Punarvasu is seventh among 27 nakshatras. The first three quarters of this nakshatra fall in Gemini and the fourth quarter falls in Cancer.
The literal meaning of Punarvasu is ‘to become Vasu again’. Since the Vasus possess traits like goodness, prosperity and genuineness; these traits can also be assigned to Punarvasu. Hence Punarvasu promotes prosperity and goodness on all levels, when the energy of this nakshatra combines with those of positive and supportive planets.
Vedic astrology assigns an arrow as the main symbol to this nakshatra and this symbol conveys many meanings. An arrow is used to strike a target and hence this symbol adds the trait of focusing on a target and achieving it. Before an arrow is cast, the archer needs to have a desire to use such arrow which means the desire to strike a goal. Hence Punarvasu represents the trait of desire. An arrow is made with great skill and the same skill is required to strike a target with it. Hence Punarvasu exhibits the trait of skill. A native may need great amount of patience in order to aim properly and he may also have to cast more than one arrow in order to strike a target. Therefore, Punarvasu exhibits traits like patience and perseverance.
Since ancient times, an arrow is used not only to fight and win wars; but also to protect oneself against various types of attacks and dangers. Hence Punarvasu exhibits the trait of safety. Such safety is generally enjoyed by the people under its strong influence by virtue of some qualities or skills they possess; just like possessing arrows. An arrow represents a journey from the time it leaves the bow till it strikes the target. Hence Punarvasu is related to journeys and travels of various types, when supported by the planets placed in it.
Looking at other symbols associated with Punarvasu, a quiver full of arrows and a house are also used as symbols of this nakshatra. A quiver full of arrows represents safety, journey and engagement in a mission. Accordingly, these traits reflect through Punarvasu. A quiver full of arrows means your defense is strong and hence you may be safe; as long as the quiver is having arrows. Warriors fill their quivers with arrows when they choose to engage in missions and such missions often need them to undertake journeys. The symbol of house or home once again represents safety. Hence safety and protection seem to be the strongest traits associated with Punarvasu, through its symbols.
Vedic astrology assigns Aditi as the ruling deity of Punarvasu. Aditi is the mother of 12 Adityas who are considered as solar deities in Indian mythology. The influence of Aditi on Punarvasu adds traits like motherly care and safety. Aditi is considered as a very resourceful and benevolent deity according to Indian mythology and these traits are exhibited through Punarvasu.
A quiver full of arrows also indicates that the warrior has a number of resources at his disposal. Due to influence of Aditi, people under strong influence of Punarvasu may be kind, benevolent, caring, emotional and resourceful.
Vedic astrology assigns Jupiter as the ruling planet of Punarvasu. Jupiter exhibits traits like prosperity, ethics, contentedness and care for the wellbeing of the others through this nakshatra. The first three quarters of Punarvasu fall in Gemini ruled by Mercury whereas the fourth and final quarter of Punarvasu falls in Cancer ruled by Moon. The influence of Mercury brings qualities like mobility, trade, business skills and communication to Punarvasu whereas the influence of Moon brings traits like maternal love, kindness and care.
The fourth quarter of Punarvasu which falls in the sign of Cancer as well as in Cancer navamsha can make the people under its strong influence possess traits like kindness, benevolence, care, contentedness and other such qualities; in significant amounts.
According to Indian Holy Scriptures, lord Rama and Lord Buddha were born under strong influence of fourth quarter of Punarvasu rising in the ascendant. Lord Rama is also said to have the placement of Moon in the first house of his horoscope in Cancer in Punarvasu. Due to strong influence of Punarvasu, both of them are primarily known for their kindness, benevolence, care and protection for the entire mankind.
It should be noted that both lord Rama and Lord Buddha were skilled at the art of archery; and their arrows never missed the targets once they left the bows. Both of them left their houses and engaged in long journeys. Lord Rama ensured safety of mankind by killing demons, bringing peace and prosperity in the end. Lord Buddha ensured safety of mankind by teaching people the way of non-violence; bringing peace and prosperity in the end. It means Lord Buddha taught people the ways to fight inner demons. Hence both of them exhibit traits of Punarvasu in their own ways.
