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The detailed version of this article is featured in the book ‘Nakshatras – The Journey of Soul Part-2’.
Uttarabhadrapada Nakshatra
Uttarabhadrapada nakshatra is 26th among 27 nakshatras. All four quarters of Uttarabhadrapada fall in Pisces. The literal translation for the word Uttarabhadrapada is ‘the latter lucky feet’. Accordingly, it is believed that Uttarabhadrapada nakshatra blesses the native with luck and fortune.
As already discussed in previous chapter named Poorvabhadrapada, the term feet here represents steps and the steps represent a journey. It was seen that a more relevant meaning of the word Poorvabhadrapada may be ‘the first part of the lucky path’. This lucky path is the final path of liberation and it has two parts. The first part is covered in Poorvabhadrapada which practically experiences a number of good and evil things. After indulgence, it creates the need for repentance and penance which help it reach realization. Hence this realization is the fruit or essence, which is received after awarely going through indulgence, repentance and penance. This fruit called realization helps Poorvabhadrapada reach the second part of the final path; called Uttarabhadrapada.
In the journey of a soul for liberation, Poorvabhadrapada and Uttarabhadrapada nakshatra represent two parts of the final stage or the final path. Poorvabhadrapada receives the fruit of realization. This realization teaches it that it is better not to engage in bad karmas in the first place. Once engaged, the purity of the soul is corrupted and it needs to be retained through processes of repentance and penance, conducted with awareness. The last quarter of Poorvabhadrapada falling in Pisces achieves this realization and the next part of the final path, called Uttarabhadrapada begins.
In Uttarabhadrapada nakshatra, the realization is turned into wisdom. Hence wisdom is the primary characteristic exhibited by Uttarabhadrapada nakshatra. This wisdom is achieved through personal experiences and that is why it is of supreme value. In the deepest sense, wisdom can only be achieved through personal experiences and not otherwise. Just like Poorvabhadrapada is the sum total of all previous nakshatras; Uttarabhadrapada is also the same. It is the sum total of all previous nakshatras, including Poorvabhadrapada.
Hence Uttarabhadrapada nakshatra represents that stage in the journey of a soul, which has been achieved after awarely going through everything. The realization gained through such experiences blesses it with wisdom. As a result, there is no other nakshatra like Uttarabhadrapada, when it comes to discriminate between the good and the evil, necessary and unnecessary; and between all other polar extremes. The beauty of Uttarabhadrapada nakshatra is that it does so effortlessly; means naturally. For this reason, Uttarabhadrapada is called the wisest among all nakshatras. Hence natives under strong influence of Uttarabhadrapada nakshatra may be some of the wisest people.
The challenge posed by the first part of the final path is to achieve realization after personal experiences. Once this task is completed in Poorvabhadrapada, the next and the last part of the final path begins. The task for this part is to use wisdom for the wellbeing of the universe. Hence Uttarabhadrapada nakshatra has the task of spreading wisdom instead of enjoying it alone. It is like a student has completed the final course of his studies and he is now left with one job only; to teach others.
Since spreading wisdom is the final task before the journey comes to an end; natives under strong influence of Uttarabhadrapada nakshatra may form a high percentage of those spiritually enlightened souls who are supposed to enlighten others. It means many of the spiritually most enlightening teachings may be delivered by natives under strong influence of Uttarabhadrapada nakshatra.
Uttarabhadrapada nakshatra represents the final part of the final path. Hence the primary job here is not to learn, but to teach. Applying this fact to various fields of life; natives under strong influence of Uttarabhadrapada nakshatra may be seen practicing as spiritual gurus, religious gurus, astrologers, consultants, advisors, counsellors and all other professionals who guide people.
Vedic astrology takes the main symbol of Uttarabhadrapada nakshatra as the back part of a funeral cot. As already seen in Poorvabhadrapada, the symbol is the front part of a funeral cot. The funeral cot represents the journey beyond death, the journey of liberation. The front part of the cot indicates the first part of the final path for liberation. The second part represented by Uttarabhadrapada nakshatra indicates the stage when liberation has been achieved. However, the native is supposed to act as a teacher now, before finally retiring; where the retirement happens in Revati.
Hence Uttarabhadrapada nakshatra represents the stage where the soul is liberated but it is engaging in the task of spreading enlightenment. Therefore, Uttarabhadrapada is not a student but it is a teacher who wishes to educate a number of students before his retirement. This is why majority of highly enlightening spiritual discourses have been delivered by natives under strong influence of Uttarabhadrapada nakshatra. These souls are kind. They have achieved liberation and before the final retirement, they wish to thank the entire existence for supporting them in their journeys. Hence they express such gratitude by restoring balance and by giving people gems of wisdom.
Vedic astrology assigns Ahir Budhanya as the ruling deity of Uttarabhadrapada nakshatra. According to Vedic mythology, Ahir Budhanya is considered as a serpent god who lives far beneath the earth. Some Vedic scholars believe that Ahir Budhanya lives deep down under the sea. Ahir Budhanya is considered wise and far more compassionate deity in comparison to Aja Ekapada, the ruling deity of Poorvabhadrapada.
Vedic astrology assigns Lord Shiva as the final presiding deity of Uttarabhadrapada nakshatra. Lord Shiva is considered to deal with affairs beyond death, including liberation. It is interesting to see that Lord Shiva connects to Poorvabhadrapada as well as to Uttarabhadrapada nakshatra through their ruling deities. However, Aja Ekapada is considered as a Rudra form of Lord Shiva whereas Ahir Budhanya is considered as a benevolent form of Lord Shiva.
