The literal meaning of the word Bharani is ‘bearing’ or ‘one who bears’. Vedic astrology assigns vagina as the main symbol of Bharani. The symbol helps in finding relevant meanings of the name given to Bharani. A female bears a child and this process begins from vagina. The female then holds and nurtures the child till she gives birth to it. The process of birth brings the child from the inside world to the outside world.
Vedic astrology assigns god Yama as the ruling deity of Bharani. Yama deals with the affairs related to death and he assigns us new life forms, based on our karmas. It means a soul stays at places assigned by Yama, after it leaves a body and before it enters a new body. Hence Yama deals with such transitional phases of each soul. One such soul then enters the womb at an appropriate time and it embraces a new body. The child stays inside its mother for some time and it then comes out in the outer world, through her vagina. Hence this soul goes through one more transition from womb to the outer world.
It means Bharani has a lot to do with transition. People recognize and interact with a child after it is born and they are not able to see the transitions it has gone through, before coming to their world. Hence Bharani deals with all such phenomena where some processes go on for long periods of time, hidden from the world and they then suddenly become visible. More and more lava is built inside a volcano and one day, it erupts. We are not able to see the phase when lava is built and we only see it once it erupts.
A seed is hidden inside earth in the dark for long periods of time. It undergoes many changes and then one day, it erupts. Here again, we are able to see the plant and we are not able to see the seed growing into a plant. Hence Bharani is associated with hidden processes and mysteries. All such processes not only represent transitions but they are also extreme. The birth of a child is an extreme event as a new life has emerged. Hence people celebrate. The eruption of a volcano is also an extreme event, though people may suffer due to this extreme.
Therefore, extreme is another characteristic associated with Bharani. In fact, characteristics like being extreme and going through transitions form the core of Bharani. Such extremes may be good or bad, like the birth of a child or eruption of a volcano. Through these extremes, some type of balance is likely to be achieved or restored, though this balance may not be permanent. A child brings balance in the sense that with people dying every day, we need more life to maintain the balance between life and death.
However, the balance provided by this child is temporary as it too will die after some years. A new plant tries to maintain balance in the ecosystem though for a short period of time. A volcano erupts so that some balance may be achieved inside. However, more lava is built over years and the balance is disturbed again. Hence the balance represented by Bharani is not the final balance and it is more like a temporary one. This is where it connects to the word transition.
It means Bharani tries to balance out through transitions, though the ultimate balance may not be achieved by this nakshatra. Hence Bharani should be seen as a nakshatra which tries to achieve balance through transitions and not as a nakshatra which actually achieves such balance. In other words, Bharani represents the acts of achieving or restoring balance.
Looking at an example, a native under strong influence of Mars placed in Bharani in a relevant house of his horoscope may try to achieve balance in his marriage and he may go through many transitions in order to achieve such balance. Such native may try to accommodate in many possible ways to achieve such balance in his marriage. However, such balance may not last long. Hence the marriage of one such native may swing from one extreme to another, which means he may have a volatile marriage. Through transitions and extreme events, balance may be achieved or restored for some time and then unrest may start building again. Hence natives under strong influence of Bharani may try to achieve balance through transitions but such balance may not sustain for long periods of time.
In comparison, a native under strong influence of Mars placed in Rohini, Punarvasu, Swati, Shravana, Uttarabhadrapada or Revati in a relevant house of his horoscope may be able to achieve balance in marriage and such balance may sustain, provided his overall horoscope is supportive.
Looking at another sphere, a native under strong influence of Bharani may try to achieve spiritual balance by going through a number of transitions but he may not be able to reach the final balance. It means such native may keep moving from one faith to another or from one path to another, in his search for balance.
Though he may achieve such balance for some time, it may not sustain for long and the native may set on a new path again. In comparison, a native under strong influence of Uttarabhadrapada may be able to find permanent spiritual balance. Such native is not likely to change many paths and many faiths. He is likely to choose one path through intuition; he may follow such path with undivided faith and he may reach. Hence Bharani deals with the acts of achieving or restoring balance rather than actually achieving it. Since Bharani is swinging between losing balance and then having it for some time; it deals with extreme phenomena.
Vedic astrology assigns Venus as the planetary ruler of Bharani. All four quarters of this nakshatra fall in Aries. The influences of Venus and Mars add characteristics like creativity, an urge to reproduce, appreciation for beautiful things, attraction towards the opposite sex, attraction from the opposite sex, loads of energy and some other characteristics to Bharani. The influence of Yama adds characteristics like dutifulness, discipline, harshness, ferocity, cruelty, the ability to keep moving during adverse circumstances and some other characteristics to Bharani. Yama has to be disciplined, harsh, fierce and cruel at times; in order to do justice to his duty.
