Yours Astrologically, Ravana
A very Happy Dussehra to all !!
In RamacharitManas, Tulsidas states "Ramkatha ke miti jag nahi" i.e. there are innumerable stories of Rama (Ramkatha).
Well, everybody loves a good story.
One inspiring, and slightly unheard story goes like this.
After Rama fired the 'fatal' Bramha Astra arrow at Ravana, who collapsed, he told his brother Lakshmana
"Ravana, was our enemy but at the same time a great Scholar with unmatched knowledge. Go and request him to share whatever knowledge he can during these last moments."
Lakshmana went beside Ravana and requested him to do so. Ravana simply turned his head away from Lakshmana.
Seeing this Rama smiled, keeping his bow away, knelt at Ravana's feet. In all humility, with folded hands, he spoke to Ravana.
"Hey Lankeshwar, You are no more my enemy as I have meted out the share of punishment you deserved. But you are all knowledgeable and carry wisdom that can be useful to many many generations. Please share some of it with us."
On hearing this Ravana gently opened his eyes, greeted Rama and said
"Oh Rama, with all the knowledge and wisdom, I was never able to transcend my ego (Ahankara). At this moment, I wish to share many things with you. However, as I have very little time left with me, I will state the most important lesson I learnt in my life."
"We are all easily seduced by things that are bad for us. Take the case of me abducting Sita. On the other hand, we continuously delay and procrastinate things that are good for us, giving one excuse or the other. I hurriedly abducted Sita, but avoided meeting 'You' in person even once. Act Immediately on your good thoughts. Don't keep delaying them."
With these final words of wisdom, Ravana left the world, terming the coin 'Dus-hara' i.e. removal of ten bad qualities with us:
Ego
Cruelty
Injustice
Lust
Anger
Greed
Over Pride
Jealousy
Attachment
Selfishness
Though he may be the biggest Villain in one of the world's most popular epics, Ravana's horoscope through Astrology, points out to many interesting facets of Ravana both good and bad and the mythology of Ramayana blend perfectly into it.
See the Horoscope of Ravana alongside. (The horoscope is taken from a leading Indian Newspaper)
It is the North Indian Style of Horoscope used, and I have attempted to label it as simply and detailed as possible so that any reader (even without astrological background) of this text shall be able to understand.
The Green color text indicates the Houses. In any chart there shall be House No. 1 to House No. 12, indicating different areas of life as Self, finance, siblings, mother, children, diseases, marriage etc.
The Text with Red Underline indicates the corresponding Signs like Aries, Taurus, Gemini etc. that these houses come under. For eg. House 1 is Sign No. 7 (Libra).
The Sign Name is mentioned in Blue Color font.
So, lets astrologically understand few salient points:
5 planets in exaltation
Exaltation means the planets are in position of Great Strength and Debilitation means the Strength of the planets is extremely low.
In Ravana's horoscope, 5 Planets are exalted
Sun(Aries), Saturn (Libra), Jupiter (Cancer), Venus(Virgo), Mars(Capricorn)
Sun, represents King, authority, and is exalted in this case. He was and still is regarded highly as a King of Swarna Lanka. Sun aspects the First House of Self making him power hungry and a very authoritative King.
Jupiter Exalted in Cancer, means learned person, wise, Brahmin. Ravana was the son of Brahmin Rishi Vishrava. He was also said to have thorough knowledge of 6 Shashtras and 4 Vedas, another Symbolic meaning given for his 10 Heads.
He was also a Brilliant Astrologer himself. Not many people know that he is the author of one of the great astrological texts used even today 'Ravana Samhita'.
Mars exalted in Capricorn, gives power, agility, making him a great warrior and conqueror of the 3 worlds and all planets. Sometimes Anger, Ego etc can be the negative effects of a high energy Mars. The 4th House where Mars is, indicates Mother. Ravana was influenced in thinking more from his mother Kekasi's over-ambitious, hatred based thinking. 4th House also indicates 'Throne' and Ravana had usurped Lanka from Step Brother 'Kubera' to take over the kingdom is another lore.
Exalted Venus in Pisces gives wealth, riches, luxury and comfortable life. Venus in the 6th House here gives him talents like singing or playing Musical Instruments. Ravana was a splendid 'Veena' player is well known. His mighty roar & cry while performing 'Tandava' to Ravana Shiva Stotram to appease Shiva earned him the name 'RAVANA' (the one who can shake earth with his cry).
Ravana is also credited for creating the Raag 'Kambothi', hence is also known as Sangeetha Ravana.
Finally, exalted Saturn in House 1 or known as Lagna. This placement gave him a long life. Saturn is lord of Aquarius, the 5th House in this horoscope, representing Children. 'Meghnad' (Indrajit) his son was the apple of his eye. Here, Saturn is with Moon in the First House.
Here, Moon is lord of Cancer, i.e. 10th House of Karma, Authority and Administration, which makes him a much revered King.
According to Nadi Astrology, Saturn + Moon makes the person a complete Shiva Bhakt, and Ravana's devotion and meditation to Shiva is well known.
Note: The Planet Mercury here is the only one which is debilitated. Mercury, generally in Hindi known as 'Buddh' signifies 'Buddhi' or intelligence. In debilitation, the planet becomes weak. This is very apt when considered for Ravana, because with all his wisdom, knowledge of Vedas and boons received from heavens, he lost his way of thinking while abducting Sita, and did not concede defeat while fighting Rama even when he was warned by his own brother Kumbhakarna and son Meghnad (Indrajit) that Rama & Lakshmana are no ordinary human beings.
Few Planetary Combinations
The Siblings story.
One of Astrological Rules is Counting from any House, the 6th, 8th and 12th House are not considered auspicious.
Siblings are considered from the 3rd house. Here it is Sagittarius, the Lord of Sagittarius is 'Jupiter' placed in Cancer (House No. 10). if we count from House 3 to House 10, we get '8' houses away. '8' or ashtam is one of the houses of death and doom.
Its well known that the whole Ramayana episode took place because of 'Soorpankha', Ravana's sister.
His brother 'Vibhisana' left Ravana and joined Rama's army.
His step brother 'Kubera' is from whom he forcibly took 'Lanka' from.
Finally his younger brother 'Kumbhakarna' is the only one who stood by his side, even in face of death.
Astrology reveals that Siblings played a major Trigger and Reason in Ravana's doom.
The Death of Ravana.
Look at House No. 8, as stated earlier is the house of Death.
Its Taurus here, the lord of Taurus is Venus placed in House 6. 6th House indicates Competition, opponents, enemies etc. Venus is with Mercury here. Mercury is Lord of Virgo (House No. 12) indicating Moksha(exit), salvation and Gemini (House No. 9) indicating divinity, religion, God etc.
So, to put this interpretation in a single line,
Ravana's death was caused by his opponent or enemy who gave him 'exit' from this world and the person giving this was no ordinary person but one who will have 'divinity' (Rama was an avatar of God Vishnu).
One school of mythological thought is that 'Ravana' of course, being an astute astrologer himself knew this. Hence, to attain Salvation (Moksha) from the hands of Vishnu Avatar, Rama he abducted Sita. This way he made sure, Rama would defeat and kill him. One of the reasons, why after being advised by Kumbhakarna, Meghnad and even by Rama to surrender, he did not concede.
The writer of the blog, Satish Menon is a Teacher, practices stock market astrology and Life Astrologer in Mumbai. One can consult him for accurate predictions and appropriate remedies. Visit www.menonastrology.com
