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MADAN YOGA A planetary combination constituted by the lord of the 10th house posited in ascendant along with Venus and the lord of 11th house occupying the 11th house itself. The combination makes the individual born under it very attractive and highly placed in political circles. He begins prospering at an early age of twenty years. MADHYANA REKHA Meridian. MAGHA/MAKHA The 10th asterism. Also known as Makha (q.v.). MAHABHARATA The great war of the Bharatas. The great epic poem, probably the longest in the world, containing more than 2,20,000 lines. It describes the war between the Kauravas and the Pandavas who were the descendants, through Bharata from Puru, of the great ancestor of one of the lunar races. In this war, Krishna agreed to be the charioteer of Arjuna, the most resplendent among the Pandavas, while Krishna's army sided with the Kauravas. When Arjuna was reluctant to fight for the kingdom, to which he had a legitimate right, and to kill his cousins and relatives, Krishna advised him and this advice became the Bhagavad Gita. The epic contains 18 chapters, and the war also lasted 18 days. Krishna Dwayapayana, better known as Vedavyasa, is not only the author of the epic, but also the source from whom the chief actors of the drama have sprung: Dhritarashtra, Pandu and Vidur were all the off springs of his seed. The epic contains much wisdom and information. The Mahabharata, considering its importance in Indian philosophy and thought, is reckoned as the 5th Veda. MAHA BHUTAS The 5 primary elements, viz., Earth (Prithvi), Water (Apas), Fire (Agni), Air Wayu), and Sky Washa). MAHA DASA The main period of planetary ruler ship. (See Dasa System) MAHAMAYA The great illusion, deception. Illusion personified as a female form of celestial origin, created for the purpose of beguiling individuals. Under its spell, even intellectuals and spiritual persons are deluded. Even Narada, the mind-born son 6f Brahma and a great ascetic, could not escape its ensnarement. Mahamaya is also known as Mahadevi, the female creative power of the Supreme Lord and represents the dawn of the supreme inner wisdom. Mahamaya and Mahadevi are known as the two sides of the same reality. Mahamaya is also known as Durga (the inaccessible), the wife of Lord Shiva. MAHA PATAKA YOGA A planetary combination formed by Moon associated with Rahu, and aspected by Jupiter conjunct with a malefic. It leads the individual, even if highly intellectual and well placed in society, to indulge in mean behavior and acts. MAHA PRALAYA A total dissolution of the universe when the 7 Lokas (q.v.) and their inhabitants, including Brahma, are annihilated. MAHAPURUSHA YOGAS Planetary combinations which indicate maturity of the soul. These are formed if any of the five luminaries, namely, Saturn, Jupiter, Mars, Mercury and Venus, possessed of strength occupies its own, exaltation, or friendly sign identical with cardinal houses. These planets produce five kinds of illustrous personages, and the combinations are known as Sasa, Ruchaka, Bhadra, Hamsa, and Malavya yogas formed by Saturn, Mars, Mercury, Jupiter, and Venus, respectively. These combinations induce the individual to liberate himself from involuntary actions and to direct one's conscious efforts towards certain specific goals in his life. [For details, see each of these yogas separately.] MAHAT Great; the great ones. Universal intelligence and consciousness. It is the first product of primeval root matter, Mula Prakriti, also known as Pradhana in Sankhya philosophy. It is the producer of the thinking principle, and -of egotism, Ahamkara. In Sankhya philosophy, it is intellect as distinguished from mind, the second of the 25 elements or Tattwas. Mahat or Maha-Buddhi, according to the Vaishnavas, is the cause of all things. The Secret Doctrine considers it as the universal soul. It is the cosmic noumenon of matter, the basis for intelligent operations in and of nature. (SD, 1. p. 82) Blavatsky states that Chit (q.v.) or consciousness is synonymous of Mahat for the yogis, but in esoteric philosophy, it is the root of Chit and Chit is a quality of Manas in conjunction with Buddhi (q.v.). It is a quality that attracts to itself spiritual affinity when it develops sufficiently in man. (SD. I. p. 330) MAHESH Lord Shiva (q.v.). MAKARA The 10th sign of the zodiac. It is also known as Capricorn. It is ruled by Saturn; Mars is exalted in it; and Jupiter is debilitated. Karnadeva (q.v.), the god of human desires and passion, has the insignia of Makara on his standard. Its numerical value is 5, and is related with the faces of the universe, said to be bound by a pentagon. The sign represents the spirit of eternal life and the spirit of life and love terrestrial in a human being at one and the same time. Makara is a deeply mystic sign. There is a mystic connection between it, represented by a goat, a half-fish and a half-human figure and