The literal translation of the word Uttarashada is ‘the latter invincible one’ or ‘the latter undefeated one’. Vedic astrology associates Uttarashada with being invincible like its previous nakshatra Poorvashada. Poorvashada and Uttarashada make a pair like Poorvaphalguni and Uttaraphalguni. They share some traits which are similar whereas other traits exhibited by them are different.
The main symbol of Uttarashada is taken as the ‘the tusk of an elephant’. This symbol sheds light on many traits of Uttarashada. The tusk of an elephant is very dear to the elephant. It is considered as the most precious part of an elephant’s body. Elephants have been killed since old times to sell their tusks at high prices.
Since the tusk represents great value, this symbol associates great value with Uttarashada. It means people under strong influence of Uttarashada may gain respect by virtue of being valuable. The symbol of tusk also associates Uttarashada with wars and fights since elephants use their tusks a lot when they fight with one another. The tusks of an elephant have significant value in deciding its control or leadership over other elephants. Hence it adds traits like leadership and authority to Uttarashada.
Elephants have been used as symbols of royalty, as only kings or powerful people were able to possess elephants. Mighty kings and powerful people used to show off their power and status by the number of elephants they possessed. Many kings used to ride on elephants whenever they went to battlefields. Elephants also used to make the front rows of the battling crews in order to scare the opposing armies and to inflict maximum damage upon them.
Greater was the number of elephants in an army, stronger the army was considered. Hence Uttarashada is related to traits like royalty, status, strength, war and victory through its symbol. Looking at another attribute, elephants are the largest and mightiest animals on land. Elephants are generally calm and friendly in nature. However when provoked or when under threat, they may prove very aggressive, offensive and destructive. It means an elephant can fight and win in most cases, but it generally prefers peace over fight or war.
Elephants are attentive to their surroundings and they keep themselves updated about what is happening around them. Elephants socialize with other animals, they have very good memories and they possess very good amount of aggression. Elephants are social animals and they may go to any lengths to protect their loved ones, especially their young ones. Hence Uttarashada is associated with traits like being peaceful, aggressive, destructive, attentive, friendly, social and protective.
Vedic astrology assigns ten Vishvadevas or Universal gods as ruling deities of Uttarashada. Each of these ten Vishvadevas imparts different traits to Uttarashada. Vishvadevas are considered as benevolent deities and they possess good traits like genuineness, goodness, truthfulness, skillfulness, forgiveness and brightness. Therefore, Uttarashada exhibits all these traits due to influences of its ruling deities.
Lord Ganesha is assigned as the final ruling deity of Uttarashada. It is said that Lord Ganesha was once beheaded and he was then revived by fixing an elephant’s head on him. Hence he has a lot to do with elephants as well as Uttarashada. Traits of Lord Ganesha like being invincible in war, removing all obstacles and working for the wellbeing of the universe are relayed through Uttarashada which make it a much more balanced nakshatra.
Vedic astrology assigns Sun as the planetary ruler of Uttarashada. Traits of Sun which are in tune with traits of ten Vishvadevas and Lord Ganesha are relayed through Uttarashada. Sun adds traits like authority, intelligence, aggression, protection and intelligence to Uttarashada. Influence of Sun provides significant amount of energy to Uttarashada, to conduct its operations. Sun’s aggression as well as its ability to wage wars and punish the wrong doers is also relayed through Uttarashada.
These traits make Uttarashada an aggressive nakshatra. However, Uttarashada generally shows aggression only when it is required in order to serve higher purposes and not for selfish motives. Contrary to this, Poorvashada may show aggression for selfish motives like when it finds that its goals are slipping away.
Therefore, Uttarashada is considered more controlled compared to Poorvashada. Uttarashada is likely to indulge in the acts of aggression or wars for the benefit of bigger groups of people instead of doing so for selfish motives.
The first quarter of Uttarashada falls in Sagittarius ruled by Jupiter whereas the last three quarters of Uttarashada fall in Capricorn ruled by Saturn. Hence Uttarashada comes under the influence of Jupiter and Saturn also. Since most quarters of Uttarashada lie in Capricorn, the influence of Saturn on Uttarashada is much stronger than influence of Jupiter. Sagittarius exhibits traits like intelligence, initiative, faith and optimism. Capricorn exhibits traits like patience, practicality, rationality and discipline among other traits. All these traits are also exhibited through Uttarashada.
The influence of Saturn in particular adds a couple of very important traits to Uttarashada, which are the abilities to be rational and practical. If Poorvashada misses something the most, it is these two traits. This is because the biggest drawback of Poorvashada is to get fixed on its goals and keep chasing them, even when they may not be rational or realistic any longer. This tendency may lead Poorvashada people to obsessive behavior patterns. Hence they may get stuck or they may engage in unhealthy measures to achieve their goals.
Traits like rationality and practicality may help Uttarashada people decide when to pursue goals and when to leave them. Hence Uttarashada may not keep following its goals unrealistically like Poorvashada. Uttarashada may be rational enough to know when a goal has lost its relevance, and it moves on in such case. Trait of practicality may help Uttarashada people when something is not practical. Hence they may not pursue it or fantasize about it; like Poorvashada people.
