Wishes Granted through Each of the 27

Nakshatras
This is one of several articles by Dr. David Frawley on the Vedas, Vedic
Astrology and the Nakshatras. It reflects his special Vedic research. This
particular information is not available in any other astrological text and is part
of special Vedic knowledge on astrology from a very ancient period prior to the
existing compilations like the Brihat Parashara Hora Shastra.

Each Nakshatra reflects certain wishes or desires that those born under them are
inclined to have. In the Vedas each Nakshatra deity reflects the wishes that those
who worship this deity can gain. The following material comes from
the Taittiriya Brahmana III.1.4. It affords additional insight on the Shaktis of
Nakshatras and their meaning, which derives from the same text. I have
condensed the material to make it as relevant as possible as well as adding some
interpretive notes. This information is crucial for a deeper understanding of the
Nakshastras. Note the Vedic language is highly symbolic and we should not take
its statements literally.
I have developed various astrological interpretive methods based upon it. It
primarily relates to the position of the Moon in the chart, but can be expended to
other planets. We will go through each Nakshatra starting with Ashwini in Aries
and provide the benefits that can be gained through their positions in the chart
and also through meditating upon them. This is a recent update on material first
published twenty years ago.

The 27 Nakshatras According to the Wishes They Fulfill

1. The Ashwins desired, “May we be possessed of good

hearing and not be deaf. “One who makes the appropriate
offering to the Ashwins and to Ashwini (00 00-13 20
Aries) becomes possessed of good hearing and will not
become deaf.
Ashwini Nakshatra grants the power of hearing on both outer
 and inner levels. That is why this Nakshatra relates to secret
knowledge and to miraculous powers. The Ashwins are the
doctors and miracle workers among the Gods. Hearing here
is also the ability to hear the truth. Some say they can cure all
diseases of the senses and the mind as well as the body.

2. Yama desired, “May I win the lordship of the

ancestors.” One who makes the appropriate offering to Yama
and to Bharani (13 20 – 26 40 Aries) wins the lordship of
the ancestors and wins the lordship of his peers.
Those born under Bharani strive to be respected by their
elders and by their peers. Yama is the deity of discipline,
death and transformation. He is also connected to Brihaspati
as a Rishi and regarded as the brother of Manu, the first king
in the Vedas. So a spiritual rulership is indicated here.

3. Agni desired, “May I be the eater of food for the Gods.”

One who makes the appropriate offering to Agni
and Krittika (26 40 Aries – 10 00 Taurus)  becomes an
eater of food.
Agni as fire both cooks and digests food. Krittika provides
nourishment and the power to digest it as well. Those born
under it like to provide nourishment for others and find the
Divine essence of consciousness everywhere. Agni
represents the digestive fire and fire as a cosmic principle,
have forms from within the body to the entire cosmos.
4. Prajapati, the Lord of Creatures, created creatures but
thus created they went way. Of them he thought about
Rohini. He desired, “May she approach me. May we unite
together.” For one who makes the appropriate offering to
Prajapati, to Rohini (10 00 – 23 20 Taurus), his beloved
approaches him and he unites with her.
Rohini is a Nakshatra of love, passion and devotion that is
fertile and creative, ever seeking to expand. Prajapati is the
Creator among the Vedic deities. Rohini is Sri Krishna’s
Nakshatra and is sometimes identified with Lakshmi..

5. Soma desired. “May I win the lordship of the plants.”

One who makes the appropriate offering to Soma,
to Mrigashira (23 20 Taurus – 06 40 Gemini), wins the
lordship of the plants and wins the lordship of his peers.
Soma is the healing essence of all the plants and relates to
herbal healing, rejuvenation and immorality. Soma also
relates to the Moon which is connected to plants and healing
our inner plant or the subtle body and chakra centers. Soma
is the deity of bliss, healing, rejuvenation and immortality in
the Vedas. He is connected to Lord Shiva as Shankara and
Shambhu and so grants many blessings.

6. Rudra desired, “May I become the lord of the animals

(Pashupati).” One who makes the appropriate offering to
Rudra, to Ardra (06 40 – 20 00 Gemini), becomes the lord
of the animals.
 Rudra is the lord of the wild animals, the forces of the
wilderness and nature in general. These animals represent the
different forces of nature and also the constellations which
have animal symbols.  Rudra is the fierce form of Lord Shiva
also called Pashupati who holds the bow and arrow as his
weapon as a hunter. He is connected to the mantra Om.

7. The Earth in the beginning had no growths. She

desired, “May I produce herbs and trees.” One who makes
the appropriate offering to Aditi, to Punarvasu (20 00
Gemini – 03 20 Cancer), produces progeny and cattle.
Punarvasu is a creative Nakshatra ruled by the Earth as the
great World Mother Aditi. It gives the ability to create in
form and structure. Progeny and cattle are symbolic of
abundance on all levels. Those born under it like to produce
things in a maternal way.  Aditi also represents receptivity
and space.

