Pushya Nakshatra
Pushya nakshatra is eighth among 27 nakshatras. All four quarters of Pushya fall in Cancer. In Vedic astrology, Pushya is considered as one of the most auspicious nakshatras and many new things are initiated when this nakshatra is rising in the sky. The literal meaning of the word Pushya is ‘to nourish’ or ‘one who nourishes’. The meaning of this word alone gives a fair idea about the characteristics exhibited by Pushya nakshatra.
According to some Vedic scriptures, Pushya was known as Tishya by Vedic astrologers of ancient times. The literal meaning of Tishya is auspicious and this meaning again tells us about the goodness associated with this nakshatra. An alternate name Sidhya is also associated with this nakshatra. The word Sidhya is translated as prosperous according to Vedic astrology and this is another one of the benefic characteristics exhibited by Pushya nakshatra.
According to Vedic astrology, the main symbol associated with Pushya nakshatra is the milk yielding udder of a cow. Cow is considered as the holiest among animals according to Vedic beliefs and it holds the title of mother in Hindu religion. Cow is given great respect in India and milk yielded by cow is considered very healthy, nutritious, nurturing and sattawic in Guna; according to ancient Vedic beliefs. Hence it can be said that Pushya is a caring and nurturing nakshatra. Accordingly, natives under strong influence of Pushya nakshatra may be caring and nurturing towards their loved ones and towards the society as a whole; provided the energy of this nakshatra is used by benefic planets in their horoscopes.
Just as a cow provides milk unselfishly for everyone, Pushya nakshatra may also nurture and provide for everyone without any selfish interests. The symbol of a wheel is also associated with Pushya nakshatra. A wheel is taken as the symbol of movement which in turn signifies the passage of time as well as the coming and going of generations after generations. Thus Pushya nakshatra also exhibits characteristics like movement, progress, development, evolution with time, advancement of civilizations and other likewise characteristics.
Vedic astrology assigns Jupiter as the ruling deity of Pushya nakshatra. Jupiter is considered as Dev Guru or Preceptor of gods, who guides them to do the good, the right and the just from time to time. The influence of Jupiter over Pushya nakshatra brings Jupiterian qualities like compassion, caring attitude, optimism, generosity, righteousness, prosperity and auspiciousness.
All quarters of Pushya nakshatra fall in Cancer ruled by Moon. This further enhances the motherly caring and nurturing aspect of Pushya nakshatra, since Moon is considered as a motherly planet and Vedic astrology considers it as the mother of all planets. The influence of Moon over Pushya nakshatra brings some feminine qualities like maternal care, nurturing nature, sensitiveness and emotions to this nakshatra.
Saturn is assigned as the planetary ruler to this nakshatra according to Vedic astrology. Hence Saturn’s characteristics like patience, perseverance, the ability to serve people and the ability to connect to people also find expression through this nakshatra. The combined influence of Jupiter, Saturn and Moon makes Pushya a nurturing, caring, serving and mass oriented nakshatra. Natives under strong influence of Pushya nakshatra generally have good reputations among the people around them by virtue of such good characteristics exhibited by them, provided the rest of their horoscopes are supportive.
Though Pushya exhibits a number of beneficial characteristics, different natives may embrace different characteristics, depending on placements of various planets in this nakshatra, as well as depending on their overall horoscopes. Moon may embrace most characteristics of Pushya nakshatra. Accordingly, natives under strong influence of Moon in Pushya may be prosperous, loving, caring, ethical, benevolent and they may exhibit many other good characteristics; depending on the rest of their horoscopes. Due to such characteristics, these natives may be loved and respected by people around them.
Since Pushya nakshatra is a strong feminine energy, placement of a strong feminine planet like Moon in this nakshatra may be much easier to handle for female natives. Male natives under strong influence of Moon in Pushya nakshatra may not be able to properly handle and channelize this energy, unless there are a couple of strong masculine planets in their horoscopes.
Natives under strong benefic influence of Pushya nakshatra are generally kind, caring; gentle, prosperous and well respected by society. Such natives may have strong family values and they may be caring and protective towards their family members as well as towards their loved ones. Pushya natives may believe in making their contributions to society and they may try to make the world a better place for all to live.
The influence of Saturn makes Pushya nakshatra willing to serve the family and community as and when needed. The influences of Jupiter and Moon make such natives engage in charitable works from time to time. As a result, Pushya natives may be found associated with some welfare organizations which work for the benefit and welfare of weaker sections of society. Pushya natives are generally well capable of achieving their goals as they are hardworking and they may have high levels of perseverance due to the influence of Saturn over this nakshatra.
Pushya natives may keep moving towards their goals throughout their lives and they generally end up in comfortable positions as they are able to achieve many of their planned and set goals. Pushya natives are generally religious and they may also have good spiritual interests. Most natives under strong influence of Pushya nakshatra may not have to strive hard for livelihood and they are generally found in relatively comfortable positions.
It means they may have sufficient wealth and resources to take care of themselves, provide for their families, work for the welfare of society and still save sufficiently to convert into assets. The influences of Jupiter and Moon may keep bringing prosperity and wealth to natives under strong influence of this nakshatra; provided the rest of their horoscopes are supportive.
Looking at professions, natives under strong influence of Pushya nakshatra may achieve success as professionals dealing in dairy products, food products, agriculture, hospitality industry, entertainment industry, religious field, medical field, education, charitable organizations, hotel industry; teachers, preachers, religious gurus, religious heads, spiritual gurus, healers, astrologers, priests, nuns, nurses, doctors, bankers, psychics, politicians, actors, musicians, singers, writers, dancers, painters, poets, government officers and many other types of professionals.
Considering an example, suppose benefic exalted Jupiter forms Hamsa Yoga in the tenth house of a horoscope in Cancer in Pushya nakshatra; and a benefic combination of Sun, Mercury and Venus is placed in the fourth house in Capricorn. Benefic Saturn is placed in the sixth house in Pisces, benefic Moon is placed in the seventh house in Aries and benefic Mars is placed in the fifth house in Aquarius.
In this case, the overall horoscope is strong and positive. Jupiter rules the third house which deals with profession; and it represents the sixth house which deals with dispute management among other things. It is placed in the tenth house which represents profession. Hence the native may become a politician. Such native may win public elections and he may become minister with government, depending on the rest of his horoscope as well as on the running times.
Let’s look at some other facts associated with this nakshatra. Pushya is considered as a passive and quick nakshatra. It is considered as a male nakshatra. Vedic astrology assigns Kshatriya Varna and water element to Pushya nakshatra. The Gana assigned to Pushya is Deva and the Guna assigned to it is Tamasic. It is an upward nakshatra and its Yoni or animal symbol is Goat.
Himanshu Shangari