Pushyaपुष्य

Pushya is the eighth nakshatra and sits entirely within Cancer, from 3 degrees 20 minutes to 16 degrees 40 minutes. Its name is connected with nourishing and flourishing, and its symbol is a cow's udder or a flower, both pointing at something that gives sustenance. Classical lists sometimes call it Tishya, and the Moon in Pushya is spoken of as an especially fortunate placement in Sanskrit texts.

Brihaspati, the guru of the gods and the patron of sacred speech, is its deity, which makes the combination with Saturn as planetary lord an unusual one. The gana is Deva. Every time Pushya falls on a Thursday, the occasion is called Guru Pushya, and on a Sunday it is called Ravi Pushya. Many households traditionally choose these days to start new accounts, begin study or make important purchases. This is a custom and not a financial recommendation.

Muhurat tradition counts Pushya among the quick, kshipra nakshatras and regards it as widely favourable. A frequently repeated exception is that weddings are traditionally not held under it, and the reason given is a story involving a curse. Syllables commonly listed for naming are Hu, He, Ho and Da. Since lists vary, ask the family priest for the version your lineage follows.