4. Planets, Signs and Constellations

Planets, Signs and Constellations

There are nine important planets considered by the Hindu astrologers as affecting the terrestrial phenomena. Their Sanskrit equivalents and the symbols used by Western astrologers are also given here for ready reference:-

The twelve signs of the zodic are

The zodic is a circle of light and consequently it knows no beginning or end. In order to measure the distance an arbitrary point is established, which is called the first point of Aries. The zodiac is marked by 27 constellations or nakshatras. The first point of Aswini, the first constellation, synchronises with the first point of Aries, which is the starting point of the fixed zodiac. Each nakshatra measures 13° 20´ of arc and consists of four quarters or padas of 3° 20´ each. Thus 2¼ constellations or nine quarters comprises a zodiacal sign. The Rasis (signs) and Nakshatras (constellations) are both reckoned from the same point, viz., and the zero degree of the zodic or the first point of Mesha (Aries).
The constellations are:-
1. Aswini—Arietus, 3 stars resembling like a horse’s face.
2. Bharani—Arietisa Mus, 3 stars resembling like a female sexual organ.
3. Krithika—Touri Alcyoni, 6 stars resembling like a razor.
4. Rohini—Tauri Aldeboran, 5 stars resembhling like a chariot.
5. Mrigasira__Orionis, 3 stars resembling like a head of a deer.
6. Aridra—Orionis, one star resembling like a head.
7. Punarvasu—Gemini Pollux, 5 stars resembling like a bow.
8. Pushyami—Cancri, 3 stars resembling like a flower.
9. Aslesha—Hydrae, 6 stars resembling like a serpent.
10. Makha—Leonis Regulas, 5 stars resembling like a palanquin.
11. Puba—Leonis, 4 stars resembling like the legs of a cot.
12. Uttara—Leonis, 4 stars resembling like the legs of a cot.
13. Hasta—Corvi, 5 stars resembling like a palm.
14. Chitta—Virginis Spica, one star resembling like a peral.
15. Swati—Bootis Arcturus, one star resembling like a sapphire.
16. Vishaka—Librae, 3 stars resembling like a potter’s wheel.
17. Anuradha—Scorpionic, 3 stars resembling like an umbrella.
18. Jyeshta—Antares, 3 stars resembling like an umbrella.
19. Moola—Scorpionis, 6 stars resembling like a crouching line.
20. Purvashadha—Sagittarii, 4 stars resembling like a square.
21. Uttarashadha—Sagittarii, 4 stars resembling like a square.
22. Sravana—Aquilae, 3 stars resembling like an arrow.
23. Dhanishta—Delphini, 4 stars resembling a drum.
24. Satabhisha—Aquarii, 100 stars resembling a flower.
25. Purvabhadra—Pegasi, 4 stars resembling the legs of a cot.
26. Uttarabhadrs—Pegasi and Andromedae, 4 stars resembling the legs of a cot.
27. Revati—Piscium, 3 stars resembling a fish.
The following quarters (padas) of the constellations comprise the twelve zodiacal signs:-

The above table interpreted means those four quarters of Aswini, four quarters of Bharani and the first quarter of Krittika make up Aries or Mesha. The remaining three quarters of Krittika, four quarters of Rohini and the first two quarters of Mrigasira compose Taurus or Vrishabha and so on. This will enable one to fix up the positions of planets in a horoscope as in Hindu almanacs; the planetary longitudes are generally given in constellations and quarters.