Nakshatra Padas in Ravana Samhita – Ardra Nakshatra by Babban Kumar Singh

Article by Babban Kumar Singh

Planets give different phalas (results) in each of the 27 nakshatras (lunar mansions). These phalas relate to the quarter (charana/pada) of a nakshatra in which a planet is placed and the dristhi (aspect) of other planets that it receives. The beauty of Ravana Samhita is that a planet in one pada might give problematical results, whereas in the next pada of the same nakshatra it can give fortunate results. This difference is subtly highlighted and one that an intelligent student must not ignore. Here follows the sixth in this series of translations of Ravana Samhita, relating to the sixth asterism Mrigashira, which stretches from 66 degrees-40 minutes to 80 degrees of the natural zodiac. The Lord of this nakshatra is Rahu or Dragons Head. Ardra means ‘moist’. The presiding deity of Ardra Nakshatra is Rudra the storm god. Rudra is the lord of Destruction. He is the leader of the nervous system. He is the younger brother of lord Indra. Lord Shiva is also known as Rudra.

Ardra constellation is the 6^th constellation located in the sign of Gemini & has the Navamsas of Jupiter & Saturn. 1^st Navamsa is that of Sagittarius, 2^nd Navamsa is that of Capricorn, 3^rd Navamsa is that of Aquarius, 4^th Navamsa is that of Pisces. This must be borne in mind when reading the results of various 4 padas (quarters) as per some scholars, at times one finds the traits of the navamsa sign and lord giving results as per padas but at times it does not make sense. The toughest part of astrology for the non-obsessive predictors that is the ‘Explorers’ is to understand why the Rishi has given such and such a result, to understand the basis of the results given in classics for a particular combination but unfortunately the sages never explained the reasoning nor have the past scholars been successful in explaining it all. Please note that it is very difficult to find charts where planet would be in exact pada and it takes a long time to find one. So here we have taken Sun in Ardra Nak, ignoring the pada number given by Ravana and only trying to understand if the results in actual charts are atleast nearby. This will be followed in all examples.

General results of being born in Ardra Nakshatra

1. Such natives are extremely sincere in their work and also are too sensitive. It is noticed that even when in a slight problematic situation they go through mental torture but ironically at times they can keep a very cool head under great stressful situations.
2. If females have the first menses in this Nakshatra, she will have immoral life, defective sexual organ, will give birth to dead children.
3. Normally, a native born in this constellation earns his livelihood away from his home and family. In other words he is settled in foreign places. The period between 32 years and 42 years of age will be the golden period for such natives. He may be employed in transport, shipping, communication departments or industries. He may also earn as a book seller or finance broker.
4. His marriage will be delayed. In case marriage takes place early he will be compelled to live separately from the family either due to difference of opinion between the couple or due to other circumstances beyond his control. When the marriage takes place at a later stage his married life will be good. His spouse will exercise full control over him.
5. He may have some diseases which may term to be sometimes incurable. For example, heart trouble and dental problems. He is also prone to Asthma, cosonophilia, dry cough, ear trouble. Women born in this nakshatra would be prone to menstrual troubles, asthma, and spoiled blood, lack of blood or uterus trouble, ear trouble, mumps, bilious and phlegmatic.

SA Commentary: In the above part it is presumed that Ravana is speaking about the Natal Nakshatra in which moon is placed which is called the Janma Nakshatra. In Vedic Astrology the Janma Nakshatra is of one where the Moon is placed and this is what has been followed by all through the centuries but an authority like Sage Satyacharya who is often quoted by Varahamihira, writes in his Satyachareeyam translated by Late C G Rajan that out of the stronger between the lagna nakshatra and Moon nakshatra, the strongest will be called Janma Nakshatra and the results should be seen there from. This point is not to be seen in any classic and practice shows that Sage Satyacharya has a valid point. Apart from this point, in the examples below we would also be taking the Lagna Nakshatra as a point and co-relating it to what Ravana has said above.

Chart 1: Book Seller

The native of the chart below has Lagna Nakshatra in Ardra Nakshatra and you can see that Ravana has in Point 3 above mentioned that such a native can be a book seller or in communications department, this native is also working in communications industry and also is a book seller matching exactly with what Ravana has said thousands of years back. In Point 1 Ravana writes that native will be extremely sincere in his work and very sensitive and also with slight problems he would go through mental torture but ironically keep great cool in extreme tough situations. This is totally true in the case of the native. Point 4 mentions marriage will be delayed and this is also true. All the diseases marked in bold in Point 5 above is true in this chart below and the native suffers from all inspite of being so young in age.

