In the series of Nakshatras, the Twentieth nakshatra is Purvashada.  Detailed information on the Nakshatra, its characteristics, gender, gana, and all the details is given below:

Purvashada Nakshatra ranges from 13 degrees 20 minutes and 26 degrees 40 minutes in Dhanus Rasi. The presiding deity for Purvashada nakshatra is Apah or Apas. Purvashada nakshatra symbols are Hand Fan and Winnowing Basket. The planetary ruler is Venus.

Purvashada Nakshatra:

Purvashada comes from the Sanskrit word meaning "The Former Invincible” or “The Former unconquered one”.  It signifies the basic attribute of invincibility, or “Aparajita” which means previously undefeated. 

The symbol is the Hand Fan.  The other symbol is Winnowing Basket which is used for separating grain from Husk.  This in ways represent improvement of life and comfort.  It also represents the ability to get through any difficult situation as well as inspiring energy that pushes the native to keep going in every situation.  The winnowing basket represents the nature of uncovering hidden talents. 

The presiding deity is “Apas” or “Apah” which means “Water”. She is said to be the Venusian Goddess and female counterpart of “Varuna”, the overseer of celestial waters which sustains the Universe.  She purifies and cleanses once sins and washes away the impurities. 

The planetary ruler is Venus.  Venus is the Goddess of Love.  Venus is known to balance and harmonize between sexual and sensual pleasure.  

Characteristics:

Purvashada nakshatra natives will be ambitious, adventurous, and dependable with strong faith.  They will have a strong belief in themselves and will consider themselves to be invincible. Poorvashada people will follow rules and will not be intimidated by setbacks but rather will be inspired and work hard towards achieving goals.  They will be persuasive and hence will win any arguments or discussions.  They will be strong and determined and will stick to the decisions taken till the end.  They will be spiritually or religiously inclined.  They will be very optimistic and show zeal to rise up from any unpleasant situation. They are honest and reliable but they try to maintain some secrets.  They are very compassionate and will understand others problems easily.  Their way of working, communicating and dressing are all flamboyant.  They love their freedom and live their life in their own set of rules.  They like to live life in style

They will be quick in advising others but will not be ready to take advice from others.  They like to show off their achievements which may slightly go overboard.  They will be very inflexible and will stick to their point which will prove problematic. They tend to be argumentative. They will have a bad temper if things don’t go their way.

Physical characteristics:

Purvashada nakshatra natives will be attractive, strong, and tall.  They will have broad head, prominent nose with good personality.  They will have well-proportioned ears, eyes, and mouth.  They will have jovial countenance. 

Padas of Purvashada Nakshatra:

1^st pada or Simha navamsa: When the native is born in Purvashada nakshatra, between 13 degrees 20 minutes to 16 degrees 40 minutes in Dhanus rasi, they are in the first pada of Purvashada Nakshatra.  The first pada is ruled by Sun(Ravi).  Those born in the first pada will be very optimistic and can handle any bad situation with ease.  They like to be the center of attention and will show off their achievements.  They will make great efforts to be recognized.  They will have a lot of confidence bordering towards overconfidence.  They tend to give unasked advice to others.  They believe in truth, justice, and fairness.  They will be great artists. They will be given to anger easily.

2^nd pada or Kanya navamsa - When the native is born in Purvashada nakshatra, between 16 degrees 40 minutes to 20 degrees in Dhanus Rasi, they are in the second pada of Purvashada nakshatra.  The second pada is ruled by Mercury(Budha). Those born in the second pada of Purvashada nakshatra will be very good at communication.  They will win over others easily.  They will be very progressive in their approach to fixing things.  They will work very hard for financial success in life and like to show off their wealth at any given chance as well. 

3^rd pada or Tula Navamsa - When the native is born in Purvashada nakshatra, between 20 degrees to 23 degrees and 20 minutes of Dhanus Rasi they are in the third pada of Purvashada nakshatra.  The third pada is ruled by Venus (Shukra). Those born in the third pada will be very artistic along with good communication skills.  They will have a very big friends network and will try to help others in return expecting a lot of recognition and praise.  They will be financially strong and will make wise financial decisions.  They like to live in luxury.  Even a person with minimal standards of living will try to show off. 

