Astrology. Commentary on the Bhaktamaraka. 10 10

The Presiding Deities of the Asterisms

Now, using the Vasantatilaka Vasantatilaka: A poetic meter of 14 syllables per line, often used for elegant descriptions; its name means "The Ornament of Spring" meter, the author declares the lords presiding deities of the twenty-eight asterisms Nakshatra: The 27 (sometimes 28) lunar mansions or star clusters that the moon passes through in its monthly cycle. Regarding the phrase "Now is said" original: "athocyate" in the sutra: following the previous context, starting from the Ashvini nakshatra, the lords of the asterisms are stated as follows:

1. Ashvini: The Ashvins, the divine physicians. Because the text uses a dual form, it refers to both twins.
2. Bharani: Yama The god of death and justice.
3. Krittika: Vahni The god of fire, Agni.
4. Rohini: Brahma The creator god; the text uses "Roko," a shorthand for Rohini's lord.
5. Mrigashira: Soma The moon deity.
6. Ardra: Rudra A fierce form of Shiva.
7. Punarvasu: Aditi, the mother of the gods.
8. Pushya: Guru Jupiter, the preceptor of the gods. The term Ijya is used here for Guru; according to the lexicon, "Ijya" refers to a teacher or one worthy of sacrifice.
9. Ashlesha: The Uragas The divine serpents.
10. Magha: The Pitris The ancestral spirits.
11. Purva Phalguni: Bhaga The deity of inheritance and marital fruitfulness.
12. Uttara Phalguni: Aryaman One of the solar deities (Adityas) representing nobility and rules.
13. Hasta: Savitri The Sun as the stimulator of life.
14. Chitra: Tvashtra Vishvakarma, the celestial architect.
15. Svati: Samirana Vayu, the god of wind.

Now are stated the lords of the stars beginning with Ashvini: The Twin Physicians, Yama, Fire, the Creator, the Moon, Shambhu, Mother Aditi, Jupiter, and the Serpents;

Bhaga, Aryama, the Sun, Tvashtra, and the one named the Wind. Next, the one who takes the breath of the enemies, the two-formed, and Mitra...

...the one who "takes the breath of the enemies" refers to Indra original: "Indra," the king of the gods. The "two-formed" one original: "rupi" refers to the deity of the water, as the word Apah Apah: The personification of cosmic waters is associated with the origin of form. This refers to the dual nature of the deity associated with the Vishakha nakshatra.

In the case of Vishakha, it is known as "dual-deity" original: "dvi-daivata" because it is presided over by both Agni and Indra. Therefore, it is associated with "mixed" formulas mantras. As it is said: "The power of the deity is shared entirely between the two." This is why it is listed in the second half of the verse.

16. Vishakha: Indra and Agni original: "Indragni".
17. Anuradha: Mitra The solar deity of friendship and alliances.
18. Jyeshtha: Indra The king of the gods, here called "Marutvan".
19. Mula: The Rakshasa referring to Nirriti, the deity of destruction and roots.

Regarding the waters original: "jala", the lexicon of Hemachandra A famous 12th-century scholar and lexicographer notes that the word for "water-lily" or "water-container" is synonymous with the deity of the Purva Ashadha nakshatra...