In Vedic astrology, Pushya is considered as one of the most auspicious nakshatras and many new things are initiated when this nakshatra is rising in the sky. The literal meaning of the word Pushya is ‘to nourish’ or ‘one who nourishes’. The meaning of this word alone gives a fair idea about the traits exhibited by Pushya.
According to some Vedic scriptures, Pushya was known as Tishya by Vedic astrologers of ancient times. The literal meaning of Tishya is auspicious and this meaning again tells us about the goodness associated with this nakshatra. An alternate name Sidhya is also associated with this nakshatra. The word Sidhya is translated as prosperous according to Vedic astrology and this is another one of the benefic traits exhibited by Pushya.
According to Vedic astrology, the main symbol associated with Pushya is the milk yielding udder of a cow. Cow is considered as the holiest among animals according to Vedic beliefs and it holds the title of mother in Hindu religion. Cow is given great respect in India and milk yielded by cow is considered very healthy, nutritious, nurturing and sattawic in Guna; according to ancient Vedic beliefs. Hence it can be said that Pushya is a caring and nurturing nakshatra. Accordingly, people under strong influence of Pushya may be caring and nurturing towards their loved ones and towards the society as a whole; provided the energy of this nakshatra is used by benefic planets in their horoscopes.
Just as a cow provides milk unselfishly for everyone, Pushya may also nurture and provide for everyone without any selfish interests. The symbol of a wheel is also associated with Pushya. A wheel is taken as the symbol of movement which in turn signifies the passage of time as well as the coming and going of generations after generations. Thus Pushya also exhibits traits like movement, progress, development, evolution with time, advancement of civilizations and other likewise traits.
Vedic astrology assigns Jupiter as the ruling deity of Pushya. Jupiter is considered as Dev Guru or Preceptor of gods, who guides them to do the good, the right and the just from time to time. The influence of Jupiter over Pushya brings Jupiterian qualities like compassion, caring attitude, optimism, generosity, righteousness, prosperity and auspiciousness.
All quarters of Pushya fall in Cancer ruled by Moon. This further enhances the motherly caring and nurturing aspect of Pushya, since Moon is considered as a motherly planet and Vedic astrology considers it as the mother of all planets. The influence of Moon over Pushya brings some feminine qualities like maternal care, nurturing nature, sensitiveness and emotions to this nakshatra.
Saturn is assigned as the planetary ruler to this nakshatra according to Vedic astrology. Hence Saturn’s traits like patience, perseverance, the ability to serve people and the ability to connect to people also find expression through this nakshatra. The combined influence of Jupiter, Saturn and Moon makes Pushya a nurturing, caring, serving and mass oriented nakshatra. People under strong influence of Pushya generally have good reputations among the people around them by virtue of such good traits exhibited by them, provided the rest of their horoscopes are supportive.
Though Pushya exhibits a number of beneficial traits, different people may embrace different traits, depending on placements of various planets in this nakshatra, as well as depending on their overall horoscopes. Moon may embrace most traits of Pushya. Accordingly, people under strong influence of Moon in Pushya may be prosperous, loving, caring, ethical, benevolent and they may exhibit many other good traits; depending on the rest of their horoscopes. Due to such traits, these people may be loved and respected by people around them.
Since Pushya is a strong feminine energy, placement of a strong feminine planet like Moon in this nakshatra may be much easier to handle for female people. Male people under strong influence of Moon in Pushya may not be able to properly handle and channelize this energy, unless there are a couple of strong masculine planets in their horoscopes. Strong influence of such combination of Moon and Pushya on male people without strong masculine planets in their horoscopes can make them too emotional and sensitive. Hence such people may not know how to act on logic. Due to this issue, they may neither be able to achieve balance in their professions, nor in their relationships.
Females are naturally built to process emotions and being emotional may not be a problem for them in most cases. In fact, it may serve as gift for them since the most important role played by most female people is that of mother. A mother needs so much care and affection for her child and she needs to be sensitive to all its needs. The same trait may be exhibited by a female native in other relationships like with her husband and brother, as she may love them all and she may care deeply for all of them. It is primarily due to traits like these that females are respected throughout the world, especially as mothers.
