This is one of several articles by Dr. David Frawley on the Vedas, Vedic Astrology and the Nakshatras. It reflects his special Vedic research. This particular information is not available in any other astrological text and is part of special Vedic knowledge on astrology from a very ancient period prior to the existing compilations like the Brihat Parashara Hora Shastra.
Each Nakshatra reflects certain wishes or desires that those born under them are inclined to have. In the Vedas each Nakshatra deity reflects the wishes that those who worship this deity can gain. The following material comes from the Taittiriya Brahmana III.1.4. It affords additional insight on the Shaktis of Nakshatras and their meaning, which derives from the same text. I have condensed the material to make it as relevant as possible as well as adding some interpretive notes. This information is crucial for a deeper understanding of the Nakshastras. Note the Vedic language is highly symbolic and we should not take its statements literally.
I have developed various astrological interpretive methods based upon it. It primarily relates to the position of the Moon in the chart, but can be expended to other planets. We will go through each Nakshatra starting with Ashwini in Aries and provide the benefits that can be gained through their positions in the chart and also through meditating upon them. This is a recent update on material first published twenty years ago.
The 27 Nakshatras According to the Wishes They Fulfill
- The Ashwins desired, “May we be possessed of good hearing and not be deaf. “One who makes the appropriate offering to the Ashwins and to Ashwini (00 00-13 20 Aries) becomes possessed of good hearing and will not become deaf.
Ashwini Nakshatra grants the power of hearing on both outer and inner levels. That is why this Nakshatra relates to secret knowledge and to miraculous powers. The Ashwins are the doctors and miracle workers among the Gods. Hearing here is also the ability to hear the truth. Some say they can cure all diseases of the senses and the mind as well as the body.
- Yama desired, “May I win the lordship of the ancestors.” One who makes the appropriate offering to Yama and to Bharani (13 20 – 26 40 Aries) wins the lordship of the ancestors and wins the lordship of his peers.
Those born under Bharani strive to be respected by their elders and by their peers. Yama is the deity of discipline, death and transformation. He is also connected to Brihaspati as a Rishi and regarded as the brother of Manu, the first king in the Vedas. So a spiritual rulership is indicated here.
- Agni desired, “May I be the eater of food for the Gods.” One who makes the appropriate offering to Agni and Krittika (26 40 Aries – 10 00 Taurus) becomes an eater of food.
Agni as fire both cooks and digests food. Krittika provides nourishment and the power to digest it as well. Those born under it like to provide nourishment for others and find the Divine essence of consciousness everywhere. Agni represents the digestive fire and fire as a cosmic principle, have forms from within the body to the entire cosmos.
- Prajapati, the Lord of Creatures, created creatures but thus created they went way. Of them he thought about Rohini. He desired, “May she approach me. May we unite together.” For one who makes the appropriate offering to Prajapati, to Rohini (10 00 – 23 20 Taurus), his beloved approaches him and he unites with her.
Rohini is a Nakshatra of love, passion and devotion that is fertile and creative, ever seeking to expand. Prajapati is the Creator among the Vedic deities. Rohini is Sri Krishna’s Nakshatra and is sometimes identified with Lakshmi..
- Soma desired. “May I win the lordship of the plants.” One who makes the appropriate offering to Soma, to Mrigashira (23 20 Taurus – 06 40 Gemini), wins the lordship of the plants and wins the lordship of his peers.
Soma is the healing essence of all the plants and relates to herbal healing, rejuvenation and immorality. Soma also relates to the Moon which is connected to plants and healing our inner plant or the subtle body and chakra centers. Soma is the deity of bliss, healing, rejuvenation and immortality in the Vedas. He is connected to Lord Shiva as Shankara and Shambhu and so grants many blessings.
- Rudra desired, “May I become the lord of the animals (Pashupati).” One who makes the appropriate offering to Rudra, to Ardra (06 40 – 20 00 Gemini), becomes the lord of the animals.
Rudra is the lord of the wild animals, the forces of the wilderness and nature in general. These animals represent the different forces of nature and also the constellations which have animal symbols. Rudra is the fierce form of Lord Shiva also called Pashupati who holds the bow and arrow as his weapon as a hunter. He is connected to the mantra Om.
- The Earth in the beginning had no growths. She desired, “May I produce herbs and trees.” One who makes the appropriate offering to Aditi, to Punarvasu (20 00 Gemini – 03 20 Cancer), produces progeny and cattle.
Punarvasu is a creative Nakshatra ruled by the Earth as the great World Mother Aditi. It gives the ability to create in form and structure. Progeny and cattle are symbolic of abundance on all levels. Those born under it like to produce things in a maternal way. Aditi also represents receptivity and space.