Due to impact of Venus, Bharani natives may be creative and they may be found engaging in various types of creative fields, depending on their overall horoscopes. The creativity rendered by Bharani is different than that rendered by some other nakshatras like Rohini, Mrigashira, Chitra and Swati. The creativity of Bharani is backed as well as influenced by the energy of Aries, compared to the creativity of the other four nakshatras which are fuelled by the energies of softer, logical, easy going, complex and/or detail loving signs like Taurus, Gemini, Virgo and Libra.
Therefore, each type of native engaging in creative spheres under strong influence of a creative nakshatra is likely to have different characteristics related to such creativity. Considering Bharani; natives under its strong influence generally engage in creative fields or genres of creative fields which demand a lot of energy. To be precise; such fields may demand maximum energy since Aries is the most energetic among 12 signs. For example, if a native under strong influence of Bharani chooses to be a professional dancer according to his overall horoscope; he is likely to go for the most energetic dance forms available, like hip hop, fast samba and fast salsa. This is because dancing itself may not be sufficient for such native and he may have to release loads of energy through this process.
Looking at the other nakshatras, the dancers under strong influence of Rohini are likely to choose slow and elegant forms of dance whereas the dancers under strong influence of Mrigashira are likely to choose elegant, slow, showy and chatty dance forms, depending on whether Mrigashira is placed in Taurus or Gemini. Elegant and slow are the keywords for Mrigashira in Taurus whereas showy, chatty and comic looking dance styles may be chosen by natives under strong influence of Mrigashira in Gemini.
When it comes to Chitra, the dancers under its strong influence are likely to engage in dance forms which are intense, which need dealing with more complex moves and such natives may pay utmost attention to perfection of their moves, in Virgo part of Chitra. In Libra however, such dancers may tend to slow a little, settle a little and they are likely to choose dance forms which are somewhat intense but generally in a sensual way. It means these natives may engage in dance moves which are very good at provoking the senses of the opposite sex.
Hence their dance styles may be called intense, not very fast and sensual. The dancers under strong influence of Chitra in Libra can tell complete love stories through their dances, though sometimes such stories may be tragic love stories. The dancers under strong influence of Swati are likely to engage in dance forms which are relaxed, captivating, elegant and graceful. Female dancers are likely to benefit more from the energy of Swati than male natives.
A female dancer under strong influence of Swati may often be seen performing solo dances which are elegant, relaxing and captivating, like the goddess of dance is directly influencing her. Even when she engages in couple-dances, they may not include many intimate type of moves. It means such dances may be romantic but in a relaxing way rather than being the ones which provoke the senses.
Hence many creative nakshatras can bless the natives under their influences with same creative skills like dance in this example. However, the finer characteristics of such skills may be different in different cases; depending on the nakshatra, sign and overall horoscope of such natives. For example, a female dancer with Mars or Jupiter placed in the first house in Libra in Swati may almost always choose to engage in couple dances, when supported by her overall horoscope. On the other hand, a female dancer with Venus or Moon placed in the first house in Swati may have a significant tendency to choose solo forms of dance, though she may engage in couple dances also.
Coming back to Bharani, the dancers under its strong influence may choose to engage in fast forms of dance and they may choose to engage in couple or solo dances; depending on the planets which are placed in Bharani. For example, dancers under strong influence of Moon, Venus, Mercury or Rahu in Bharani may choose to engage in fast forms of couple dances more than solo dances. On the other hand, dancers under strong influence of Sun or Ketu in Bharani may choose to engage in fast forms of solo dances more than couple dances.
Dancers under strong influence of Jupiter or Mars in Bharani may prefer solo or couple dances, depending on the rest of their horoscopes. The placement of debilitated Saturn in Bharani may not make the native engage in any type of dance form; unless the overall horoscope makes him engage in dances. Similarly, Bharani natives may choose fast and energetic forms or styles of creativity, arts or sports, compared to the natives doing the same under the influences of most other nakshatras. Natives under strong influence of Ashwini may be even faster than Bharani natives.
Moving on with other characteristics, Bharani adds characteristics like discipline, intensity, strong headedness, honesty, outspokenness, bravery, fearlessness and strong sense of duty to natives under its strong influence. Here again, depending on placements of various planets in Bharani, different natives may benefit more from different characteristics. For example, natives under strong influence of Sun, Mars or Ketu in Bharani may be intense, brave, fearless, strong-headed and outspoken. However, they may not exhibit characteristics like discipline and strong sense of duty, though Mars may show good sense of duty in second and fourth quarter of Bharani.