A female makes a house into a home and these traits help her do so. The role of a male or father is different as males are naturally built to channelize different and at times opposite types of energies. Male people generally operate through traits like aggression, courage, intellect, logic, the ability to protect, the ability to punish when needed; and other such traits. These seemingly opposite sets of traits are not opposite in reality and they are complementary.
It is difficult to raise a child based on emotions and care only; since logical guidance and aggression is also needed in order to shape the child in a better way. A child doesn’t know what is right or wrong and a mother may often be too caring to teach her such right and wrong. A father may undertake this responsibility and through this combination of care and guidance, a child may grow into a proper adult.
Therefore, strong influence of Moon in Pushya for female people may not be much of an issue in most cases and in fact, it may be an added bonus. However, males under strong influence of Pushya Moon without having strong masculine planets in their horoscopes may end up suffering in many spheres of their lives. One such male native may not properly assume the role of a father or that of a husband since he may not have necessary masculine traits to do justice to such roles. The situation may become even worse on professional front which is mostly ruled by aggression and logic.
Since strong influence of Moon in Pushya can make these people too emotional and caring; they may simply lack aggression and logic, ending up in professional failures in most cases; with the exception of some creative fields. It means such people may be gifted as poets, painters, musicians and other such artists who operate on deep emotions. However in such cases also, they may not be able to achieve much success during their lifetimes; despite being gifted; since they may lack necessary professional skills to market and sell their arts/skills.
If in one such horoscope; Venus is weak, afflicted or corrupted in specific ways; the native may either choose not to marry at all or he may turn homosexual. This is because the feminine aspect may become so strong in his horoscope that he may not need another female to complete him in many cases; and he may need a male to do this job; in some cases.
Female and male complete each other by bringing opposite traits to a relationship; which in reality are complementary traits. If all you have are sweet foods; you may naturally wish for salty or spicy foods which look the opposite type. However in this case, they may serve as complementary foods as without them; too much sweetness may become difficult to handle for you over a period of time.
It means though sweet foods are your favourites; you may regularly need salty or spicy foods in order to preserve your taste for sweet foods. The same may happen in case your favourite foods are salty and spicy ones; as you may need sweet foods to keep enjoying your taste. Hence the opposite types of foods may be complementary in reality since they may help you enjoy your tastes. In the same way, males and females may look opposite, they are complementary in reality.
A typical female in the company of similar females alone for a longer period of time may feel choked since her life may become monotonous and hence boring. As a male enters the equation and he adds opposite types of traits to the equation, she may cheer up. She may now be better able to handle her feminine traits as well as her female friends since the complementary energy is there to break the circuit; before it gets too much of the same thing.
The same happens in case of males and they may need females to bring such balance to their lives. You simply may not enjoy Moon in the same way; if there is no day meaning no Sun, and there is always night as well as Moon; since Moon may become too much to handle. You are able to enjoy Moon since you have experienced Sun which has given you the cushion to crave for Moon which further gives you the cushion to enjoy Sun. Hence they are not opposite and they are complementary. Looking at another example, work gives you craving for rest and rest prepares you for work. Once again, they may look opposite but they are complementary.
A male native under strong influence of Moon in Pushya without having strong masculine energies to support this combination; may become less of a male and more of a female. Accordingly, he may either not need a female to complete him or he may need a male to do this job; depending on his overall horoscope. Therefore, it should be noted that even some of the most benefic energies like that of Pushya can actually render good results to the native; only if he is able to channelize such energies properly; based on his overall horoscope.
Taking an example; suppose in the horoscope of a male native, Moon is placed in the fourth house in Cancer in Pushya. Mars is placed in the ninth or tenth house in Sagittarius and Capricorn respectively; Sun is placed in the first or fifth house in Aries and Leo respectively; Jupiter is placed in the fifth house in Leo and Saturn is placed in the tenth or eleventh house in Capricorn and Aquarius respectively. In this case, such placement of Moon may turn into a gift for the native.
The native in this case may have all the masculine qualities mixed with strong traits of Pushya, like care, kindness and benevolence. If this native becomes a government officer or ruler of a state; he may do a lot of good for the welfare of public; since strong influence of Pushya may motivate him to do so. In this case, the native may be like a strong father; who may have all the love and affection of a mother.
