The INDIAN TAROTS

Actually, for this card, I could not decide a single deity. Both Ma Lakshmi and Surya Dev offers success, fertility etc. So, in this chapter I will talk about both these deities.

Suryadev

Surya is a Rig-Vedic God that represents the Sun itself. He is also one of the Nabagrahas (9 planets) as per the astrology. Unlike Indra or Soma, Surya is still a prominent figure in Sanatan culture. Many people offer regards to him on a daily basis with Surya-pranaam in the morning. The way to perform this ritual is to wake up before sunrise and offer water (to ground or tree) 3 times thinking of the Sun. This should be done before consuming anything. As per astrology, Sun or Rabi helps us to gain respect and prosperity in life. He also offers good health and helps with progress in career. As per Puran scriptures, Surya dev has a seven-headed horse that signifies 7 colours of rainbow (VIBGYOR) or the 7 chakras in our body.

Surya Dev plays a passive yet significant role in the Mahabharat era. Kunti received a mantra from sage Durbasha which would summon any god and she can have a child with the god. Being curious, Kunti summoned Surya dev one day. But when Surya appeared before her, she was shocked; as she still unmarried she did not want to bear any children. However, because of the obligations of the mantra, Surya created a son from Kunti without impacting her virginity. This son was Karna, Surya dev blessed him with a protective armour and earrings which made him one of the strongest warriors in the Kurukshetra war later. Until Karna gave up his armour after being deceived by Indra, he remained undefeated in the war. However, at the time of birth, Kunti had to leave Karna as she could not bear any children before marriage.

Surya’s 12 manifestations are 12 of 33 koti devatas in Sanatan culture. These 12 Adityas are Dhatri, Mitra, Aryaman, Sakra, Varuna, Amsa, Vaga, Vivaswan, Usha, Savitri, Tvashtri, Vishnu. The Sun represents the soul, vitality, courage, willpower, authority, royalty and so on. Konark Sun Temple is the most prominent Surya Temple and it is in Puri, Odisha. The architecture is about 1000 years old and it was built near Chandrabhaga River. However, the river has receded with time. The Sun temple is carved out of stone in form of a chariot. The temple is faced the east in such a way that the first rays of the sun could strike the main entrance, hence the name ‘Kon/corner’+’Arka/Sun’. The carvings in the temple wall are very sophisticating as they showcase activities of different age groups. The lower-most level has carvings of animals and fun elements. The next layer has carvings of different sports, musical activities, dance forms etc. The layer above that shows different educational things related to biology, history, physics, weaponry etc. The layer above that shows erotic artworks, different postures of sex etc. The top layers have carvings of different gods. Actually, these layers are made in such way that based on different age groups, people can enjoy them. The lower-most layer is for infants, the next layer is for children, the next ones are for students who perform brahmacharya, the next one is for married people who perform Garhasthya and then the next one is for people who are choosing Baanprastha or Sanyaas. It is said that whenever a couple is feeling lack of intimacy or having issues with conceiving child, they should visit the Konark temple. Psychologically the erotic artworks impact people’s mind and thus influence their intimacy positively. If you see it from another perspective, the Sun god blesses them with fertility in this way. There are many other temples dedicated to Surya dev- Martand temple (Kashmir), Suryanar temple (Tamil Nadu), Modhera Sun Temple (Gujarat), Biranchinarayan Temple (Orissa), Multan Sun temple (Pak Kashmir) etc.

In India, many festivals are celebrated to praise the Sun god. Makar Sankranti (in many North Indian states) or Pongal (in Tamil Nadu) is celebrated to show gratitude towards Surya dev. People request for good harvest and offer the first grains to the god. Chhath (in Bihar) is another popular festival where people show gratitude to the deity and his wife Usha for helping humans to survive. In Andhra Pradesh, Ratha Saptami or Okka roju Brahmostavam is celebrated in the Tirupati Balaji temple to commemorate Balaji’s manifestation as the Sun god. In this festival, Venkateshwara (Balaji) is mounted on top of 7 types of Baahans (rides) namely Suryaprabha, Hanmad, Garuda, Peddasesha, Kalpavruksha, Sarvabhupahala and finally, the Chandraprabha Vahana. As per multiple Puran scriptures, worship of Surya Dev is recommended for good fortune.

