Page:A Collection of Esoteric Writings.djvu/18

4 different from the implied meaning. The following are some of the rules which may help an enquirer in ferreting out the deep significance of the ancient Sanskrit nomenclature used in the old Aryan myths and allegories:—

 Find out the synonyms of the word used which have other meanings.

Find out the numerical value of the letters composing the word according to the methods given in ancient Tântrik works.

Examine the ancient myths or allegories, if there are any, which have any special connection with the word in question.

Permute the different syllables composing the word and examine the new combinations that will thus be formed and their meanings, &c., &c. 

I shall now apply some of the above given rules to the names of the twelve signs of the Zodiac.

 Mésham. One of the synonyms of this word is Aja. Now, Aja literally means that which has no birth and is applied to the Eternal Brahmam in certain portions of the Upanishads. So the first sign is intended to represent Parabrahmam, the self-existent, eternal, self-sufficient cause of all.

Rishabham. This word is used in several places in the Upanishads and the Vêda to mean Pranava (Aum). Sankarâchârya has so interpreted it in several portions of his commentary.* 

<li>Mithunam. As the word plainly indicates, this sign is intended to represent the first androgyne, the Ardhanáreeswara, the bisexual Sephira-Adam Kadmon.</li>

<li>Karkatakam. When the syllables are converted into the corresponding numbers according to the general </li> </ol>