JASA

Vol. 3 (2)

Oct-Dec 2013

Research Perspectives
The Lunar Constellations (Part 9): Ashlesha
Dr. E.S. Neelakantan
Dr. E. S. Neelakantan was born on 5th August 1967 in Kannimangalam Village, Palakkad District , Kerala. He completed his
graduation from Loyala College In Statistics with distinction in 1987. He qualified as a Chartered Accountant in 1992. He is also a qualified
Information Systems Auditor since 2004. He developed interest in Astrology by reading the works of Dr. B. V. Raman . He learnt Astrology
in a formal way under Prof. K. V. Seshadrinatha Sastri , a renowned authority on Jyothisa and Ayurveda. For his thesis on Medical
Astrology, he was awarded Ph.d. , by Sri Chandrasekarendra University, Kancheepuram, which is recognized as a Deemed
University in 2005. He is a practising Chartered Accountant in Chennai since 1993. He is at present a regular contributor to four of the
leading journals on Astrology in India viz, Express Star Teller, Modern Astrology , Astrological eMagazine and JASA.
esneelakantan@gmail.com

he cluster of 27 stars could be divided into three groups of nine each. The first group starts from

Ashwini and ends with Ashlesha. In this article we take up for discussion, Ashlesha which is the last star
in the first group and its significations. The star occupies the fag end of the sign Cancer.
In navamsa , this star can get connected to only two planets viz Jupiter and Saturn. Hence scholars on
Astrology opine that a person born in this star will have lots of trials and tribulations in their early part of
their life while the fag end will produce happiness. Since Ashlesha happens to be the last star in the first
group and Makha happens to be the first star in the second group, a person born in the "junction point"
between these two stars comes under a dosha technically called as "gandandha". They could either
undergo hardships or even be subjected to death at a very early stage . It is believed that King Ravana ,
the demon- king of Ceylon , destroyed himself and his entire clan due to his birth in the gandandha time
presiding over Revati-Ashwini junction point. It is suggested by the textbooks on Dharma Sastras that in
order to neutralize the evil attributable to the gandandha, one should perform "Ashlesha Nakshatra
Janana Shanthi",which is a remedial measure prescribed by textbooks . " Shanti Ratnakaram" not only
makes a mention of this rite but also gives explanations about its procedure .Once this ritual is performed
and the evil neutralized , a person born in gandandha lives a long life and becomes wealthy.A Person
born in the first quarter of Ashlesha is famous; one born in the 2nd quarter is wealthy; Person born in the
3rd quarter of Ashlesha loses his mother while the one born in the last quarter loses his father.
There is a misconception mainly in southern parts of India that a girl born in Ashlesha will prove fatal to
her mother -in -law. I have personally come across cases where boys and girls otherwise eligible for
marriage get rejected on this count. Longevity, as we all know is determined by the planetary disposition in
one's own chart. An alien chart cannot influence one's chart. If the converse were to be true, is there
any need to do analysis of longevity from planets in one's chart?
Paramacharya , the sage of Kanchi , once exhorted astrologers to issue a message saying that nobody
should attach any taboo to Ashlesha , Moola, Vishaka and Jyeshta. His message should be understood in
the context of many eligible brides and grooms facing disappointment in matrimonial matters due to
flimsy grounds.
According to Varahamihira, a person born in Ashlesha happens to be a secret sinner , is reckless in food
habits ,does harm to public property and indulges in evil deeds.Serpents move in crooked fashion.
Likewise a person born in Ashlesha Star is a crook. That person is given to anger and revenge. That
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person happens to find delight in sufferings of others . Some scholars hold the view that a person born in
