Shravana Nakshatra

The meaning of Shravana and its symbol

Shravana is the 22nd of the 27 nakshatras. Its name comes from the root shru, to hear, the same root as shruti, the Vedic knowledge that was heard by the sages and passed down by listening. The month of Shravan takes its name from this nakshatra, as the full Moon of that month falls in or near it.

Its symbols are an ear and three footprints. The ear is the organ of learning in a tradition where knowledge was taught by recitation; Shravana is the nakshatra of attentive listening. The three footprints recall Vishnu's three strides as Vamana, with which he measured the earth, the sky and the heavens. Together they describe a nakshatra that learns by listening and then moves steadily across wide distances.

The deity: Vishnu, the preserver

The deity of Shravana is Vishnu, the preserver of the universe. In the Vamana story, Vishnu comes as a small Brahmin boy to King Bali and asks for only as much land as he can cover in three steps. When the gift is granted, he grows vast and covers all the worlds in three strides, restoring order without a war.

The story shows the quiet power of humility, patience and right timing, qualities Shravana is known for. Vishnu also sustains and connects everything, which is why this nakshatra is linked with networks, communication and holding communities together.

Lord, gana, yoni, nadi and nature

Shravana is ruled by the Moon, the planet of the mind, feelings and receptivity. A person born with the Moon in Shravana begins life in the Moon Mahadasha of the Vimshottari system. The Moon makes Shravana sensitive to what others say and feel, and gives a good memory.

Its gana is Deva, the gentle and giving temperament. Its yoni is the monkey, an animal of quick learning and lively intelligence, which it shares with Purva Ashadha. Its nadi is Antya. Its nature is Chara, movable, linked with travel and change.

• Lord: Moon
• Deity: Vishnu
• Gana: Deva
• Yoni: Monkey
• Nadi: Antya
• Group: Chara (movable)

Where Shravana falls in the zodiac

Shravana spans Capricorn 10°00′ to Capricorn 23°20′ of the sidereal zodiac, so all four padas are in Capricorn, the sign of Saturn. Capricorn gives structure, ambition and patience, and the Moon in Saturn's sign tends to make Shravana natives earnest, hard-working and mindful of tradition. Its beginning, close to the end of Uttara Ashadha, also holds part of the Abhijit span used in muhurta.

The four padas of Shravana

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

• Pada 1 (Capricorn 10°00′ to 13°20′): Aries navamsha, name sound Khi; energetic and ambitious
• Pada 2 (Capricorn 13°20′ to 16°40′): Taurus navamsha, name sound Khu; steady, practical, careful with money
• Pada 3 (Capricorn 16°40′ to 20°00′): Gemini navamsha, name sound Khe; communicative, clever, versatile
• Pada 4 (Capricorn 20°00′ to 23°20′): Cancer navamsha, name sound Kho; caring, emotional, family-minded

Personality

People born in Shravana tend to be good listeners, thoughtful and well-informed. They learn by paying attention, remember what they hear and often become a source of advice for others. Many respect tradition, scripture and their elders, and some are drawn to religious study or chanting.

They are usually polite, reserved and quietly ambitious, working steadily towards their aims like Vishnu's patient strides. Their lesson is not to take in so much of others' opinions that they lose their own voice. The Moon's sensitivity can also make them take criticism to heart; learning to filter what they hear helps them stay calm.

Career and work

Shravana natives often do well in fields built on listening and knowledge: teaching, counselling, languages, translation, research, journalism, broadcasting, music and religious or classical learning. Its link with connection suits telecommunications, media and networking roles.

Capricorn adds aptitude for administration, management, travel and tourism, and any organised work that rewards patience. They are often valued as advisers, the person others consult before a decision.

Love and relationships

In love Shravana natives tend to be attentive, caring and loyal. They listen to their partner and remember what matters to them, which makes the other person feel valued. They usually seek a stable, respectful relationship rather than drama.

Their reserve can make them slow to express strong feelings in words. Speaking openly about their needs, as well as listening, tends to keep their relationships balanced and warm.

Compatibility

In Ashtakoota matching, Shravana shares the monkey yoni with Purva Ashadha, which scores the full 4 yoni points. The sheep, the yoni of Krittika and Pushya, is the monkey's traditional opposite, so that pairing scores low on yoni. As a Deva gana nakshatra, Shravana tends to match well with Deva and Manushya natives and less easily with Rakshasa gana.

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

What is traditionally begun under Shravana

As a Chara, or movable, nakshatra, Shravana is traditionally chosen for travel, vehicles, moving house and things meant to change. Its link with listening also makes it a classical choice for beginning study and learning from a teacher. A muhurta also weighs the tithi, weekday and the rest of the panchang.