#kartikeya

ramnath@nerdpol.ch

5th Day of #Navratri: Colour - #White
White, often associated with the #goddess #Skandamata during the fifth day of Navratri, embodies #purity and #peacefulness. This color is revered for its ability to invoke divine blessings and create a serene environment.

Symbolism of White
Purity and Innocence: White is universally recognized as a symbol of purity and innocence. It represents a clean slate, offering a sense of renewal and hope. In many cultures, white is the color of choice for weddings, symbolizing new beginnings and untainted love.
Serenity and Calmness: White can evoke feelings of #tranquility and calmness. It is often used in spaces intended for relaxation, promoting emotional well-being, and reducing stress.
#Divine #Connection: In various religions, white symbolizes divinity and holiness. It is commonly associated with spiritual #enlightenment, purity, and the #sacred. For instance, in Christianity, white garments are worn during significant religious ceremonies to signify purity and sacrifice.
#MaaSkandamata
Skandamata is the fifth form of #Navadurga and has a story related to the birth of #Kartikeya and is often known as the "Mother of #Skanda". Her identity goes hand in #hand with #motherhood and #compassion and is often associated with #gentle attributes. She is described as having four arms, three eyes, and a pure complexion, riding on a lion with lotus flowers while holding her son. She is worshipped on the fifth day of Navratri in memory by doing mantras, offering sweets and flowers, and asking for some fasting.

#Skandamata was drawn from Hindu mythology as one of the divine mothers who bore Kartikeya to slay the demon Tarakasura. She represents #victory #over #evil in the form of maternity. The devotee seeks boons of #wisdom, #wealth, #power, and a #peaceful #mind praying to Skandamata to lead them to greater #consciousness and enlightenment.

White (Day 5): Dedicated to the Skandamata goddess, white symbolizes purity and peacefulness. White creates serenity and is done to invoke divine blessings.

ramnath@nerdpol.ch

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#Rudraksha #beads have different faces and varieties. The Rudraksha bead we mainly use is five mukhi, the most common Rudraksha. It has five natural lines from head to bottom, which symbolize the five forms of Lord Shiva, the symbol of auspiciousness. We made all our Malas according to the specific spiritual numbers of beads: 108 / 72 / 54.

ONE MUKHI HALF MOON SHAPED RUDRAKSHA

A round one faced Rudraksha bead is very difficult to find. However a one faced Rudraksha in the shape of a cashew nut (also known as a Half Moon Rudraksha ) is generally available. No enemy can cause harm to the person wearing this bead .The person gets all pleasures of life. It is excellent for those who are involved in politics, government service or administration.

One Mukhi rudraksha cures the malefic effects of the Sun and makes the individual charismatic and radiant like the divine Surya himself. It also helps in curing the disease caused by the adverse placement of the Sun in the Birth chart such as diseases of the right eye, bones ,mental anxiety, Head ache, ear ailments ,Bowel problems, Bone weakness etc and at the spiritual level such as lack of Confidence, Charisma ,Personal power, leadership qualities and Prosperity. The Sun is pleased with the wearer and any obstacles in his path to lead a rich and powerful life is removed It gives protective powers against heart ailments also.

TWO MUKHI RUDRAKSHA

The representing deity is #Ardhnariswara (The sum total of male and female energies). It leads to the harmonizing of energies between two individuals and thereby making happy and lasting attachments. Excellent bead for improving relationships.

Two mukhi Rudraksha cures the malefic effects of Moon. It helps in stabilizing the mind, making a person purposeful, making a person to complete a task before moving onto the next one. It is also helpful in the diseases of the left eye, fluid system of the body (the body is 75% water and water is represented by the moon-tide effect), renal failure and the intestinal system. This bead cures stress, anxiety, depression and negative thoughts. It is specially useful for individuals who have eye problems and who have an history of hysteria.

THREE MUKHI RUDRAKSHA
The representing deity is #Agni (The Lord of Fire). It bestows the wearer the confidence and the energy to face any situation. It is excellent for introvert individuals or those who suffer from depression, anxiety, psychosis or guilt induced complexes. It gives success in sports. This bead is also excellent for those who have Real Estate as their career.

The malefic effects of Mars are considerably reduced by wearing this bead .Mars represents the blood system and the energy levels in the body. It is widely used in controlling blood pressure ,regulation of the menstrual cycle/menstrual stress and removal of depression. This bead is also beneficial for those having the Manglik Dosha in their charts and also for those individuals who are temperamental.

FOUR MUKHI RUDRAKSHA
The representing deity is Lord #Brahma (The creator of the Universe). The ruling planet is Mercury . In mythology this represents Goddess Saraswati and Brahma.

It increases the power of original thinking and helps those who are involved in mental pursuits. It helps to remove the malefic effects of Mercury and helps in developing the power of speech.

It is very useful in the treatment of stammering, asthma and directing the mind towards grasping knowledge. Excellent for students, scientists and management executives or professionals in the computer, electronics or communication field. Good for individual with respiratory tract problems.

FIVE MUKHI RUDRAKSHA
The most abundant bead among all Rudraksha beads. At least 90% yield of the Rudraksha Tree is of the five faced Rudraksha bead. Rudraksha malas used for chanting mantras are generally made of 5 faced beads.

The representing deity is Lord #Shiva. It helps in curing the malefic effects of Jupiter. It is the bead of Good luck, academic excellence. It has a tranquil effect over the mind and helps one to be calm. It is helpful in regulation of blood pressure and controlling body fats. It creates a protective amour around the body and protects the wearer from adverse situations. Widely used in blood pressure related problems

SIX MUKHI RUDRAKSHA
The representing deity is Lord #Kartikeya also known as Skandha. It blesses the wearer with victory and wisdom. The malefic effects of Venus are controlled by wearing this bead. Diseases of a sexual nature, of sexual organs are cured by this bead.

It helps in having a happy martial life and blesses its wearer with vehicles and pleasures related to sensory organs . The wearer of this bead has the power of Vashikaran (Enchantment) in him/her (Power of attracting other individuals). This bead makes the wearer witty, charming and intelligent. This Bead has been used since time immemorial by actors and individuals who have a lot of public dealing.

SEVEN MUKHI RUDRAKSHA
The representing deity is Goddess #Mahalakshmi, the Goddess of Wealth. This Rudraksha Bead has secret and mysterious powers and it ensures that the wearer never faces poverty.

The representing planet is Saturn. This Rudraksha bead helps in overcoming the malefic effects of Saturn and the Sade Sathi period. It blesses its wearer with secret wealth and Vashikaran (control over others). Helps in the cure of Saturn induced diseases such as impotency ,foot related diseases, respiratory disorders. It is also helpful in curing long standing diseases.

This Rudraksha is generally kept in the place of worship and not worn on the body. This bead is also helpful for individuals having the Kalsarpa Yoga in their charts. This bead is also used by tantriks in a lot of secret Tantrik Sadhanas.

EIGHT MUKHI RUDRAKSHA
The representing deity is Lord #Ganesha. This Rudraksha removes the obstacles from the path of its wearer and ensures professional success.

The malefic effects of Rahu are cured by this bead. It is helpful in diseases of the mysterious kind, harassment by spirits, trauma causing dreams, Skin diseases, Stress and anxiety, diseases of lung , feet , skin , eye catarrh Isis, hydrofoil . Snake bites are also the result of malefic effects of Rahu and this rudraksha is helpful in such cases also. Excellent for individuals having Sarpa Dosha is their charts. Also good for Astrologers and individuals interested in the occult.

NINE MUKHI RUDRAKSHA
The representing deity is #Aadhya #Shakti #Maa - #Durga. It helps in cultivating patience, controlling unnecessary anger and a feeling of fearlessness. This Rudraksha is very dear to Maa Shakti and worn by the Devi Bhaktas.

The malefic effects of Ketu are controlled by this bead. Effects of Ketu are similar to those of Rahu and Saturn and include diseases of lung, fever , eye-pain , bowel pain , skin disease , body pain etc . Also helps in mastering foreign languages, and boosting vocabulary.

TEN MUKHI RUDRAKSHA
The representing deity is Lord #Vishnu (The Preserver). It helps the wearer to overcome difficult times and ensures that the wearer and the family of the wearer is protected. It creates a feeling of security and removes complexes.

There is no ruling planet for this bead. This Rudraksha helps in devotion and mediation as it increases the power to concentrate .

ELEVEN MUKHI RUDRAKSHA
The representing deity is Lord #Hanuman. It protects the wearer from Aakal Mrityu (sudden or accidental death). Helps in concentration and instills a feeling of right actions and courage. A bead with strong protective influences it a good for removing fear. The wearer knows no fear.

This Rudraksha induces courage and confidence in the wearer to leads an adventurous life. Also helpful in meditation and removes problem of Yogic practices .

TWELVE MUKHI RUDRAKSHA
The representing deity is #Surya (Lord Sun). This Rudraksha helps in creating a powerful aura around the wearer and malefic effects of the Sun are controlled. Those who cannot get a genuine Ek Mukhi Bead should wear a 12 faced bead as this bead is similar to effects to the one faced Rudraksha bead.

