Ashtavakra Gita Meets Vedic Astrology: Discover the Witness Beyond Karma and Planets with Astrologer Ashish Somani
Introduction: Astrology Describes the Dream — Ashtavakra Wakes You Up
The Ashtavakra Gita, a jewel of Advaita Vedanta, begins with a powerful truth:
“You are not the body. You are not the mind. You are pure consciousness – eternal, changeless, free.”
But how does this align with Vedic astrology, which maps our karmas, desires, and soul journeys through planets and houses?
The answer is beautifully paradoxical: Astrology describes the illusion (Maya), and Ashtavakra shows the witness (Drashta) beyond it.
Let’s explore how the key astrological components like the Moon, Lagna, Rahu, Ketu, and the Sun mirror the journey of the soul—and how the Ashtavakra Gita leads us beyond them into moksha (liberation).
Moon – The Mind, Emotions, and Vasanas
श्लोक (Ashtavakra Gita)
“मुक्ताभिमानी मुक्तो हि बद्धो बद्धाभिमान्यपि। किंवदन्तीह सत्यम् या मतिः सा गतिर्यथा॥”
Translation:
He who believes he is free is free; he who believes he is bound is bound. As one thinks, so one becomes.
Meaning:
The Moon in Vedic astrology represents the mind (Manas) and the vasanas—latent desires from past lives. These impressions create longing, pain, joy, and craving, leading us into cycles of karma.
Astrological Insight:
Your Moon sign reveals your emotional habits and how desires bind you. But according to Ashtavakra, you are not the mind—you are the witness of all thoughts and emotions.
Lagna – The Body and the Doer (Ego)
श्लोक (Ashtavakra Gita)
“कृतं न मे गतम् किञ्चित्, आगमिष्यति वा पुनः। द्रष्टा अहमसि सर्वस्य, न कर्तास्मि कदाचन॥”
Translation:
I have done nothing, nor will I ever do anything. I am the witness of all—never the doer.
Meaning:
The Ascendant (Lagna) is your karmic role, personality, and body experience. It is the vehicle through which karmas are acted out. Yet Ashtavakra reminds us—you are not the body or its roles.
Astrological Insight:
Understand your Lagna to know your life script, but don’t be trapped by it. You are not the actor—you are the screen on which the play unfolds.
Mercury – Intellect and Justification
श्लोक (Ashtavakra Gita)
“बुद्धो न सञ्चिन्तयति, न रिञ्चति न शोचति। कुर्वन्नपि करोत्येव, न एव किञ्चित्करोति सः॥”
Translation:
The wise one does not plan, grieve, or desire. Even while acting, he knows no action is done.
Meaning:
Mercury is the intellect (Buddhi)—the one who analyzes, plans, and judges. But as long as buddhi is tied to identity, it too creates bondage.
Astrological Insight:
Use Mercury for clarity—not control. Observe your thoughts as they arise. Freedom lies not in thinking more, but in seeing thought as thought.
Rahu – Attachment and Illusion
श्लोक (Ashtavakra Gita)
“संसारः स्वप्नतुल्यो हि, रागद्वेषादिसङ्कुलः। स्वकाले सत्यवद्भाति, प्रबोधे सत्यसङ्क्षयः॥”
Translation:
This world is like a dream, filled with attachments and aversions. It feels real while asleep, but vanishes when you awaken.
Meaning:
Rahu symbolizes desire, illusion, obsession. It binds us by making temporary things feel urgent and essential.
Astrological Insight:
Where Rahu is in your chart, illusion is strong. But realization is simple: “This is not real.” Awareness melts Rahu’s grip.
Ketu – Disinterest and Liberation
श्लोक 10.4 (Ashtavakra Gita)
“सर्वभूतेषु चात्मानं, सर्वभूतानि चात्मनि। यो जानाति स मेधावी, स सुखं न त्यजेद्गृहम्॥”
Translation:
He who sees all beings in the Self and the Self in all, is wise. Such a person does not need to renounce the world to find peace.
Meaning:
Ketu is detachment, loss, and inner renunciation. It creates space for truth by removing distractions.
Astrological Insight:
Ketu in your chart shows where awakening naturally unfolds—often after loss or letting go. Let go willingly, and peace follows.
Saturn – Karma and Time
श्लोक (Ashtavakra Gita)
“यदा नाहं तदा मुक्तिः, यदा अहं बन्धनं तदा। एषा ज्ञानस्य सिद्धिः, एषा मोक्षस्य निष्क्रिया॥”
Translation:
When there is no “I”, there is freedom. When “I” arises, bondage arises. This is the essence of wisdom.
Meaning:
Saturn enforces karma, limits ego, and teaches humility. Through delay and suffering, it breaks false identifications.
Astrological Insight:
Saturn transits or Dashas may seem harsh—but they are purifying fires. Endure with awareness, and the ego will dissolve.
Mars – Will and Action
श्लोक (Ashtavakra Gita)
“अकृत्स्नविदमन्दं च, कर्तारं च प्रपश्यति। अविवेकादहम्कारः, कर्तृत्वेऽभ्युपपद्यते॥”
Translation:
The ignorant mind thinks, “I am the doer.” But the wise one sees that action belongs to nature alone.
Meaning:
Mars represents drive, aggression, and action. Mars acts, but ego claims the credit.
Astrological Insight:
Mars in your chart shows how you pursue goals. Use this energy to act—but without doership.
Sun – The Inner Light (But Not the Ultimate Self)
श्लोक (Ashtavakra Gita)
“अहमात्मा सदा मुक्तो, न कर्ता न भोक्ता च। शुद्धसाक्षी सदा पूर्णो, नित्यं मुक्तः स्वभावतः॥”
Translation:
I am the Self—eternally free, never the doer or enjoyer. I am the pure witness—complete and free by nature.
Meaning:
The Sun reflects your inner light and soul path, but it’s still part of the cosmic story.
Astrological Insight:
Live your dharma (Sun), but don’t cling to it. Even the Sun is a role. You are the one watching the Sun shine.
You Are Not in the Chart – You Are the Witness
श्लोक (Ashtavakra Gita)
“न मे बन्धः न मोक्षो मे, भोगो मे न त्यागः। चिदानन्दरूपः शान्तः, आत्मा मे निरूप्यते॥”
Translation:
I have no bondage or liberation, no enjoyment or renunciation. I am consciousness, peace, the Self.
Final Wisdom:
Astrology shows karma, not Self.
Ashtavakra reveals Self, not karma.
You are not the Moon, Lagna, or Sun. You are the silent witness in which they appear.
Conclusion: Use the Chart to Transcend the Chart
Vedic astrology becomes truly powerful when it serves liberation, not identification.
Let the planets dance.
Let the karma play out.
But always remember:
You are the stillness behind the stars. You are the witness of the chart.
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