Nakshatras and Gunas By YENBEEYES Date: 14.11.2007 In this article I plan to explain the concept of Nakshatra from the point of view of gunas, In the Mahabharata-Aswamedha Parva-Sections XXXVI to XXXIX we get the clear explanations of the Gunas. “Brahma (Prajapati) said, “Darkness, Passion and Goodness – these are called the three qualities.” Even though this article is not to explain the 3 qualities, which can be read from any good book on Hinduism or from the Internet web-sites, yet it is essential to have a basic understanding of the same to have it related to Nakshatras. I would advise readers to go through any good translation of the Mahabharata chapter given above, Darkness is TAMAS. Passion is RAJAS Goodness is SATWA Of the 3 gunas Tamas is the lowest followed by Rajas and Satwa. Tamas keeps us in a state of ignorance, laziness, inaction, delusion and darkness. Rajas is action to get the desires fulfilled. It is the passion that drives one into action, often not getting the expected results which leads to further action. Satwa is happiness and enjoyment irrespective of the results of our action. Satwa is knowledge, wisdom and the calm and quiet of the mind. Each and every one of us has a varying combination of the three gunas. At any point of time one particular guna may be predominant which is subject to change. Chapter XIV of Bhagavad Gita also we find a clear explanation of the three gunas. Now coming to the topic of discussion, since we, human beings are a mixture of the 3 Gunas, it must have a definite relationship with the planets, rasis and Nakshatras. Let us take up what is in store with regard to Nakshatras. Each Nakshatra has a certain guna which you will find in any basic characteristics of the Nakshatra table. For example Ashwini Nakshatra is Rajas, Bharani is Tamas and Krittika is Satwa. If you deeply look into the Guna table of Nakshatras you will find that these 3 qualities viz. Rajas, Tamas and Satwa repeat in the same order after every three Nakshatras. Let us find out all the Nakshatras that have Rajas guna: Ashwini, Rohini, Punarvasu, Magha, Hasta, Vishaka, Purvabhadrapada making a total of 9 Nakshatras.
Moola,
Shravana,
These Nakshatras coincide with the signs Aries, Taurus, Gemini, Cancer, Leo, Virgo, Libra, Sagittarius, Capricorn and Aquarius.
Note also the nature of the signs – Fiery (Aries), Earthy (Taurus), Airy (Gemini), Watery (Cancer), Fiery (Leo), Earthy (Virgo), Airy (Libra), Fiery (Sagittarius), Earthy (Capricorn) and Airy (Aquarius). Similarly you can list out the Nakshatras which have Tamas and Satwa Guna and their coincidence with the signs. I leave it for the readers to prepare the same. The three levels of Nakshatra First Level:
1. Let us divide the 27 Nakshatras into 3 groups, each group having 9
