Astrological Mythology The Meaning of ... - Mandhata Global

forefinger. It is the reward he has won for his great sacrifices. It is a kind of
thunderbolt, a circular disc, ever active and auspicious, a great and
mysterious weapon. The circularity of the disc has an important similarity
with the symbols, the umbrella and earring assigned to Jyeshta.
Indra uses this disc to protect the universe and the kingdom of the gods
against the deadly onslaughts of the demons or Asuras, the anti-gods. The
Sudarshana chakra can be used for attacking the most dangerous enemy.
This weapon used for protection is not bestowed by another but is earned by
one's own severe penance and austerities, by control over one's senses and
nature's subtle forces.
These symbols — the disc of Indra, the earrings on the earlobes of Divine
kings and the protection given by umbrellas for the elite — yogically stand
for the Serpent fire, which is said to resemble them. This Kundalini Shakti,
the secret (female or negative) energy coiled like a serpent at the base of the
spine, when rightly energized gives control over the subtle forces of nature.
In order to unfold it in the right way, the individual is required to master his
lower nature and to go beyond attachment to the outer world. Upon the
successful completion of this discipline, the soul becomes the ruler of all the
world. Angels and fairies dance at his will and he gains miraculous powers.
These potentials are contained in Jyeshta, which enables the human
individual to communicate freely with spiritual powers. This relationship is
suggested by Mercury ruling over this asterism.
Jyeshta bestows much status. The earring and umbrella are status symbols.
In ancient India, as in other ancient civilizations, kings who attained spiritual
and occult powers wore special earrings to signify their mastery over the
serpent fire. Nobles and aristocrats who attained a high social status because
of their wisdom and erudition were offered the royal umbrella. The
energizing of special latent faculties in the individual opens himself up to the
macrocosmic force occurs under Jyeshta. At this stage, the soul qualifies
itself to embark upon a new direction. The soul's personal evolution reaches
its end. Even if the soul is still under the spell of materialism and has to go
yet deeper into the outer world, it meets a severe reaction as it is now open
to the energies of other realms of existence. A new life-wave springs from
the inner Self to provide the experience of a new kind of existence.
It requires considerable psychological growth to be able to absorb the
cosmic impulse so that the individual can be spiritually transformed. This
psychological impact is indicated by the rulership of the various quarters of
Jyeshta. The first quarter is governed by Jupiter, the planet of religion. Under
its impact the materiality of the individual is gradually spiritualized. This is
expressed by attraction to outer religious practices. Attraction to earthly