Kumaras (q.v.). It is symbolized by a crocodile, which refers to the central seat of Dakshinamurti, whose mystic dwelling is around the Tropic of Capricorn. The sign is described as gentle and mild, Tamasic (q.v.) by temperament, earthy by element, and related with the southern direction. It is powerful during night. It is fond of forests and wilderness, and greatly swells under water. By itself Makara is ineffective in producing results; it produces powerful results under the influence of a planet by association, aspect or relationship in planetary combinations. The sign is classified as even, signifying its materialistic nature. Persons born under this sign invariably suffer from mental conflict. The sign produces turmoil, disharmony, and inner emptiness. Only under strong spiritualizing influence of Sun, Mars, and the nodes can one expect latent spirituality of the person to externalize. T. Subba Rao, a great occultist of the 19th century, states that the word Makara, commonly translated as crocodile, refers to simultaneous representation of both microcosm and macrocosm as external objects of perception. The numerical value of the word Makara represented the five limbs of man. It refers to man's inner and outer qualities, the man with his five organs of action and five organs of knowledge. The sign includes within its influence the entire manifestation. [See, T. Subba Rao, Collection of Esoteric Writings, TPH, pp. 10-12; H.P. Blavatsky, The Secret Doctrine, vol. IV, pp. 147-48] MAKAR SANKRANTI Ingress of Sun in Capricorn. Sun on this day moves into the northern hemisphere. Bhishma, the grand sire of the Mahabharata, awaited for this moment to give up his life. Mythologically, the inauspicious nature of this phenomenon is represented by Sankranti Pitnislia, who is said to possess three heads, two faces, five mouths, three eyes, four large ears, bloody and red colored teeth, long nose, eight limbs, two legs, black complexion, ugly appearance, and half-man and half-lion in composition. These physical characteristics vary each year depending upon astrological factors. Sankranti Purusha gets a new name every year such as Rakshas, Mandakini, Manda, Dhwanaksha, etc. These names suggest the special results expected during the year. MAKHA/MAGHA The 10th asterism extending from 1200 00' to 1330 20' of the zodiac. The constellation consists of 5 stars and is symbolized by a house as well as a palanquin. It is ruled by Ketu, and its presiding deities are the Pitris, the great ancestors of humanity. Its primary motivation comes from Artha (q.v.) suggesting 'seeking of specific goals'. Its basic attribute is Tamas. It is classified a worker by vocational class, rat by species, demon by temperament, and forest dweller by animal type. It is related with the western direction. Under Makha, the soul is pushed out into the world with much energy and courage. Under its favorable influences, it is capable of bestowing much affluence, physical comforts, sexual pleasures and other luxuries of life. It makes the individual an idealist amidst material abundance, if the planetary configuration is supportive for it- MALAYOGA A planetary combination formed by the lords of the 2nd, 7th, 9th and 11th houses posited in their respective signs. It bestows high administrative status on the individual and makes him a minister, a royal treasurer, or a leader of the people. His fortune brightens after the age of 33 years. MALAVYA YOGA One of the 5 planetary combinations for human greatness, viz., Panch Maha Purusha Yoga, formed by Venus in exaltation or occupation of its own sign and situated in a cardinal house. It makes the person the head of a cultural organization, gives him a life-span of 70 years. The individual dies at a sacred place, practicing yoga and penance. The individual with Malavya Yoga possesses a graceful appearance with the luster of Moon; he has a narrow waist, attractive lips, long hands, deep voice, and well-formed teeth. He rules over the western part of the country and lives happily up to a ripe old age. MALEFICS Inauspicious planets, especially Saturn, Mars, nodes of Moon, and Moon itself when it is weak. MALIKA YOGA A planetary combination formed by all the 7 planets, excluding Rahu and Ketu, placed one in each house, beginning with any house consecutively in the natal chart. There should be only one planet in each house, and no sign in the chain should be vacant. It is one of the exceptionally auspicious combinations depending upon the house from where the series starts, the auspicious nature of the result is predicted. MANAS Mind; intelligence; the thinking principle with matured synthetic sense. When unqualified, it refers to the higher self, or the spiritual soul, otherwise it represents Kama-Manas, the instrumental principle in man. Manas is mind or the internal organ of perception and cognition. It is the instrument by which objects of sense perception carry experiences to the soul