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Vedic (Jyotisha) · Nakshatra 20

Purva Ashadha

Fan, elephant tusk

Purva Ashadha, nakshatra 20 of 27 (13°20′ Dhanu – 26°40′ Dhanu), ruled by Venus, presided over by Apas (waters); symbol: fan, elephant tusk.

Purva Ashadha is the 20th of the twenty-seven nakshatras, the lunar mansions of Indian astrology, spanning 13°20′ Dhanu – 26°40′ Dhanu of the sidereal zodiac. Its presiding deity is Apas (waters), and its traditional symbol is the fan, elephant tusk. In the Vimshottari system its ruling planet is Venus, so a person whose moon falls in Purva Ashadha begins life in the Venus period (dasha).

Each nakshatra is classified by gana, or temperament — divine (deva), human (manushya) or demonic (rakshasa) — and Purva Ashadha is counted manushya. Astrologers use the nakshatra of the moon at birth for naming (each pada has its own syllable), for matching horoscopes before marriage and for choosing auspicious times (muhurta). The descriptions of each nakshatra in Sanskrit texts such as the Brihat Samhita and in modern handbooks vary, and are best read as traditional associations of its deity and symbol.

Personality

confident · persuasive · idealistic · invincible · proud · enthusiastic

In Vedic astrology a person whose moon falls in Purva Ashadha is described as confident, persuasive and hard to defeat, as its name, 'the early invincible one', implies. Its symbols are a winnowing fan and an elephant tusk, and its deity is Apas, the cosmic waters, whose purifying and life-giving force is said to give the nakshatra both refinement and resilience.

Traditional descriptions credit Purva Ashadha natives with enthusiasm, idealism, eloquence and the energy to inspire others and win them over to a cause; they are said to be proud, independent, fond of beauty and loyal to friends. Their weaknesses are said to be stubbornness, over-confidence, a tendency to argue or to overreach and difficulty accepting defeat or advice.

In relationships Purva Ashadha is portrayed as passionate, devoted and generous, with high ideals for love. In work it is linked with law and debate, public speaking, politics, the arts, shipping and work with water, and teaching. Counted among the human (manushya) temperaments, its Vimshottari lord is Venus, whose Navaratna stone is the diamond; Jyotisha qualifies these themes by the whole horoscope.

Stone: Diamond

Sources and further reading