Aquarius Constellation/ Kumbh Rashi

 

Aquarius is a constellation of the zodiac, between Capricornus and Pisces.

Its name is Latin for "water-carrier" or "cup-carrier", and its symbol is Aquarius. ( ♒), a representation of water. 

 

It is found in a region often called the Sea due to its abundance of constellations with watery associations such as Cetus the whale, Pisces the fish, and Eridanus the river.

Aquarius is identified as  "The Great One" in the Babylonian star catalogues and represents the god Ea himself, who is commonly depicted holding an overflowing vase.

 In Old Babylonian astronomy, Ea was the ruler of the southernmost quarter of the Sun's path, the "Way of Ea", corresponding to the period of 45 days on either side of winter solstice.

 Aquarius was also associated with the destructive floods that the Babylonians regularly experienced, and thus was negatively indicated.

In Ancient Egypt astronomy ,Aquarius was associated with the annual flood of the Nile ; the banks were said to flood when Aquarius put his jar into the river, beginning spring.

In the Greek tradition , the constellation came to be represented simply as a single vase from which a stream poured down to Piscis Austrinus . The name in the Hindu zodiac is likewise kumbha "water-pitcher".

In Greek mythology, Aquarius is sometimes associated with Deucalion , the son of Prometheus who built a ship with his wife Pyrrha to survive an imminent flood.

 They sailed for nine days before washing ashore on Mount Parnassus.

In Hindu mythology similar tale of Nova & his nauka.(ship)

 Aquarius is also sometimes identified with beautiful Ganymede , a youth in Greek mythology and the son of Trojan king Tros, who was taken to Mount Olympus by Zeus to act as cup-carrier to the gods.

 Neighboring Aquila represents the eagle, under Zeus' command, that snatched the young boy.

Some versions of the myth indicate that the eagle was in fact Zeus transformed.

 An alternative version of the tale recounts Ganymede's kidnapping by the goddess of the dawn, Eos, motivated by her affection for young men; 

Zeus then stole him from Eos and employed him as cup-bearer. 

Yet another figure associated with the water bearer is Cecrops I, a king of Athens who sacrificed water instead of wine to the gods.

A kumbha (Sanskrit: कुम्भ) is a type of pottery in India. Traditionally, it is made by Kumbhars, also known as Prajapatis.

In the context of Hindu, Jain and Buddhist mythology, the kumbha symbolises the womb.

 It represents fertility, life, generative power of human beings and sustenance and is generally associated with devis, particularly Ganga.

   

Mythological origin

According to Hindu Mythology, the first kumbha was created by Prajapati on the occasion of the marriage of Shiva, so he was first kumbhara "potter".

 Another myth says that the first pot was created by Vishvakarma on the occasion of the churning of the ocean for the first Amrit Sanchar.

In Hindu mythology and scriptures, several references are found of human beings born from kumbha.

 A legend states that rishi Agastya was born out of a kumbha.

In several religious ceremonies and rituals, kumbhas or kalashas filled with water and leaves and decorated with intricate motifs, sometimes with ornaments, play an important role in ancient India.

 These rituals still survive in India.

In Hindu astrology, the kumbha stands for the zodiac sign Aquarius and is ruled by 2 important planets that is (Saturn and Rahu). Kumbha is also associated with the Kumbh Mela, which happens when the planet Brihaspati moves into Aquarius.

In Hindu epic Ramayana, Ravana's brother Kumbhakarna had a son named Kumbha, who was killed by Sugriva.

So this was the great story of great constellation.

Incidentally today is Ghatsthapana,placing Kumbh with seeds of grains in soil to mark the start of nine days of Navratri festivity which  begins with worshipping Goddess Shailputri.

The Kalash represents Shakti or the source of creation or feminine power.

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