Nakshatras and Gunas

By YENBEEYES

Date: 14.11.2007

In this article I plan to explain the concept of Nakshatra from the point of view of gunas,

In the Mahabharata-Aswamedha Parva-Sections XXXVI to XXXIX we get the clear explanations of the Gunas.

“Brahma (Prajapati) said, “Darkness, Passion and Goodness – these are called the three qualities.”

Even though this article is not to explain the 3 qualities, which can be read from any good book on Hinduism or from the Internet web-sites, yet it is essential to have a basic understanding of the same to have it related to Nakshatras. I would advise readers to go through any good translation of the Mahabharata chapter given above,

Darkness is TAMAS.Passion is RAJASGoodness is SATWA

Of the 3 gunas Tamas is the lowest followed by Rajas and Satwa. Tamas keeps us in a state of ignorance, laziness, inaction, delusion and darkness. Rajas is action to get the desires fulfilled. It is the passion that drives one into action, often not getting the expected results which leads to further action. Satwa is happiness and enjoyment irrespective of the results of our action. Satwa is knowledge, wisdom and the calm and quiet of the mind.

Each and every one of us has a varying combination of the three gunas. At any point of time one particular guna may be predominant which is subject to change. Chapter XIV of Bhagavad Gita also we find a clear explanation of the three gunas.

Now coming to the topic of discussion, since we, human beings are a mixture of the 3 Gunas, it must have a definite relationship with the planets, rasis and Nakshatras. Let us take up what is in store with regard to Nakshatras.

Each Nakshatra has a certain guna which you will find in any basic characteristics of the Nakshatra table. For example Ashwini Nakshatra is Rajas, Bharani is Tamas and Krittika is Satwa. If you deeply look into the Guna table of Nakshatras you will find that these 3 qualities viz. Rajas, Tamas and Satwa repeat in the same order after every three Nakshatras.

Let us find out all the Nakshatras that have Rajas guna:Ashwini, Rohini, Punarvasu, Magha, Hasta, Vishaka, Moola, Shravana, Purvabhadrapada making a total of 9 Nakshatras.

These Nakshatras coincide with the signs Aries, Taurus, Gemini, Cancer, Leo, Virgo, Libra, Sagittarius, Capricorn and Aquarius.

Note also the nature of the signs – Fiery (Aries), Earthy (Taurus), Airy (Gemini), Watery (Cancer), Fiery (Leo), Earthy (Virgo), Airy (Libra), Fiery (Sagittarius), Earthy (Capricorn) and Airy (Aquarius).

Similarly you can list out the Nakshatras which have Tamas and Satwa Guna and their coincidence with the signs. I leave it for the readers to prepare the same.

The three levels of Nakshatra

First Level:

1. Let us divide the 27 Nakshatras into 3 groups, each group having 9 Nakshatras. The first 9 Nakshatras from Ashwini to Aslesha will be the first group. Incidentally these 9 Nakshatras fall within the first four signs namely, Aries, Taurus, Gemini and Cancer-being the first Fiery, Earthy, Airy and watery signs.

2. When you take the next 9 Nakshatras from Magha to Jyeshta, they will fall in the signs starting from Leo and ending in Scorpio-which will be the second Fiery, Earthy, Airy and watery signs.

3. The last 9 Nakshatras viz., Moola to Revathi will be falling in the signs Sagittarius to Pisces-the last Fiery, Earthy, Airy and watery signs.

Rajas is the most active of the gunas, has motion and stimulation as its characteristics. Then next one is Tamas which is characterized by heaviness and resistance producing disturbances in the process of perception. Finally Satwa comes which is characterized by lightness, consciousness, pleasure and clarity.

Hence we will have this order throughout this article – Rajas, Tamas and Satwa,

Applying this rule to the above the three divisions of 9 Nakshatras each, the first group is of Rajas quality, the second group is of Tamas and the third group is of Satwa quality.