Nakshatras. The first 9 Nakshatras from Ashwini to Aslesha will be the first group. Incidentally these 9 Nakshatras fall within the first four signs namely, Aries, Taurus, Gemini and Cancer-being the first Fiery, Earthy, Airy and watery signs. 2. When you take the next 9 Nakshatras from Magha to Jyeshta, they will fall in the signs starting from Leo and ending in Scorpio-which will be the second Fiery, Earthy, Airy and watery signs. 3. The last 9 Nakshatras viz., Moola to Revathi will be falling in the signs Sagittarius to Pisces-the last Fiery, Earthy, Airy and watery signs. Rajas is the most active of the gunas, has motion and stimulation as its characteristics. Then next one is Tamas which is characterized by heaviness and resistance producing disturbances in the process of perception. Finally Satwa comes which is characterized by lightness, consciousness, pleasure and clarity. Hence we will have this order throughout this article – Rajas, Tamas and Satwa, Applying this rule to the above the three divisions of 9 Nakshatras each, the first group is of Rajas quality, the second group is of Tamas and the third group is of Satwa quality. Readers at this stage will get a doubt – Why such specific qualities are to be attributed and is there any basis for this? Correct thinking. We have already seen that each human being is a mixture of all the 3 qualities and hence each Nakshatra also must have all the 3 qualities. Since the original order given by rishis is Rajas, Tamas and Satwa we will also stick to the same principle. All the divisions which we are going to make for each Nakshatra will have the order Rajas-Tamas-Satwa. We have just seen one quality of the Nakshatra and the other two qualities are also to be fixed for each Nakshatra. So let us proceed to the next level. SECOND LEVEL: Now let us take the first group of 9 Nakshatras – viz. from Ashwini to Aslesha. We have already fixed one guna for this group which is Rajas. Now to fix the next guna for each of these Nakshatras, let us divide these 9 Nakshatras into 3 groups of 3 Nakshatras. So this group will be:
Ashwini Bharani Krittika
Rohini Mrigasirsha Ardra
Punarvasu Pushya Aslesha
Applying the same rule of fixing the gunas as before the first 3 groups forming the Nakshatras – Ashwini, Bharani and Krittika will have Rajas quality and the next three Nakshatras Rohini, Mrigasirsha and Ardra will have Tamas quality and the last group of Nakshatras Punarvasu, Pushya and Aslesha will have Satwik qualities. THIRD LEVEL: This is the original Guna which you will find in any Nakshatra characteristics table which has been explained in the beginning. That is to say that the Rajas, Tamas and Satwa gunas repeat for every 3 Nakshatras starting from Rajas for Ashwini. The gunas at the three levels: What we have seen here is a rather complicated system in which a Nakshatra represents certain gunas at certain levels. I will explain, at the cost of repetition, the various levels