Revati : [16°40’ – 30°0’ Pisces]

CONSTITUENTS OF THE NAKSHATRA

Revati is the twenty seventh and last nakshatra of the zodiac which consists of 32 stars in the Southern Tail of Pisces. It extends from 346°40’ to 360°0’ of the zodiac sign of Pisces ruled by Jupiter. The asterism itself is ruled b Mercury. According to mythological belief Saturn was born under this nakshatra. It is noted that Venus becomes exalted in this sign. The symbol of fish is assigned to the sign. The presiding deity of the asterism is Pushan, a name given to the Sun for measuring the sky. The symbol of the asterism is a drum or mridanga which is used for measuring time. Sattvas are the attributes of the asterism at all three levels. The primary motivation of the asterism is moksha, i.e., liberation.

NAKSHATRA & ITS SHAPE

Revati nakshatra is considered a huge womb in which the Sun remains dormant until the impulse for the next creative cycle begins. The lord of Revati asterism is Mercury who is the messenger of god to the human world and matter immerses here in the pure essence. It is also known as a Great Deluge where the seed for future creation incubate until the next cosmic dawn. Revati is also known as the wife of Balrama, elder brother of Lord Krishna. Revati functions in the realm where one cycle of evolution enters into completion and rest until the next beginning takes place. The fish is the symbol of the sign, an indicator of auspicious creative influence. Fish is known for fertility and rapid growth. A new life begins for an individual under this asterism. Due to the influence of this asterism a new cycle keeps on emerging while the old one ceases.

Revati is the twenty seventh and last asterism of the zodiac which also falls in the last sign of the zodiac, i.e., Pisces. Most of the important planets are deeply connected with this sign and nakshatra. Sign Pisces is ruled by Jupiter which is considered the Jeevatma, the soul of humanity. Saturn was born in the asterism of Revati. Sun is the father of Saturn and Saturn was born to the mother Chhaya, the shadow of real wife of Sun i.e., Sangya. Saturn is also known as the god of boundless time. The lord of Revati constellation is Mercury who gets debiliated in this sign indicating when the worldly logic and reasoning ceases to exist only then one can have a union with ultimate or when atma (soul) meets the paramatma (ultimate). Venus is the planet of procreation and gets exalted in this sign indicating when the one cycle of creation comes to an end then the second is ready to happen after a certain gap. The symbol of the sign is fish which is considered auspicious. One of Lord Vishnu’s avatar was of a fish, Matasya-avatar also indicates the beginning of a new cycle of evolution. The presiding deity of the asterism is Pushan, also known as nurturer. All these symbols are deeply related with this sign indicating the mystery attached with the sign which also indicates a subtlety of endless evolutionary cycle.

NAKSHATRA TRAITS & PERSONALITY

Your Strengths: The Revati – Mercury – Jupiter configuration demonstrates gifted creative intelligence which helps to attain mastery in any chosen field. It looks as if some sort of divinity operates at an apparent level which is why achievement becomes just a matter of time, though necessary assistance is provided when the need arises. This combination also enables the fructification of nature’s secret energies. One gets an impression of one evolution cycle being completed while the other is ready to begin. You are here to experience many changes almost at regular intervals which make your existence more vibrant and lively.

You are born genius. You could be extraordinary in dance, music, literature and other forms of creativity. You are bestowed with abundant talent and growth that helps you in your sojourn of achievements. You like to protect your creativity as a mother protects her child. Great wealth and material property come to you automatically, although there no craving for the same. Your sincere efforts never go waste. Your knowledge and wisdom helps you at every step and others admire it too. You are a constant support to your family, friends and peers and want nothing in return. You have energy similar to cosmic energy, which does not want to stop till exploration is complete.

Your Drawbacks: The darker side of your personality is that you are quite temperamental. At times a feeling of inferiority or low esteem goes so deep in your system that it starts disturbing your equilibrium. Your over-sensitivity is the other cause of anxiety which invites unnecessary troubles. You so overdo generosity that you yourself become empty. You try to be co-dependent on others, which becomes a futile experience.

Uttara Bhadrapada : [3°20’ – 16°40’ Pisces]

CONSTITUENTS OF THE NAKSHATRA

Uttara Bhadrapada is the twenty sixth asterism of the zodiac which extends from 333°20’ to 346°40’ and completely resides in the constellation of Pisces, i.e., the fish. It consists of two stars. Purva Bhadrapada is also made of two stars and when they join together consist of four stars and represents the legs of a cot. But the two stars assigned to Uttara Bhadrapada are set to be symbolized as twins as well the number two. The sign Pisces is ruled by Jupiter where as the asterism itself is ruled by Saturn. The presiding deity of the asterism is Ahir Budhnya, the dragon of the deep sea. The primary motivation of the asterism is kama, desire. Sattva, harmony attribute operates at primary and secondary levels but at tertiary level it is under the influence of tamas, inertia.

NAKSHATRA & ITS SHAPE

The presiding deity Ahir Budhnya, the dragon of the deep sea is connected to Ahi-vritra, the dragon of primordial ignorance which hides himself in primeval darkness. These are known as dual principles of existence, i.e., light and darkness, heat and cold are emphasized by Aja Ekapada and Ahir Budhnya. Cosmic creation is based on these two fundamental principles of eternal conflict. They rule over fire and water, heat and cold and are personified by Agni and Soma. They are also known as two primary rudras which are known as manifestation of Lord Shiva. These two rudras are presenting the unity between Uttara and Purva Bhadrapada, are the four legs of the cot.