and based on one's own spiritual development enable it to see the world from a real standpoint. In Nyaya Philosophy, Manas is regarded as a Dravya, substance, and is distinct from Atmati, the soul. It is an important base of the higher triad consisting of Atma-Buddhi-Manas; it forms a bridge between the subjective and the objective parts of a human personality. The feeling of self-consciousness arises from it. MANAS PUTRA The mind-born sons of Brahma, e.g., Kumars (q.v.), Narada (q.v.), Marichi (q.v.), and others. MANDALA Circle; globe; wheel. A mystical wheel or diagram in which various symbolic patterns are drawn, representing different divine powers (deities) and their ways of manifestation at different levels. The drawings form a part of the rituals intended for invoking gods. It is a part of an elaborate ritual among the Tibetan Lamas. The 10 divisions of the Vedas as well as the whole of the zodiacal circle are also known as Mandalas. MANDI An Upagraha (a satellite), attached to Sat-urn; is also known as the son of Saturn. It is an invisible, rather a hypothetical point. Its position is mathematically ascertained for predictive purposes. When the length of day and night is 30 ghatikas (60 ghatikas make 24 hours) each, the position of Mandi on weekdays, counting from Sunday onwards, is at the end of ghatikas 26, 22, 18, 14, 10, 6, and 2 during daytime, and during night time, at the end of 10, 6, 2, 26, 22, 18, and 14 ghatikas respectively. The following formula helps in working out the position of Mandi. D or N (as the case may be) X I / 30 = M 30 where M is birth ghati after sunrise or sunset, D is duration of day expressed in ghatis, N is duration of night in ghatis, I is the Index from the following table: Table 8: Table of Mandi Indices
Taking M in ghatis and vighatis (q.v.) we have to find out the ascendant and navamsa for the time indicated by M. The Rasi and Navamsa revealed will be the Rasi and Navamsa occupied by Mandi for a particular nativity. Indian ephemeris (Panchanga) give ahas (daytime) for the day as well as night. If it is not available there, the time of rising and setting of Sun can be ascertained from other sources. Mandi is very important in judging the correctness of an ascendant, which should conform to any of the following positions, specially if Moon is not strong in the natal chart: 1. Ascendant will be trine to the lord of the house occupied by Mandi. 2. Ascendant will be trine to the lord of the house occupied by the same -in Navamsa. 3. Ascendant will be trine to the Navamsa house of the Mandi itself. Mandi is a dreaded malefic, but it gives good results in the 6th and 11th houses. Its association with a planet makes the planet inauspicious. If the lord of the house occupied by Mandi is in a cardinal or a trine house with reference to ascendant, it bestows plenty of riches and fame on the individual. MANDUKA GATI Frog-leap. A term used in working out Kala Chakra Dasa (q.v.). MANGAUMARS See Kuja. MANOMAYA KOSHA The sheath of mental activities which receives all sense impressions and forms its own ideas, thus giving rise to the idea of 'I' and 'Mine', thereby creating illusion, avidya. The organs connected with sight, hearing, smell, taste, and touch, together with mind constitute the mental sheath. It enables the individual to identify various objects and perceptions and distinguish one from another. It permeates the Pranamaya Kosha, the sheath through which vital air, or Prana, circulates throughout the body. The various desires are activated by active participation of the mental sheath and the energy circulating through it. MANTRA Primarily that portion of the Vedas which contains hymns, as distinct from Brahmanas. The mantras, or the instruments of conveying thoughts, consists of prayers and praise embodied in metrical hymns. Popularly, mantras now refer to a particular combination of sounds, or words, whose recitation is expected to bring about certain specified results. Japa, which is meditative, or repeated, utterance, whether articulate or mental, is an important complement of mantra-siddhi, realisation through mantras. Those mantras which consist of merely one letter are known as Pinda, of two letters kartari, of three to nine letters Bija-Mantra, and 10 to 20 letters as Mantras, and more than 20, as Mala-Mantra, a garland of mantras. Mantra Shastra is the science dealing with their nature and method of practicing them to obtain the expected results. Mantra-Siddhi not only enables various yogic accomplishments or attainment of psychic powers, but many phenomena of trivial nature can also be produced by it. The results are based on the relationships between vibrations, forms, and consciousness. Each letter and syllable of Sanskrit is associated with certain specific powers rooted in the highest plane of the solar system and can work on all the planes constituting it provided the mantras are correctly pronounced and the receiving agent is