for 3 Nakshatras. Readers are advised to compute the same for the rest of the Nakshatras to get a hold on the principle. Ashwini Nakshatra: I Level is – Rajas II Level is – Rajas III Level is – Rajas Hence for Ashwini we write Rajas-Rajas-Raja or in short RRR The first level will be Rajas up to Aslesha Nakshatra and the 2 nd level will be Rajas up to Krittika. But the third level will change for each Nakshatra. Bharani Nakshatra: I Level is Rajas II Level is Rajas III Level is Tamas Hence for Bharani we write Rajas-Rajas-Tamas (RRT) Similarly for Krittika it will be Rajas-Rajas-Satwik. The second level change happens at Rohini Nakshatra Rohini Nakshatra: I Level is Rajas II Level is Tamas III Level is Rajas
For Mrigasirsha it will be Rajas-Tamas-Tamas (RTT) I have constructed a complete table for all the Nakshatra Padas which is appended here: (Abbreviations have been used for Rasi and Rasi lords: Ar-Aries, Ta-Taurus, GeGemini, Cn-Cancer, Le-Leo, Vi-Virgo, Li-Libra, Sc-Scorpio, Sg-Sagittarius, CpCapricorn, Aq-Aquarius, Pi-Pisces; Su-Sun, Mo-Moon, Ma– Mars, Me-Mercury, Ju-Jupiter, Ve-Venus, Sa-Saturn, Ra-Rahu, Ke-Ketu, As.-Lagna) GUNAS Navamsa Nakshatra
Pada
Pada
Pada
I level
II level
III level
Rajas
Tamas
Satwa
Degree
Rasi
No
Rasi
Lord
Ashwini
00.00 - 03.20
Ar
1
Ar
Ma
Rajas
Rajas
Rajas
Ashvini
03.20 - 06.40
Ar
2
Ta
Ve
Rajas
Rajas
Rajas
Ashwini
06.40 - 10.00
Ar
3
Ge
Me
Rajas
Rajas
Rajas
Ashwini
10.00 - 13.20
Ar
4
Cn
Mo
Rajas
Rajas
Rajas
Bharani
13.20 - 16.40
Ar
1
Le
Su
Rajas
Rajas
Tamas
Bharani
16.40 - 20.00
Ar
2
Vi
Me
Rajas
Rajas
Tamas
Bharani
20.00 - 23.20
Ar
3
Li
Ve
Rajas
Rajas
Tamas
Bharani
23.20 - 26.40
Ar
4
Sc
Ma
Rajas
Rajas
Tamas
Krittika
26.40 - 30.00
Ar
1
Sg
Ju
Rajas
Rajas
Satwa
Krittika
00.00 - 03.20
Ta
2
Cp
Sa
Rajas
Rajas
Satwa
Krittika
03.20 - 06.40
Ta
3
Aq
Sa
Rajas
Rajas
Satwa
Krittika
06.40 - 10.00
Ta
4
Pi
Ju
Rajas
Rajas
Satwa
Rohini
10.00 - 13.20
Ta
1
Ar
Ma
Rajas
Tamas
Rajas
Rohini
13.20 - 16.40
Ta
2
Ta
Ve
Rajas
Tamas
Rajas
Ta
3
Ge
Me
Rajas
Tamas
Rajas
20.00 - 23.20
Ta
4
Cn
Mo
Rajas
Tamas
Rajas
Mrigasirsha
23.20 - 26.40
Ta
1
Le
Su
Rajas
Tamas
Tamas
Mrigasirsha
26.40 - 30.00
Ta
2
Vi
Me
Rajas
Tamas
Tamas
Mrigasirsha
00.00 - 03.20
Ge
3
Li
Ve
Rajas
Tamas
Tamas
Mrigasirsha
03.20 - 06.40
Ge
4
Sc
Me
Rajas
Tamas
Tamas
Ardra
06.40 - 10.00
Ge
1
Sg
Ju
Rajas
Tamas
Satwa
Ardra
10.00 - 13.20
Ge
2
Cp
Sa
Rajas
Tamas
Satwa
Ardra
13.20 - 16.40
Ge
3
Aq
Sa
Rajas
Tamas
Satwa
Ge
4
Pi
Ju
Rajas
Tamas
Satwa
20.00 - 23.20
Ge
1
Ar
Ma
Rajas
Satwa
Rajas
Punarvasu
23.20 - 26.40
Ge
2
Ta
Ve
Rajas
Satwa
Rajas
Punarvasu
26.40 - 30.00
Ge
3
Ge
Me
Rajas
Satwa
Rajas
Punarvasu
00.00 - 03.20
Cn
4
Cn
Mo
Rajas
Satwa
Rajas
Rohini Rohini
Ardra Punarvasu
16.40 - 20.00
16.40 - 20.00
Pushya
03.20 - 06.40
Cn
1
Le
Su
Rajas
Satwa
Tamas
Pushya
06.40 - 10.00
Cn
2
Vi
Me
Rajas
Satwa
Tamas
Pushya
10.00 - 13.20
Cn
3
Li
Ve
Rajas
Satwa
Tamas
Pushya
13.20 - 16.40
Cn
4
Sc