It is excellent for those who are involved in politics, government service or administration. It also helps in curing the disease caused by the adverse placement of the Sun in the Birth chart such as diseases of the right eye, bones ,mental anxiety and problems with elders specially with one's Father. It gives protective powers against heart ailments.

THIRTEEN MUKHI RUDRAKSHA
The representing deity is #Indra (The ruler of the Gods). It bestows charm, worldly comforts and spiritual success equally. Very rare bead, this Rudraksha gives secret wealth and a position of authority to the wearer. The effects are similar to that of 6 mukhi and it is helpful for meditation and spiritual attainments.

It bestows spiritual achievements on its Sadhaka and the wearer becomes equivalent to a King. This rare bead ensures that the individuals emerges victorious in challenging situations and the full potential of destiny is realized.

FOURTEEN MUKHI RUDRAKSHA
Fourteen-faced (14 mukhi) Rudraksha is a divine gem- Deva Mani. It represents Lord #Shiva. The wearer’s power of intuition and sixth sense awakens due to strengthening of Ajna chakra and the possessor is able to take right steps in right directions. It is also said that when invoked it helps the wearer in forecasting future events. . Fourteen-faced (14 mukhi) Rudraksha protects against evil spirits and black magic.14 mukhi is the best possible tool to increase the benefic effects & reduce the negative effects of shani / planet Saturn, in one's horoscope.

FIFTEEN MUKHI RUDRAKSHA
Fifteen-faced Rudraksha represents Lord #Pashupatinath. This Rudraksha bead helps channelise thoughts and remain focused. It is said that the wearer’s power of intuition and sixth sense awakens and helps him to take right steps in right directions. It is also said that when invoked it helps the wearer in forecasting future events. It increases attentiveness and energy, power and vigor. It is beneficial for economic and monetary progress.

ramnath@nerdpol.ch

#navratri
13 April, 2024 Saturday Panchami #Orange #Skandamata Puja

#Goddess Skandamata rides a ferocious #lion and carries the many-headed baby #Kartikeya in her lap. The goddess has four hands with the right hand in the Abhaya #Mudra. A crescent #moon of Lord #Shiva can also be found on her forehead. She sits on the #lotus flower and because of that Skandamata is also known as Goddess #Padmasana. Red-colored flowers are her favorite.

Navratri 5th Day Puja Vidhi
For the purpose of Kundalini Jagaran worshipers who are worshiping NavaDurga, on Navratri day 5 is done by the sadhana of the pure chakra. In order to penetrate this cycle, the seeker must worship Skanda Mata with proper Vidhi-Vidhan. Sitting on the holy seat of Kush or blanket for worship, you should start the puja process in the same way as you have done in Kekar ​​days, then you should pray to Goddess with this mantra "Sinhasanganata Nitya Padma Ashtakarwar Shubhadastu Sada Devi Scandamata Yashaswini. Now worship Skandmata by Panchapur vidhi. The fast on this day is said to be fruitful. Jai Bhakta Devi Skanda.

Significance
Devotees receive the blessings of the Goddess who worship the mother with devotion and affection. The wishes of the devotee are fulfilled with the grace of Goddess Skandamata and happiness, peace & prosperity remain in the house.

Navratri 5th Day Aarti and #Mantra
Om Devi Skandamatayai Namah.

Simhasanagata Nityam Padmanchita Karadvaya,
Shubhadastu Sada Devi Skandamata Yashasvini.
Ya Devi Sarvabhuteshu Ma Skandamata Rupena Samsthita,
Namastasyai Namastasyai Namastasyai Namo Namah.

Worshipping Skandamata on the fifth day of Navratri holds great significance. Skandamata is believed to bestow salvation, power, and prosperity upon her devotees. She can even grant wisdom to the illiterate. Those selflessly devoted to her attain the achievements and riches of life.

Her worship brings a twofold blessing, as the devotee not only worships Skandamata but also automatically worships Lord Skanda, her son in her lap. Thus, devotees enjoy the combined grace of both deities.

Skandamata is linked to the #heart #chakra which symbolizes #love, compassion and also promotes emotional balance and harmony.

ramnath@nerdpol.ch

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#Krittika #Nakshatra derived from the name #Kartikeya, has its roots in Hindu mythology. Kartikeya was the son of the deities #Shiva and #Parvati. Legend has it that in a contest against his brother #Ganesha, Kartikeya lost and decided to leave his parents’ home to live elsewhere. Krittika Nakshatra is associated with an #axe and is under the influence of the #Sun. People born under this nakshatra tend to inherit some of the characteristics of Lord Kartikeya.

One notable trait of individuals born in Krittika Nakshatra is their tendency to venture far from their place of #birth in pursuit of success and prosperity. Whether it’s education or any endeavor leading to long-term achievements, they often kick-start their journeys away from their hometowns. Interestingly, they have a strong affinity for activities like gardening, agriculture, or anything related to the nurturing and maintenance of trees. The symbol of the axe holds a dual meaning for them, symbolizing both agriculture and the act of cutting down, and it’s up to each Krittika-born individual to determine which aspect resonates more with them.

Despite their reputation for cutting ties, Krittika Nakshatra individuals are paradoxically quite emotional and yearn for strong connections with others.

Translation: The #Cutter
Symbol: #Razor, Axe, or #Flame
Lord: Sun
Controlling Planet: Sun
Ruling Deity of Ketu: Shiva
Deity: #Agni#Fire
Body – VarahaMihira: Hips, loins, waist
Body – Parashara: Eyebrows
Rashi / Zodiac Sign: Aries & Taurus Sign
Nature: The Sharp and Soft ( #Mixed)
Ganas: #Rakshasa (Demon)
Mode: Active
Constellation: 6
Gender: #Female
Dosha: #Kapha
Element: #Earth
Lucky Color: #White
Letter: Ah, Ee, Oo, Ay
Lucky letters: A, I, U & V
Lucky Stone: #Ruby
Lucky Numbers: 1 & 3
Animal Symbol: #Female #Sheep
Bird Name: #Peacock
Tree: #Fig

https://horoscopeeveryday.com/krittika-nakshatra/

ramnath@nerdpol.ch

Today is the fifth day of the #Navaratri #celebrations which are held for nine nights.

#Jupiter
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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 fifth day of Navratri is marked to worship Goddess Skandamata, mother of #Murugan (var. #Skanda, #Subramanya, #Kartikeya), is worshipped on the fifth day, one should wear #yellow. This colour stands for happiness and brightness. Skanda-Murugan is the leader of the armies against evil.

#Goddess #Skandamata
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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 recognize 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.

#Jupiter
Jupiter is watery in constitution ( #kapha), wears yellow clothes and yellow flowers; his gem is yellow sapphire. A #Brahmin, Jupiter knows all the Vedas and is expert in all forms of knowledge. As #guru, Jupiter has the highest forms of knowledge, philosophy and spirituality (para vidya) and teaches the #sacred paths.

Jupiter is Lord of the body’s fat, of the northeast, rules Thursdays, and the signs of Sagittarius and Pisces. Jupiter is known as the Lord of Worship and as the Guru. He is called Teacher of the Immortals, the Soul, the Advisor, the Lord of Speech, the Golden, the Creator (he is but another form of Brahma) the Compassionate, the Creator of Polity, remover of oppression and the Peaceable. As Guru, one honours one’s own guru by honouring this planet, Jupiter.

Jupiter grants knowledge of Yoga, Astrology, Vastu, science and mathematics, and is the giver of wisdom which overcomes obstacles. Jupiter as guru guides us in following dharma (the path of righteousness within and without) for dharma is the basis of the Universe itself. Jupiter indicates such domains of principle as law, religion and philosophy. He is the planet of intelligence.

Jupiter’s energy is that of #expansion; it expands everything it touches, making it bigger and greater. Some call Jupiter a multiplier, for this is what Jupiter does. If Jupiter is well placed in your horoscope its influence will be toward humanitarian activity, compassion, morality, caring, spirituality, optimism, faith and good judgement. One will be powerful, respected, healthy, wealthy, and a leader in society. Ambitious people who are aiming for high office whether it be politicians, priests, executives or judges are all under the influence of Jupiter. When Jupiter is afflicted in one’s astrological chart it will bring poverty, anger, arthritis, illness of the liver and pancreas, and overall bad luck.

Goddess Skandamata
Skandamātā is the fifth form of Hindu Goddess Durga. Literally meaning Mother of Skanda, her name comes from two words – Skanda is one of the names for the war god and her son Kartikeya (or Murugan or Subramanya) and Mata is the term for mother.

Skandamātā is four-armed and rides on a lion. She carries a lotus. Her one hand is in blessing posture. Lord Skanda can be seen in her lap. She possesses four arms out of which two often hold the lotus flowers. One of her hands is always in the boon-conferring gesture and with the other she holds her son Skanda in her lap. Her complexion is white and she is seated on the lotus. So, she is also called Goddess with a lotus-seat (Padmāsana). The lion is her vahana (vehicle).

