Ashvini Nakshatra — a Dialogue
Ācārya: Let us then discuss Aśvinī, the first Nakṣatra.
Kailaśa: Guruji, what does the name mean?
Jayanta: Aśva means horse, and it means one being born from a horse. Do you know the story about the birth of the Aśvinīs?
Kailaśa: Yes, Gurubhrāta, I know. They were born when Saṅjñādevi went to a forest for Tapasyā. Realizing this, Sūryadeva went to bring her back, and had love. From their union, the Aśvinīs were born.
Sunidhi: Guruji, are horses native to Bharat or were brought from Arab? I read that Horses originated form Arab.
Kailaśa: Undoubtedly, Arabian horses are one of the most recognized breed, it is not true that horses originated from Arab.
Wikipedia states that the Arabian horse is a breed of horse that originated on the Arabian Peninsula. With a distinctive head shape and high tail carriage, the Arabian is one of the most easily recognizable horse breeds in the world. It is also one of the oldest breeds, with archaeological evidence of horses in the Middle East that resemble modern Arabians dating back 4,500 years.
However, newer studies find that horses and rhinos likely originated in the Indian subcontinent, over 54 million years ago. You should read more about that.
Jayanta: Kailāśa is right! Horses are native to Bhārata. The iconography of horses is embedded into our Purāṇas.
In Garuṛa Purāṇa, while describing the chariots of Navagrahas, Śrī Viṣṇu tells Rudra, “The chariot of Sūrya is pulled by seven horses. These horses symbolize the seven ‘Chandas’, Gayatri, Bṛhati, Ushnih, Jagati, Tristup, Anushtup and Paṅkti.”
Candra’s chariot has three wheels and it is pulled by ten white horses. The colour of Maṅgala’s chariot is golden and is pulled by horses of dark red colour. Budha’s chariot is of brown colour and is pulled by eight horses of the same colour.
Guru’s chariot is made of gold and is pulled by eight horses of yellowish complexion. Śukra’s chariot is escorted by his army. The chariot has a mast on its top and is pulled by horses that are found on earth. The horses pulling Śani’s chariot are of varicoloured.
Rāhu’s chariot is pulled by eight horses, which are of the colour of smoke. Ketu’s chariot is pulled by eight horses, which are red in colour.
Ācārya: Horses are undoubtedly native to Bhārata. As science would develop, they will find more evidence to the claim.
Sunidhi: Guruji, now that we know that Aśvinī are ruled by Aśvinīkumar, what can we learn from it?
Ācārya: The traits of horses are seen in people born in Aśvinī. They are fond of fast driving and driving big vehicles — bus, train, aeroplanes. They like to go on long drives and take part in adventure car racing sports. You will also see them car racing computer games often — more than other games.
One of the qualities of horses is hastiness. Aśvinī people also display haste, impulsiveness and hurriedness. They always behave as if they are in big rush.
Sunidhi: Guruji, what are the key characteristics of Aśvinī, like you mentioned for Rohiṇī?
Ācārya: They key words are priyabhūṣaṇaḥ, subhago, dakṣo, and matimān.
Jayanta: The meaning of these characteristics are priyabhūṣaṇaḥ: fond of good clothes and ornaments; surūpaḥ: handsome, subhago: fortunate, endearing, popular; dakṣo: skilful, clever; matimān: intelligent.
Sunidhi: Guruji, why such attributes are assigned to Aśvinī?
Ācārya: Aśvinī is the Ucca Nakṣatra of Sūrya, the royal Graha, and the father of Aśvinīkumara. It shows the glory of Sūrya.
Sunidhi: Guruji, like that, what are the Ucca Nakṣatras of Grahas?
Jayanta: The Ucca Tārās of the Grahas are Sūrya — Aśvinī4, Candra — Kṛttikā2, Maṅgala — Dhaniṣṭhā2, Budha — Hastā2, Guru — Puṣya1, Śukra — Revatī4, Śani — Viśākhā1, Rāhu — Ārdrā4 and Ketu — Pūrvāṣāṛhā2.