Ardra Nakshatra

Sun in Ardra

• If Sun in Ardra Nakshatra & aspected by Moon, the native will be troubled by his own relatives and he leaves his native place for his livelihood, but there also he meets with failure initially.
• If Sun in Ardra Nakshatra & Mars aspects, he will be prone to laziness & problems will be created by his enemies
• If Sun in Ardra Nakshatra & Mercury aspects, he cannot enjoy much benefits in life but his children will get support from the government, he will be subjected to envy from his relatives on account of prosperity of his children
• If Sun in Ardra Nakshatra & Jupiter aspects, he is an expert in mantras and tantras, does not enjoy good family life, wanders;
• If Sun in Ardra Nakshatra & Venus aspects, the native goes to foreign land and earns reasonable wealth but is lost when the dasa of Jupiter commences;
• If Sun in Ardra Nakshatra & Saturn aspects, the native is cunning and suffers humiliation from the hands of women.

Sun in Ardra

First Pada – 66.40 degree to 70.00 degree – Navamsa Of Sagittarius

• He will be highly educated and wealthy. He can be a good astrologer. Employment may be in the field of Accounts or Mathematics.
• If Sun in this nakshatra is in association with Jupiter and Mercury, twin birth of male children takes place.
• If Venus is also situated in this nakshatra with Sun, the native may join Defense or Police department. His eye sight will become weak at old age.

SA Commentary:

Above in Point 2 it is given if Sun is in Ardra Nak and in association with Jup & Mer, twin birth of male children takes place. Below are data from Astro Data Bank and as mentioned earlier we have ignored the exact pada placement as it’s difficult to find such charts.

Chart: Sees, Leslie

American homicide; housewife who shot her husband and twin sons to death and wounded her six-year-old daughter, then placing the gun in her mouth and committed suicide.  She also had worked for General Dynamics for 11 years, off and on.  Ready to go back to work when she got pregnant with the twins, she had had abortions before, and after her last delivery, had a tubal ligation done. As one can see in this chart Sun is in the nakshatra Ardra and so is Jupiter, Mer is retrograde and in Punarvasu going back towards Ardra thereby forming the rule mentioned in Ardra nakshatra giving birth to male twins.

Chart: Hayward, Susan – American Actress

American actress who has done more than 50 films in 35 years.  A model at 18, she made her debut film in 1938, winning Oscars for “I’ll Cry Tomorrow,” 1955 and “I Want to Live,” 1958.  She had two marriages and a set of twins, Timothy and Gregory Barker. Time of birth is uncertain and Christopher P. Anderson, “A Star is a Star is a Star,” gives “the morning of June 30, 1918”. Still the nakshatras won’t change for Sun, here you see Sun is in Ardra Nakshatra, Mer is in association with Sun forming the rule given by Ravana Samhita but Jupiter is not associated with the Sun yet the native had twins. One can stretch it by observing that Jupiter is in Kritika nakshatra which is ruled by the Sun thus forming a nak dispositor relationship and forming the rule of Ravana Samhita.

Second Pada – 70.00 degree to 73.20 degree – Navamsa Of Capricorn

• He is witty, affectionate and sweet natured. He will be a scholar, sweet in speech, liked by his family members.
• If Jupiter is also placed in this nakshatra, the native either becomes a minister or a very high government officer.
• If Saturn joins, he will be associating with metals; can become a danger to his children and his wife.

SA Commentary:

Let us take the 2^nd point written by Ravana where he says that if Jupiter is also placed in this nakshatra along with Sun then native becomes a minister or a very high government officer. Again we ignore the pada number for sake of lack of charts except the first case presented below where the Sun is exactly in the 2^nd pada.

Chart: Ross Perot, US Presidential Candidate

This chart belongs to Ross Perot, who ran as a Reform Party candidate for US Presidency for two elections, in 1992 and 1996, putting in large amounts of his own money for TV coverage. You can see that Sun is exactly in the 2^nd pada & Jupiter in the same nak and as per Ravana Samhita it gives political ministerial positions, which he almost attained but lost which can be seen that Saturn in the 7H causes ups and downs in the 4^th from it as per BSP-1 rule and here it caused the downfall in the 10^th house of gains.

