27 Stars, 27 Gods: The Astrological Mythology of Ancient India

by Vic DiCara

Over a decade of dedicated research! Over a year of writing and editing! With the blessings and guidance of a swami , a babaji, and a Sanskrit scholar, Vic DiCara presents you the world's most definitive, simple and completely awesome explanation of the mythology and meaning within the 27 stars of ancient Indian astrology!

If you are an astrologer or a fan of astrology, you will be transformed by Vic's radically clear and straightforward explanations of Sanskrit, Vedic mythology, and mastery of intuitive symbolism.

If you are a lover of India and her culture, you will delight in these deep revelations and rare expositions of familiar gods like Vishnu, not-so-familiar gods like Varuna, and nearly forgotten gods like Ajaikapat.

If you are a spiritual seeker, you will discover the origin of the universe, the meaning of life, and essential clues in the eternal quest for the "fountain of youth."

The 160 pages of this book are abundantly replete with exact references and footnotes to satisfy the scholars among you. The book is dripping with dramatic storytelling, filled with philosophy as clear and deep as a Himalayan lake, and precisely presents the perfectly useful astrological symbolism of the divine stars.

~*~*~

"Vic DiCara's exploration and definitive research on the lunar mansions brings the primordial zodiac alive with the rich symbolism and sacred stories of Indian lore. We often forget that the basis of Vedic astrology will always be the mystical mythology associated with Jyotish, the science of light. Mr. DiCara's brilliant text illuminates our path home to the divine through his deep understanding and the blessings of the gods and goddesses of ancient India"

- Dennis M. Harness, Ph.D.
Psychologist, Writer and Vedic Astrologer

"27 Stars, 27 Gods is a fantastically deep book about the fixed stars of Vedic astrology. It is well written and well researched, and is a clear and enjoyable read! I highly recommend it for everyone from astrologers to yogis and everyone in between."

- Juliana Swanson, RN
ACVA Teacher, Jyotish Visharada & Kovid

Genres: Astrology, Spirituality, Mythology, Hinduism

160 pages, Paperback

First published December 27, 2012

About the author

Born in Bay Shore, New York on July 27th, 1970 at 19:38, Vic DiCara was fascinated with astronomy as a young child.

He became a hardcore-punk guitarist and songwriter in his late teens, and soon thereafter became deeply involved in the International Society for Krishna Consciousness, living for roughly 8 years in temples - studying elaborately and embarking on months of extended pilgrimages to the holy places of India.

He was initiated into the Gaudiya-sampradaya and received the name Vraja Kishor das, along with the brahminical thread. He studied sacred Sanskrit texts extensively under his guru, and wrote prolifically to a huge international audience. In his later twenties he married and was blessed with a beautiful family.

He began practicing astrology about a decade later and, thanks to his thorough spiritual background and familiarity with Sanskrit, quickly became recognized as an important exponent of the ancient science

Reviews

[Sumir Sharma · Rating 5 out of 5]

Marvellous. A Scholarly Work. A real scientific temper at its best.

It is a work based on original thought and original work and efforts. But let me warn you. It is not a work on Astrology. It is work on Nakshatras as a scholarly rendition of understanding pursuing a query and performing a scientific evaluation of Vedic and Puranic sources. However, those who are serious readers and seek some real understanding and also those who want to undertake study in astrology, they should definitely go through it. It is another thing, that he has given some of his own interpretations. But, that is as per the craft of scientific evaluation of the sources which he has referred.
Those who swear by Vedic knowledge and Sanskrit language may just try to peep into it and learn how to be humble and then claim glory for the things for which they shout with pitched screams about their greatness. A great work. The Vedic knowledge demands scientific temperament. But, merely chanting on the premises that each mantra is Sidha, is a delusion. Upanishads are the result of scientific evaluation and not of chanting.
The argument of the author that one should not give too much importance to the pad or house is definitely a premises which required to be considered.
His thought process, where he asks the reader to suspend one/s earlier premises, shows the level of growth to which the author has already reached. Learning and Unlearning goals are a colloquial way of telling the brain activity. Nothing is unlearned. You have to push it back or develop the ability to suspend one's the so-called understanding of a subject. It is from there, one can begin to receive the new set of data or information. Therefore, if you want to follow his evaluation, then you have to learn to suspend that the House effect. The author has explained that how it is important to learn the influence of nakshatras.
The book is also given me a complex. It has shown me that I have more to learn about Hindu mythology. The author has given me many subjects and questions on which I will now pursue my quest of new data.

