Sagittarius (Dhanu)

Number

9

Element

Fire

Ruler

Jupiter

Astronomical Introduction

The stars that belong to Dhanu rashi, the zodiacal sign Sagittarius, are not especially bright, yet the central portion of the Akash Ganga (the Milky Way) falls within this sign. Its figure resembles a creature whose upper half, from the torso up, is human, while the lower half is that of a horse; in its hand it holds a dhanush (a bow), and it is from this bow that the sign takes its name.

By the positions of the stars, two nakshatras, the lunar mansions Purvashadha and Uttarashadha, fall within this rashi. For the purpose of reckoning the rashis against the nakshatras, however, this sign is taken to include the Mula nakshatra, the whole of Purvashadha, and one quarter of Uttarashadha. Purvashadha sits in the shape of a brick along the eastern bank of the Akash Ganga; indeed two of its stars lie within the Milky Way itself, and its northernmost star is named Tulsi.

Mythological Description

The Akash Ganga is mentioned for the very first time in the Rigveda under the name Somdhara, "the stream of Soma":

somasya dhārā pavate, "the stream of Soma flows forth." (Rigveda 9/80/1)

The ninth Mandala of the Rigveda in particular is filled with many lovely poetic conceptions about the Milky Way. It is spoken of as Devamata Aditi, the divine mother, the mother of Surya (the Sun) and of the other devatas:

mātā devānām, "the mother of the gods." (Rigveda 1/113/19)

In the Greek legends this sign is known as Sagittarius, who was a Centaur, a nara-turanga, a "man-horse," that is, a creature human-like above the shoulders and horse-like in body. In one tale a Centaur named Chiron (Shiron) dwelt in a cave called Pelethron, and he imparted learning to many of the Greek heroes. Later he was given a place in the sky, and in the Centaur formed within this sign the face and the bow point toward Vrishchika (Scorpio), while the tail lies toward Makara rashi (Capricorn).

In every one of its forms this sign acts as a bridge between the human and the divine. It is for this reason that the ninth bhava, the ninth house, the domain of life governing dharma, is also called the dharma-bhava, the house that spreads the seed of divinity through human life.

Nature

Of fiery hue, this sign takes the form of a man holding a bow, the part of his body below the waist being that of a horse. Its lord (swami) is Guru (Jupiter). Ketu is exalted (uccha) in it, and Rahu is debilitated (neecha). In the body it governs both the thighs and the hips. Being of pitta (bilious, fiery) constitution, its disposition is to foster a love of authority, a sense of propriety and decorum (maryada), and compassion (karuna).

Places

This rashi resides in horse-stables, forts, military cantonments, vehicle depots, roads, sacrificial grounds (yajna-bhumi), places of pilgrimage (tirtha), level ground, and courts and law-courts.

Associated Objects

Deer, the horse, petroleum, vitamins, salts, weapons and arms (astra-shastra), and the bow.

Effects

If the birth rashi or the name rashi is Dhanu, the native (jataka) is nimble, with a thick neck, large ears, a large nose, and short feet. He is of a religious disposition, a devotee of the gods, a plain and outspoken speaker, ascetic (tapasvi), guileless, and fortunate. He delivers excellent discourses, is accomplished in poetry and literature, and is proficient in many arts or professions. He receives honour from the state. He seldom derives any special benefit from salaried employment. He undertakes many pilgrimages. He can never be brought under control by force, but is won over by being shown affection.

He keeps friendship with those of the Mesha (Aries), Karka (Cancer), Simha (Leo), and Vrishchika (Scorpio) rashis, while with those of the Vrishabha (Taurus), Mithuna (Gemini), Kanya (Virgo), and Tula (Libra) rashis there is frequent discord. Under inauspicious (ashubha) influence, the native turns stubborn in temperament and grows attached to other men's wives (para-stri).

Diseases

Pain in the body's joints, wounds, arthritis, paralysis, typhoid, and disorders of the nervous system (snayu vikara).