The Moon's Conjunction with Rohini
The Moon's conjunction with Rohini asterism is one of the most important astronomical observations in Vedic astrology for predicting agricultural outcomes and weather patterns. This ancient science, explained by sages Garga, Parasara, Kasyapa, Maya, and instructed by Brihaspati to Narada, provides detailed methods for observing this conjunction and interpreting its effects on rainfall, crops, and kingdoms.
The weather indications of this single day in a year form the subject of extensive calculation in determining the future agricultural prospect of the land. As noted by scholars, this demonstrates that ancient Hindu astronomers possessed deep understanding of nature's laws that modern science is still investigating.
Rohini Yoga Definition
Definition
The period of a day when the Moon passes through the star Rohini in the dark half of the lunar month of Ashadha
Importance
Weather indications of this single day determine the future agricultural prospect of the land
Observation
Carefully observe the Moon's conjunction with Rohini in the dark half of Ashadha
Observation Factors
Effects must be declared based on the following factors:
Moon's size
Moon's brightness
Moon's color
Moon's direction
Portents at the time
Wind patterns
Ritual Preparation
A Brahmin should perform the following ritual preparation:
Location
Go to a place north or east from the town
Fasting
Stay there three nights fasting
Fire Worship
Worship the sacred fire
Diagram
Draw a diagram of the planets and asterisms occupied by them
Offerings
Worship with oblations coupled with incense and flowers
Ground Setup
Occupy bare ground strewn with Darbha grass, decked at four corners with water-pots containing gems, water and herbs
Seed Sanctification
Sanctify all sorts of seeds with hymns of Mahavrata and immerse in water containing gold and sacred grass
Homa
Make a Homa with hymns addressed to Marut, Varuna and the Moon
Flag Setup
Prepare a black flag (4 cubits length) and hoist on a staff of 12 cubits to observe wind direction
Timing System
Watches
3-hour periods correspond to fortnights
Subdivisions
Subdivisions of a watch correspond to days
Observation Period
Day alone (not night) should be divided into four equal parts representing four months of rainy season
Wind Direction Effects
East to South (clockwise order)
Prosperity to the world
Two contrary winds blowing
Seed Test Prediction
Agricultural Forecast Method
Method: Place seeds in water-vessel during conjunction
Observation: Note which seeds have sprouted and which particular part
Prediction: Only those grains will flourish during the year in that proportion
Auspicious Signs
Good augury during Moon's conjunction with Rohini:
Quarters resound with pleasant cries of birds (not flying towards Sun)
Pleasant cries of animals
Clear sky
Breeze not vitiated
Cloud Descriptions
Large black and white clouds
Like huge serpents with visible bellies and backs, lightning like moving tongues
Multi-colored clouds
White as lotus interior, tinged by rising Sun rays, dark like bees, yellow like saffron, red like Kimsuka flower
Dark clouds with lightning
Studded with dark clouds, chequered with moving lightning and rainbow, like forest on fire with tigers and bisons
Rock-like clouds
Simulate mass of rocks on collyrium mountain, or set at naught lustre of snow, pearls, conch-shells and Moon rays
Elephant-shaped clouds
Dark as Tamala and bees, lightning like golden trappings, cranes like tusks, rain like ichor, moving tops like trunks, rainbows like banners
Crimson twilight clouds
Dark hue of lilies in crimson sky, rob Lord Krishna of his beauty
Signs of Rainy Clouds
Clouds That Will Pour Torrents
Loud and distinct peal of thunder
Followed by cries of peacocks, Chataka birds and frogs
Hang at horizon having spread throughout firmament
Pour down torrents of rain on earth
Cloud Duration Effects
| Duration of Cloud Cover | Effect |
|---|---|
| 3 days of cloud cover | Plenty of food, people happy and contented |
| 2 days of cloud cover | People happy and contented |
| 1 day of cloud cover | Abundant water in the land |
Inauspicious Cloud Signs
No Prosperity or Rain
Rough and small clouds
Tossed about by winds
Shapes of camels, crows, dead bodies, monkeys or other inauspicious creatures
Silent (no thunder)
Clear Sky Indication
If the Sun shines with burning rays in a cloudless sky and the sky at night with bright stars looks blooming like a lake rich in lilies:
There would be copious rain
Directional Effects of Clouds and Wind
Effects based on the direction where clouds are formed or wind arises:
| Direction | Effect |
|---|---|
| East | Growth of good crops |
| South-East | Raging of fires |
| South | Decay of crops |
| South-West | Destruction of half the crops |
| West | Handsome rain |
| North-West | Stormy rain in some places |
