NAKSHATRA 8 OF 27 · पुष्य

Pushya Nakshatra: Meaning, Traits, Padas and Career

Pushya is considered the most auspicious nakshatra for material prosperity. Natives are nurturing, reliable, and spiritually inclined. They excel in positions of responsibility and service.

Position3°20′ Cancer – 16°40′ Cancer
MeaningThe Nourisher
Ruling planet (daśā lord)Saturn
DeityBrihaspati
SymbolCow udder/Lotus
Temperament (gaṇa)Deva
Animal (yoni)Sheep
GuṇaTamas
ElementWater
NourishmentProsperityServiceReliabilitySpirituality

What the classical texts sayClassical texts

Moon in Pushya at birth: calm, well liked, learned, wealthy and devoted to dharma.

Bṛhat Jātaka 16.5 · same verse in Bṛhat Saṁhitā 100.5

Its deity, Bṛhaspati, leans it toward nourishment, counsel and dharma; its light (laghu) nature suits trade, pleasure, learning, arts, crafts and medicine.

Bṛhat Saṁhitā 97 (deity and nature of the nakshatras)

The planets in PushyaClassical texts

A planet in Pushya takes on the themes of the nakshatra lord, Saturn; how well it does depends on its natural friendship with Saturn (BPHS 3).

  • SunMixed

    Its lord Saturn is a natural enemy of Sun (BPHS 3).

  • MarsMixed

    Its lord Saturn is neutral of Mars (BPHS 3).

  • MercuryMixed

    Its lord Saturn is neutral of Mercury (BPHS 3).

  • JupiterMixed

    Its lord Saturn is neutral of Jupiter (BPHS 3).

  • VenusSupportive

    Its lord Saturn is a natural friend of Venus (BPHS 3).

  • SaturnSupportive

    Pushya is Saturn's own nakṣatra, so the planet acts on home ground.

  • RahuMixed

    Its lord Saturn has no natural friendship listed in BPHS 3, so the planet is coloured by Saturn's themes.

  • KetuMixed

    Its lord Saturn has no natural friendship listed in BPHS 3, so the planet is coloured by Saturn's themes.

The Shubham Method readingShubham Method layer

Core quality

Nourishment and sustenance. Whatever planet is in Pushya gets nourished and amplified. The arrow symbol means you are SUPPOSED to achieve everything related to that planet for sure - the arrow never misses its target.

The deity and its story

Brihaspati (Jupiter in deity form, guru of the gods). Birth nakshatra of Jupiter itself. Pushya natives have Vaksiddhi - power of speech where words come true. The one who announces, gives fame and credibility to others.

Career

Spiritual teaching and priesthood, nutrition and food science, advisory and counseling roles, any profession requiring nourishment of others, government and authority (Jupiter connection), announcing and public speaking.

Health

Stomach, chest, and lungs (Cancer sign). Alternative name Tishya means "purifier" - health issues involve purification process. Water retention. Must maintain purity regarding significations of planets placed here.

Shadow side

Can become overly conservative, stubborn, or rigid. May sacrifice personal happiness for duty. Tendency toward melancholy when their help is rejected.

The secret of this nakshatra

Pushya gives things in PLENTY and MULTIPLICITY - exaltation is multiplied by three. Three vehicles, excellent; three properties, excellent; but three wives means dissatisfaction from two. Because it is Jupiter's birth nakshatra, you MUST be pure and clean regarding any planet placed here.

Where this layer and the classical texts differ, the classical texts take precedence.

The four padas of Pushya

Pada 1
In Cancer · Navāṁśa Leo

Spiritual leadership and guidance

Pada 2
In Cancer · Navāṁśa Virgo

Material abundance and practical care

Pada 3
In Cancer · Navāṁśa Libra

Intellectual nourishment and teaching

Pada 4
In Cancer · Navāṁśa Scorpio

Emotional support and family care

Questions

Which planet rules Pushya nakshatra?

Pushya is ruled by Saturn, so a birth with the Moon in Pushya begins life in the Saturn period (Vimśottarī daśā). Its deity is Brihaspati.

Where is Pushya in the zodiac?

In the sidereal zodiac Pushya spans 3°20′ Cancer – 16°40′ Cancer. Each of its four padas covers 3°20′.

What careers suit Pushya?

Spiritual teaching and priesthood, nutrition and food science, advisory and counseling roles, any profession requiring nourishment of others, government and authority (Jupiter connection), announcing and public speaking.

How do I find my nakshatra?

Your birth nakshatra is the one the Moon occupied at your birth. Enter your birth date, time and place in the free Vedastro calculator (sidereal, Lahiri) to get it with its pada.

See it in your own chart

A placement is only one factor: the classical texts weigh it with the sign, its lord, aspects and the running period. The free calculator places every planet in its house and nakshatra for your birth time.