4^th pada or Vrischika Navamsa - When the native is born in Purvashada nakshatra between 23 degrees 20 minutes to 26 degrees and 40 minutes in Dhanus Rasi, they are in the fourth pada of Purvashada nakshatra.  The fourth pada is ruled by Mars(Kuja). Those born in the fourth pada will be very honest but very secretive as well.  They like mystical things and will try to learn those subjects sometime in life.  They will be mostly hands-on workers and will honestly help their kith and kin when in need, but again will expect some type of word of praise.  They will take pride in their work.  They will be very determined and strong-willed and will complete the work taken up without fail. 

Auspicious activities:

Below are the events that can be performed in Purvashada nakshatra.

·      Marriage

·      Medical treatments

·      Water related activities

·      Worshipping esp. female deities

·      Adventure

·      Starting education/Art

·      First Sex

·      Giving a loan or taking a loan

·      Agricultural activities

·      Confront others in settling issues

·      Sailing or flying

·      War activities

Professions suitable:

The Professions suitable for Purvashada nakshatra natives are

·      Attorney

·      Entertainment industry (actors/artists)

·      Motivational speaker

·      Travel and tourism

·      Foreign trade

·      Transportation (Air/water/road)

·      Marine

·      Hospitality

·      Beauticians

·      Doctors(plastic surgeons)

·      Textile/costume designers

·      Artist/Music

·      International trade

·      Health sector

·      Writers

·      Hypnotists/psychics

·      Event managers

·      Beverage industry

Health:

Primary body parts represented by Purvashada nakshatra are thighs and back portion of trunk. Ailments related to Purvashada nakshatra are:

·      Arthritis

·      Lymphatic system ailments

·      Autoimmune disorder

·      Blood pressure/cholesterol

·      Back pain/sciatica pain

·      STDs

·      Indigestion

·      Kidney

·      Diabetes

·      Water retention in the body

·      Nose and throat

·      Terminal illness like cancer

Other information:

Gana             Manushya

Colour          Black/Dark blue

Planet Lord   Venus

Guna             Rajasic

Nadi              Pitta

Gender          Female

Nature           Cruel or Ugra

Element         Air

Direction       East

Varna            Brahmin

Animal          Male Monkey

Bird               Shuka (Parrot), Pigeon

Tree               Ashoka, Guduchi

Syllables        Bu, Dha, Ea, Eaa

Mythology #1

One fine day Sage Valmiki came to know that the Great Hanuman too had penned the adventures of Rama on rocks engraving with his nails.  Valmiki’s curiosity got aroused and he travelled to Himalayas to see this version of Ramayana.  Hanuman Carried Valmiki and placed him on a ledge from where he could read the Ramayana on the rocks. Valmiki kept on reading rock to rock, cliff to cliff, climbing up and down. Sometimes he laughed loudly and at times his eyes brimmed with tears. Valmiki was overwhelmed by the sheer power and depth of devotion and love of the amazing narrative. Valmiki was joyous at having had the chance to read such an exquisite work of art and sad because it overshadowed his own work. Hanuman politely asked him the reason for his sorrow.  Valmiki mentioned that Hanuman’s Ramayana is marvelous and every image and every word is alive and filled with devotion.  He further mentioned that his version of Ramayana which he has written over a period of twelve years, is no match for Hanuman’s work.  Listening to this Hanuman thought for a moment and then he broke all the slabs of rock whereon he wrote Ramayana.  He kept all those broken stones on his right shoulder and on his left he carried Valmiki to an ocean.  On reaching the middle of the ocean Hanuman said loudly “ May these be an offering to my Lord”. With these words, he threw his own version into the sea, where they raised huge waves before disappearing into the depths of the ocean. Valmiki watched it speechless, overcome with shame and guilt.  But, Hanuman seemed unperturbed and cheerful.  He returned the sage to his hermitage and asked him not to worry, as he wrote Ramayana to while away his time.  The Ramayana is a story of tyaga, or renunciation and this aspect of Hanuman’s personality is considered to be far more important than his skills.  Selfless, and compassionate, his loyalty is always to his master.  Hanuman willingly drowned his masterpiece in order to spare a poet’s wounded pride.  This was the first and greatest Ramayana called the Hanumad Ramayana.  Which like the original veda, was lost and preserved only in fragments. Valmiki then said to Hanuman that at another age he will take birth again and devote his life to Hanuman’s service and retell the story Hanuman had told in common man language.  Hanuman smiled and said “Victory to Lord Rama”.