Shravana Nakshatra (Śravaṇa)

How to understand

Shravana is the attentive listener and scholar of the heavens. Ruled by the Moon and Lord Vishnu (the cosmic preserver), it learns by truly listening rather than speaking over others. It loves wisdom, music, books, tradition, and has an extraordinary memory for speech and sounds.

Derived from 'Shru' (to hear, listen). Translates to 'Hearing', 'The Ear', or 'Fame through Listening'. Represents the sacred oral tradition of Vedic knowledge (Shruti), attentive listening, scholarly preservation, and the three divine footsteps of Lord Vishnu.

Find it in the sky

The striking trio of stars spanning constellation Aquila (The Eagle), traditionally traced as the three footsteps of Lord Vishnu in his Trivikrama form, an ear, or a trident.

Altair (Alpha Aquilae) α Aql mag 0.77 Shravana Yoga Tara (The Flying Eagle / Footstep of Vishnu)
Tarazed (Beta Aquilae) β Aql mag 3.71 Companion Star (Eagle's Flank)
Alshain (Gamma Aquilae) γ Aql mag 2.72 Companion Star (Eagle's Wing)

Śāstric classifications

Presiding deity

Lord Vishnu — Supreme Preserver and Sustainer of the Cosmic Order

Divine preserver who pervades all creation, incarnates through ages to re-establish Dharma, protects devotees, and encompasses all realms in three strides.

Symbol

Three Footprints / Human Ear / Trident

Symbolizes oral Vedic transmission (Shruti), attentive contemplation, walking the righteous path of Vishnu, and transcending the three worlds.

Graha: Chandra (Moon) — The Moon bestows high emotional receptivity, psychic listening, deep memory retention, and empathetic responsiveness.

Deva (Divine) — Naturally peaceful, gentle, respectful, fond of sacred music, and dedicated to harmonious learning.

Vayu (Wind / Air) — Sound waves (Shabda Brahman) moving through space, carrying spoken wisdom into the listener's ear.

Yoni: Vanara / Shakha (Monkey)

Supreme for starting education, learning classical languages, listening to spiritual discourses, buying audio devices, making pilgrimages, and taking medical advice.

Four pādas

Pada 1

10°00' to 13°20' Makara

Mesha (Aries)

Dynamic physical energy, martial discipline, ambitious scholarship, executive initiative, and protective courage.

Akṣara: Khi (खी)

Pada 2

13°20' to 16°40' Makara

Vrishabha (Taurus)

Musical genius, melodious voice, fine aesthetic appreciation, commercial wealth, and patient diplomatic speech.

Akṣara: Khu (खू)

Pada 3

16°40' to 20°00' Makara

Mithuna (Gemini)

Scholarly versatility, linguistic talent, audio broadcasting, journalism, wit, and fast intellectual communication.

Akṣara: Khe (खे)

Pada 4

20°00' to 23°20' Makara

Karka (Cancer)

Pushkara Navamsha; supreme emotional intuition, deep spiritual devotion, maternal empathy, and sacred preservation of wisdom.

Akṣara: Kho (खो)

Nature and life

Strengths

Exceptional listening skills; makes others feel truly heard, valued, and understood
Prodigious memory for spoken words, musical melodies, and historical lore
Deep lifelong love for books, philosophy, languages, and sacred knowledge
Polite, respectful, and dignified conduct in private and public life
Intuitive understanding of truth; detects subtle nuances and deceit in speech

Growth areas

Vulnerability to rumors, gossip, and taking slander to heart
Rigid orthodoxy or becoming an intellectual pedant who corrects others constantly
Restlessness and over-analyzing conversations long after they have ended
Difficulty in expressing personal anger directly, harboring quiet disappointment

Shravana is the ear of the universe. In an age where everyone shouts to be heard, your greatest superpower is quiet listening. Listen not just to words, but to the silence between them, and you will hear the heartbeat of God.

Career pathways

Sound Engineers, Audio Producers, Podcasters, and Classical Musicians
Translators, Linguists, University Professors, and Historians
Broadcast Journalists, Radio Hosts, and News Anchors
Psychiatrists, Psychoanalysts, and Executive Speech Coaches
Librarians, Archival Curators, and Publishing Directors

Prone to tinnitus, ear infections, hearing sensitivity, knee pain, and nervous exhaustion from audio overstimulation.

Karna Poorana (gentle warm oil drops in ears with Bilva oil). Regular periods of complete auditory silence (Mauna Vrata) to refresh mental faculties.

Remedies and mantra

Bīja mantra: ॐ श्रुं श्रवण नक्षत्रेभ्यो नमः (Om Shrum Shravana Nakshatrebhyo Namah)

ॐ विष्णो रराटमसि विष्णोः श्नप्त्रे स्थो विष्णोः स्यूरसि विष्णोर्ध्रुवोऽसि वैष्णवमसि विष्णवे त्वा ॥

Vṛkṣa: Aak / Crown Flower / Calotropis (Calotropis gigantea)

Lord Vishnu (reciting Vishnu Sahasranama), Goddess Saraswati (for hearing and speech), and Lord Venkateshwara