Counterparts Series - Ashlesha, Shravana, Dhanishtha

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. Ashlesha, Shravana and Dhanishtha.

Ashlesha – Ashlesha Nakshatra is from 16.40 to 30.00 degree of Cancer sign. Ashlesha represents our insecurities and weaknesses as a human being. It is a nakshatra of clinging on to someone or something. It also represents psychological issues. For more information on Ashlesha Nakshatra, please check this link - https://www.astrosaxena.com/Ashlnaksh.

Shravana Nakshatra - Shravana Nakshatra is from 10.00 degree to 23.20 degree of Capricorn. So, Shravana Nakshatra is in front of Ashlesha Nakshatra from 16.40 degrees to 23.20 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.

Dhanishtha Nakshatra – Dhanishtha Nakshatra is from 23.20 degree of Capricorn to 6.40 degrees of Aquarius. So, Dhanishtha Nakshatra is in front of Ashlesha Nakshatra from 23.20 degrees to 30.00 of Capricorn It is a nakshatra related with wealth, luxury and lavish life. It is also a nakshatra related with music. Also, it is a nakshatra of celibacy. Please check this link for more info on Dhanishtha Nakshatra - https://www.astrosaxena.com/Dhannaksh.

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 Ashlesha Nakshatra, Shravana Nakshatra and Dhanishtha Nakshatra here –

Ashlesha Nakshatra - As Ashlesha is so closely connected with Serpents, it is somewhere connected with story of Churning of Ocean by Gods & Demons through the help of the King Serpent Vasuki. At the end of churning of ocean, many things came out from Ocean including poison although Gods and Demons were only looking for Nectar of Immortality. This story has lots of importance in interpretation of this nakshatra..

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.

Dhanishtha Nakshatra - For mythological story, we have to go into one of the less known stories of Mahabharat. It is when 8 Vasus saw a Divine Cow in the forest and eldest among them planned to steal it. Others accompanied him in executing the plan. But that Divine Cow was of Sage Vashishtha who came to know about stealing immediately through his meditative powers. Sage Vashishtha cursed all the 8 Vasus to live human life on Earth. When 8 Vasus pleaded for forgiveness, Sage Vashishtha modified the curse that 7 of them will be relieved of Human Life as soon as they take birth but the eldest one who planned the stealing would have to live the whole curse till he finally gets liberation. River Ganga promised 8 Vasus to give birth after marriage with King Shantanu and liberate 7 of them by flowing in Ganga itself. The eldest of Vasus stayed alive as Dev-Vrat or Bhishma.

Now, let’s understand the axis of Ashlesha, Shravana and Dhanishtha.

Ashlesha – Shlesha means Enough. A-Shlesha means Not Enough. So, Ashlesha is the closest nakshatra for fear and insecurities. Ashlesha shows our deepest of fears and insecurities in life. Fear of losing things or people and insecurities of being left alone. Hence, Ashlesha also represents psychological issues as they are nothing but insecurities and fears.

Now, how to deal with insecurity and fear? This is where again the guidance is coming from 180 degree faraway.

It is interesting that Zodiac Sign falling in front of Ashlesha is Capricorn. Capricorn is sign of authority and recognition. One way to get rid of our insecurity is to gain some authority and recognition in life. This makes us get away from our insecurities and inferiority complex.

Then common theme around Shravana and Dhanishtha Nakshatras is that they both are related with lots of money, assets and real estates. Wealth and Assets are also things which help us in getting over our fears and insecurities of tomorrow/future. If I have enough money and assets in my life then I will lose the usual fear or insecurity of survival of daily life. So, achieving things related with Capricorn, Shravana and Dhanishtha can help us in getting rid of fears and insecurities of Ashlesha.

Then Shravana is nakshatra of counselling too. In the story of Shravana Nakshatra, we can see that King Bali fell into trouble only because he didn’t listen to the counselling or guidance of his Guru Shukracharya. So, this is another guidance coming from Shravana that we can get rid of our fear or insecurities if we are ready to listen and work on the advices and counselling of our guides, counsellors and Gurus.

Then Dhanishtha’s story is related with Bhishma character in Mahabharat who remained the epitome of Sacrifice in the whole Mahabharat. So, this is also a guidance that sharing or donating with others, whatever you have, is also a way of getting rid of your insecurities.

Now, it looks paradoxical that how an insecure person can think of sharing with others but human life is paradoxical. It is my experience of life that when I started sharing things freely with people then I started receiving in abundance from others. Understand it like this, almost every one of us is waiting for other person to start sharing with us and then we will return the favor. So, if we stay in this mode then no progress is possible as other person is also thinking same and holding himself back. Hence, it is necessary for one person to break the ice and start sharing with others selflessly and then what happens next is chain reaction as others are also bound to share with you something sooner or later in life.

And when we talk about sharing, it is not necessarily be money. That’s why I said, “whatever you have”. Share whatever you have and then see the results. It can be knowledge, food, water, music or anything whatsoever you have. Don’t limit donations to only money matter.

Conclusion – So, Ashlesha Nakshatra is about fear or insecurities we may have and Shravana/Dhanishtha are guiding us as to how we can get rid of our fears or insecurities of life.

Hope this helps.