The apparent direction of the movement of the Sun is now towards south as it enters the sign of Cancer on Friday 16th July and is represented Varuna Aditya who will give us the resources from this sign.
Varuna is considered as the oldest amongst the Gods, he is fierce and is upholder or enforcer of natural order (Ṛta) of the universe. Varuna is derived from the root word vṛ in Sanskrit which means to bind or cover and he binds with the laws of the world. He is pictured as riding a mythical animal “Makara” and holding a noose in his hand. A Makara is a complex animal made up of a mouth of a crocodile, trunk of an elephant, eyes of a monkey, ears of a cow, body of a pig, legs of a lion and plumes of peacock. I have uploaded a picture of the Makara taken from the Hoysala temples in Karnataka during my visit in 2011.
The noose punishes us when we transgress natural laws and behaviour that is required to uphold a society. The punishment is usually re-birth. Verse I.25.2 of Rig Veda is prayer to Varuna seeking his mercy “Make us not the objects of death, through your fatal indignation, through the wrath of you so displeasured.” Of the transgressions, a serious one seems to be betrayal for Varuna and rightly so as it vitiates the very essence of relationships. Wikipedia describes betrayal as the breaking or violation of a presumptive contract, trust, or confidence amongst people. Verse V.85.7 elucidates it “If, Varuṇa, we have ever committed an offence against a benefactor, a friend, a companion, a brother, a near neighbour or a dumb (defenceless) man, remove it from us.”
Varuna is also the ruler of Oceans and he can guide the direction in our lives and show us the path. Verse 1.25.7 of Rig veda describes Varuna as “He, who knows the path of the birds flying through the air; he, abiding in the ocean, knows also the course of ships”. In the Yuddha Kanda (Book 6, Canto XXII) of the epic Ramayana, Varuna appears finally before Sri Rama when he was threatened with the Brahma astra (missile) to allow Sri Rama to cross the ocean on his way to Lanka to retrieve Sita from the clutches of Ravana. He allowed a bridge to be constructed on his bosom by Nala (Vishwakaram’s son). In this chapter, Varuna is described in splendour – “shining brightly like a glossy cat’s eye, decked with jewels of gold, clad in red robes wearing a garland of red flowers, adorning a white jewel on his bosom on a single string of pearls resembling a bedecked mountain”. I also enclose the picture of this scene painted by Raja Ravi Varma that I saw at the Mysore museum.
In another verse in the Rig Veda (V.85.6) the depth of Varuna is described as someone no one can challenge, when the diverse flowing streams cannot fill the one ocean with their water. This is similar to the verse 2.70 of Bhagavad Gita where the word “apuryamanam” is used to describe the how the ocean does not overflow despite being filled in all sides. In the same verse, the higher meaning of this metaphor –“undisturbed abundant ocean” is used to describe a realised person who is unmoved despite the flow of desirable objects all around him attains peace, and not the person who strives to satisfy desires.
Varuna grants boons (vara – boon is also derived from the root word vṛ). The best way to appease Varuna is by offering him rice pudding and he is also pleased with pearl oysters. We can ask him boons equally for manifesting things for enjoyment and achievement in the material world, or request him to loosen our bonds to gain peace. His noose can ensnare us in Maya or release us.
Sun enters the sign of Cancer with Mercury on the 16th July and will be aspected by a retrograde Saturn from Capricorn. The Sun in the sign of Cancer is vulnerable or defensive/difficult particularly in the 4th house as there is no directional strength in this position. The sarpa yoga (malefics Rahu, Ketu and Saturn in quadrants without benefics) continues for all the movable signs until Saturn moves forward into Aquarius in January. A sarpa yoga shows binding situations one cannot get out and it is a time for caution and restraint. If your ascendant is a movable sign and there is a benefic in the quadrant, then it is the time to propitiate it now for blessings. Mars and Saturn together aspect the signs of Cancer and Libra creating a Yama yoga (destruction) by aspect. The sign cancer represents our emotions, health and happiness. According to Jataka Bharanam the conjunction of Saturn and Mars leads to fights, battles and promotes the activity of weapons and theft. The situation for Libra is dire as it has Ketu (a spiritual warrior) in the sign creating an additional Shraddha yoga (ancestral rites). Libra stands for public places, markets and travel. The planetary aspect of Jupiter from Pisces mitigates the effect for the sign Cancer.
Mars is in Aries is in mulatrikona (in his office). He is comfortable in Aries and therefore the purposeful, logical energy for Mars can be used for execution of many good plans that are lacking direction or energy. However Mars is inching towards Rahu, his enemy almost the entire period creating an explosive or unanticipated situations till early August. I had also earlier mentioned the movement towards a node often resembles a retrograde motion. This month can bring up unexpected issues from the past, particularly when the two planets get into each other orb from the 19th July. The exact date of conjunction is the 1st of August where there will be a head on collision in the nakshatra of Bharani that is ruled by Yama. Sometimes, a challenge or confrontation is necessary or inevitable especially when both parties realise there is a conflict. It leads to clearing of the air and creating space for further possibilities in life. The movement of Venus and Mars gives relief to the movable signs particularly Cancer. Venus enters the sign of Cancer close to midnight of 6th August and Mars leaves Aries on the 10th of August to enter Taurus lessening the effect of Sarpa Yoga.
Jupiter turns retrograde in Pisces on the 28th July, therefore will give the results of the sign Virgo. Virgo is a sign of purity, skill and scholarly achievements. The effect will result in Jupiter being less expansionary and more detailed focused on accomplishment. Jupiter will remain retrograde until the 23rd November and Saturn will turn direct only on the 16th October. The retrogradation of two slow moving planets could make the current summer season one of discontent. It is best to set aside the frustration and use the time for introspection while sharpening our thinking.
The holy period of chatur masa – 4 lunar months from Ashadha, Shravan, Bhadrapada and Kartik started on the July 10th and will continue until November 5th. This is a period for introspection, penance, austerities, study of scriptures and personal rituals like bathing in holy rivers. Lord Vishnu is supposed to be in Yoga nidra at this time. In the ancient times, this was the only time the sanyasis (monks) are allowed to stay in one place and under a roof.
On a cheerful note, we have two occasions to remember and honour our significant relationships this month. On August 5th married women will be keep fast and worship Vara Lakshmi in the South of India for the wellbeing of their husbands and family. Raksha Bandhan will be observed in the north of India on the 11th of August – where the sibling bond is honoured – sisters seek protection from their brothers by tying a thread on their brother’s wrist. On the same day those the sacred thread worn by the Brahmins particularly in the south of India is changed and they start studying the Vedas. Gayatri Japam is observed on the 12th of August when it is good the recite the Gayatri mantra 108 times at three times in the sandhyas (junctions).
May we worship Varuna Aditya to be firm in our resolutions and honour the bonds of our relationships.
ॐ घृणिः वरुणादित्य
om ghṛṇiḥ varuṇāditya