The sign Pisces is itself ruled by Jupiter whereas the asterism Uttara Bhadrapada is governed by Saturn. Jupiter and Saturn are poles apart from each other where character and tendencies are concerned. Jupiter being a benevolent planet believes in growth and expansion of the individual as well as the soul. Saturn is just contrary and represents the opposite of Jupiter. Saturn believes in constraints, curtailing, squeezing and putting a lot of trial and tribulation in the process of spiritual growth. Initially Saturn is a spiritual planet but it looks after the practical side of spiritualism. It believes that one cannot achieve oneness with the ultimate unless and until one goes through the path of penance, austerity and develops deeper understanding of humanity. The individual moves between the two basic polarized forces which constitute the universe and if it has to transcend this duality then he has to make a quantum leap to be one with the ultimate.

The deity of the asterism has a very deeper meaning. Ahi is a serpent, a demon and darkness personified. Due to this very darkness an individual remains ignorant even after taking many births on this planet. His bondage with materialism or ignorance is so deep-rooted that it does not get eliminated even after the suffering of many births. It is also believed even if the darkness of ignorance ends there still remains the darkness of wisdom. The symbol of asterism is dragon and all wisdom emanates from him through this nakshatra. It helps the individual to comprehend the knowledge hidden in all forms of manifestations.

NAKSHATRA TRAITS & PERSONALITY

Your Strengths: The Uttara Bhadrapada – Saturn – Jupiter configuration give rise to a very conflicting situation. There is an unfriendly atmosphere between Saturn and Jupiter or tamas and sattva, fire and water. The symbol also assigns a dual personality. You are capable of demonstrating quiet restraint and control over your aggression. Saturn, being a disciplined planet helps you control your feelings and provide self-control. Many a time you prefer to live with pain and agony than to exhibit it. There are two basic principles of cosmic evolution and they are governed by fire and water, heat and cold. That is the reason contradictory tendencies rule, because of the nature of the two planets Saturn and Jupiter, in the end, Jupiter takes over and you become cool, calm, and understanding and the negativity of Saturn is left behind forever.

You put all your energy right from the beginning to establish yourself in whatever field you are. You work very hard and prepare yourself for eternal rest where you are totally detached from material influence and try to attain internal peace. You exert a certain kind of discipline and self-control on your emotions and behaviour. You are quite cheerful, comfortable, kind and generous towards others. However your strong determination, resolve and persuasiveness enables you to reach your goals without much difficulty. There is a tremendous psychic ability in you which helps you throughout. You are caring towards your family, children and spread happiness wherever you are. You believe in giving freely without expecting anything back.

Your Drawbacks: The darker side of your personality could be passion and temper. You may be secretive, lazy, careless, irresponsible and cunning without any reason. Overindulgence in desire and some sort of addiction can create an upheaval in your life. Sometimes your ruthlessness can create a very dangerous situation for you. You need to cultivate patience and exercise utmost control on your negativity.

Purva Bhadrapada : [20°0’ Aquarius – 3°20’ Pisces]

CONSTITUENTS OF THE NAKSHATRA

The twenty fifth nakshatra of the zodiac is known as Purva Bhadrapada which extends from 320°0’ to 333°20’ of the zodiac and consists of two stars. The nakshatra is associated with cosmic stability and imparts fearlessness. The first three quarters of the asterism fall within Aquarius sign ruled by Saturn which extends from 20°0’ to 30°0’ in Aquarius sign and the last quarter lies in Pisces sign ruled by Jupiter. The nakshatra itself is ruled by Jupiter. Its primary and secondary attributes are sattva, harmony while at tertiary level it is rajas, activities. The presiding deity of the asterism is Aja Ekapada, the one-footed goat. The astrological symbol of asterism is a sword. The primary motivational impulse of the asterism is arth or goal directed.

NAKSHATRA & ITS SHAPE

A lot of significance has been attached to the presiding deity of the asterism which is Aja Ekapada, the one-footed goat in the formation of cosmos. According to Vedic literature, deity Aja Ekapada denotes the unborn, transcendent cosmic energy. The goat is a docile, domesticated animal which gives milk and takes almost nothing for its own sustenance. However the role of Vedic deity is tremendous, he is infinite, an entity without motion and speech. Aja Ekapada is the unborn and worshiped as a form of Shiva and a transport vehicle of Agni, the god of fire.

According to Atharva Veda, Aja Ekapada is deeply connected with Rohit, another deity associated with cosmic evolution. The main job of Rohit was to produce heaven and earth where the thread of the sacrifice is extended. In this scheme of things Rohit was created and Aja Ekapada established himself as the Sun and made the heaven and earth firm with his strength. Aja Ekapada functions as the Sun which provides life and light and becomes a source which provides existence to the entire creation. In this scheme of things the role of Aja Ekapada is to cement this essence of manifestation. As a transport of Agni, fire which energizes all life forms Aja Ekapada takes the abstract image of Rohit, differentiates it, and then provides warmth and nourishment so that it can succeed in completing its journey.

Aja Ekapada, one of the early Vedic deities denotes the stage in cosmic evolution where fire has not taken an active role in creation, though the area of creation has been well-defined. The fire is still on the vehicle and has not been established as energy by itself. It is infinite and within it neither motion nor speech exists. The subject or objective attributes has not taken birth as yet. Manifestation cannot operate unless and until the polarization takes place and only then interplay of different forces start operating. Primarily Aja Ekapada is like a Sun which provides life and light to every form of creation but takes nothing itself. The same way the Lord Shiva in his cosmic dance arouses each and every cell and energizes the whole universe but within himself he is completely still and no activity is operating at any level.

NAKSHATRA TRAITS & PERSONALITY

Your Strengths: The Purva Bhadrapada – Jupiter – Saturn combination is connected with cosmic solidarity and teaches the person fearlessness. You are blessed with creative intelligence and it reflects in your nature early in life. There is an unchannelled latent creative force which starts creating an entirely different persona out of you. There is an ever-changing process of impulses which manifests but remains abstract for quite sometime. There is a live force within that is eager to start its journey to reach the ultimate as soon as possible. Once you gain momentum in your mission, you are unstoppable till you achieve your objectives. In your sojourn, you do not want to break the rhythm. You want to make it a continuum process.