Readers at this stage will get a doubt – Why such specific qualities are to be attributed and is there any basis for this? Correct thinking. We have already seen that each human being is a mixture of all the 3 qualities and hence each Nakshatra also must have all the 3 qualities. Since the original order given by rishis is Rajas, Tamas and Satwa we will also stick to the same principle. All the divisions which we are going to make for each Nakshatra will have the order Rajas-Tamas-Satwa.

We have just seen one quality of the Nakshatra and the other two qualities are also to be fixed for each Nakshatra. So let us proceed to the next level.

SECOND LEVEL:

Now let us take the first group of 9 Nakshatras – viz. from Ashwini to Aslesha. We have already fixed one guna for this group which is Rajas. Now to fix the next guna for each of these Nakshatras, let us divide these 9 Nakshatras into 3 groups of 3 Nakshatras. So this group will be:

Ashwini Rohini Punarvasu

Bharan Mrigasirsh Pushya

i a

Krittika Ardra Aslesha

Applying the same rule of fixing the gunas as before the first 3 groups forming the Nakshatras – Ashwini, Bharani and Krittika will have Rajas quality and the next three Nakshatras Rohini, Mrigasirsha and Ardra will have Tamas quality and the last group of Nakshatras Punarvasu, Pushya and Aslesha will have Satwik qualities.

THIRD LEVEL:

This is the original Guna which you will find in any Nakshatra characteristics table which has been explained in the beginning. That is to say that the Rajas, Tamas and Satwa gunas repeat for every 3 Nakshatras starting from Rajas for Ashwini.

The gunas at the three levels:

What we have seen here is a rather complicated system in which a Nakshatra represents certain gunas at certain levels.

I will explain, at the cost of repetition, the various levels for 3 Nakshatras. Readers are advised to compute the same for the rest of the Nakshatras to get a hold on the principle.

Ashwini Nakshatra:

I Level is – RajasII Level is – RajasIII Level is – Rajas

Hence for Ashwini we write Rajas-Rajas-Raja or in short RRR

The first level will be Rajas up to Aslesha Nakshatra and the 2nd level will be Rajas up to Krittika. But the third level will change for each Nakshatra.

Bharani Nakshatra:

I Level is RajasII Level is RajasIII Level is Tamas

Hence for Bharani we write Rajas-Rajas-Tamas (RRT)

Similarly for Krittika it will be Rajas-Rajas-Satwik.

The second level change happens at Rohini Nakshatra

Rohini Nakshatra:

I Level is RajasII Level is TamasIII Level is Rajas

For Mrigasirsha it will be Rajas-Tamas-Tamas (RTT)

I have constructed a complete table for all the Nakshatra Padas which is appended here: (Abbreviations have been used for Rasi and Rasi lords: Ar-Aries, Ta-Taurus, Ge-Gemini, Cn-Cancer, Le-Leo, Vi-Virgo, Li-Libra, Sc-Scorpio, Sg-Sagittarius, Cp-Capricorn, Aq-Aquarius, Pi-Pisces;

Su-Sun, Mo-Moon, Ma– Mars, Me-Mercury, Ju-Jupiter, Ve-Venus, Sa-Saturn, Ra-Rahu, Ke-Ketu, As.-Lagna)

