Nakshatras and Gunas

Nakshatras and Gunas By YENBEEYES Date: 14.11.2007 In this article I plan to explain the concept of Nakshatra from the point of view of gunas, In the Mahabharata-Aswamedha Parva-Sections XXXVI to XXXIX we get the clear explanations of the Gunas. “Brahma (Prajapati) said, “Darkness, Passion and Goodness – these are called the three qualities.” Even though this article is not to explain the 3 qualities, which can be read from any good book on Hinduism or from the Internet web-sites, yet it is essential to have a basic understanding of the same to have it related to Nakshatras. I would advise readers to go through any good translation of the Mahabharata chapter given above, Darkness is TAMAS. Passion is RAJAS Goodness is SATWA Of the 3 gunas Tamas is the lowest followed by Rajas and Satwa. Tamas keeps us in a state of ignorance, laziness, inaction, delusion and darkness. Rajas is action to get the desires fulfilled. It is the passion that drives one into action, often not getting the expected results which leads to further action. Satwa is happiness and enjoyment irrespective of the results of our action. Satwa is knowledge, wisdom and the calm and quiet of the mind. Each and every one of us has a varying combination of the three gunas. At any point of time one particular guna may be predominant which is subject to change. Chapter XIV of Bhagavad Gita also we find a clear explanation of the three gunas. Now coming to the topic of discussion, since we, human beings are a mixture of the 3 Gunas, it must have a definite relationship with the planets, rasis and Nakshatras. Let us take up what is in store with regard to Nakshatras. Each Nakshatra has a certain guna which you will find in any basic characteristics of the Nakshatra table. For example Ashwini Nakshatra is Rajas, Bharani is Tamas and Krittika is Satwa. If you deeply look into the Guna table of Nakshatras you will find that these 3 qualities viz. Rajas, Tamas and Satwa repeat in the same order after every three Nakshatras. Let us find out all the Nakshatras that have Rajas guna: Ashwini, Rohini, Punarvasu, Magha, Hasta, Vishaka, Purvabhadrapada making a total of 9 Nakshatras.

Moola,

Shravana,

These Nakshatras coincide with the signs Aries, Taurus, Gemini, Cancer, Leo, Virgo, Libra, Sagittarius, Capricorn and Aquarius.

Note also the nature of the signs – Fiery (Aries), Earthy (Taurus), Airy (Gemini), Watery (Cancer), Fiery (Leo), Earthy (Virgo), Airy (Libra), Fiery (Sagittarius), Earthy (Capricorn) and Airy (Aquarius). Similarly you can list out the Nakshatras which have Tamas and Satwa Guna and their coincidence with the signs. I leave it for the readers to prepare the same. The three levels of Nakshatra First Level:

1. Let us divide the 27 Nakshatras into 3 groups, each group having 9

Nakshatras. The first 9 Nakshatras from Ashwini to Aslesha will be the first group. Incidentally these 9 Nakshatras fall within the first four signs namely, Aries, Taurus, Gemini and Cancer-being the first Fiery, Earthy, Airy and watery signs. 2. When you take the next 9 Nakshatras from Magha to Jyeshta, they will fall in the signs starting from Leo and ending in Scorpio-which will be the second Fiery, Earthy, Airy and watery signs. 3. The last 9 Nakshatras viz., Moola to Revathi will be falling in the signs Sagittarius to Pisces-the last Fiery, Earthy, Airy and watery signs. Rajas is the most active of the gunas, has motion and stimulation as its characteristics. Then next one is Tamas which is characterized by heaviness and resistance producing disturbances in the process of perception. Finally Satwa comes which is characterized by lightness, consciousness, pleasure and clarity. Hence we will have this order throughout this article – Rajas, Tamas and Satwa, Applying this rule to the above the three divisions of 9 Nakshatras each, the first group is of Rajas quality, the second group is of Tamas and the third group is of Satwa quality. Readers at this stage will get a doubt – Why such specific qualities are to be attributed and is there any basis for this? Correct thinking. We have already seen that each human being is a mixture of all the 3 qualities and hence each Nakshatra also must have all the 3 qualities. Since the original order given by rishis is Rajas, Tamas and Satwa we will also stick to the same principle. All the divisions which we are going to make for each Nakshatra will have the order Rajas-Tamas-Satwa. We have just seen one quality of the Nakshatra and the other two qualities are also to be fixed for each Nakshatra. So let us proceed to the next level. SECOND LEVEL: Now let us take the first group of 9 Nakshatras – viz. from Ashwini to Aslesha. We have already fixed one guna for this group which is Rajas. Now to fix the next guna for each of these Nakshatras, let us divide these 9 Nakshatras into 3 groups of 3 Nakshatras. So this group will be:

