THE LOGIC OF SHEERSHODAYA (HEAD RISING), PRISHTHODAYA (FEAT RISING) ZODIACS

Vedic astrology has categorized the twelve Zodiacs in different ways basis different parameters. The most notable of these categories are :-

Odd and even (Aries with roll no 1 is Odd and Tauras with roll no 2 is even and so on),
The above sequence also holds true for male and female with Aries as male and Tauras as female. The basis of this is that everything begins with a source of energy/heat (which represents Pitta in Ayurveda). That is why first zodiac i.e. Aries, represents Male as Males are relatively higher on heat (Pitta). It is logical that a high energy period is bound to be followed by a period of rest i.e. less heat/Pitta. Since females are supposed be relatively low on heat, the next zodiac i.e. Tauras depicts female energy. Post rest again the heat again rises which is why 3^rd zodiac depicts male energy and so on,
Four Varnas (Kshatriya, Vaishya, Shudra and Brahmin)- Here zodiac number 1,2,3 and 4 represent Agni/fire, Prithvi/earth, Vayu/air and Jal/water respectively. The sequence follows in same order for the next four and the next to next four zodiacs too. That means Aries, Leo and Sagittarius are dominated by Agni/fire which is logical too as these zodiacs represent expanding energy which is why they also represent Kshatriya. On the other hand, 4^th and 8^th zodiac are dominated by water element and therefore they also represent Brahmin. In between roll no 2 and 3 represent Vaishya and Shudra.

Now, all these categorizations have applications from Astrological viewpoint as they represent energies of the native in different fields. However there is another categorization of zodiacs which is based on the parameter that which zodiac rises from the front end (from head) and which from rear end (from feat). Like the other parameters, this parameter of categorization too has a very important applications. This blog will explain the same in detail. To begin please have a look at the figure below which captures the categorization along with a graph.

Logic of Categorization

Now to understand the logic of categorization of these zodiacs, we need to understand that how the fluid element (called as Rasa in Ayurvedic language which carries nutrition) moves in our body during 12 months starting from Aries. Here we go (please note that the example is of Northern hemisphere of the Earth) …

To begin with, during the month of mid Mar to mid April, the fluid in our body starts expanding and rises upwards and peripherally due to rising heat in the weather conditions (that is the reason it is called as spring season). Hence Aries falls in the category of zodiac which is higher at the rear end as shown in figure above and is therefore called as sign which rises from the feet (Prishthodaya rashi where Pristh means rear and Udaya means rise). This continues in the next zodiac too hence Tauras falls in the same category. However post this, the person gets tired as fluids start over burning due to continued heat resulting in less physical activity and thus drop in fluid element in the body towards core as well as towards the lower body (away from peripherals). That is why Gemini falls in the category of front rising. In the next month, the rains begin and they reduce temperature and increase fluid element and thus the enthusiasm of the person too. Hence cancer is front rising.

For the next four months, the fluid element in our body keeps dropping down due to gradually dropping temperature. From Vedic and Astrological angle, these four months are called as chaturmass when Lord Vishnu goes to the lower Lokas (lower chakras/lower parts of the body). This is because Lord Vishnu also represents administrator/caretaker of the world (and our body at a smaller level). Hence, during these months HE provides nutrition to the lower chakras of the body in form of Rasa. This is why all these four zodiacs starting from Leo till Scorpio fall in the category of front (head) rising zodiacs (called as Sheershodaya where Sheersh means head).

Now, once the rasa touches the eighth zodiac, it provides nutrition and strength to our lowermost chakra thereby invoking strength in us. From biological angle, our testosterone becomes strong thereby providing us energy, muscles and strength. Otherwise too, it can be visualized as upward movement to complete the circle of zodiac. This why 9^th and 10^th zodiac represent rising rasa and zodiacs rising at the rear. When the 11^th zodiac arrives, the weather becomes very cold and the rasa in our body starts freezing and contracting inwards which is why it represents front rising. During the last zodiac, the gradually rising ambient temperature expands rasa however even the core is hot when due to low temperature we consume hot foods. Hence rasa rises from outer as well as inner body which is why this zodiac falls in the category Ubhayodaya (signs that rise from head as well as feat).

Application

The most important application of this categorization of zodiacs is that it explains whether the planet present in a specific zodiac will rise or contract along with the flow of Rasa of that zodiac. For example, Rahu in Aries explains that Rahu will express itself more loudly by the end of its presence in Aries. That is why when Rahu entered in Aries in 2022 Mar end or so in Aries, it had triggered war between Russia and Ukraine (as Rahu in Mars zodiac represents sudden expansion). However, when Rahu was leaving the first zodiac, its affects were felt even more than earlier manifesting in form of many major earthquakes and beginning of another war between Israel and Hamas apart from further intensification of war between Russia and Ukraine and a sort of polarization of the world. Even formation of Guru chandal Yoga along with Angarak Yoga (presence of Rahu Jupiter in zodiac of Mars with Mars sitting in it and post that aspecting it) further intensified these issues. On the other hand, if Rahu is in 12^th zodiac, it would mean that Rahu will show its affects throughout the duration of its presence in this zodiac. Here we must remember that Rahu in 12^th zodiac of Jupiter also represents Guru chandal yoga however its intensity is weaker than in 1^st zodiac as 12^th zodiac remains stable throughout the length (like an evenly rising bread), which creates a to and fro expansion or say even expansion.

This type of categorization is also used to find out if a specific planet will express its effect during its period (dasha/Mahadasha) in the first half or the second half or throughout the entire duration of the dasha/Mahadasha. If a planet falls in Sheershodaya rashi in one’s birth chart, then during that planetary period, it will show more of its effects in the first half of the period. This is because when a planetary energy gets formed in a zodiac, its flow of movement gets formed in the rasa of the specific body part in accordance with the flow of rasa of the zodiac.

Dear Reader, This blog is an excerpt from the Volume ONE and TWO of the book, THE ROOT CAUSE- Ayurveda, Astrology and Beyond for a blissful life”. For detailed understanding of Ayurveda and other Vedic sciences like Yogasana, Pranayama, Astrology, Ashtang Yoga and the deep seated meanings of Puranas including the spiritual world, you may please use the under-mentioned links to pick your copy. I would also request the readers that reading Volume one is essential to understand the higher concepts of Volume two. So those who have very old version of first book should ideally pick up the latest version i.e. Volume one before proceeding for volume two.

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