Significance of Navaratri
“During the Dasara festival, three goddesses – Durga, Lakshmi and Saraswati -are worshipped according to certain traditional practices. Durga represents the prodigious power of nature (Prakrit-shakti). As against this power of nature is the Paraa-Shakti (the power of the spirit). When spiritual power is predominant, the power of nature is kept under control. When spiritual power is weak, the power of nature becomes predominant. This is illustrated by the example of smoke and fire. When smoke is predominant, the fire is suppressed. When the fire is blazing, the smoke vanishes. Hence, to enhance the power of spirit and limit the power of nature, man has to cultivate detachment (Vairaagya). To the extent that power of nature is under control, to that extent spiritual power grows. “Ichchaa-Shakti” is one of the of several other potencies like intellectual power, the discriminating capacity and others. To develop this “Ichchaa-Shakti” (will power), one has to worship “Devi”. This calls for the cultivation of Tyaaga (detachment or renunciation). For instance, if one has a desire for various drinks, he can bring the desires under control by giving up, to begin with, the desire for one of them. Thereby the Will Power (Ichchaa-Shakti) is developed and in due course, it becomes easier to give up other desires.

In Vedantic parlance this is described as “Vairaagya” (renouncing attachments). Vairaagya is not abandonment of hearth and home and retiring to a forest. It means developing godly thoughts and reducing worldly feelings. When this balanced development takes place, one acquires control over the powers of nature (Praakrita-Shakti). When these powers are got, the mental power in a person increases. Durga represents the Praakrita-Shakti and Lakshmi represents the Thought Power (Sankalpa Shakti). Vaak-Shakti (the power of speech), is represented by Saraswati. In order to acquire these three powers, various forms of worship are performed during the Navaratri festival. But prayers alone are not enough. Prayers should not be just from the lips. They should emanate from the heart. The heart (Hridaya) symbolizes the Ocean of Milk (Ksheera-saagara). When Lakshmi emerges, purity of speech follows. Whatever you speak should conform to truth.” Sai Baba, SS. 12/92. pp.304 & 305.

https://saieditor.com/fourth/?p=2569

ramnath@nerdpol.ch

#Krittika #Nakshatra - Krittika is the third Nakshatra in Vedic astrology ranging from 26°-40' Mesha to 10° Vrishabha.
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Symbol - The symbol of this Nakshatra is #knife or #spear.

Astronomical Name - The astronomical name of this Nakshatra is #Pleiades.

Deity of Nakshatra - The deity of Krittika Nakshatra is #Agni, the God of fire.

Ruling Planet - The Sun

This Nakshatra is ruled by #Kartikeya who is also known as Lord #Murugan or #Skanda.

Others - Krittika were the six sisters who raised Lord Murugan and thus it came to be known as Kartikeya. Krittika is a very powerful Nakshatra as it shows the rising of Sun. Krittika is also known as the "Star of Fire" and is related to a fighter, lustre, glow of power, physical and creative force. Krittika Nakshatra is the #birth star of #Chandra.

https://www.drikpanchang.com/tutorials/nakshatra/krittika-nakshatra.html

ramnath@nerdpol.ch

#Happy #Navratri Day 5
Panchami

#Maa #Skandamata Puja
26th
March 2023

(Sunday)

Navratri Day 5: #Yellow
The colour of Day 5 is yellow. The colour stands for happiness and brightness. On this day #Goddess Skandmata is worshipped and is also known as the mother of Lord Kartikey or Skanda.

Maa Skandmata has four arms and she rides on a lion. 2 of her arms carry lotus, 1 arm carry baby #Kartikeya, and another one stays in the Abhaya Mudra. As she sits on the lotus, Goddess Padmasana is her another name. She is the Goddess who can bless her devotees with power and prosperity. Also, she can bless her worshipper with immense intelligence as well as salvation. She is also considered as the Goddess of fire. As she is the epitome of motherly love in this form, devotees get blessed with her immense love.

Legend
As the legend goes, there was a great demon, Tarkasur. He did extreme penance for years to impress Lord Brahma; and finally the Lord appeared in front of him. He, then, requested for a boon of becoming immortal. Brahma Ji explained that death is inescapable on this planet earth. Being quite witty, he thought that Shiva will never get married, as he is an ascetic. So, he requested Brahma to grant him a boon that he can only be killed by the son of Shiva. Lord Brahma agreed on this and he started torturing the world thinking that he cannot be killed.

Being tortured, all the Devtas visited Lord Shiva and requested to him to get married. Hence, he married Goddess Parvati and became the father of Lord Kathikeya (Skand Kumar). When Kartikeya grew up, he killed the Demon Tarkasur and saved everyone.

Astrological Aspect
Planet Mercury (Budh) is ruled by Goddess Skandmata. Worshipping her kills the ill effects of Mercury.

Mantras
ॐ देवी स्कन्दमातायै नमः॥

Prarthana Mantra:
सिंहासनगता नित्यं पद्माञ्चित करद्वया।
शुभदास्तु सदा देवी स्कन्दमाता यशस्विनी॥

Stuti:
या देवी सर्वभू‍तेषु माँ स्कन्दमाता रूपेण संस्थिता।
नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमो नमः॥

Dhyana Mantra:
वन्दे वाञ्छित कामार्थे चन्द्रार्धकृतशेखराम्।
सिंहरूढ़ा चतुर्भुजा स्कन्दमाता यशस्विनीम्॥
धवलवर्णा विशुध्द चक्रस्थितों पञ्चम दुर्गा त्रिनेत्राम्।
अभय पद्म युग्म करां दक्षिण उरू पुत्रधराम् भजेम्॥
पटाम्बर परिधानां मृदुहास्या नानालङ्कार भूषिताम्।
मञ्जीर, हार, केयूर, किङ्किणि, रत्नकुण्डल धारिणीम्॥
प्रफुल्ल वन्दना पल्लवाधरां कान्त कपोलाम् पीन पयोधराम्।
कमनीयां लावण्यां चारू त्रिवली नितम्बनीम्॥

Stotra:
नमामि स्कन्दमाता स्कन्दधारिणीम्।
समग्रतत्वसागरम् पारपारगहराम्॥
शिवाप्रभा समुज्वलां स्फुच्छशागशेखराम्।
ललाटरत्नभास्करां जगत्प्रदीप्ति भास्कराम्॥
महेन्द्रकश्यपार्चितां सनत्कुमार संस्तुताम्।
सुरासुरेन्द्रवन्दिता यथार्थनिर्मलाद्भुताम्॥
अतर्क्यरोचिरूविजां विकार दोषवर्जिताम्।
मुमुक्षुभिर्विचिन्तितां विशेषतत्वमुचिताम्॥
नानालङ्कार भूषिताम् मृगेन्द्रवाहनाग्रजाम्।
सुशुध्दतत्वतोषणां त्रिवेदमार भूषणाम्॥
सुधार्मिकौपकारिणी सुरेन्द्र वैरिघातिनीम्।
शुभां पुष्पमालिनीं सुवर्णकल्पशाखिनीम्
तमोऽन्धकारयामिनीं शिवस्वभावकामिनीम्।
सहस्रसूर्यराजिकां धनज्जयोग्रकारिकाम्॥
सुशुध्द काल कन्दला सुभृडवृन्दमज्जुलाम्।
प्रजायिनी प्रजावति नमामि मातरम् सतीम्॥
स्वकर्मकारणे गतिं हरिप्रयाच पार्वतीम्।
अनन्तशक्ति कान्तिदां यशोअर्थभुक्तिमुक्तिदाम्॥
पुनः पुनर्जगद्धितां नमाम्यहम् सुरार्चिताम्।
जयेश्वरि त्रिलोचने प्रसीद देवी पाहिमाम्॥

Kavacha Mantra:
ऐं बीजालिंका देवी पदयुग्मधरापरा।
हृदयम् पातु सा देवी कार्तिकेययुता॥
श्री ह्रीं हुं ऐं देवी पर्वस्या पातु सर्वदा।
सर्वाङ्ग में सदा पातु स्कन्दमाता पुत्रप्रदा॥
वाणवाणामृते हुं फट् बीज समन्विता।
उत्तरस्या तथाग्ने च वारुणे नैॠतेअवतु॥
इन्द्राणी भैरवी चैवासिताङ्गी च संहारिणी।
सर्वदा पातु मां देवी चान्यान्यासु हि दिक्षु वै॥

With this, we hope that you will make the best of Navratri’s fifth day. May Skandmata Durga blesses you with all the goodness of life.

Happy Navratri!

Now as one might presume – She is the Mother (Mata) of Lord Skanda, one of our … many War Gods. Takes after His Mother in that regard!

The story of Skanda’s conception and birth is perhaps a bit of a curious one – as it is not, in fact. Devi Herself Who gives birth to the young prince (Kumara – another epithetic theonym of He).
Instead, He comes to us from the Krttika cluster (hence His Six Heads – One for each Mother) – better known to us here in the West as the Pleiades. Something which I believe to resonate with the circumstances for the conception of Heimdallr in the Nordic sphere.

But let us take things back a few steps.