[Shagun Tripathi · Rating 5 out of 5]

I would have stopped at 4 stars, but the extra one goes to the lifetime of learning that Vicji has poured into this beautiful introduction to Nakshatra Taras. It is the beginner's manual and the expert's reference book on Constellations wrapped into one. I personally love the illustrative images, I used my sky-gazing apps to watch the stars based on Vicji's illustrations in the book, and the delight never ends!

[Narendrāditya Nalwa · Rating 5 out of 5]

This short book gives a concise introduction to the general features and aspects of all 27 stars. Also mentions a 28th star, Abhijit.

[Keshav · Rating 2 out of 5]

Always a delight to read mythology with its absurd stories and fantastical narratives. Reading Indian myth is more rewarding to me not exclusively owing to my nationality but also since it has a continuity to the present day, something that the Greeks or Iranians etc can't claim. Anyway, I digress. At 160 odd pages the book is a light and quick read, the author doesn't dwell on any constellation for more than a few pages. The book has a strong Vaishnavite lens, with multiple highlights of Vishnu and Krishna (notice cover image) and (eg) significantly more detail about Vishnu's Shravana vs Bhaga's Purva Phalguni. This might be ascribed to the his years spent in ISKCON. The author felt the need to simplify, and he has added a helpful appendix and also a short, sentence-long redux of the key characteristics of the gods behind the stars. Any parallel to Western myths of these constellations is restricted to identifying their present day names.

Tl; dr: Good for a first intro to what it professes to be.

[Jacquie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting view of the myths of Ancient India. I like how the book was organized but felt that it was a little overwhelming. I think it was a little hard to grasp in a casual reading. Possibly due to the fact that I have no prior knowledge whatsoever. Unlike Greek mythology, I have nothing to attach the new information too. Interesting and informative, I will be interested in reading more about the topic.

[Archana · Rating 5 out of 5]

A must read for anyone who wants to understand nakshatras !

What I particularly love about this book is the reference points to vedas. I listen to Shri Vic Dicara and his recitations of Shrimad Bhagvatam on you tube. His insights analysis and explanations make this book so inspiring. My humble dandavats to his knowledge !

[Sonal Goel · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is my favourite, love it. Vic Di Cara is exceptional as a teacher and narrator.
This book goes really well with Vic Di Cara's detailed lecture series on youtube (highly recommended, if you're picking up this book)

[Ekessh T K S · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awesome

Wonderful explanation of each nakshatra mythology. A must read for someone interested in astrology. It helps with predictions and understanding the deeper meaning of the planetary placements.

[Anjalica · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awesome read very informative

[Hogarth Brown · Rating 5 out of 5]

Clear and uncluttered

This was a very crisp and clear explanation of the nakshatras. The concepts were easy to follow, and can be easily referenced.

[Nancy McQueen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good introduction, but I need more information. This will lead me into further books on the subject.

[anwesha ୨୧ · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.75/5
quite informative and good for a light read, definitely recommend it to beginners.

[Gary W. Price · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good beginners book

This will help you unravel the mysteries of fixed stars without too much effort. I recommend it to beginners and advanced astrologers alike.

[Kathryn Jacobs · Rating 5 out of 5]

Before finding this and Nakshatra - The Authentic Heart of Vedic Astrology I was lost due to life circumstances that I could have never foreseen coming. It opened my eyes and gave me access to a whole new world that only existed in my dreams. My fear of the unknown decreased due to the clarity gained through the simplicity of the explanations of the nakshatras, gods, symbolism, etc. The universal connection to other theories and the combination of resources used allowed me to see the greater picture of events taking place in my life and how the materials needed to create prosperity lie within. It presents a wide range of knowledge and combines them without judgment that one concept is superior to the other allowing room for growth and expansion of ideas that has the power to create unity for all.

Thanks, Vic

Thanks, Vic

Kathryn

[Nikitha · Rating 4 out of 5]

It has good stories to remember the significance of each star