The Purva Bhadrapada – Jupiter – Jupiter makes you extremely passionate, spontaneous and idealistic. You are shy and undemonstrative in the beginning but gradually come to terms with life. You are focused and committed and make sure that whatever task you have is not left undone. Your primary motivation is materialism as you firmly believe that worldly comforts are essential to do something meaningful in this life. You are future oriented and make the best use of the present. You are humane and want to work for the upliftment of humanity. You are non-interfering in others’ life and also make sure that nobody intrudes in your personal affairs. You are confident and follow your own ideology which is different from others. You believe in karma (efforts) and leave no stone unturned to achieve your target.

Success does not come easily and you have a share of failures in the beginning. Every failure fills you with a new resolve and you make sure that the same is not repeated. It takes quite long for you to understand your rare potential and once you have attuned yourself with the cosmic energy, you are unstoppable. You are quite a rebel and this helps you become a pathfinder for others. Your personality could be symbolized with a double-edged sword. When it is directed outwards, it can remove all sorts of obstacles which come in life. If it is the other way, it can be harmful. The real job of the sword is to ignite courage, provide perfect vision and help to unite all the disintegrated forces into a single unit. There is an inner urge in you to work with a missionary zeal to achieve your targets.

There is a desire to stand on your own, without any support and at times, it gives an impression of being eccentric and revolutionary. Perhaps you want to keep your originality intact which is why you do not heed the advice of others and adopt an attitude of ‘couldn’t care less’. There is a belief in you that you are already ahead and are fully capable of managing your show. The basis of this confidence is tat you feel strongly connected with the universal force giving you the needed energy to achieve your goals without any interference. The complete self-reliance of the inner and outer force energy synchronizes so beautifully that every dimension looks easy and possible. The motivational force is so strong that it makes you believe that nothing will come in your way once you are focused. This attitude enables you to transform life in this birth itself.

Your Drawbacks: The negative side of your personality is that you are temperamental, restless and anxious. Your eccentric behaviour and acidic tongue can leave people aghast. Sometimes you could be too self-opinionated and over-idealistic in your principles. You can be very nervous and fearful if confronted by adverse situations. You need to work on your wavering and unstable mind.

Sometimes you become too individualistic and follow the path of materialism which could be termed fanatic and anti-social. If greed sets in you can fall from the path of grace. You need to curb anger, aggression and being over-passionate about things of little consequence. Being too secretive, shrewd or irresponsible can cause a lot of pain and anxiety to you. Be wary of addiction and overindulgence in sex.

Shatabhisha : [6°40’ – 20°0’ Aquarius]

CONSTITUENTS OF THE NAKSHATRA

Shatabhisha is the twenty fourth nakshatra of the zodiac which is located in a large group of dim stars in the constellation of Aquarius, the water bearer. Shatabhisha nakshatra extends from 306°40’ to 320°0’ of the zodiac in Aquarius sign ruled by Saturn. Shatabhisha is also known as the physicians of the gods. The literal meaning of Shatabhisha is hundred physicians or hundred healers. The other meaning of Shatabhisha is hundred stars. Shatabhisha is ruled by the planet Rahu who is known as a shadowy planet which brings karmic rectification. Rahu, the most mystical planet of the zodiac is further highlighted by assigning to it a thousand-petalled flower representing the hundred stars constituting the constellation. Its primary and tertiary attributes are sattva, harmony while on the secondary level it is tamas or inertia. The deity of Shatabhisha is Varuna, the bestower of wisdom. The primary motivation of the asterism is Dharma or honour, i.e., principle.

NAKSHATRA & ITS SHAPE

Flower is the most auspicious symbol which appears after completing the efforts which are required to achieve the goal. In this sense the flowering of Shatabhisha represents the achievements of the purpose for which the manifestation came into its being. It indicates that the creation is blossoming at the optimum. The flowering of the thousand-petalled flower is referred to for the ultimate in the multi-dimensional evolution process. For us mortals or human beings it is directly connected to the thousand-petalled lotus or the Crown Chakra. This energy or shakti is known as Kundalini Shakti. When the Kundalini Shakti arises then a person becomes liberated from the process of birth and death.

Another meaning of Shatabhisha is hundred physicians or hundred healers, pouring the secret pot containing the divine nectar of immorality. These reference points indicate that Shatabhisha has a powerful influence which is capable of transforming the entire human being. Its influence is such that an individual is fired with missionary zeal and enthusiasm. He can easily sacrifice all kind of worldly attainments to fulfill his spiritual objectives. The presiding deity of Shatabhisha is Varuna, earlier Vedic god. He is bestowed with unlimited cosmic knowledge. It has been mentioned in the Vedas that with his knowledge he can hold together mankind and the earth. He is also known as the god who had made the golden sunshine in the heavens. The wind which fills the atmosphere is his breath. He can weigh ‘True’ and ‘False’ correctly. He taught the rishi Vashishtha the mystery of the world which no ordinary man can understand. Varuna controls and directs all mysterious powers of wisdom and compassion so that the individual under the influence of Shatabhisha can readily transform and become a new ray of light himself. Rahu is the lord of the asterism who also controls all the six mysterious powers which surrounds his crown.

NAKSHATRA TRAITS & PERSONALITY

Your Strengths: The Shatabhisha – Rahu – Saturn combination will produce harmony despite initial hiccups and difficulties. You are blessed with mysterious powers of wisdom which are capable of transforming you completely. The basic impulse of your personality is to get into the revolutionary process and after achieving secret knowledge, you dedicate your energy for the upliftment of others. You are fired with a tremendous zeal and you cannot rest till you express and communicate your vision to others. More often than not, you are born with futuristic ideas of the world. You are always motivated to create a new life out of the old one and you consider yourself a thinker in your own right. You are extremely practical and work first for duty and later for personal satisfaction or glorification. You are like a flower whose beauty and fragrance is for others, and not for self.