As we have said, the Story of the NavRatri cycle is one of Reunification – of the Divine Couple re-finding Each Other after having become separated in circumstances both tragic and lamented … yet arguably necessary in order to bring certain events to their logical progression.

One result of this was the Death of Devi as Sati. The other was another sort of ‘death’ – in the figurative sense, at least. As Lord Shiva had chosen to withdraw Himself from the World to head up into the High Himalayas in order to meditate, smoke weed, and attempt to overcome His immense, unbearable grief at losing His Other Half. I am sure various of us can relate.

However, simply because we are no longer (we think) moving, does not mean that the Universe has given up upon moving around us. The world turns – and though we know it not – we turn with it.

And so it was that the latest in a long, long line of demonic foes came to rise.

This demon warlord was named Taraka, or Tarakasur – an interesting ‘ironic resonancy’ with Lord Skanda (otherwise known as Kartikeya – ‘Of the Krittikas’), given Taraka also means ‘Star’ (or, at least, celestial light – the corona of a comet, for instance, in some more specialized contexts).

Now, there is a standard pattern to these sorts of myths. Some demon gains prominency and sets his mind upon casting down the Gods. He realizes that he, himself, shall be unable to meaningfully go up against the Heavens as he is, and so undertakes immense austere penances and propitiation in order to win a Boon from a certain favourably-disposed force … customarily asking for Immortality / Invincibility.

This is logical. If one is going to go and fight the Gods Themselves, then one had best be – in a word – unkillable.

It is also impossible.

The way that our relevant legalistic metaphysics works – they are only able to be accorded a ‘conditional’ invulnerability. They have to have some weak-point – some condition to which they remain vulnerable.

The weakness that the demon chooses is often an interesting insight into their character – Mahishasur, for instance, was a misogynist and contemptuous of the fairer sex … and so, he chose as his ‘condition’ that he could only be taken down by a woman, precisely because he believed that no woman could possibly be a threat to him. Which, of course, was a spectacularly stupid thing to do given that Devi (Whom we shall be meeting in the next Night of NavRatri as Katyayani) … has a bit of a reputation in these areas – as the foremost of our War Gods.

But nobody ever said that the arrogance of demons was commensurate with their sagacity – most of the time, anyway.

Durgamasur was smart enough to request an entirely different boon – that of wiping the knowledge of the Vedas from the minds of mankind, thus leading to a weakening of the Gods through the cessation of the performance of the Vedic rites of sacrifice that nourish and strengthen Them. But more upon him some other time.

Tarakasur, however, chose a rather more straightforward vulnerability. He was acquainted with the events surrounding Lord Shiva’s immense sadness and why He had retreated from the world – the loss of His Beloved Wife. He knew just how …. inconsolable Lord Shiva was upon this matter – how absolutely devoted to His Wife He had been (and yet still remained, even in Her Death). And therefore, he surmised, how immensely unlikely He was to ever remarry. For how could He, when He still carried only Her within His Deepest Heart?

Tarakasura thusly chose as his condition – that he would only be able to be vanquished by a yet-to-be-born Son of Shiva. Reasoning, perhaps rather logically, that it was almost certain that Lord Shiva – in the absence of His now-deceased Wife – would never conceive another Son; and thus rendering him functionally invincible pending this apparently inconceivable circumstance.

To twist the common saying, though – ‘Demons Plan, Fate Laughs’.

Knowing of this prophecy, certain Divinity attempts to do something about the situation. Kamadeva, the God of Love, is sent to endeavour to get Lord Shiva to ‘move on’ … which results in Shiva burning Kama to ashes when He detects the intrusion into His Mighty Mind, and as a perhaps rather natural outpouring of the renewed sense of grief which He experiences when a pleasing romantic memory of His Wife is revealed to have been .. just exactly that – a memory, once more.

However, as we have covered in previous NavRatri pieces, this is not the end of the tale. Rather, His dead Wife has reincarnated (Shailaputri) – and not all that far away from His present situated circumstance. She is seeking Him (Brahmacharini). They Reunify, Remarry (Chandraghanta), and are indeed in a position to bring forth another Child (Kushmanda, in a sense).

At this point, Agni moves to safeguard the future by ‘stealing’ the embryo of Skanda from Parvati’s womb – His reasoning being that before the God is born, should Tarakasur become aware of Shiva having successfully conceived a Son, both Mother and (pre-natal) Child should prove at grave risk from the demon.

This, however, is not explained to Parvati – and when She finds out what had occurred, She curses Agni (Flame) to be indiscriminately all-devouring, always wreathed by black smoke, and to ever have His food be riven with impurities.

The yet-to-be-born Skanda is spirited away, and in order to further safeguard Him, is borne to term by not one but six Mothers – the Krttika (Pleiades) Star-Maidens. As we have said, this circumstance should appear to resonate with the birth of Heimdallr to His Nine Mothers found in the waters at the edge of the world (a point arguably in common with the Stars in the archaic Indo-European view; and we should further note a rather prominent 7 => 9 shift between Vedic and Eddic traditions, as well as the curious situation wherein the Pleiades constellational cluster, at latitudes further from the equator, appears to have nine rather than six (or, for that matter, seven) stars to it).

Yet it also resonates in a curious way with the more archaic Hindu layers of mythology – wherein we find Agni in romantic relationship with Svaha … Who has taken the form of Six of the Seven Pleiades, and, yes, leading to a situation involving the conception of Kumara – that instead features Kumara being born to the Krttikas.

The situation is rendered rather more clarified when one considers the voluminous and repeated attestations in the Vedas for Lord Shiva and Agni being the same deific. And, further, the attestation in the Puranic literature for Svaha as the Wife of Rudra – also known as Vikeshi, which we mention due to the circumstance of Vikesi in the conception (again via a certain ‘displacement’ of seed) of Mangala … that is to say, Mars.

To quote from a relatively recent earlier work of mine ( https://aryaakasha.com/2022/01/04/tuesday-the-day-of-mangala-mars/ ):

“The Puranic mythology around Mars makes for interesting reading. There, we find the origin of Mangala stated to be drops of sweat from tapasic exertion from the brow of Lord Shiva that had fallen upon the Earth (with the Latter acting as His Mother for these purposes).

Shiva’s situation at the time of this was engaging Himself in strenuous pursuits to endeavour to control and contain His immense grief at losing His Wife, Lady Sati.”

That is the presentation contained within the Skanda Purana at IV 1 17 4-6; and also the Shiva Purana at II Rudra Samhita 3 10 7-27.

Although another Puranic narrative presents the circumstances somewhat differently. In Brahmanda Purana II 10 78 we find Sharva (‘The Archer’ – Rudra) married to Vikeshi as Her Husband (with pointed ‘Earth’ linkage), and states Angaraka (Mars) to be Their Son; whilst Brahmanda Purana, II 24 48 directly equates Skanda with Mars / Mangala (there referred to as Angaraka) and in line 91 states Kumara Mars born to Vikesi and Agni. The matrimonial situation is further buttressed by Markandeya Purana 52 – wherein Rudra in His Ishana form is stated to be married to Vikesi (Isana being ‘Light’, ‘Ruler’; and in the Shatapatha Brahmana (VI 1 3 17) being that Form and Name of Rudra-Agni (therein Himself referred to as Kumara – ‘Young Prince’) correlate with the Sun), with Their Son being Lohitanga (Mars, again); whilst elsewhere in the same section we find Rudra’s Bhima form to be married to Svaha with Their Child being Skanda. As we can clearly see, it is a situation of many Names, many Qualities, many Aspects, many Facings even – for but Three.

As the Markandeya Purana then puts it:

“Such was Rudra Himself. He found Satī for his wife; and through Dakṣa’s curse Satī quitted Her body. She was the Daughter of Himavat by Menā, O brāhman; Her brother was Maināka, the chiefest friend of Ambhodhi (the Ocean.) And the Lord Bhava [Rudra] married Her again as His Only Wife.”
(F. Eden Pargiter translation)

We might also ponder the situation of the Krittikas Themselves – wherein They go from numbering Seven in the archaic Vedic Age, through to Six by the time of the Puranas. This is not something unique to the Hindusphere – as it also prominently occurs amongst the Greeks. In both cases, mythic explanations present the reasoning for one of the Seven Sisters having become dimmed – or even outright leaving the Heavens.

We have considered some of the Vaidika star-lore pertaining to the Krttikas in our earlier work explicating the #Krittika ‘Six Swords of the Stars’ bindrune row that I had created for somebody –
https://aryaakasha.com/2021/12/02/krttika-the-six-swords-of-the-stars/

One point that I would quote from the above that is pointedly relevant for current circumstances is the following:

“In a sense, I suppose we may think of the Krittikas as being ‘Fire-Blades’ [the name itself renders as ‘Cutters’]. They connote both ‘destruction’ and ‘illumination’ (which we can also phrase as ‘Purification’ – ‘Hallowing’) – and, most especially, both at once. The one via necessity precedes the other. Aptly for this purpose, They are presided over by Lord Agni as the Deific – a situation which also resonates with the mythological presentation, as we have covered in some detail elsewhere (and fully intend to revisit more in the future). We have also undertaken to represent an additional element to the Indo-European mythology around the constellation via the fact that there are Six Runes here – for Six Sisters, Six Star-Maids.