Natives under strong influence of Mercury, Moon or Rahu in Bharani may be outspoken, dutiful, disciplined and honest though they may not be that brave, fearless or strong headed; where natives with Mercury in the first or fourth quarter of Bharani may be strong headed. Natives under strong influence of Jupiter or Venus in Bharani may not embrace many of these characteristics though they may still embrace the kinds like dutifulness and honesty; and discipline to some extent. If debilitated Saturn is supported by the rest of the horoscope; the natives under its influence in Bharani may exhibit characteristics like dutifulness, honesty and discipline.
The sense of duty displayed by Bharani can sometimes become so strong that it may start looking negative. For example, if a soldier or a policeman with strong Mars in Bharani is asked to open fire on a crowd, where such crowd may not deserve such an extreme action; the soldier may do so without thinking much, due to his strong sense of duty. It means the orders of his seniors may be the most important part of his duty and he may put everything else secondary.
In contrast, if a soldier or policeman with strong Mars in Aries in Ashwini is asked to open fire on the same crowd; he may hesitate, reconsider, refuse or even rebel against the authorities; depending on his overall horoscope. This is because Ashwini is more intelligent as well as more benevolent and kinder than Bharani. Hence natives under strong influence of Bharani may stick to the rules in many cases whereas natives under strong influence of Ashwini may not follow rules which don’t make sense to them. It means the rebellion aspect of Mars is reflected more through Ashwini than through Bharani.
Therefore, the natives with Mars in Ashwini may be better suited for defence services when such natives have high ranks which give them the luxury to make a number of decisions at their own discretions. On the other hand, the natives with Mars in Bharani are better suited as low rank defence professionals like soldiers or policemen, since they may not be as intelligent, kind and innovative as the Ashwini types. Hence Bharani type defence professionals may believe in thinking less and acting more whereas Ashwini type defence professionals are almost always making fast calculations; and then acting on the decisions made through such calculations.
In the context of the same example, an officer under strong influence of Bharani may issue an order to open fire on a crowd, not because he has some personal issue with the crowd but because the protocol says so. Hence he may go by the book, he may issue warnings and he may engage in all such necessary procedures which should be followed before opening fire and if all else mentioned in the rulebook fails; he may issue orders to open fire.
On the other hand, if such officer is under strong influence of Ashwini, the last thing he may depend on is a rulebook, since he may be innovative, intelligent, kind and rebellious. No one can understand the sentiment of a rebellious crowd better than a rebel himself. Due to the combination of all these characteristics, such Ashwini type officer may directly approach the crowd or leaders among such crowd. He may hear them out, he may find some way to pacify them or to control them through talks, through warnings or even through threats; according to the demand of the situation; and he may not need to resort to harsh measures like opening fire on the crowd.
This is why natives under strong influence of Ashwini generally prove more useful in defence services at higher ranks where they can make decisions; and bend, twist or even break rules according to the demand of the situation; if doing so brings better results. You see, within a sign also, the same planet can exhibit entirely different characteristics depending on its nakshatra and navamsha placement. Mars is generally a loyal solider when placed in Bharani whereas it may become a rebel when placed in Ashwini.
Bharani also renders characteristics like the ability to stay unaffected by adverse circumstances, to do whatever it takes to finish the job at hand and to keep moving despite hurdles or difficult circumstances. Due to these characteristics, Bharani natives may prove more dependable than Ashwini natives, since the latter type has a marked tendency to leave jobs unfinished.
For this reason, Manglik Dosh formed by malefic Mars in Bharani may be less harmful than that formed by Mars in Ashwini. Though the natives with Manglik Dosh in Bharani may also face a number of problems like those with Manglik Dosh in Ashwini, the former type may keep fighting and they may not quit; whereas the latter type may get impatient and get out. Hence natives having Manglik Dosh in Bharani may prove better in the sense that they are more likely to save their marriages. On the other hand, natives having Manglik Dosh in Ashwini may prove better in the sense that they may not want to settle in marriages which are full of problems.
Therefore, Bharani natives may choose to continue with their marriages despite serious problems whereas Ashwini natives may go through one, two or three broken marriages, before they finally find the ones which works well for them. It means Bharani may sustain a marriage though not happily whereas Ashwini may not sustain marriage or marriages but may find happiness in the end.
Good and bad is subjective, since a good characteristic or action seems to bring bad results at times whereas a bad looking characteristic or action seems to bring good results at times. Therefore, it is best not to judge good or bad in most cases; and leave this decision to the one who is actually going through such good or bad.
For instance, Bharani native may be happy in saving his marriage as breaking a number of marriages may hurt him a lot. On the other hand, Ashwini native may be happy when he finds suitable match after one or two broken marriages; since it may hurt him staying in marriages where he doesn’t feel good. It means both these natives are happy in some sense and both are paying some price for that happiness.