- Brihaspati desired, “May I possess the splendor of spiritual knowledge.” One who makes the appropriate offering to Brihaspati, to Pushya (03 20 – 16 40 Cancer), gains the splendor of spiritual knowledge. Pushya connects us with spiritual knowledge, knowledge of Vedas, mantra and meditation, but also religion, ritual and ethics in general. Through it the good overcomes the evil, dharma defeats adharma. Brihaspati is the high priest and guru among the deities, who has the power of the Divine Word. He is associated with the planet Jupiter, which is exalted in this Nakshatra.
- The Gods and the Demons were at war. The Gods made an offering to Aslesha (16 40 – 30 00 Cancer). This drove away the Demons. One who makes the appropriate offering to the Serpent God, to Aslesha, drives away his hateful opponents.
In Aslesha one can defeat one’s enemies and overcome all obstacles. Through it one gains the poison and wisdom of the serpent to counter all attacks. Those born under Aslesha make powerful warriors with powerful weapons, but also sages with the wisdom powers of the mind.. Aslesha represents the Nagas or serpent deities, their wisdom and power from physical to spiritual levels.
- The Fathers desired, “May we flourish in the world of the ancestors.” One who makes the appropriate offering to the Fathers, to Magha (00 00 – 13 20 Leo), flourishes in the world of the ancestors.
Magha Nakshatra gives fame that lasts through the generations. Those born under it seek a high reputation for themselves, a kind of kingly, queenly, paternal or maternal status. The Fathers or Pitaras relate to the ancestors in Vedic thought, both personal and for humanity as a whole, from the rishis at a higher level to our ordinary human ancestors.
- Bhaga desired, “May I partake of the best portion of the Gods.” One who makes the appropriate offering to Bhaga, to Purva Phalguni (13 20 – 26 40 Leo), gains the best portion among his peers.
Those born under Purva Phalguni seek the best for themselves, looking for the essence of delight in all that they encounter. They become connoisseurs in life, seeking what is subtle and refined. Bhaga represents beauty, charisma, fortune and delight, extending to devotion as a form of the solar deity.
- Aryaman desired, “May I become the lord of the animals.” One who makes the appropriate offering to Aryaman, to the Utttara Phalguni (26 40 Leo – 10 00 Virgo), he becomes the lord of the animals. Those born under Uttara Phalguni seek colleagues and followers to help them in their causes (animals or resources), which are generally noble in nature. Aryaman governs over contracts, agreements, help and service. Aryaman is a form of the solar deity.
- Savitar desired, “May the Gods place their faith in me.” One who makes the appropriate offering to Savitar, to Hasta (10 00 – 23 20 Virgo), the people place faith in him. He becomes the Sun among his peers.
Those born under Hasta strive to be believed in and get others to have faith in them. They regard themselves as capable of great achievements and can serve to rally and inspire people around them, having charisma and power of speech and expression. Savitar is the solar deity of inspiration and the Gayatri mantra, much like Apollo of the Greeks.
- Twashtar desired, “May I gain a wonderful progeny.” One who makes the appropriate offering to Twashtar, to Chitra ( 23 20 Virgo – 06 40 Libra), gains a wonderful progeny.
Twashtar is a form of the Creator, Prajapati, with special powers of creation, art and magic. Chitra Nakshatra therefore has great creative powers, giving splendor, multiplicity and abundance on various levels. It rules over artisans, craftsman and media powers of all types.
- Vayu, the Wind desired, “May I win the freedom to move as I wish in all the worlds.” One who makes the appropriate offering to the Wind, to Swati (06 40 Libra – 20 00 Libra), gains the freedom to move as he wishes in all the worlds.
The Wind, Vayu, has free movement in all the worlds, representing the cosmic energy overall, not just wind as an atmospheric force. Those born in Vayu’s Nakshatra of Swati have a similar desire. They don’t like to be held or tied down. They like to travel where they want and when they want, seeking the fulfillment of their wishes in all the worlds.
- Indra and Agni desired, “May I gain the greatest splendor among the Gods.” He makes the appropriate offering to Indra and Agni, to Vishakha (20 00 Libra – 03 20 Scorpio), gains the greatest splendor among his peers.
Vishakha is a competitive Nakshatra and has a fiery and lightning like energy, with Indra as ruling over lightning and Agni as fire. Its natives seek power and recognition. Yet they also have wisdom and insight, extending to powers of Yoga and enlightenment. This is also Lord Buddha’s Nakshatra.
- Mitra desired, “May I be regarded as a friend in all the worlds.” One who makes the appropriate offering to Mitra, to Anuradha (03 20 – 16 40 Scorpio), becomes regarded as a friend in all these worlds. Those born under Anuradha want to be friends with everyone. They are emotionally sensitive to others and place the welfare of others over their own. Mitra means the friend and represents compassion and devotion.
- Indra desired, “May I gain supremacy among the gods.” One who makes the appropriate offering to Indra, to Jyeshta (16 40 – 30 00 Scorpio), gains supremacy among his peers.