8. Brihaspati desired, “May I possess the splendor of

spiritual knowledge.” One who makes the appropriate
offering to Brihaspati, to Pushya (03 20 – 16 40 Cancer),
gains the splendor of spiritual knowledge. Pushya connects
us with spiritual knowledge, knowledge of Vedas, mantra
and meditation, but also religion, ritual and ethics in general.
Through it the good overcomes the evil, dharma defeats
adharma. Brihaspati is the high priest and guru among the
deities, who has the power of the Divine Word. He is
 associated with the planet Jupiter, which is exalted in this
Nakshatra.

9. The Gods and the Demons were at war. The Gods made
an offering to Aslesha (16 40 – 30 00 Cancer). This drove
away the Demons. One who makes the appropriate offering
to the Serpent God, to Aslesha, drives away his hateful
opponents.
In Aslesha one can defeat one’s enemies and overcome all
obstacles. Through it one gains the poison and wisdom of the
serpent to counter all attacks. Those born under Aslesha
make powerful warriors with powerful weapons, but also
sages with the wisdom powers of the mind.. Aslesha
represents the Nagas or serpent deities, their wisdom and
power from physical to spiritual levels.

10. The Fathers desired, “May we flourish in the world of

the ancestors.” One who makes the appropriate offering to
the Fathers, to Magha (00 00 – 13 20 Leo), flourishes in the
world of the ancestors.
Magha Nakshatra gives fame that lasts through the
generations. Those born under it seek a high reputation for
themselves, a kind of kingly, queenly, paternal or maternal
status. The Fathers or Pitaras relate to the ancestors in Vedic
thought, both personal and for humanity as a whole, from the
rishis at a higher level to our ordinary human ancestors.
11. Bhaga desired, “May I partake of the best portion of the
Gods.” One who makes the appropriate offering to Bhaga,
to Purva Phalguni (13 20 – 26 40 Leo), gains the best
portion among his peers.
Those born under Purva Phalguni seek the best for
themselves, looking for the essence of delight in all that they
encounter. They become connoisseurs in life, seeking what is
subtle and refined. Bhaga represents beauty, charisma,
fortune and delight, extending to devotion as a form of the
solar deity.

12. Aryaman desired, “May I become the lord of the

animals.” One who makes the appropriate offering to
Aryaman, to the Utttara Phalguni (26 40 Leo – 10 00
Virgo), he becomes the lord of the animals. Those born
under Uttara Phalguni seek colleagues and followers  to help
them in their causes (animals or resources), which are
generally noble in nature. Aryaman governs over contracts,
agreements, help and service. Aryaman is a form of the solar
deity.

13. Savitar desired, “May the Gods place their faith in me.”

One who makes the appropriate offering to Savitar,
to Hasta (10 00 – 23 20 Virgo), the people place faith in
him. He becomes the Sun among his peers.
Those born under Hasta strive to be believed in and get
 others to have faith in them. They regard themselves as
capable of great achievements and can serve to rally and
inspire people around them, having charisma and power of
speech and expression. Savitar is the solar deity of
inspiration and the Gayatri mantra, much like Apollo of the
Greeks.

14. Twashtar desired, “May I gain a wonderful progeny.”

One who makes the appropriate offering to Twashtar,
to Chitra ( 23 20 Virgo – 06 40 Libra), gains a wonderful
progeny.
Twashtar is a form of the Creator, Prajapati, with special
powers of creation, art and magic. Chitra Nakshatra therefore
has great creative powers, giving splendor, multiplicity and
abundance on various levels. It rules over artisans, craftsman
and media powers of all types.

15. Vayu, the Wind desired, “May I win the freedom to

move as I wish in all the worlds.” One who makes the
appropriate offering to the Wind, to Swati (06 40 Libra – 20
00 Libra), gains the freedom to move as he wishes in all the
worlds.
The Wind, Vayu, has free movement in all the worlds,
representing the cosmic energy overall, not just wind as an
atmospheric force. Those born in Vayu’s Nakshatra of Swati
have a similar desire. They don’t like to be held or tied
 down. They like to travel where they want and when they
want, seeking the fulfillment of their wishes in all the worlds.

16. Indra and Agni desired, “May I gain the greatest

splendor among the Gods.” He makes the appropriate
offering to Indra and Agni, to Vishakha (20 00 Libra – 03
20 Scorpio), gains the greatest splendor among his peers.
Vishakha is a competitive Nakshatra and has a fiery and
lightning like energy, with Indra as ruling over lightning and
Agni as fire. Its natives seek power and recognition. Yet they
also have wisdom and insight, extending to powers of Yoga
and enlightenment. This is also Lord Buddha’s Nakshatra.

17. Mitra desired, “May I be regarded as a friend in all the

worlds.” One who makes the appropriate offering to Mitra,
to Anuradha (03 20 – 16 40 Scorpio), becomes regarded as
a friend in all these worlds. Those born under Anuradha want
to be friends with everyone. They are emotionally sensitive
to others and place the welfare of others over their own.
Mitra means the friend and represents compassion and
devotion.

