Brihaspati

The Myth of Pushkara and the

Pushkara Navamsha
by KOMILLA SUTTON

Pushkara Part One

Pushmeans to nourish and karameans who does or what causes. Pushkara is a special energy
that nourishes. The term pushkara is used in connection to purification of the sacred rivers of
India and the correct time to bathe in them so that all the sins of past lives can be washed of.
While the rivers are sacred all the time, there is special times when they are energised with divine
energy and this is the time to bathe in them. There are twleve sacred rivers in India and they
become energised once every twleve year. The knowledge of this time is essential in order to dip
into the holy river at the correct time. Similarly in astrology, there are certain parts of the zodiac
that are specially sanctified and becomes zones where we can be healed and the soul cleanses
itself. These positions are known as Pushkara Bhagas and navamshas. Pushkara navamsha
nourishes the quality of the planet placed within it. Pushkara navamshas are special navamshas
that enhance the quality of the planet. Pushkara bhagas are special degrees, which bring good
luck and auspicious energy to the chart. Push means to nourish and kara means who does or
what causes. So pushkara navamsha nourishes the quality of the planet placed within it. This can
take the quality of the planet from ordinary to extra-ordinary. Pushkara are not given in many
texts. They form the secret part of Vedic astrology in which when you dig deep, you come up with
gems of analysis. The secret part was essential to give serious astrologers insight where the
amateurs could fail. Chandra Kala Nadi, Jataka Parijata have a few shlokas that mention them.
Their importance is understood through understanding the myth of pushkara and its relationship
with the creator Brahma and Brihaspati (Jupiter).

Myth of Pushkara

After a prolonged penance a Brahmin called Tundila was granted a boon that he would
remain permanently with Shiva in form of Jalamayatva Siddhi. Shiva has eight forms and one
of them is Jalamayatva Siddhi, the ability to live in water. Tundila became known as
Pushkara, the one who nourishes the world as this penance gave him the power to purify all
the holy rivers for the benefit for all.

Brahma wanted water for creation and Pushkara?s ability to purify it. He pleaded with Shiva
to allow Pushkara to live in his kamandal (the water pot that Brahma keeps by his side). Shiv
granted this request. Brihaspati (Jupiter) asked Brahma that Pushkara should be with him, as
water was essential for mankind and Pushkara?s ability to purify unique. Pushkara refused,
as he did not want to leave Brahma.
Brahma resolved the situation by asking Pushkara to stay with Brihaspati for 12 days when
the latter was entering a new Rashi and 12 days when he was leaving it. On a daily basis,
Pushkara would stay with Brihaspati for a length of two Muhurta (48 minutes is one muhurta)
in the afternoon. Brahma, accompanied by all the other gods, would go with Pushkara to the
holy river being blessed. Thus, Pushkara could be with Brahma as well as with Brihaspati at
the same time. Brihaspati stays in one rashi for a year and takes 12 years to complete one
cycle of the Zodiac. When Brihaspati comes into a Rashi then the Pushkara would be with
him in the first 12 days (Aadi Pushkara) and the last 12 days (Antya Pushkara) as Brihaspati
exits the rashi. When people bathe in a holy river at the time of Pushkaram, they take the
blessings of Jupiter into the next twelve-year cycle of Brihaspati.

The twelve main rivers were blessed by Pushkara and purified once every twelve years.
Pushkaram signifies the entry of Pushkara into the river water along with all gods and
goddesses, which makes the water of that river pure for another 12 years. The entire year is
considered holy to have the dip because earthly one-year amounts to only one divine day.
During Pushkaram, the old sins can be washed away and the souls leave the water purified.
People also pay homage to their departed ancestors during this time as well. All can
experience the blessings of Pushkara twice a day when the pushkara muhurta is on by
taking a dip the holy waters.

The temple town of Pushkar in Rajasthan is blessed, as its lake is the living kamandal of
Brahma. There is a rare Brahma temple there as well. This is one of the holiest place and
people throng there to find absolution for negative past karma.

Daily there are two Pushkaram when the holy waters get energized with the godly presence
and these are the special times to take a dip in the holy waters as they are specially
energized and purified. All the gods are residing with Brahma to give their blessing to the
aspirants.