Like always is the case, though Punarvasu exhibits a number of traits; different people may embrace different traits and they may use them in different ways; depending on placements of various planets in this nakshatra as well as on their overall horoscopes. Looking at planets among navagraha; Moon and Jupiter may do well or very well in Punarvasu, where Jupiter achieves maximum exaltation in the fourth quarter of Punarvasu. Venus may also perform above average or well in this nakshatra; depending on whether it is placed in the Gemini part or Cancer part of Punarvasu.
Sun, Mars, Saturn, Mercury and Rahu are better suited for the first three quarters of Punarvasu, which fall in Gemini whereas they may get uncomfortable in the fourth quarter falling in Cancer. Mars achieves maximum debilitation in the fourth quarter of Punarvasu. Ketu is generally not suited for any quarter of Punarvasu; though it may perform better in the fourth quarter.
Among these planets also; the people may witness best results from the traits of Punarvasu; when Moon or Jupiter is placed in Cancer part of this nakshatra or when Mercury, Venus or Rahu is placed in Gemini part of this nakshatra. Saturn, Sun and Mars may render good results to the people in Gemini part of Punarvasu but they may be accompanied by some side effects in some cases; even when these planets are benefic in a horoscope.
It should be noted that Punarvasu may bless the people under its influence with good results, only when benefic planets are placed in it or when it is rising in the ascendant. Placements of malefic planets in Punarvasu can cause various types of problems for the people under its influence; like in case of all other nakshatras.
Taking an example, placement of malefic retrograde exalted Jupiter in the third house of a horoscope in Cancer in Punarvasu can make the native immoral, criminal, drug addict or the native may suffer from various types of psychological problems; unless there are corrective planetary energies in his horoscope. Looking at such corrective benefic energies, placement of benefic Saturn in the first house in Taurus, placement of benefic Mercury in the ninth house in Capricorn and/or placement of benefic Sun in the fourth house in Leo in this horoscope can control these tendencies.
When working positively, Punarvasu supports life and harmony. Therefore, people under strong influence of this nakshatra may exhibit positive traits like promotion of life and society, being happy and trying to make other people happy, leading moral and spiritual lives; and many other traits rendered by this nakshatra. Punarvasu people may have definitive and strong sense of ethics and they may be skilled at separating right from wrong. Therefore, they may not let much negativity build inside them.
Punarvasu people may have good sense of reasoning and they may use this quality to choose right paths throughout their lives. Punarvasu people may be blessed with good power of imagination and creativity. Hence they may be seen making use of it in the fields like poetry, literature, painting and acting, as well as in other creative activities which require use of these traits. Punarvasu people may be patient by nature and they may be friendly towards people around them. For this reason, these people may be some of the safest type of people; among all native types belonging to various nakshatras; provided the energy of this nakshatra is used positively in a horoscope.
On the other hand, if the energy of Punarvasu is used by a negative planet in a horoscope, such planet may use its traits for selfish purposes or it may corrupt some traits. For example, placement of malefic Rahu in Punarvasu may distort or corrupt some of its traits. As a result, the native may keep fixing target after target in various spheres of his life; and he may not engage in sufficient efforts to achieve most of them. Looking deeper, if malefic Rahu is placed in the fifth house in Gemini in Punarvasu; the native may keep moving from one lover to another; not being able to convert any relationship into something meaningful.
Taking another example, if malefic Rahu is placed in the twelfth house of a horoscope in Gemini in Punarvasu, the native may keep moving from one spiritual path to another, failing to achieve growth through any of them; unless there are strong benefic and corrective planets in his horoscope. In both these cases; malefic influence of Rahu can make the native waste the arrows given by Punarvasu; by shooting them here and there; without due consideration and patience.
Let’s consider another probability and see what may happen when malefic Mercury misuses the energy of Punarvasu. If malefic Mercury is placed in the fourth house of a horoscope in Cancer in Punarvasu, the native may use traits like kindness and benevolence for selfish purposes, unless there are strong and benefic corrective planets. Such native may use kindness as a weapon and though he may seem kind and caring on the outside; he may be selfish and opportunistic in reality.
