“In the Light of the Sun: The Soul According to Parashar”

Ancient Astrology Explained by Ashish Pande

The foundational branch of Vedic astrology is known as Brihat Parashar Shastra. One of the earliest and most respected classics of astrology is the Parashar Hora Shastra, authored by the sage Parashar Ji. This ancient text is presented as a dialogue between a guru (Parashar) and his disciple, Maitreya.

Maitreya begins by asking about the secret of the origin of the world. In response, Parashar Ji explains that the Sun is the fundamental cause of creation and the origin of life. The placement of the Sun in the twelve houses of the horoscope reveals insights into a person's origin and life purpose. Since the Sun represents the soul, the house it occupies can unveil the deeper reason behind one’s birth.

For instance:

• If the Sun is in the sixth house, it indicates a life purpose centered around service or helping others, as the sixth house signifies service.

• If the Sun is in the fifth house, it may point to a life devoted to acquiring or sharing knowledge, as the fifth house governs education and intellect.

The Significance of Planets According to Parashar Ji

Parashar Ji explains to Maitreya that every planet holds a unique significance and role. The Sun, for example, is associated with father, fame, and authority.

Planets are categorized into four aspects:

1. Karaka (Significator/Factor)

2. Varna (Caste)

3. Guna (Quality)

4. Element (Tattva)

1. Signification of Planets in Vedic Astrology

In Vedic astrology, each planet has a specific role or signification that relates to different aspects of life. The signification of a planet shows the areas in which its energy is felt and how it manifests in a person’s life.

• Sun (Surya): Represents self, ego, authority, father, and vitality. The Sun signifies the soul, leadership, and confidence. It also governs government, status, and career.

  Example: A strong Sun in the 10th house (House of Career) signifies a person who is likely to be a natural leader in their profession, confident, and focused on achieving recognition.

• Moon (Chandra): Represents the mind, emotions, mother, and nurturing energy. The Moon governs mental peace, emotional well-being, and maternal instincts. It also relates to the home and family environment.

  Example: A prominent Moon in the 4th house signifies an individual who is emotionally connected to family, likely to have a peaceful home life and deep emotional intelligence.

• Mars (Mangal): Represents energy, action, passion, and aggression. Mars signifies ambition, drive, and courage. It also governs physical strength and warrior-like qualities.

  Example: A person with Mars in the 7th house may have passionate relationships or be highly assertive in partnerships, sometimes even leading to conflicts due to aggressive tendencies.

• Mercury (Budh): Represents communication, intellect, and logic. Mercury governs thought processes, communication skills, and intellectual pursuits. It also rules business, commerce, and writing.

  Example: Someone with Mercury in the 3rd house (House of Communication) may be mentally sharp, a great speaker, and highly adaptable in discussions, excelling in fields like journalism or teaching.

• Jupiter (Guru): Represents wisdom, knowledge, spirituality, and growth. Jupiter governs the higher mind, teaching, learning, and spiritual wisdom.

  Example: A person with Jupiter in the 9th house (House of Higher Learning) might be deeply interested in philosophy, spirituality, and higher education, with a natural inclination to teach others.

• Venus (Shukra): Represents love, beauty, arts, and harmony. Venus governs aesthetic sense, relationships, pleasures, and luxuries.

  Example: Someone with Venus in the 5th house (House of Creativity) will likely have a strong appreciation for the arts, romance, and creative expression, possibly excelling in careers related to fashion, music, or art.

• Saturn (Shani): Represents discipline, structure, karma, and limitation. Saturn governs hard work, perseverance, and life lessons, teaching responsibility and endurance through obstacles and challenges.

  Example: A person with Saturn in the 6th house (House of Service) may face delays or struggles in their career or health, but with persistence and effort, they will eventually experience success through discipline.

2. Varna (Caste) of Planets: Social Roles and Nature

In Vedic astrology, Varna refers to the caste or social nature of each planet. This classification reflects the planet's social role or behavior in the chart and how it influences the individual’s social interactions and responsibilities.

• Sun: Represents the Kshatriya (Warrior Class).

• Moon: Represents the Vaishya (Merchant Class).

• Mars: Also associated with the Kshatriya (Warrior Class).

• Mercury: Represents the Vaishya (Merchant Class)

• Jupiter: Associated with the Brahmin caste.

• Venus: Associated with the Brahmin caste.

• Saturn: Saturn is often seen as a Shudra.

  For example:

  • If Sun and Mars are in the 10th house, the person may work in areas related to defense, military, or sports, demonstrating a warrior-like approach.

  • If Moon and Mercury occupy the 10th house, the person may adopt a business-oriented work style.