The Nīca Tārās of the Grahas are Sūrya — Svati2, Candra — Viśākhā4, Maṅgala — Aśleṣā4, Budha — Uttarābhādra4, Guru — Uttarāṣāṛhā3, Śukra — Citrā2, Śani — Bharaṇī3, Rāhu — Pūrvāṣāṛhā2 and Ketu — Ārdrā4.
Kailāśa: Are there other qualities of Aśvas (horses) present in Aśvinīs?
Ācārya: Yes, they are quick changing. They have an issue with sticking to commitments and they shy away from making long-term commitments. Their friendship and relationships are also short term and they quickly change their allegiances or alliances. One should expect long term commitments from them.
Jayanta: Guruji, how about the influence of Ucca Sūrya?
Ācārya: That is also there. They attain authoritative position. We often see them in top position. They make successful ruler, governor, protecting the subjects, fighting against corruption. They are the followers of righteousness, and therefore, can also take up social activism, fighting against social injustice.
Kailāśa: How about the joint influence of Maṅgala, Sūrya and Ketu?
Sunidhi: Why did you mention those Grahas, Kailāśa?
Kailāśa: That is because, Aśvinī is in Meṣa Rāśi owned by Maṅgala, is the Uccakṣetra of Sūrya and it is the governed by Ketu as per Viñśottarī.
Ācārya: Good point Kailāśa. The jointly influence of the 3 Grahas makes the person short tempered. It shows aggressiveness. The native is also subjected to violent or aggressive circumstances.
Any Graha in this Tārā also suffers violence and aggressiveness. That is one downside of this Nakṣatra.
The native himself or people ruled by the other Graha in the Nakṣatra can also become violent or aggressive towards others.
They must protect themselves by chanting the Aśvinī Nakṣatra Mantra.
Sunidhi: Guruji, what is the Mantra?
Ācārya: It is oṃ aśvinau tejasācakṣu: prāṇena sarasvatī vīryyama vācendro balenendrāya dadhurindriyama ।
Sunidhi: Guruji, you did not mention about the Mantra for Rohiṇī. What is it?
Ācārya: It is oṃ brahamajajñānaṃ prathamaṃ purastādvi sīmata: sūrucovena āva: sabudhanyā upamā asyaviṣṭā: sataśca yonimastaścavidha: ।
Sunidhi: How much to chant this Mantra Guruji?
Ācārya: Normally 108 times.
Sunidhi: And when one should begin chanting it?
Ācārya: Best when Candra is in that Nakṣatra, and it should be done for 40 days.
Sunidhi: Why 40 days, Guruji?
Ācārya: Normally, it is 40 days for most remedies. This ensures that you have covered all Tithis and Nakṣatras during this time.
Sunidhi: Dhanyavād Guruji, for explaining this.
Kailāśa: What else can we know about Nakṣatra?
Ācārya: They are always busy body — always doing something. You will never see them idle or relaxing. They suffer from overwork and fatigue. They are also prone to burnout.
Kailāśa: So, they must be advised to take breaks in between. Isn’t it?
Ācārya: Yes, they must take a break, play outside, or go for trekking.
Kailāśa: Is it because, they like adventure sports, and outdoor games.
Ācārya: Yes, that is the reason!
Because of Ketu’s influence, they have a functional intuition, and psychic abilities. They can easily connect with the invisible realm.
Jayanta: Isn’t it also because Ketu is the 8L from Candra when Candra is in Aśvinī, Meṣa Rāśi?
Ācārya: Yes, that is a valid point also. Ketu owns Vṛścika.
Sunidhi: Guruji, does Ketu really own Vṛścika? Because, different people have different opinions?
Ācārya: That is straightforward — Śanivat Rāhu Kujavat Ketu. Rāhu owns a Rāśi of Śani and Ketu owns a Rāśi of Maṅgala (Kuja). Rāhu is masculine and therefore owns a Ojarāśi, and Ketu is feminine, and therefore, owns a Yugmarāśi.
Sometimes, the influence of Ketu manifest differently in some people. Some live in an illusion, unaware of the surroundings or reality. They live in a dreamy or imaginary world, disconnected from reality.
Such people escape from responsibilities, inability to take challenges. They are in a bubble or cocoon, which eventually bursts, and they come face to face with the reality — a sudden and painful experience.
Jayanta: I heard that they cannot take other’s advice. Why is that so?