Being a practical person, you are concerned about your personal image, socializing patterns and are ready to adjust to the changing patterns of the world. You understand that a strong body possesses a strong mind, one which can be used effectively in this world. You try to work for the development of your consciousness because you believe that the tuning of the mind, body and soul can create wonders. Sometimes you can put voluntary restrictions on yourself to be more proper and dutiful. Your missionary zeal and enthusiasm helps you to achieve your targets easily. You are a firm believer that the infinite cosmos is full of knowledge and energy and is ready to shower this on anyone who is willing to accept it. You have the bona fide right to utilise it for yourself and for the benefit of others. This very attitude will single you out among others.

Your Drawbacks: On the other side of your personality is isolation and depression. Sometimes you feel life is nothing but a duty and one has to do it under certain restrictions. If you allow yourself more suffering and apathy, you can create major problems for yourself. Invariably, you have a difficult and unstable childhood and these impressions live long in your memory. You can be harsh and your acidic tongue can create problems for you.

Dhanishtha : [ 23°20’ Capricorn – 6°40’ Aquarius]

CONSTITUENTS OF THE NAKSHATRA

Dhanishtha is the twenty third asterism of the zodiac which extends from 23°20’ to 30°0’ Capricorn and from 0°0’ to 6°40’ Aquarius. Dhanishtha Nakshatra extends from 293°20’ to 306°40’ of the zodiac. Dhanishtha consists of a group of four stars located in the head of Delphinus, the Dolphin. First half of the nakshatra falls in Capricorn and the latter half of the constellation comes under Aquarius. Both the signs Capricorn and Aquarius are governed by Saturn. The asterism itself is ruled by Mars. Its primary attribute is sattva, lightness but the secondary and tertiary levels are controlled by tamas, inertia. The presiding deities of the nakshatra are eight Vasus, the epitomes of cosmic energy. The symbol of the nakshatra is a Drum, also known as Mridanga. The motivational impulse of the nakshatra is Dharma, i.e., honour or principle.

NAKSHATRA & ITS SHAPE

The symbol of Dhanishtha is drum which is very significant. Lord Shiva’s musical instrument is damroo or a miniature drum. The drum is hollow and covered by stretched leather which is systematically tied with tiny knots of two ropes. These small ropes are used to stretch the leather so it can produce the desired sound. The drum is played by tapping rhythmically on either side. When Shiva takes the form of Nataraja, the divine dancer then this cosmic music is played by himself. It is believed that the whole universe starts dancing with the beat of his divine drum. The music has inherent divinity within itself which can connect each and every particle of this universe with oneness. The same divinity was created by Lord Krishna when he was playing a bamboo-cane flute while sitting in an isolated place under the tree. The sound of the flute was so lovely and alluring that all the gopis and cows surrounded him within no time. Dhanishtha also shows the preparedness of the soul for higher ascendance.

The drum as a symbol of Dhanishtha connects the individual soul to its roots of manifestation which starts echoing on its own. Cosmic void emits sound waves which cements cosmic ideas. Mahashunya or cosmic void is the basic necessity from which the perception of all sound arises. When the world is filled with noise and agitation then beneath it one can see the great silence which rules the real nature of things. This process automatically leads towards the soundless sound which is the main aim of the meditation. All forms of manifestation are born out of void with certain divine purpose. However at this stage the individual may experience a great sorrow, suffering, difficulties and at times maladjustments with the environment. Because bipolarity of personality is reflected by the symbol of the asterism – drum also plays a big role at this stage. One needs a divine strength to make a quantum jump across the realm of bipolarity. The presiding deity of the asterism are the Vasus, the cosmic gods who are there to provide the necessary help.

NAKSHATRA TRAITS & PERSONALITY

Your Strengths: The Dhanishtha – Mars – Saturn combination indicates that the basic impulse is to empty out your inner self or soul from all the past experiences and ready yourself for some bigger transfusion. Living with past experiences and regression will not help you learn something new or perceive something extremely beautiful which has the capacity to transform you completely. It is true that this stage can be attained only after going through stress, pain, frustration, depression and loneliness at a greater level. A temporary hell-like situation automatically opens a door to heaven through which you can walk freely. Dhanishtha’s basic role in this sign is to prepare you for something big after touching the lowest ebb of your being. Through the passage of a lonely path, darkness and deep silence, one can prepare himself for divine music or greater harmony within. The basic job of the sign Lord Saturn is to go through all sorts of discomforts and stress in order to lift you from the ordinary experience to the greater heights of your being.

The Dhanishtha – Mars – Saturn combination will generate a very different and unifying magnetic current due to the influence of the sign Aquarius. Aquarius is considered a sign of humanity and its symbol of an overflowing pitcher speaks volumes for its kindness, generosity and compassion. Rain is eager to fill the pond to the optimum with its fresh shower provided it is already emptied out in the same way if one is to create Mahashunya or cosmic void; it can only then be filled by sound waves to energize the whole atmosphere.

This combination also enables you to discard the past and look for new ideas to create a congenial world where one can easily float. You may experience acute stress and agony but then it is the only way to transform yourself completely. One cannot experience the inner divinity until and unless one has gone through the process of suffering. Your greatness lies in that you do not give up but fight till the end to achieve your mission. Once that is accomplished, you are in a comfort zone.

You are gifted with insight, are a perfect listener and have great admiration for truth. The search for unity and connection with one and all takes you places. You are aware o the ground realities, and therefore, start working with limitations keeping unlimited goals in mind. You are a visionary, and believe in moving step by step. You are a born fighter and blessed with a never-say-die spirit till the goals are met.

