Just wondering if anyone knows what the 'Marks of Fortune' symbolizes. In the Ruchaka yoga, the marks of fortune are the lute, lightening spear, trident, bow, noose, wheel, staff with the skull at the top and arrow on the hands and feet. I remember from somewhere that Ernst said or wrote about the club being a weapon of yogis, I guess because they 'beat' the ego? But I'm interested to find out what all these things listed mean for the native and how they use them, not literally per se, but metaphorically.
Thanks.
Hi Valen,
My reply is not directly related with your question.
Yet, I would like to join the thread by sharing what I know and remember.
In the Jaimini sutras, the ones related to the weapons from Svamsa, Mercury is related to an ascetic of the highest order and armed with a staff. It’s not a direct weapon to attack but to restrain. When no choice left, it is useful to defend without hurting the attacker. That was the idea behind it.
About that club, it’s really nice to think it as beating the ego.
Thank you
Zumrut
hi Valen, as i understand, the marks of fortune are physical marks said to be found on a person body when mhaparusha yogas are present. for the ruchaka yoga, mars being the planet on angel exa/MT/OH, a person will have one or maybemore of those symbols or marks on his body. " lute, lightening spear, trident, bow, noose, wheel, staff with the skull at the top and arrow on the hands and feet" all those represent martial qualities indicative of an energetic, strong willed, Self-reliant, capable, skillful warrior with powerful personality. a person who his strengths, courage and merits gain him his due rewards in life.
@sharonsegall Hmm, I didn't think to take it as physical marks on the body...I will start looking on my person.
Thank you.
I think you have to go to the tantras to find the inner meaning of these symbols, in particular the descriptions of them when they are held by various deities. Of note in the list is "staff with skull at the top" which is the emblem of Bhairava, Siva as skull-bearing ascetic.
You could also work it out through the knowledge of what Mars is and how the particular symbol would be used in a Martian way. One example is the noose. Mars is logic and so wouldn't Mars action as a noose get a hold on something through tightening it's grip by logical analysis? I would contrast this with if Jupiter used a noose, wouldn't it expand understanding to completely encircle the issue/situation in question and thereby get a hold on it.
Perhaps these "marks" and their inner significance are latent powers inherent in the chart that can be awakened with the right karmic circumstances. Interestingly, Venus's Mahapurusha Yoga, Malavya, I don't have any marks of fortune listed like the others.