#Happy #Navratri Day 4 – #Mercury

As the nine nights represent the nine planets, we will be having a planetary observance of Navaratri with an account of one of the planets for each of the nine nights. The fourth day of Navaratri is marked to #worship #Goddess #Kushmanda. The Fourth planet is Mercury. It is said that one should wear royal blue on this day, as it is considered good for health and wealth. Our colour for this day is #Royal-Blue!

Today is the fourth day of the Navaratri celebrations which are held for nine nights. All festivals are meant to remind mankind that they should cultivate noble qualities by engaging themselves in activities beneficial to one’s own self and society. Sai Baba has told that Navaratri, the nine nights, represents the Nine Planets.
In Hindu mythology, Navaratri celebrates the victory of Goddess Durga over Mahishasura, the buffalo-headed demon. She fought for nine days and nine nights before emerging victorious on the tenth day. Goddess Shakti in the nine forms is worshipped during the period for knowledge, wealth, prosperity and auspiciousness. Knowingly or unknowingly during this period we also recognise the primordial source of energy (Shakti), which manifests in all living and nonliving.

Sai Baba went on to say that each planet has its own significance. However, these planets are not outside, they are #within. So we take the opportunity to examine the energies of the planets within, and examine how the #Divine #Mother is related to these energies.

Mercury
Mercury is also known in #VedicAstrology as #Budha, the awakened discriminating #intellect – the part of us that knows. Mercury owns two signs, Gemini and Virgo. Mercury is exalted in Virgo at 15 degrees, and debilitated in the opposite sign, Pisces. Where the Moon is the innocent mind, Mercury is the intellect that discriminates between benefic and malefic ideas, or good and evil. Mercury is adept at dealing with duality.

Mercury does not have a distinctive personality of its own; it takes on features of the planets which are associated with it. Mercury, planet of communication, articulates and expresses whatever influence it receives from other planets. For this reason, brilliance of expression, adjustment and flexibility are common traits of Mercury. Mercury traditionally has the function of Messenger of the Gods; Mercury functions to take messages from Gods to Man and from Man to the Gods.

Mercury develops intellect. Taking duality, it enables the subjectivity of an idea to be objectified, and helps to understand the inner reality of external phenomenon. A favourable disposition of Mercury renders perceptive, clever persons who are good debaters, who can argue either side of a question and thus, we can often find that Mercury is strong in the chart of lawyers. Mercury is intellectual and careful with details.

Day Four
Goddess Kushmanda
Kusmanda – She Who brings #happiness

Kushmanda is a Hindu goddess, credited with creating the world with her divine #smile. Legend has it that Lord Vishnu was able to begin the creation of universe, when Goddess Kushmanda smiled and receded. She represents that form of Durga which is the source of all. Her name signals her main role: Ku means “a little”, Ushma means “warmth” or “energy” and Anda means “cosmic egg”.

Kushmanda is worshipped on the fourth day of the festival of Navaratri and She is believed to improve health and bestow wealth and strength. Goddess Kushmanda has eight hands and because of that She is also known as Ashtabhuja Devi. It is believed that all the power to bestow Siddhis and Niddhis are located in her japamala (rosary beads).

She rides on a #female #lion.

Legend has it that Goddess Durga gives birth to the universe in the form of Goddess Kushmanda. She is also sometimes depicted as pregnant with the Brahmand or universe. It is believed that the eternal darkness ended when she smiled. And this led to the beginning of creation. This form symbolises that Shakti is the primordial source.

Mercury and the Feminine
Vedanga – Jyotish ( #astrology texts) – tell us that Mercury is hermaphrodite, meaning s/he is bearing signification of both genders. It is more appropriate to say that Mercury is androgynous, neither male nor female. Androgyny is also known in this day and age as intersex.

Just as the Creation narrative has Kushmanda and Vishnu at the cause of Creation, so also we see the emergent glance of the androgynous Mercury, encapsulating this act of creation with the dual genders.

We have clues to the important role and function Mercury has with regard to the mind, the intellect and duality. #Shakti is the prime force behind all dualities and Shakti can be found linking subject and object, in the glance of Mercury. The mind is an energy field of Shakti with neuronal impulses and connections, creating an elaborate web of knowledge and self interest (referring to the autonomic nervous system and instinctive responses of the body.) The mind is a bundle of thoughts bound together by the shakti of memory. Thinking is guided by the intellect – which is called buddhi in Sanskrit. The buddhi is nearest the Soul and derives over 90% of its illumination from the Soul.