Taking another example; suppose Moon is placed in the first house of the horoscope of a male native in Cancer, debilitated Sun is placed in the fourth house in Libra, Mars is placed in the twelfth house in Gemini and Saturn is placed in the ninth house in Pisces, in Revati nakshatra. Jupiter is placed in the third house in Virgo. In this case, the combination of Moon and Pushya may have strong influence on the native since it is placed in the first house.
Sun is debilitated and Mars is weak in Gemini as well as placed in a difficult house. Jupiter is weak in Virgo and Virgo is a strongly feminine sign. Saturn is not strong in Pisces and the influence of Revati on Saturn may aggravate the problem in this case; since Revati is all about surrender; which is a feminine quality. As the combined result of these factors; the native may not have strong/significant masculine traits and he may be more feminine. Such native may suffer in the sphere of profession and he may suffer in other spheres also; depending on the rest of his horoscope.
Looking at the other planets among navagraha; Jupiter may do very well in Pushya. Venus may perform above average in this nakshatra in case of male people whereas it may perform well in case of female people. Pushya is a caring and nurturing nakshatra. Hence placement of benefic Venus and/or Moon in this nakshatra in the horoscope of a female native may bless her with strong reproductive system. She may be very fertile and she may conceive and deliver many children if she wishes; without any issues. This tendency may change if malefic planets counteract it in one such horoscope. Venus and Moon represent the ability to produce children in case of female people.
Taking an example; suppose a benefic combination of Moon and Venus is placed in the first house of the horoscope of a female native in Cancer in Pushya; and benefic Mars is placed in the second house in Leo. Mars represents the fifth house in this horoscope and this house deals with children. Unless Mars, Moon, Venus and/or the fifth house are seriously afflicted; such female native may produce healthy children without any issues.
Taking another example; suppose a combination of malefic Venus and malefic Ketu is placed in the eighth house of the horoscope of a female native in Cancer, in Pushya. Sagittarius rises in the ascendant and Venus rules the sixth and eleventh house. Hence it is malefic. Ketu is also malefic and the combination is placed in the eighth house which is a difficult house. In this case, the native may face problems related to childbirth and she may also witness miscarriages/abortions; depending on her overall horoscope.
The concept of planets exhibiting tendencies to be benefic or malefic on the basis of the houses they rule in a horoscope has been explained in the chapter ‘Gemstones for House Lords’ of the book ‘Gemstones – Magic or Science (Revised Edition)’.
Moving on, Saturn may perform above average or well in Pushya. Sun, Rahu and Ketu may perform above average in this nakshatra if the rest of the horoscope is supportive. Mars and Mercury are not suited for the energies of Pushya.
Taking an example; suppose Pushya rises in the ascendant of a horoscope and benefic Moon is placed in the first house in Pushya along with benefic exalted Jupiter in Ashlesha, forming Gaj Kesari Yoga. A benefic combination of Mars and Venus is placed in the seventh house in Capricorn, Rahu is placed in the ninth house in Pisces, Ketu is placed in the third house in Virgo, benefic Sun is placed in the sixth house in Sagittarius and Saturn is placed in the eighth house in Aquarius.
In this case, Pushya may have strong influence on the native. The overall horoscope is also strong and supportive. Hence the native may achieve very good results in many spheres of his life. The native may become an administrative officer or a revenue officer; depending on the rest of his horoscope as well as on the running times (planetary periods).
People under strong benefic influence of Pushya are generally kind, caring; gentle, prosperous and well respected by society. Such people may have strong family values and they may be caring and protective towards their family members as well as towards their loved ones. Pushya people may believe in making their contributions to society and they may try to make the world a better place for all to live.
The influence of Saturn makes Pushya willing to serve the family and community as and when needed. The influences of Jupiter and Moon make such people engage in charitable works from time to time. As a result, Pushya people may be found associated with some welfare organizations which work for the benefit and welfare of weaker sections of society. Pushya people are generally well capable of achieving their goals as they are hardworking and they may have high levels of perseverance due to the influence of Saturn over this nakshatra.