appropriately purified and prepared for the purpose. In a Puranic story, it is mentioned that Vritri, the Serpent Naga and an enemy of Indra, pronounced a mantra with wrong intonation and killed himself, instead of his enemy. Mantra Yoga has 16 steps finally leading to Samadhi, the highest form of meditation. Many mantras even change the nature of one's objective environment and produce miracles. Tantric literature is full of mantras capable of producing such results. The possibility of using mantras for undesirable objectives is dealt with under Black Magic. Mantras are of three kinds, viz., Sattwic (q.v.), Rajasic (q.v.), and Tamasic (qv.). Those mantras are the best which are practiced with pious thoughts for pure altruism and Sattwic results. Ordinary mantras are employed for ethically approved purposes, such as for gaining health, erudition, liberation, and other religious goals, Mantras practiced for material gains, such as power, position, wealth, and children, are of the worst kind. The silent repetition of mantras is more effective than their loud utterances, yet the purely mental repetition has the highest effect. Mantras intoned with full understanding of their meaning and comprehension of the mechanism by which they produce results is the best method of deriving full advantage of the subtler powers contained in a mantra. MANU [From the root man, pronounced mun, to think.] The man. This name belongs to the mythological progenitors of mankind and rulers of the earth, each of whom holds sway for a Manvantara (q.v.). In Puranic stories, the first Manu was Swayambhuva, the self-existent, sometimes identified with Brahma himself. Yet it is said that Brahma divided himself into Manu and Shatrupa, one a male and another a female, for initiating sexual generation. It was done so after the Virgin Ascetics, the Kumaras (q.v.) and others, whom Brahma had created for manifestation, refused to do so. In the Bhagavad Purana, Swayambhuva Manu begot two sons, Priyavrata and Uttanapada, and three daughters, Akuti, Devahuti, and Prasuti, who were married to Ruchi Prajapati, Kardam Rishi, and Daksha Prajapati, respectively. Priyavrata was assigned the responsibility of protecting the universe; Uttanapada fathered Dhruva (q.v.) and others. Akuti gave birth to a couple who personified Vishnu and partially Lakshmi, and Devahuti gave birth to nine ascetics who produced the Saptarishis. Dhruva became the Pole Star, and the seven Rishis ruled over the seven stars of Ursa Major. Daksha Prajapati had 16 daughters from Prasuti and 60 from his another wife Asikni. During each Kalpa (q.v.), 14 Manus reign. The present Varaha Kalpa began with Vishnu taking Avatara (q.v.) in the form of a boar when he retrieved the earth from deluge. So far 6 Manus have reigned. The present Vaivasvata Manu is the 7th one. The 6 preceding Manus were Swayambhuva, Swarochisha, Auttami, Tamasa, Raiwat, and Chakshusha. Swarochisha was the son of Agni, Auttami was the son of Priyavrata who was the eldest child of Swayambhuva Manu. Tamasa was a brother of Auttami and had saved the destruction of the Vedas, for which he is also known as Vaidhritha. During the period of Tamasa Manu, Vishnu saved the elephant which remembered him in utter desperation when it was caught by a crocodile and was unable to save itself. The 5th Manu, Raiwat, was also a brother of Tamasa. The churning of the ocean had taken place during the period of Chakshusha. Vaivasvata Manu is a son of Vivaswana, Sun. In the present period, Aditya, Vasu, Rudra, Vishwadeva, Marudagana, Ashwini Kumaras, and Ribhu are important deities, and Purandar is the name of present Indra. The 7 regents or the Saptarishis during the reign of Vaivasvata Manu are Kashyapa, Atri, Vashista, Vishwamitra, Gautama, Jamadagni, and Bhardwaja. Vishnu appeared as Vamana Avatara during this Manvantara. According to the Bhagavad Purana, the 8th Manu will be Sawarni who would be a manifestation of Ashwini Kumaras. Bali, who is said to have been humbled by Vishnu in his role of Vamana Avatara and is presently ruling Sutala Loka (q.v.), will be the Indra during this period. The 9th Manu, to be known as Dakshaswarni, will be the son of Varuna. The 10th Manu will be Brahma-Sawarni, the llth Dharma-Sawarni, the 12th Rudra-Sawarni 13th Deva-Sawarni or Rauchya, and the 14th will be known as Indra-Sawami or Bhautya. Each Manu has a special role to play. Swayambhuva Manu was asked by Brahma to begin generative evolution, religiously maintain the wellbeing of the earth, and worship God by religious sacrifices, Yajnas, Swayambhuva Manu got the nebulous globe concretised, divided it into seven seas and seven continents and made proper arrangements for their progress and development. Since the very beginning, each Manu works in close collaboration with other Rishis, Pitris, Indras, Kumaras, Siddhas, and Prajapatis. They also owe special responsibilities towards ascetics, Saptarishis, and planetary deities. |