Significance of Navaratri
“During these sacred nine days (Navaratri), people go through the sacred texts such as Devi Bhagavatam, Ramayana and Mahabharata. People also worship the deities Durga, Lakshmi and Saraswati. Goddess Gayatri is the presiding deity of our senses. Savitri is the presiding deity of speech. All these three are within the same Principle of Truth. Gayatri Mantra begins with ‘Om Bhur Bhuvah Svah’. ‘Bhuh’ means materialization (Body); ‘Bhuvah’ means Vibration (Life Principle); Svaha means Radiation (Atma).

During these nine days, Goddess Shakti (Energy Principle) is worshipped. Truth, righteousness, peace, forgiveness are all expressions of the Principle of Shakti. Truth is the primal cause. There is nothing other than this. All faculties of energy are present in this Truth. So, consider Truth as your mother and follow it. The Vedas proclaim, ‘Satyam Vada; Dharmam Chara‘, which means speak the truth and follow the righteousness. Unfortunately, today people do not follow this. On the contrary they follow Asatya (untruth) and Adharma (unrighteousness)” Sai Baba. SS, 11/98, p. 284

16°40" to 30°00" Pisces (Meena)
#Budha #Nakshatra #Revati #Pushan
The 27th Nakshatra: REVATI.
The four quarters are ruled by:
Guru (Jupiter) - the 1st quarter,
Shani (Saturn) - the 2nd quarter,
Shani (Saturn) - the 3rd quarter,
and Guru (Jupiter) - the 4th quarter.

Other aspects of this Nakshatra:
The Purushardha (life's vector or motivation) is Moksha.
Totem animal is #Elephant (female).
Symbol - a fish.
Devata (Deity) - Pushan.
Dosha - Kapha.

This is the last Nakshatra of the zodiac, spanning from 16°40' minutes to 30°00' in Meena (Pisces). It is ruled by the planet Buddha (Mercury), the planet of intelligence. This Nakshatra comes in the last sign of the zodiac, Meena (Pisces), which is ruled by the planet Guru (Jupiter). Guru (Jupiter) and Buddha (Mercury) belong to different groups of planets. As a result, a Revati born shows a mix of the qualities shown by both these planets.

A person born in the Revati Nakshatra is healthy with a moderate height. But the disease resisting capacity of the person will depend on the individual placement of planets giving vitality and energy, i.e. the planets Mangala (Mars) and Sūrya (Sun). Though somewhat short tempered, these people are pure-hearted. It is very difficult to make them accept the view, which does not suit their principles in life. If Buddha (Mercury) is placed in a dual sign, these people are quick to jump at conclusions. They are god fearing and follow the principles of their religion.

Their professions also show the characters of Guru (Jupiter) and Buddha (Mercury). Scientific inquiry and thinking and planning on a large scale are inherent in any activity undertaken by these people. Strong Buddha (Mercury) in the horoscope of these people may make an excellent mathematician or an astrologer. A strong Guru (Jupiter) may make a good historian or an archeologist. Generally these people settle in a place far away from their birthplace. But these people have to depend on their own efforts to make progress in life. It is difficult to gain more than their efforts in any undertaking.

These people seldom receive help form their relatives, even from the close family members. But the spouse is an exception, especially in case of people with a good Shukra (Venus) in their chart.

Females born in this Nakshatra are as a rule, beautiful. But they are stubborn and authoritative. They are also good at jobs that require repetitive skills.

Male Features

1. Physical features: Revati born will have very good physique, moderately tall and symmetrical bodies with fair complexion.

2. Character and general events: He is very clean in his heart, sincere in his dealings and soft-spoken. He has knack of dealing with others as per the occasion warrants. He does not give much heed to others unnecessarily. Since he has a completely independent life he easily gets hurt when resistance arises. He cannot keep anything secret for too long time. He will not blindly believe even his loved ones. But once he takes somebody into confidence, it is not easy to keep away them out of his attachment.

He is very hot tempered. Come what may, act according to his inner calling is his principle. He tries to observe the principle, which he feels, is correct and resist tooth and nail till the end for achieving or following that principle. He draws premature conclusion on any matter. He is God fearing, superstitious, religious and rigid in the observance of orthodox culture and principles.

He is stubborn and ambitious. Even a slightest failure of his ideas or plan will give him maximum torture. Out of all the Nakshatra born persons, Revati born persons are the most God fearing and religiously much inclined. Hence they also enjoy the maximum blessings of the Almighty.

1. Education, sources of earnings / profession: He will be interested in the scientific solutions, historical research and ancient cultures. He will be known publicly for the merits in any one of the three fields mentioned above. Ancient cultures include astrology and astronomy also.