Taking an example, if the lover of a Poorvashada native breaks up with him, she gets married and she has children, the native may still keep pursuing her. Such Poorvashada native may convince or pressurize her to walk out of her marriage which may be happy or very happy; in order to be with him. This is neither rational nor practical.
On the other hand, an Uttarashada native in the same situation may not do any of these things. Though he may love his lover a lot, he may move on the moment she gets married. He may still love her but he may do nothing to pursue her, follow her, pressurize her or trouble her. He may understand that such acts are not rational and practical; and he may stay away from them.
Considering another probability, even if such lover contacts such Uttarashada native to have an extramarital affair with him, while she is married and having children, the native may refuse. Such Uttarashada native may be wise enough to know that such an affair may only end up causing problems. Hence he may choose to stay away from it, even if he loves the woman a lot.
Let’s suppose, the marriage of this woman fails and she gets divorced. If she now gets in touch with such Uttarashada native, he may reinitiate the relationship, if his circumstances allow. If the horoscope is supportive, he may marry her and assume responsibility of her children, being completely rational and practical.
Hence Uttarashada is a practical and realistic nakshatra and it may not fall victim to unrealistic hopes, convictions and obsessions like the previous nakshatra Poorvashada. Uttarashada people may be goal oriented and they may also have good amounts of patience to wait for fruits of their efforts. However, they may be able to quit chasing such goals when they realize that such goals have lost their relevance or they are not practical any longer.
In the recent example, though the lover may still be relevant to Uttarashada native after her marriage, it may not be rational and practical to get her engaged in an extramarital affair. Looking at relevance, such Uttarashada native may himself break up with his lover if he realizes that they don’t work well as a couple. Hence the whole concept of being with this woman loses its relevance and such Uttarashada native may walk out of such relationship.
Due to these traits, the obsessive streak seen in case of Poorvashada people reduces significantly in case of Uttarashada people. As a result, Uttarashada people may be in better control of themselves. Accordingly, they may have the ability to leave things when they feel that attending to them any longer is waste of time and effort.
Uttarashada people may be disciplined in their actions due to influence of Saturn and Capricorn on this nakshatra. At times, Uttarashada people may be rigid and harsh by virtue of being over disciplined due to influence of Saturn on Uttarashada. This may especially be the case when Saturn is placed in Capricorn in Uttarashada; and that too in the first house of a horoscope.
In such case, influence of Saturn may become too strong on Uttarashada as well as on the native. As already mentioned, the first house of a horoscope is the core of it. Hence the energy of any planet, sign or nakshatra; registered in this house tends to work as dominant energy; influencing the entire personality of the native.
Uttarashada people generally have good respect for traditions. Hence they may follow traditions set by their ancestors and society; in most cases. Ancestors are also considered to be among ten Vishvadevas who are considered as the ruling deities of Uttarashada. Due to influence of ancestors, Uttarashada people may respect their traditional values. Hence they may not like people who go against such traditions or traditional values and some of these people may take harsh actions against the people breaking these traditions.
Since Uttarashada has good sense of separating right from wrong, Uttarashada people may get offended only when good traditions are violated. Uttarashada people may have the ability to change or break traditions when they feel that such traditions may not be useful any longer or they may be harmful. Such trait of Uttarashada people may help them gain respect and status in society. The tendency to change/break traditions may be much higher in Sagittarius part of this nakshatra. Capricorn part of this nakshatra may prefer sticking to traditions, more than changing them.
Though Uttarashada people may also have tendency to engage in fights or wars like Poorvashada people, Uttarashada people may be much wiser in making such decisions. They may engage in such actions when they are required for benefits of bigger groups of people, or they may do so for self-defense. It means a head of state under strong influence of Uttarashada may not initiate war against another country for selfish motives.
However, he may be capable enough to engage in war and protect his country, if any country attacks. This is a war fought for self-defense. Looking at another probability, if a country attacks another country which is an ally of this native’s country, such Uttarashada native may engage in war. He may do so to protect the ally as well as to restore balance in the region.
Contrary to this, Poorvashada people may engage in acts of war to fulfill their obsessions or to achieve their unrealistic goals. Uttarashada people may engage in acts like war, only to restore peace and balance; and they may not do so for selfish motives. It means a head of state under strong influence of Uttarashada may not attack another country to gain some territory or for other benefits.
Uttarashada people may also be good at forgiving even their enemies when the final objective is achieved. They may feel that hurting or harming anyone at that time may not be necessary. It means a head of state under strong influence of Uttarashada may not commit violence against the enemy who has been defeated or who has surrendered. The final objective of this native may be to restore balance. Hence whenever such balance is restored, he may stop war. It means deep down; Uttarashada people may be peace loving and they may choose war only when there is no other genuine option left.
