A BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF NAKSHATRA MEDITATION

Nakshatra meditation is a logic-driven, thoroughly researched, and unique technique of connecting to the power of the cosmos, and in turn, empowering yourself to realize your own potential.
Meaning of Nakshatras
In astrology, the Moon is said to rule the mind, and thus, a person’s thoughts, emotions and personality. In fact, Carl Jung, the celebrated psychologist, also acknowledged the influence of the moon on our subconscious and unconscious mind. The working and also the conditioning of your mind is directly related to the moon’s placement in your horoscope.
Mythologically, there are many different stories related to the moon. A relevant one, for us, is regarding moon’s marriage with King Daksha’s daughter Rohini. Just as the mind can achieve whatever it becomes focused on, the Moon became fixated on Rohini’s beauty and vowed to marry her. But King Daksha put a condition of Moon and Mohini’s matrimony. The moon was to also marry 26 sisters of Rohini, if he wanted to marry Rohini. The moon agreed reluctantly and proceeded with the marriage but his heart was set only on his beloved, Rohini. Not long after, King Daksha started to notice Moon’s neglect towards his 26 daughters and he was not happy about it. King Daksha cursed the moon with reduced brightness in the sky and thus the moon began to have waxing and waning phases.
The 27 wives of Moon, represent the 27 constellations, also known as Nakshatras. The Moon, like a dutiful husband, visits each Nakshatra once a month and thus completes one revolution of the Earth in 27 ¼ days. The zodiac is made up of 12 houses and each house covers 30 degrees, which adds up to 360 degrees for the entire zodiac. The length of each constellation is about 13.20 degrees. Thus, each sign is made up of two and a quarter constellations.

Origins and Validity of Nakshatra Meditation

A reference to Nakshatras is found in the Rigveda, but more detailed significance is found in Yajurveda and Atharvaveda. The names of Nakshatras are based on their ruling Vedic deities, such as Vayu (air) or Agni (fire).
Each Nakshatra has a specific shape, which is visible in the sky. Nakshatras are made up of fixed stars. The term ‘Nakshatra’ is a combination of two words: Naksh + tra, where ‘Naksh’ means effort or approach and ‘tra’ means worship. ‘Naksha’ signifies achievement through one’s specific approach or concentrated efforts and ‘tra’ is the instrumentality or means. One can interpret nakshatra signifying the capacity to connect the human mind with the cosmic center. Another, more common meaning of Nakshatra is ‘one that can never be destroyed’, much like the human soul.
To some extent, Nakshatras are also found in Arabian and Chinese astrology, but not in Western astrology.
The Moon and the Nakshatras have a special relationship as far as human beings are concerned. The presence of moon in a particular Nakshatra establishes the relationship among the good and bad deeds of a person, and the personality, behaviour and overall attitude of the person. All attributes of a Nakshatra play their cosmic role throughout the person’s life.

Purpose and Significance of Nakshatra Meditation

A person’s personality is dynamic. This can be seen in two ways. One, the personality evolves as a person ages. Second, a person acts differently with different people or situations, so personality is also flexible.
70% of our lives are ruled by our Nakshatra and the rest is ruled by free will, or in other words, the choices we make throughout life. This means that 70% of our life/destiny is fixed. The remaining 30% is what we can make of it, with our focus, awareness and efforts. Each one of us, as you know now, is born under a specific nakshatra. This means, the position of the moon at the time of a person’s birth.
Nakshatras are considered the custodians of our past karmas – through each of our lifetimes – both good and bad. This is not just a concept or belief. It has been proven by our great Yogis and Acharyas.
Each Nakshatra provides a certain amount of freedom and possibility to fulfil one’s hopes and aspirations in this lifetime. At the same time, each Nakshatra poses challenges in the evolvement of inner as well as the outer personality of a human being. Our world is a projection of matter and spirit. Purush is spirit and signifies the ultimate magnetic force; the force of life. Prakriti is matter or Nature, wherein Purush is realized. The intelligence of Prakriti is evident throughout the cosmos. Astrology and Nakshatra Meditation are ways to imbibe this intelligence and this power of the cosmos into our own lives.

Specifics of Different Nakshatras

Each Nakshatra is made up of one or two or all three of these attributes: Sattva (moksha or libration), Tamas (past karmas) and Rajas/Rajsik (action).
The first four zodiac signs, Aries, Taurus, Gemini and Cancer, comprising of the first nine Nakshatras, fall under the Rajsik guna. Rajsik gunas indicate action and an urge to completely cover one’s surroundings with action or work. Think of Aries energy; bursting into action without thinking of the consequences. The first Nakshatra in this group is Ashwini, which resembles a horse and the last one is Ashlesha. Rajsik gunas signify an inflated ego due to achievement.
Next comes Tamas or Tamsik guna of the next 9 Nakshatras, which covers the next four zodiac signs: Leo, Virgo, Libra and Scorpio. The first Nakshatra of this group is Magha and the last is Jyeshtha. Magha Nakshatra represents our ancestors who act as the operating force between our world and devlok. Ketu is the Lord of this Nakshatra. Tamsik guna covers our past linkages as well as the karmic processes through which we overcome our material greed and bondages.
The final one is Sattva or Satvik guna, which covers the next 9 Nakshatras, related to the last 4 zodiac signs: Sagittarius, Capricorn, Aquarius and Pisces. The first Nakshatra of this group is Mula, meaning roots and the last one is Revathi, signifying the great womb. Mula suggests that the soul relocates its roots and starts a new journey where the Satvik impulse or truth will prevail. In other words, the soul or atma merges into absolute reality or Parmatma.

Reforming your Life with Nakshatra Meditation

By connecting with your own Nakshatra, you can uplift yourself to great heights and heal the obstructions to your growth and abundance. All Nakshatras are blessed with particular power or Shakti, granted by their specific deities.
Human behaviour is determined by the role of the Nakshatra they were born under. Every Nakshatra has certain strengths and good qualities which are reflected in the person’s nature and contribute to their worldly situation and spiritual growth. However, each Nakshatra also has negative traits which reflect as weaknesses or limitations in the person. By understanding ourselves truly through our Nakshatras we can overcome our limitations to a large extent. Nakshatra Meditation is the path towards seeing ourselves more clearly and taking help from the cosmos to clear the impediments that hold us back from stunning success!