of the Moon (Rahu). AHI A serpent, a thief, the shadowy planet Rahu. In the Vedas, Ahi is a demon representing egotism and ignorance. It personifies thirst for life, lack of moisture, and existence of drought. Yet as Dhyan Chohans, it stands for mighty intelligent forces which give rise to and enact her laws in nature while themselves acting in accordance with laws imposed on them by yet higher powers. As a demonic power, Ahi was Vritra: (q.v.), the serpent of ignorance killed by Indra to save the world from destruction. Ahi represents the Sun and Rahu. As Naga it presides over Ashlesha (q.v.) and as Ahir-Budhanya it imparts wisdom to Uttara Bhadrapada (q.v.). AHIRBUDHANYA Also known as a dragon of the deep. It is one of the 11 primary Rudras (q.v.) produced by Sage Kashyapa and Surabhi, who was one of the daughters of Daksha Prajapati (q.v.). Ahirbudhanya produced 80 million invincible trident-holding secondary Rudras who were spread in all directions to protect mankind. Along with Ajaikapada, another primary Rudra, he formed the dual principles of light and darkness, heat and cold, and is personified, as Agni while Ajaikapada is Soma. Ajaikapada and Ahirbudhanya preside over Purva and Uttara Bhadrapadas (q.v.), respectively. AHIRVRITRA The dragon of primordial ignorance, which lies concealed in primeval darkness. AJA Meaning unborn, eternal Brahma, the zodiacal sign of Aries, a name of Moon and of Kamadeva. Born from the heart of Brahma, it is also known as Atmabhu, self-existent. It stands for the manifest deity, which is an outer cover of the ever concealed. It represents the primeval thirst for sentient existence personified by Kamadeva (q.v.). Aries is known as Aja, which induces externalisation process and produces the energy to blossom in splendour. Aja is an epithet applied to many gods. It is also, the name of a prince in the solar race of kings sometimes he is said to be the son of Raghu and at other times the son of Dilip the son of Raghu. He redeemed a celestial musician, a gandharva, transformed as a mad elephant. On his release, the gandharva gave Aja certain arrows, which enabled him to win and marry Indumati, the daughter of the King of Vidarbha, in a Swayamvara (where a bride herself selects her husband). When their son Dasharath, the father of Rama, grew up, Aja ascended to Indra's heaven. AJA-EKA-PADA/AJAIKAPADA [(Aja = ram) + (Eka = one) + (Pada = foot)]. Presiding deity of Purva Bhadrapada (q.v.), a primary Rudra born of Kashyapa and Surabhi, represents the sure-footed goat. It is transcendent cosmic energy, referred in the Atharva Veda along with Rohit, primarily concerned with producing heaven and earth. Ajaikapada establishes itself as the Sun to nourish the universe. (See Ahirbudhanya) AJITAS Unconquered. A title given to Vishnu, Shiva and many others. These are 12 classes of gods incarnating in each Manvantara (q.v.) and are often identified as Kumaras (q.v.), an epithet of Jnana Devas. AJNA CHAKRA [Ajna = to command) + (Chakra = wheel, energy centre)]. A term used in yogic literature to mean the energy centre located between the eyebrows. Also known as Brow Chakra. AKASHA Meaning sky, ether. A term with different meanings to different systems of Indian philosophy. It stands for the subtle, supersensuous, spiritual essence pervading all space. The cosmic void in which the entire manifestation takes place. In the latter, Aditi (q.v. personifies the Vedic concept of Void. The Vedantists describe it as one of the five basic elements, the Mahabhutas (q.v.) and the Vaiseshikas (q.v.) considered it as one of the nine dravyas, substances, having the substratum of the quality of sound. Indra rules over Akasha. The Buddhists describe it as a state in cosmogenetic evolution. The Southern Buddhists made it one of the three eternal components of existence, the other two being law and Nirvana. Blavatsky considers space and universe to be synonymous. In space there is neither matter, nor space, nor spirit, not all that and much more. She states it to be the root of life which, in its eternal, ceaseless motion, like the out- and in breathing of one boundless ocean, evolves but to re-absorb all that lives and feels and thinks and has its being in it. (SD. V. pp. 381-82) The occultists consider Akasha as the astral and sidereal light (q.v.) which contains within its shoeless waves not only promise and potency of every quality of life but also realization of the potency of every quality of