Nakshatra 9 of 27
Ashlesha nakshatra (आश्लेषा)
Ashlesha, 'the clinging one', sits at the end of Cancer. Its serpent symbol points to kundalini, insight and a hypnotic, penetrating mind. It is ruled by Mercury and is among the gandmool nakshatras.
Ashlesha nakshatra at a glance
- Ruling planet
- Mercury (Budha)
- Zodiac sign
- Cancer
- Deity
- The Nagas, serpent deities
- Symbol
- Coiled serpent
- Gana
- Rakshasa
- Animal symbol
- Male cat
- Dasha years
- 17 years (Mercury mahadasha)
Ashlesha personality: strengths and challenges
Strengths
Perception, strategic thinking, intuition and the ability to read people. A natural for depth work.
Challenges
Suspicion, secrecy and a tendency to cling or manipulate when insecure.
Career and relationships
Career
Psychology, research, medicine and pharmacy, investigation, politics, occult sciences and strategic roles.
Love and marriage
Intense and protective, with a strong need for trust. Does best with honesty and clear boundaries.
Ashlesha padas and name letters
Each pada is 3°20'wide and falls in a different navamsa (D9) sign. Traditionally a child's name starts with the syllable of the pada the Moon was in.
| Pada | Name syllable | Navamsa sign |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Di | Sagittarius |
| 2 | Du | Capricorn |
| 3 | De | Aquarius |
| 4 | Do | Pisces |
Name syllables differ slightly between regional traditions.
Ashlesha nakshatra remedies
Worship Shiva and the Naga devatas; Mool Shanti is customary for a child born in this gandmool nakshatra.
For the ruling planet Mercury, Wednesdayis the traditional day and “Om Budhaya Namah” the usual beej mantra. Treat these as supportive habits, not guarantees, and avoid anyone who asks for large payments for remedies.
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Ashlesha nakshatra: common questions
Which planet rules Ashlesha nakshatra?
Ashlesha is ruled by Mercury (Budha). In the Vimshottari dasha system, a person born in Ashlesha starts life in the Mercury mahadasha, which lasts 17 years in total.
Which zodiac sign is Ashlesha nakshatra in?
Ashlesha lies in Cancer (16°40' to 30°00') in the sidereal zodiac.
What are the name letters for Ashlesha nakshatra?
The traditional starting syllables for the four padas of Ashlesha are Di, Du, De, Do. These vary slightly between regional traditions.
What is the deity of Ashlesha nakshatra?
The Nagas, serpent deities. The symbol is coiled serpent, and the nakshatra belongs to the Rakshasa gana.
Is Ashlesha a gandmool nakshatra?
Yes. Ashlesha is one of the six gandmool nakshatras (Ashwini, Ashlesha, Magha, Jyeshtha, Mula and Revati). Traditionally a Mool Shanti puja is advised for a child born in it, though how much weight to give this depends on the full chart.
Ashlesha is one factor in a chart. For a reading of your own kundli, including dasha timing, book a consultation.
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