  • When Saturn is placed in or aspects the 10th house, it suggests a life rooted in service or labor.

Each planet’s Varna helps define how an individual interacts with others, takes responsibility, and contributes to society, as well as how they experience their social identity.

3. Guna (Qualities) of Planets: Nature and Temperament

In Vedic philosophy, Guna refers to the qualities or attributes that govern the planets, signs, and individuals. The three Gunas — Sattva (goodness, balance), Rajas (passion, activity), and Tamas (inertia, darkness) — represent the core psychological and spiritual nature of a person or object.

• Sun: Rajasic with Sattvic elements. The Sun signifies action, leadership, and ego, but it also brings wisdom and spiritual clarity.

• Moon: Primarily Sattvic. The Moon governs emotions, mind, and nurturing energy, bringing calmness, compassion, and peace.

• Mars: Primarily Rajasic. Mars is associated with action, passion, and aggression, often leading to an individual’s competitive nature.

• Mercury: Rajasic and sometimes Sattvic. Mercury is related to communication, intellect, and quick thinking, often indicating a dynamic, mental personality.

• Jupiter: Sattvic. Jupiter governs wisdom, spirituality, and growth, bringing optimism, faith, and a desire for higher knowledge.

• Venus: Rajasic with a Sattvic influence in artistic or spiritual expressions. Venus relates to beauty, relationships, and pleasures, influencing how one enjoys life and love.

• Saturn: Primarily Tamasic with elements of Sattva. Saturn signifies discipline, limitations, and responsibility, teaching life lessons through hard work and obstacles.

The first house of a horoscope reveals a person’s nature and personality. For example:

• If the Moon is in the first house, and the house lord is with Jupiter, it shows strong Sattvic qualities—a peaceful and content disposition.

• Conversely, a person driven by jealousy or conflict may have dominant Tamasic influences—possibly through Saturn or Mars.

Practical Applications: Gemstones and Activation

Parashar Ji emphasizes the importance of strengthening planets through gemstones, which activate both their significance and element. For instance:

• For someone with Aries (Mesh) Lagna, strengthening Saturn can enhance the 10th house (career) and 11th house (income).

• Wearing a blue sapphire (Neelam) activates Saturn’s air element and qualities.

• Yellow sapphire (Pukhraj) activates Jupiter, enhancing the space element and its associated qualities.

4. Tattva (Element) of Planets: The Basic Energies

In Vedic astrology, the Tattva (Element) of each planet reveals the underlying energetic essence that influences its behavior. Each planet is linked to one of the five elements of nature: Earth (Prithvi), Water (Apas), Fire (Tejas), Air (Vayu), and Ether (Akasha). These elements shape the planet's qualities and how it affects different areas of life.

• Sun: Fire (Tejas) – The Sun’s energy is fiery, representing action, vitality, and power.

• Moon: Water (Apas) – The Moon’s energy is emotional, representing intuition, sensitivity, and nourishment.

• Mars: Fire (Tejas) – Mars embodies energy, aggression, and courage, making it a planet of action and transformation.

• Mercury: Air (Vayu) – Mercury is associated with communication, intellect, and mental flexibility.

• Jupiter: Space (Akasha) – Jupiter represents wisdom, spirituality, and expansion, associated with the most subtle of elements.

• Venus: Water (Apas) – Venus governs emotions, love, and pleasure, making its energy fluid and nurturing.

• Saturn: Earth (Prithvi) – Saturn represents stability, discipline, and material reality, linked to the solid, grounded element of Earth.Physical and Psychological Traits from Planets

  Parashar Ji also describes the physical and mental characteristics governed by each planet:

  • A person influenced strongly by the Sun may have honey-brown eyes, a broad body, high intelligence, and less body hair—often leading to baldness. This is frequently observed in people in administrative roles.

  • A person ruled by the Moon may suffer from cold or cough-related issues, have a round body, charming personality, and speak sweetly.

  In terms of the body:

  • Sun governs bones

  • Mars governs blood

  • Venus governs reproductive fluids (semen)

  Even food preferences can indicate planetary strengths or weaknesses:

  • Someone who craves extra salt might have an imbalanced Sun.

  • Someone who drinks less water may also show signs of a weakened Sun.

In conclusion, the planets in Vedic astrology are not just distant celestial bodies but active forces that shape our lives and destinies. By understanding their significations, varna, gunas, and tattvas, we unlock a deeper understanding of how the cosmos influences our personality, relationships, career, and spiritual journey. Through careful observation and interpretation, astrology allows us to align with these energies, making more informed decisions and living a more harmonious life.

Thank you for taking the time to explore these astrological insights. I hope this article has provided clarity and inspired you to delve deeper into the fascinating world of Vedic astrology.