Counterparts Series - Pushya, Uttara Ashadha, Sravana

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. Pushya, Uttara-Ashadha and Shravana.

Pushya – Pushya Nakshatra is from 3.20 degree to 16.40 degree of Cancer sign. Pushya is nakshatra of nourishing and taking care of people without any selfish interests. It is closely connected with adoption and child care due to mythological story involved. For more information on Pushya Nakshatra, please check this link - https://www.astrosaxena.com/pushnaksh.

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 Pushya Nakshatra from 3.20 degree to 10.00 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.

Abhijeet Nakshatra - It is worthy to mention here that invisible nakshatra Abhijeet also falls in same degrees; i.e. from 6.40 degrees to 10.53 degree of Capricorn. Abhijeet has majority of characteristics like Uttara Ashadha only. But still if someone wants to know more about Abhijeet Nakshatra then this link may be helpful - https://www.astrosaxena.com/abhinaksha.

Shravana Nakshatra - Shravana Nakshatra is from 10.00 degree to 23.20 degree of Capricorn. So, Shravana Nakshatra is in front of Pushya Nakshatra from 10.00 degree to 16.20 degrees of Capricorn. It is a nakshatra related with teaching, counselling and communications mainly but it is also the nakshatra of real estate and people who can disguise themselves really well. Please check this link for more info o Shravana Nakshatra - https://www.astrosaxena.com/shravnaksh.

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 Pushya Nakshatra, Uttara Ashadha Nakshatra and Shravana Nakshatra here –

Pushya Nakshatra - This one is interesting. Brihaspati was great Guru of Gods. He had a wife named Tara. Tara was most beautiful celestial lady of her time but Brihaspati was always busy with his religious/spiritual pursuits and never gave any attention to Tara. Moon is best friend of Jupiter and used to visit his home. With time, Moon spell his magic over Tara and she ran away with Moon. Brihaspati felt cheated and went to all Gods to request & convince Tara to come back to him. God requested Tara and said that this act of infidelity is not good for her. Tara agreed to come back but by that time, she was already pregnant with Moon's child. The child born was Mercury. Now, although Mercury was not Brihaspati's own child but still Brihaspati accepted him as his son and took care of him & nourished him. Brihaspati was of the view that child has nothing to do with this all and if at all it is a mistake, then it is a mistake of all 3 of us. So, child should not suffer. This is the nature of Pushya. Taking care of others unselfishly.

This story is also the reason behind friendship/enmity of Mercury-Moon and Mercury-Jupiter as Mercury felt that because of mistake of Moon and Jupiter both I got this life of ridicule as everyone treats me as an illegitimate child.

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.

Shravana Nakshatra - The Demon King Bali had taken control over all 3 worlds (Earth, Heaven & Netherworld). The Demi Gods went to Vishnu for help. Vishnu assured them of help. Vishnu took his Vamana Avatar of a small Brahmin Boy and approached Bali when he has just completed a Yagya. One of the rule of Yagya was that Bali can't refuse the request for charity of any Brahmin after Yagya. Vamana Avtar asked for the land which He is going to cover in his 3 strides. Bali was amused as he thought how much land this little brahmin boy would be able to cover in 3 strides. So, he agreed although his teacher Shukracharya was present there an warned Bali as he was able to see Vishnu in the guise of Vamana Avatar. Still, Bali promised as requested by little brahmin boy. As soon as Bali Promised, Vamana Avatar grew its size so big that in 1 stride only it covered whole of Netherworld and Earth, in 2nd stride it covered the heaven and then asked Bali where to put the 3rd stride? Bali was true to his word. He offered his own head. Vamana Avatar smiled and put his 3rd stride over Bali's head which pushed him to the lowest of the world. Although balance was restored in 3 worlds but Vishnu was happy with Bali for him being true to his words. Vishnu promised Bali to help him whenever he needed. So, here we get the understanding of symbolism of 3 uneven foot, Trident and the one who limps as Vishnu's 3rd stride was not completed properly as there was no place left to land the foot.

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

Now, let’s understand the axis of Pushya, Uttara-Ashadha and Shravana.

Pushya – Now, from the story and nature of Pushya Nakshatra, we can see that apparent message is that we should take care and nourish others without any selfish interests. In the story, Jupiter adopts Mercury to take care of him. Understand that He is not adopting any random kid on street. He is adopting a kid who is born out of illegitimate relationship between his wife and his best friend. This was a highly selfless act done by Jupiter. So, Pushya’s message is loud and clear that we should take care and nourish others without ANY selfish interests. One shouldn’t even expect a “Thank You” for his services to others.   

Now, how to get to that stage of selfless actions? This is where again the guidance is coming from 180 degree faraway.

Uttara-Ashadha/Abhijeet – Uttara Ashadha and Abhijeet both are related with authority, recognition and selfless service. This is what we understood from the story of Uttara Ashadha where Lord Shiva cut-off the head of Lord Ganesha. As discussed earlier, 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. Now, who can let go of his ego and egoistic/selfish desires in order to serve others? It is the person who has reached a position of authority and recognition in life from where none can topple him over. A person who has achieved whatever he wanted to achieve in life and knows that none can pull me down from my position and is completely safe and secured about his position, only that person can serve others selflessly. So, first guidance is to achieve the authority and recognition which you are looking for. An insecure/fearful person can never serve others selflessly.

Shravana – Then to serve others selflessly, we need to imbibe all the qualities and traits which are represented by Shravana Nakshatra or which were displayed through actions by King Bali in the story of Shravana Nakshatra. These were truthfulness, commitment, charitable nature and surrender. The fact that the demon King Bali practiced all these traits in the story is the message that even when a demon can imbibe these traits then why not humans?

Conclusion – So, Pushya Nakshatra asks us to serve & nourish others selflessly and Uttara Ashadha/Abhijeet/Shravana tells us the conditions and qualities through which we can do the same.

Hope this helps.