In both Hellenic and Hindu reckoning there were archaically Seven of These – with one, Amba (to use the Vedic), having mysteriously dimmed and disappeared. However, particularly given the overt resemblance of ‘Amba’ to … a certain figure of this name … I have my enduring belief as to where (and, most especially, Who) it is that She eventually Returns To.”

You see how this immediately resonates with the circumstances of NavRatri – as well as other, more personal points of promontory.

Elsewhere in that (A)Article we had also explored the theme presented in the Vedas for the Krttikas in connexion with Invocation, Prayerful Hymns, Ritual – and we should surmise that there is indeed an eminently logical point of contextualization here for why They are Chosen to bear Lord Skanda into this world. A Holy Warrior, indeed, thusly congealed through the Rites (Agni included as the central element) and the Prayer-Songs – likely under the correct and auspicious Constellation, just as was the Flaming Sword of Rudra as attested in the Mahabharata.

In terms of nomenclature, we should also draw attention to the meaning of Skanda – a term which (to quote myself from some years ago) “connotes charging, attacking, and leaping or springing forth “; and which is often connected to the curious circumstances of Skanda’s conception and birth. However, we instead prefer another interpretation – one which connects this theonymic and its purport instead to “Lord Skanda’s role and function – as the great warrior. Further, the likely PIE roots of the name, often proposed as “Skend” (‘Jump’), but to which I would also speculatively add “Skewd” (“shoot” or “throw”, and the same root as “Skewer” in modern English – a rather important thing for a soldier, equipped with a spear – or, as with many depictions of Skanda seated in the lap of SkandaMata … a bow and arrow !), both seem far more closely connoted with the nature of the Deity rather than being simply circumstances of conception.”

Oh, and in case you had been wondering – once Skanda is successfully born, Lord Agni appears to Parvati to explain the situation, and somewhat mollify Her Divine Wrath. Skanda then goes on, as was foretold (though he knew it not) by the demon himself to defeat and destroy the demon Taraka.

For though Evil counts itself clever and beyond reach, each and every … all of its contrivances are ultimately undone.

Perhaps rather aptly, as we can see here, through a power of Love – one strong enough to overcome even the barriers of Death.

Even if it may take a bit of time and effort – and some help from one’s Friends – in order to do so.

ॐ देवी स्कन्दमातायै नम

जय माता दी !

ramnath@nerdpol.ch

#KRITTIKA #NAKSHATRA
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Krittika Nakshatra translates as ‘the #cutting #star’. This Nakshatra spans Aries and Taurus. Its ruling planet is the #Sun and its presiding deity is #Agni, the fire god.

The #Pleiades is the star constellation of this Nakshatra. They are the 7 mother stars, who as legend tells us, mothered #Kartikaya, the warrior god of Mars who fights and battles to establish #cosmic# justice.

On the Dark-Moon ritual night of Shuni Jayanti, the Moon will be in the lunar house of Krittika. In the year 2021, Saturn is in a place of power, as he is in his very own of Makar Rashi (Capricorn). The next time he will be there, will be in 12 years hence.

We have a particularly strong planetary focus on this ritual day for the energy of Saturn, Mars and the Sun are at play – in the India astrological wisdom the Sun is considered part of the Navagraha, the nine planets, along with the South and North Nodes of the Moon.

These 3 planets are the hard teachers that carry the heaviest and most valuable lessons to us.

Furthermore, we have Surya Grahn – the Solar Eclipse.

The Shadow entity Rahu is in force at the solar eclipse. Ketu also aligns to the dark Moon time of opening the door to ancestral forces.

To say that
this is an extremely potent
ritual day
would be an understatement.

At such potent energy junctions the ancient Yogins have advised to take advantage of the portal to the depths of the self that is offered.

Fasting and staying indoors is prescribed for eclipses by Tantrics.

Saturn is the protector of the feminine. In the stories he burns the sun to blackness in honour of the forces of the Shadow and the feminine. Remember that his beloved is Damini, the mistress of all feminine arts, and another aspect of her is Neela, the sapphire woman who is so close to him, that she lives within him.

Neelam is a Saphire and it is her stone, interestingly, it is said that a Sapphire magnifies the power of Shuni.

This is a Time when the deep-most Saturnian feminine aspects in us are revealed and drawn out by the shadow forces of Rahu and Ketu through Mangala (Mars)

Visually the form of Krittika Nakshatra constellation of Pleiades bears a striking similarity to the 7 stars of the Saptrishi (Big-Dipper). We will look deeper into why this is as this text unfolds.

Legend tells us that the 7 Krittika stars were once the lovers of the 7 Saptrishi stars and dwelt with them in love.

The Saptrishi are described as the 7 wise men. Fiery intrigue ensued when Agni fell wildly in love with the seven Krittika star women. The result of the intrigue was that the Krittika star women became cut off from their former lovers and moved to another portion of the sky.

They retain the similar shape of the constellation but exist light-years-of-love apart from their former loves. They literally are cut off from their past loves. Kritt, contained in the word Krittika, literally means ‘to cut’.

The Krittika are the sharp cutters prone to fiery, sharp, burning and singing extremities of action.

This star constellation brings us the teachings of fire and its wise handling.

Fire requires fuel. Fire extracts the essence from fuel it transforms, while providing heat and light. A good relationship to fire and the laws and principles of fire is needed for psychic and physical health.

The spiritual work with fire, and the study of the principles of fire, is not an intellectual pursuit. It is a deep investigation into the nature of the laws of energy itself.

The forces of Krittika Nakshatra functioning well, in her sevenfold power, makes one powerful and gives the fuel of fire. When we have fire, we can spread it through our lives. The seven stars of the Pleiades relate to the 7 fires in the 7 chakras.

These 7 star women are the 7 Shaktis of each Chakra.

How we handle
the power of fire
is paramount
in both spiritual
and physical life

Malfunctioning Krittika energy is the opposite of living well. When our relationship to the 7 flames of the Chakra’s is not healthy, then the laws of fire are to be considered. Establishing spiritual rapport with the 7 mother stars of Krittika Nakshatra, gives birth to the corresponding flames in the 7 Chakras.

Upon the Dark Moon that is upon us in the Nakshatra of Krittika, the fires of chakras are called from us to burn in the last dark moon of the waxing half of the year.

When our relationship to Krittika malfunctions, we have that feeling of being burned out, feeling hot and itchy but essentially tired and lacking in power.

We sometimes might see that we switch between these states of healthy fire and burning-out, or sparking-out.

Fire can either make us smooth, warm and enduring, or nervous, restless and rushing – these latter 3 are the quality of a weak connection to the Laws of the Flame.

This is the fighting to stay aglow, reaching hungrily for scraps and twigs to effectively stay aglow.

Which scraps, twigs do you reach for when your fire burns out of hand?
How do you light your fire when it’s burning cool?
How do you cool it when it’s burning hot?

Fire becomes expansive with plenty of fuel behind it. A well-considered rhythmical supply of fuel in backup is part and parcel of keeping the stove going. This applies in a spiritual sense, as much as in a household sense.

We wouldn’t by choice be reckless about a supply of winter firewood, if we lived by the stove. Are we equally as conscientious with the supply of spiritual firewood? Or maybe we believe such things are of little import?

For the Tantric, the spiritual fire is of great importance. The laws and principles of fire are a primary study for the Tantric practitioner.

Knowing all about how to generate power and spiritual propulsion is a question of understanding some obvious but easily denied laws of fire.

Honouring the laws of the flame makes us powerful, effective and royal in all areas.

Let us consider the nature of Krittika Nakshatra by looking at its ruling deity who is the fire god Agni.

Agni is the deity of Krittika Nakshatra.

His name means ‘fire’. It also means ‘foremost’. Indeed Agni’s fire plays a foremost part in many Indian rituals and rites of passage. Birth is commemorated by the lighting of lamps. Weddings involve 7 circumambulations around a sacred fire, each circumambulation representing the taste of the flame of each of the seven chakras that Agni tastes with his 7 tongues. It is also Agni who conveys the dead across the sea of life at the time of death, in his presence in the funeral pyre. Indian culture has always burned the dead and never buried them.

Agni has 7 tongues of flame and has a voracious appetite for experience.

The scriptural stories often tell how he suffered indigestion because of his over consuming habits. He rules the digestive fire.

Agni’s appetite for everything is vast. A single woman was not enough for him. He fell in love with all the 7 Krittika star women (Pleiades) who were already married to the 7 Saptrishi’s (Big Dipper).

Agni is the fire of experience that is drawn to experience and taste all things.

The seven Krittika’s represent the 7 Shaktis of the 7 chakras. Agni has 7 tongues of flame that long to taste in all 7 directions.

One specialism is not enough for him, he longs to taste the essence of life in all its divisions.