GUNAS

Navamsa I level II level III level

Pada Pada Pada Rajas Tamas Satwa

Nakshatra Degree Rasi No Rasi Lord

Ashwini 00.00 - 03.20 Ar 1 Ar Ma Rajas Rajas Rajas

Ashvini 03.20 - 06.40 Ar 2 Ta Ve Rajas Rajas Rajas

Ashwini 06.40 - 10.00 Ar 3 Ge Me Rajas Rajas Rajas

Ashwini 10.00 - 13.20 Ar 4 Cn Mo Rajas Rajas Rajas

Bharani 13.20 - 16.40 Ar 1 Le Su Rajas Rajas Tamas

Bharani 16.40 - 20.00 Ar 2 Vi Me Rajas Rajas Tamas

Bharani 20.00 - 23.20 Ar 3 Li Ve Rajas Rajas Tamas

Bharani 23.20 - 26.40 Ar 4 Sc Ma Rajas Rajas Tamas

Krittika 26.40 - 30.00 Ar 1 Sg Ju Rajas Rajas Satwa

Krittika 00.00 - 03.20 Ta 2 Cp Sa Rajas Rajas Satwa

Krittika 03.20 - 06.40 Ta 3 Aq Sa Rajas Rajas Satwa

Krittika 06.40 - 10.00 Ta 4 Pi Ju Rajas Rajas Satwa

Rohini 10.00 - 13.20 Ta 1 Ar Ma Rajas Tamas Rajas

Rohini 13.20 - 16.40 Ta 2 Ta Ve Rajas Tamas Rajas

Rohini 16.40 - 20.00 Ta 3 Ge Me Rajas Tamas Rajas

Rohini 20.00 - 23.20 Ta 4 Cn Mo Rajas Tamas Rajas

Mrigasirsha 23.20 - 26.40 Ta 1 Le Su Rajas Tamas Tamas

Mrigasirsha 26.40 - 30.00 Ta 2 Vi Me Rajas Tamas Tamas

Mrigasirsha 00.00 - 03.20 Ge 3 Li Ve Rajas Tamas Tamas

Mrigasirsha 03.20 - 06.40 Ge 4 Sc Me Rajas Tamas Tamas

Ardra 06.40 - 10.00 Ge 1 Sg Ju Rajas Tamas Satwa

Ardra 10.00 - 13.20 Ge 2 Cp Sa Rajas Tamas Satwa

Ardra 13.20 - 16.40 Ge 3 Aq Sa Rajas Tamas Satwa

Ardra 16.40 - 20.00 Ge 4 Pi Ju Rajas Tamas Satwa

Punarvasu 20.00 - 23.20 Ge 1 Ar Ma Rajas Satwa Rajas

Punarvasu 23.20 - 26.40 Ge 2 Ta Ve Rajas Satwa Rajas

Punarvasu 26.40 - 30.00 Ge 3 Ge Me Rajas Satwa Rajas

Punarvasu 00.00 - 03.20 Cn 4 Cn Mo Rajas Satwa Rajas

Pushya 03.20 - 06.40 Cn 1 Le Su Rajas Satwa Tamas

Pushya 06.40 - 10.00 Cn 2 Vi Me Rajas Satwa Tamas

Pushya 10.00 - 13.20 Cn 3 Li Ve Rajas Satwa Tamas

Pushya 13.20 - 16.40 Cn 4 Sc Ma Rajas Satwa Tamas

Aslesha 16.40 - 20.00 Cn 1 Sg Ju Rajas Satwa Sattva

Aslesha 20.00 - 23.20 Cn 2 Cp Sa Rajas Satwa Sattva

Aslesha 23.20 - 26.40 Cn 3 Aq Sa Rajas Satwa Satwa

Aslesha 26.40 - 30.00 Cn 4 Pi Ju Rajas Satwa Satwa

Magha 00.00 - 03.20 Le 1 Ar Ma Tamas Rajas Rajas

Magha 03.20 - 06.40 Le 2 Ta Ve Tamas Rajas Rajas

Magha 06.40 - 10.00 Le 3 Ge Me Tamas Rajas Rajas

Magha 10.00 - 13.20 Le 4 Cn Mo Tamas Rajas Rajas

P.Phalugni 13.20 - 16.40 Le 1 Le Su Tamas Rajas Tamas

P.Phalugni 16.40 - 20.00 Le 2 Vi Me Tamas Rajas Tamas

P.Phalugni 20.00 - 23.20 Le 3 Li Ve Tamas Rajas Tamas

P.Phalugni 23.20 - 26.40 Le 4 Sc Ma Tamas Rajas Tamas

U.Phalguni 26.40 - 30.00 Le 1 Sg Ju Tamas Rajas Satwa