Lakshmi

Lakshmi Devi is the consort of Vishnu. I have mentioned earlier that Shri Lakshmi appeared while Samudra-Manthan. The closest word related to Lakshmi id Lakshya, which means Aim or Destination. Lakshmi is the goddess of prosperity and wealth, which is aim of most people. From my personal viewpoint, this means that the way of extreme abstinence is not the way of enlightenment. As there are ways of earning prosperity, one should grab it. Lakshmi is also a manifestation of Shakti. Shakti and Shaktimaan have been together since eternity, Lakshmi is simply a manifestation.

Lakshmi is said to be impatient. She is hard to get and easy to lose. Isn’t this true about wealth and prosperity!! On the other hand. Lakshmi never wants to leave Narayan/Vishnu. Vishnu is the epitome of knowledge, intelligence and patience. Basically, if we possess these traits, then we can earn wealth. Lakshmi’s place is in Narayan’s heart but in many depictions, she is shown as sitting near Vishnu’s feet and taking care of him. There is a reason regarding this. Lakshmi’s sister is Alakshmi. Alakshmi is polar opposite of Lakshmi and she is ugly, bringer of misfortune and poverty. One day, Lakshmi got angry on Alakshmi as she is always around Lakshmi-Narayan, meddling in their privacy. Laksmi asked her to leave them alone but Alakshmi said that she does not have any husband so she does not want to leave. Lakshmi cursed her that Mrityu, the god of decay and death will be her husband and she will live in places where there is dirty, envy, rage, lust. This is why Shree Lakshmi always sits near Narayan’s feet, making sure his feet don’t get dirty, otherwise Alakshmi will invade between them again. Meanwhile, Vishnu also knows this and he makes sure that his feet are never dirty, otherwise Lakshmi will leave him. In our daily lives, we need to keep our homes clean and keep our mind free from shat-ripus to retain Lakshmi in us. While, Lakshmi likes to eat sweet food, Alakshmi prefers sour and sharp taste. This is why many shops will hang lemons and chilly outside their gate, so that Alakshmi takes those and leaves without entering.

In Bengali culture, the importance of Lakshmi is immense. In every Sanatani house, people worship goddess Lakshmi Ma. Orthodox Bengalis also celebrates the ritual of reciting Lakshmi Panchali every Thursday. Lakshmi Panchali is about the glory of the goddess, just like Hanuman Chalisa. This small book was written in mid 1800s and is still popular in Bengali culture. The book emphasizes on the qualities of Ma Lakshmi and basically encourages women to possess these qualities to bring good fortune, happiness, prosperity in family. Some of these qualities are-

Maintaining cleanliness
Respecting own dharma and culture (like performing puja, applying vermillion, wearing Mangal Sutra or Sakha etc.)
Avoiding anger, laziness, speaking untrue and being self-entitled
Not speaking abusive languages
Not dressing provocatively/shamelessly
Not being self-absorbed and focusing on becoming independent in a selfish manner
Consuming proper food

