Generally the study of planets, stars, galaxies, comets; asteroids etc. comes under astronomy.
Astrology is quite different from it, but our people have included astronomy as an integral part of Astrology.
They found deep impact of planets and stars on the minds of every human being. Feelings in minds
are transformed into actions which are the results of light from the space. Such
opinion had been formed throughout the world. Here Astrology plays a key role in
explaining the unknown.
All stars are far away from the earth. They are bigger in size than even the Sun. All are glowing
objects suspended in the space. If we could bring together some stars into one
group, we can have an outlook of a shape. Such groups of stars having some shape
are given certain names for easy identification.
There are number of astrological ideas described in Vedas. Some are direct descriptions and some are
illustrated through stories making an indirect mention of technicalities. If
such technicalities are not taken into account, those astrological points will
not be clear to us. Even, if they are not clear to us, it is not proper to rule
out that they are devoid of any substance.
There is a mantra in Satapatha Brahmanam (2-1-2) that states: “Krithika a union of various stars
is not moving from East. Hence it is known that in Krithika, there was ‘Vishuva
bindu’ during that time. Hence the counting constellations was started from ‘Krithika’
onwards. Now let us find out information about constellations as depicted in
Vedas. Since time immemorial people had perfect knowledge of stars. They found
the ‘Sampatha bindu’ in Bharani constellation (IV) part and made counting of
constellation from krithika itself.
Ami ya ruksha nihitasa uchhanakthamda drushre
kuha chiddive yu adabdani varunasya vratani
vichakasha chandrmanakthmethi – (1-24-10)
In the above, mantra the shining stars and union of Moon with them, are described.
Vajinivathi suryasya yosha chitra maghraya Eeshe vaSunaam – (Reg.Samhita ;7-75-5)
In this mantra constellations Chitra and Magha are mentioned.
In an Yajurveda mantra, 27 constellations are praised as Gandharvas. At the same time
propagation was also made about 27 constellations. In Atharvana Veda there is
description about 28 constellations starting from Krithika, constellation
Abhijit being taken as an additional one.
In Taittereya Shruthi, names of 27 constellations are given along with their gender, number
and ruling Gods with some explanation. In this Krithika constellation is treated
as a female, plural and its God Agni (fire) as ruler. One can find out whether a
star is auspicious or not by Gods concerned. Same system is followed in
Satapatha Brahmanam and Itareya samhitha.
To nullify the bad effects on a child born in Moola constellation, certain remedies are narrated in
Atharvana Veda such as prayers to Fire God and others. ‘Jyestagnam Jato
vichruthomasya moola Vamhanat paripalayenam at yenam nesha dhuridhitani viswa
dheergutwaa shata Sharadaya.
In Vajasaneya samhitha .. a dictum Pragyanaya nakshtra darsham yadase ganakam is given, in
which the words nakshatra darsha ganaka are very significant. Even the names of
our birth stars indicate their shapes. For example star ‘Hasta’ has the shape of
a hand. It is like a hand having five stars. In Taittereya Brahmanam the shape
of constellation is considered as the figure of Prajapathi himself.
Yonai nakshtriyam prajapatim Veda
Ubhayorenam lokayorvidu : Hasta E vasya hasta :
chitra shirah:nishtya Hridayam ooru vishakhe
pratistanuradhaa :Eshavaina kshtriya : prajapathi : – (Tai.Brah. 1-5-2)
Star shaped Prajapathi’s head is Chitta. Hasta forms his hands. Nishtya (Swathi) is his
heart. His thighs are Visakha. His feet are Anuradha. In the same Veda, sky is
described as a man. His heart is described as Swathi. Swathi is here compared
with air (Vayu) Air in other words is called life. Such air has prominent place
in the heart. Chitta constellation is surrounded by 9 constellations which can
.be seen through modern equipments. If they are put together it takes the shape
of a head.
The different shapes of stars have been described in Satapatha Brahmanam and Taittereya Brahmanam. It
is clear from these books that the study of stars prevailed in ancient India.
The effect of stars, characterstics have been described in certain mantras in
Atharvana Veda. In Sathapatha Brahamnam one mantra gives vivid description of ‘Sapta
Rushi Mandalam’ as a bright area of a group of stars.
Special yagyas like Agnya Dhyanam etc and other sacred deeds with auspicious stars are described in
Taittereya Brahmanam. In Atharvana Veda it is also stressed that the star is
much powerful than the thithi.
Thithireka guna proktha Nakshtrancha chatur gunam It means that star
is four times more powerful than the thithi.
The method of computing the tarabalam the important strength point of Moon, by counting from
the birth constellation to the constellation of the day is also explained and it
is stated that its importance is more in Krishna paksha (waning period) of the
Moon.
