Pushya is the eighth nakshatra, spanning 3°20' to 16°40' of Karka (Cancer). Its lord is Shani, its deity is Brihaspati and its symbol is a cow's udder. Classical muhurta texts count it among the light (laghu) nakshatras, favourable for beginnings. Jupiter's exaltation point, 5° Karka, falls inside Pushya, which is why practitioners study this nakshatra closely.
Pushya at a glance
Attribute | Pushya |
|---|---|
Number | 8 of 27 |
Span | 3°20' to 16°40' Karka |
Nakshatra lord | Shani |
Sign lord | Chandra |
Deity | Brihaspati, teacher of the devas |
Symbol | Cow's udder (also a flower or a circle) |
Gana | Deva |
Classification | Laghu or kshipra (light, swift) |
Vimshottari | A Moon here starts life in Shani mahadasha (19 years in total) |
Name syllables | Hu, He, Ho, Da |
The themes practitioners work with
The name comes from the root "push", to nourish. The cow's udder and Brihaspati as deity give Pushya its themes of nourishment, protection, teaching and dharma. Shani as lord adds discipline, patience and responsibility; the Moon as sign lord adds care and feeling. Pushya is often described as nurturing through structure: care that is steady and dutiful rather than effusive.
A Moon or lagna in Pushya tends to show these qualities, but the outcome always depends on the condition of Shani, the Moon and Jupiter in the chart and on the dashas. Two Pushya Moons can look very different in practice.
Guru's exaltation in Pushya
Jupiter is exalted in Karka, with its deepest exaltation at 5°, which lies in Pushya pada 1. A Guru between 3°20' and 16°40' Karka therefore sits in a nakshatra ruled by Shani and presided over by Brihaspati himself. When you meet an exalted Guru, check which nakshatra it occupies: a Guru in Punarvasu (0° to 3°20' Karka) and one in Pushya have different nakshatra lords to read.
The four padas
Karka is a movable sign, so its navamshas start from Karka itself. Pushya covers the second to fifth navamshas:
Pada | Degrees in Karka | Navamsha | Common emphasis |
|---|---|---|---|
1 | 3°20' to 6°40' | Simha | Dignity, leadership, Guru's exaltation degree |
2 | 6°40' to 10°00' | Kanya | Service, analysis, practical care |
3 | 10°00' to 13°20' | Tula | Balance, relationships, diplomacy |
4 | 13°20' to 16°40' | Vrishchika | Depth, research, protectiveness |
Pushya in muhurta
Varahamihira's Brihat Samhita and later muhurta works list Pushya among the laghu (light, swift) nakshatras, suited to beginning study, trade, travel and medicine-related work. When the Moon is in Pushya on a Thursday it forms Guru Pushya yoga, and on a Sunday Ravi Pushya yoga; both are widely used for purchases and new ventures. Many traditions nonetheless avoid Pushya for marriage muhurta, so check your tradition before recommending it. A muhurta still has to be judged with the tithi, the lagna and the client's Tarabala and Chandrabala.
Reading Pushya in a chart: a checklist
- Which point is in Pushya? The Moon, the lagna or a planet. The Moon's nakshatra drives the Vimshottari sequence.
- Shani's condition. As nakshatra lord, Shani's dignity, house and strength colour every planet in Pushya.
- The Moon's condition. As sign lord, the Moon's paksha bala and dignity show how Karka's themes are supported.
- Jupiter. As deity and as a planet exalted in this sign, its condition is relevant to Pushya placements.
- Pada and navamsha. Read the navamsha sign and its lord.
- Dashas. A Moon in Pushya opens with the balance of Shani mahadasha, then Budh's 17 years.
Where you see it on the desk
On Bodhlok, the D1 module lists every planet's nakshatra and pada, the navamsha is beside it, and the Muhurta module flags Guru Pushya and Ravi Pushya days for a chosen place. Planning and muhurta content is astrological guidance only. Not medical advice.
Try it on a sample chart in the free desk at bodhlok.com.
Frequently asked questions
Who is the lord of Pushya nakshatra?
Shani (Saturn) is the nakshatra lord of Pushya. Its deity is Brihaspati and its sign lord is the Moon, since it lies in Karka.
What is the degree range of Pushya nakshatra?
Pushya spans 3°20' to 16°40' of sidereal Karka (Cancer), divided into four padas of 3°20' each.
Why is Pushya nakshatra considered auspicious?
Muhurta texts such as Brihat Samhita list it among the light (laghu) nakshatras suitable for beginnings, and its deity is Brihaspati. Jupiter's exaltation degree also falls in Pushya.
What is Guru Pushya yoga?
Guru Pushya yoga forms when the Moon is in Pushya on a Thursday. It is widely used for purchases and new ventures, though it is still judged with the rest of the muhurta.
Is Pushya nakshatra good for marriage?
Many traditions avoid Pushya for marriage muhurta despite its general auspiciousness. Follow your tradition and judge the full muhurta.
See it on a sample chart
Open the desk, load a sample chart and find this in D1, the divisional charts and the dasha timeline. The free desk has everything you need to study it.