Uttara Ashadha Nakshatra — Meaning, Deity, Traits & Padas

Uttara Āṣāḍhā means 'the latter invincible one'. Where Purva Ashadha suggests early victory, Uttara Ashadha suggests lasting, final victory.

About Uttara Ashadha

Uttara Ashadha is the twenty-first nakshatra, spanning Dhanu 26°40′ to Makara 10°00′. Its first pada lies in Sagittarius and the remaining three in Capricorn. Its stars are Sigma and Zeta Sagittarii (Nunki and Ascella). The Sun is its Vimshottari lord, and the last quarter of its first Capricorn pada overlaps with Abhijit, the 28th nakshatra used in muhurta.

Uttara Ashadha is a dhruva (fixed) nakshatra and one of the most recommended stars for marriage, laying foundations, house-warming, coronation and other enduring undertakings. Its association with the Vishvadevas, the universal gods, makes it suitable for rituals intended to benefit everyone. The Sun's transit through it in January coincides with Makara Sankranti.

Traditional characteristics

Uttara Ashadha natives are described as virtuous, grateful, well-mannered, truthful and responsible, with a strong sense of ethics and the ability to achieve lasting success. They are said to be loyal and persevering, if sometimes rigid. Leadership, government, law and teaching are traditionally associated with this star.

These descriptions reflect traditional beliefs recorded in Jyotisha literature. Astrologers read the birth nakshatra together with the whole horoscope, and these attributes are not scientific findings.

Deity and mythology

The deities are the Vishvadevas, the 'all-gods', a group of ten deities including Vasu, Satya, Kratu, Daksha and Kala. They are invoked in every shraddha and in the Vaishvadeva offering of daily worship. Their collective nature gives Uttara Ashadha its universal, principled outlook.

The four padas of Uttara Ashadha

Each pada spans 3°20′ and corresponds to one navamsa (D9) sign. Uttara Ashadha holds padas 81 to 84 of the 108 in the zodiac.

1. Pada 1: Dhanu (Sagittarius) navamsa — Dhanu 26°40′ – 30°00′; navamsa lord Jupiter, emphasising idealism, learning, dharma and a philosophical outlook. Name syllable: Bhe. This pada is vargottama (rashi and navamsa coincide), traditionally considered a strengthening placement.
2. Pada 2: Makara (Capricorn) navamsa — Makara 0°00′ – 3°20′; navamsa lord Saturn, emphasising discipline, ambition, responsibility and patient effort. Name syllable: Bho. This pada is vargottama (rashi and navamsa coincide), traditionally considered a strengthening placement.
3. Pada 3: Kumbha (Aquarius) navamsa — Makara 3°20′ – 6°40′; navamsa lord Saturn, emphasising independent thinking, humanitarian ideals and group endeavour. Name syllable: Ja.
4. Pada 4: Meena (Pisces) navamsa — Makara 6°40′ – 10°00′; navamsa lord Jupiter, emphasising compassion, imagination, devotion and spiritual inclination. Name syllable: Ji.