Similarly many details of planets, asteroids, lightenings and earthquakes are given in that
Veda. Thus starting in Veda flourishing in Vedanga jtothisha, the study of stars
widely spread during subsequent times.
Along with description of 27 constellations, some other groups of stars are well described
in parts of Veda such as Taittereya Samhita, in Maitra varuneeya, Kathaka
samhita, Atharvana Veda and Sathapatha Brahmanam.
The movement of constellation Dhruva is explained in the Upanishad line ‘Dhruvasya
Sthanada-pasaranam’
In vedic language the constellations are counted from Kritika onwards. In Veda it is stated that
the deities have glowing fire as faces (Agnimukhavai deva).
The following Veda mantra is a prayer for Agni :
Chatwari Shrungatrayo anya pads dwe sheershe
sapia hastaso Asya bhaddo vrushabhoro
raveethi mahodevo marthyagum Avivesha
The fire in the form of raging bull with 4 horns, 3 feet, 2 heads. Thus describes kritika has 7
hands. Agni (fire God) has seven tongues. The description of bull as stated
above is nothing but the Sun sign Taurus itself.
Sheep which is described as a vehicle to. fire God is nearer to kritika in the shape of Aries (Mesha).
There is a story in Itareya Brahmanam :
The creator Prajapathi at certain time was much attracted towards the beauty of his daughter
‘Rohini and tried to seduce her, in the guise of an animal. Agitated by this
unbecoming act, the Godess prayed Mrigavyadha Rudra who killed that animal. This
story can be related to Mrigavyadha who was in the shape of a group of
constellations.
Ardra constellation Is named as Ardra itself In Talttereya samhitha and in Atharvana Veda. In
Taittereya Brahmanam and Maitra Varuneeya samhitha and Kathaka samhitha it is
named as ‘bahu’. Ardra constellation comes under Gemini. In the organs of ‘Kalapurusha,
Gemini represents shoulders.
‘Prata-ryavana pradhmayajadhvam’ – (Rig. 5-77-1)
As per this statement In Rigveda, the star that rises in the sky before the Sunrise, the
lord of that constellation be worshipped on that day. This has become a
tradition.
In Rigveda the constellations (Uttara Phalguni and Purva Phalguni) known as ‘Arjuni stars’ are
named as ‘Phalguni stars’ in Krishna Yajurveda. It may be remembered that Arjuna
has another name as Phalguna.
Vayumakashtra mabhayethi nishtayam thigma
Shrungo vrishabhoro ruvana sameera
yanubhvunamatha rishva apad
hveshagmsi nudathamarathi
Taurus sign near the Swathi constellation is described in the mantra.
Kintha dwishnor blamahnu kadeepthi kim parayanam
vatha dwishnorbala mahu akshra dipthi ruchyathe
tripada dhara deva fad vishno reka uttamam
In the above mantra, Vishnupada. near Swathi constellation is described.
Brahma loka mabhi jayeyamithi tadetha brahmanebhijithe is stated in the
text of mantra. Four faced Brahma i8 described as the lord of ‘Abhijit’ a
constellation of four stars.
Sruvanti Sronamamrutasya gopaam
Punyamasya upasrunomivacham
In this mantra the shape of Garuda (vulture) in the constellation Sravana is praised.
In RigVeda, the line Yatragaavo bhurisrungaa aayasah describes the constellation of stars in the
shape of a cow moving near Vishnupada.
Also a famous horse is described in the line
Snenasya paksha Harinasya bahu – (Rig. 1-163-1)
The above horse is also related to astronomy.
Ajagaro Namasarpassarpirhavi Shomahan
Tasyasarpathsind hastasya Masimahi
The Ajagara described above is the serpant shaped constellation groups situated next to
Aslesha.
Dwadasa Pradhayah Chakramekam
threeni nabhyanikautachikata
Jasminthsakantri Satana Sankavorpithabh
Shasthima chalachalah – Rigveda 1-24-48
This mantra describes the Rasi Chakra that has three bosoms (nabhi)
Likewise there are number of descriptions pertaining to astronomy in Vedas. Especially, there are
number of such descriptions connected with Astronomy in the shape of stories
like Vritasura, Tara Sasanka, Manmadha samh~ua,humiliation of Vindhya mountain,
the story of Agastya who drank the entire water of the sea, the stroy of Dhruva,
takingover of. Ganga by Lord Siva over his head that too in the matted hair,
rasa leela (erotic deeds of Lord Krishna), the curse on Daksha etc., but the
pity is our inability to understand the technicalities explained through’
stories. Some people only look at the adultery point of view in the story of
Tara Sasanka. Such people cannot be wise, if they fail to grasp the innate
meaning hidden in the story, in which case, the story may look impossible too!