Ashwini Bharani Krittika

Rohini Mrigasirsha Ardra

Punarvasu Pushya Aslesha

Applying the same rule of fixing the gunas as before the first 3 groups forming the Nakshatras – Ashwini, Bharani and Krittika will have Rajas quality and the next three Nakshatras Rohini, Mrigasirsha and Ardra will have Tamas quality and the last group of Nakshatras Punarvasu, Pushya and Aslesha will have Satwik qualities. THIRD LEVEL: This is the original Guna which you will find in any Nakshatra characteristics table which has been explained in the beginning. That is to say that the Rajas, Tamas and Satwa gunas repeat for every 3 Nakshatras starting from Rajas for Ashwini. The gunas at the three levels: What we have seen here is a rather complicated system in which a Nakshatra represents certain gunas at certain levels. I will explain, at the cost of repetition, the various levels for 3 Nakshatras. Readers are advised to compute the same for the rest of the Nakshatras to get a hold on the principle. Ashwini Nakshatra: I Level is – Rajas II Level is – Rajas III Level is – Rajas Hence for Ashwini we write Rajas-Rajas-Raja or in short RRR The first level will be Rajas up to Aslesha Nakshatra and the 2 nd level will be Rajas up to Krittika. But the third level will change for each Nakshatra. Bharani Nakshatra: I Level is Rajas II Level is Rajas III Level is Tamas Hence for Bharani we write Rajas-Rajas-Tamas (RRT) Similarly for Krittika it will be Rajas-Rajas-Satwik. The second level change happens at Rohini Nakshatra Rohini Nakshatra: I Level is Rajas II Level is Tamas III Level is Rajas

For Mrigasirsha it will be Rajas-Tamas-Tamas (RTT) I have constructed a complete table for all the Nakshatra Padas which is appended here: (Abbreviations have been used for Rasi and Rasi lords: Ar-Aries, Ta-Taurus, GeGemini, Cn-Cancer, Le-Leo, Vi-Virgo, Li-Libra, Sc-Scorpio, Sg-Sagittarius, CpCapricorn, Aq-Aquarius, Pi-Pisces; Su-Sun, Mo-Moon, Ma– Mars, Me-Mercury, Ju-Jupiter, Ve-Venus, Sa-Saturn, Ra-Rahu, Ke-Ketu, As.-Lagna) GUNAS Navamsa Nakshatra

