I recently taught a class on Chitra nakshatra for my ongoing nakshatra course. Chitra is known as the star of craftsmenship, but also rtam. What is this sanskrit word rtam? It refers to the cosmic order of things, and is actually where the word “rhythm” comes from. It is the cosmic rhythm. Chitra is very much the star of these things, but the rtam part of this star has been largely forgotten it seems.
Taittireya Brahmana says this of Chitra:
“Indrasya citrA rtam parastAt satyam avastAt”
As I explain in the nakshatra course, available to all Patreon members, the above vedic sutra, from the Taittireya Brahmana, explains Chitra nakshatra to rule over truth and rtam. This is a very important text, and was usually appended to the Yajur Veda, so we should really rely on this sutra more as the core of our understanding of this nakshatra. This older sutra conveys this star in a way that is fresher and more unique than how the modern, diluted, vedic astrology world explains it. I offer three alternative translations of this sutra from the Taittireya Brahmana.
“The brilliant creations of the best are cosmically ordained from above and the objectively true from below”
“The inspired thoughts of the best are the cosmic ordering principle from above and the truth from below”
“The photons of the best are cosmic order from above and truth below”
These are all possible translations of the cryptic vedic verse, and give us much to think about in context of Chitra and the rtam, or cosmic rhythm. But to fully grasp this, lets explain Chitra and its symbolism more. The following is taken from the manual to the course, which I will soon turn into a book:
Chitra means “bright” and “clear”. It can also mean shiny, conspicuous, excellent, distinguished, variegated, spotted, speckled, various, different, manifold, multi-faceted, having different varieties, anything bright colored which attracts the eyes, strange, and even extraordinary in appearance. It thus refers to anything bright or shiny colored which dazzles the eye.
It can also refer to a picture, painting, or an ornament that has a striking appearance. Its deity is Vishvakarman, the architect of the Gods, and it is the star of craftsmanship and aesthetic beauty. Individuals with this nakshatra prominent may have a striking, dazzling, well crafted, or bright appearance to them. Chitra natives have been known since ancient times to be involved in craftsmanship and the development of bright and distinguished things.
Chitra is Spica
Unlike other nakshatras, Chitra is not a constellation or star group, but is just one really bright star, Spica. This is one of the most brilliant stars. That says a lot about the natives of this nakshatra. They can stand alone. Chitra makes for incredibly brilliant people. It is the star of artisans and craftsmanship. So its quite fitting that its called ‘Chitra”, meaning “the brights” or brilliant things that strike the eye. It is normally translated as “the bright one”. I think in modern terms we can translate chitrA as “photons”, individual units of light. And light/photons has been proven to be nothing other than consciousness, which can be also said to be inseparable from cosmic order and truth. So we see it all connecting to the sutra. It is interesting how the word for consciousness, “chitta” is so similar to Chitra, and here we see the sutra on Chitra relating to light, photons, or “brights”.
Chit in Sanskrit means to think, to comprehend, to reflect on, to design, and refers to the intelligence of the mind. This star is great for thinking, planning, designing, etc. Chitra natives have very bright minds and are great thinkers.
Tra can mean a tool, like how “mantra” means a tool for the mind or manas. Chitra thus can mean a “mind-tool” or a “thinking tool”. After contemplating this star more I came to feel that it goes both ways. That Chitra is the star that is the tool of the mind and it is also the mind of the tool. Meaning it is the star of the intelligence of tools and craftsmanship itself, and it is also the tool of developing and sharpening our intelligence as well. Chit can also mean intelligence and brilliance of mind. Tra can mean a tool or an “instrument of” when it comes as a suffix at the end of a word.
So Chitra can mean an instrument of the Mind or Moon. The Moon taps this instrument one night out of every cycle, growing all of the bright, multifaceted things of the world and in doing so, fostering cosmic order and the unfoldment of universal truth. Why do I use these terms? Because that is how it is explained in the Taittireya Brahmana.
New Take On Chitra Thanks To Taittireya Brahmana
The Taittireya Brahmana sutra shared above explains Chitra in a totally unique way that was somehow lost in the modern interpretations. This is why I translated it a few different ways to show different angles of it, just as a shining gem can be beautifully appreciated from various angles. Chitra is the star of being multi-faceted after all. Once again, this single sutra is one of the best authoritative sources on what this nakshatra really is about.
We learn from it that this is the star of “rtam” from above and “satyam” from below. The word “rtam” means order and particularly cosmic order. It is like the natural rhythms of life, and the English word rhythm itself is derived from this sanskrit word rtam. This is a great way to remember Chitra nakshatra, as the star of the natural rhythms of the cosmos, the natural law and order of life. Vedic philosophy holds that nature is inherently harmonious and orderly. This is what this rtam idea is about, the natural intelligence or “brights” of the universe that create harmonious order and equilibrium.
This rtam word is a very important part of the yogic worldview. It has many shades of meaning. It can also mean “proper, right, fit, apt, suitable, able, brave, honest, true, respected, luminous, enlightened, fixed or settled order, law, rule, sacred or pious custom, divine law, divine truth, and righteousness in general.
As we can now see, not only is it where we get the word “rhythm” from, but also the very common word “right”, as in being righteous or just correct, comes from this word. Chitra makes one innately grasp this connection of nature, natural law, and the innate righteousness and cosmic ordering principle of intelligence that is present throughout the universe.
This understanding leads to the grasp of “satyam” or truth, the other word given to describe Chitra in this sutra. As a result of this brilliance and righteousness of the shining Chitra shakti it cannot help but grow in a truthful way. Chitra feels the cosmic order in creation and wants to express this brightly inspiring sense of order and truth.
In the above sutra you will notice it is referred to as Indra’s star, not as Vishvakarman’s. Shatabhishak is also referred to as the star of Indra. Why is this? One reason for this is that Chitra, Jyestha, and Shatabhishak are all the “best” or the stars most fitted for kingship and rulership overall. Chitra is very fitted for responsibility (kingship) and the delegation of authority if it is healthy in a chart. It is the star of “rtam” which can also mean order, as in “law and order”. So this is a star that upholds dharma and the natural order of things, which is what a King is meant to do.
It gives a great sense of impartiality which makes one able to make good decisions for the entire group and not just for themselves. Chitra natives have a tremendous appreciation for law and order. They also appreciate nature and natural law.
The other reason is because of the legends around these stars. Indra is not really able to truly be the best and the king without his thunderbolt weapon, his vajra. This was fashioned by none other than the great craftsmen of the Gods, Tvasthar. Thus Tvashtar is in many ways responsible or just as great as Indra. Shatabhishak is referred to as Indra because it is the star of Varuna, who was the original Indra or king of heaven before Indra took his place. We must remember that the term Indra is just a title for whomever is the king of the heavens, but this role changes after long ages of time. It was once Varuna’s place, but is no longer his.
Now we know why Chitra is the star of rtam, cosmic rhythm and law, as well as truth. This is only a small excerpt from the entire chapter on Chitra which is 10 pages long. I also have shared the class on chitra to my youtube channel here. If you like this, consider joining the patreon and taking the full course, as well as getting the book when it comes out.
