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Vedic (Jyotisha) · Nakshatra 25

Purva Bhadrapada

Front of a funeral cot

Purva Bhadrapada, nakshatra 25 of 27 (20°00′ Kumbha – 3°20′ Meena), ruled by Jupiter, presided over by Aja Ekapada; symbol: front of a funeral cot.

Purva Bhadrapada is the 25th of the twenty-seven nakshatras, the lunar mansions of Indian astrology, spanning 20°00′ Kumbha – 3°20′ Meena of the sidereal zodiac. Its presiding deity is Aja Ekapada, and its traditional symbol is the front of a funeral cot. In the Vimshottari system its ruling planet is Jupiter, so a person whose moon falls in Purva Bhadrapada begins life in the Jupiter period (dasha).

Each nakshatra is classified by gana, or temperament — divine (deva), human (manushya) or demonic (rakshasa) — and Purva Bhadrapada 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

intense · idealistic · passionate · eloquent · transformative · ascetic

In Vedic astrology a person whose moon falls in Purva Bhadrapada is described as intense, idealistic and transformative, capable of both fierce passion and austere renunciation. Its symbol is the front of a funeral cot, and its deity is Aja Ekapada, the 'one-footed goat', an obscure fiery form associated with Rudra and with the cosmic pillar that connects earth and heaven.

Traditional descriptions credit Purva Bhadrapada natives with eloquence, courage, intelligence, idealism and spiritual depth; they are said to be generous and dedicated to their causes, able to change themselves and others. Their weaknesses are said to be extremism, anxiety, a quick temper, cynicism and a tendency to swing between indulgence and severity.

In relationships Purva Bhadrapada is portrayed as passionate and loyal but intense, seeking a partner who shares its ideals. In work it is linked with religion and philosophy, research, occult study, social reform, writing and work with the dying or with crisis. Counted among the human (manushya) temperaments, its Vimshottari lord is Jupiter, whose Navaratna stone is yellow sapphire; as always, the full chart qualifies these associations.

Stone: Sapphire

Sources and further reading