Relating it to the discussion in Dhanishtha; Aja Ekapada represents Rudra Tandava whereas Ahir Budhanya represents Ananda Tandava. The ego has been destroyed in Poorvabhadrapada through Rudra Tandava and it is now the time to engage in Ananda Tandava. Uttarabhadrapada nakshatra represents this Ananda Tandava.
Uttarabhadrapada natives may be capable of looking at the bigger picture. Hence they may not work for selfish motives and they may instead work for the benefits of the others. In most cases, Uttarabhadrapada natives may also end up benefitting from such acts. For example, if two parties approach an Uttarabhadrapada native for mediation, he may come up with a solution which is fair to both parties. The parties may accept such solution and they may also give him something in return, though he may not have been doing anything for personal gains.
Uttarabhadrapada natives may often receive gifts, which is due to the gratitude people wish to show to them. Such gratitude is there because such Uttarabhadrapada natives may guide and help them every now and then, without expecting anything in return. In case of highly evolved souls under strong influence of Uttarabhadrapada nakshatra, such gifts may come through divine sources, though they may come through worldly sources also.
Uttarabhadrapada natives are generally content type of natives and they may not desire for more and more. Despite these characteristics, they may often have much more than they need. Uttarabhadrapada nakshatra is very good at blessing the natives under its strong influence with great fortunes which may belong to this world and/or they may belong to higher worlds, depending on their overall horoscopes. Uttarabhadrapada nakshatra is a very versatile nakshatra and it is capable of behaving in any manner it finds fit according to a situation. It means Uttarabhadrapada nakshatra is as skilled at the art of disguise as Poorvabhadrapada, though the former may almost always do so for higher motives.
For this reason, natives under strong influence of Uttarabhadrapada nakshatra may be the most difficult to predict natives, among all 27 nakshatra type natives. This is because wisdom has been achieved. Hence these natives may not live life with fixed rules and they may make new rules every day or every moment, according to what situations demand. In the deepest sense, they may not make any rules at all, as they may understand that life is much bigger than any rule. Hence whatever life throws at them, they may read the situation and act accordingly.
Uttarabhadrapada natives may be fixed towards their goals and they may try their best to achieve such goals. However, they may not be in hurry, they may not get obsessed with goals and they may not engage in selfish acts to accomplish such goals. Uttarabhadrapada natives may not be bothered if they are not able to achieve their goals, despite their best efforts. They may simply move on to other goals, as if it is all a game. For them, sincere and genuine efforts may be all that counts and results may not.
Uttarabhadrapada natives generally radiate strong vibes of safety and friendliness. Hence most people may feel safe in their companies even when they may be meeting them for first or second times. Uttarabhadrapada natives may be good at seeing things as they are; which means without prejudice. Hence they may prove very good as advisors, guides or gurus of various types.
Uttarabhadrapada natives may be well respected by their families as well as by people in their social circles. Since Uttarabhadrapada natives may often put wellbeing of others before them, they may seem to suffer losses at times; though they may not think so. However, other people may realize this with time and they may start honoring them with gifts and gratitude from time to time.
Uttarabhadrapada natives are inclined towards social causes. Hence they may be found working for various charitable organizations or making big donations to such organizations. Uttarabhadrapada natives may have keen interest in fields related to supernatural and paranormal. Some of these natives may practice in such fields.
Uttarabhadrapada natives are more likely to engage in soft fields like astrology, numerology, palmistry, spiritualism, yoga, meditation and some soft forms of tantra. However, they may not wish to engage in fields like black magic, fierce forms of tantra, aghorism and other practices which are generally considered dark. These fields may demand sacrifice of various animals at times and Uttarabhadrapada natives may not be comfortable with this concept.
Uttarabhadrapada natives are generally content in nature and they may try to live happily, even under adverse circumstances. Uttarabhadrapada natives generally have forgiving natures. Such natives may believe in giving more chances to wrong doers so that they may improve. Uttarabhadrapada natives may not be opposed to evil people; they may be opposed to their evil deeds. Their wisdom may guide them not to hate anyone.
Natives under strong influence of Uttarabhadrapada nakshatra may be seen practicing as yoga instructors, astrologers, numerologists, palmists, vastu experts, saints, spiritual healers, spiritual gurus, religious gurus, religious teachers, preachers, counselors, advisors, teachers, financial consultants, natives working with charitable organizations, judges, administrators, politicians, religious leaders, reformers, bankers, doctors, scientists, engineers, researchers, explorers, discoverers, astronomers, astronauts, actors, musicians, singers, dancers, writers, poets, sportsmen; professionals dealing in hotel industry, airline industry, travel industry, movie industry, television industry, radio industry, music industry, medical industry, pharmaceutical industry, information and technology field, software industry, telecom industry, internet industry, event management industry, match making services, matrimonial services; and many other types of professions; depending on their overall horoscopes.
Let’s look at some other facts associated with this nakshatra. Uttarabhadrapada is considered as a balanced and fixed nakshatra. It is considered as a male nakshatra. Vedic astrology assigns Kshatriya Varna and ether element to Uttarabhadrapada nakshatra. The Gana assigned to Uttarabhadrapada is Manava and the Guna assigned to it is Tamasic. It is an upward nakshatra and its Yoni or animal symbol is Cow.
Himanshu Shangari