Hence he may develop close relationships with many people by showing them his fake kind and benevolent side; and he may then cheat or exploit them in a number of ways; depending on the rest of his horoscope. Such placement of malefic Mercury in the fourth house in Cancer in Punarvasu in the horoscope of a politician can prove especially troublesome for the crowds following such politician. Though the crowds may consider him as a kind and benevolent leader; he may fake these traits; merely in order to exploit such crowds.
Vedic astrology also assigns traits like simplicity, forgiveness and honesty to Punarvasu. As a result, people under strong influence of this nakshatra may be simple and honest in their approach. Many Punarvasu people are content and happy with what they have in lives and they may not run after whatever materialistic pleasures they may not have. It is interesting to note that despite their simple and content approach towards life, many Punarvasu people are actually very prosperous and resourceful; even if they do not want all such prosperity and resourcefulness.
This is due to the inherent traits of Punarvasu which may bless the people under its strong influence with wealth, resources, safety and simplicity at the same time. Punarvasu people may not face great dangers or crisis related to those spheres of their lives, which are represented by planets placed in this nakshatra, provided such planets are benefic in their horoscopes. Even if they face grave problems related to such spheres, they may almost always come out of them safe and sound, as if by magic. This aspect again confirms the safety word associated with this nakshatra.
Aditi, the ruling deity of Punarvasu is a powerful and resourceful goddess; and she may take very good care of the significances ruled by planets placed in this nakshatra. Taking an example, if benefic exalted Jupiter is placed in the eleventh house of a horoscope in Cancer in Punarvasu; the native may not face grave dangers related to his marriage; unless the rest of his horoscope is seriously troubled. It means that even if some defect like Manglik Dosh tries to break his marriage; such marriage may survive in the end; almost magically. Jupiter rules the seventh house in this case since Pisces falls in the seventh house of this horoscope. Hence it represents marriage among other things.
Taking another example, if benefic Mercury is placed in the tenth house of a horoscope in Gemini in Punarvasu, this placement may protect his profession as well as his lifeline; as much as possible. Mercury rules the first and tenth house in this case. Hence the significances of both these houses are likely to be protected by Punarvasu. Even if such native falls into great problems related to his profession or his life due to malefic planets in his horoscope; he may come out of such problems in the end; due to blessing of benefic energy of Punarvasu.
Punarvasu people may have good interest for creative pursuits. Hence many of them may engage in creative fields. Some of them may become actors, some may become singers, some may become musicians and some others may become writers/poets. Some Punarvasu people may also engage in sports and they may especially do well in sports where some type of aiming is required. It means they may do well in archery and various types of shooting sports.
Punarvasu people may be fond of travel and at the same time; they may love staying at homes. Hence they may represent a mixture of both these tendencies. In general, the Gemini part of this nakshatra may be more interested in travelling whereas the Cancer part may be more interested in staying at home. This trait may also change due to placements of various planets in it.
For example, placement of Moon in Punarvasu may influence the native to stay at home; much more than travel. Moon is all about home and family; and it is a less active planet. Hence its placement in this nakshatra may make the native travel less and relax at home more. On the other hand, if Mars is placed in this nakshatra, the native may travel more and stay at home less. Mars is full of energy and such energy may push the native to travel more and explore more. Likewise, other planets may use this trait in different ways.
Among all traits; the ones like contentedness, care, kindness and benevolence may have prominent influence on people under strong influence of Punarvasu. Hence these people may take very good care of their loved ones and they may go to any lengths to protect them. They may also be kind and generous to people in general; and they may donate generously for humanitarian causes. Punarvasu may help the people under its influence achieve spiritual growth and this tendency may increase when suitable benefic planets are placed in it.
Taking an example, suppose exalted Jupiter is placed in the seventh house of a horoscope in Cancer in Punarvasu. Capricorn rises in the ascendant and Jupiter rules the twelfth house which represents spiritual growth. Jupiter also represents spiritual growth and Punarvasu supports it. Hence the native may achieve spiritual growth. However, such growth may come with time and the native may also face a number of materialistic hindrances. This is because Jupiter is placed in the seventh house which is an indulgent house. Hence this factor may put some restrictions on spiritual growth and the native may engage more in this sphere, after the age of 40 or 50 years.