He can be a good physician, astrologer or poet. If he is employed in a government organization he can be the most successful person. Revati born are mostly settled in foreign countries. When I say foreign countries it includes quite a reasonable distance from one's own birthplace. He will come up in his life with his own efforts. His intelligence and abilities are the inherent qualities at birth. He cannot stick to any particular field of job for long time.

He cannot expect to gain much compared to the ratio between work and reward till his 50th age. Period between 23 years and 26 years will be a good period whereas period between 26 to 42 years of age will mark a lot of problems both financially, mentally and socially. It is only after his 50th year he can think of worry-less and stable life.

1. Family life: He cannot have any help from his relatives and even from father. In other words, he is unlucky to enjoy the benefits from his near and dear ones. However, his married life will be moderately good. His spouse will be quite an adjusting type.

2. Health: He is prone to fever, dysentery or dental diseases, intestinal ulcers and ear problems.

Female Natives

1. Physical features: She will be extremely beautiful. She can be recognized easily even out of thousand persons due to her magnificent attractive personality.

2. Character and general events: She is somewhat stubborn. Likes to exercise authority over others. Like male natives, she is also God fearing, religious and rigid in the observance of orthodox culture and principles. Highly superstitious.

3. Education, sources of earnings / profession: She will have her education in the field of arts, literature or mathematics. She may be in the general line as far as professional field is concerned i.e, she may be a telephone operator, typist, teacher or a representative of companies. When good aspect of benefic planet is received, she may be an ambassador or a person representing her country for cultural or political matters.

4. Family life: She will enjoy a most harmonious married life.

5. Health: She may have some deformities of the feet, intestinal ulcers or abdominal disorders. In some cases, deafness has also been noticed.

16°40" to 30°00" Scorpio (Vrshchika)
#Budha #Nakshatra #Jyeshta #Indra
The 18th Nakshatra: JYESHTHA.

The four quarters are ruled by:
Guru (Jupiter) - the 1st quarter,
Shani (Saturn) - the 2nd quarter,
Shani (Saturn) - the 3rd quarter,
and Guru (Jupiter) - the 4th quarter.

Other aspects of this Nakshatra:
The Purushardha (life's vector or motivation) is Artha.
Totem animal is #Hare or #Deer (male).
Symbols: an earring or an umbrella.
Devata (Deity) - Indra.
Dosha - Vata.

This is 18th Nakshatra of the zodiac, spanning form 16°-20' to 30°-00' in the sign Vrshchika. This Nakshatra is owned by the planet of intelligence Buddha (Mercury), while the fiery Mangala (Mars) owns this sign. As a result, people born in this Nakshatra possess a mix of the qualities of Buddha (Mercury) and Mangala (Mars). While they are aggressive to the core, their aggressiveness is more on the intellectual level. A good lawyer or politician with excellent oratory skills, and ever ready to pounce on his opponents with strong verbal attacks is a peculiarity of this Nakshatra.

Jyeshtha born have excellent physical stamina and a good physical appearance. But these people are rather soft when it comes to dealing with some really difficult problems in their life, where a firm decision has to be made and implemented with a firm mind. They are much talkative, hence are unable to keep a secret a secret. To get on well with others, they should try to control their temper and be ready to accept the advice given by others. These qualities make them appear like a very proud person, but the facts are actually different.

The key to success in life for Jyeshtha born is to control their behavior in every walk of life. This includes their eating habits as well. If this happens, their sincere nature will take them to the most senior position available in the hierarchy where they work. These people are also not very clear about the profession they want to pursue for life, and hence keep on changing jobs or the lines of business often. This is the outcome of the dual nature of the planet Buddha (Mercury), the ruler of this Nakshatra.

In case of family relations, these people are not very lucky. While they do not get any special help form their parents, their spouse is also very dominating, due to which, they cannot take for granted the support of their spouse in whatever they undertake.

Male Natives

1. Physical features: He has a very good physical stamina and attractive countenance. It may be noticed that most of the persons born in this Nakshatra have defective teeth, either the teeth will have gap between them or bulged out. If these two defects are not there, then the color of teeth will be different.

2. Character and general events: He is very clean in his mind and is very sober. But these good qualities will not be noticed by others as he does not believe in show. He cannot face even a small problem. He is the type of person to whom no secret should be told or given. He cannot keep anything hidden in his mind even if it pertains to his own life. Unless he keeps it open to others he feels that something is missing in his life and good sleep is disturbed. Several persons born in this Nakshatra have been coming to me and complaining that they do get good sleep. When the reason for such a state of affairs was inquired into, they have all admitted that a peculiar vibration takes place in their mind and unless the reason for that vibration is leaked out they cannot rest. So they always wait for the next morning and try to tell these things to the persons who meet them first.

