Skandha of Bhagavata).  This sign is intended to represent Vishnu.  Vishnu literally means that which is expanded—­expanded as Viswam or Universe.  Properly speaking, Viswam itself is Vishnu (see Sankaracharya’s commentary on Vishnusahasranamam).  I have already intimated that Vishnu represents the Swapnavastha or the Dreaming State.  The sign in question properly signifies the universe in thought or the universe in the divine conception.

It is properly placed as the sign opposite to Rishabham or Pranava.  Analysis from Pranava downwards leads to the Universe of Thought, and synthesis from the latter upwards leads to Pranava (Aum).  We have now arrived at the ideal state of the universe previous to its coming into material existence.  The expansion of the Vija or primitive germ into the universe is only possible when the 36 “Tatwams” * are interposed between the Maya and Jivatma.  The dreaming state is induced through the instrumentality of these “Tatwams.”  It is the existence of these Tatwams that brings Hamsa into existence.  The elimination of these Tatwams marks the beginning of the synthesis towards Pranava and Brahmam and converts Hamsa into Soham.  As it is intended to represent the different stages of evolution from Brahmam downwards to the material universe, the three signs Kanya, Tula, and Vrischika are placed in the order in which they now stand as three separate signs.

IX.  Dhanus (Sagittarius).—­When represented in numbers the name is equivalent to 9, and the division in question is the 9th division counting from Mesha.  The sign, therefore, clearly indicates the 9 Brahmas—­the 9 Parajapatis who assisted the Demiurgus in constructing the material universe.

X. Makara.—­There is some difficulty in interpreting this word; nevertheless it contains within itself the clue to its correct interpretation.  The letter Ma is equivalent to number 5, and Kara means hand.  Now in Sanskrit Thribhujam means a triangle, bhujam or karam (both are synonymous) being understood to mean a side.  So, Makaram or Panchakaram means a Pentagon.**

----------
* 36 is three times 12, or 9 Tetraktis, or 12 Triads, the most sacred
number in the Kabalistic and Pythagorean numerals.—­Ed. Theos.

** The five-pointed star or pentagram represented the five limbs of man.—­Ed. Theos. ----------

Now, Makaram is the tenth sign, and the term “Dasadisa” is generally used by Sanskrit writers to denote the faces or sides of the universe.  The sign in question is intended to represent the faces of the universe, and indicates that the figure of the universe is bounded by Pentagons.  If we take the pentagons as regular pentagons (on the presumption or supposition that the universe is symmetrically constructed) the figure of the material universe will, of course, be a Dodecahedron, the geometrical model imitated by the Demiurgus in constructing the material universe.  If Tula was subsequently invented, and if instead of the three