Ma
Rajas
Satwa
Tamas
Aslesha
Cn
1
Sg
Ju
Rajas
Satwa
Sattva
20.00 - 23.20
Cn
2
Cp
Sa
Rajas
Satwa
Sattva
Aslesha
23.20 - 26.40
Cn
3
Aq
Sa
Rajas
Satwa
Satwa
Aslesha
26.40 - 30.00
Cn
4
Pi
Ju
Rajas
Satwa
Satwa
Magha
00.00 - 03.20
Le
1
Ar
Ma
Tamas
Rajas
Rajas
Magha
03.20 - 06.40
Le
2
Ta
Ve
Tamas
Rajas
Rajas
Magha
06.40 - 10.00
Le
3
Ge
Me
Tamas
Rajas
Rajas
Magha
10.00 - 13.20
Le
4
Cn
Mo
Tamas
Rajas
Rajas
13.20 - 16.40
Le
1
Le
Su
Tamas
Rajas
Tamas
Le
2
Vi
Me
Tamas
Rajas
Tamas
Aslesha
P.Phalugni P.Phalugni
16.40 - 20.00
16.40 - 20.00
P.Phalugni
20.00 - 23.20
Le
3
Li
Ve
Tamas
Rajas
Tamas
P.Phalugni
23.20 - 26.40
Le
4
Sc
Ma
Tamas
Rajas
Tamas
U.Phalguni
26.40 - 30.00
Le
1
Sg
Ju
Tamas
Rajas
Satwa
U.Phalguni
00.00 - 03.20
Vi
2
Cp
Sa
Tamas
Rajas
Satwa
U.Phalguni
03.20 - 06.40
Vi
3
Aq
Sa
Tamas
Rajas
Satwa
U.Phalguni
06.40 - 10.00
Vi
4
Pi
Ju
Tamas
Rajas
Satwa
Hasta
10.00 - 13.20
Vi
1
Ar
Ma
Tamas
Tamas
Rajas
Hasta
13.20 - 16.40
Vi
2
Ta
Ve
Tamas
Tamas
Rajas
Vi
3
Ge
Me
Tamas
Tamas
Rajas
20.00 - 23.20
Vi
4
Cn
Mo
Tamas
Tamas
Rajas
Chitra
23.20 - 26.40
Vi
1
Le
Su
Tamas
Tamas
Tamas
Chitra
26.40 - 30.00
Vi
2
Vi
Me
Tamas
Tamas
Tamas
Chitra
00.00 - 03.20
Li
3
Li
Ve
Tamas
Tamas
Tamas
Chitra
03.20 - 06.40
Li
4
Sc
Ma
Tamas
Tamas
Tamas
Swati
06.40 - 10.00
Li
1
Sg
Ju
Tamas
Tamas
Satwa
Swati
10.00 - 13.20
Li
2
Cp
Sa
Tamas
Tamas
Satwa
Swati
13.20 - 16.40
Li
3
Aq
Sa
Tamas
Tamas
Satwa
Li
4
Pi
Ju
Tamas
Tamas
Satwa
Hasta Hasta
Swati
16.40 - 20.00
16.40 - 20.00
Vishaka
20.00 - 23.20
Li
1
Ar
Ma
Tamas
Satwa
Rajas
Vishaka
23.20 - 26.40
Li
2
Ta
Ve
Tamas
Satwa
Rajas
Vishaka
26.40 - 30.00
Li
3
Ge
Me
Tamas
Satwa
Rajas
Vishaka
00.00 - 03.20
Sc
4
Cn
Mo
Tamas
Satwa
Rajas
Anuradha
03.20 - 06.40
Sc
1
Le
Su
Tamas
Satwa
Tamas
Anuradha
06.40 - 10.00
Sc
2
Vi
Me
Tamas
Satwa
Tamas
Anuradha
10.00 - 13.20
Sc
3
Li
Ve
Tamas
Satwa
Tamas
Anuradha
13.20 - 16.40
Sc
4
Sc
Ma
Tamas
Sattva
Tamas
Jyeshta
Sc
1
Sg
Ju
Tamas
Satwa
Satwa
20.00 - 23.20
Sc
2
Cp
Sa
Tamas
Satwa
Satwa
Jyeshta
23.20 - 26.40
Sc
3
Aq
Sa
Tamas
Satwa
Satwa
Jyeshta
26.40 - 30.00
Sc
4
Pi
Ju
Tamas
Satwa
Satwa
Mula
00.00 - 03.20
Sg
1
Ar
Ma
Satwa
Rajas
Rajas
Mula
03.20 - 06.40
Sg
2
Ta
Ve
Satwa
Rajas
Rajas
Mula
06.40 - 10.00
Sg
3
Ge
Me
Satwa
Rajas
Rajas
Mula
10.00 - 13.20
Sg
4
Cn
Mo
Satwa
Rajas
Rajas
13.20 - 16.40
Sg
1
Le
Su
Satwa
Rajas
Tamas
Sg
2
Vi
Me
Satwa
Rajas
Tamas
Jyeshta
Purvashada Purvashada
16.40 - 20.00
16.40 - 20.00
Purvashada
20.00 - 23.20
Sg
3
Li
Ve
Satwa
Rajas
Tamas
Purvashada
23.20 - 26.40
Sg
4
Sc
Ma
Satwa
Rajas
Tamas
Uthirashada
26.40 - 30.00
Sg
1
Sg
Ju
Satwa
Rajas
Satwa
Uthirashada
00.00 - 03.20
Cp
2
Cp
Sa
Satwa
Rajas
Satwa
Uthirashada
03.20 - 06.40
Cp
3
Aq
Sa
Satwa
Rajas
Satwa
Uthirashada
06.40 - 10.00
Cp
4
Pi
Ju
Satwa
Rajas
Satwa
Sharavana
10.00 - 13.20
Cp
1
Ar
Ma
Satwa
Tamas
Rajas
Sharavana
13.20 - 16.40
Cp
2
Ta
Ve
Satwa
Tamas
Rajas
Cp
3
Ge
Me
Satwa
Tamas
Rajas
20.00 - 23.20
Cp
4
Cn
Mo
Satwa
Tamas
Rajas
Dhanishta