U.Phalguni 00.00 - 03.20 Vi 2 Cp Sa Tamas Rajas Satwa

U.Phalguni 03.20 - 06.40 Vi 3 Aq Sa Tamas Rajas Satwa

U.Phalguni 06.40 - 10.00 Vi 4 Pi Ju Tamas Rajas Satwa

Hasta 10.00 - 13.20 Vi 1 Ar Ma Tamas Tamas Rajas

Hasta 13.20 - 16.40 Vi 2 Ta Ve Tamas Tamas Rajas

Hasta 16.40 - 20.00 Vi 3 Ge Me Tamas Tamas Rajas

Hasta 20.00 - 23.20 Vi 4 Cn Mo Tamas Tamas Rajas

Chitra 23.20 - 26.40 Vi 1 Le Su Tamas Tamas Tamas

Chitra 26.40 - 30.00 Vi 2 Vi Me Tamas Tamas Tamas

Chitra 00.00 - 03.20 Li 3 Li Ve Tamas Tamas Tamas

Chitra 03.20 - 06.40 Li 4 Sc Ma Tamas Tamas Tamas

Swati 06.40 - 10.00 Li 1 Sg Ju Tamas Tamas Satwa

Swati 10.00 - 13.20 Li 2 Cp Sa Tamas Tamas Satwa

Swati 13.20 - 16.40 Li 3 Aq Sa Tamas Tamas Satwa

Swati 16.40 - 20.00 Li 4 Pi Ju Tamas Tamas Satwa

Vishaka 20.00 - 23.20 Li 1 Ar Ma Tamas Satwa Rajas

Vishaka 23.20 - 26.40 Li 2 Ta Ve Tamas Satwa Rajas

Vishaka 26.40 - 30.00 Li 3 Ge Me Tamas Satwa Rajas

Vishaka 00.00 - 03.20 Sc 4 Cn Mo Tamas Satwa Rajas

Anuradha 03.20 - 06.40 Sc 1 Le Su Tamas Satwa Tamas

Anuradha 06.40 - 10.00 Sc 2 Vi Me Tamas Satwa Tamas

Anuradha 10.00 - 13.20 Sc 3 Li Ve Tamas Satwa Tamas

Anuradha 13.20 - 16.40 Sc 4 Sc Ma Tamas Sattva Tamas

Jyeshta 16.40 - 20.00 Sc 1 Sg Ju Tamas Satwa Satwa

Jyeshta 20.00 - 23.20 Sc 2 Cp Sa Tamas Satwa Satwa

Jyeshta 23.20 - 26.40 Sc 3 Aq Sa Tamas Satwa Satwa

Jyeshta 26.40 - 30.00 Sc 4 Pi Ju Tamas Satwa Satwa

Mula 00.00 - 03.20 Sg 1 Ar Ma Satwa Rajas Rajas

Mula 03.20 - 06.40 Sg 2 Ta Ve Satwa Rajas Rajas

Mula 06.40 - 10.00 Sg 3 Ge Me Satwa Rajas Rajas

Mula 10.00 - 13.20 Sg 4 Cn Mo Satwa Rajas Rajas

Purvashada 13.20 - 16.40 Sg 1 Le Su Satwa Rajas Tamas

Purvashada 16.40 - 20.00 Sg 2 Vi Me Satwa Rajas Tamas

Purvashada 20.00 - 23.20 Sg 3 Li Ve Satwa Rajas Tamas

Purvashada 23.20 - 26.40 Sg 4 Sc Ma Satwa Rajas Tamas

Uthirashada 26.40 - 30.00 Sg 1 Sg Ju Satwa Rajas Satwa

Uthirashada 00.00 - 03.20 Cp 2 Cp Sa Satwa Rajas Satwa

Uthirashada 03.20 - 06.40 Cp 3 Aq Sa Satwa Rajas Satwa

Uthirashada 06.40 - 10.00 Cp 4 Pi Ju Satwa Rajas Satwa

Sharavana 10.00 - 13.20 Cp 1 Ar Ma Satwa Tamas Rajas

Sharavana 13.20 - 16.40 Cp 2 Ta Ve Satwa Tamas Rajas

Sharavana 16.40 - 20.00 Cp 3 Ge Me Satwa Tamas Rajas

Sharavana 20.00 - 23.20 Cp 4 Cn Mo Satwa Tamas Rajas

Dhanishta 23.20 - 26.40 Cp 1 Le Su Satwa Tamas Tamas

Dhanishta 26.40 - 30.00 Cp 2 Vi Me Satwa Tamas Tamas

Dhanishta 00.00 - 03.20 Aq 3 Li Ve Satwa Tamas Tamas