spirit. It is anima mundi (q.v.), the world soul, the workshop of nature and of all the cosmos, spiritually and physically. AKASHIYA DHRUVA Celestial pole. AKASHIYA VISHUWATA VRITA Celestial equator. AKHAND SAMRAJYA YOGA A planetary combination producing a long life of affluence formed by Leo, Scorpio, Aquarius or Taurus as ascendant, making Jupiter rule either the 5th or the 11th house in a natal chart. The yoga also assumes that the rulers of the 2nd, 9th and 11th houses from the Moon are strong. AKRITI YOGA Depending upon the pattern of relationships, the following yogas are identified as Akriti yoga:(1) Gada, (2) Saket, (3) Pakshin, (4) Bajra, (5) Yava, (6) Shringataka, (7) Hala, (8) Kamal, (9) Vapi, (10) Yupe, (11) Shar, (12) Shakti, (13) Dand, (14) Nau, (15) Kuta, (16) Chatra, (17) Ardha Chandra, (18) Chap, (19) Samudra, and (20) Chara. (For results of these yogas, see them under their respective names.) AKSHANSHA Latitude. ALAYA Meaning a dwelling place, a receptacle. The universal soul. The name belongs to the Tibetan system of the contemplative Mahayana school. Identical with Akasha (q.v.) in its mystic sense, and with Mool Prakriti (q.v.) in its essence, it is the basis of all things. Blavatsky considers Alaya as the soul of the world, or anima mundi (q.v.), which, according to esoteric teachings, changes its nature periodically. Alaya, though eternal and changeless in its inner essence on the planes which are unreachable by either men or cosmic gods, changes during the active life period with respect to the lower planes. The Mahayana school considers it as the personification of Void ness. Yet Alaya is the basis of every visible and invisible thing, though it is eternal and immutable in its essence, it reflects itself in every object of the Universe. ALPAYU Short span of life. Those who die young. The exact duration of this short span depend upon the life expectancy prevalent in the culture of the native under consideration. As a general rule, the period of Alpayu extends up to 32 years of age. (For determination of longevity in any chart, see author's Planets in Signs and Houses. AMAR YOGA An auspicious planetary combination formed in two ways, viz., (1) all cardinal houses occupied by all malefic, or by all benefices. In the former case, the native owns landed property and real estate, and in the latter case, he becomes rich and affluent; (2) Sun in Aries or in Leo occupies the ascendant, or any other cardinal or trine house while Moon is in exaltation or in its own sign, i.e., in Cancer or Taurus, and Jupiter and Venus occupy the 8th or 12th house in the natal chart. Amar yoga nullifies all evils in the horoscope. AMARAK YOGA A planetary combination formed by the lord of the 7th house placed in the 9th house, and the lord of the 9th in the 7th house while both these planets are in strength. It bestows to the native long arms, big eyes, knowledge of law and religious scriptures. His wife is faithful to him and he leads a pure and moral life. AMARESHWARA Lord of the immortals. A title of Vishnu, Shiva, and Indra. The name of one of the 12 great Lingas (q.v.) situated at Ujjain in Madhya Pradesh. AMATYA KARAKA The planet with the highest longitude in a natal chart, irrespective of the sign in which it- is placed is known as Atma karaka while the planet with the second highest longitude is known as Amatya karaka. It is related with the welfare of siblings. (See Karakattwa) AMAVASYA New Moon day. AMBA Mother. A name of Durga. The eldest daughter of a king of Kashi (Varanasi), she became in a subsequent birth a chieftain of the Pandavas and incapacitated Bhishma, the grandsire of the Kuru dynasty. (See Mahabharata) Amba is also the name of the eldest of the seven Pleiades, the heavenly sisters, each of whom was married to the seven sages of the constellation Great Bear. AMBIKA A sister of Rudra. In later times identified as Uma or Parvati, the consort of Shiva. Also the name of a younger sister of Amba who became the mother of Dhritarashtra, of the Kuru dynasty. AMITABHA [(A = not) + (mita = measurable) + (abha = splendour)]. Also a Chinese perversion of the Sanskrit Amrita Buddha meaning the Immortal Enlightened, which is a name of Gautam Buddha. The name has many variations such as Amita, Abida, Amitya, etc., meaning both 'Boundless Age' as well as 'Boundless Light.' The word is an anthropomorphised version of the original concept of the ideal of an impersonal divine light. Presently, it