Pushya people may keep moving towards their goals throughout their lives and they generally end up in comfortable positions as they are able to achieve many of their planned and set goals. Pushya people are generally religious and they may also have good spiritual interests. Most people under strong influence of Pushya may not have to strive hard for livelihood and they are generally found in relatively comfortable positions.
It means they may have sufficient wealth and resources to take care of themselves, provide for their families, work for the welfare of society and still save sufficiently to convert into assets. The influences of Jupiter and Moon may keep bringing prosperity and wealth to people under strong influence of this nakshatra; provided the rest of their horoscopes are supportive.
Let’s look at performances of various planets in various navamshas of Pushya. Starting with Leo navamsha; Moon and Jupiter may perform very well here. Venus may perform above average here for males whereas it may perform well for females. Sun and Ketu may perform above average since they are strong in Leo.
Saturn may perform on average here; since it is not strong in Cancer as well as Leo but it is comfortable in Pushya. Mercury and Rahu may perform below average here since they are weak in Cancer and not strong in Leo. Mars may perform below average or poorly here; since it is debilitated in Cancer and it is not comfortable in Pushya. The only grace saving factor is its placement in Leo navamsha. Among navagraha; Jupiter may be the strongest and Mars may be the weakest in this navamsha.
Looking at Virgo navamsha; Moon may perform very well here whereas Jupiter may perform well or very well here; depending on the overall horoscope. Venus may perform below average or on average for males whereas it may perform on average or above average for females. Mercury may perform relatively better in this navamsha since it is exalted in Virgo. Hence it may perform on average or above average.
Sun may perform on average here, since it is not strong in Cancer as well as Virgo. Saturn and Rahu may perform above average here. Saturn is strong in Virgo and it rules Pushya. Rahu is exalted in Virgo and it may do well in Pushya. Ketu may perform below average here, since it is not strong in Cancer and it is debilitated in Virgo. Mars may perform poorly here, since it is debilitated in Cancer, not comfortable in Pushya and not strong in Virgo. Among navagraha; Moon may be the strongest in this navamsha whereas Mars may be the weakest.
Moving on to Libra navamsha; Moon and Jupiter may perform very well here. Venus may perform above average for males and it may perform well for females. Mercury may perform relatively better here but it may still not perform above average.
Sun may perform poorly in this navamsha. Sun is weak in Cancer and it is debilitated in Libra. Saturn may perform well in this navamsha since it is exalted in Libra and it rules Pushya. Rahu may perform above average here, since it is strong in Libra and comfortable in Pushya. Ketu may perform below average here whereas Mars may perform poorly in this navamsha. Among navagraha; Moon may be the strongest in this navamsha whereas Mars may be the weakest, followed by Sun.
Looking at Scorpio navamsha; Jupiter may perform very well here. Moon may perform well but not very well here, since it is debilitated in Scorpio. Venus may perform on average for males and above average for females in this navamsha. Mercury may perform below average here; since it is weak in Cancer and not strong in Scorpio.
Sun and Saturn may perform on average in this navamsha. Sun does well in Scorpio but it is weak in Cancer. Saturn is not strong in Cancer as well as Scorpio but it rules Pushya. Rahu may perform poorly in this navamsha, since it is debilitated in Scorpio and not strong in Cancer. Ketu may perform above average or well here since it is exalted in Scorpio. Mars may perform on average here, since it is debilitated in Cancer and not comfortable in Pushya but it is strong in Scorpio. Among navagraha; Jupiter may be the strongest in this navamsha whereas Rahu may be the weakest.
Considering an example, suppose benefic exalted Jupiter forms Hamsa Yoga in the tenth house of a horoscope in Cancer in Pushya; and a benefic combination of Sun, Mercury and Venus is placed in the fourth house in Capricorn. Benefic Saturn is placed in the sixth house in Pisces, benefic Moon is placed in the seventh house in Aries and benefic Mars is placed in the fifth house in Aquarius.
In this case, the overall horoscope is strong and positive. Jupiter rules the third house which deals with profession; and it represents the sixth house which deals with dispute management among other things. It is placed in the tenth house which represents profession. Hence the native may become a politician. Such native may win public elections and he may become minister with government, depending on the rest of his horoscope as well as on the running times.
Himanshu Shangari