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Vedic (Jyotisha) · Nakshatra 26

Uttara Bhadrapada

Back of a funeral cot, twins

Uttara Bhadrapada, nakshatra 26 of 27 (3°20′ Meena – 16°40′ Meena), ruled by Saturn, presided over by Ahir Budhnya; symbol: back of a funeral cot, twins.

Uttara Bhadrapada is the 26th of the twenty-seven nakshatras, the lunar mansions of Indian astrology, spanning 3°20′ Meena – 16°40′ Meena of the sidereal zodiac. Its presiding deity is Ahir Budhnya, and its traditional symbol is the back of a funeral cot, twins. In the Vimshottari system its ruling planet is Saturn, so a person whose moon falls in Uttara Bhadrapada begins life in the Saturn period (dasha).

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

wise · calm · compassionate · restrained · deep · disciplined

In Vedic astrology a person whose moon falls in Uttara Bhadrapada is described as calm, wise and compassionate, with deep reserves of patience and self-control. Its symbols are the back of a funeral cot and a pair of twins, and its deity is Ahir Budhnya, the 'serpent of the depths', associated with the cosmic waters and hidden wisdom.

Traditional descriptions credit Uttara Bhadrapada natives with discipline, kindness, generosity, good judgement and a quiet spiritual depth; they are said to speak well, to control their emotions and to bring stability to those around them. Their weaknesses are said to be a tendency to withdraw, laziness, melancholy, over-sacrifice and keeping their feelings so contained that others find them hard to reach.

In relationships Uttara Bhadrapada is portrayed as devoted, protective and faithful, a steady partner who values depth over excitement. In work it is linked with counselling, charity, teaching, research, religious life, writing and positions requiring calm judgement. Counted among the divine (deva) temperaments, its Vimshottari lord is Saturn, whose Navaratna stone is blue sapphire; Jyotisha reads these themes within the whole horoscope.

Stone: Sapphire

Sources and further reading