refers to one of the seven Adi Buddhas who is the heavenly prototype particularly of Gautarn Buddha. AMRITA [(A = not) + (mrita = dead)] Nectar of immortality; ambrosia. Esoterically a state of interminable bliss; esoterically, it is the water of life, ambrosia, which, when taken, could lead to final beatitude. Also means the various things offered in sacrifice and more specially Soma. In the Vedas, ghritam, clarified butter, Soma, the sacred drink, and amritam, ambrosia, each attributed a distinct psychological state. The experience of the final beatitude leads to radical transformation, from which no retreat to uncertainty (and ignorance, avidya) is possible. In Puranic stories, the ambrosial drink was produced during the churning of the ocean by the gods and demons. The gods tried to prevent the demons from partaking of the drink but Rahu and Ketu (q.v.), represented by Vasuki, who had served as the churning cord, surreptitiously partook some of it and became immortal. AMSAVATARA YOGA The planetary combination suggesting descent of an exalted is being into the body of an apparently simple person. It signifies limitations imposed on the incarnating ego, even after it attained high spiritual status. The yoga produces high status with fruits of spiritual and mundane achievements. (See Avatara Yoga) ANAGAMIN [(An = not) + (gamin = subject to return)]. Not subject to return. Buddhist term for third-degree initiation. ANAGAMIN The Dragon's Head, Rahu the invisible karmic planet. ANANT SHESHA [(Anant = infinite, inexhaustible) + (Shesha = end)]. The Serpent of Eternity, represented by the thousand-headed serpent, said to function as the couch of Vishnu. It is also said to support the world on its nose. ANAPHA YOGA A planet other than the Sun occupying the 12th house from the Moon constitutes Anapha yoga. Mars in this position makes the person powerful, self-controlled and a leader of persons engaged in undesirable activities. Mercury makes him proficient in oratory, an absorbing conversations, and skilled in social arts. Jupiter makes the native a serious-minded, righteous person spending money on charity. Venus makes the person a womanizer yet respected by persons in authority. Saturn leads to disenchantment, and the nodes, to perversity. The Moon under the yoga bestows well-formed organs, good manners and self-respect. In old age, the individual becomes austere and renounces social involvement. ANGIRAS A Vedic sage, Many hymns of the Rig Veda are attributed to him. All Rishis accorded him high status. He is included as one of the seven Maharishis, one of the ten Prajapatis, and a frequent companion of Indra. The name Angiras comes from, the same root as Agni, fire; many of his functions are associated with fire. Angiras inspires the lawgivers, is an author on astronomy, and is often considered a personification of Brihaspati, the regent of the planet Jupiter, or the planet itself. Angiras is also considered an epithet for the father of Agni. He is connected with hymns addressed to Agni, Indra and other luminous deities. One version makes him the son of Uru by Agneyi, the daughter of Agni; another makes him born from the mouth of Brahma. Even Daksha Prajapati is sometimes mentioned as his father. His wives are Smriti (memory), Shradha (reverence), Swaha (oblation), and Sad (truth). His daughters were Richas (Vedic hymns). His sons were the Manes called Havishmats. Utathya, Brihaspati, and Markandeya were also said to be his sons. Aurobindo ascribes to Angiras the role of the revealer of divine enlightenment. He considered Angiras to be in the first place a power of Agni, the Seer-Will. According to him, Angiras is also the seer, who works by light, by knowledge; he is a flame of the puissance of Agni, the great force that is born into the world to be the priest of sacrifices, and leader of the journey, the puissance which the gods are said to establish here as the immortal in mortals, the energy that does the great work. In the second place, Angiras is the power or at least has the power of Brihaspati, the truth-thinking and seven-rayed whose seven rays of light hold that truth which he thinks, and whose seven mouths repeat, is the word that expresses the truth. It cannot be doubted, Aurobindo says, that this host of troops of Brihaspati is meant to be the Angiras rishis, who by the true mantra help in the great victory. He even identifies Jupiter with Sage Angiras. Brihaspati is also an Angiras and