Taurus (Vrishabh)

Number

2

Element

Earth

Ruler

Venus

Astronomical Introduction

The vrisha, the bull, is described in the Rigveda (4/1 and 6/56). Forty-four principal stars of this rashi (zodiac sign) can be seen with the naked eye. The rashi contains three-quarters of the Krittika nakshatra (lunar mansion), the whole of Rohini, and half of Mrigashira; within it, Rohini sits at the bull's head and Krittika upon its back. In 1054 CE, Chinese and Japanese astronomers observed the explosion of a great star, a supernova, within this rashi.

Mythological Account

The bull is the vahana (mount) of Bhagavan Shiva, Nandi. In ancient times, bull worship was practiced across all civilizations. The Rigveda records one of the Lord's avataras (incarnations) in the form of Vrishakapi. Seals recovered from the Mohenjo-daro civilization depict the figure of a bull with a tall, high hump. In the Lingayat tradition, the bull (Vrishabha) is held to be an avatara of the Lord. In Egypt, the bull was regarded as a deity. In Greek legend, Jupiter, the chief god of Olympus, took the form of a bull in order to carry off the princess Europa; once he had seated her on his back, he ran off and began to swim across the sea to Crete, and ever since, in the Greek tradition, the bull is shown with its forepart emerging from the sea. In Egypt, the bull was worshipped as procreative power.

Nature

This white-colored rashi has the form of a bull. Its lord (swami) is Shukra (Venus), and it is the exaltation (uchcha) rashi of Chandra (the Moon); no graha is debilitated (neecha) in this rashi. In the body, it governs the region from the mouth to the neck, and the lower jaw. Of vata constitution (the wind humor of Ayurveda), its temperament is selfish yet industrious, and given to worldly affairs.

Places

This rashi dwells in forests, mountain peaks, cowsheds, animal shelters, dairy farms, cowherds' settlements, grazing pastures, farmland, water-filled fields, orchards and gardens, and open grounds.

Associated Objects

Cow, bull, domestic animals, rice, cotton, flowers, and the wheat crop.

Effects

If the birth rashi (janma rashi, the Moon-sign at birth) or the name-rashi (nama rashi, the sign taken from one's name) is Vrishabha, the native (jataka) is well-mannered, truthful, benevolent, respectful toward parents and guru, skilled in assemblies, calm of mind, and forbearing. He honors ancient institutions and codes of conduct (maryada), keeps many friends, and is generous by nature. He profits from farming and trade and comes into wealth suddenly. He lives a comfortable life full of authority, though in carrying out his work he sometimes turns lazy. He is fond of women, and obedient.

People of the rashis Mithuna (Gemini), Kanya (Virgo), Makara (Capricorn), and Kumbha (Aquarius) prove excellent in their dealings with him, while there is a likelihood of conflict with those of Karka (Cancer) and Simha (Leo). Under inauspicious (ashubha) influence, the native turns into a thief and grows idle and unproductive; and he takes a blow to the chest from an enemy.

Diseases

He suffers afflictions of the eyes and throat, cough, and cold-related ailments; he is troubled by glandular diseases (granthi), and remains fearful of animals.