18. Indra desired, “May I gain supremacy among the

gods.” One who makes the appropriate offering to Indra,
to Jyeshta (16 40 – 30 00 Scorpio), gains supremacy among
his peers.
 Those born under Jyeshta, which means the eldest and the
highest, strive to be the best and the highest, but on their
own, by their own efforts, as individuals, not by relying on
others. They do their best when left alone and made to stand
on their own. Indra is the king of the Vedic Gods, much like
Lord Shiva, and gains his supremacy by his individual action
of transcendence. He represents the independence of the
inner Self.

19. Prajapati desired, “May I find the root of progeny.”

One who makes the appropriate offering to Prajapati,
to Mula (00 00 – 13 20 Sagittarius), gains the root of
progeny.and power of creation.
In this Nakshatra teaching, Mula is ruled by Prajapati, the
Creator, who also rules Rohini.  Ordinarily Mula is ruled by
Nirriti, which is its destructive side.  Mula’s creative power
is emphasized here. Mula means root. It gives the root of
progeny or strong creative powers. Astronomically it marks
the galactic center, the source of galactic creation.

20. The Water Goddesses (Apo Devi) desired, “May we at

our wish gain the sea.” One who makes the appropriate
offering to the Water Goddesses, to Ashadha, gains at wish
the sea.
Under Purvashadha (13 20 – 26 40 Sagittarius) one seeks
connections and unity like water desiring to reach the ocean.
It is a creative, nurturing and healing Nakshatra. The Water
 Goddesses govern the cosmic waters including the oceans on
Earth, the Atmospheric waters and the waters of Space.

21. The Universal Gods (Vishve Deva) desired, “May we

win a victory that can never be lost.” One who makes the
appropriate offering to the Universal Gods, to Ashadha,
gains a victory that can never be lost. Uttarashadha (26 40
Sagittarius to 10 00 Capricorn) is a competitive Nakshatra
that causes us to seek great achievements, but in alliance
with others, in great partnerships, organizations and
associations. One succeeds by virtue of one’s broad
connections. Here one must universalize one’s energies and
aspirations.

22. Vishnu desired, “May I hear people say good words

about me. May I not suffer any bad reputation.” One who
makes the appropriate offering to Vishnu, to Shravana (10
00 – 23 20 Capricorn), hears good words about himself and
does not come to any bad regard.
Those born under Shravana, which relates to the power of
hearing, are concerned about what people say about them
and their reputation. They will strive to keep themselves in
good repute. They are sensitive to the opinions of others. Yet
at a higher level they will also seek to hear and follow the
Divine word, the Shruti. Vishnu is the all-pervasive aspect of
the solar deity.
23. The Vasus desired, “May we revolve around the summit
of the Gods.” One who makes the appropriate offering to the
Vasus, to Dhanishta (23 20 Capricorn – 06 40 Aquarius),
gains the summit among his peers.
The eight Vasus or indwelling powers rule over the material
and worldly splendors of the Earth, which their Nakshatra
grants, including wealth and political power. They gain this
through high association and deeper aspirations.

24. Varuna desired, “May I be firm and not unsteady.” One

who makes the appropriate offering to Varuna,
to Shatabhishak (06 20 – 20 00 Aquarius), becomes firm
and not unsteady.
This firmness implies freedom from disease and debility for
both body and mind. Shatabhishak is a Nakshatra of healing,
transformation and energization. Varuna, who relates to the
cosmic ocean and the setting sun, rules over karma and its
dispensation prodding us to move to a higher level in life and
in our awareness.

25. Aja Ekapat desired, “”May I gain the radiance and the

splendor of spiritual knowledge.” One who makes the
appropriate offering to Aja Ekapat, to Purva Bhadra (20 00
Aquarius – 03 20 Pisces) , gains radiance and the splendor
of spiritual knowledge.
Purva Bhadra has a great spiritual potential like Brihaspati-
ruled Pushya. It can give insight, perception and spiritual fire
 – that of our inner being. It awakens us to our higher spiritual
potential and power in life. Aja Ekapad is a one footed goat
that symbolizes our deathless sou (aja also means what is
unborn a-ja). It is also connected to Kundalini Shakti.

26. Ahir Budhnya desired, “May I find a firm foundation.”

One who makes the appropriate offering to Ahir Budhnya,
to Uttara Bhadra (03 20 – 16 40 Pisces), gains a firm
foundation.
Uttara Bhadra grants a firm foundation in life, connecting us
with the wellsprings of vitality, the serpent who dwells in the
depths of the sea, which is what Ahir Budhnya means. This
is similar to Vishnu’s cosmic serpent Ananta who carries all
the worlds.

27. Pushan desired, “May I become the lord of the

animals.” One who makes the appropriate offering to Pusha,
to Revati (16 40 – 30 00 Pisces), becomes lord of the
animals.
Revati, which means abundance gives lordship over
domestic cattle, richness of harvest and fertile fields, while
Ardra and Rudra rule more over the wild animals. Those
born under this Nakshatra  pursue the abundance of life but
as in harmony with the creative powers nature. Pushan is the
nourisher and the seer among the Sun Gods, the guide of the
paths.