Leo (Singh)

Number

5

Element

Fire

Ruler

Sun

Astronomical Introduction

Simha, the Lion, is the fifth rashi, or sign of the zodiac. Within the star-field of this rashi fall the whole of the nakshatras (the lunar mansions) Magha and Purva Phalguni, together with the first quarter (the opening pada) of Uttara Phalguni. Magha sits at the lion's forward part and Purva Phalguni forms its middle, while the yogatara of Uttara Phalguni (the principal "junction" star by which a nakshatra is fixed and identified) rests upon the lion's tail. Below Simha lies the constellation called Hrd-Sarpa, the "heart-serpent" (Hydra). From the stars running along the lion's back, a lion cub too is imagined.

The Rigveda alludes to it:

lopasa simham pratyancam atsa (Rigveda 10.28.4)

"The fox sprang upon the lion as it turned to face him."

This is a verse in which there is a description of the star that is seen running ahead of the lion. In Simha, five principal stars are of a yellow (pita) hue; and for this reason the colour assigned to the rashi is taken to be pandu, a pale, pallid yellow-white.

Mythological Account

Across the various civilizations, the names of many rashis shifted by degrees over time; but Simha is one of those signs whose ancient name was taken up exactly as it stood, unchanged. The name was bestowed in honour of the slaying of the lion called the Nemean lion, one of the twelve labours of Hercules. Earlier still, in Egypt, the stars of Simha rashi were held in worship, for when the Sun stood in Simha, the waters of the Nile would rise.

Nature

Of a pale, smoky-yellow hue, this rashi has a form like a lion. Its ruling lord (swami) is Surya, the Sun. Here no graha (the "graspers," the planets and lunar nodes that act upon the chart) is either exalted (uchcha) or debilitated (neecha). In the body it holds dominion over the heart, the liver, the stomach, and the spine. Being of a pitta (bilious) constitution, its temperament is independent, amorous, and magnanimous.

Places

This rashi dwells in forests, forts, mountains, and caverns; in quiet places and in yogashalas (halls of yogic practice); and in lands that are violent and hard to traverse.

Objects

Wheat, paddy, sugar, pulses, grains borne in the husk, jaggery, trees, leather, meat, and wild animals are its substances.

Effects

If the native's (that is, the person whose chart it is) birth rashi or name rashi (the sign taken from the first sound of the name) is Simha, then he is of robust body and large eyes: wealthy, learned, dignified, truthful, and valiant, of a sharp and commanding ruler's temperament, yet generous and open-handed in giving. In life he attains high office in administration and the like. He profits from land. He gains victory over his enemies. He undertakes journeys to foreign lands.

He keeps excellent relations with those of Mesha (Aries), Mithuna (Gemini), Karka (Cancer), Kanya (Virgo), Vrishchika (Scorpio), Dhanu (Sagittarius), and Meena (Pisces) rashis, while with those of Vrisha (Taurus), Tula (Libra), Makara (Capricorn), and Kumbha (Aquarius) there is often enmity. At times of inauspicious influence, the native turns proud and obstinate.

Diseases

Diseases of the stomach, liver, and abdomen; injury to the head, teeth, eyes, throat, and forehead; mental anguish; high fever; and afflictions of the heart.