Vedanga Kalpa

Kalpa – The Karma

Applied intelligence with the right use of knowledge is Kalpa. It manifests as the ceremony or ritual aspect of the Veda and shows the best use of knowledge in enhancing Brahma tejas (spiritual lustre). The Manas (mind) ruled by the Moon is the significator of Kalpa.

Kalpa also means the head. Therefore the seat of manas (mind) is the head and this is the driver of the chart. It decides, directs and is the consciousness that prevails. It alters the perceived reality and directs the individual through different experiences in this world. Life revolves around the Manas and the Moon becomes the single most important factor of life.

Every moment an individual dies, and God, who is god for all, must share in the sorrow. If death were to be a sad moment for the Lord, then God would be weeping all the time. If instead it is a reunion with his dear, deluded child, then death would be a happy experience for God. The manas has the ability to choose emotions based on the nature of the knowledge that prevails. Higher the knowledge, the less emotional is life. The closer an individual soul is to the source (creator-God), the greater is the joy in death. Unable to wait till physical death, such a pure, devout soul experiences death in life – an experience called saṅnyāsa where complete renunciation of the world and possessions, relations occurs in addition to performance of last rites. This is the high water-mark of Kalpa where it can infuse the manas with powerful spiritual thoughts and can protect the mind, body and soul through powerful mantras and yajña.