Counterparts Series - Punarvasu, Purva-Ashadha, Uttara Ashadha

This is next article in Counterparts Series for Nakshatras. As we have seen in Counterparts Series so far - https://www.astrosaxena.com/SignNakshatraCounter, every Zodiac Sign completes or supplements the zodiac Sign in front of it through some guidance, directions or indication. If it is happening consistently for all Zodiac Signs then the same can be happening for Nakshatras too; i.e. Nakshatras in front of each other can also complete/supplement each other and can provide some guidance, direction or indication to us to deal with their energy in more creative ways.

So, let’s understand the next set of Nakshatras which are in front of each other; i.e. Punarvasu, Purva Ashadha and Uttara-Ashadha.

Punarvasu – Punarvasu Nakshatra falls from 20.00 degrees of Gemini to 3.20 degrees of Cancer. It is a nakshatra of rehabilitation and recovery process. It is very closely connected with after-care medical activities. It can also be a nakshatra of counselling. For more information on Punarvasu Nakshatra, please check this - https://www.astrosaxena.com/punnaksh.

Purva Ashadha - Purva Ashadha Nakshatra is from 13.20 degree to 26.40 degree of Sagittarius. . So, Purva Ashadha Nakshatra is in front of Punarvasu Nakshatra from 20.00 degree to 26.40 degree of Sagittarius. It is a nakshatra of higher education, analysis and research. It is also nakshatra of giving care to others. For more information on Purva Ashadha Nakshatra, please read this - https://www.astrosaxena.com/panaksh .

Uttara Ashadha – Uttara-Ashadha Nakshatra is from 26.40 degree of Sagittarius to 10.00 degree of Capricorn. So, Uttara Ashadha Nakshatra is in front of Punarvasu Nakshatra from 26.40 degree of Sagittarius to 3.20 degree of Capricorn. It is a nakshatra of career driven people. People who look for authority in life and are highly ambitious. Please check this link to get more information on Uttara Ashadha Nakshatra - https://www.astrosaxena.com/uanaksh.

As we have always seen that mythological stories always play an important role in interpretation of Nakshatras, so it will be worthy to reproduce the mythological stories of Punarvasu Nakshatra, Purva Ashadha Nakshatra and Uttara Ashadha as under –

Punarvasu Nakshatra - Again, Punarvasu begins where Ardra ends. Rudra shot his Weapon/Arrow at Brahma which made him unconscious. Now, the arrow comes back at Rudra, the symbolism of Punarvasu. The storms and chaotic events of Ardra are now calming down and it is now time to have some sanity restored. Punarvasu is about giving a second chance to someone to improve himself or correct his mistake and restoring the peace, hope and divinity.

Purva Ashadha Nakshatra - Purva-Ashadha can be linked back to the story of churning of celestial ocean by Demons & Gods from where the poison and nectar of Immortality. Purva-Ashadha can be related with actual process of churning.

Uttara Ashadha Nakshatra - Story of birth of Lord Ganesh is directly connected with this nakshatra due to Ganesh being presiding deity and its representation of elephant's tusk. This is story where Goddess Parvati had a mind born son Ganesh and instructed him to stand-guard as she takes bath. As Lord Shiva happened to arrive and Lord Shiva & Lord Ganesh were unknown to each other, Lord Ganesh stopped Lord Shiva from entering the place. This started a battle between them and with the help of Vishnu & other Gods, Lord Shiva finally removed the head of Lord Ganesh. Parvati was furious to know about it and as Shiv-Shakti represents the balance of masculine-feminine energy, this balance was disturbed. In the end, Vishnu promised Parvati to bring Ganesh back to life and by attaching an Elephant's head to Ganesh's body, Vishnu fulfilled his promise.

If you want to understand the metaphor then these links would be helpful - https://www.astrosaxena.com/UTMRohini and https://www.astrosaxena.com/UTMUA.

Now, let’s understand the axis of Punarvasu, Purva-Ashadha and Uttara-Ashadha.

Punarvasu – Punarvasu Nakshatra comes after Ardra Nakshatra. Ardra is where the story reaches its peak when Rudra cuts-off one of the heads of Lord Brahma and Lord Brahma falls of Earth. If we see the whole story from Rohini to Ardra, it is chaotic and catastrophic. Now, what follows after chaos? A certain recovery or rehabilitation process. Punarvasu is about that recovery or rehabilitation. It is about recovering and feeling strong again. So, that’s what Punarvasu looks out for.  

Now, how to get that recovery, rehabilitation and strength back? Who will provide it? This is where again the guidance is coming from 180 degree faraway.

Purva-Ashadha – This is a nakshatra of higher education, guidance, teaching and counseling. As it is in middle portion of Sagittarius, we can also understand it as guidance from Guru.

The real strength we can provide to someone only by way of knowledge. By gaining knowledge, we can understand our past mistakes and we can make better decisions or take better actions when we find ourselves in similar situations again. Knowledge and Wisdom sets us free. With knowledge, wisdom and guidance of Guru, we can be more and more aware which again would give us ability to recover, rehabilitate and be strong in future life.

Uttara-Ashadha – Another way we can help someone recover, rehabilitate and be strong in life is through giving some authority and recognition to him. But Uttara Ashadha follows Purva Ashadha. It means that person still has to 1st get some higher education, knowledge and wisdom. Then perseverant actions in the direction of that wisdom will automatically bring you authority and recognition in this world. It is interesting that stories of Rohini Nakshatra and Uttara Ashdha Nakshatra both involve cutting-off head (Head of Lord Brahma in Ardra Nakshatra and Head of Lord Ganesha in Uttara Ashadha Nakshatra). And in both stories, the one who cut the head was Lord Shiva/Rudra.

In all cultures around the world, bowing head to God or Guru has been a common ritual. Even while taking bath in rivers on important festivals or through the ritual of Baptism, dipping of Head is common part of ritual.

As I understand, Head has always been considered as symbol of ego. So, Uttara Ashadha Nakshatra indicates that the real strength someone develops in life when he has all the authority and recognition of the world but has no ego about his authority and recognition.

Conclusion – So, Punarvasu Nakshatra calls for strength, recovery and rehabilitation and Purva-Ashadha/Uttara-Ashadha Nakshatras show that real strength or recovery in life can happen only through right knowledge/wisdom and right sense of authority/recognition.  

Hope this helps.