The global ideas are very appealing and they can unify people for a common cause. The humanitarian side of your being is so charming that it attracts others towards you even as become a focal point. You are very forceful and a great explorer of the truth. These basic traits help you gain fame and recognition. You are resourceful and it helps you to explore unknown areas. Your search for knowledge or newness never ends and this puts you ahead of others. Primarily you have a great desire to acquire wisdom which can be used for the benefit of self as well as others.

Your Drawbacks: You may have tremendous lust for materialism. Sometimes you can be over ambitious, insatiable and miserly and may eye another’s wealth. You can be extremely jealous, aloof and insensitive, callous and exceptionally revengeful. Your selfish attitude can cross the limits if this combination is afflicted at the time of birth.

On the negative side you could be cruel, selfish and callous and mindlessly striving to acquire everything for your own selfish satisfaction. Your over-ambitiousness and narcissist attitude could put off many. You can be stingy and extremely revengeful. If you do not change your attitude, you will suffer and repent for long.

Shravana : [10°0’ – 23°20’ Capricorn]

CONSTITUENTS OF THE NAKSHATRA

Shravana is the twenty second nakshatra of the zodiac which extends from 2800’ to 29320’ in the sign of Capricorn ruled by Saturn. Its main star is Altair, Alpha Delphines. The lord of nakshatra is the Moon. Lord Vishnu is the presiding deity, the preserver of the universe. With the help of Vishnu one can perceive the truth of manifestation hidden by the world of Maya, i.e., illusion. The symbols of the asterism are an ear and arrow. Its basic attribute is sattva, harmony with tamas, inertia at secondary and rajas, action at tertiary level. Its primary motivation is artha directed activities. Sharavana’s basic direction is towards the Great Silence which provides the background to survive the entire scheme of manifestation. The power of nakshatra is that it can lead the person to deeper meditation. However if he still choose to be materialistic then he gets involved in it also.

NAKSHATRA & ITS SHAPE

The word Shravana is derived from the Sanskrit verb shru which means to listen and it symbolizes the ear. Vedas as well as Upanishads were full of praise of Shravana to hear. Shravana is the only sense of human being which is most active when it is absolutely passive. One can hear without making any effort. As a matter of fact all kind of noises of the world keep attacking your ear drums all the time without your even being aware of it. However if you have to see something then you have to make an effort and focus your entire attention on that object if it is not clearly visible. Without effort one cannot speak and if you want to speak louder, then your efforts have to increase accordingly. When you want to smell something of your choice you have to again make some sort of efforts but listening is the only action which happens when there is no action at all.

Perhaps that is the reason that Upanishads gave so much importance to the Shravana. It has been said in Upanishads that the master and the disciple should listen together to what is really listenable. During the time of Vedic culture all the teachings were dependent on two instruments – one is Shravana and another is Shruti, to remember. Whatever one has heard from the masters and out of that whatever he can reveal at a given time comes under the area of Shruti, remembrance. Silence and Nada sound were the two primordial sources of manifestation. Nada is known as Nada Brahma also the first sound of the universe (god’s voice) which appeared out of the Great Silence. When one starts listening and understands the meaning of listening then one can hear the eternal sound or Nada Brahma. That is the reasons that Upanishads were full of praise of Shravana.

The symbols of the asterism are ear and arrow. The ear is directly connected with the Shravana; voice synchronizes to the ears only. Another symbol of the asterism is arrow. The arrows have been used widely in Vedic culture to explain that energy was directed to yield certain kind of results. The archer is standing at one point but aiming somewhere else with his arrow which is more significant than his presence at a particular point. In present reference arrow and ear are interconnect which enables the person to hear what is really worth hearing. The presiding deity of asterism is Vishnu, the preserver of the universe. With his support one can come out from the clutches of Maya or the illusionary world.

NAKSHATRA TRAITS & PERSONALITY

Your Strengths: The Shravana – Moon – Saturn combination denotes that every impact under it should stimulate a profound insight into the harmony that exists around oneself. This situation arises out of personal discontentment that you feel when confronted with life’s problems which are then set aside. Probably from this point onwards, you develop an attitude of complete rebellion against the existing situation and set yourself free from the past with non-expectations of any perceived results. This could only be possible when you go deep into the silence of your being and start listening to the inner voice in an uninterrupted way. When you are connected with yourself, then communicating with others is no longer an issue. However it is very hard in the beginning to connect with one’s umbilical cord, but the moment you succeed and the connection is made then from that point you are transformed person. The beauty of life unfo0lds in front of you and divinity can be felt at this stage.

You are extremely active, hard working and focused on your projects. You do not believe in leaving work half done and this trait helps you to achieve your targets. There is a keen desire to develop your skills and share your ideas with others. This makes you quite famous and you can shine as a writer, teacher, philosopher or a scientist. You also love solitude and it helps you to get connected with yourself and that is the magic of your entire personality. Financial security is also very important to you. And it helps you to achieve your goals. Success comes to you after an initial struggle. Sometimes you suffer pain and unhappiness due to your own commitments.

Your Drawbacks: You can be quite rigid and obstinate in your behaviour. Do not waste your time in gossip. You are very sensitive and can get hurt easily. You can face a lot of disillusionment in the early part of your life. You can have enemies because of jealously, suffer from an inferiority complex but as you grow older things improve.

Uttara Ashadha : [26°40’ Sagittarius – 10°0’ Capricorn]

CONSTITUENTS OF THE NAKSHATRA

Uttara Ashadha is the twenty first nakshatra of the zodiac consisting of two stars in the breast of archer and extends from 266°40’ to 280°0’ of the zodiac. Uttara Ashadha extends from 26°40’ to 30°0’ in Sagittarius ruled by Jupiter and from 0°0’ to 10°0’ in Capricorn ruled by Saturn. In other words first quarter of the asterism lies in Sagittarius and the rest three quarters are spread in Capricorn. The nakshatra is ruled by the Sun. The presiding deity of the asterism is Vishwedevas, the universal god. The primary and tertiary attributes of the asterism are sattvas, harmony however secondary attribute is rajas, action. Its primary motivation is moksha, i.e., liberation. The symbol of the asterism is Planks of Bed.

