The Hindu Temple v1.c5.s2.10

v1.c5.s2.10

The Ecliptic is drawn in India as a square and this coincides in the Vāstumaṇḍala with the square compass of the orients and all directions. The square symbol of the Ecliptic represents the different cycles and the enclosures in space that are separately traversed by the celestial bodies and also the number of units of time taken by the bodies in traversing such an enclosure.²⁵ At present in Indian astrology, the Ecliptic is drawn under the name of Rāśi-cakra, the wheel, a closed polygon, of signs, as a square Zodiac. The astrologer bases his calculations and predictions on this square of which he divides each side into four. The position of the heavenly bodies is represented by him on the ground by a sub-division and bordering of the square, the four squares in the centre being obliterated. The 12 signs of the Zodiac are assigned to the 12 squares of the border.²⁶ The 12 signs of the Zodiac are identical in number to the 12 Ādityas who are the different manifestations of the one Sun god in the 12 stages of his journey.