Lord Saturn · Brihaspati · Cancer rashi · Light (Laghu)
Pushya (पुष्य) is the 8th of the 27 nakshatras, spanning 3°19' Cancer to 16°40' Cancer. Its ruling planet is Saturn and its deity is Brihaspati, symbolised by the flower/cow udder. It is Deva gana with a Light (Laghu) nature, and signifies nourishment, protection and dharma.
Number
#8 of 27
8th nakshatra
Lord
Saturn
शनि
Rashi
Cancer
कर्क
Degrees
3°19' Cancer–16°40' Cancer
in Cancer
Deity
Brihaspati
Symbol
Flower/cow udder
Gana
Deva
Deva (Divine)
Quality
Light (Laghu)
Pushya is the eighth nakshatra, spanning 93 degrees 20 minutes to 106 degrees 40 minutes of Cancer (Karka Rashi). Ruled by Saturn (Shani) and presided over by Brihaspati (Jupiter, the guru of the gods), Pushya is considered the most auspicious nakshatra for almost all activities in Vedic tradition.
The name Pushya means 'to nourish' or 'to flower,' and this nakshatra embodies the highest form of nourishment — spiritual, emotional, and material. The cow udder symbol represents the freely flowing abundance that sustains life, while the flower represents the blossoming of potential.
Despite Saturn's reputation as a harsh taskmaster, in Pushya it operates through the lens of Cancer's nurturing energy and Brihaspati's divine wisdom. This creates a unique combination of discipline and compassion — Pushya natives tend to be responsible, patient, and deeply committed to dharma (righteous duty).
Pushya is classified as a light (Laghu) nakshatra, making it ideal for beginning new ventures, ceremonies, and auspicious activities. Thursdays falling on Pushya nakshatra (Pushya Nakshatra on Guruvar) are considered extraordinarily auspicious for purchasing gold, starting businesses, and performing religious ceremonies. Natives are often found in advisory, protective, or nurturing roles — teachers, counselors, administrators, and spiritual guides.
Four Padas of Pushya
Each nakshatra has four padas (quarters), each falling in a different navamsa sign. Your exact pada depends on your degree within Pushya.
Pada 1
Pada 1 summary
Leo navamsa
Royal nourishment, generous protection, leadership in dharma
Deep nourishment, intense protection, transformative dharma
How to Use Pushya Nakshatra in a Birth Chart
Confirm Pada
The same nakshatra changes by quarter, navamsa and degree.
Check Moon Sign
Pushya works through Cancer rashi themes.
Time by Dasha
Saturn dasha activates this birth-star pattern.
Parent nakshatra pages explain the full birth-star intent. Pada pages go deeper into degree-level traits; use both together when checking marriage, naming, career and upay.
Reading Pushya Beyond the Basic Traits
A useful Pushya reading starts with the visible markers: Brihaspati as deity, Flower/cow udder as symbol, Deva gana, Light (Laghu) quality and Saturn as nakshatra lord. Those markers show the instinctive style of the birth star, but the final interpretation depends on where the Moon sits in the chart, which pada is active and whether Saturn is supported by benefic or challenging influences.
For Pushya, the recurring life themes include nourishment, protection, dharma. Read those themes with Cancerrashi, the navamsa pada and the active dasha before choosing a career path, marriage timing, baby-name syllable or remedy. This keeps the page grounded in the nakshatra's actual signature instead of reducing every birth star to the same generic personality checklist.
In practical use, start by confirming whether the Moon, Lagna, Atmakaraka or a key relationship planet occupies Pushya. If only the Moon is here, the nakshatra describes instinct and emotional habit. If the Lagna or chart ruler is involved, the same signature becomes more visible in career style, health routines and public conduct. When Saturn dasha or antardasha runs, these themes usually become easier to notice and more important to handle consciously.
Saturn (शनि) rules Pushya. discipline, karma, longevity, delay are the life areas it shapes most strongly. Its placement, transit and dasha periods most directly influence Pushya natives.
Which rashi does Pushya nakshatra fall in?
Pushya spans 3°19' Cancer to 16°40' Cancer of Cancer (कर्क). All four padas of Pushya fall within Cancer rashi.
What is the deity and symbol of Pushya?
Pushya's presiding deity is Brihaspati and its symbol is Flower/cow udder. Its gana is Deva, nature is Deva (Divine), and quality is Light (Laghu).
What are the 4 padas of Pushya?
Pada 1 (Leo navamsa) — Royal nourishment, generous protection, leadership in dharma. Pada 2 (Virgo navamsa) — Precise nourishment, service-oriented protection, practical dharma. Pada 3 (Libra navamsa) — Balanced nourishment, harmonious protection, diplomatic dharma. Pada 4 (Scorpio navamsa) — Deep nourishment, intense protection, transformative dharma.
What does Pushya signify?
Pushya signifies nourishment, protection, dharma, prosperity. Natives often align with these themes throughout life — choose careers, partners and remedies that strengthen rather than fight these signatures.
Is Pushya good or bad?
Nakshatras are not "good" or "bad" — they are signatures. Pushya's Light (Laghu) quality + Deva gana classification mean activities that match the signature (nourishment, protection) flourish, while activities that fight it stall. Match your goals to the signature, not the reverse.