Brihaspati ( Jupiter) transits and Pushkara of the Holy Rivers

There are twelve holy rivers in ancient India and these rivers are not always easy to trace in
the present times.

The rivers blessed by Pushkar during Brihaspati Rashi transits are:

Rashi River

Mesha Ganga
Vrishibha Rewa

Mithuna Saraswati

Kartaka Yamuna

Simha Godavari

Kanya Krishnaveni

Tula Kaveri

Vrishchika Bhima

Dhanus Pushkaravahini

Makara Tungabhadra

Kumbha Indus

Mina Parineeta

Pushkara Bhaga, Navamsha and the Myth

There are two pushkara bhagas/navamshas in each sign. This reflects the fact that there are
two Pushkara muhurta daily in the afternoon. Two degrees became highly beneficial during
each month. A muhurta is 48 minutes, the start of the muhurta would represent the
Bhaga/degree as duration of it the navamsha. The navamsha and the bhaga do not always
coincide. I do not have any answers for it as yet. How the exact daily calculation is done, I
am still not aware of but will keep on researching and keep you all posted. In all these would
make 24 positions within the solar year (360º Zodiac). These positions have been
transposed into the natal chart to show degrees or navamshas, which become special
placement for the planets. The planets in these positions take a virtual dip in the holy waters
and regardless of their previous karma or weaknesses they have the ability to get redeemed
and be strengthened.

While humans can get rid of their sins by taking a dip in the holy waters during Pushkaram,
the planets in the natal chart gets similarly blessed and lose all their negative qualities. What
is important to remember is that the individuals in whose chart where the lagna or planets in
the pushkara navamshas and bhagas should want to make the changes, to find the
blessings. Otherwise these positions can just remain unrealized blessings. Brihaspati
(Jupiter) has a special relationship with Pushkara and its position in Pushkara is especially
beneficial.

The rishis and spiritualist wait for pushkara time to rise before they take a dip in the holy
waters, similarly we can get the same blessings by choosing a pushkara lagna rising in our
muhurta.

My thanks to Krishnakant, who attended my lecture on Pushkara at the DGVA Conference,

Bad Krueznack, Germany. He gave me with key to further understanding by the blessing of
knowledge from his Guru about the Pushkara and the holy rivers. I am indeed fortunate to be
able to make the connection. This information is the result of my research since then and will
give added information to the Pushkara article that follows

Pushkara: Navamsha and Bhaga by

KOMILLA SUTTON

Pushkara Part Two

Pushkara navamshas are special navamshas that enhance the quality of the planet.
Pushkara bhagas are special degrees, which bring good luck and auspicious energy to the
chart. Push means to nourish and kara means who does or what causes. So pushkara
navamsha nourishes the quality of the planet placed within it. This can take the quality of the
planet from ordinary to extra-ordinary. Pushkara are not given in many texts. They form the
secret part of Vedic astrology in which when you dig deep; you come up with gems of
analysis. The secret part was essential to give serious astrologers insight where the
amateurs could fail. Chandra Kala Nadi, Jataka Parijata have a few shlokas that mention
them. I read about Pushkara in C S Patel’s book Navamsha and Nadi Astrology, Jataka
Parijata and Chandra Kala Nadi, but the final analysis is my own research and experience.

Pushkara navamshas are special navamshas that enhance the quality of the planet.
Pushkara bhagas are special degrees, which bring good luck and auspicious energy to the
chart. Push means to nourish and kara means who does or what causes. So pushkara
navamsha nourishes the quality of the planet placed within it. This can take the quality of the
planet from ordinary to extra-ordinary. Pushkara are not given in many texts. They form the
secret part of Vedic astrology in which when you dig deep; you come up with gems of
analysis. The secret part was essential to give serious astrologers insight where the
amateurs could fail. Chandra Kala Nadi, Jataka Parijata have a few shlokas that mention
them. I read about Pushkara in C S Patel’s book Navamsha and Nadi Astrology, Jataka
Parijata and Chandra Kala Nadi, but the final analysis is my own research and experience.