| North | Very good and full rain |
| North-East | Bumper crops |
Portents
These portents produce the same effects as clouds under the above conditions:
Fall of meteors
Flashes of lightning
Thunderbolts
False fires in the quarters
Portentous sound in the sky
Earthquakes
Cries of birds and beasts
Water-Pot Prediction Method
Monthly Rainfall Prediction
Setup: Four water-pots beginning with northern one, named after months beginning with Sravana in dextral order
Full Pot
Pot full of water = good rain in that month
Empty Pot
Pot empty = no rain in that month
Partial Pot
Amount of rain guessed from quantity of water left in pots
Extended Use: Can use pots bearing names of kings, countries or things to predict their fortunes
Moon's Position Effects
Position
Moon standing south (far or near)
Effect
Terrible disaster to the world
Severity
CriticalPosition
Moon touching Rohini going northward
Effect
Good rain but many disasters
Severity
MixedPosition
Moon passing north without touching the group
Effect
Copious rain and prosperity to mankind
Severity
ExcellentPosition
Moon in center of wain of Rohini
Effect
People roam helpless, children procuring food, drinking from sun-heated vessels
Severity
CriticalPosition
Moon rises first, Rohini follows
Effect
Augurs well for mankind, amorous ladies stricken with love
Severity
GoodPosition
Moon follows Rohini from behind
Effect
Men become victims to Cupid's arrows, under influence of beloveds
Severity
ModerateMoon's Sub-Directional Effects
| Moon's Direction from Rohini | Effect |
|---|---|
| Southeast of Rohini | Great calamities |
| Southwest of Rohini | All crops spoiled by land-plagues |
| Northwest of Rohini | Middling growth of crops |
| Northeast of Rohini | Many advantages, good growth, higher prices |
Special Conditions
Moon cuts across prominent star of group
Terrible peril
Moon hides prominent star with her disc
King's murder by a woman
Moon not visible (sky overcast)
Great danger from sickness, but plenty of water and grain
Animal Omens (Cows Returning Home)
At the time of cows returning home, observe which animal takes the lead:
| Animal Leading | Rainfall Prediction |
|---|---|
| Bull or black animal (goat) takes lead when cows return home | Much rain |
| Black and white animal | Medium rain |
| White animal | No rain at all |
| Other colored animals | Proportionate estimate of rain quantity |
Note: These views accord with those of sage Garga.
Evening Entry Omens (Rohini-Yoga Day)
According to Parasara, observe what enters the town first in the evening:
Elephant, horse or chariot enters town first
Success in war
Monkey, ass, camel, mongoose, cat or dog enters
Troubles
Blind man enters first
Fear from thunderbolts
Key Principles
- Rohini Yoga occurs when Moon passes through Rohini in dark half of Ashadha - this single day determines agricultural prospects.
- Observations must consider Moon's size, brightness, color, direction, portents, and wind patterns.
- Elaborate ritual preparation by Brahmins includes fire worship, seed sanctification, and water-pot setup.
- Day is divided into four 3-hour watches representing four months of rainy season.
- Wind blowing clockwise (east to south) indicates prosperity; firmest wind prevails when two contrary winds blow.
- Seed test: Only seeds that sprout in water-vessel will flourish during the year in that proportion.
- Auspicious signs: Pleasant bird/animal cries, clear sky, gentle breeze.
- Cloud descriptions range from serpent-like to elephant-shaped, each with specific meanings.
- Clouds with loud thunder, peacock/frog cries, spread throughout firmament will pour torrents.
- 3 days cloud cover = plenty of food; 2 days = happiness; 1 day = abundant water.
- Inauspicious clouds: Rough, small, tossed by winds, shaped like camels/crows/dead bodies, silent.
- Cloudless sky with burning sun and bright stars at night = copious rain.
- Directional effects: East = good crops; North = full rain; North-East = bumper crops; South = decay.
- Water-pots predict monthly rainfall: Full = good rain; Empty = no rain; Partial = proportionate rain.
- Moon south of Rohini = terrible disaster; Moon north without touching = copious rain and prosperity.
- Moon in center of Rohini wain = people helpless, children procuring food.
- Moon rises first, Rohini follows = well for mankind; Moon follows Rohini = men under Cupid's influence.
- Sub-directions: Southeast = calamities; Southwest = crops spoiled; Northeast = bumper crops.
- Moon cutting across/hiding prominent star = terrible peril/king's murder by woman.
- Moon not visible (overcast) = sickness danger but plenty of water and grain.
- Animal omens: Black animal leading = much rain; White = no rain; Black-white = medium rain.
- Evening entry: Elephant/horse/chariot = war success; Monkey/ass/camel = troubles; Blind man = thunderbolt fear.