Awareness of time, along with the awareness of our capacities within the realm of time is needed if we are to taste far and wide. Without this awareness, indigestion and overstimulation of a psychic nature can occur.

Without the wisdom of timing, and without selecting a well measured and well considered channel for our fire, we can lose the wisdom and geometry of rhythm, and risk scattering and dispersing our energies with little outcome.

Of course, fire does not care to hear this, it couldn’t care less for well proportioned considerations. Fire likes the gear of action. Fire likes to put itself out with only gasoline.

The solar force is disproportionately pronounced in the world culture in which we live. The time we spend in the light and in solar pursuits, usually outmeasures the time given to the cooling night forces.

An extended period of light through electrical means, overstimulates the solar plexus and arouses active energy within us.

An over emphasis of fire in our nature, is an imbalance that runs the risk of eclipsing the receptive night forces, this can put us out of touch both physically and spiritually with the nourishing forces of reception and femminity.

The teaching of Agni is to balance the feminine and the masculine energies. Although Agni is often described as being male, he has androgynous qualities, as we shall soon see.

The heat and burn of fire is attractive and stimulating, but too much fire spread too far and wide creates superficiality. When the soul is drawn into the realms of superficiality it seeks ever more fire and experience to fill its empty gaping pit of hunger.

Seeking action and life experience might easily become a motto for the experience-hungry-fire that, in actuality, is not really driven by wanderlust, but rather by its own emptiness.

Heating fires abound on all sides. Coffee is served on every corner and sugar saturates the modern diet and creates unnatural fire in the system.

Music to stimulate the life rhythms is hard to escape in the metropolis.

Even fast-track spirituality is available in sensationally effective courses, with abundance of exotic plants offering quick realisation in the spiritual market place.

At the extreme end of fire we have chemical intoxicants and substances that stimulate the senses and give the illusion of equipping one for life when, in fact, the effects are rather different and, in some people, turn them into a frantic aggressive person.

The same could be said in some measure, of all the above listed things that feed the flames of an unnaturally inclined solar-dominant word-culture.

The price of all these fast measures, cited above, is quite high upon the heart, body and soul. Hot and fast seems to be the motto of modernity. But Tantric’s seem to attempt to gain admittance to the sometimes forgotten realms of coolness and slowness.

Solar, active, sunny, bright and fiery are considered powerful words, but their opposite lunar, moony, passive and dark, are all too often designations of insanity, weakness and badness. It does well to ponder the reason why the womb-deep, feminine, cooling, nourishing-night-forces are given such a bad wrap.

A look at the way that the most ancient art and science of childbirth is handled in the modern era will reveal much.

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The lesson of Krittika is to be cautious not to lose oneself in the pursuit of wanting to experience life.

To know the right measure of a thing is Wisdom. This would be the fitting axiom for this Star lesson.

Restraint and suppression of desire is not necessarily what is meant here. Rather, harnessing the fire of desire and pausing to get the insight into the nature of fire. Fire spreads and consumes. The lesson of fire is how can it burn freely without becoming destructive?

It takes insight and forbearance to pause in the midst of heat, to see what is going on. Without the pause, fire can rage and consumes. To work effectively and safely with fire, takes a sober knowledge of one’s capacities and the effect of phenomena upon us.

This sounds like a very simple matter-of-fact level of base reality, and it is, but why does this obvious knowledge of measures and effects and causes evade so many?

Might it be that the over-handling of fire in our lives burns the nerve endings of the spirit unto numbness?

A comfortably numb state of being poses no risk. In such a state, fire can be swallowed in a mindlessly rampant and flaming march through the circus of life.

To handle the forces of our lives,
a sober glimpse of reality is required.

Striving sentiments have no place where reality is concerned. To choose wisely and with insight from the variety of ‘isms’ that are broadly on sale in the pick-and-mix shopping centre of life, is needed in the art of handling fire.

Without sobriety, and the insight into the nature of fire, the indiscriminate mix and pick of fiery ‘isms’ can merely create a reality made-up of masks upon the face of reality.

Fire must be denied in order to know its power. Fasting introverts the physical fire and gives us insights into our fiery power. Fasting from activity has been a favourable past time of Tantrics.

In the suspension of action, we glimpse into the nature of stray sparks that throw us and our true will, along with their fire fly motions.

Agni rides upon a ram. His power animal is an indicator of Agni’s active charging power. A ram is a creature that is imbued with a tenacious spirit. The force of the ram burns outwardly in the solar doings that keep us in fiery motion. As we have seen the Tantrics work to discover that the solar force can be introverted with a view to discover the mysteries of the inner spiritual realms.

The golden rams fleece that was dearly sought by Jason and his band of Argonauts in the ancient Greek Odyssey might well represent the secret wisdom of spiritualised fire.

The key to the lessons of the Nakshatras are revealed in their deities, who present an encoded teaching in their being.

Each deity has a Vahaan with them. This is a power animal that represents their essence. By studying and meditating upon the animal connected to the Tantric deities we get further insights. Agni rules the digestive fire and transitions between realms from this solar station.

The ram is a creature with an interesting digestive system. It is well known that they can eat and digest almost anything, including thorns, wood and other normally inedible substances. Rams express a powerful digestive tenacity. They have the ability to swallow large clumps of wood and store them, only to later regurgitate what they ate and chew on it some more, and again sending it back into one of their 4 stomachs. Just like fire that extracts the essence from something, rams are highly refined extractors of essence. This gives them a tenacious enduring spirit.

This holds a lesson for us, if we carefully consider the symbol.

By being very thorough about things and chewing continuously on the phenomena that life feeds us, we generate great power and endurance in ourselves. This is the power that awakens Kundalini and can take us deep into the spiritual realms.

It is known that rams and their relative species can climb to mountainous heights that few can reach.

The secret potential of the ram is to extract the most hidden essence from something. The Ram in us that has not touched its potential might scoff things down and extract nothing nutritious from its existence. Tantrics honour the god of fire by honouring the ram that he rides upon. They honour him by chewing carefully on all experience.

To swallow blindly
is the path
to spiritual indigestion.

Agni is the masculine fire force in its purest form. Agni longs to know the feminine in all her Chakric aspects. He literally burns for the feminine. He can’t help falling in love with the feminine mysteries. The 7 Krittikas are also known as the 7 Matrikas (mothers), which are probably at the root of the word Matriarch.

As already mentioned, they are the Shakti of the seven Chakras. We are dealing with a powerful feminine star constellation that spiritually exerts an impact on the 7 chakras through interacting with the 7 glands of our glandular system.

The 7 Matrikas
can be thought of
as 7 types of desire.

Agni has two heads that point to the dual nature of his being. His nature is fire, and fire has two expressions. One is heat and the other is light.

We see these expressions clearly expressed in fire and in solar force.
His two heads also represent these two aspects of the fiery Manipura Chakra.
Agni is the jewel in this Chakra. Manipura literally means place of the jewel.

He rules over the Manipura Chakra of the Solar Plexus with his dual nature, receiving light nourishment and alchemically turning it into the expression of heat. Agni is a synonym for the digestive fire in which he dwells. The Solar Plexus Chakra receives the light of the Sun and expresses the heat of Mars. This brings us to another fiery deity connected to Agni and the Krittika constellation.

Kartikaya is the active expression of fire. He is the heat of Mars. Kartikaya, or Krittikaya, takes his name from Krittika. They are the mothers who raised him, as we will see in the next section. He is pure hot heat. So hot in fact that even the river Ganges could not hold him.
Kartikeya is the 7 day old child, who was foretold would save the Devas from destruction at the hands of the Asuras. Yes 7 days old, so powerful was he.

The story is complex and comes in several variants. Here we will simplify it to the basics and set aside some of the interesting and numerous details for another place.

The Devic world was under threat and there was no being powerful enough to save them. A child born of Shiva and Shakti would have the necessary power.

Kartikeya has more than one mother. He was born of Shiva and Pharbati’s love after aeons of effort and many celestial interventions. Yet Kartikeya grew in the womb of Agni and was raised by the Krittika star mothers. The root of Kartikeya is Kritt (to cut), he is also called Krittikya. The child of the Krittika.

Agni is usually designated male, but he has a dual nature, symbolised by his two heads. Agni is actually Androgynous and carried Kartikeya in his womb, but the embryo was too hot for him to handle, and it almost finished Agni off.

Agni survived somehow and Kartikeya was raised by the Krittika star mothers.

That the star mothers could handle Kartikeya’s heat is an important point in understanding the true power of Krittika Nakshatra. Kartikeya was multi mothered and multi headed.

With the force of Krittika Nakshatra behind him, no battle was too great for him, even though he was only 7 years old.
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#Kartikeya was a ferocious force that set the cosmic order back in balance. On his 7th day he fixed things so that the Devas could once again rest from the persecution of the Asuras.

Suffice it to say, he grew to be the Martian Lord of Battle.
He rides on a peacock and burns with the active force of a warrior.

