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The detailed version of this article is featured in the book ‘Nakshatras – The Journey of Soul Part-2’.
Shravana Nakshatra
Shravana nakshatra is 22nd among 27 nakshatras. All four quarters of Shravana fall in Capricorn. Shravana is ruled by Lord Narayana, one of the three supreme Gods. Hence it becomes an important nakshatra.
Out of 27 nakshatras, only three nakshatras are ruled by trinity. Rohini is ruled by Lord Brahma, Ardra is ruled by Lord Shiva in his Rudra form and Shravana nakshatra is ruled by Lord Narayana. Hence these three nakshatras are considered special in their own ways.
The literal translation of the word Shravana is ‘the ability to hear’ or ‘the process of hearing’. An alternate meaning is also associated with this word which translates into ‘the limping one’. According to Vedic astrology, both these meanings have a lot to do in deciding the characteristics of Shravana nakshatra. Shravana nakshatra is associated with more than one symbol. A sequence of three uneven footsteps is taken as a symbol of Shravana nakshatra. These are considered to be the three steps taken by Lord Narayana during one of his incarnations known as Vaaman Avatar.
Once upon a time, there was a powerful demon king Bali who conquered the three worlds known as Prithvi (earth), Swarg (heaven) and Paataal Loka (the underworld). Indra the ruler of heaven requested Lord Narayana to put end to Bali’s misdeeds. Lord Narayana incarnated on earth as a dwarf Brahman. Accordingly, this Avatar of Lord Narayana is known as Vaaman Avatar in Indian mythology, where Vaaman means dwarf.
Bali was known as a person true to his word and Lord Narayana decided to take advantage of this good characteristic of Bali. The demon king was getting a Yagya performed. One of the rituals demanded that upon completion of Yagya, Bali should offer donations to Brahmans. Upon completion of Yagya, Bali asked Brahmans what they wanted as offerings. Vaaman stood up and asked for land which could be measured with three steps.
Bali made promise to grant Vaaman’s wish. Hearing this, Vaaman grew so big that his head vanished in the sky. He measured earth and the underworld in the first step and he measured heaven in the second step. Vaaman asked Bali as to what he should claim with his third step since he had already claimed everything Bali had, with his first two steps. To keep his word, Bali bowed before Vaaman and asked him to claim his head with the third step; as it was the only thing left in his possession. Vaaman blessed Bali for making donation to the Lord himself. He then sent Bali to another world.
This incident is very meaningful. It indicates the cleverness of Lord Narayana, which enabled him to get his job done without any violence. This clever and tricky side of Lord Narayana is relayed through Shravana nakshatra. Accordingly, natives under strong influence of Shravana nakshatra are considered among the cleverest type of natives. Whether this characteristic of cleverness exhibited by Shravna is used positively or negatively; depends on the overall horoscope of the native under consideration.
In order to get his wish granted, Lord Narayana had to ask for donation. The Lord, who is supposed to give only, had to ask. This shows the determination and dedication of Lord Narayana, as he was willing to go to any lengths in order to get his job done. Hence characteristics like determination, dedication and flexibility are relayed through Shravana nakshatra. In fact, Shravna is considered as one of the most determined and fixed nakshatra. It means once it sets a goal, it may go to any lengths in order to achieve such goal.
It should be noted that Shravana nakshatra represents non-violent and clever side of Lord Narayana. Hence Shravana natives may not engage in direct physical violence to achieve their goals, unlike the natives belonging to some other nakshatras. Shravana natives may achieve their goals with the help of characteristics like cleverness, skillfulness, flexibility, diplomacy, determination and dedication.
A symbol of ‘ear’ is also associated with this nakshatra. This symbol renders many characteristics to Shravana nakshatra. An ear represents the ability to hear and accordingly the ability to learn and preserve. It should be noted that in ancient times, knowledge was transferred by means of oral teaching, which means through ears. Students listened to their teachers or gurus carefully and they preserved what they heard. Therefore, Shravana nakshatra is directly related to the ability to learn and preserve.
Vedic astrology assigns Lord Narayana as the ruling deity of Shravana nakshatra. Much has already been mentioned about influence of Lord Narayana on Shravana nakshatra. Characteristics of Lord Narayana like cleverness, organizing skills, determination, dedication, flexibility, patience, perseverance, diplomacy and communication skills are relayed through Shravana nakshatra. These characteristics make Shravana one of the most organized and cleverest among 27 nakshatras.
Vedic astrology also assigns goddess Saraswati as the ruling deity of Shravana nakshatra. The influence of goddess Saraswati adds characteristics like the ability to gain knowledge, good listening abilities, good speech abilities and good sense of music and other arts, to Shravana nakshatra.
Vedic astrology assigns Moon as the planetary ruler of Shravana nakshatra. Influence of Moon brings characteristics like gentleness, receptiveness and the ability to connect to masses and influence them, to Shravana. All four quarters of Shravana nakshatra fall in Capricorn ruled by Saturn. The Influences of Saturn and Capricorn add characteristics like organizational skills, management skills, administrative skills, analytical ability, discipline, patience, practicality and perseverance to Shravana nakshatra. As a result, Shravana natives may achieve success through a wide variety of professional spheres.
Shravana natives are generally very patient and persevering. They may keep moving towards their goals until they achieve them. Since Shravana natives may be clever and practical, they may not fall for unrealistic goals unlike some other nakshatra type natives. Shravana is a persevering nakshatra and natives under strong influence of this nakshatra may try their best to reach their goals.
Shravana natives may be good at gaining knowledge and then applying such knowledge to produce results. Shravana natives are generally social in nature and they may have good networks of friends and colleagues. Such networks may be used by Shravana natives in various organizational activities in order to achieve bigger goals. Shravana natives may be good at influencing and charming people and then using them to get benefits from them or through them.
Shravana natives may be good listeners and they may also be good speakers. Which one of these sides may be dominant in one such native, depends on placements of various planets in this nakshatra, as well as on his overall horoscope.
Looking at professions, natives under strong influence of Shravana nakshatra may practice as teachers, preachers, consultants, advisors, psychiatrists, astrologers, psychics, healers, religious gurus, spiritual gurus, actors, writers, singers, musicians, dancers, producers, directors, sportsmen, doctors, engineers, software developers, bankers, financial analysts, stock market professionals, researchers, explorers, professionals dealing in education sector, financial sector, real estate sector, telecom sector, media industry, movie industry, music industry, hotel industry, tour and travel industry, software industry, hearing aids making industry, television industry, radio industry, frozen food industry, automobile industry, airline industry, medical equipment industry and many other types of professionals, depending on their overall horoscopes.
Let’s look at some other facts associated with this nakshatra. Shravana is considered as a passive and movable nakshatra. It is considered as a male nakshatra. Vedic astrology assigns Shudra Varna and air element to Shravana nakshatra. The Gana assigned to Shravana is Deva and the Guna assigned to it is Rajasic. It is an upward nakshatra and its Yoni or animal symbol is Monkey.
Himanshu Shangari