Sharvana Nakshatra

Shravana is symbolized by an ear, emphasizing the idea of listening to the truth. It is also symbolized by the three steps taken by Vamana Deva, Vishnu/Krishna’s incarnation, to show his omnipotent and omniscient nature. The presiding deity is Vishnu, who preserves the universe. Therefore, it is a good time to take positive actions to maintain, improve and enhance your life: exercise; eat properly and focus on listening; organize your office or file important paperwork; get a new home or move into a new office; begin a new venture etc. It is especially a good time to start taking care of your health, such as visiting a doctor or taking herbal supplements or other natural remedies. The Goddess of learning, Saraswati is also associated with this Nakshatra, so any artistic or scholarly pursuits will flourish now: go take a foreign language class; learn music or painting; give a speech or a lecture; practice creative writing. Shravana is ruled by the Moon, and it entirely resides in the sign Capricorn, ruled by Saturn. Any activities to organize your thoughts or to explore universal knowledge will be productive: write down your feelings and thoughts; read spiritual or philosophical books; learn meditation or chanting; attend religious ceremonies or perform spiritual activities etc. Due to its enduring and persevering nature, any activities started now will reach completion. Listen to your inner voice and take big steps toward your goal!

Footnote
+. In ancient times, people learned by hearing and by reciting. This is a great Naksahtra for learning or teaching. Also in connection with this Nakshatra is Lord Vamana Deva, an incarnation of Vishunu, asking Bali Maharaja, the demon who had conquered the entire universe, for three steps of land. Bali Maharaja’s guru forbade him from giving any charity and pointed out the dwarf Brahmana was Vishnu in disguise planning to take everything. Bali Maharaja chose to listen to Vamana Deva. He was actually happy when Vamana Deva, with his first two steps, covered all the lower, middle and upper planetary systems. He offered his head for the third step and showed the path of complete surrender. We need to know whom to listen to, before we can benefit from this Nakshatra.

Who is Shravana?

You are a channel to connect humanity with higher knowledge. In ancient times, the sages learned everything from listening and passed everything down through speaking. As a born teacher and a counselor, you are very understanding, charitable and compassionate toward others and have an intention to serve all humanity by giving the truth. As the symbol “Ear” suggests, you are an expert at connecting others together or helping connect someone with their inner self by listening and advising. In your special presence, others feel encouraged to “listen to their inner voice”, and feel firmly grounded and supported in their truth. The presiding deity is Vishnu, the maintainer of the universe. Very good at structuring and very tactful in your approach, you might be looked upon as a born diplomat, but with a heart and humor. You are enduring and persuasive, someone who completes tasks and goals slowly but steadily. Another deity related to Shravana is Saraswati, the Goddess of learning. You enjoy spending time alone and love gaining knowledge through reading, and you see life as a continuous learning experience. You are also very artistic and you excel in public speaking or writing. Since it is a Nakshatra ruled by the Moon within a Saturn sign, you might be prone to depression or become too sensitive to other people’s opinions. Sometimes you are too generous in giving and you could be taken advantage of, and end up feeling betrayed. You can also become heady, narrow-minded and critical of others from your accumulated knowledge. You can also end up using your cleverness in achieving unwholesome goals, if you are influenced by the wrong people. The most important advice here is to remain accepting, while being discriminative in your “Listening”: Keep good company of those who support and encourage you. Know people appreciate your insight, be open hearted and become the clearest channel you can be!

Famous people:
CG Jung, the pioneering psychologist, who showed the connection between individuals and symbols that transcended cultures had his Ascendant in Shravana. Henry Ford, Moon in Shravana, by developing the mass production system, made the automobile accessible for everyone everywhere. Lewis Carroll, Sun in Shravana, the author of “Alice in Wonderland”, expressed his truthful insights through imaginative writing. Oprah Winfrey has her Sun in Shravana. On a mundane or material level, no one is more famous than Oprah Winfrey for hearing. Her following and popularity all begin with her ability to listen to others, hear their stories and be sympathetic. Mozart also has his Sun in this Nakshatra, and is famous for creating music by being a channel for celestial sound.

Special Power:
“Samhanana Shakti” means “power of providing connection”. Shravana people are excellent at connecting individuals with others, appropriate paths or their inner self.

Strength: Great capacity for learning; success in foreign lands; lives a prosperous, balanced and modest life; ethical; studies scriptures and ancient knowledge; contemplative; drawn to working for social and humanitarian causes, vigilant to highest good; helps others transform their lives; has a good marriage and a helpful partner; articulate speaker, well-liked; cordial in business; creative; quick learner; knowledge to transcend the material world.

Weakness: Hypersensitive; overly concerned with reputation; pessimistic; an unyielding nature; extreme views concerning ethics; excessive generosity that may lead to debt and poverty; develops adversaries and enemies due to jealousy and gossip.

Professions: Teacher, linguist, speech therapists, language translators, story tellers, religious scholar, educator, politicians, business, researcher, geologist, telephone operators, preservation of ancient traditions, comedian, music industry, news broadcasters, talk show host, counselors, psychiatrists, psychologists, astrologers, radio operator, transportation, tourism, hotel and restaurant industry, healers, holistic medicine, general medical profession, charity worker

Favorable Activities: Beginning new ventures, counseling, listening, travel, buying property, medical treatment, socializing, learning, study languages, reading and writing, music, philosophy, meditation, religious activities, politics, humanitarian activities

Unfavorable Activities: Activities requiring aggression, lawsuits, battles or wars, taking risks, making promises, taking oaths, completion of activity, lending money, marriage, adoption

Sacred Energy/Remedy: Thiruppaarkadal Sri Alarmel Mangai Samedha Sri Prasanna Venkatesa Perumal Temple

The sacred vortex associated with the energy of Shravana star is located in the village of Thiruppaarkadal in Tamil Nadu, India. The name Thiruppaarkadal represents the ambrosia and nectar that comes from the milky ocean. This name exudes the energy of Lord Vishnu, who is the ruler of Shravana. Lord Vishnu manifested as Sri Prasanna Venkatesa Perumal at this temple, where he is accompanied by his consort, Sri Alarmel Mangai.

This deity is rare as it embodies aspects of both Lord Vishnu and Lord Shiva. A pooja for a pot-like vessel containing nectar is conducted everyday at Thiruppaarkadal. The face of the vessel represents Lord Vishnu while the neck of the vessel is Lord Shiva. This offering assists those people who have lost their faith in the divine.

Those born under Shravana star, as well as those who are born under other stars, should worship here frequently. One should perform archana and abhishekham with milk, honey, ghee and sugar. This will bring blessings to manifest one’s desires. Those receiving the darshan of Sri Prasanna Venkatessa Perumal at Thiruppaarkadal will receive the bountiful energy from all of the incarnations of Lord Vishnu. It is also favorable to receive darshan on the third moon phase in order to assist the education of one’s children.

People who suffer from deafness or hearing problems should play instruments on Shravana day at Thiruppaarkadal Temple. Worshipping the energy of the sacred sounds enhances a person’s hearing capacity through Divine Grace. This temple is also an auspicious place for doctors who specialize in Otolaryngology (ears, nose and throat) to worship.