Cancer (Kark)

Number

4

Element

Water

Ruler

Moon

Astronomical Introduction

The constellation of Karka rashi (the sign Cancer) is the smallest constellation on the Ravi-marga, the ecliptic, the Sun's apparent path through the sky, and 13 stars can be seen within it. One end of it touches the Hydra constellation (the water-serpent). It also contains a star cluster named Madhu Chakra (the "honeycomb"), which forms the main body of the crab, while two stars lie on the front legs of the east-facing crab. This rashi contains the final portion of the Punarvasu nakshatra (lunar mansion) and the whole of the Pushya and Ashlesha nakshatras.

Mythological and Puranic Account

Karka rashi represents the four matras (the measures, or morae) of the Pranava, Om, which in turn signify the four states of consciousness: jagrat (waking), svapna (dreaming), sushupti (deep sleep), and turiya (the fourth, transcendent state). According to the Brahmanda Purana (4/12/78), this crab (Karkata) was the son of a daitya (demon) named Bhandasura.

In the Greek legends, while Hercules was occupied in battle with the serpent, a crab, at Juno's command, nipped him, and Hercules killed it; but the goddess Juno revived it and set it in the sky as a constellation. The Chaldeans regarded the bright star of Karka rashi as an opening in the heavens, the path by which souls descended to enter human bodies. Egyptian legend took Karka rashi to be a honeybee, and it is after this that its principal star is called Madhuchakra (the honeycomb). In reality this is a cluster of 121 or more stars.

Nature

Pink in colour, this rashi has the form of a crab. Its lord (swami) is Chandra, the Moon. It is the sign of exaltation (uccha) for Guru (Jupiter) and the sign of debilitation (neecha) for Mangal (Mars). In the body it holds dominion over the chest, the breasts, the heart, and the blood. Being of kapha constitution (kapha, the phlegm humour), its disposition is to generate advancement and peace in the world, to be modest, and to conduct itself in keeping with the times.

Places

This rashi dwells in fields, rivers, sea-shores, ponds, wells, public water-stalls (pyau), step-wells (baori), water-logged ground, and charming places.

Associated Objects

Coconut, banana, orange, sweet lime (mosambi), pulses, sugar, lemon, tea, spices, carrot, and the creatures and plants that live in water.

Effects

If the birth rashi (janma rashi) or the name rashi (nama rashi) is Karka, the native (jataka) is of medium height, handsome, well-built with full cheeks, skilled in the shastras (the scriptures and sciences), compassionate, and quick in his movements. He serves and honours his parents and holy persons (sadhus), is dear to his friends, and is easily swayed by women. His wife is pativrata (faithful and devoted to her husband), yet he himself takes his pleasure with other men's women. Through his own purushartha (personal effort) and in employment and the like, the native enhances the fame of his lineage (vamsha). He is fond of liquids.

He keeps generally auspicious (shubha) relations with the natives of all rashis, but has especially excellent relations with the Mesha (Aries), Mithuna (Gemini), Simha (Leo), Kanya (Virgo), and Meena (Pisces) rashis. Under inauspicious (ashubha) influence, the native becomes addicted to vices and dissolute, keeps the company of wicked people, and is often held guilty in some matters.

Diseases

Ailments of the chest, the waist, and the forehead; wounds or sores; cancer; digestive weakness; cough; pneumonia; and disorders arising from narcotic drugs.