Aries (Mesh)

Number

1

Element

Fire

Ruler

Mars

Astronomical Introduction

Mesha is the first rashi (zodiacal sign) along the Sun's path, the Ravi-marga or ecliptic. Eighteen principal stars can be seen within the Mesha constellation (mandala). In this rashi, the nakshatra (lunar mansion) Ashwini lies in the ram's tail, Bharani nakshatra at its head, and the first pada (quarter) of Krittika is also included. To the north of this constellation lie the stars of the Timi mandala, the constellation of the sea-monster, Cetus.

Mythological Account

This rashi is named after Indra, who once assumed the form of a medha (ram).

tyam suḥ meṣam mahayā svaḥ (Rigveda 1/52/1)

"Glorify well that ram [Indra], the finder of heaven and light."

According to the Matsya Purana (148/64), Indra took the form of a ram in order to break the tapasya (austere penance) of Vrajanga's wife. According to the Matsya Purana (6/33), the ram was born of the Rishi Kashyapa and Tamra. When the Sun enters Mesha rashi, an eight-petalled lotus (ashtadala kamala) is fashioned from akshata (unbroken rice grains) and the Sun is worshipped; this worship brings increase and prosperity of every kind. In ancient times the significance of Mesha Sankranti (the Sun's ingress into Aries) lay in its being the vishuvat, the equinox, when day and night are equal.

The chief nakshatra of this rashi bears the name of the Ashwini Kumaras. In order to learn the Madhu Vidya (the honey-doctrine) from the Rishi Dadhichi, they first replaced his head with the head of a horse; but later Indra, in his anger, cut off the Rishi's head, and it is for this reason that this nakshatra, too, appears horse-like in form. In almost all ancient traditions the ram has been linked with divinity. To bring back the apsara Urvashi from Pururava, the Gandharvas stole away her beloved rams. Together with the apsara, the ram stands as a symbol of the primordial power (adi shakti), of the self-existent (svayambhu), and of the source of life itself.

In the Greek legends this rashi is called Aries, and it possesses the power of flight. At the bidding of Budha (Mercury, Hermes), this ram protected a son of the queen of Shilaje. Impressed by this deed, Jupiter (Zeus), emperor of the Greek gods, granted this rashi the very first place. In the ancient Egyptian (Mishra) tradition the ram is held to be a symbol of kama-shakti (the power of desire) and of generative, procreative power; one of their deities bears a ram's head and is the guardian of the river Nile.

Nature

This red-coloured rashi has a form resembling a goat. Its lord (swami) is Mangal (Mars). It is the exaltation (uccha) sign of Surya (the Sun) and the debilitation (neecha) sign of Shani (Saturn). In the body it holds dominion over the region of the head, the brain, extending up to the upper jaw. Being of pitta nature (the fiery, bilious humour of Ayurveda), the temperament of this rashi is courageous and inclined to help its friends.

Places

This rashi dwells in places where sheep and goats roam, in forests and mountains, in caves, in places of fire, in underground mines of metals and gems, and in places of theft.

Objects

Sheep, goats, woollen garments, barley (jau), lentils (masoor), medicinal herbs (aushadhi), gold, and the like are the objects belonging to this rashi.

Effects of the Rashi

If the janma rashi (the Moon-sign at birth) or the naam rashi (the sign of the name) is Mesha, the jataka (native) is of slender body and red eyes. He is wealthy, blessed with sons, cheerful, lustrous and radiant (tejasvi), devoted to the gods and to the guru, an eater of other and varied food, and desirous of residing abroad. He dispatches all his tasks swiftly, holds a position full of authority, especially as a senior officer in the war department, the army, the police, or the forest service (jungalat), and receives royal honours; or else he attains advancement and wealth through some independent profession. So benevolent is he that even should he grow idle in his own work, he will assuredly see his friends' work done.

People of the Karka (Cancer), Simha (Leo), Vrishchika (Scorpio), Dhanu (Sagittarius), and Meena (Pisces) rashis are beneficial for him; he generally does not get along with those of the Mithuna (Gemini) and Kanya (Virgo) rashis.

Under inauspicious (ashubha) influence, the native becomes irritable in temperament and has unclean nails. On account of falling from a height, accidents, and the like, he suffers injury or pain in the head.

Diseases

Indigestion (ajeerna), disorders of the abdomen (udar roga), seizures or fits, boils and pimples, burning sensation (daah), and eye disease; and there remains a fear of danger from fire (agni).