Those born under Jyeshta, which means the eldest and the highest, strive to be the best and the highest, but on their own, by their own efforts, as individuals, not by relying on others. They do their best when left alone and made to stand on their own. Indra is the king of the Vedic Gods, much like Lord Shiva, and gains his supremacy by his individual action of transcendence. He represents the independence of the inner Self.
- Prajapati desired, “May I find the root of progeny.” One who makes the appropriate offering to Prajapati, to Mula (00 00 – 13 20 Sagittarius), gains the root of progeny.and power of creation.
In this Nakshatra teaching, Mula is ruled by Prajapati, the Creator, who also rules Rohini. Ordinarily Mula is ruled by Nirriti, which is its destructive side. Mula’s creative power is emphasized here. Mula means root. It gives the root of progeny or strong creative powers. Astronomically it marks the galactic center, the source of galactic creation.
- The Water Goddesses (Apo Devi) desired, “May we at our wish gain the sea.” One who makes the appropriate offering to the Water Goddesses, to Ashadha, gains at wish the sea.
Under Purvashadha (13 20 – 26 40 Sagittarius) one seeks connections and unity like water desiring to reach the ocean. It is a creative, nurturing and healing Nakshatra. The Water Goddesses govern the cosmic waters including the oceans on Earth, the Atmospheric waters and the waters of Space.
- The Universal Gods (Vishve Deva) desired, “May we win a victory that can never be lost.” One who makes the appropriate offering to the Universal Gods, to Ashadha, gains a victory that can never be lost. Uttarashadha (26 40 Sagittarius to 10 00 Capricorn) is a competitive Nakshatra that causes us to seek great achievements, but in alliance with others, in great partnerships, organizations and associations. One succeeds by virtue of one’s broad connections. Here one must universalize one’s energies and aspirations.
- Vishnu desired, “May I hear people say good words about me. May I not suffer any bad reputation.” One who makes the appropriate offering to Vishnu, to Shravana (10 00 – 23 20 Capricorn), hears good words about himself and does not come to any bad regard.
Those born under Shravana, which relates to the power of hearing, are concerned about what people say about them and their reputation. They will strive to keep themselves in good repute. They are sensitive to the opinions of others. Yet at a higher level they will also seek to hear and follow the Divine word, the Shruti. Vishnu is the all-pervasive aspect of the solar deity.
- The Vasus desired, “May we revolve around the summit of the Gods.” One who makes the appropriate offering to the Vasus, to Dhanishta (23 20 Capricorn – 06 40 Aquarius), gains the summit among his peers.
The eight Vasus or indwelling powers rule over the material and worldly splendors of the Earth, which their Nakshatra grants, including wealth and political power. They gain this through high association and deeper aspirations.
- Varuna desired, “May I be firm and not unsteady.” One who makes the appropriate offering to Varuna, to Shatabhishak (06 20 – 20 00 Aquarius), becomes firm and not unsteady.
This firmness implies freedom from disease and debility for both body and mind. Shatabhishak is a Nakshatra of healing, transformation and energization. Varuna, who relates to the cosmic ocean and the setting sun, rules over karma and its dispensation prodding us to move to a higher level in life and in our awareness.
- Aja Ekapat desired, “”May I gain the radiance and the splendor of spiritual knowledge.” One who makes the appropriate offering to Aja Ekapat, to Purva Bhadra (20 00 Aquarius – 03 20 Pisces) , gains radiance and the splendor of spiritual knowledge.
Purva Bhadra has a great spiritual potential like Brihaspati-ruled Pushya. It can give insight, perception and spiritual fire – that of our inner being. It awakens us to our higher spiritual potential and power in life. Aja Ekapad is a one footed goat that symbolizes our deathless sou (aja also means what is unborn a-ja). It is also connected to Kundalini Shakti.
- Ahir Budhnya desired, “May I find a firm foundation.” One who makes the appropriate offering to Ahir Budhnya, to Uttara Bhadra (03 20 – 16 40 Pisces), gains a firm foundation.
Uttara Bhadra grants a firm foundation in life, connecting us with the wellsprings of vitality, the serpent who dwells in the depths of the sea, which is what Ahir Budhnya means. This is similar to Vishnu’s cosmic serpent Ananta who carries all the worlds.
- Pushan desired, “May I become the lord of the animals.” One who makes the appropriate offering to Pusha, to Revati (16 40 – 30 00 Pisces), becomes lord of the animals.
Revati, which means abundance gives lordship over domestic cattle, richness of harvest and fertile fields, while Ardra and Rudra rule more over the wild animals. Those born under this Nakshatra pursue the abundance of life but as in harmony with the creative powers nature. Pushan is the nourisher and the seer among the Sun Gods, the guide of the paths.
