Pushya nakshatra
Pushya is the eighth nakshatra, spanning 3°20′–16°40′ of sidereal Cancer. Ruled by Saturn with Brihaspati as its deity, it is known as the most nourishing star, prized for purchases and new beginnings.
Also known as: Pushyami, Poosam, Pooyam, Tishya
Pushya means ‘nourishing’. Its symbol is a cow’s udder, and its deity is Brihaspati, teacher of the gods and the spirit of Jupiter, a planet exalted in Cancer. Its stars lie in the body of Cancer, beside the Beehive star cluster.
Pushya is a swift (kshipra) star and is widely held to be the best nakshatra for most new ventures, for study, and for buying gold or a vehicle. On a Thursday it forms Guru Pushya, and on a Sunday Ravi Pushya, both especially prized for purchases. Ruled by Saturn, it begins life in Saturn’s 19-year dasha.
Its padas give the name syllables Hu, He, Ho and Da. One surprise for many families: classical texts leave Pushya out of the list of wedding nakshatras, so it is not used for a vivah muhurat even though it suits almost everything else.