NAKSHATRA & ITS SHAPE

As a matter of fact Uttara Ashadha is an extension of Purva Ashadha, previous asterism but its nature is entirely different than the earlier asterism. Most of the impulses which are active at this level initially influence the psychological aspect of an individual. Previous asterism denotes the inner reality of an individual is hiding within the outer physical clothing which he is trying to purify and spiritualize. However the realization of inner understanding has to be absorbed and assimilated in the person’s psychic nature only then true understanding can take place. The moment this realization dawns the universal laws of nature begin to manifest to the individual. The perception of life is seen in a different light with this kind of understanding and a person’s concept of life becomes different altogether. He no longer perceives himself different from the entire universe. The Vishwedevas, the universal gods help him to understand this great phenomenon.

The symbol of the asterism is Planks of a Bed. The role of the planks is to give support to the bed. This symbol also implies that the planks have provided a provisional arrangement for sitting and resting. All these things are happening at a psychological level so one can understand the universal phenomenon behind it. Until and unless one is not psychologically ready for spiritual journey then he cannot make much advancement on that path. Due to the influence of this asterism those hidden qualities of an individual start surfacing which can lead him towards the path of moksha or liberation.

The nakshatra itself is ruled by the Sun. the first quarter of nakshatra falls in Sagittarius which is ruled by Jupiter and rest three quarters are spread in the Capricorn sign ruled by Saturn. The Sun and Jupiter enjoy the greatest harmony of the entire cosmos. The Sun rules over soul and Jupiter being a guru of all the devtas provides the maximum support to the soul on the path of realization. Those born under this asterism have the fullest blessings of the benevolent Jupiter. The same is not true for the remaining three quarters of the asterism which falls under Capricorn sign ruled by Saturn. Saturn is a bitter enemy of the Sun but primary a highly spiritual planet himself. If the individual is on the path of self-realization then Saturn acts as a friend and removes all those impediments which are either stopping the process or creating problems. However if soul is still in an indulgent mode due to ignorance then Saturn will induce all kinds of pain, trial and turbulence so soul can perceive its reality and drops ignorance instantly. The Vishwedevas, the universal gods are there to help the soul to be a light unto itself.

NAKSHATRA TRAITS & PERSONALITY

Your Strengths: The Uttara Ashadha – Sun – Jupiter combination denotes that you perceive life very differently right from the beginning. With this sort of understanding, you try to leave a pattern which has a universal appeal. It takes rather long for you to make up your mind but once the objectives are clear, you approach them in a systematic and disciplined way. There is a deep humanitarian concern and a feeling of justice in your nature for one and all. You are a hard taskmaster and do not leave any stone unturned unless you become a master yourself. Your dedication eventually creates a beautiful passage for you and you find your rightful place in this world. Failure does not desist you from your goal; on the contrary, it strengthens your resilience to achieve it with more vigour.

Uttara Ashadha – Sun – Saturn combination indicates that you are willing to suffer in isolation provided you can project yourself on a bigger canvas to prove some hidden points to yourself. The supreme deity of your being is that you are capable of going beyond restrictions and can destroy any establishment which does not have a universal appeal. There is a greater urge in you to develop your intellect at par with the intellectuals and socialize with them. You are well ahead of time and a pathfinder for others. Whatever pain and difficulties you suffer at a personal level enables you to empathize with others who are going through the same. You are thoroughly practical in your approach and understand the ground realities well. There is a strong tendency to translate most of your ideas into action.

You prefer to be active all the time. The experiences gained with constant activities help you to readjust at a psychological level. At times you do not mind suffering personal pain in lieu of understanding the real meaning of life which helps you to become internally strong. You can easily sacrifice your personal pleasure to help others if need be. You have an inherent concern for others which makes you popular among peer and friends. At a deeper level of your being, you are a friend of humanity and want to contribute it in a big way, but without making much fuss about it.

You are blessed with great insight, are balanced in approach and develop an aggression which can be used as the situation demands. You can be focused and can penetrate anything that you undertake with your vision. You acquire practical knowledge on your own and this helps in developing leadership qualities. You can relate very easily with people and this helps you to accomplish your mission in this life. You are persistent and never leave any stone unturned until you achieve success. You are idealistic and always set big goals for yourself. Your virtues are always refined. If you follow the right path then success can never be far from you.

Your Drawbacks: Your main flaw is that you are too rigid in your approach. Very seldom do you make amendments, which can put off even your friends. Sometimes you are over-cautious and reluctant to budge from your pre-determined stand which creates problems for you. You pay more emphasis to the end rather than the journey and in the way, the process becomes painful.

You may face failures early in life, but later on you meet with success. You need to learn the importance of patience while confronting adverse situations in life your excessive activism can take a toll on your personality. If you are not fully responsible for any project then you contribute half-heartedly. Do not leave a task undone because it will have a bad impact on your character. You are self-centred and stubborn which can create problems for you.

Purva Ashadha : [13°20’ – 26°40’ Sagittarius]

CONSTITUENTS OF THE NAKSHATRA

Purva Ashadha is the twentieth asterism of the zodiac which extends from 253°20’ to 266°40’ and resides entirely within the constellation of Sagittarius and consists of two stars which looks like archer’s bow. The sign Sagittarius is ruled by Jupiter. The nakshatra itself is governed by Venus. Purva Ashadha means ‘The Invincible’ or undefeated star. The Vedic deity of nakshatra is Apas, the water goddess. Its primary attribute is sattva, purity with rajas, action at secondary and tamas, inertia at tertiary level. The primary motivation of the nakshatra is moksha. The symbol of the nakshatra is Elephant’s Tusk.