one who becomes the Angiras-(SoV, pp. 152-65) ANGIRASAS A generic name for several Puranic individuals, a class of Pitris (q.v.). The word also stands for a river in Plaksha, one of the seven sacred islands in Sapta Dwipa described- in detail in Devi Bhagwatam. Blavatsky mentions the Angirasas as an intermediate race of higher beings between gods and men. She states Angirasas to be one of the names of Dhyanis, or Deva instructors, of the late third, fourth and even of the fifth race initiates. (SD. IV. 177) ANGLES Also known as Kendras, cardinal houses or the quadrants. The angles are very auspicious. All planets in these houses bestow affluence and happiness and active life. Even a malefic gives good results in the angles. ANIMA MUNDI Latin for Alaya (q.v.). The soul of the world. The divine essence, which permeates, animates and informs all, from the smallest atom of matter to man and God. Every human soul is, according to Blavatsky, born by detaching itself from the anima mundi, which esoterically means that our higher egos are of an essence identical with that which is a radiation of the ever-unknown universal absolute. ANIVAHUPPU A combination for planetary strength and its auspicious disposition given in Kapil Nadi Grantham. It refers to the strength of a planet arising from its placement in such a way that the remaining eight planets are distributed 4 in 6 houses on its both sides. The nodes are included among the planets considered under this combination. The central planet thus situated attains a powerful position. Even if it is not auspicious otherwise, this position enables it to produce beneficial results. ANTAHKARAN [(Antar = middle, interior) + (Karan = cause, instrument)]. The bridge between the lower and the higher mind; the link between the Divine ego and the personal self of the man. The internal instrument, the soul, formed by the thinking principle and egoism. ANTARIKSHA Horizon. The firmament between heaven and earth, the sphere of Gandharvas, Apsaras, and Yakshas and such other celestial entities. ANU Minute; an atom; the smallest particle of matter. ANUJANMAN Younger brother. ANULOMA Born of a mother whose caste is inferior to that of the father. Viloma refers to the birth when the mother is superior in caste to that of the father. ANURADHA 17th asterism extending from 2130 20' to 2260 40' of the zodiac. Tamas (q.v.) is its primary attribute. Its presiding deity is Mitra (q.v.) and lotus is its symbol. It imparts the impulse of growth towards spirituality as well as materialism, depending upon the inherent nature of the individual. ANYONYASTAYA Same as Parivartan (q.v.). APACHAYA The 1st, 2nd, 4th, 7th and 8th houses in a natal chart. (See also Upachaya and Panphara houses) APASAVYA A term used in Kalachakra (q.v.) Dasa calculation. Apasavya and Savya sequences are used to determine planetary relationships over different times in one's life. APOKLIMA The 3rd, 6th, 9th, and 12th houses in a natal chart. Planets attain 1/4 of their basic strength in these houses. Preponderance of planets in them makes the latter part of an individual's life brighter and more active. APSARAS Celebrated nymphs of Indra's heaven. Literally the word means ‘moving in the water’; these nymphs are said to have emerged as a result of the churning of the ocean and are very fond of water sports. They are able to change their forms and are very liberal in granting their favours. At Indra's instance, they often detract the sages from their austerities, specially when Indra feels his throne threatened. They are denizens of Anatariksha (q.v.). AQUARIUS Meaning kumbha (sk) (a pitcher). The eleventh sign of the zodiac which extends from 3000 to 3300. Aquarius is airy and fierce, related to the western direction and is a Sudra by caste. It is powerful in day and likes to wander in forests. It produces struggles for earnest spiritual individuals but for a common householder it leads to inauspicious results, making his everyday life very hard. Saturn is its ruler. The sign does not provide suitable milieu for exaltation or debilitation of any planet. Aquarius represents the release of the universal life force latent in an individual. It increases and intensifies material propensities. Under its impulse, frustration is greatly heightened if the individual does not have indifference to worldly attainments. (For details, see REA, pp. 123-31; MSVA, pp. 159-61) ARA SAURIKARSHANA Mutual aspect between Saturn and Mars. |