Pada

Pada

Pada

I level

II level

III level

Rajas

Tamas

Satwa

Degree

Rasi

No

Rasi

Lord

Ashwini

00.00 - 03.20

Ar

1

Ar

Ma

Rajas

Rajas

Rajas

Ashvini

03.20 - 06.40

Ar

2

Ta

Ve

Rajas

Rajas

Rajas

Ashwini

06.40 - 10.00

Ar

3

Ge

Me

Rajas

Rajas

Rajas

Ashwini

10.00 - 13.20

Ar

4

Cn

Mo

Rajas

Rajas

Rajas

Bharani

13.20 - 16.40

Ar

1

Le

Su

Rajas

Rajas

Tamas

Bharani

16.40 - 20.00

Ar

2

Vi

Me

Rajas

Rajas

Tamas

Bharani

20.00 - 23.20

Ar

3

Li

Ve

Rajas

Rajas

Tamas

Bharani

23.20 - 26.40

Ar

4

Sc

Ma

Rajas

Rajas

Tamas

Krittika

26.40 - 30.00

Ar

1

Sg

Ju

Rajas

Rajas

Satwa

Krittika

00.00 - 03.20

Ta

2

Cp

Sa

Rajas

Rajas

Satwa

Krittika

03.20 - 06.40

Ta

3

Aq

Sa

Rajas

Rajas

Satwa

Krittika

06.40 - 10.00

Ta

4

Pi

Ju

Rajas

Rajas

Satwa

Rohini

10.00 - 13.20

Ta

1

Ar

Ma

Rajas

Tamas

Rajas

Rohini

13.20 - 16.40

Ta

2

Ta

Ve

Rajas

Tamas

Rajas

Ta

3

Ge

Me

Rajas

Tamas

Rajas

20.00 - 23.20

Ta

4

Cn

Mo

Rajas

Tamas

Rajas

Mrigasirsha

23.20 - 26.40

Ta

1

Le

Su

Rajas

Tamas

Tamas

Mrigasirsha

26.40 - 30.00

Ta

2

Vi

Me

Rajas

Tamas

Tamas

Mrigasirsha

00.00 - 03.20

Ge

3

Li

Ve

Rajas

Tamas

Tamas

Mrigasirsha

03.20 - 06.40

Ge

4

Sc

Me

Rajas

Tamas

Tamas

Ardra

06.40 - 10.00

Ge

1

Sg

Ju

Rajas

Tamas

Satwa

Ardra

10.00 - 13.20

Ge

2

Cp

Sa

Rajas

Tamas

Satwa

Ardra

13.20 - 16.40

Ge

3

Aq

Sa

Rajas

Tamas

Satwa

Ge

4

Pi

Ju

Rajas

Tamas

Satwa

20.00 - 23.20

Ge

1

Ar

Ma

Rajas

Satwa

Rajas

Punarvasu

23.20 - 26.40

Ge

2

Ta

Ve

Rajas

Satwa

Rajas

Punarvasu

26.40 - 30.00

Ge

3

Ge

Me

Rajas

Satwa

Rajas

Punarvasu

00.00 - 03.20

Cn

4

Cn

Mo

Rajas

Satwa

Rajas

Rohini Rohini

Ardra Punarvasu

16.40 - 20.00

16.40 - 20.00

Pushya

03.20 - 06.40

Cn

1

Le

Su

Rajas

Satwa

Tamas

Pushya

06.40 - 10.00

Cn

2

Vi

Me

Rajas

Satwa

Tamas

Pushya

10.00 - 13.20

Cn

3

Li

Ve

Rajas

Satwa

Tamas

Pushya

13.20 - 16.40

Cn

4

Sc

Ma

Rajas

Satwa

Tamas

Aslesha

Cn

1

Sg

Ju

Rajas

Satwa

Sattva

20.00 - 23.20

Cn

2

Cp

Sa

Rajas

Satwa

Sattva

Aslesha

23.20 - 26.40

Cn

3

Aq

Sa

Rajas

Satwa

Satwa

Aslesha

26.40 - 30.00

Cn

4

Pi

Ju

Rajas

Satwa

Satwa

Magha

00.00 - 03.20

Le

1

Ar

Ma

Tamas

Rajas

Rajas

Magha

03.20 - 06.40

Le

2

Ta

Ve

Tamas

Rajas

Rajas

Magha

06.40 - 10.00

Le

3

Ge

Me

Tamas

Rajas

Rajas

Magha

10.00 - 13.20

Le

4

Cn

Mo

Tamas

Rajas

Rajas

13.20 - 16.40

Le

1

Le

Su

Tamas

Rajas

Tamas

Le

2

Vi

Me

Tamas

Rajas

Tamas

Aslesha

P.Phalugni P.Phalugni

16.40 - 20.00

16.40 - 20.00

P.Phalugni

20.00 - 23.20

Le

3

Li

Ve

Tamas

Rajas

Tamas

P.Phalugni

23.20 - 26.40

Le

4

Sc

Ma

Tamas

Rajas

Tamas

U.Phalguni

26.40 - 30.00

Le

1

Sg

Ju

Tamas

Rajas

Satwa

U.Phalguni

00.00 - 03.20

Vi

2

Cp

Sa