23.20 - 26.40
Cp
1
Le
Su
Satwa
Tamas
Tamas
Dhanishta
26.40 - 30.00
Cp
2
Vi
Me
Satwa
Tamas
Tamas
Dhanishta
00.00 - 03.20
Aq
3
Li
Ve
Satwa
Tamas
Tamas
Dhanishta
03.20 - 06.40
Aq
4
Sc
Ma
Satwa
Tamas
Tamas
Satabishak
06.40 - 10.00
Aq
1
Sg
Ju
Satwa
Tamas
Satwa
Satabishak
10.00 - 13.20
Aq
2
Cp
Sa
Satwa
Tamas
Satwa
Satabishak
13.20 - 16.40
Aq
3
Aq
Sa
Satwa
Tamas
Satwa
Aq
4
Pi
Ju
Satwa
Tamas
Satwa
Sharavana Sharavana
Satabishak
16.40 - 20.00
16.40 - 20.00
P.Bhadrapada
20.00 - 23.20
Aq
1
Ar
Ma
Satwa
Satwa
Rajas
P.Bhadrapada
23.20 - 26.40
Aq
2
Ta
Ve
Satwa
Satwa
Rajas
P.Bhadrapada
26.40 - 30.00
Aq
3
Ge
Me
Satwa
Satwa
Rajas
P.Bhadrapada
00.00 - 03.20
Pi
4
Cn
Mo
Satwa
Satwa
Rajas
U.Bhadrapada
03.20 - 06.40
Pi
1
Le
Su
Satwa
Satwa
Tamas
U.Bhadrapada
06.40 - 10.00
Pi
2
Vi
Me
Satwa
Satwa
Tamas
U.Bhadrapada
10.00 - 13.20
Pi
3
Li
Ve
Satwa
Satwa
Tamas
U.Bhadrapada
13.20 - 16.40
Pi
4
Sc
Ma
Satwa
Satwa
Tamas
Revati
Pi
1
Sg
Ju
Satwa
Satwa
Satwa
Revati
16.40 - 20.00 20.00 - 23.20
Pi
2
Cp
Sa
Satwa
Satwa
Satwa
Revati
23.20 - 26.40
Pi
3
Aq
Sa
Satwa
Satwa
Satwa
Revati
26.40 - 30.00
Pi
4
Pi
Ju
Satwa
Satwa
Satwa
I give below the Guna Table summary also: Guna Table-Summary No
I level
II level
III level
1
Ashvini
Nakshatra
Rajas
Rajas
Rajas
2
Bharani
Rajas
Rajas
Tamas
3
Krittika
Rajas
Rajas
Satwa
4
Rohini
Rajas
Tamas
Rajas
5
Mrigasirsha
Rajas
Tamas
Tamas
6
Ardra
Rajas
Tamas
Satwa
7
Punarvasu
Rajas
Satwa
Rajas
8
Pushya
Rajas
Satwa
Tamas
9
Aslesha
Rajas
Satwa
Satwa
10
Magha
Tamas
Rajas
Rajas
11
P.Phalugni
Tamas
Rajas
Tamas
12
U.Phalguni
Tamas
Rajas
Satwa
13
Hasta
Tamas
Tamas
Rajas
14
Chitra
Tamas
Tamas
Tamas
15
Swati
Tamas
Tamas
Satwa
16
Vishaka
Tamas
Satwa
Rajas
17
Anuradha
Tamas
Satwa
Tamas
18
Jyeshta
Tamas
Satwa
Satwa
19
Mula
Satwa
Rajas
Rajas
20
Purvashada
Satwa
Rajas
Tamas
21
Uthirashada
Satwa
Rajas
Satwa
22
Sharavana
Satwa
Tamas
Rajas
23
Dhanishta
Satwa
Tamas
Tamas
24
Satabishak
Satwa
Tamas
Satwa
25
P.Bhadrapada
Satwa
Satwa
Rajas
26
U.Bhadrapada
Satwa
Satwa
Tamas
27
Revati
Satwa
Satwa
Satwa
What is the use of this rather arduous and complicated system? We know already that any individual has all the three qualities within him. The qualities are also subject to changes. To know which gunas are predominant in a chart you can use this table. You look at the Nakshatra in which the Lagna and the grahas are placed. Look at the gunas of these Nakshatras. Assign one point for each guna. For example if Lagna is in Ashwini Nakshatra which has Rajas-Rajas-Rajas quality then the count is Rajas = 3. Like that you have to compute for all the planets taking the Nakshatra in which they are placed. Let me explain it with an Example: One important point readers to remember - this system is helpful, in evaluating the guna of a person, but to really evaluate a chart we should always look at the chart as a whole and not just at the gunas the planets and the ascendant are in.