NAKSHATRA & ITS SHAPE

Purva Ashadha provides a conductive spiritual environment for the soul to dwell in. the symbol of the asterism is Elephant’s Tusk which also provides a lot of hidden clues. The elephant looks to be a happy-go-lucky animal who is just unconcerned about his surroundings. If proper direction is given and his hidden potentials are aroused then he is capable of going in the middle of war and taking on opponents. The same way if an individual is provoked a right kind of spiritual environment then he can know his real self i.e., atma. Elephant’s Tusk, the real symbol of the asterism is extremely valuable. Elephant’s Tusk is more precious than the entire body of the elephant. If tusk is cut then it has the capacity to grow again.

The kind of wisdom that grows under the influence of Purva Ashadha is of great practical significance. The Vedic deity of the asterism is Apas i.e., water. Vedic sages have given a lot of importance to water. Besides life sustaining force, water has a lot of roles to play on this planet. It has the capacity to remove impurities, diseases and destroy all kind of poisons in the atmosphere with its presence. It is also known as the eternal source of energy. The Sun and Moon, two vital planets generate polarized energy impulses, which in turn protect water to support and nourish all kinds of manifestations. The same way Purva Ashadha produces a congenial environment for an individual to grow, sustain, nourish and become more creative.

The lord of nakshatra is Venus who is the presiding deity of demons, whereas lord of the sign is Jupiter, the presiding deity of devtas. Both the planets Venus and Jupiter stand out among the hierarchy of the planets because of their own greatness. Venus leads the individual into indulgence due to its oversensitivity. Jupiter on the other hand is a planet of spirituality. The extreme conflict of materialism and spiritualism can also be seen here. If an individual gets carried away by Venus’ nine impulses then he brings about his downfall. When ego becomes self-centered then it blinds the person so he cannot see the higher or spiritual possibility of himself.

NAKSHATRA TRAITS & PERSONALITY

Your Strengths: The Purva Ashadha – Venus – Jupiter combination means that you want to remain unbeatable in the midst of adversities because you believe that you belong to an unconquerable class. You have an imbedded pride and apparent attraction that compels you to influence and emphasize the masses at large. There is an inner desire in you to either be a part of cosmic energy or rule it by being identified with it. You want to spread your name and fame throughout the world. Inertia may prevail on a superfluous level but with the support of a suitable environment you are capable of courageous deeds. At times, you externalize your inner capabilities to achieve something almost non-achievable. You are blessed with an intuitive wisdom which helps you at the speed of light at appropriate times.

You have the divine ability to externalize your inner strength and work on the purification of your ego throughout your life. You can produce logic and reasons with immaculate perfection and your arguments become undefeatable. You want to learn, therefore, you are willing to experiment at various levels. This is why you appear complicated to others, but you believe it is important to gather different existing opinions and philosophers to form your own. You find such experiences to be extremely unpleasant, but you also realize that there are no shortcuts. Contradictions and parallel paths open up the floodgates of your discriminating faculties and intuition takes from that point.

Your Drawbacks: There is constant danger of becoming obstinate and getting caught in the web of an inflated ego. You may have undue pride and live in self-deception without any rhyme or reason. Sometimes you display your negative traits and magnify them unnecessarily. You over-estimation of yourself creates a very poor picture in other people’s mind.

Mula : [0°00’ – 13°20’ Sagittarius]

CONSTITUENTS OF THE NAKSHATRA

Mula is the nineteenth nakshatra of the zodiac which extends from 240°00’ to 253°20’ of the zodiac and completely resides in Sagittarius ruled by Jupiter. The sign has the capacity to make the paradigm shift from animal man to spiritual being. The meaning of the word mula is root, the lowest edge. It is also portrayed as the tail of a lion, located in a group of stars that forms the Scorpion tail. The asterism is ruled by a shadowy planet, Ketu which is considered a spiritual planet. Mula marks the point where galactic centre intersects the zodiac, which further emphasizes its spiritual influence. Mula is also assigned two symbols, one is an elephant’s goad and the other a lion’s tail which plays an important role in the path of spiritualism. The ruling deity of mula is Niritti, the goddess of destruction. Niritti also means disaster and is capable of destroying anything which is creating problems in the path of realizing the real nature of the soul. Niritti is also depicted as Goddess Kali who is capable of destroying ignorance. The basic attribute is sattva, lightness with rajas, action at secondary and tertiary level. The primary motivation of mula is kama or desire.

NAKSHATRA & ITS SHAPE

Mula means root of spiritual awakening but that cannot happen till ignorance is not destroyed completely. The accumulated karmic past has to be destroyed completely only then one can see the real self or the soul. That is why mula is considered quite a deadly one. The presiding deity Niritti, the goddess of death and destruction personifies the same.

It is believed that Ravana and Kansa, two deadly kings of ancient times were born in Mula nakshatra. Ravana was a very learned king who was well-versed in scriptures and Vedic rituals. He was extremely powerful and overpowered many gods. It is also mentioned in ancient literature that Agni, the fire god was a cook, Varuna, the regent of the sea, supplied water to his palace. Vayu, the god of wind swept his palace and Kubera, the celestial treasure supplied him money and so on. Ravana’s ego was so inflated that he thought he was the ultimate person on earth. Power intoxicated him fully and he dared to abduct the wife of Lord Rama who was an incarnation of Lord Vishnu. Due to his utter ignorance he made Lord Rama his enemy and when Rama killed him immediately Ravana’s ignorance vanished like lightening and he became a pure soul and was liberated by Lord Rama. The other demon king Kansa met the same fate by making Krishna, another incarnation of Vishnu his enemy and was killed by Krishna.