Dhanishta 03.20 - 06.40 Aq 4 Sc Ma Satwa Tamas Tamas

Satabishak 06.40 - 10.00 Aq 1 Sg Ju Satwa Tamas Satwa

Satabishak 10.00 - 13.20 Aq 2 Cp Sa Satwa Tamas Satwa

Satabishak 13.20 - 16.40 Aq 3 Aq Sa Satwa Tamas Satwa

Satabishak 16.40 - 20.00 Aq 4 Pi Ju Satwa Tamas Satwa

P.Bhadrapada 20.00 - 23.20 Aq 1 Ar Ma Satwa Satwa Rajas

P.Bhadrapada 23.20 - 26.40 Aq 2 Ta Ve Satwa Satwa Rajas

P.Bhadrapada 26.40 - 30.00 Aq 3 Ge Me Satwa Satwa Rajas

P.Bhadrapada 00.00 - 03.20 Pi 4 Cn Mo Satwa Satwa Rajas

U.Bhadrapada 03.20 - 06.40 Pi 1 Le Su Satwa Satwa Tamas

U.Bhadrapada 06.40 - 10.00 Pi 2 Vi Me Satwa Satwa Tamas

U.Bhadrapada 10.00 - 13.20 Pi 3 Li Ve Satwa Satwa Tamas

U.Bhadrapada 13.20 - 16.40 Pi 4 Sc Ma Satwa Satwa Tamas

Revati 16.40 - 20.00 Pi 1 Sg Ju Satwa Satwa Satwa

Revati 20.00 - 23.20 Pi 2 Cp Sa Satwa Satwa Satwa

Revati 23.20 - 26.40 Pi 3 Aq Sa Satwa Satwa Satwa

Revati 26.40 - 30.00 Pi 4 Pi Ju Satwa Satwa Satwa

I give below the Guna Table summary also:

Guna Table-Summary

No Nakshatra I level II level III level

1 Ashvini Rajas Rajas Rajas

2 Bharani Rajas Rajas Tamas

3 Krittika Rajas Rajas Satwa

4 Rohini Rajas Tamas Rajas

5 Mrigasirsha Rajas Tamas Tamas

6 Ardra Rajas Tamas Satwa

7 Punarvasu Rajas Satwa Rajas

8 Pushya Rajas Satwa Tamas

9 Aslesha Rajas Satwa Satwa

10 Magha Tamas Rajas Rajas

11 P.Phalugni Tamas Rajas Tamas

12 U.Phalguni Tamas Rajas Satwa

13 Hasta Tamas Tamas Rajas

14 Chitra Tamas Tamas Tamas

15 Swati Tamas Tamas Satwa

16 Vishaka Tamas Satwa Rajas

17 Anuradha Tamas Satwa Tamas

18 Jyeshta Tamas Satwa Satwa

19 Mula Satwa Rajas Rajas

20 Purvashada Satwa Rajas Tamas

21 Uthirashada Satwa Rajas Satwa

22 Sharavana Satwa Tamas Rajas

23 Dhanishta Satwa Tamas Tamas

24 Satabishak Satwa Tamas Satwa

25 P.Bhadrapada Satwa Satwa Rajas

26 U.Bhadrapada Satwa Satwa Tamas

27 Revati Satwa Satwa Satwa

What is the use of this rather arduous and complicated system? We know already that any individual has all the three qualities within him. The qualities are also subject to changes. To know which gunas are predominant in a chart you can use this table. You look at the Nakshatra in which the Lagna and the grahas are placed. Look at the gunas of these Nakshatras. Assign one point for each guna. For example if Lagna is in Ashwini Nakshatra which has Rajas-Rajas-Rajas quality then the count is Rajas = 3. Like that you have to compute for all the planets taking the Nakshatra in which they are placed.