Chart: Menem Akil, Carlos, Argentinean President

Sun & Jupiter are in Ardra Nakshatra, but Sun is not in 2^nd pada as per our text, yet it has given him top political position which is what the text indicated.

Following are the data of other politicians where Sun and Jup are in Ardra nakshatra, Name: Fox, Vincente, Date: 2^nd July 1942, Time: 09:45 CST (+6:00), Place: Mexico City, Mexico – Mexican politician, Opposition leader who won the presidential elections on his birthday,2^nd July 2000.  Name: Laval, Pierre, Date: 6/28^th June 1883, Time: 10:00 LMT (-0:14), Place: Chateldon, France – French lawyer and socialist politician.  The Prime Minister of France, executed in October 1945. He was called “the Evil Genius of France.”  He was Prime Minister from 1931-32, again in 1935-36, and finally under the Vichy regime from 1942-44.

Third Pada – 73.20 degree to 76.40 degree – Navamsa Of Aquarius

• Learned in various disciplines.
• He/she may be a reputed astrologer after 40 years of age.
• He may earn his regular income as an accounts keeper or Financial Adviser or from the banking institutions.
• Bronchitis or Lung disorders.

SA Commentary:

Ravana says if Sun is in 3^rd pada man would become reputed astrologer after 40 years of age and would have lung disorders. See chart below of Kirn, Beatrice O.

Chart: Kirn, Beatrice O.

American astrologer, an AFA member since June 1946, very active in research. Kirn died of pulmonary edema after a short illness 13th Mar 1964, Port Charlotte. You can see that Kirn had Sun in 3^rd pada of Ardra making him astrologer and also having lung disorder.

Chart: Stapleton, Maureen – American Actor

Sun is not in the 3^rd pada of Ardra but in the 1^st pada. American actress who has a fine talent for comedy, as shown in “Plaza Suite,” but is usually considered a dramatic actress. Stapleton died March 13, 2006 from chronic pulmonary disease, age 80, in Lenox, MA.

Chart: Cochran, Steve

Sun is not in 3^rd pada of Ardra but in 2^nd pada of Ardra is to be noted. American actor; from his start with summer stock in 1939 he played “heavy” roles in B films of the ’40s and ’50s. He had an acute lung infection and died of edema.  On June 21, the boat was found and the three girls rescued, along with Cochran’s body.

One can note that Ardra is the 6^th nakshatra in the sign of Gemini in the Natural Zodiac which signifies lungs.

Fourth Pada – 76.40 degree to 80.00 degree – Navamsa Of Pisces

• He is noble and of good conduct. Highly learned in the shastras.
• A good position for a successful astrologer.
• He attains fame after his 39^th He is wealthy and has attractive personality.
• Marriage for males at the age of 25 years and for females at the age of 23 years.

SA Commentary:

For the position of Sun in 3^rd & 4^th pada of Ardra Nakshatra, the Ravana Samhita prescribes as being a successful astrologer. If we consider all the 4 padas of Ardra Nakshatra and placement of Sun in it then we get 96 charts of astrologers from Astro Data Bank. What is important here to decipher why 3^rd and 4^th pada and not 1^st and 2^nd pada, this cannot be understood. In general terms if one knows that Rahu is one of the most significant planets for astrology predictions and Sun is the 5^th lord of intuition in the Natural Zodiac, Sun being placed in the nakshatra of Rahu (ardra) can make one a formidable jyotish. Maybe that is what the text is trying to say but why only 3^rd and 4^th pada is a mystery.

Moon in Ardra

• If Moon in Ardra Nakshatra & aspected by Sun, the native acquires knowledge in various metaphysical sciences, but cannot accumulate wealth;
• If Moon in Ardra Nakshatra & Mars aspects, the native is learned, has a tall personality;
• If Moon in Ardra Nakshatra & Mercury aspects, the native gets good help from the government;
• If Moon in Ardra Nakshatra & Jupiter aspects, he is learned to be a teacher or a lecturer or a person imparting knowledge to others;
• If Moon in Ardra Nakshatra & Venus aspects, he will have all the comforts of life;
• If Moon in Ardra Nakshatra & Saturn aspects, he is poor.