Chart 01: Sri Satya Sai Baba (Puttabarthi) (Ma)
Ra Mo
Rasi-D-1 Ju
Ke Planets Lagna Sun Moon Mars Mercury Jupiter Venus Saturn Rahu Ketu
Su Sa (Me) Ve ASC Nakshatra Anuradha Anuradha Arudra Ashwini Anuradha Dhanishta Anuradha Anuradha Arudra PShada
Total: Rajas – 6; Tamas – 15; followed by Satwa and Rajas.
Gunas TST TST RTS RRR TST STT TST TST RTS SRT
Rajas
1 3
Tamas 2 2 1
Satwa 1 1 1
2 2 2 2 1 1
1 1 1 1 1 1
1 1
Satwa – 9. Hence Tamas is the most important character of the chart
Chart 02: Swami Chandrasekhara Saraswati Ra
Ve
Me Ju Su
Ma Rasi-D-1 As
Mo Planets Lagna Sun Moon Mars Mercury Jupiter Venus Saturn Rahu Ketu
Nakshatra PPhalguni Krittika Anuradha Satabhishak Krittika Rohini Revati Chitra UBhadrapada Hasta
Ke (Sa) Gunas TRT RRS TST STS RRS RTR SSS TTT SST TTR
Rajas 1 2
Tamas 2 2 1
2 2
1
1
3 1 2
Satwa 1 1 2 1 3 2
Total: Rajas – 8; Tamas – 12; Satwa – 10 Hence Tamas is the most important character of the chart followed by Satwa and Rajas.
Chart 03: Swami Jayendra Saraswati Ke Me (Sa) Mo
Su D-1 Rasi
As
Ve
Ra
Ju Ma
Planets Lagna Sun Moon Mars Mercury Jupiter Venus Saturn Rahu Ketu
Nakshatra Ushada Punarvasu Dhanishta Chitra Ardra Visakha PPhalguni Satabhishak UShada Punarvasu
Gunas SRS RSR STT TTT RTS TSR TRT STS SRS RSR
Rajas 1 2
1 1 1
Tamas
2 3 1 1 2 1
1 2
Satwa 2 1 1 1 1 2 2 1
Total: Rajas – 9; Tamas – 10; Satwa – 11 Hence Satwa is the most important character of the chart followed by Tamas and Rajas. Chart 04: Swami Narasimha Bharati Ve
Ju
(Sa)
Me Ra Su D1-Rasi Mo
Ke
Ma Planets Lagna Sun Moon Mars Mercury Jupiter Venus Saturn Rahu Ketu
As
Nakshatra Swati PBhadrapada Sravana Anuradha Satabhishak Bharani PBhadrapada Punarvasu PBhadrapada PPhalguni
Gunas TTS SSR STR TST STS RRT SSR RSR SSR TRT
Rajas 1 1
2 1 2 1 1
Tamas 2 1 2 1 1
Satwa 1 2 1 1 2 2 1 2
2
Total: Rajas – 9; Tamas – 9; Satwa – 12 Hence Satwa is the most important character of the chart followed by Tamas and Rajas equally.
As mentioned earlier for evaluating the full characteristics of a person, analyse the horoscope as a whole and consider the above system also and then come to a conclusion. Nakshatra Lords and gunas: We all know that each Nakshatra has a planet as its Lord. In fact it is the lord of the Nakshatra in which Moon is placed at birth decides the first Dasa in the life of the person under Vimsottari Dasa. Let us try to examine the Nakshatra Lords and the gunas of Nakshatras. Let us find out whether any relationship exists. You can find the Lords of each Nakshatra by referring to any Nakshatra table characteristics. However, for immediate reference I am giving below the Nakshatra Lords: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9.