Let me explain it with an Example:

One important point readers to remember - this system is helpful, in evaluating the guna of a person, but to really evaluate a chart we should always look at the chart as a whole and not just at the gunas the planets and the ascendant are in.

Chart 01: Sri Satya Sai Baba (Puttabarthi) 

(Ma)  

RaMo

 

Rasi-D-1

 

Ju  

Ke 

Su Sa(Me) Ve

ASC 

   

Planets Nakshatra Gunas Rajas Tamas SatwaLagna Anuradha TST 2 1Sun Anuradha TST 2 1Moon Arudra RTS 1 1 1Mars Ashwini RRR 3Mercury Anuradha TST 2 1Jupiter Dhanishta STT 2 1Venus Anuradha TST 2 1Saturn Anuradha TST 2 1Rahu Arudra RTS 1 1 1Ketu PShada SRT 1 1 1

Total: Rajas – 6; Tamas – 15; Satwa – 9. Hence Tamas is the most important character of the chart followed by Satwa and Rajas.

Chart 02: Swami Chandrasekhara Saraswati

Ra Ve  Me JuSu

Ma 

Rasi-D-1

 

As 

Mo   

Ke (Sa)

Planets Nakshatra Gunas Rajas Tamas SatwaLagna PPhalguni TRT 1 2Sun Krittika RRS 2 1Moon Anuradha TST 2 1Mars Satabhishak STS 1 2Mercury Krittika RRS 2 1Jupiter Rohini RTR 2 1Venus Revati SSS 3Saturn Chitra TTT 3Rahu UBhadrapada SST 1 2Ketu Hasta TTR 1 2

Total: Rajas – 8; Tamas – 12; Satwa – 10 Hence Tamas is the most important character of the chart followed by Satwa and Rajas.Chart 03: Swami Jayendra Saraswati

Ke Me

(Sa)Mo

D-1 Rasi

Su

As Ve

Ra JuMa

Planets Nakshatra Gunas Rajas Tamas SatwaLagna Ushada SRS 1 2Sun Punarvasu RSR 2 1Moon Dhanishta STT 2 1Mars Chitra TTT 3Mercury Ardra RTS 1 1 1Jupiter Visakha TSR 1 1 1Venus PPhalguni TRT 1 2Saturn Satabhishak STS 1 2Rahu UShada SRS 1 2Ketu Punarvasu RSR 2 1

Total: Rajas – 9; Tamas – 10; Satwa – 11 Hence Satwa is the most important character of the chart followed by Tamas and Rajas.

Chart 04: Swami Narasimha Bharati

Ve Ju (Sa)

Me RaSu

D1-RasiMo Ke

Ma As

Planets Nakshatra Gunas Rajas Tamas SatwaLagna Swati TTS 2 1Sun PBhadrapada SSR 1 2Moon Sravana STR 1 1 1Mars Anuradha TST 2 1Mercury Satabhishak STS 1 2Jupiter Bharani RRT 2 1Venus PBhadrapada SSR 1 2Saturn Punarvasu RSR 2 1Rahu PBhadrapada SSR 1 2Ketu PPhalguni TRT 1 2

Total: Rajas – 9; Tamas – 9; Satwa – 12 Hence Satwa is the most important character of the chart followed by Tamas and Rajas equally.

As mentioned earlier for evaluating the full characteristics of a person, analyse the horoscope as a whole and consider the above system also and then come to a conclusion.

Nakshatra Lords and gunas:

We all know that each Nakshatra has a planet as its Lord. In fact it is the lord of the Nakshatra in which Moon is placed at birth decides the first Dasa in the life of the person under Vimsottari Dasa.

Let us try to examine the Nakshatra Lords and the gunas of Nakshatras. Let us find out whether any relationship exists.

