Sun enters the sign of Leo on the 16th of August will stay in this sign till the early hours of 16th September. Sun in Leo carries the blessings of Indra Aditya. The title of Indra is a generic one, he is appointed as the “King of the Heavens” as he has mastered his senses as an example to all. As we are all aware, the role of a leader is just not about their competency and capability but also about their behaviour, as a title or position can be lost in hubris.
In the chariot of Indra this month is the the naga is Elāpatra . From Skanda Purana, he is a wise 1000 hooded snake who lived in Brahma Loka. From the Buddhist lore, Elāpatra was a naga guarding the treasures of Takṣaśilā who had been a monk in a life before. The story goes that he was keen to find the future Buddha to receive teachings from him, so he had his daughter sing a set of questions which only a Buddha would be able to answer. Among the questions, there was one about the attributes of a king – “Through being sovereign of what is a man a king? How does he become a slave of passion? How does he become free of passion? And how does he come to be called a weakling?” A young boy called Uttara answered him “A man is a king when he is sovereign in relation to the six senses. When he is excited by his senses, he becomes the slave of passion and hence a weakling. Uttara had indeed taken the help of Sākya muni (Buddha) in answering the question and thus Elāpatra eagerly went to be find him to receive his teachings.
Indriya Nigraha refers to the self-control of the 5 sense organs (Sight, Hearing, Taste, Touch, Smell) and the mind. The five senses working through our feet, ears, tongue, skin and nose are always outwardly focused towards the objects of desire. Śrī Kṛṣṇa in Bhagavat Gīta cautions that when the mind (sixth sense) is led by the 5 senses without objectivity in order to pursue self-serving agenda clouded by likes and dislikes, the intellect is lost (prajñāṁ harati), thus we are led astray from the true goal.
इन्द्रियाणां हि चरतां यन्मनोऽनुविधीयते |
तदस्य हरति प्रज्ञां वायुर्नावमिवाम्भसि || 2.67||
Just as a strong wind sweeps a boat off its chartered course on the water, even one of the senses on which the mind focuses can lead the intellect astray.
Śrī Kṛṣṇa uses a metaphor of a tortoise that withdraws its limbs into its shell to explain how the senses should be withdrawn from being outwardly towards objects of desire to inward towards our goal for true success. (Verse 2.58)
We have observed that many leaders and people in power become deluded about their abilities which leads to them to questionable acts and behaviour that is not befitting their title or position. Tony Blair, George W Bush and David Cameron are leaders that have experienced such hubris. CEOs of companies and other heads of organisation are also cautioned about it as many suffer from lack of reflection and inability to take negative feedback. Humility is the biggest strength of leadership as was evinced by the story of Indra and Umā from Kenopaniṣad that I wrote about some years ago.
Transits
Sun joins Venus and a retrograde Mercury in Leo. On the 19th August all planets excluding the nodes will be in fixed signs creating a stronger musala yoga than in the previous month, where only the tara grahas (planets excluding the luminaries and nodes) were in fixed signs. Musala yoga– pestle or club – makes us firm, stubborn and purpose driven. This formation is good for wealth generation as we can use these positions to our advantage to strike hard bargains. From 14.28 hrs of 19th August till 14.41 hrs of 21st August the Moon will be in Aquarius, strengthening the musala yoga. What we gain on this day will be difficult to lose.
Caution is advised in matters of communication and paper work as Mercury is still retrograde and re-enters Cancer by retrograde motion in the early hours of 22nd August. Unfinished matters from early July may be re-visited. The retrograde motion will continue until the evening of 28th August, then Mercury will re-enter Leo to join Sun on the 4th of September.
The Sun now faces a retrograde Saturn in full opposition. Leaders have to be careful as a retrograde Saturn is waiting to topple the crown with a strong aspect on Aries. It is important to note that Jupiter – standing for judiciary and treasury activities will support Sun from its navamsa position in Leo from the 20th August whereas Saturn is in its debilitation amsa of Aries for the entire month.
Venus moves into Virgo, its debilitation sign to meet Ketu on 24th August. This is a difficult transit for Venus for the entire month and affairs of the heart, one can feel humiliated or incapacitated. The conjunction with Ketu shows that one can make painful mistakes as Ketu brings the Scorpio sting with it. Saturn does not aspect this combination that would allow for detachment. The conjunction of Venus and Ketu is on 4th of September in Uttara Phalguni Nakshatra and Venus will be further afflicted by Mars from Gemini from the 26th August receiving its planetary and sign aspect.
For Taurus ascendants, there is a reason for cheer as they will receive the blessings of a Jupiter that will be alone in Taurus now till the end of its transit. Mars’s move into Gemini creates a Sarpa yoga for dual ascendants of Gemini, Virgo, Sagittarius and Pisces as their quadrants will have 3 malefic planets Rahu, Ketu and Mars. Sarpa Yoga can thrust binding conditions which can make one behave in a brutal or base manner. This Sarpa yoga will be last until mid-October and again early in 2025. The transit of Mars in Gemini is a long one from 26th August till end October and then again when Mars turns retrograde and moves back into Gemini for 3 months early 2025.
Festivals in August
We have a plethora of festivals and ceremonies to observe this month. Married women fast and pray for prosperity and longevity of married life to Vara Lakshmi on the Friday 16th August in the South of India. Harmony between siblings is celebrated as Raksha Bandhan on the 19th August . The same day, the Yajur Veda Brahmins families from the South of India recite the Gayatri mantra and change the sacred thread worn by them. We celebrate the birthday of Sri Krishna on Monday 26th of August which happens on the Krishna paksha ashtami tithi of Shravana month. We also celebrate the birthday of Ganesha on Shukla Chaturthi of Bhadrapada month on 7th of September. It is a powerful day to propitiate Lord Ganesha for removing the obstacles in life.
May we implore Indra to bless us with leaders with the power of discernment and objectivity that can help unify the world.
ॐ घृणिः इन्द्र आदित्य
om ghṛṇiḥ indra āditya 🙏🏼