Uttarashada people may be skilled at engaging in wars as well as in winning wars. It means such people may go to wars, duly prepared for long term implications of wars; as well as after assessing strengths and weaknesses of their enemies. Uttarashada has the highest rate of winning wars among all 27 nakshatras, which tells how gifted Uttarashada people may be at winning wars. The beauty of Uttarashada is that despite being able to win in most cases, it may not like wars and it rather likes peace and balance.
This trait resembles with that exhibited by an elephant. An elephant may prove to be most dangerous and destructive enemy among land animals. However, an elephant still loves peace and it engages in war only when necessary. These traits make Uttarashada more balanced compared to a number of other nakshatras. Hence Uttarashada people may be gifted with bigger visions, working in accordance with universal theme.
It should be noted that these tendencies may hold true, only when suitable benefic planets are placed in this nakshatra. On the other hand, malefic planets placed in this nakshatra may distort/misuse its traits. Hence the skills given by Uttarashada may be used to create destructive results. One such native may become a terrorist and he may kill many people for selfish motives. If one such native becomes the head of a state; he may wage wars on many countries; for selfish motives.
Uttarashada people may be more focused on their professions, compared to their relationships. As a result, they may achieve a lot through their professions when their overall horoscopes are supportive. However, they may not witness the same good results in relationships like marriage. Uttarashada may not prove very bad for marriage unless malefic planets misuse its energy.
However, it may still cause problems in this sphere. Hence Uttarashada people may face problems in their marriages; primarily because they may not be able to give sufficient time to their life partners, as they may be too busy taking care of their professions. This tendency may be significantly reduced in Sagittarius part of Uttarashada whereas it may be duly effective in Capricorn part of this nakshatra.
Uttarashada exhibits a wide variety of traits. However, different people may embrace different traits, depending on placements of various planets in this nakshatra, as well as on their overall horoscopes. Looking at planets among navagraha; Sun, Jupiter and Ketu may perform better in Sagittarius part of this nakshatra. Moon, Venus, Mercury, Saturn and Rahu may perform better in Capricorn part of this nakshatra. Mars may perform well in Sagittarius as well as Capricorn part of this nakshatra; though it may have advantage in Capricorn part. Placements of malefic planets in Uttarashada may weaken or corrupt its traits. As a result, the native may suffer from various types of problems, depending on his overall horoscope.
Let’s look at performances of various planets in various navamshas of Uttarashada. Starting with Sagittarius navamsha; Jupiter, Sun, Mars and Ketu may perform very well here; since all of them are strong in Sagittarius and they are very comfortable in Uttarashada. Jupiter may be comfortable but not very comfortable in Uttarashada.
Saturn may perform on average here whereas Mercury may perform on average or below average in this navamsha. Both Saturn and Mercury are not strong in Sagittarius. Venus may perform on average in this navamsha, since it is stronger than Mercury and Saturn in Sagittarius. Rahu may perform below average or poorly in this navamsha since it is weak in Sagittarius. Moon may perform on average in this navamsha. Among navagraha; Jupiter may be the strongest in this navamsha whereas Rahu may be the weakest.
Looking at Capricorn navamsha; Venus, Mercury and Rahu may perform well or very well in this navamsha; since they are all strong in Capricorn. Saturn and Mars may perform very well here, since Saturn is very strong in Capricorn and Mars is exalted in this sign. Apart from that, both of them are very comfortable in Uttarashada. Sun may perform above average here; since it has decent strength in Capricorn and it is very comfortable in Uttarashada.
Moon may perform on average here whereas Ketu may perform on average or above average in this navamsha. Jupiter may perform very poorly in this navamsha. Among all 108 navamshas of 27 nakshatras; Jupiter may be the weakest in this navamsha. Among navagraha; Mars and Saturn may be the strongest in this navamsha whereas Jupiter may be the weakest.
Moving on to Aquarius navamsha; Saturn and Mars may perform very well here whereas Mercury, Rahu and Venus may perform well or very well here. Mercury, Rahu and Venus are not as strong in Capricorn as Saturn and Mars. Sun may perform on average here; since it has decent strength in Capricorn and it is very comfortable in Uttarashada but it is weak in Aquarius.
Moon may perform below average here; since it is not comfortable in Aquarius. Ketu may perform on average in this navamsha whereas Jupiter may perform poorly in this navamsha. Among navagraha; Saturn may be the strongest in this navamsha whereas Jupiter may be the weakest.
Considering Pisces navamsha; Mars, Venus and Saturn may perform well or very well here. Mars and Saturn are not strong in Pisces whereas Venus is exalted in Pisces but it is not as strong in Capricorn as Saturn and Mars. Mercury and Rahu may perform on average or above average in this navamsha; since both of them are debilitated in Pisces.
Moon may perform above average in this navamsha; since it has decent strength in Capricorn and it is strong in Pisces. Ketu may perform well in this navamsha; since it has decent strength in Capricorn, it is exalted in Pisces and it is very comfortable in Uttarashada. Jupiter may perform below average or on average in this navamsha since it is strong in Pisces. Among navagraha; Venus may be the strongest in this navamsha. No planet may be significantly weak in this navamsha.
Himanshu Shangari