Ashlesha shares his wealth with others . Ashlesha borns help people in distress. Please note that all these
are generic traits which undergo modifications based on Moon's placement and influence of the other
planets.Astrologers should keep these rules at the back of their mind and issue predictions only after due
weightage is given to all planetary influences. If a person is born in Ashlesha star and the planetary
positions also indicate that the person will only be a crook then unhesitatingly one can conclude that the
person is a crook. On the other hand if planetary positions appear favourable and Moon is under the
influence of Jupiter then the evil attributable to Ashlesha star stands neutralized. Astrology is a science
which makes sense only if we consider all rules and their exceptions in totality.
According to Brihat Samhita one born in the first quarter of Ashlesha has obstacles to progeny . One born in
the second quarter will live on hard work. One born in the third quarter will tend to fall sick while one born
in the last quarter will become poor though born in affluence. In matters such as Mantra and Tantra,
Ashlesha is beneficial. In overcoming enemies, casting spells, and producing enmity between friends, this
star is helpful. Ashlesha borns seldom keep up their word. Behind the scenes, they work to destroy their
foes. . They are untrustworthy. Money lent on Ashlesha will not come back . Tonsure in Ashlesha brings
physical grief. Wearing new clothes in Ashlesha brings disease. Jupiter in Ashlesha on Thursday forms a
good yoga to commence house construction . Ashelesha is a good star to seek escaped prisoners.It is a
good star for movement of cattle. A disease which commences on Ashlesha could prove fatal. Surgeryoral, dental or cosmetic are favoured by Ashlesha . This star particularly favours treatment of Ascites.
Ashlesha is an unfavourable star for commencing journey especially for those born with their natal Moon
in Pisces .Journey in the forenoon is to be avoided in Ashelsha Star. Troop Movements are favoured by
Ashlesha Star.
On Ashlesha star a rite called " Ashlesha bali" is performed in the famous Kukke Subrahmanya temple in
Karnataka to neutralize " Sarpa Dosha". Sarpa Dosha also known as Naga dosha.It has acquired lot of
significance in Hindu Astrology as it is said to be caused due to curse of Serpents. Some of the major
reasons that are attributed to be cause for Sarpa dosha are (a) killing of snakes or its off-springs or its
eggs, (b) abusing snakes ,(c) digging or dismantling of a snake pit either in recent times or in previous
births(d) desecration of a place of worship of serpents.I believe that Sarpa Dosha could also refer to sins
,which in essence, constitute a moral violation, tantamount to killing of a snake. Snake god is the
presiding deity of Ashlesha. Doing harm to snakes is considered a major sin according to scriptures.
Serpents are fit to be worshipped. Snake pits are protected in our country by installing "naga idols" and
worshipping them. In many temples one can find women offering milk and eggs to snake pits. I feel these
concepts have an ecological angle too.We know rats can damage crops and can become a source of
menace to the world.Snakes feed on rats and therefore play an important role in maintaining ecological
balance.Mongoose,which is an enemy of snakes keeps snake population in check.Likewise we have so
many features in Nature to maintain the ecological balance.Our Rishis understood these concepts well and
in order to protect snakes gave it spiritual significance and helped Man live in communion with Nature.
Affliction due to Sarpa Dosha emanates mainly from Rahu ,the malefic planet who is known as Sarpa
Graha. Astrologically several interpretations are given for Sarpa Dosha; They are as follows:1. Placement of Rahu in Lagna, 2nd, 5th, 7th, or 8th house;
2. Placement of malefic planets (Rahu, Ketu, Mars, Saturn and Sun) in the quadrants (1, 4, 7 and 10)

