Uttara Ashadha (26' 40 Sagittarius to Io° oo’

Capricorn)
Varahamihira: Whoever has the Moon in Uttara Ashadha will be obedient and learned in the
rules of virtue, and will be grateful, will have many friends, will return favours received, and
will generally be liked.
General Indications: Uttara Ashadha’s symbol is the tusk of an elephant, and its deities are
the ten Vishvadevas, the sons of the god Dharma (righteousness) and the Goddess Vishva
(universality, the all). Their names, in loose translation, are Goodness, Truth, Will- power,
Skillfulness, Time, Desire, Firmness, Ancestors, Brightness and Peak (or Acme), all
attributes which are associated with Uttara Ashadha.
The qualities of Purva Ashadha also apply to this nakshatra, as one is the former Jenna) part
and the other the latter (uttara) part of the same nakshatra. One difference between them is
that Uttara Ashadha is more introspective and possesses greater permanence and durability
than does Purva Ashadha. It is also less aggressive than its mate. When the lagna or Moon
occupies Uttara Aashaadha, it often indicates honest, sincere people who are respected and
valued for their advice and who are inclined to be conciliators.
The elephant-tusk symbol leads some to associate this nakshatra with Ganesha, the one-
tusked elephant-headed god who is invoked to bless new beginnings and to remove obstacles
from one’s path. Because Uttara Ashadha connotes new beginnings and endeavours which
become successful and permanent, this nakshatra when well-placed gives its natives a talent
for commencing new enterprises and then seeing them through to their natural conclusions.
When poorly placed, the native may start new projects helter-skelter, and then fail to
complete them. An elephant’s tusk is sharp, and so can penetrate.
Physical penetration may imply penetration of the body (as in hunting or surgery), or causing
the body to move (penetrate) into new environments (such as new lands). Mental penetration
may imply great insight.