You can find the Lords of each Nakshatra by referring to any Nakshatra table characteristics. However, for immediate reference I am giving below the Nakshatra Lords:

1. Ketu – Ashwini, Magha, Moola2. Venus – Bharani, PPhalguni, PShada

3. Sun – Krittika, UPhalguni, UShada

4. Moon – Rohini, Hasta, Shravana

5. Mars – Mrigasirsha, Chitra, Dhanishta

6. Rahu – Ardra, Swati, Satabhishak

7. Jupiter – Punarvasu, Visakha, PBhadrapada

8. Saturn – Pushya, Anuradha, UBhadrapada

9. Mercury – Aslesha, Jyeshta, Ravti

Let us first examine the basic guna as available in any of the Nakshatra Characteristics table which is the same as the 3rd level characteristic explained above.

Rajas quality Nakshatras at the 3rd level or basic quality -

1. Ashwini, Magha, Mula (Lord is Ketu)2. Rohini, Hasta, Shravana (Lord is Moon)

3. Punarvasu, Visakha, PBhadrapada (Lord is Jupiter)

Tamas quality Nakshatras at the 3rd level or basic quality -

1. Bharani, PPhalguni, PShada (Lord is Venus)2. Mrigasirsha, Chitra, Dhansihta (Lord is Mars)

3. Pushya, Anuradha, UBhadrapada (Lord is Saturn)

Satwa quality Nakshatras at the 3rd level or basic quality -

1. Krittika, UPhalguni, UShada (Lord is Sun)2. Ardra, Swati, Satabhishak (Lord is Rahu)

3. Aslesha, Jyeshta, Revati (Lord is Mercury

Before arriving at any conclusion, let us examine the secondary level gunas also:

1. Ashwini, Magha, Mula (Lord is Ketu)2. Bharani, PPHalguni, PShada (Lord is Venus)

3. Krittika, UPhalguni, UShada (Lord is Sun)

Have Rajas guna at the second level.

1. Rahini, Hasta, Sravana (Lord is Moon)2. Mrigasirsha, Chitra, Dhanishta (lord is Mars)

3. Ardra, Swati, Satabhishak (Lord is Rahu)

Have Tamas guna at the second level.

1. Punarvasu, Visakha, PBhadrapada (Lord is Rahu)2. Pushya, Anuradha, UBhadrapada (Lord is Satrun)

3. Aslesha, Jyeshta, Revati (Lord is Mercury)

Have Satwa guna at the second level

Let us tabulate the above two findings taking the second level first and the third level as the second:

Planet 2nd Level 3rd Level

Ketu Rajas Rajas

Venus Rajas Tamas

Sun Rajas Satwa

Moon Tamas Rajas

Mars Tamas Tamas

Rahu Tamas Satwa

Jupiter Satwa Rajas

Saturn Satwa Tamas

Mercury

Satwa Satwa

What does this table denote? Can we draw some conclusion out of this?

I will give my view points below. Readers and learned scholars can contribute more on this.

Sun is a fiery planet (Rajas). But it represents the soul and hence Satwa characteristics.

Venus is for love, lust and passion (Rajas). In order to attain these we go deeper into material life (Tamas)

Jupiter too is a fiery planet (Rajas), but again has Satwa characteristics because he is Guru and rules wisdom.

Saturn is a spiritual planet, because it is the planet of Sannyas (renouncing the world). Nevertheless, as we all know Saturn represents material things and hence Tamas.

Rahu has the same energies as Saturn only in a different order. It brings us deep into material life (Tamas). However, it only is doing this so we are able to outlive everything that this earth has to offer and then liberate ourselves (Satwa).

It may come as a surprise to some people that Mercury turns out to be the most spiritual planet. However, one thing that distinguishes us from animals is our capacity to think and evaluate ourselves. Mercury as an airy planet can liberate us from this earth. It is not a planet of materiality (Tamas) and neither does it like hard work and action (Rajas). It thinks about Tamas and Rajas instead of going into it.

To quote the words of my guru:

“It is not my intention to give all the answers, but merely to give the reader a system and to represent a way of thinking, which the reader can easily apply himself. After these examples, it will probably not be too hard to meditate about the character of Ketu, Mars and the Moon. “

CONCLUSION

In this article I have mentioned the connection of the gunas to the Nakshatras and hence the Nakshatra Lords. I am well aware that there are other systems, which give information about the gunas and the planets.