SA Commentary

Let us take and dissect the last part where in the text says that Moon in Ardra Nakshatra and Saturn aspects it then it makes the native poor. This seems to be a statement the logic of which is not understood hence when it is working on some charts and not working on some charts cannot be known. Below we would see some charts where it works and where it does not.

Chart: Laughlin, Tom – American Actor/Producer

You can see that Moon is in Ardra in 6H aspected by Saturn from 12H. American actor, producer, director and writer of low-budget independent films. His greatest hit was, “Billy Jack” in 1971.  Striking it rich with Billy Jack he went into big production with two sequels, over expanding and declaring bankruptcy in 1984.

Chart: Foster, Stephen – American Composer

The man who wrote “Oh!, Susanna” and “Camptown Races” was the world’s first professional songwriter to earn his living by composing popular songs that he did not perform and the first to be paid in royalties rather than flat fees.  Alone and destitute, Foster died at approximately 1:00 AM on 13^th Jan 1864.  Loyal friend George Cooper had to search for the body in the hospital morgue. One can see that Moon and Saturn both are in Ardra Nakshatra

Chart: Blakeley, Brad – American Real Estate Developer

American real estate developer like his dad, the third son of entrepreneur Gerald Blakeley.  He made deals that soured or eluded him and filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy in June 1989, then Chapter 11 a month later with debts that totaled $45 million to 341 creditors.  He was accused of computer theft of $6.4 million, of racketeering, bribery, interstate trafficking in stolen goods and stealing computer parts from a warehouse.

Moon is in Ardra Nakshatra and aspected by Saturn so as per the text he is poor which is what he became. Noteworthy is Jupiter in Asc and in own sign and that too in Pisces is considered the epitome of truthfulness. But he was not looks like Saturn, Mars and Rahu made him a Polished and distinguished thief.

Let us now look at charts where the Moon in Ardra Nak aspect by Saturn is making someone rich.

Chart: Ashmole, Elias – English Alchemist

Though Moon is in Ardra and aspected by Saturn, this famous alchemist with his second marriage at 32, to 20-year-older Lady Manwaring in November 1649, he gained a foundation of riches that enabled him “to purchase books, rarities and other things.”

Chart: Astaire, Robyn

Though Moon is with Saturn in Ardra nakshatra but it has shown results contradictory to what the text is saying. Chart belongs to American jockey, the first female to ride professionally. She met Fred Astaire, 46 years her senior, for the first time on 1/01/1973. She was widowed on 6/22/1987 and well provided for; her inheritance included a $3 million home in which she still resides.

First Pada – 66.40 degree to 70.00 degree – Navamsa Of Sagittarius

• He has irritable temper and not good at heart.
• If it is with Mars, the native may earn his income as an artisan or metallurgist, as skin dealer or as a pottery maker.
• If ascendant falls in Revati and Jupiter is in this segment (ardra) with Moon, the native will attain a high status in life and earn ample wealth.
• He suffers from rheumatism in arms and shoulders.

SA Commentary:

It is difficult to get a chart where Point 3 above is seen, with Asc in Revati Nakshatra, Moon and Jupiter together in Ardra, among a search of 31,101 charts from Astro Data Bank we were unable to find one. Hence we tried creating a search where Asc is in Revati, Moon is in Ardra and Jupiter aspects either the Moon or the Asc creating a form of association to see if native attained high status in life and earned ample wealth.

Chart: John D Rockfeller, Jr – Philanthropist

The condition that Asc be in Revati is satisfied here, Moon in Ardra is satisfied (though not in 1^st pada), Jupiter is not in Ardra but aspects the Asc thereby forming a loose relation and not as per Ravana Samhita. The text says native will have high status in life and ample wealth. He was one of the richest men & belonged to American noted family, the only son and heir to one of the world’s greatest fortunes.  A business associate of his dad, John D. Sr., he devoted most of his adult life to extending the philanthropic work started by his father.  He worked with and promoted the Rockefeller Center in New York.

The text also says that if Moon is in 1^st pada of Ardra Nakshatra native will suffer from rheumatism in arms and shoulders. See chart below

Chart: Young, Pam

The chart belongs to a Canadian astrologer; Moon is in 1^st pada of Ardra Nakshatra and satisfies the condition. Obviously other factors must be taken into account like Saturn which signifies joints must be afflicted, here it is 8^th Lord retrograde, which means chronic disease and undetectable (retrograde) or not easily detectable. It is not known if the rheumatism was of arms but this is what was gotten. Canadian astrologer who had a health crisis that began suddenly on 6/30/1992 coincidentally with an eclipse. She began to feel strange and diagnosis affirmed that she had come down with acute onset rheumatoid arthritis, despite the fact that there was no history in the family. The pain level was so excessive that Pam had to take a three-month leave of absence from work.  However (with the third pass of Saturn over her Sun) she started to recover. By this time, the doctors concluded that it was a flu virus as this was not the pattern of rheumatoid arthritis.