The two symbols of this asterism are very significant. The first symbol of the asterism is Elephant’s ankus which is used to control and guide this animal. When the mahout who sits atop the elephant and spurs him with the ankus it inflicts a lot of pain in the animal’s body. Due to this pain the animal starts following the instruction and learns discipline. In the same way, the lion’s tail is very sensitive and if it is disturbed then the lion becomes ferocious and can easily destroy everything around it. The same phenomenon was seen in the behaviour of Ravana when he was told by wise people in his court that he had not done a good thing by abducting Sita. He would get very angry and at times uncontrollable also. The same way when Kansa was reminded of his atrocities on his sister and her children he also reacted in the same way. Mula is motivated by kama, the desire for sensuous pleasures. The over involvement with senses brings the downfall of the person and if person does not stop himself then he is bound to face the consequences of his wrong doings; that is the message of Mula.

NAKSHATRA TRAITS & PERSONALITY

Your Strengths: The Mula – Ketu – Jupiter combination indicates that the person born under this configuration is motivated by materialism. Nevertheless, he aspires to be spiritual. These individuals may possess a rational nature and a curious mind that relishes exploring the basics of any subject. Their primary aim in life is to experience riches and luxury through intelligent means. More often than not, they lose what they earn at one point of time. They undergo a total paradigm shift in their lifetime. They find the foundation from where desirable results sprout, but lose all interest in those activities later n life. Their tamsik (negative) proclivity has to be diminished completely in order to create space for the spiritual forces. Destructive impulses have to be eliminated completely from the system so that a new beginning can take place which eventually gives shape to their real self.

You are blessed with a powerful spirit and when aroused, it is capable of expressing itself in many ways. If it appears in anger then it could be quite dangerous, however, if it is well directed then it gives wonderful results. It is very important for you to be focused or committed, which is difficult at times but you know how to achieve the desired results when the situation arises. You possess a reservoir of energy within you, but take long to realize its true worth.

Your Drawbacks: Many a time, you are not receptive to new ideas and criticism and tend to react inappropriately without realizing the pros and cons of a situation. If you can differentiate between ego and spiritualism, then most of your problems can be sorted out. You need to understand your kama (lust) process and go beyond it to reinvent yourself properly. Obstructions in your path are just intolerable and it works as a double-edged sword for you. If instigated wrongly, you can be absolutely ruthless.

Jyeshtha : [16°40’ – 30°0’ Scorpio]

CONSTITUENTS OF THE NAKSHATRA

Jyeshtha is the eighteenth nakshatra of the zodiac which extends from 226°40’ to 240°0’ of the zodiac in Scorpio ruled by Mars. The three stars forming the nakshatra look like an umbrella or an ear ring. These are also the symbols of the asterism. The prime star is the brilliant red star at the heart of Scorpion Antares. The ruling planet of the nakshatra is Mercury. Tamas is the basic attribute of the nakshatra but sattva flows at the secondary and tertiary levels. The primary motivation of nakshatra is arth directed activities. The presiding deity of the asterism is Indra, the king of gods. The meaning of jyeshtha is eldest or the senior most. However, here jyeshtha represents elder sister or the middle finger of the hand. Elder sister is given the utmost honour and respect in the family and she is considered next to mother. Asterism functions like a female angel who is protecting and guiding the growth and development of our children on the earth. Pranayam is a yogic kriya and middle finger is used to do this exercise with perfection.

NAKSHATRA & ITS SHAPE

Indra, the king of gods has attained a lot of importance in Puranic stories because he controls all the pleasures of life. He has achieved all this power after performing great austerity and penance. Indra is a very powerful king of gods because he owns the Sudarshan Chakra, the invincible disc which can consume the world instantly, remains balanced on his fore finger. It was a reward of great sacrifice. He annihilated many demons with this disc. This circulatory disc also resembles the symbols of umbrella and ear ring. Jyeshtha has also earned a lot of status due to its symbols ear ring and umbrella.

In the ancient civilizations of many countries including India, the kings who have attained the spiritual power were given special ring to recognize their efforts in the spiritual world. Those who have attained noble status in the society were given umbrella as a symbol in those times. At this stage the soul qualifies itself to embark upon in a new direction. An individual starts transforming at this stage. One needs to withstand a lot of psychological upheaval before one starts becoming one with the spiritual energies. Mercury is the lord of nakshatra which indicates that mental capacities have to increase immensely to know the real power of the spiritual energies. Indra, the presiding deity of the nakshatra also denotes illuminated mind.

NAKSHATRA TRAITS & PERSONALITY

Your Strengths: The Jyeshtha – Mercury – Mars combination indicates an earnest desire for prowess, freedom, but there is also fear that exists at a subconscious level. The person works to achieve seniority as compared to others, becomes the eldest in many ways and looks for absolute power and respect. He conceives himself to be glorious, courageous, powerful and daring. He has the knack and the power to rise and become invincible and wants to remain courageous in the midst of crisis. At times, he does not mind being cunning, if desired ends are achieved. In a nutshell, we can say a drop has the dream to become an ocean.

You have a keen desire to be noble as well as aristocratic in the social hierarchy. You are full of energy and use your special talent faculty for growth and development. You work at an inner level and evolve yourself to achieve great heights in life. However, materialism never leaves you. You firmly believe that a solid bank balance is very important if one wants to understand proper meditation. You keep a perfect balance between have and have-nots. You belong to the first category where you want everything in abundance and there is no room for scarcity. Yet, you have love, affection and kindness towards the have-nots and are always willing to help them to the best of your ability. You are always ready to move on and experience a deeper level of existence.

Your Drawbacks: There is a constant inner conflict going on in you about your self-image and self-esteem. Your secretive and hypocritic nature will bring your downfall. You demand total surrender from your friends and well-wishers. Do not give too much importance to materialism. You need to check your irritable nature, arrogance, pride and ego. Self-discipline could be the best policy for you.