Shatabhisha nakshatra
Shatabhisha is the 24th nakshatra, spanning 6°40′–20°00′ of sidereal Aquarius. Ruled by Rahu with Varuna, lord of the cosmic waters, as its deity, its symbol is an empty circle: the star of a hundred healers.
Also known as: Shatabhishak, Satabhisha, Satabhisham, Shatataraka, Sadhayam, Chathayam
Shatabhisha means ‘a hundred physicians’; as Shatataraka it means ‘a hundred stars’, after the scatter of faint stars around Lambda Aquarii. Its symbol is an empty circle and its deity is Varuna, guardian of the cosmic waters and of truth. The nakshatra is linked with healing, research and seeing what is hidden.
Shatabhisha is one of the movable (chara) nakshatras, favoured for travel, vehicles, starting treatment and naming ceremonies. Ruled by Rahu, it begins life in Rahu’s 18-year dasha. It lies wholly within Aquarius, so the Moon’s passage through it always falls in Panchak.
Its padas give the name syllables Go, Sa, Si and Su. Panchak limits only a few traditional activities, such as laying a roof or travelling south; it does not make Shatabhisha an unlucky star.