Tamas

Rajas

Satwa

U.Phalguni

03.20 - 06.40

Vi

3

Aq

Sa

Tamas

Rajas

Satwa

U.Phalguni

06.40 - 10.00

Vi

4

Pi

Ju

Tamas

Rajas

Satwa

Hasta

10.00 - 13.20

Vi

1

Ar

Ma

Tamas

Tamas

Rajas

Hasta

13.20 - 16.40

Vi

2

Ta

Ve

Tamas

Tamas

Rajas

Vi

3

Ge

Me

Tamas

Tamas

Rajas

20.00 - 23.20

Vi

4

Cn

Mo

Tamas

Tamas

Rajas

Chitra

23.20 - 26.40

Vi

1

Le

Su

Tamas

Tamas

Tamas

Chitra

26.40 - 30.00

Vi

2

Vi

Me

Tamas

Tamas

Tamas

Chitra

00.00 - 03.20

Li

3

Li

Ve

Tamas

Tamas

Tamas

Chitra

03.20 - 06.40

Li

4

Sc

Ma

Tamas

Tamas

Tamas

Swati

06.40 - 10.00

Li

1

Sg

Ju

Tamas

Tamas

Satwa

Swati

10.00 - 13.20

Li

2

Cp

Sa

Tamas

Tamas

Satwa

Swati

13.20 - 16.40

Li

3

Aq

Sa

Tamas

Tamas

Satwa

Li

4

Pi

Ju

Tamas

Tamas

Satwa

Hasta Hasta

Swati

16.40 - 20.00

16.40 - 20.00

Vishaka

20.00 - 23.20

Li

1

Ar

Ma

Tamas

Satwa

Rajas

Vishaka

23.20 - 26.40

Li

2

Ta

Ve

Tamas

Satwa

Rajas

Vishaka

26.40 - 30.00

Li

3

Ge

Me

Tamas

Satwa

Rajas

Vishaka

00.00 - 03.20

Sc

4

Cn

Mo

Tamas

Satwa

Rajas

Anuradha

03.20 - 06.40

Sc

1

Le

Su

Tamas

Satwa

Tamas

Anuradha

06.40 - 10.00

Sc

2

Vi

Me

Tamas

Satwa

Tamas

Anuradha

10.00 - 13.20

Sc

3

Li

Ve

Tamas

Satwa

Tamas

Anuradha

13.20 - 16.40

Sc

4

Sc

Ma

Tamas

Sattva

Tamas

Jyeshta

Sc

1

Sg

Ju

Tamas

Satwa

Satwa

20.00 - 23.20

Sc

2

Cp

Sa

Tamas

Satwa

Satwa

Jyeshta

23.20 - 26.40

Sc

3

Aq

Sa

Tamas

Satwa

Satwa

Jyeshta

26.40 - 30.00

Sc

4

Pi

Ju

Tamas

Satwa

Satwa

Mula

00.00 - 03.20

Sg

1

Ar

Ma

Satwa

Rajas

Rajas

Mula

03.20 - 06.40

Sg

2

Ta

Ve

Satwa

Rajas

Rajas

Mula

06.40 - 10.00

Sg

3

Ge

Me

Satwa

Rajas

Rajas

Mula

10.00 - 13.20

Sg

4

Cn

Mo

Satwa

Rajas

Rajas

13.20 - 16.40

Sg

1

Le

Su

Satwa

Rajas

Tamas

Sg

2

Vi

Me

Satwa

Rajas

Tamas

Jyeshta

Purvashada Purvashada

16.40 - 20.00

16.40 - 20.00

Purvashada

20.00 - 23.20

Sg

3

Li

Ve

Satwa

Rajas

Tamas

Purvashada

23.20 - 26.40

Sg

4

Sc

Ma

Satwa

Rajas

Tamas

Uthirashada

26.40 - 30.00

Sg

1

Sg

Ju

Satwa

Rajas

Satwa

Uthirashada

00.00 - 03.20

Cp

2

Cp

Sa

Satwa

Rajas

Satwa

Uthirashada

03.20 - 06.40

Cp

3

Aq

Sa

Satwa

Rajas

Satwa

Uthirashada

06.40 - 10.00

Cp

4

Pi

Ju

Satwa

Rajas

Satwa

Sharavana

10.00 - 13.20

Cp

1

Ar

Ma

Satwa

Tamas

Rajas

Sharavana

13.20 - 16.40

Cp

2

Ta

Ve

Satwa

Tamas

Rajas

Cp

3

Ge

Me

Satwa

Tamas

Rajas

20.00 - 23.20

Cp

4

Cn

Mo

Satwa

Tamas

Rajas

Dhanishta

23.20 - 26.40

Cp

1

Le

Su

Satwa

Tamas

Tamas

Dhanishta

26.40 - 30.00

Cp

2

Vi

Me

Satwa

Tamas

Tamas

Dhanishta

00.00 - 03.20

Aq

3

Li

Ve

Satwa

Tamas

Tamas

Dhanishta

03.20 - 06.40

Aq

4

Sc

Ma

Satwa

Tamas

Tamas

Satabishak

06.40 - 10.00

Aq

1

Sg

Ju

Satwa

Tamas

Satwa

Satabishak

10.00 - 13.20

Aq

2

Cp