The peacock is the bird with the strongest digestive fire of all birds, able to digest all manner of venomous plants, substances and creatures. The digestive fire of the Peacock is unparalleled. It is a creature of profound beauty, with its mystically feathery blooms. It transforms poison into dazzling geometric beauty. Kartikeya does much the same as his Vahaan (power animal), he turns the force of Mars to establish sacred order. He is a king of strategy and the wise handling of potentially destructive force. There are tales that tell of Kartikeya going astray in his use of force, but he learned to handle it and channel it wisely as he grew.

Agni is a sex god-dess, Agni is the mistress of reception of power for the female. But Agni is also the master of the force of ejaculation for the male.

We have seen that Agni’s passion could only be satisfied by 7 lovers. His love endures and charges with the force of his a ram.

Agni yearned for the Krittikas and was in danger of destroying cosmic order, until his longing and passion was remedied by Svaha.

As we have seen, Agni is referred to as a male god, when in fact ‘ he’ exhibits qualities of an androgen. His nature is dual, for he has two heads, he is male and female, he is heat, he is light. He is celestial fire, he is earthly fire.

The child of Shiva was destined to be the only saviour powerful enough to save the Devic realm from the Asuric oppression it was under, and that was leading to its destruction.

Much celestial intervention was carried forward to get Shiva out of his Samhadi (meditational trance) and become interested in anything else.

The story tells that Shiva was so slow and deep in all things, that his love making with Shakti continued for aeons. The Devas were getting so inpatient at suffering the persecution and torment at the hands of the Asuras that, one day, they all gathered together and decided to pay Shiva a visit and tell him to hurry up.

It happened that, in the exact moment that Shiva was about to ejaculate, they stormed their way into his grotto in the mountainous expanse of the Himalayas and caused shock to the Lovers at the very moment of climax. The seed of Shiva was not expelled into the womb of Shakti, but cast upon the walls of the cave.

As Shiva ejaculated all over the cave walls he was in a divine rage for being disturbed at the wrong moment. The Devas looked on in despair, realizing what they had just done.

Shiva’s wrath reached unbeknownst scales of rage and imbued his seed with a fire so hot that it penetrated and melted the mountainous earth.

The seed of Shiva is said to have sunk into the bowels of the earth and created mines of silver and gold.

Shakti was furious at the interruption, and the Devas knew they had really seriously messed up by their inopportune timing.

They begged Shakti to gather the seed into her womb but she was in a rage and refused.

The force of Shiva’s ejaculation was so strong that its fiery expulsion had summoned Agni who had taken a drop of it into his womb. Agni carried the child who became Kartikeya, until the Krittika took over the role of motherhood. Some accounts tell that Shiva’s seed was mixed with Agni’s own seed after his numerous lovings with the numerous forms assumed by the shape-shifting women that was Svaha.

Indra, the king of the Devas, is famous for ever fearing that someone will usurp his throne. When Kartikeya was born, Indra saw that Kartikeya was a force beyond measure and that he might be able to take his throne away.

Indra, we may add, is covered with a 1000 vaginas because of his passion for the feminine. In each Yoni is an eyeball with which the paranoid Indra watches from all directions, in case someone might be able to claim his beloved throne.

And so the Yoni covered lord of the Devas sent the Krittika goddesses to poison the baby Kartikeya. Even though Kartikeya was the one meant to save Indra’s Devic Kingdom. Indra feared the loss of his throne more than the destruction of his kingdom.

It is easy to call the Krittikas a motherly beneficiary force, but they have a fierce side. Many texts and depictions relate them as wild and witchy child-consuming goddesses.

As they went to follow Indra’s orders and destroy Kartikeya, their hearts melted upon seeing the child. Kartikeya overtook their hearts by his Martian power and magnitude and inspired their maternal instincts.

And so they took him as their child and mothered him.

Kartikeya turned out to be a Martian force who was too busy with battle and strategy to be interested in Indra’s throne, so Indra was able to relax and enjoy his Yoni, Soma and legendary romance.

The 7 Mother Stars of the Kritta constellation are in a portion of the astral plane, which gives form to human souls upon their last junction to incarnation upon the earth plane. The Saptrishi constellation of the Big Dipper can be said to give the form to the mental and causal bodies of the soul, whereas the Krittika of the Pleiades, give birth and form to the astral emotional and subtle bodies that more closely connected to the physical plane.

The Mother stars are the last star junction the spirit crosses until it comes to the plane of Bhumi (Earth) where it is physically birthed by the Mother.

The myth shows how the Seven Mother Stars separated from the 7 Rishi Stars. This manoeuvre created a bridge from the spirit realms to the Earth. This happened in a previous Manvantara (inestimably earlier age). This created a linking of the causal/mental plane to the astral/earth orbit, through a bridge like connection from the 7 mothers to their once beloveds – the 7 Rishis.

An autonomy between the astral and the causal is something that is built through the astral thread known as the Antankarana. This thread exists within the spine and is equally a thread that connects the mental/causal plane to the astral, and furthermore to the earth, through the intermediary of the stars we are speaking of.

By bringing the 7 mother elements into balance we bring a balance to the Chakra in the body, astral and mental/causal levels. The seven mothers are important to balance and bring into harmony, if we are to establish connection between the various planes upon which we exist. We can exist in an unconscious way upon some planes until we take birth there. This birth goes through the seven mothers who preside over the astral plane.

The Krittikas are the mothers who from the astral level give form to the 7 physical Dhatus (body constituents) of bone, marrow, muscle, fat, skin, blood, Bindu in the male, or Rajas in the female. The 7 mothers are the essence of astral energies that live behind, and the manifest in the Dhatus that express on the earth plane.

Agni fell intensely in love with the 7 stars of Krittika, known also as the Matrikas. The seven star beauties that Agni longed for were the lovers of the Saptrishis. Sapt means ‘seven’ and Rishi means ‘seer’, they are the 7 star teachers of the Big Dipper star constellation. It was the Saptrishis themselves who summoned Agni by their Tapasya (fiery invocations).

Agni fell profoundly in Love with the 7 star goddesses of Krittika Nakshatra because of their brightness and luminosity. Agni is their opposite. The 7 Matrika star goddess’s represent the cooling creative fire of Tejas, and Agni represents the heating, consuming and destroying fire.

The balance
of these two types of fire
is the way of Tantric Wisdom.

These fires belong together as they balance each other, but at the same time they are opposites that repel and cancel each other out, much the same as the dance between night and day, cold and hot.

Agni became depressed as a result of the star beauties being unavailable. He even resorted to watching them clandestinely through the flames of the hearth. Their cool bluish glow aroused magical wonder in his heart of red flame.

Agni’s Love for seven star beauties of Krittika was so great and so intense, but it was unrealisable because they were already the lovers to the Saptrishi star sages.

Agni could not bear it any longer and he fled in flames from the celestial spheres.

With his heart ablaze he sung his way through the astral realm of the stars in the anguish, desperation and the sorrow of a love that was not to be. One of the names of Agni is Vahani, which means ‘to fly with the wind’.

Agni escaped to the earth plane and became the first fire here. His presence threatened to consume the entire earth.

Meanwhile, up in the world of the Stars, things had gotten barren for the Krittika beloveds of the Saptrishis. The fire had literally gone out without Agni’s presence.

It had been the invocation of Agni by the Tapasya of the Rishis that had kept the flame of love burning strongly. The Rishis became impotent old wise men that the their beloved began to suffer after Agni ran away to the earth plane.

The Saptrishis were now only fit for writing and spreading scriptural knowledge. And so they started to write and edit thoughtful texts for spreading throughout the galaxy. The once hot lovers, who had been aflame with the fires of wisdom, had become a grey ponderous bore.

“A long winter
Along winter
The sun within you,
will turn into a tongue of flame
The kiss you dream of,
will shimmer like the summer rain.“

Tongue of Flame – Transglobal Under

Back on Earth Agni’s sorrowful tears were burning strong as the flames of love burned in his fiery heart. The Goddess Svaha found him weeping fiery tears in a forest made barren by his laments.

Svaha fell in love with Agni for his intensity. Svaha is a goddess who has the ability to shape-shift. When she realised the cause of Agni’s lamentations she changed her form to look just like one of the Krittika star goddesses, and together with Agni she entered into rapturous union. Their love making stayed aflame for aeons, never dwindling. Svaha transformed herself into the other Krittika stars in sequence, and Agni stayed engaged in fiery kisses with his seven tongues for aeons long. One of Agni’s names is Saptajihvi, which means ‘the one with seven tongues of flame’.

Agni was overjoyed as his wildest dreams were realised. His deepest burning wish was being eternally satisfied.

In the end Agni discovered that Svaha was behind the illusion, as she was not able to completely shape-shift into the 7th star beauty known as Arundhati. Arundhati was so devoted to her Saptrishi Lover that the force of her love would not provide sufficient illusionary astral covering to be replicated.

Agni did not revolt and was quite happy with what fate had given him. He loved Svaha for the chemistry that they had together. Svaha was imbued of pure Tejas by the power of her Love for Agni. Agni and Svaha were thereafter always together.

One may note that in many of the fire rituals of India, both Tantric and orthodox, the name Svaha is uttered, as mantras and offerings are given into a ritual fire.

