Rasis, Nakshathras, Tamizh and the Nodes of the Moon...

Hi Mei,
The Rasi is the equivalent of the Moon Sign in western astrology, but is interpreted differently by Vedic practitioners.In their wisdom, these astrologers observed that the emotional make up of a person is a lot more accurate in helping predict that person's reactions as opposed to his/her character. Emotional reactions comprise the 'nature' of a person, and hence the emphasis on Rasi in Vedic systems. 'Natchathram' is Tamil for Nakshathram = which literally means constellation - and signifies the combination of heavenly bodies from which a person derives his/her character i.e. the thought/action pattern that is seen when that person has to make important choices in his/her life with regard to ethics, ideals, values and Karmic decisions. I'll simplify that - it is the equivalent of a 'house' in Western astrology, but is conceptually more complex, and meaningful.To put this in perspective, consider Hitler - who was a fantastic leader and statesman - he wanted a United Europe, he envisioned a cheap practical car for poor people - what we know as the Volkswagon today was his brainchild, and his use of a Vedic/Indian title 'Arya' to denote racial superiority (you have to give him points for knowing how to hypnotise a populace) ---- unfortunately, for Hitler, his emotional drive that caused him to use his skill was quite negative and anti-humane ---- he hated women, he gathered religious hatreds, and was brutal in his decisions regarding the fates of many a man, woman and child.
I don't know if this shows the difference between Character, and Emotional Drive. In the last 20 odd years, popular psychology and social groups have started catching up with the Vedic system, and are placing more importance on Emotional Intelligence (EQ?) ---but every Vedic practitioner has known this emphasis for the last couple of Yugas at least.


Dear Santhip,Rahu and Ketu are nodes of the moon. This is a concept quite alien to our Westernised education and thought process.In the Vedic system, the Moon is an entity that controls emotions, amongst other characteristics, and consists of two NODES. These Nodes, influence the person in question depending on their position. Rahu is the head of the Asura who drank the Amrtham (closest English word = divine nectar) Lord Vishnu helped churn from the bottom of the Ocean in his Avathaaram as the Great Tortoise. Anyway, so whenever Rahu, the head, or the North Node of the Moon, eclipses the Sun or other planets, Rahu causes the aspect of life ruled by THAT planet/the Sun (for that person) to be controlled by impulsive emotional reactions, and is hence considered 'bad'. Rahu personifies traits that make people liars, cheats and stands for negative speech, mlechhas, falsehood and also, strangely enough, personifies the granting of wealth, mental power, peace-making activities, manipulation, poison and fame/fortune/authority/blessings.Ketu, on the other hand, being the Southern node, signifies wealth, spiritual inclination, and many of the other characteristics that are signified by Rahu --- the difference between Rahu and Ketu is the way in which the influence makes itself seen/felt/manifested.Suffice to say that if Rahu and Ketu are emotional snapshots or states of mind, then their effects signify what THAT state of mind will attract to THAT person. Of course, these states of mind are facilitated by Rahu and Ketu.It is important to remember that all celestial bodies change peoples' states of mind, and like it or not, the Mind being the magnet it is, that person starts attracting certain circumstances/thought processes/manifestations that are best suited to that person's Karma i.e. horoscope, and decisions for a specific lifetime.


Dear Ashi,Yes, I would say that matching horoscopes is a great idea to begin a relationship - be it formal marriage or a relationship based on sexual attraction (oh come on!! there's no other kind in most cases). It must be remembered, however, that interpretation is of prime importance. Unless the interpreter/practitioner takes into account the entirety of the horoscope, the 'matching' will not be complete or sensible.


Dear Rohit,I do apologise for the long delay, and will explain in my next post. I've been through some very trying and scary times recently.

Dear Vijay Reddy,
It is an honor and a pleasure to present ancient wisdom to Seekers of Knowledge like yourself.

Dear Rohit,The lobby of Tamizhs who argue that Tamizh is older than Smskrth are essentially those who subscribe to the theory of Aryan Invasion as propagated by idiots like Michael Witzel. Misguided historians like Witzel and Marija Gimbutas, depend on theories of how languages develop and evolve to trace the origin of a language or a civilization.According to their version of life, Smskrith comes from certain parts of Europe from where people migrated to Greece, Iran and India.We, knowing our history and knowing that Smskrth is not a language developed by human beings, have a more accurate idea of our history.Neither Witzel nor Gimbutas can base their theories on any actual evidence, and instead rely on Gimbutas' ideas on how languages evolve and how to track the origin of a language etc.Shrikanth Talageri is a famous Indian scholar who turned down an opportunity to study at Harvard with Indology 'scholars' and change his perspective on the history of the subcontinent.Talageri ripped apart Witzel's criticism, and has time and again revealed Witzel to be the fraud he is.Anyway, there never was any invasion - and you're best off doing your own research on this. you'll notice that every historian who presumes there was an invasion and that Vedic culture was NOT native to Bhaaratha has no proof nor any reason to think so. Or maybe perhaps there is a reason - all these historians are of European origin, and would do anything to prove that there was no civilization before the Europeans. LOL.
Tamizh was the language of poets and literary scholars in the Dravidian South of Bhaaratha. It is an ancient language that was adopted by AgasthyarMuni when he crossed over to the South.Tamizh, a beautiful language as it is, and my native tongue, is NOT older than Smskrth. Smskrth was given to us when Lord Brahma settled Vywaswatha-Manu in Bhaaratha at the beginning of this Manvanthara.The Dravidas were one of the great tribes of Bhaaratha. And their language was Telenge. Originally, Tamizh and Telenge were merely different dialects, but then evolved into different languages.Kannada was another dialect that developed into another language as Udupi turned into a cultural gem.Smskrth, on the other hand, has always existed as a singular language. You cannot add new words to Smskrth - though 'modern' scholars tend to experiment.I guess to truly satisfy yourself, I'd recommend some study at the Sree Sankaracharya University at Kalady KL.
http://www.ssus.ac.in/
When a lot of people realize that Dravidas (the ancient residents of KA, KL, TN and AP), and Pahlavis (the ancient residents of Pars (modern Iran)) are equal in their cultural stance as Bhaarathas - and that there never was any invasion, and that Samsrkth truly belongs to all of us --- all the way to Bali - the Indonesian Island that was bombed for still being Hindu, then perhaps we will stop fighting about what the oldest language really is...and get on with the business of being Manushyas...I hope this helps.