Sa

Satwa

Tamas

Satwa

Satabishak

13.20 - 16.40

Aq

3

Aq

Sa

Satwa

Tamas

Satwa

Aq

4

Pi

Ju

Satwa

Tamas

Satwa

Sharavana Sharavana

Satabishak

16.40 - 20.00

16.40 - 20.00

P.Bhadrapada

20.00 - 23.20

Aq

1

Ar

Ma

Satwa

Satwa

Rajas

P.Bhadrapada

23.20 - 26.40

Aq

2

Ta

Ve

Satwa

Satwa

Rajas

P.Bhadrapada

26.40 - 30.00

Aq

3

Ge

Me

Satwa

Satwa

Rajas

P.Bhadrapada

00.00 - 03.20

Pi

4

Cn

Mo

Satwa

Satwa

Rajas

U.Bhadrapada

03.20 - 06.40

Pi

1

Le

Su

Satwa

Satwa

Tamas

U.Bhadrapada

06.40 - 10.00

Pi

2

Vi

Me

Satwa

Satwa

Tamas

U.Bhadrapada

10.00 - 13.20

Pi

3

Li

Ve

Satwa

Satwa

Tamas

U.Bhadrapada

13.20 - 16.40

Pi

4

Sc

Ma

Satwa

Satwa

Tamas

Revati

Pi

1

Sg

Ju

Satwa

Satwa

Satwa

Revati

16.40 - 20.00 20.00 - 23.20

Pi

2

Cp

Sa

Satwa

Satwa

Satwa

Revati

23.20 - 26.40

Pi

3

Aq

Sa

Satwa

Satwa

Satwa

Revati

26.40 - 30.00

Pi

4

Pi

Ju

Satwa

Satwa

Satwa

I give below the Guna Table summary also: Guna Table-Summary No

I level

II level

III level

1

Ashvini

Nakshatra

Rajas

Rajas

Rajas

2

Bharani

Rajas

Rajas

Tamas

3

Krittika

Rajas

Rajas

Satwa

4

Rohini

Rajas

Tamas

Rajas

5

Mrigasirsha

Rajas

Tamas

Tamas

6

Ardra

Rajas

Tamas

Satwa

7

Punarvasu

Rajas

Satwa

Rajas

8

Pushya

Rajas

Satwa

Tamas

9

Aslesha

Rajas

Satwa

Satwa

10

Magha

Tamas

Rajas

Rajas

11

P.Phalugni

Tamas

Rajas

Tamas

12

U.Phalguni

Tamas

Rajas

Satwa

13

Hasta

Tamas

Tamas

Rajas

14

Chitra

Tamas

Tamas

Tamas

15

Swati

Tamas

Tamas

Satwa

16

Vishaka

Tamas

Satwa

Rajas

17

Anuradha

Tamas

Satwa

Tamas

18

Jyeshta

Tamas

Satwa

Satwa

19

Mula

Satwa

Rajas

Rajas

20

Purvashada

Satwa

Rajas

Tamas

21

Uthirashada

Satwa

Rajas

Satwa

22

Sharavana

Satwa

Tamas

Rajas

23

Dhanishta

Satwa

Tamas

Tamas

24

Satabishak

Satwa

Tamas

Satwa

25

P.Bhadrapada

Satwa

Satwa

Rajas

26

U.Bhadrapada

Satwa

Satwa

Tamas

27

Revati

Satwa

Satwa

Satwa

What is the use of this rather arduous and complicated system? We know already that any individual has all the three qualities within him. The qualities are also subject to changes. To know which gunas are predominant in a chart you can use this table. You look at the Nakshatra in which the Lagna and the grahas are placed. Look at the gunas of these Nakshatras. Assign one point for each guna. For example if Lagna is in Ashwini Nakshatra which has Rajas-Rajas-Rajas quality then the count is Rajas = 3. Like that you have to compute for all the planets taking the Nakshatra in which they are placed. Let me explain it with an Example: One important point readers to remember - this system is helpful, in evaluating the guna of a person, but to really evaluate a chart we should always look at the chart as a whole and not just at the gunas the planets and the ascendant are in.