Taking another example, suppose exalted Jupiter is placed in the fourth house of a horoscope in Cancer in Punarvasu. Aries rises in the ascendant and Jupiter rules the ninth as well as twelfth house. Both ninth and twelfth house represent spiritual growth. Jupiter loves spiritual growth, Punarvasu is supportive for it and the fourth house is one of the most receptive houses in horoscope. It means the fourth house may accommodate any type of energy/tendency.
As the combined result of these factors; the native may witness more as well as early spiritual growth, compared to the first case; unless other planets in his horoscope counteract this tendency. Kindness, benevolence, contentedness and care may be prominent features of this native’s personality. Such placement of Jupiter in the horoscope of a male native may bless him with a spiritually advanced guru whereas the same placement in the horoscope of a female may bless her with spiritually advanced husband/guru. Jupiter rules the ninth house which represents guru among other things; and it is the general signifier of husband for females. One such female may have husband who may later on become her guru.
Let’s look at performances of various planets in various navamshas of Punarvasu. Starting with Aries navamsha; Mercury may do well or very well here whereas Venus and Rahu may do well but not very well here. Saturn may perform well or somewhat short of that. Saturn is strong in Gemini but it is debilitated in Aries.
Sun, Mars and Ketu may perform above average in this navamsha since all of them are not strong in Gemini but they are strong in Aries. Jupiter may perform above average or well here; since it rules Punarvasu and it is strong in Aries, though it is not strong in Gemini. Moon may perform above average in this navamsha; since it is not strong in Gemini as well as Aries but it is very comfortable in Punarvasu. Among navagraha; Mercury may be the strongest here whereas Ketu may be the weakest. No planet may perform poorly in this navamsha.
Looking at Taurus navamsha; Mercury, Venus, Rahu and Saturn may perform well or very well in this navamsha. Rahu is exalted in Taurus whereas the other three planets are strong in Taurus. Apart from that; they are all strong in Gemini. Moon may perform well in this navamsha. It is not strong in Gemini but it is exalted in Taurus and it is very comfortable in Punarvasu.
Sun and Mars may perform on average in this navamsha, since they are not strong in Gemini as well as Taurus. Jupiter may perform above average here. It is not strong in Gemini or Taurus but it has great comfort in Punarvasu. Ketu may perform poorly here; since it is weak in Gemini and debilitated in Taurus. Among navagraha; Rahu may be the strongest here, followed by Mercury and Venus. Ketu may be the weakest here.
Moving on to Gemini navamsha; Mercury, Venus, Saturn and Rahu may perform well or very well here, since they are all strong in Gemini. Moon may perform above average but not well in this navamsha. Sun and Mars may perform on average or below average here; since none of them is strong in Gemini. Jupiter may perform on average or above average here. Ketu may perform poorly in this navamsha, since it is weak in Gemini. Among navagraha; Mercury may be the strongest in this navamsha whereas Ketu may be the weakest.
Considering Cancer navamsha; Moon and Jupiter may perform very well here. Moon is strong in Cancer and it is very comfortable in Punarvasu. Jupiter is exalted in Cancer and it has great comfort in Punarvasu. Among all 108 navamshas of 27 nakshatras within the 12 signs; Jupiter reaches maximum exaltation in this navamsha.
Sun may perform poorly in this navamsha, since it is weak in Cancer. Mars may deliver its worst performance here, among all 108 navamshas of 27 nakshatras. It reaches maximum debilitation in this navamsha. Venus may perform on average or above average here whereas Mercury, Saturn and Rahu may perform on average or below average here. Ketu may perform on average in this navamsha. Among navagraha; Jupiter is the strongest in this navamsha, followed by Moon. Mars is the weakest in this navamsha.
Taking an example, if benefic exalted Jupiter forms Hamsa Yoga in the seventh house of a horoscope in Punarvasu, benefic retrograde Saturn is placed in the fifth house in Taurus, benefic Moon is placed in the tenth house in Libra and the rest of the horoscope is supportive, the native may achieve success in a creative field like he may become an actor.
Himanshu Shangari