Ketu – Ashwini, Magha, Moola Venus – Bharani, PPhalguni, PShada Sun – Krittika, UPhalguni, UShada Moon – Rohini, Hasta, Shravana Mars – Mrigasirsha, Chitra, Dhanishta Rahu – Ardra, Swati, Satabhishak Jupiter – Punarvasu, Visakha, PBhadrapada Saturn – Pushya, Anuradha, UBhadrapada Mercury – Aslesha, Jyeshta, Ravti
Let us first examine the basic guna as available in any of the Nakshatra Characteristics table which is the same as the 3rd level characteristic explained above. Rajas quality Nakshatras at the 3rd level or basic quality 1. Ashwini, Magha, Mula (Lord is Ketu) 2. Rohini, Hasta, Shravana (Lord is Moon) 3. Punarvasu, Visakha, PBhadrapada (Lord is Jupiter) Tamas quality Nakshatras at the 3rd level or basic quality 1. Bharani, PPhalguni, PShada (Lord is Venus) 2. Mrigasirsha, Chitra, Dhansihta (Lord is Mars) 3. Pushya, Anuradha, UBhadrapada (Lord is Saturn) Satwa quality Nakshatras at the 3rd level or basic quality 1. Krittika, UPhalguni, UShada (Lord is Sun) 2. Ardra, Swati, Satabhishak (Lord is Rahu) 3. Aslesha, Jyeshta, Revati (Lord is Mercury Before arriving at any conclusion, let us examine the secondary level gunas also:
1. Ashwini, Magha, Mula (Lord is Ketu) 2. Bharani, PPHalguni, PShada (Lord is Venus) 3. Krittika, UPhalguni, UShada (Lord is Sun) Have Rajas guna at the second level. 1. Rahini, Hasta, Sravana (Lord is Moon) 2. Mrigasirsha, Chitra, Dhanishta (lord is Mars) 3. Ardra, Swati, Satabhishak (Lord is Rahu) Have Tamas guna at the second level. 1. Punarvasu, Visakha, PBhadrapada (Lord is Rahu) 2. Pushya, Anuradha, UBhadrapada (Lord is Satrun) 3. Aslesha, Jyeshta, Revati (Lord is Mercury) Have Satwa guna at the second level Let us tabulate the above two findings taking the second level first and the third level as the second: Planet Ketu Venus Sun Moon Mars Rahu Jupiter Saturn Mercury
2nd Level Rajas Rajas Rajas Tamas Tamas Tamas Satwa Satwa Satwa
3rd Level Rajas Tamas Satwa Rajas Tamas Satwa Rajas Tamas Satwa
What does this table denote? Can we draw some conclusion out of this? I will give my view points below. Readers and learned scholars can contribute more on this. Sun is a fiery planet (Rajas). But it represents the soul and hence Satwa characteristics. Venus is for love, lust and passion (Rajas). In order to attain these we go deeper into material life (Tamas) Jupiter too is a fiery planet (Rajas), but again has Satwa characteristics because he is Guru and rules wisdom. Saturn is a spiritual planet, because it is the planet of Sannyas (renouncing the world). Nevertheless, as we all know Saturn represents material things and hence Tamas.
Rahu has the same energies as Saturn only in a different order. It brings us deep into material life (Tamas). However, it only is doing this so we are able to outlive everything that this earth has to offer and then liberate ourselves (Satwa). It may come as a surprise to some people that Mercury turns out to be the most spiritual planet. However, one thing that distinguishes us from animals is our capacity to think and evaluate ourselves. Mercury as an airy planet can liberate us from this earth. It is not a planet of materiality (Tamas) and neither does it like hard work and action (Rajas). It thinks about Tamas and Rajas instead of going into it. To quote the words of my guru: “It is not my intention to give all the answers, but merely to give the reader a system and to represent a way of thinking, which the reader can easily apply himself. After these examples, it will probably not be too hard to meditate about the character of Ketu, Mars and the Moon. “ CONCLUSION In this article I have mentioned the connection of the gunas to the Nakshatras and hence the Nakshatra Lords. I am well aware that there are other systems, which give information about the gunas and the planets.