Chart 01: Sri Satya Sai Baba (Puttabarthi) (Ma)

Ra Mo

Rasi-D-1 Ju

Ke Planets Lagna Sun Moon Mars Mercury Jupiter Venus Saturn Rahu Ketu

Su Sa (Me) Ve ASC Nakshatra Anuradha Anuradha Arudra Ashwini Anuradha Dhanishta Anuradha Anuradha Arudra PShada

Total: Rajas – 6; Tamas – 15; followed by Satwa and Rajas.

Gunas TST TST RTS RRR TST STT TST TST RTS SRT

Rajas

1 3

Tamas 2 2 1

Satwa 1 1 1

2 2 2 2 1 1

1 1 1 1 1 1

1 1

Satwa – 9. Hence Tamas is the most important character of the chart

Chart 02: Swami Chandrasekhara Saraswati Ra

Ve

Me Ju Su

Ma Rasi-D-1 As

Mo Planets Lagna Sun Moon Mars Mercury Jupiter Venus Saturn Rahu Ketu

Nakshatra PPhalguni Krittika Anuradha Satabhishak Krittika Rohini Revati Chitra UBhadrapada Hasta

Ke (Sa) Gunas TRT RRS TST STS RRS RTR SSS TTT SST TTR

Rajas 1 2

Tamas 2 2 1

2 2

1

1

3 1 2

Satwa 1 1 2 1 3 2

Total: Rajas – 8; Tamas – 12; Satwa – 10 Hence Tamas is the most important character of the chart followed by Satwa and Rajas.

Chart 03: Swami Jayendra Saraswati Ke Me (Sa) Mo

Su D-1 Rasi

As

Ve

Ra

Ju Ma

Planets Lagna Sun Moon Mars Mercury Jupiter Venus Saturn Rahu Ketu

Nakshatra Ushada Punarvasu Dhanishta Chitra Ardra Visakha PPhalguni Satabhishak UShada Punarvasu

Gunas SRS RSR STT TTT RTS TSR TRT STS SRS RSR

Rajas 1 2

1 1 1

Tamas

2 3 1 1 2 1

1 2

Satwa 2 1 1 1 1 2 2 1

Total: Rajas – 9; Tamas – 10; Satwa – 11 Hence Satwa is the most important character of the chart followed by Tamas and Rajas. Chart 04: Swami Narasimha Bharati Ve

Ju

(Sa)

Me Ra Su D1-Rasi Mo

Ke

Ma Planets Lagna Sun Moon Mars Mercury Jupiter Venus Saturn Rahu Ketu

As

Nakshatra Swati PBhadrapada Sravana Anuradha Satabhishak Bharani PBhadrapada Punarvasu PBhadrapada PPhalguni

Gunas TTS SSR STR TST STS RRT SSR RSR SSR TRT

Rajas 1 1

2 1 2 1 1

Tamas 2 1 2 1 1

Satwa 1 2 1 1 2 2 1 2

2

Total: Rajas – 9; Tamas – 9; Satwa – 12 Hence Satwa is the most important character of the chart followed by Tamas and Rajas equally.

As mentioned earlier for evaluating the full characteristics of a person, analyse the horoscope as a whole and consider the above system also and then come to a conclusion. Nakshatra Lords and gunas: We all know that each Nakshatra has a planet as its Lord. In fact it is the lord of the Nakshatra in which Moon is placed at birth decides the first Dasa in the life of the person under Vimsottari Dasa. Let us try to examine the Nakshatra Lords and the gunas of Nakshatras. Let us find out whether any relationship exists. You can find the Lords of each Nakshatra by referring to any Nakshatra table characteristics. However, for immediate reference I am giving below the Nakshatra Lords: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9.