Chart: Barnard, Christiaan

British-South African surgeon who made medical history when he performed the first human heart transplant on 3^rd Dec 1967. In December 1980, he retired from surgery because of rheumatoid arthritis. He died of an asthma attack the morning of 2^nd Sept 2001, Paphos, Cyprus, where he was vacationing. As you can see Moon is in the 1^st pada of Ardra, which is the Gemini sign so arms & shoulders is seen, but here we do not know if the arthritis was in arms or which area of body. But you can see that he died of an asthma attack, asthma means 3H afflictions or Gemini afflictions which is where Ardra nakshatra is, so eventually he Ardra did come into the picture. This way we can see the chart of famous tennis star Ivanisevic, Goran who has Moon not in 1^st pada but in 2^nd pada and he had a shoulder injury that severely impaired his famous killer serve. It might not be rheumatism of the arm/shoulder but was a shoulder injury eventually afflicting the body part described in our text.

Second Pada – 70.00 degree to 73.20 degree – Navamsa Of Capricorn

• He will be engaged in the mechanical line.
• If Venus aspect the Moon, the native will be an expert musician, mastery over various musical instruments.
• Suffers from bronchitis or asthma, bilious and phlegmatic.

SA Commentary:

Ravana Samhita says that Moon needs to be in the 2^nd pada of Ardra Nakshatra and Venus should be aspecting or associating with the moon, this will make the native an expert musician and have mastery over various musical instruments

Chart: Ray Davies – British Musician

Moon is in the Ardra Nakshatra 2^nd pada and conjoined with Venus thus forming a relation akin to that mentioned in the Ravana Samhita text. He was a multi talented musician who organized the ‘The Kinks’ in 1963 with his brother. A loner, he drew and painted, played the piano and Spanish guitar or listened to blues records

Peter Yarrow (31^st May 1938, 2 am, Manhattan, New York) another multi talented musician has Moon in 1^st pada (not 2^nd as per text), conjoined Venus and satisfies a part of the text. He is an American musician, guitarist and vocalist with the noted group “Peter, Paul and Mary” since 1961. Then we have younger brother of Ray Davies, Mr Dave Davies (3^rd Feb 1947. 01:00 am London) who has again Moon in Ardra in 3^rd pada aspected by Venus from 3H of hands), he was known to play a sizzling corkscrewing guitar. So one can observe that inspite of the pada of moon not being in 2^nd of Ardra, still if it is aspected or associated with Venus, it is making one a good musician & instrumentalist. The only exception is Steve Winwood (12^th May 1948, 05:00 am, Birmingham, England), British musician, singer, composer & producer who has Moon in 1^st pada of Ardra with Venus in the 3H of communication.

Third Pada – 73.20 degree to 76.40 degree – Navamsa Of Aquarius

• The native is intelligent, ever joyful disposition an eloquent speaker.
• If the ascendant falls in Rohini the native can have huge saving. However, if the Moon is in fall and the ascendant is Krittika or Rohini, his co-born will suffer from mental problems or brain disorder.

Fourth Pada – 76.40 degree to 80.00 degree – Navamsa Of Pisces

• He is extravagant. He will have perverted learning. Devotion to god.
• The native acquires wealth through fair means. However, he cannot enjoy a happy family life due mainly to the frequent disputes arising out of difference of opinion.

In most of the cases, it has been seen that the male native whose Moon is placed in this segment will be lower in rank than his wife and the female native repents later on due to such low position of her husband in the professional field. This indicates that both husband and wife will be employed in more or less same level.

About Author: Babban K Singh, age 40, has been studying Vedic astrology as hobby for over 10 years, and took it up seriously since 2003. He is doing prediction on chart through SA method. He is working as a Senior Journalist. He is a member of the Saptarishis Astrology Team & is noted for his humane approach towards the science. He hails from Darbhanga area of India, known for its paramparic astrology.