A planet placed in the Kuiper belt and is the ninth planet from the sun, Yama or Pluto is a dwarf planet that is the first and largest object noticed from the belt. It was discovered in 1930 and orbits for 248 years in the solar system. It is known as the dwarf planet since 2006 and has very interesting characteristics when it comes to astrology. Ancient Vedic astrology had a tradition of allocating gods to particular planets. According to Vasishtha Nadi, it is said that Pluto is named Yama, the god of death and darkness. It is the ruler of the Scorpio sign along with Mars. Pluto works as the death agent particularly pointing out the death of a desire or a wish you hold or someone close to you. Pluto always works in destructive, chaotic, cold, sudden, cyclic, subtle ways. The higher effects of Pluto can not be experienced by a person so taken over by the material world and worldly pleasures and desires.
As per Hinduism, Pluto is considered to be Yama who is the god of death and justice. He is the one who dispenses punishment to the wrongdoers and gives them a place in his Yamlok also known as Naraka. Yama has been appointed with the responsibility of guarding and protecting the southern direction. He is often described as a dark man riding on a bull and carrying mace to capture dead souls. He is the twin of the Yamuna, the goddess of the river. His parents are Surya and Saranyu. Saranyu is also addressed by the name of Sanjana. The story of Yama’s birth is very interesting and contributes to the role he plays in the universe.
Surya shined very brightly the day Yama was to be born. He shined so radiantly that it became very difficult for Sanjana to keep her eyes open. His glow had a blinding effect on her and she shut her eyes tightly. Lord Surya was enraged and cursed her. This curse gave birth to Yama who then took the responsibility of bringing order in the universe by punishing human beings for their sins and torturing their souls. According to scriptures, it is said that he was the first mortal to die and hence became the ruler of death. Chitragupta is his assistant and is another deity that is closely associated with death.
Along with the Yamuna, he has other siblings whose names are Revanta, Tapati, Shani, Ashvins and Shraddhadeva Manu. He has been mentioned in various incidents like Pandavas, Satyavan Savitri and Markandeya. The story of Markandeya and Yama is one of the most interesting ones you will read so far. Markandeya was a bhakta (devotee) of Lord Shiva. When his time had come to submit to death, none of Yama’s messengers could take his life. Yama had to come in person to do so himself. When he tried to kill Markandeya, his noose landed on a Shivalinga. A furious Lord Shiva emerged from the Shivalinga and fought Yama to the point of his death. He then revived Yama and made him promise to not take Markandeya’s life.
Vana Purana tells the story of Satyavan & Savitri and their incidence with Yama. Savitri was a wise woman who very cleverly and with the help of her profound knowledge won back her husband’s life. It was her dedication and praises which impressed Yama and made him give Satyavan a long life with Savitri. Along with the life of her husband she also demanded her restoration of eyesight and kingdom along with hundred children for her father and a hundred for her and Satyavan. Yama showed himself as a crane in turn Yaksha who did the question-answer with Yudhistira at the end of their 12 years of Vanavasa (exile). He was so impressed by Yudhishtira’s firmness on sticking to dharma and righteousness while answering all his 125 questions on various topics like gods, philosophies and more.
Upheaval, struggle, temptation, envy, turning point, revival, recreation are some of the significations of Pluto in a person and his behaviour. It can be noticed in activities signifying crime, underground activities like mining caves, minerals and stones etc. Scams, Scandals, under the table activities and political problems are caused by the influence of Pluto. Hence, it is known as the planet of the underworld. One can see the effects and imagine them to be witnessing a gloomy place, volcanic region, ancient civilization, old shrines, natural domes, death, destruction and grave. We can say that any big destruction is caused due to the ascendency of pluto. It can also be seen that Pluto is related to journeys, discoveries, inventions and travelling.
Pluto gives duality to the person wherever he settles in the horoscope. Considering the years of his orbit, it does not come off as a surprise that this planet is in fact a slow-moving planet. Just like Uranus, this planet brings a sudden change in one’s life but the effects and the influence of this change is far deeper and stronger than that of the Uranus planet. The gravity of change that is brought by pluto in a human’s life is inescapable and something which a person has no choice but to accept. Unless and until the planet is strongly placed in one’s horoscope, he/she will not feel its effect on their lives.
Pluto planet works very well when placed in the 10th house of the horoscope. The person can manage two professions parallelly in a smooth and arranged manner. If Pluto is placed in the 7th house, one may have an extra marital affair. Pluto is called the last extra saturnine planet in astrology. It means that the planet is gloomy, inviting seriousness and dullness.
Pluto takes 12 to 31 years to make a transition from one house to another. Pineal glands are ruled by the planet. Onyx gemstone is ruled by the planet and it reflects upon the dual nature of the planet as the gemstone contains black and white colours existing together. Pluto can make one a master in any area. It promotes research and development and also scientific work. Just like Neptune, Pluto shows the possibility of forces, things and life beneath the surface. It is also related to renewal and rebirth. Pluto wants one to know their inner self and inner consciousness better for their own betterment and growth. Pluto rules over masses in general rather than individuals. It also does the job of evolving one’s soul for reaching its purpose in life.
Click here to read about Varuna – God Of Neptune And The Sea.
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