He is hot tempered and obstinate. Due to this temperament he often faces a lot of problems and forms a wall to his progress in life. He never accepts the advice given by others+, whereas he acts upon his own consciousness.

For the sake of principle he takes on the spot decisions on several matters without seeing the opportunity and circumstances, which ultimately leads him to a precarious state. Due to the condition of the hot temperament he will not hesitate to cause problems and troubles even to those who rendered him all possible help when required and even ill treat those persons. He cannot expect any help from the relations. Outwardly, he appears to be very proud but when we go closer to him it will be evident that it is just the opposite.

He must keep away all drugs and alcohol as he is prone to go out of control quickly which will spoil his hard earned reputation, put an hindrance to his profession as also in the family life.

1. Education, sources of earning/profession: He will leave his home at a very young age and seek refuge in a distant place. He has to earn his bread strictly due to his own effort. Because of the sincerity shown in the work field he normally come up quickly in any position he holds. Constant change of jobs or professions are noticed.

Period up to 50 years of age will be full of trial and any stability in his life starts thereafter only. Period from 18 years of age to 26 years of age will be period of maximum troublesome. During this period he will have to undergo financial problems, mental agony as also in some case mental disarrangement. Period from 27th years of age will be a beginning of progress towards stability, even though the pace will be very slow up to his 50 years of age.

1. Family life: He cannot expect any benefit from his mother and co-borns, whereas they become his enemies. He is generally disliked by his near and dear ones. This is mainly due to the fact that Jyeshta born likes to keep a separate identity and existence.

His spouse will always have an upper hand and resist tooth and nail the activity of intoxication. While his married life will be completely harmonious and enjoy to the maximum occasional health problems of his wife or separation due to some unavoidable circumstances will greatly affect the mind of the native.

1. Health: Frequent temperature, dysentery, cough and cold, asthmatic attach and stomach problems are the possible diseases. It is noticed that these people are affected with one or the other health problems frequently. He may also have severe pain in arms and shoulders.

Female Natives

Females born in this Nakshatra will also enjoy more or less the same results mentioned for the male natives of Jyeshta Nakshatra. In addition, they will enjoy the following results:

1. Physical appearance: Well proportioned and muscular body with long arms. Height above average. Broad face, short and curly hair.

2. Character and general events: She has strong emotions, passionate jealousies and deeper loves. She is intelligent, thoughtful, perceptive. She is more eager to know what others talk of her. Although her natural inherent feminine character will not allow her to appear domineering, she is good organizer.

3. Education, sources of income/profession: She is active in sports. Medium academic education. She is often contended herself in the home, seeking to enrich her own life through her husband's success. Hence most of the Jyeshta born females are not involved in any earning job.

4. Family life: She lacks marital harmony and loss of children is also noticed. In some cases it has been that such native is subject to harassment by in-laws and several concoctions stories are framed against her. She has to be very very careful while dealing with her neighbors and relatives as they are persons who put poison in her life. A worry-less period is very rarely available for her. Since she makes her own rule to be abide by her children, she will be neglected by her children as a vengeance to what she has done to them during childhood.

5. Health: Her health will not be so good. It is seen that some of the females born in this Nakshatra suffer from disorder of the uterus. She is also prone to prostrate gland enlargement or pain in arms and shoulders.

16°40 to 30°00 Cancer (Karkata)
#Budha #Nakshatra #Ashlesha #Nagas #Sarpa
The 9th Nakshatra: ASHLESHA.
The four quarters are ruled by:
Guru (Jupiter) - the 1st quarter,
Shani (Saturn) - the 2nd quarter,
Shani (Saturn) - the 3rd quarter,
and Guru (Jupiter) - the 4th quarter.

Other aspects of this Nakshatra:
The Purushardha (life's vector or motivation) is Dharma.
Totem animal is #Cat (male).
Symbol - a #serpent.
Devata (Deity) - Nagas.
Dosha - Kapha.

This is the 9th Nakshatra of the zodiac, spanning from 16°40' to 30°00' in Karkata. While the planet of intelligence, Buddha ( #Mercury), rules this Nakshatra, the lord of the sign is Chandra (Moon). As a result, these people retain the charm of young age even in their old age.

