Capricorn (Makar)

Number

10

Element

Earth

Ruler

Saturn

Astronomical Introduction

The figure of Makara, the Capricorn rashi (zodiac sign), appears with its front half like a deer and its rear half like a fish. The stars of the Uttarashadha nakshatra (lunar mansion) fall in its head region, and on the horn of the head sit two stars, one of which is yellow in colour. In truth the stars of the Makara constellation are not especially bright, nor do the stars of any nakshatra fall within this rashi: the Shravana and Dhanishtha nakshatras that are reckoned to belong to it actually lie somewhat apart from it, and only half of Dhanishtha is counted within it.

When the Sun (Surya) enters Makara, the Uttarayana, the Sun's northward course, begins at the same moment; this is why Makar Sankranti is held to be of great importance.

Puranic Account

Makara is said to be the vahana (mount) of Varuna, the lord of the waters. According to the Padma Purana, a daitya (demon) named Makarasura stole the Vedas from Brahma and fled with them into the ocean; Lord Vishnu, taking the Matsya (fish) avatara, brought them up from the floor of the great sea and destroyed that asura.

In Western accounts this rashi is called Capricorn, which means "goat." In the Greek legends, the god Pan, in his delight at the downfall of the demon Typhon, gave a great leap and emerged in the form of a sea-goat, which took its place in the sky as this constellation. Another legend tells that Pan assumed the form of a goat upon seeing apsaras (celestial nymphs) bathing in a river.

Nature

Light red, yellow, or brown in colour, this rashi has a form like a crocodile. Its lord (swami) is Shani (Saturn). It is the sign of exaltation (uccha) for Mangal (Mars) and of debilitation (neecha) for Guru (Jupiter). It holds sway over both knees and over the joints of the body. Being of vata constitution (vata, the "air" humour of Ayurveda), its disposition is to produce ambition and a craving for high rank.

Places

This rashi dwells in such places as rivers, channels, waterfalls, forests where there is water, tirthas (sacred pilgrimage fords), the seashore, and islands.

Objects

Sugarcane, creepers, timber, boats, ships, crocodiles, and other water-creatures.

Effects

If the birth rashi (the sign occupied by the Moon at birth) or the name rashi (the sign indicated by the first syllable of one's name) is Makara, the jataka (the native, the person whose chart it is) has beautiful eyes, a handsome form, a slim waist, and black hair. He is steadfast, learned, truthful, plain-spoken, and a shrutidhar, one whose memory is so sharp that he retains whatever he hears. He becomes a high official, dear to the king, though his blunt, straightforward dealings make many enemies for him. Such a native's wife is beautiful and full-bodied. He loves his children and adds to the renown of his kula (family line).

Natives of the Vrisha (Taurus), Mithuna (Gemini), Kanya (Virgo), Tula (Libra), and Kumbha (Aquarius) rashis are friendly toward him, while those of the Mesha (Aries), Karka (Cancer), Simha (Leo), and Vrishchika (Scorpio) rashis hold enmity.

Under inauspicious influence the native turns lazy, conceited, ill-tempered, and greedy; he forms illicit relationships with women of a class beneath his own; he is troubled by fear of dogs and the like; and he remains liable to a fall from a height.

Diseases

Pain in the knees, arthritis, fear of water, chills, hysteria, leprosy, and diseases of the skin.