Nakshatra 8 of 27

Pushya Nakshatra

The most auspicious star: nourishment, care and dharma.

Pushya is widely considered the most auspicious nakshatra for beginnings. Natives are caring, responsible, devout and protective of those in their charge. Saturn as lord gives discipline and patience, and the star lies in Cancer, which adds nurture.

NourishmentDutyDevotion

Span: Cancer 3°20′ – Cancer 16°40′
Ruling planet: Saturn
Deity: Brihaspati
Symbol: Cow's udder
Gana: Deva
Yoni: Sheep (male)

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What is your nakshatra?

Find your Janma Nakshatra

Your birth star is the nakshatra the Moon occupied when you were born. It sets your first Dasha, your naming syllable and much of Kundli matching.

Calculated with the sidereal zodiac and the Lahiri ayanamsa.

Today's nakshatra (at sunrise, New Delhi) is Purva Ashadha. See today's Panchang →

At a glance

Pushya nakshatra facts

Meaning of the name	To nourish
Zodiac span	Cancer 3°20′ to Cancer 16°40′ (sidereal)
Sign	Cancer
Ruling planet (Vimshottari lord)	Saturn · Mahadasha of 19 years
Presiding deity	Brihaspati
Symbol	Cow's udder
Gana (temperament)	Deva
Yoni (animal)	Sheep, male
Nadi	Madhya (Pitta)
Nature (for muhurta)	Kshipra (swift): good for quick tasks, trade, medicine, travel and learning
Naming syllables	Hu, He, Ho, Da

Brihaspati, guru of the gods, presides here; the symbol is a cow's udder, the image of selfless nourishment. Pushya days are traditionally chosen for buying gold and starting studies.

Personality

Pushya traits

Strengths

Responsible and dependable
Generous and nurturing
Spiritually inclined
Patient and hard-working

Challenges

Over-protective or controlling
Rigid about tradition
Self-sacrifice to exhaustion

Careers that suit Pushya

Teaching and religious workCounselling and social serviceFood, dairy and agricultureGovernment administrationChildcare and nursingBanking and finance

Four quarters

The four padas of Pushya

Pada 1

Syllable “Hu”

Cancer 3°20′ – Cancer 6°40′ · Navamsa Leo (lord Sun)

Leo navamsa (Sun): confident and proud; leadership through service.

Pada 2

Syllable “He”

Cancer 6°40′ – Cancer 10°00′ · Navamsa Virgo (lord Mercury)

Virgo navamsa (Mercury): practical and analytical; careful service and good with detail.

Pada 3

Syllable “Ho”

Cancer 10°00′ – Cancer 13°20′ · Navamsa Libra (lord Venus)

Libra navamsa (Venus): sociable and harmonious; good at diplomacy and the arts.

Pada 4

Syllable “Da”

Cancer 13°20′ – Cancer 16°40′ · Navamsa Scorpio (lord Mars)

Scorpio navamsa (Mars): intense and deep; drawn to spiritual or occult study.

Love and marriage

Pushya in relationships

Devoted, protective partners and parents. They show love through care and duty, and need appreciation in return.

Gana

Deva

Temperament match (6 points)

Yoni

Sheep

Same yoni: Krittika

Nadi

Madhya (Pitta)

Same nadi (Nadi dosha): Bharani, Mrigashira, Purva Phalguni, Chitra…

Check full 36-guna compatibility with a partner →

Wellbeing and practice

Health and spiritual practice

Health

Chest, digestion and fluid balance; a calm routine and good food help.

Traditional practice

Worship of Brihaspati on Thursdays and of Lord Shiva, and feeding others, are associated with Pushya.

Traditional associations, not medical advice.

Common questions

Pushya FAQs

Which planet rules Pushya nakshatra?

Saturn. People born with the Moon in Pushya begin life in Saturn Mahadasha, which lasts 19 years in full; the balance at birth depends on how far the Moon had travelled through the star.

What are the naming syllables for Pushya?

Hu (pada 1), He (pada 2), Ho (pada 3), Da (pada 4). Traditionally a child's name begins with the syllable of the Moon's pada at birth.

Which zodiac sign is Pushya in?

Pushya lies wholly in Cancer, from Cancer 3°20′ to Cancer 16°40′.

What is the gana, yoni and nadi of Pushya?

Gana: Deva. Yoni: male sheep. Nadi: Madhya (Pitta). These are three of the eight factors (kootas) in Ashtakoota Kundli matching.

Is Pushya a good nakshatra?

Every nakshatra has strengths and challenges. Pushya is a Kshipra nakshatra, traditionally suited to quick tasks, trade, medicine, travel and learning. A person's results depend on the whole birth chart, not the birth star alone.