Ashlesha born have a stout body and somewhat ruddy complexion. But their disease resistant capacity is limited. They tend to put on weight in the middle age. Unless they have a strong Mangala (Mars) placed favorably in their chart, they will lack aggressiveness. Females born in this Nakshatra know how to win their opponents through tact. But contrary to the males born in this sign, these females are somewhat shy, reluctant to come out with their views openly.

Ashlesha born are talkative and know how to impress others by smooth glib. Since the lord of the sign, Chandra (Moon), indicates the masses, their smooth talk helps them attain public offices. They also make successful politicians. But they seldom fulfill their promises. They have respect only for themselves. They know how to generate good publicity for themselves, even through the simplest acts of life. On the positive side, these people can make some of the best statesmen, given a favorable combination of planets like Guru (Jupiter), Sūrya (Sun) and Mangala (Mars).

Arts or the commerce faculties suit these people for education. In case of career, these people may face sudden reversals of fortune. Females born in this Nakshatra are good for administrative works.

There is a saying that persons born in Ashlesha Nakshatra possess serpent's sight that even the look of these persons on others will have the effect of penetration of certain unknown force. In order to escape from such sight, it is the ancient traditional practice that the neighbors grow bamboos on the border or fences of their houses. Probably the bamboos have magnetic power to catch both sight and sound

Male Natives

1. Physical Features: Ashlesha born normally possess rude appearance. He may appear to be having stout body and rude features but inside built up is void.

2. Character and general events: He will not be grateful to anybody even to those who have given him life. Outwardly he tends to show that he is very sincere and would like to share the tragedy of others but he is not like that. He is very talkative. One of the added advantages is that he can attract people with hypocritical words and he is fit to man various organizations. Since there is an inherent quality of leadership and eagerness to reach the top he can shine very well in the political field. In spite of all those mentioned above, which may appear to be an adverse indication of the character, he is the most intelligent person who can give suitable leadership to a country.

It is also seen that some Ashlesha born who are cowards, poor-hearted and soft-spoken. They are not arrogant by themselves but they are arrogant to the world, because of the peculiar expression they show to the world.

He does not believe others blindly. Even then it is seen that he mostly associates himself with black marketers, thieves and murderers. He does not keep any distinction between rich and poor, good and bad people. He does not like to have any resistance to his independence from any circle and has a good liking towards the persons who are ready to accept his leadership and obey his orders whether in the negative or in the positive approach. To such persons he is ready to sacrifice anything. He never likes to cheat others nor he likes to engulf others property. But it is seen that he is quite often mistaken by others.

One of the drawbacks with the Ashlesha born is that his brain always supports the persons who are not in need and reject the request of the persons who are in need. Suppose he renders a helping hand to a needy person he will not hesitate to publicize such act.

Whatever may be the plus and minus points in the Ashlesha born, it is generally noticed that he is luckiest, popular but hot-tempered person. If anybody closely watches him it will be seen that he loses his temper where it is not required and where it is required he keeps silent. On the one side when we say that the Ashlesha born is luckiest, the fruit of that lucky existence cannot be enjoyed by him.

Mostly he is betrayed by the relations and friends and helping hand is extended by the unknown.

1. Education, source of income/profession: He may have his education in Arts or Commerce line. In the professional field, the native gets speedy promotions and sudden reversals. A heavy loss of money at the age of 35-36 years of age and unexpected and unearned income when he is 40 years of age.

2. Family life: He will have to shoulder much of the family responsibilities, most probably it may be due to the native being the eldest in the family. His wife cannot understand him. She does not want to share her wealth with other relatives (sister-in-law or cousin brother etc.).

3. Health: He will have flatulence, jaundice, and pains in legs and knees, stomach problem. He will be addicted to drugs.

Female Native

Females born in Ashlesha will also enjoy almost all the results mentioned for the male natives.

1. Physical features: Most of the females born in this Nakshatra are not good looking. However, if Mars is associated in this Nakshatra, she will have beautiful figure.

2. Character and general events: She will be self-restrained and will possess non-caring attitude. The inherent quality of shyness in the females is present in a greater degree in the case of Ashlesha born females. Her moral is of a very high order. She will enjoy good respect and recognition from her relations. She has the capacity to conquer her enemies mainly through vocabulary twisting.

3. Education, sources of earning/profession: She will be very efficient in her official work. She maybe, if educated, employed in an administrative capacity. Illiterate females may be engaged in selling fishes or work in the agricultural field.

4. Family Life: She is very efficient in the household administration. She should be careful while dealing wit in-laws, as there is a possibility of making some plot against her so as to create friction with her husband.

5. Health: Joint pains, hysteria, dropsy, jaundice and indigestion. She will have frequent nervous breakdown.