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Vedic (Jyotisha) · Nakshatra 22

Shravana

Ear, three footprints

Shravana, nakshatra 22 of 27 (10°00′ Makara – 23°20′ Makara), ruled by Moon, presided over by Vishnu; symbol: ear, three footprints.

Shravana is the 22nd of the twenty-seven nakshatras, the lunar mansions of Indian astrology, spanning 10°00′ Makara – 23°20′ Makara of the sidereal zodiac. Its presiding deity is Vishnu, and its traditional symbol is the ear, three footprints. In the Vimshottari system its ruling planet is Moon, so a person whose moon falls in Shravana begins life in the Moon period (dasha).

Each nakshatra is classified by gana, or temperament — divine (deva), human (manushya) or demonic (rakshasa) — and Shravana is counted deva. 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

attentive · learned · wise · traditional · connected · sensitive

In Vedic astrology a person whose moon falls in Shravana is described as attentive, learned and wise, someone who gains knowledge by listening. Its name means 'hearing', its symbols are an ear and three footprints, recalling Vishnu's three strides across the universe, and its deity is Vishnu, the preserver, so the nakshatra is associated with learning, tradition and the transmission of sacred knowledge.

Traditional descriptions credit Shravana natives with intelligence, good memory, patience, eloquence and devotion to learning and religion; they are said to be respected, well connected and good advisers. Their weaknesses are said to be sensitivity to gossip and criticism, rigidity, a tendency to be over-cautious and a desire for recognition.

In relationships Shravana is portrayed as caring, loyal and attentive, a good listener who values harmony. In work it is linked with teaching, scholarship, languages, counselling, broadcasting and music, religion and travel. Counted among the divine (deva) temperaments, its Vimshottari lord is the Moon, whose Navaratna stone is the pearl. Shravana is traditionally a favoured nakshatra for beginning study, though, as with all nakshatras, the whole chart is decisive.

Stone: Pearl

Sources and further reading