Pisces (Meen)

Number

12

Element

Water

Ruler

Jupiter

Astronomical Introduction

The stars that fall within this rashi (zodiac sign) appear like two fish, and it is from them that the sign takes its name, Meen ("fish"). These two fish are the constellations Mahameen (the Great Fish) and Dakshinameen (the Southern Fish). The Mahameen constellation lies to the south of Kumbha (Aquarius) and to the southeast of Makara (Capricorn). The principal star of Meen falls in the Dakshinameen, in the matsya-mukha (the fish's mouth), which faces east. This principal star is very large and bright, and is easily identified. Within this rashi fall one quarter (one pada) of the Purvabhadrapada nakshatra (lunar mansion) and the whole of the Uttarabhadrapada and Revati nakshatras. One of the chief stars of this sign is named after Jayanti, the daughter of Indra.

Puranic Account

Meen's mythological connection is bound up especially with the deluge (pralaya) story of Prajapati Manu, Manu being the progenitor of mankind in the tradition. In the Rigveda there is a description of a boat upon the Akashaganga, the celestial Ganga (the Milky Way). As it is said:

rajja sindhunam avasishtha vasah |

ritasya nava ara aruhat rajishtham || (Rigveda 9/89/2)

"The king of the waters abided in his dwelling; he mounted the straightest boat of rita, of cosmic order."

Meen is also one of the names of Kamadeva, the god of love, because the emblem of a fish is set upon his banner (pataka); perhaps it is for this reason that Shukra (Venus), the graha (planet) of love, holds exaltation (uccha) in Meen. In Greek legend, too, the goddess Venus (Shukra) and her son Cupid (Kama) once leapt into the sea, and the two of them transformed themselves into the shape of fish.

Nature

This sign, of a murky, dull colour, has the form of two fish swimming in water, their tails set in each other's mouths. Its lord (swami) is Guru (Jupiter). It is the sign of exaltation (uccha) for Shukra (Venus) and of debilitation (neecha) for Budha (Mercury). In the body, it governs both feet and the heels. Being a sign of kapha disposition (the phlegmatic humour), its temperament is excellent and gentle. This sign gives rise to devotion toward the gods (deva-bhakti) and to the impulse to give away in charity (dana) even all that one possesses.

Places

It resides in places of flowers, in temples, places of pilgrimage (tirtha), rivers, the sea, waters, lakes, dams, and islands.

Associated Objects

Fish, marine gems, all substances born of water, and sea birds.

Effects

If the birth-sign (janma rashi) or the name-sign (nama rashi) is Meen, the native (jataka) is handsome, of beautiful gaze, honest, wealthy, esteemed, guileless, and simple in nature. He is a writer and a scholar (vidvan), devoted to mother, father, and the gods; affectionate toward guests; fond of fragrance; a lover of music; self-restrained (samyami) and master of his senses (jitendriya). He is also skilled in the science of weapons (shastra-vidya). He gains victory over his enemies. He obtains hidden wealth, or earns his profit from liquid substances. He remains under the sway of his wife.

Friendship holds with those born under Mesha (Aries), Karka (Cancer), Simha (Leo), and Dhanu (Sagittarius); opposition holds with those under Vrisha (Taurus), Mithuna (Gemini), Kanya (Virgo), and Tula (Libra).

Under inauspicious (ashubha) influence, the native becomes addicted to intoxicants, licentious, and a drunkard. He quickly loses his enthusiasm for good works. An inclination toward indulgence and toward wickedness sets in. A yoga (combination) for imprisonment is formed.

Diseases

Fever, ailments of cold, secret (venereal) diseases, and diseases arising from intoxicating substances.