Astrological Mythology The Meaning of ... - Mandhata Global

25 PURVABHADRA
Purva Bhadra extends from 320° 00' to 333° 20' of the zodiac and consists of
two stars. It is associated with cosmic stability and imparts fearlessness. The
first three quarters of the asterism fall within the Saturn ruled sign of
Aquarius while the last quarter is in Jupiterian Pisces. The asterism itself is
ruled by Jupiter. Sattwa or harmony is its attribute at both primary and
secondary levels, while at its tertiary level Rajas, activity, predominates. Its
primary motivational impulses is Artha or goal directed activity. Its presiding
deity is Aja Ekapada, the one-footed goat. Its astrological symbol is a sword.
An understanding of the nature of Aja Ekapada, the one-footed goat, reveals
the deeper implications of the asterism. The Vedic deity Aja Ekapada
represents the unborn, transcendent cosmic energy. The goat is a simple,
harmless milk producing animal which requires almost nothing for its
sustenance. However, in the Vedas this deity has been extolled to great
heights: he is considered as infinity, an entity without motion or speech. As
Aja, the unborn, he is worshipped as a form of Shiva. He is the vehicle of
Agni (fire).
The Atharva Veda refers to Aja Ekapada in relation to Rohit, another deity
associated with cosmic evolution. Rohit's main function is to produce
heaven and earth, where the thread of the sacrifice is extended. In this
creation of Rohit, Aja Ekapada establishes himself as the Sun and makes
heaven and the earth firm with his strength. Being of the nature of the Sun,
which provides life and light, Aja Ekapada is without any objective
existence while it sustains the entire creation. It is the un-polarized latent
creative energy which produces the different levels of existence. Rohit
contains within himself ever-changing impulses without which the various
dimensions of manifestation would remain abstract, ethereal and nonexistent.
The role of Aja Ekapada is to concretize this "essence" of
manifestation into the unpolarized positive cell, which subsequently assumes
many forms at the different levels of creation. As the vehicle of Agni, the
fire which energizes all life-forms, Aja Ekapada takes the abstract image of
Rohit, differentiates it, and then provides warmth and nourishment so that it
can succeed in completing its journey.
The impulse flowing through Purva Bhadra, over which Aja Ekapada
presides, stands at the border of manifestation on one side and the state of
latency on the other. It is an energy which can be expressed both in an
upward and downward movement. Aja Ekapada refers to the stage of cosmic
ideation where on one side is pure undifferentiated energy, Agni or fire, and
on the other side are heaven and earth in their existing motion, vibrating