Shatabhisha Nakshatra

The meaning of Shatabhisha and its symbol

Shatabhisha is the 24th of the 27 nakshatras. Its name is usually read as a hundred healers, from shata, a hundred, and bhishaj, a healer. It is also called Shatataraka, the hundred stars, because it covers a wide field of faint stars in the region of Aquarius. Tradition therefore links it both with healing and with the vast, scattered, hard-to-see.

Its symbol is an empty circle. A circle encloses and protects what is inside it, and it has no beginning or end. Empty, it suggests the unseen, the veiled and the mysterious. Shatabhisha natives often have a private inner world and an interest in what lies hidden behind appearances, whether in science, philosophy or the human mind.

The deity: Varuna, the god of the cosmic waters

The deity of Shatabhisha is Varuna, the Vedic lord of the cosmic waters, the oceans and the western direction. In the Rigveda Varuna is the guardian of rita, the cosmic order and moral law, who sees all that people do and holds them to truth. He is also invoked for release from faults, and many hymns ask his forgiveness.

Through Varuna, Shatabhisha carries themes of truth, accountability and the vast unknown. Its natives often feel a strong personal sense of right and wrong, and a pull towards investigating what most people overlook.

Lord, gana, yoni, nadi and nature

Shatabhisha is ruled by Rahu, the north node of the Moon. A person born with the Moon in Shatabhisha begins life in the Rahu Mahadasha of the Vimshottari system. Rahu gives unconventional thinking, interest in technology and new ideas, and a readiness to break with custom.

Its gana is Rakshasa, a strong and independent temperament. Its yoni is the horse, an animal of speed and freedom, which it shares with Ashwini. Its nadi is Aadi. Its nature is Chara, movable, linked with travel and change.

• Lord: Rahu
• Deity: Varuna
• Gana: Rakshasa
• Yoni: Horse
• Nadi: Aadi
• Group: Chara (movable)

Where Shatabhisha falls in the zodiac

Shatabhisha spans Aquarius 6°40′ to Aquarius 20°00′ of the sidereal zodiac, so all four padas are in Aquarius, the sign of Saturn. Aquarius gives a humanitarian, scientific and group-minded outlook. Saturn's sign with Rahu as nakshatra lord tends to produce people who are serious, original and drawn to reform.

The four padas of Shatabhisha

Each pada spans 3°20′, falls in its own navamsha and carries a traditional name sound.

• Pada 1 (Aquarius 6°40′ to 10°00′): Sagittarius navamsha, name sound Go; optimistic, philosophical, generous
• Pada 2 (Aquarius 10°00′ to 13°20′): Capricorn navamsha, name sound Sa; ambitious, practical, disciplined
• Pada 3 (Aquarius 13°20′ to 16°40′): Aquarius navamsha, name sound Si; inventive and visionary; this pada is vargottama, in the same sign in both charts
• Pada 4 (Aquarius 16°40′ to 20°00′): Pisces navamsha, name sound Su; compassionate, intuitive, spiritual

Personality

People born in Shatabhisha tend to be independent, thoughtful and private. They like to study, investigate and reach their own conclusions, and they are often a step ahead of conventional opinion. Many have a scientific or analytical bent combined with an interest in philosophy and mysticism.

They value truth and can be blunt when they see something wrong. Their reserve can make them seem distant, and they may prefer solitude to crowds. Their lesson is to let others into their circle: the same circle that protects them can also keep good company out. When they share their insight, they often help many people at once.

Career and work

Shatabhisha natives tend to do well in research, science, technology, engineering, astronomy, data and any field that rewards independent investigation. The healing meaning of its name traditionally links it with the healing professions and with pharmacy and research into remedies.

Rahu and Aquarius add aviation, electronics, foreign trade, social reform and work in large networks or institutions. They are often happiest with the freedom to set their own methods and work on their own terms.

Love and relationships

In love Shatabhisha natives tend to be loyal, honest and quietly devoted once they trust someone. They need a partner who gives them room for their own interests and does not demand constant closeness.

Because they keep their feelings to themselves, a partner may not always know what they think. Small, regular gestures of openness tend to build the trust and warmth their relationships need.

Compatibility

In Ashtakoota matching, Shatabhisha shares the horse yoni with Ashwini, which scores the full 4 yoni points. The buffalo, the yoni of Hasta and Swati, is the horse's traditional opposite, so that pairing scores low on yoni. As a Rakshasa gana nakshatra, Shatabhisha tends to match most easily with another Rakshasa gana partner.

Its Aadi nadi means tradition prefers a partner of Madhya or Antya nadi. These are tendencies in one part of matching; an astrologer reads both full charts before forming a view.

What is traditionally begun under Shatabhisha

As a Chara, or movable, nakshatra, Shatabhisha is traditionally chosen for travel, vehicles, moving house and things meant to change. A muhurta also weighs the tithi, weekday and the rest of the panchang.