Svaha being the cooling Mantra that cools the hottest element of fire, so that it can be alchemically converted into Tejas, that is, into a psychically workable and handleable form. The story encapsulates this principle in the way that Svaha is able to calm Agni’s fiery tears from becoming all-consuming.

Intrigue ensued when the Saptrishis got word of the escapades of Agni. They didn’t know the full story as they had lost their penetrating insights into matters of the heart. Accusations of infidelity were coldly thrown at their Krittika lovers.

The Rishi’s secretly hoped to rouse Agni once more by their angry displays, but all they succeeded in doing was to distance themselves from their once beloveds.

The Krittika beauties cut away, as the flame of love no longer burned. They travelled to another part of the sky, many light years of love away, leaving the Rishi’s to their books. The Rishi’s didn’t much notice, as without Agni on the scene they were bereft of fire and were only good for the books.

As the cut to their former lovers was made, a bluish cloud of stardust formed and surrounded the Krittika. This sapphire cloud can be seen to this very day. The cutting away, earned them the name Krittika – Kritta, literally meaning ‘to cut’.

And so we see, there was a time when the 7 Krittika beauties and the Saptrishis existed beside each other as Lovers. But that time is no more. However, if one looks closely at the two star constellations, it can be seen that they still have a resemblance to each other. Could this suggest that the form of true love never dies?
https://www.ancient-tantra.com/krittika-nakshatra/

ramnath@nerdpol.ch

26°40" Aries (Mesha) - 10°00" Taurus (Vrishabha)
#Nakshatra #Surya #Krttika #Kartikeya #Agni
The 3rd Nakshatra: KRTTIKA.

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 Purushartha (life's vector or motivation) is Kama.
Totem animal is #Sheep (female).
Symbol - a razor.
Devata (Deity) - Agni.
Dosha - Kapha.

This is the third Nakshatra of zodiac, spanning 26°40' in Mesha to 10°00' in Vrishabha. Its first quarter falls in the Mesha (Aries), while the remaining three quarters fall in Vrishabha. Accordingly, people with the moon in the first quarter show aggressive tendencies of mars, while the people with the moon in the Vrishabha are more calm and steady, showing the characteristics of the plant Venus.

Generally, these people are of middle stature with a commanding appearance. They are intelligent yet a little proud. Proud side of the nature is prominent in case of natives born in Vrishabha. They are a jack of all trade but master of none. And though they can give the correct advice to people in need, they may not be able to guide themselves in times of difficulty.

For these people, their self-esteem is the important thing. They are too confident of themselves and do not like to be criticized. They are generally honest and do not like to use unfair means to achieve their objectives. They have a desire to be free of any obligations, financially or morally. If the Sūrya in their chart also happens to be in a fiery sign, theses people possess excellent stamina and conviction to pursue their goals. They are not satisfied and they will not rest till they achieve what they want. While they are orthodox by nature, they do not follow the traditions blindly. They like to travel. These people tend to get legacies.

These people get frustrated very easily, which leads to their provocation. And once they loose their cool, it is difficult to control them. Their behavior when provoked can be really dangerous when some explosive planet like Mars or Pluto is placed in any of the fiery signs.

The urge to be free of any obligations or bonds means these people can seldom work in subordinate positions. But a government job suits them, as it carries the royal powers and authority, which is a feature of Sūrya, the lord of this Nakshatra. Their desire to work at their own speed sometimes results in others believing that they are lazy.

The females born under this Nakshatra are somewhat quarrelsome. They do not hesitate to express their opinions, however opposed their views may be. This frequently results in making enemies even of close friends.

The men born in this Nakshatra get a faithful spouse, good at house keeping. But they may have to live separately for some time, separation being the result of ill health of some family member. These people have a good relationship with their parents, especially the father.

Lack of proper food habits results in gastric troubles, often acidity. They may suffer from dental problems, weak eyesight, piles, brain fever, accident, wounds, and meningitis.

Male Natives

  1. Physical features: Normally he is of middle stature. However, native with Saturn's aspect to this segment has a tall body. His nose is prominent and his eyes sympathetic, neck thick and stout, solidly built body with big shoulders and well developed muscles, countenance peaceful and his behavior respectful. He has a commanding appearance.

  2. Character and general events: While he is on the one hand very intelligent, on the other hand he cannot pursues any goal for long. In other words he easily gets bored with any particular thing and jump upon another without knowing the pros and cons. He is capable of rendering good advice and tells others the way out for any problem. But in his own life, he does what he thinks at a particular time.

He will discard any friendship if that friendship questions his ego and freedom. But at the same time he does not like to achieve name, fame and wealth through unfair means or at the mercy of others. His needs or wants are not beyond reason nor his accumulations always spectacular, although his money making abilities are often phenomenal, his motivation however derives from an emphatic wish to remain free from obligations. He cannot find fault in his own action. Optimism followed with self-pride is one of the characteristics of these persons. He is determined to go ahead with great energy and shows his stubborn and tenacious nature.

Orthodoxy and monotheism are combined in him i.e. while he is orthodox he does not believe in age-old blind belief and customs. Persistent effort and hard work are his motto. He is eager to render some positive service to the world but he cannot shine for longer period. He involves himself in public life sincerely but loss and failures are ultimate gain. This drawback is attributable to lack of ability to move according to the situation.

He tries to impose certain restriction and control through self-assessment and modify them according to his sweet will. Once a promise is made, it will be carried out at any cost.

In the public life he can attain name, fame and respect. Excess of sincerity will be the means of his downfall. Frustrations start hunting him even on small matters and lead him to outburst. Once he got heated up, subsequent steps will be dangerous. Hence he has to observe maximum mental balance and keep away the out bursting temperament. Remarkable ability will be shown in arguments and counter arguments with reasoning. It is quite often seen that these types of persons will be bereft of truth and money, undertakes unnecessary travel. They are thankless and will utter cruel words.

  1. Education, source of earning/profession: Mostly Krttika born will not stay in the hometown. That means his livelihood will be in the foreign land. When I say foreign, it is not necessary that it should be a foreign country. Foreign land means a little away from the place where he is born. Partnership business is not suitable to him.

He derives benefits from the government. Engineer, doctor specialized in venereal diseases, treasury department, draftsman. In case the native is interested in business he can derive maximum benefits from the yarn export, medicines and decorative industries. A large legacy at any part of his life is awaiting for him. He is very slow in any work. Hence for success in life, he is advised to increase the speed while doing any work as otherwise he may be dragged behind others.

  1. Family life: He is generally lucky in his married life. His spouse will be expert in household administration, dedicated and devoted, faithful and virtuous. With all these plus points, health of the spouse will be a concern for him and / or circumstances may so be created that he has to quite often live separately. When I say separation, it may be due to work or due to ill health to either of the family members i.e. parents of the spouse etc. and not due to disharmony between the couple.

While he has to confront with many obstacles in various walks of life, he will be contended and lucky in the family field, where he enjoys the utmost satisfaction and peace.

He is more attached to mother. Among his co-borns, the native will enjoy more favor and love from the mother. While his father will be a pious man and well-known person, the native cannot enjoy comforts and benefits from father. His life up to 50 years of age will be full of trial and have to face frequent changes in surroundings. However, period between 25 years and 35 years and 50 years and 56 years will be very good.

Love marriage is indicated to the native. Sometimes, it has been found that Krttika born marries a girl known to his family.

  1. Health: He has good appetite but he cannot has a systematic food habit. Diseases to which he is prone to are dental problem, weak eyesight, tuberculosis, wind and piles, brain fever, accident, wounds, malaria or cerebral meningitis.

Whatever may be the condition of his health, whether good or bad, neither he is afraid of any disease nor he is ready to observe daily care of his health.

Female Natives

  1. Physical Features: she will have a clean body, medium height and extremely beautiful up to her 27th years of age. Thereafter, due to sudden psychological or circumstantial changes, her beauty slowly starts fading.

  2. Character and general events: while she is not completely loveless, she will not subdue to the pressure of others. Therefore, mentally she has to suffer. She is fond of quarrels. She expresses arrogance not only in her appearance but also in the domestic environment.

  3. Education, sources of income/profession: normally only a very few percentage of Krttika females are highly educated. She earns by working in the paddy field, agriculture field, fisheries and other small-scale industries. When the birth is in the 1st degree of Krttika or 12 to 13.20 degree of Krttika, the native becomes highly learned and she may be an Administrative Office, doctor or chemical engineer or a teacher. She also earns as a musician or artist, tailor or from leather products.

  4. Family life: she cannot enjoy full comforts of her husband. In some cases childlessness or separation from husband is also indicated and in few cases no marriage takes place. In case marriage does not takes place in early age, in several cases it has been that her 37th year is good for marriage. She will not keep cordial relation with relatives as a sense of suppression and subordination is rampant in mind. Truth is that these females live in an illusion world and they show discourtesy to the people who actually are their well wishes. Ultimately a secluded life is in store for them.

  5. Health: health will be severely afflicted either due to excess work or lack of mental peace. Glandular tuberculosis has also been noticed.