These are some of the characteristics that truly help women earn love and respect from their partners and society, I am not even joking!! Feminists will be triggered but its just that men and women are different in nature. Most women want a man who is smart, experienced, knowledgeable, risk-taker, provider (earner) and dominant. Most men want a woman who is inexperienced, risk-avoider, submissive (willfully cooperative) and willing to take care of the family by cooking and cleaning. Unfortunately, our current education system and contemporary society often fail to nurture the feminine side of women. “Look at how rich that lady is!!” – said no one ever. Actually, deep down most women value their traditional feminine roles. This is why, women hardly marry someone who earns less than them. On the other hand, the higher a woman earns, the tougher it becomes for her to get a guy of her choice. Basically, the education system and society do not embrace our own culture or knowledge. Majority of us have remained brainwashed by political propagandas (especially leftist) and foreigners. We often tell that South Indian people have preserved the Indian culture better…. Why do we say that?? Its because they respect their own culture. Many South Indian women prefer Saaree to Jeans, they prefer Indian music to K-pop. I am stereotyping, but hopefully you get the point. Being traditional in North India is harder because people around you won’t care about that, so cheers to those North Indian women who follow traditional way of living. Maybe these are small things, but they do matter. And it is not about oppression, it is about respecting the one who is taking responsibility. Men are attracted when they are respected- this is the reason why Vishnu desires Lakshmi and Parvati is the apple of Shiva’s eyes. Honestly, most women don’t know what a man really wants. It is not about sex, its about respect. Men don’t care about women’s academics or career. Men care about women’s character rather than personality. A virtuous woman is always respected. Women look for love and attention while men look for respect and submissiveness (willful cooperation). Most man look for Lakshmi inside women. Lakshmi is not about materialistic pleasure, rather it means compassion, taking care of others, protecting own respect and respecting own culture. This is why men always respect and adore housewives rather than career women. On the other hand, career women shame housewives and make them feel inferior. Women are enemies of each other indeed!! They envy another happy woman. I have literally seen single girls make fun of and shame another girl who is happy in her relationship. Whenever a girl faces issues in relationship, most of her girl“friends” gives solution like ‘leave him’ or ‘break up with him’. This is why no one should take relationship advice from women, unless a woman is successful in her relationship in a long-term manner. Without the mentioned skills above, one cannot earn happiness. I am mentioning ‘happiness’ because the motto of humans is to be happy in life. Maybe today women are so-called independent with their degrees and jobs, but are they happy now or were they happy before? Today, dressing provocatively and being able to have sex with a bunch of guys is considered freedom- what women don’t understand is that they have the choice to do that but they should also be prepared to take accountability of that choice. Its funny how they will act however they want and then blame men for not caring for them. If a woman thinks she does not get respect, its because she does not respect herself. Most women will not be happy if they just have a bunch of money, a palace and some cars. They still seek emotional warmth and attention from men. If they look for a guy with traditional values, they have to become traditional themselves first. I personally believe that feminists are the Alakshmis; they follow the path of Adharma. The reason why the propaganda of feminism is spread is because the top-level wants to break the family integrity and control lower-level to make profit. All women know their traditional roles from childhood; but education and society ruin them. Men are logical, that’s why women have been chosen for such brainwashing. My message to all women will be that traditional values will bring them ultimate happiness in their lives and this is how they can become Lakshmi at heart and welcome Vishnu in their lives.

Humans are the children of Lakshmi and Narayan. This is why Lakshmi is the symbol of fertility. I am not saying men are perfect, rather men are imperfect now more than ever. This is again fault of the education system and the society. Men are not taught how to become a ‘Man’, how to take responsibility and accountability of their actions. Whenever we see a feminist, I realise that she has never received guidance from any masculine and disciplined man. Many young women despise getting married because they think that they don’t need any man and they think being a wife is synonymous to being a baby-machine or a slave. Well, look around ourselves- everything is created by men- the house we live in, the road we walk on, the major inventions, the amusements etc. After enjoying all these, if someone says “I don’t need a man’- it shows quite some hypocrisy and ungratefulness. Moreover, having 1-2 children does not make someone a ‘baby-machine’. Rather, women should take pride in their ability to give birth. This is the only thing men cannot do. Actually, unless a woman becomes a mother, she does not become a complete woman. So, instead of wasting their 20s running after useless degrees or money, women need to get married. Career can wait, but fertility-clock won’t. Women should get married before 25, because the age of 22-24 is the peak of their youth. All men want young girls and it is not misogyny, it is just preference just like a woman prefers a guy who is handsome and rich. Also, after 25, fertility reduces among women. Bharat in ancient time followed this age-rule, women would get married in early 20s and after they turn 35+, they would start working outside if necessary or choose spiritual path. This is what the 4-phases of lifecycle as per Hinduism has been- Brahmacharya, Garhasthya, Baanprastha, Sanyaas. Child-birth needs patience, the willingness to nurture and love – those who have these traits, have Lakshmi inside their heart. The easiest way for a woman to become Laksmi is to stop competing with man. Lakshmi is Shakti of Narayan; she helps him and cooperates with him rather than competing with him.

I have kept Lakshmi and Surya as ‘The Sun’ because they offer happiness through prosperity. They offer fertility – Sun helps is farming and Lakshmi is also the goddess of food (rice, fish etc.). They help us to remain optimistic and attain success.

Upright meaning

In tarot, the Sun card is often associated with positivity, joy, and success. When the card is upright, it generally signifies positive traits such as success, joy, and vitality. The upright Sun may represent a person who is experiencing happiness and success, or it can indicate a need to focus on positivity and joy in order to achieve success.

Reverse meaning

On the other hand, when the Sun card is reversed, it may indicate negative traits such as a lack of energy, depression, or a feeling of being stuck. The reversed Sun may represent a person who is struggling with depression or a lack of energy, or who is feeling stuck in their current situation. It could also suggest a need to focus on self-care and finding ways to tap into joy and positivity to overcome obstacles.

Source:

Lectures of Praveen Mohan

Lakshmi Panchali