Pushkara Navamsha

Navamsha is the most important varga. Planet positions in their navamsha finally decide
whether they are strong or weak in the chart. Do they feel supported or not. Therefore
Pushkara navamshas become very important. They are specific areas in charts that nourish
which give planets the capacity to heal and regenerate themselves. This special navamsha
allow the personality to flourish. Regardless of the situation of the planet, its qualities
become replenished. It is always the navamsha ruled by the same signs within the same
elements that become pushkara. Study the table below for further clarification.

Pushkara Navamsha Table by Signs and Elements

Elements Signs Pushkara Degrees Pushkara Navamsha

FIRE | Aries, Leo, Sagittarius 20 deg to 23 deg20 Libra

26 deg to 30 deg 00 Sagitarius

EARTH | Taurus, Virgo, Capricorn 06 deg 40 to 10 deg 00 Pisces

13 deg 20 to 16 deg 40 Taurus

AIR | Gemini, Libra, Aquarius 16 deg 40 to 20 deg 00 Pisces

23 deg 20 to 26 deg 40 Taurus

WATER | Cancer, Scorpio, Pisces 00 deg 00to 03 deg 20 Cancer

06 deg 40 to 10 deg 00 Virgo

While there are two Pushkara in each sign, they do not fall in Aries, Gemini, Leo, Scorpio,
Capricorn, and Aquarius navamshas. These navamshas can be taken as points of personal
development, where individual learns from their own mistakes. Aries, Gemini, Leo and
Aquarius are male signs and their navamsha may use up all the energy available to them not
try to regenerate the planetary qualities. Scorpio and Capricorn are female signs but these
are complex areas within signs. Scorpio creates sudden transformation and Capricorn
makes planet feel very burdened, even if they are well placed. As Capricorn makes us face
up to our karmic responsibilities and therefore we are not able to nurture the soul.

If planets are placed in these navamshas, it should not be taken as minus points. What
needs to be understood that these planets have to be self-motivated, their job in this life uses
up some of the positive energy saved from previous lives, and therefore pushkara does not
nourish them. That may not be negative, just the way life is. Not everything can be saved up
or nurtured. But by being aware of these qualities, we can make sure that we learn to nourish
them through our actions.

 Pushkara navamsha can be classified through nakshatras padas as follows

 Ketu Nakshatras (Ashwini, Magha, and Mula) do not have any pushkara navamsha.
 3rd pada (Libra) of Venus nakshatras- Bharani, Purva Phalguni, Purva Ashadha
 1st pada, Sagittarius and 4th pada, Pisces of Sun nakshatras- Krittika, Uttara
Phalguni, Uttara Ashadha
 2nd pada Taurus of Moon nakshatras- Rohini, Hasta, Shravana
 Mars (Mrigasira, Chitra, and Dhanishta) do not have any pushkara navamsha.
 4th pada Pisces of Rahu nakshatra- Ardra, Swati and Shatabhishak
 2nd pada (Taurus) and 4th pada (Cancer) of Jupiter nakshatras- Punarvasu,
Vishakha, Purva Bhadra
 2nd pada (Virgo) of Saturn nakshatra- Pushya, Anuradha, Uttara Bhadra
 Mercury (Ashlesha, Jyeshta, and Revati) do not have any pushkara navamsha.

Ketu nakshatra are beginning stages for the development for the soul. These stages can be
very intense and therefore personal effort and the struggle of the soul to live a material life is
there. In Ketu nakshatras, the soul is taking a new step in its development, so it uses up
some of its accumulated nourishment. So while they are aspiring for moksha, their very
action depletes their collected good karma and planets find it difficult to find nourishment in
these circumstances. That does not make it wrong or bring weakness but pushkara cannot
thrive. The soul cannot change the situation and in its pursuit for the next level of
development, they have to use up some of their equity. It is like taking a loan for present
development, which will bring future rewards. But the present will make them feel burdened.