Ācārya: That is because, they think that they know everything, and don’t feel the urge to consult anyone or take their advice. They often ignore the advise of their well-wishers and suffer its consequences. They realize this only when they are hurt.
They are also known for their stubbornness and strong opinions. They sway towards extreme left or right easily. They need to learn how to balance their opinions.
They got to learn how to heed to the advice of their well-wishers and not sway away with the notion that they are all knowing!
Sunidhi: Guruji, some people are good in cooking also. Isn’t it?
Ācārya: Yes, some Aśvinīs are good cooks, and that is because of the power of Agni. Maṅgala, Sūrya and Ketu are all Agni Grahas. They are also fond of home cooked food and not a fan of eating outside. But they can open a chain of restaurants to feed others. They can become a good chef! Hotel management could be a good field of study for them.
Kailāśa: What can we learn from Sūrya’s Ucca in this Tārā, Guruji?
Ācārya: We have already discussed that. Besides, they like to show off. They are moved by admiration, adulation and praise.
Aśvinīs are driven by acquiring fame; they are attention-grabbing, and they like remaining in spotlight. They are often seen active in social media and among celebrities. They are not shy about boasting their accomplishments!
Another ability of Aśvinīs is their hearing abilities. They are known for their immense hearing ability; they can detect feeble sound. This is inherited from Horses.
Horses can hear low to very high frequency sound, in the range of 14 Hz to 25 kHz (human range = 20 Hz to 20 kHz). Horses’ ears can move 180 degrees using 10 different muscles (compared to three muscles for the human ear) and are able to single out a specific area to listen to.
Kailāśa: I have read somewhere that they are overly passionate and have a powerful sexual drive? Is that right?
Ācārya: Yes, that is right. Hyper sexuality or strong libido is called Agni Doṣa. Too much fire in the system ignites the sexual fire or libido. This is truer in Aśvinī males than females because, males are naturally fiery (Maṅgala/Sūrya).
Not only they are overly passionate, but some also suffer from obsessive-compulsive disorder. They must do something to keep them busy. They cannot get satisfaction from status quo.
Sometimes this is reflected in their relationships. Frequent change of their mates or partners is common among Aśvinī males. They also frequently change their friends.
Jayanta: Guruji! Isn’t Aśvinīkumāras good healers?
Ācārya: Indeed they are. They are master in Āyurveda, the vedic sciences of healing. They can make good healers, physical or spiritual. They are master of all kinds of yogic practices, naturopathy, aroma healing and other kinds of healing.
Kailāśa: Guruji, what makes them distinct from Revatī and Bharaṇī?
Ācārya: They are driven by heroism. Due to Ucca of Sūrya, they like to behave like a royal fellow trying to prove their worthiness. They try to perform something unique in life — something not done by others.
They are innovators, and often setting example by undertaking an untreaded path. They dislike worn out traditions, and due to the influence of Ketu (severance), break away from the legacy and do something different.
But they need to manage their expectations from themselves. They often get disappointed when their high expectations that are not fulfilled.
Sunidhi: Are they perfectionist?
Ācārya: Yes, they are!
Kailāśa: I heard they are keen animal lovers.
Ācārya: Yes, the animal symbol indicate that they are fond of horses and other such animals, including cattle, deer and herbivores!
They also indicate birth of twins because, Aśvinīkumāras are twins. They themselves could be twin born or beget twin children. Their friendship can also be with twins, or they befriend people in twos.
Now, you must remember few other things.
Aśvinī is a Kṣipra Nakṣatra, which means short lived. It is propitious for putting ornamentation, pleasures, and sports, administering medicine, starting industries, and undertaking travels.
Their life or livelihood is often associated with horse, stable, horse trainer, horse rider, jockey. They can be good in sports and their livelihood may be related to sportsman, high agility, athlete, gymnast, hunting, hunting as sports, attendant to a hunter.
They can be in army or military and become army general, commander, security, security police, guardsman.
They are also associated with healing, medicine, therapy, physician, psychologist, therapist and mystical healing.
Some other professions associated with them are musician, metaphysician, psychic, motion, mobility, movement, travel, travel agency, transportation industry, trucks, trains, and other vehicles used for carrying goods, salesperson and trading.
Om Tat Sat
