Uttara Ashadha is the twenty-first nakshatra, spanning 26°40′ Sagittarius to 10°00′ Capricorn in the sidereal zodiac, ruled by the Sun and presided over by the Vishvedevas, the universal gods. Its name means "the later invincible", and its symbol is an elephant's tusk, or in some lists the planks of a bed.
Where Purva Ashadha wins through conviction, Uttara Ashadha wins through steadiness and principle, and its victories are said to last. It is one of the fixed (dhruva) nakshatras, and its first pada sits in Sagittarius while the other three sit in Capricorn. The Sun's entry into sidereal Capricorn, celebrated as Makar Sankranti, happens inside this nakshatra.
The Vishvedevas: all the gods together
The Vishvedevas are a group of deities, usually counted as ten, invoked together as "all the gods". Their names in the lists include truth (Satya), will and resolve (Kratu), steadfastness (Dhriti) and time (Kala), among others, though the lists vary between texts. The point of the group is universality: virtues that belong to everyone and serve everyone.
A nakshatra under their care is associated with integrity, fairness, responsibility to the wider community and goals that benefit more than oneself. Uttara Ashadha people are often trusted with leadership precisely because they are seen as fair, and they tend to feel uneasy with shortcuts.
The elephant's tusk suggests strength that is slow, dignified and not easily broken. The bed planks, shared with the Phalguni pair, point to support and stability.
The Sun between Jupiter and Saturn
The nakshatra lord is the Sun: authority, the father, the soul, leadership and clarity of purpose. In the Sagittarius pada the sign lord is Jupiter, a natural friend of the Sun, and the mix is idealistic and principled. In the three Capricorn padas the sign lord is Saturn, a natural enemy of the Sun, and the mix becomes more disciplined, duty-bound and patient, with ambition that pays off late rather than early.
That tension between the Sun's wish to lead and Saturn's demand for hard work is the heart of Uttara Ashadha. Fields associated with it include administration, government service, law, management, teaching, the armed forces and any career where reputation is built over years.
Temperament and growth areas
Common strengths: integrity, reliability, patience, a strong sense of duty, fairness in dealing with others and the ability to see a long project through. Many are respected as the steady person in any group.
Growth areas, framed as tendencies: seriousness that forgets to rest, rigidity when a principle meets a messy real situation, taking on others' burdens without asking for help, and impatience with people who do not share their standards. The Vishvedevas are many gods, not one, and the mature Uttara Ashadha learns that fairness includes room for other ways of doing things.
The nakshatra is one layer. One factor never decides a chart; the whole kundli, including the lagna and the running dasha, is read together.
Gana, yoni and nadi
- Gana: Manushya (human), practical and grounded; most comfortable with Manushya or Deva partners in the gana koota.
- Yoni: Mongoose (male). Uttara Ashadha is the only mongoose nakshatra, so no partner shares its yoni. Its traditional enemy is the serpent (Rohini and Mrigashira).
- Nadi: Antya (kapha).
The kundli matching tool shows these alongside the other five kootas, and the gun milan guide explains how they add up.
Muhurta nature
Muhurta Chintamani groups Uttara Ashadha with Rohini, Uttara Phalguni and Uttara Bhadrapada as the fixed (dhruva) nakshatras. These are favoured for anything meant to last: laying foundations, entering a new home, planting trees, beginning a long-term commitment, and in many traditions marriage. As always, the tithi, weekday and lagna are weighed too.
Abhijit
Some muhurta systems use a twenty-eighth nakshatra, Abhijit, carved from the last part of Uttara Ashadha and the opening of Shravana. It is considered highly auspicious for beginnings. The standard 27-nakshatra division used for birth charts and the Vimshottari dasha does not include it.
The four padas of Uttara Ashadha
Pada 1: Sagittarius 26°40′ to 30°00′ (Sagittarius navamsa)
Sagittarius in Sagittarius, so this pada is vargottama. It is the most idealistic and philosophical pada, driven by principle, faith and a wish to teach or guide. Naming syllable: Bhe.
Pada 2: Capricorn 0°00′ to 3°20′ (Capricorn navamsa)
Capricorn in Capricorn, also vargottama. This pada is ambitious, practical and extremely persistent, the classic builder who climbs slowly and holds on. Naming syllable: Bho.
Pada 3: Capricorn 3°20′ to 6°40′ (Aquarius navamsa)
Saturn's airy navamsa brings social conscience, interest in systems and groups, and an independent streak. Jupiter's deepest debilitation point, 5° Capricorn, falls in this pada. Naming syllable: Ja.
Pada 4: Capricorn 6°40′ to 10°00′ (Pisces navamsa)
Jupiter's water navamsa softens Capricorn's discipline with compassion, imagination and spiritual interest. Naming syllable: Ji.
The navamsa signs are computed; the character notes are traditional and vary by author.
Planets in Uttara Ashadha
The Sun in its own nakshatra is generally read as purposeful, though in the Capricorn padas it sits in a sign of its natural enemy. Jupiter is debilitated throughout Capricorn, deepest at 5°, so Jupiter in padas 2 to 4 is read carefully alongside any neecha-bhanga. Capricorn is also Mars's sign of exaltation, though its deepest point at 28° lies well beyond this nakshatra. A lagna in Uttara Ashadha tends to give a dignified, responsible bearing.
Birth nakshatra and dasha
A Moon here starts the Vimshottari dasha with the Sun, followed by the Moon, Mars and Rahu. Its neighbours are Purva Ashadha and Shravana. Find your own nakshatra and pada with the free kundli, or browse all 27 in the nakshatra guide.