Ketu nakshatra are beginning stages for the development for the soul. These stages can be
very intense and therefore personal effort and the struggle of the soul to live a material life is
there. In Ketu nakshatras, the soul is taking a new step in its development, so it uses up
some of its accumulated nourishment. So while they are aspiring for moksha, their very
action depletes their collected good karma and planets find it difficult to find nourishment in
these circumstances. That does not make it wrong or bring weakness but pushkara cannot
thrive. The soul cannot change the situation and in its pursuit for the next level of
development, they have to use up some of their equity. It is like taking a loan for present
development, which will bring future rewards. But the present will make them feel burdened.

Mercury nakshatras are areas of transformation where the debris of all soul’s negativity gets
collected, the soul struggles to make the changes, the mind is active trying to make sense of
their circumstances. The planets struggle to transcend, therefore there is no calmness and
stillness provided by Pushkara. Planets use up their energy and do not always feel
nourished.

The pushkara navamshas throw up some interesting points. The rulerships of the
navamshas are by benefic planets. Jupiter and Venus ruler nine pushkara each, one in fire,
earth and air elements, whereas Moon and Mercury rule one each in Water elements. Water
signs are known as moksha houses as well. Moksha houses are about self-realisation and
the rulership of Moon and Mercury- the two planets of the mind should that we have to
nourish our mind before we can aspire to realise ourselves. Another way of looking at it is
that a nourished and quiet mind helps us to go towards self-realization.

The planets that are not placed in pushkara need to be energized, as they do not have the
capacity to nourish themselves.

Pushkara Bhaga

Pushkara bhaga are specific degrees where planets become especially auspicious to do
good. The exact degree is becomes very powerful agent for being positive, whereas the
navamsha is still powerful but not as intense as the degree. Pushkara degrees are used for
Muhurta. Choosing the muhurta lagna on a pushkara bhaga makes that a very auspicious
moment.

Jataka Parijata- Adhyaya 1 Shloka 58 gives the following degrees:

21º Aries (Libra Navamsha)

19º Leo (Virgo navamsha)
23º Sagittarius (Libra Navamsha)
These three in Venus nakshatras and Fire signs

14º Taurus (Taurus navamsha and vargotamma- Moon nakshatra),

9º Virgo (Pisces navamsha- Sun nakshatra),
14º Capricorn (Taurus Navamsha- Moon nakshatra)
Above Three in Earth signs
18º Gemini (Pisces navamsha- Rahu nakshatra),
24º Libra (Taurus Navamsha- Jupiter nakshatra),
19º Aquarius (Pisces Navamsha- Rahu nakshatra)
Above three in Air signs

8º Cancer (Virgo Navamsha)

11º Scorpio (Libra Navamsha),
9º Pisces (Virgo Navamsha)
Above three in Saturn nakshatras and Water signs

Pushkara degrees given by CS Patel in his book Nadi and Navamsha astrology are:

21º of Fire signs: 21º Aries, 21º Leo, and 21º Sagittarius (Venus nakshatras)
14º in Earth signs: 14º Taurus, 14º Virgo, and 14º Capricorn (Moon nakshatras)
24º in Air signs: 24º Gemini, 24º Libra, and 24º Aquarius (Jupiter Nakshatras)
7º in Water signs: 7º Cancer, 7º Scorpio, 7º Pisces (Saturn nakshatras)

According to the CS Patel, Bhagas are not found in Ketu, Sun, Mars, Rahu and Mercury
nakshatras while Jataka Parijata has pushkara bhaga in Rahu and Sun nakshatras but not in
Ketu, Mars and Mercury nakshatras.

Mostly the Jataka Parijata pushkara bhaga degrees are used. I am also using Jataka Parijata
bhagas as it gives these actual degrees in the text. Plus it resonates with my research.

I have been infomred by one of his students that CS Pate'ls information is from Purva
Kalamrita. Do research both sets of degrees and come up with your own conclusions.

How to use Pushkara Bhaga and Navamsha

Jataka Parijata says that pushkara should be used in muhurta, natal and any other factor
under consideration. Other factors under consideration are in prashna and maybe
relationship compatibility.