Bharani exhibits a number of characteristics. However, different natives may embrace different characteristics, depending on placements of various planets in this nakshatra, as well as on their overall horoscopes. Looking at planets among navagraha; Sun, Mars, Jupiter and Ketu may perform very well in Bharani, when supported by overall horoscope. Moon, Venus, Mercury and Rahu may perform well in Bharani, when supported by overall horoscope. Saturn is debilitated in Aries. However, it may perform better in Bharani, compared to its performance in Ashwini. Placements of malefic planets in Bharani may cause a number of problems for the native, depending on his overall horoscope.
Let’s look at performances of various planets in various navamshas of Bharani. Looking at Leo navamsha; Sun, Mars, Ketu and Jupiter may perform very well in this navamsha. Moon, Venus and Mercury may perform above average in this navamsha whereas Rahu may perform on average here. Saturn may perform poorly in this navamsha. Sun and Mars may be able to make best use of the energy of this navamsha.
Considering Virgo navamsha; Sun and Mars may perform well or very well here; though not as well as they may do in Leo navamsha. Mercury may perform well here whereas Rahu may perform above average in this navamsha; since both of them are exalted in Virgo. Moon may perform on average here whereas Jupiter may perform above average or well in this navamsha.
Ketu may perform above average here; since it is debilitated in Virgo. Venus may perform below average in this navamsha, since it is debilitated in Virgo. Saturn may perform below average but not poorly in this navamsha; since it is strong in Virgo.
Moving on to Libra navamsha; Sun is the least strong in this navamsha; within the sign of Aries. It is exalted in the sign of Aries and debilitated in Libra navamsha. As a result, significant amount of its strength may be compromised. Hence it may perform well but not very well in this navamsha. Mars, Jupiter and Ketu may also witness reduction in performances in this navamsha, though they may still perform well or very well; depending on the overall horoscope under consideration.
Moon may perform on average or above average in this navamsha whereas Saturn may perform on average here. Within the sign of Aries; Saturn is the least weak in this navamsha. Saturn is debilitated in the sign of Aries and it is exalted in Libra navamsha. Hence Saturn may gain extra strength through such navamsha placement. Venus may perform above average or well here whereas Mercury may perform on average or above average here. Within the sign of Aries; Venus may give its best performance in this navamsha. It rules Bharani as well as Libra. Hence it may find maximum comfort in this navamsha. Rahu may perform on average or above average in this navamsha.
Looking at Scorpio navamsha; Sun may perform very well here. Mars and Ketu may also perform very well here since Mars rules Scorpio and Ketu is exalted in this navamsha. Jupiter may perform well or very well here. Moon may suffer here and within Aries, it may give its worst performance in this navamsha; since it is debilitated in Scorpio. The same goes for Rahu; and within Aries, it may be the weakest in this navamsha.
Venus may perform on average or above average in this navamsha; depending on the overall horoscope under consideration. Mercury may not perform well here but it may still perform on average. Saturn may find this navamsha troublesome and it may perform poorly here.
When a planet has different or opposing types of performances in its sign of placement versus its navamsha of placement; the sign of placement takes the lead. The third factor which influences this equation is the nakshatra of placement of such planet. To have an idea; the ratio may be about 70% for the sign, about 15% for the nakshatra and about 15% for the navamsha. It means that about 70% of the strength of a planet may be decided by its placement in a sign, about 15% of its strength may be determined by its placement in a nakshatra and about 15% may be determined by its placement in a navamsha.
Taking an example; Saturn has an overall discomfort in Ashwini since many of their characteristics are in opposition. Hence Saturn may not perform on average, even in Taurus navamsha of Ashwini. Saturn is strong in Taurus but it is debilitated in Aries and it is uncomfortable in Ashwini.
When Saturn is placed in Taurus navamsha of Ashwini, it may gain 15% due to navamsha placement but it may lose 15% due to nakshatra placement. Hence this navamsha placement may compensate for strength; only by a factor of 15%. When Saturn is placed in Aries navamsha of Ashwini nakshatra within the sign of Aries; it may not gain any grace at all. This is because it is weak in the sign, nakshatra as well as in navamsha. Hence Saturn may deliver its poorest performance in Aries navamsha of Ashwini.
When it comes to Bharani; Saturn has common characteristics with this nakshatra; like dutifulness and discipline. Hence it may gain about 15% by virtue of its placement in this nakshatra. Within this nakshatra; when it is placed in Virgo navamsha, it may gain 10% more whereas it may gain 15% more when placed in Libra navamsha. Hence Saturn may witness significant gain in strength when it is placed in one of these two navamshas within Bharani.
When Saturn is placed in Leo or Scorpio navamsha within Bharani; it may gain 15% through Bharani but it may not gain much through Leo or Scorpio. Hence it may not witness significant boost in strength though it may still gain some strength due to its placement in Bharani. Between Leo and Scorpio; Saturn may do relatively well in Scorpio.
Himanshu Shangari