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th
3.Affliction to the 5th house (Putra Bhaava/Poorva Punya Sthaana) when 5 house is occupied by Rahu
and associated with or aspected by Mars
4. 5th house being a sign of Mars (Aries/Scorpio) is occupied by Rahu
5. 5th lord in conjunction with Rahu and Saturn in 5th house aspected by or associated with Moon .
6.Weak Jupiter associated with Mars , Rahu in Lagna and 5th lord in a dustana (6, 8 and 12th house) .
7. 5th house being a sign of Mars is occupied by Rahu and associated with Mercury.
8.Relationship of Rahu/Kethu with 5th house (Puthra bhaava).
9.Rahu in Badhaka Sthana.
10.Jupiter in 6,8, or 12 in relationship with a Badhaka lord.
11.Rahu in Kendra or dustana associated with a Badhaka lord or Badhaka house.
12.Rahu with Gulika or in 5,7,9 from Gulika.
13.Mars and Saturn in quadrant from Rahu.
14.Rahu or Ketu in Badhaka sign or in 4,7,6,8 or 12.
Note: Sarpa Yoga should not be confused with Kaala Sarpa Dosha(Yoga which is formed by the
placement of all the planets including lagna within the axis of Rahu and Kethu). If Rahu is in Aries and
Ketu is in Libra all planets should be in Taurus to Virgo.Rahu moves in counter clockwise direction.After
Aries Rahu will move to Pisces.Rahu is the head and Ketu is the tail.In a figurative sense Kala Sarpa
Dosha is formed when all planets are placed in the belly of the snake.
Effects of Sarpa dosha are lack of progeny or loss of progeny, delay and obstacles to progeny , obstacles
to marriage, lack of prosperity or progress in life, chronic ill-health, skin diseases, accidents, total
dissatisfaction and disillusionment in personal life.
Time tested remedy for Sarpa Dosha (Naaga Dosha) is performance of Sarpa Shanti viz., Sarpa
Samskaara with Aslesha Bali and Naaga Devatha Pratishta at Kukke Subramanya temple in South Kanara
District of Karnataka state.
Nagadevatha Pratishta can also be performed at any of the sacred Naga/Subramanya Kshethras .They are
as follows:1.Ghaati Subramanya Kshethra (near Doddaballapura in Karnataka State) where Lord Subramanya is in
the form of a snake (where He received blessings from Lord Naarasimha).
2.Kudupu (near Mangalore) :- Sri Anantha Padmanabha Swamy temple is a very ancient temple believed
to be in existence since Krita Yuga days.
3.Sarpa Shanti at Trayambakeshwar (Naasik) temple;
4.Rahu-Kethu pooja along with Rudraabhishekam to Lord Shiva at Sri Kaalahasthi temple,near Tirupati
In Andhra Pradesh.
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5.Rudraabhishekam/Sarpadosha nivaarana pooja at Kapila Theertham temple on the way to Tirumala
Hills;
6.Mahanyaasa Poorvaka Ekaadasavaara Rudraabhishekam with Sarpa Sooktham.
7. Those who cannot afford to perform Sarpa Shanti as said above due to economic reasons can resort to a
cost effective remedy. Worship Nagadevatha by performing abhishekam with milk on Naga Devatha idol
installed under the shade of an Aswatta Vruksha (Banyan/Peepal Tree) at any temple for a period of one
Mandala (41 days) without break and perform seven rounds pradakshina (circumambulations) around the
Naga idol and the Banyan tree reciting Sri Subramanya/Naaga Devatha slokas. This should be performed
in the morning as early as possible. A portion of the milk should also be poured at the roots of the tree.
Commencement of this austerity should be made preferably on a Tuesday or a Sunday. On completion,
visit any Lord Subramanya temple; perform Ksheeraabhishekam( Milk offering) and donate one pair of
silver Naga Prathima ( snake idol in silver)to a deserving person (preferably a Vedic Pundit) along with
1 kg of blackgram and horse Gram along with fees(dakshina). While performing this austerity one
should take only Satwic food and observe celibacy.
There are two distinct rituals performed in reverence to the snake. They are, Ashlesha Bali and
Nagamandala. Nagamandala depicts the divine union of male and female snakes. It is generally
performed by two priests. The first priest, called as patri inhales the areca flower (Supari Phool) and
becomes the male snake. The second priest, called as Nagakannika or the female snake dances and sings
around an elaborate serpent design drawn with natural colours on the sacred ground. The ritual is
supplemented by playing an hour glass shaped instrument called as Dakke. The drawings in five different
colours on the sacred ground are white (white mud), red (mix of lime powder and turmeric powder),
green (green leaves powder), yellow (turmeric powder) and black (roasted and powdered paddy husk).
Ashlesha Bali is similar nature to the funeral rites performed in Hindu tradition. Lord Subramanya is
known as the protector from Kaalasarpa dosha ,Sarpa Dosha and Kuja dosha. Aslesha Bali puja is
performed on Aslesha nakshatra in each month. It is believed that this puja , if performed on stars
,other than Ashlesha, yields no benefits. Shravana masa, Karthika masa, and Margashira masa are the
most auspicious months to perform Aslesha bali puja.

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