Astrological Mythology The Meaning of ... - Mandhata Global

7 PUNARVASU
Punarvasu extends from 80° 00' to 93° 20' of the zodiac. It consists of five
stars, including both Castor and Pollux, the two main stars, alpha and beta,
of the constellation Gemini. It is given the symbol of a house as well as a
bow. The asterism is ruled by Jupiter. Its first three quarters lie within
Gemini, ruled by Mercury, while the last quarter is in Cancer, ruled by the
Moon. The asterism is presided over by the Goddess Aditi and has the strong
quality of Rajas or activity at both primary and tertiary levels, with Sattwa at
a secondary level. Its primary motivation comes from Artha, or directed
activity.
The name of the asterism is a compound consisting of two words, 'punah*
and *vasu', the former meaning "again" and the latter, "a ray of light, a gem,
or a jewel." The Vasus are a special class of Vedic deities, eight in number,
and this asterism is indirectly related to them. The emphasis of meaning for
the asterism falls on the first part of its name, punah meaning "repetition." It
is a condition of return or restoration, becoming once again a jewel, a gem,
or a ray of light. The asterism represents the universal life, which is like a
ray of light or a jewel that has appeared again. It stands for the revival of
certain aspects of the original life-essence as it manifests through the
evolutionary process.
The Vasus are deities that appear at various levels. At the stage of cosmic
evolution represented by this asterism, the same impulse as in Krittika and
Rohini is repeated in one form or another. The Goddess Aditi, like Krittika
and Rohini, nourished Kartikeya and Balarama. Punarvasu is concerned with
the reappearance of the different Vasus who personify cosmic phenomena
and energize them.
The eight Vasus are named Apas, Dhruva, Soma, Dhara, Anila, Anala,
Pratyusha and Prabhas. They have the same status as the Solar Logos, but
with subtle differences in their functions. Apas, which means water as well
as sin, provides the foundation for manifestation. What Christianity calls
Original Sin, or what elementally is Water is necessary to sustain and
nourish living beings. Under Ardra, the Divine warmth is condensed to give
wetness. With Punarvasu the radiation of the Sun changes this wetness into
water vapor or physical life-particles. The exile of the human soul from its
celestial abode of tranquility is due to certain compulsions, which are often
called Sin. Apas on the macrocosrmc level suggests the emergence of water
as the life giving energy, whereas on the microcosmic level it is the sin
which deprives the soul of its celestial poise.