Ketu – Ashwini, Magha, Moola Venus – Bharani, PPhalguni, PShada Sun – Krittika, UPhalguni, UShada Moon – Rohini, Hasta, Shravana Mars – Mrigasirsha, Chitra, Dhanishta Rahu – Ardra, Swati, Satabhishak Jupiter – Punarvasu, Visakha, PBhadrapada Saturn – Pushya, Anuradha, UBhadrapada Mercury – Aslesha, Jyeshta, Ravti

Let us first examine the basic guna as available in any of the Nakshatra Characteristics table which is the same as the 3rd level characteristic explained above. Rajas quality Nakshatras at the 3rd level or basic quality 1. Ashwini, Magha, Mula (Lord is Ketu) 2. Rohini, Hasta, Shravana (Lord is Moon) 3. Punarvasu, Visakha, PBhadrapada (Lord is Jupiter) Tamas quality Nakshatras at the 3rd level or basic quality 1. Bharani, PPhalguni, PShada (Lord is Venus) 2. Mrigasirsha, Chitra, Dhansihta (Lord is Mars) 3. Pushya, Anuradha, UBhadrapada (Lord is Saturn) Satwa quality Nakshatras at the 3rd level or basic quality 1. Krittika, UPhalguni, UShada (Lord is Sun) 2. Ardra, Swati, Satabhishak (Lord is Rahu) 3. Aslesha, Jyeshta, Revati (Lord is Mercury Before arriving at any conclusion, let us examine the secondary level gunas also:

1. Ashwini, Magha, Mula (Lord is Ketu) 2. Bharani, PPHalguni, PShada (Lord is Venus) 3. Krittika, UPhalguni, UShada (Lord is Sun) Have Rajas guna at the second level. 1. Rahini, Hasta, Sravana (Lord is Moon) 2. Mrigasirsha, Chitra, Dhanishta (lord is Mars) 3. Ardra, Swati, Satabhishak (Lord is Rahu) Have Tamas guna at the second level. 1. Punarvasu, Visakha, PBhadrapada (Lord is Rahu) 2. Pushya, Anuradha, UBhadrapada (Lord is Satrun) 3. Aslesha, Jyeshta, Revati (Lord is Mercury) Have Satwa guna at the second level Let us tabulate the above two findings taking the second level first and the third level as the second: Planet Ketu Venus Sun Moon Mars Rahu Jupiter Saturn Mercury

2nd Level Rajas Rajas Rajas Tamas Tamas Tamas Satwa Satwa Satwa

3rd Level Rajas Tamas Satwa Rajas Tamas Satwa Rajas Tamas Satwa

What does this table denote? Can we draw some conclusion out of this? I will give my view points below. Readers and learned scholars can contribute more on this. Sun is a fiery planet (Rajas). But it represents the soul and hence Satwa characteristics. Venus is for love, lust and passion (Rajas). In order to attain these we go deeper into material life (Tamas) Jupiter too is a fiery planet (Rajas), but again has Satwa characteristics because he is Guru and rules wisdom. Saturn is a spiritual planet, because it is the planet of Sannyas (renouncing the world). Nevertheless, as we all know Saturn represents material things and hence Tamas.

Rahu has the same energies as Saturn only in a different order. It brings us deep into material life (Tamas). However, it only is doing this so we are able to outlive everything that this earth has to offer and then liberate ourselves (Satwa). It may come as a surprise to some people that Mercury turns out to be the most spiritual planet. However, one thing that distinguishes us from animals is our capacity to think and evaluate ourselves. Mercury as an airy planet can liberate us from this earth. It is not a planet of materiality (Tamas) and neither does it like hard work and action (Rajas). It thinks about Tamas and Rajas instead of going into it. To quote the words of my guru: “It is not my intention to give all the answers, but merely to give the reader a system and to represent a way of thinking, which the reader can easily apply himself. After these examples, it will probably not be too hard to meditate about the character of Ketu, Mars and the Moon. “ CONCLUSION In this article I have mentioned the connection of the gunas to the Nakshatras and hence the Nakshatra Lords. I am well aware that there are other systems, which give information about the gunas and the planets.