Mahadevi and Her influence in Jyotish Astrology
Pundit Roshan Singh
Mahadevi, the Great Goddess, has many names and forms in Jyotish, the Vedic astrological science of light. These range from her overall cosmic influence to specific associations with planets, signs, Nakshatras and phases of the Moon. In Hindu thought, the Goddess is the Mother of the Universe from whom the origin, sustenance and dissolution of everything arises. She governs over the whole of time, as past, present and future, and all of space.
As the Supreme Mother, the Goddess cannot be limited to a single planet, sign or astrological indication. Her influences occurs on many levels and in many dimensions, coloring all the forces of the universe, which are manifestations of her Supreme Shakti. She possesses all the forms of the feminine nature, as well as all the forces and creativity of life and light. She is also formless, extending to the original matrix of time and space. We will introduce her main astrological manifestations.
THE GODDESS AND THE MOON AND THE SUN
The Moon is well known throughout the ancient world and in traditional cultures as the main manifestation of the Goddess. This is true in Vedic astrology as well. The Moon is the face and the smile of the Universal Mother and grants her grace, peace, inspiration, insight and bliss. When we are gazing at the Moon, it is Her presence that we are contacting and her subtle energies that we can draw in. Vedic astrology honors different aspects of the Goddess relative to her location in the zodiac and the time of the lunar month. So many poets and rishis have honored the Divine Mother and the Moon, notably in her form as Uma.
The Moon is ruled over by the force of the Cosmic Waters (Apas), which are a form of the Goddess. The Goddess as Uma Parvati, the consort of Shiva, is the presiding deity (pratyadhi-devata) of the Moon. Parvati also means she who has parts, indicating the many phases and changes of the Moon. Parvati is the Goddess of nature, the wild and yogic ascetics. She is the supreme Yogini and Yoga Shakti, leading us to the transcendent Shiva.
However, in the ancient Rigveda hymn on the Marriage of the Sun and the Moon (RV X.85), the Goddess is identified with the Sun, and the Moon is her male suitor moving around her and wooing her. As the Sun Goddess, she is called Surya Savitri, with Savitri as the knowledge power of the Sun (Surya). The Goddess is related to the worship of the Sun at sunrise (Gayatri), noon (Savitri), and sunset (Sarasvati), which are three Sandhyas or transitional times, with Sandhya also a form of the Goddess. As Ushas, she is also the Goddess of Dawn in the Vedas. As Aditi, she is the Universal Mother Goddess that gives birth to all the Sun Gods (Adityas). Other Hindu Goddesses that are associated with the Moon can also be associated with the Sun, like Ma Durga, who rides the solar lion.
THE GODDESS AND THE PLANETS
The Goddess is well known to relate to the Moon and Venus among the planets, which are generally regarded as feminine. The Moon is more the Great Mother, caring for all, while Venus is more the wife or beloved, her beautiful or alluring form, notably Lakshmi as the Goddess of prosperity, fertility and abundance. In Vedic astrology, the Goddess has connections with Mercury, Saturn and Rahu, which are often regarded as neutral or dual in gender. Mercury as her youthful form as Sarasvati grants knowledge, art, music, dance and culture. Saturn as her grandmother form gives wisdom, discipline and detachment. Rahu as her mysterious form shows mystery, illusion and transcendence.
In the Tantric Yoga Devotional system of the Ten Wisdom Goddesses (Dasha Mahavidya) we find the following order of Goddesses for the planets.
Mahakali – as the Great force of time and eternity (Kala) behind the Sun and Moon and all the planets.
SUN with Bhuvaneshvari, the Queen of the Universe, governing the whole of space, sharing the solar mantra HREEM.
MOON with Tripura Sundari, the Goddess of Beauty and Bliss, Soma and the nectar of immortality.
MARS with Tripura Bhairavi, the Goddess of Fire, Purification and Transformation, the Warrior Goddess.
MERCURY with Matangi, the Goddess Speech and Art and the creative forces of nature, a form of Sarasvati.
JUPITER with Tara, the High Priestess and Voice of the Guru, connected with the highest wisdom and power of judgement.
VENUS with Kamala, the Lotus Goddess, a form of Lakshmi, granting all happiness, grace and fertility.
SATURN with Dhumavati or Jyeshta, the Grandmother form of Kali, with her wisdom, power and mystery.
RAHU, the Serpent’s Head, with Bagalamukhi, who has the power to stop and to paralyze, and makes our enemies speechless.
KETU, the Serpent’s Tail, with Chinnamasta, and her cut off head, who carries the deepest mystic secrets of going beyond the mind.
There are many such correlations. Warrior Goddesses like Chandi in the Deva Mahatmya and the fierce red form of Kali are associated with the planet Mars. Imperious Ma Durga with her weapons riding a lion relates to the Sun. Different Goddesses can be worshipped for countering negative planetary influences. For example, Ma Durga can be approached to counter the negative effects of Rahu.