Muhurta:There are 24 pushkara navamsha and 12 pushkara therefore every hour a

pushkara navamsha rises and every two hours a pushkara degree rises. Therefore when you
need to find an auspicious time in a hurry, you can chose a pushkara navamsha or a
pushkara degree. Some degrees reflect both the navamsha and degree of pushkara. In
Taurus, the pushkara navamsha and the degree are vargotamma; therefore that particular
position is extremely strong. Generally when planning a muhurta, it would be good to choose
a pushkara degree or navamsha rising. This protects the chart and gives it a benefic quality.
To have the benefic planets, lagna lord, 9th lord, 5th lord as well as the lord of the house for
which you are performing the muhurta (10th career, 4th- home) to be in pushkara navamsha
will further fortify the chart.
Natal:Remember pushkara is added on knowledge. You should analyse the chart by all
traditional methods and then study the chart to see whether any planets are placed in
pushkara bhaga or navamsha. If a chart does not appear to have any great strength but it
has ascendant in pushkara bhaga and 10th lord in pushkara degree, the quality of the is
chart changes and your analysis will be different. The chart is showing extra ordinary
strength with both the lagna and 10th lord fortifies. Pushkara will bring strength to the chart,
nourish it after it has used up some of its energy. The individual may not immediately gain
the strength, but is guided through these auspicious degrees to work with their issues,
accept them and learn to overcome them.

Planet in an exact degree is stronger than the bhaga so the quality will be more intense. If
you have Sun exalted in 21º Aries, it is in pushkara navamsha and bhaga. But this is also the
debilitated navamsha of the Sun. Sun debilitated by navamsha shows hidden lack of
confidence, need for support of others, and low self esteem. The weakness indicated by the
Sun in its debilitated navamsha is being over-ridden by the fact that the Sun is pushkara both
in navamsha and bhaga. Therefore an individual may experience some weaknesses of this
debilitation, but they are quickly able to overcome it and make the Sun, its karakas, house
rulerships etc positive. Low esteem will be there but the person learn confidence, pushkara
will make them feel strong instead of weak.

All texts say lagna, lagna lord, and 10th lords in Pushkara gives great strength and good luck
to the birth chart. In my experience, the more planets in pushkara, the stronger the chart.
The lagna is a pushkara degree or navamsha brings fortune and success. If the lord of a
house is placed in pushkara or the bhava Madhya of the house is placed in pushkara, this
strengthens it and makes it a force to do good. Pushkara imparts sweetness to the chart that
brings in higher qualities of goodness, spiritual aspirations and material success as.

Those who have their rajayoga karaka in pushkara or their yogas taking place in pushkara,
they are specially blessed. This enhances an already strong position to something sublime.

The experience of pushkara is during their dashas. If the dasha lord is in pushkara or the lord
of bhava Madhya that are pushkara, it will give special results in relationship to its
signification’s.

Also watch when planets go into their pushkara positions by transit. In June 2005, many
planets, Jupiter, Venus, Mercury, Mars, Saturn, Sun while as I write this article (23 July2005)
only Saturn and Sun are pushkara in 6º Cancer. But Saturn is combust and Saturn is spoiling
Sun. Therefore the ability of these planets to do good is limited. But their being in pushkara
position, it suggests that despite their limitations and the pain that this conjunction has
generated is there, but also there is hope and capacity for improvement.

Prashna:If the prashna ascendant falls in pushkara or the karaka falls in pushkara, there will
be a good ending. Lets suppose the question was about buying a new home. 4th lord is
Mercury and is placed in the 8th house in Taurus navamsha in Libra. The immediate answer
would be that there is difficulty in buying the house. But this is a pushkara navamsha;
therefore there are some underlying factors that will make this negative aspect positive. It
may be that not buying the house saved you from a big loss or there may be a better
property ahead so not buying this property will be for your good in the long run.

Relationships:if Venus, the karaka of relationships is placed in 14º Virgo. Now Venus in
Virgo would usually create problems with relationships but the pushkara aspect will nourish
Venus, make it feel supported and that would have good effect for relationships.
Your lagna lord is pushkara in your partner’s chart or vice versa means that you have the
ability to nourish your partners. The karakas Venus and Jupiter in pushkara degrees help
make partnerships good. If a woman has Jupiter in pushkara, then she will experience good
partners and children. A pushkara Venus gives nourishing relationships