Shloka 7
Nakṣatra-Devatā Enumeration and Muhūrta Rules for Travel, Rites, and Yogas
आप्यास्त्वाषाठपूर्वास्तु उत्तरा वैश्वदेवताः / ब्राह्मश्चैवाभिजित्प्रोक्तः श्रवणा वैष्णवः स्मृतः
āpyāstvāṣāṭhapūrvāstu uttarā vaiśvadevatāḥ / brāhmaścaivābhijitproktaḥ śravaṇā vaiṣṇavaḥ smṛtaḥ
पूर्वाषाढ़ा नक्षत्र के अधिदेवता आप्य (जलदेव) कहे गए हैं; उत्तराषाढ़ा के अधिदेवता विश्वेदेव हैं। अभिजित् ब्रह्मा के अधीन बताया गया है, और श्रवणा को वैष्णव (विष्णु-सम्बन्धी) स्मरण किया गया है।
Lord Vishnu (speaking to Garuda)
Concept: Even within cosmological enumeration, Vishnu is remembered as presiding—inviting devotion through the sanctification of time.
Vedantic Theme: Saguna Ishvara as the inner ruler (antaryamin) expressed through devata networks; time as a field for remembrance (smarana).
Application: On Śravaṇā nakshatra, emphasize Vishnu-nama japa, Vishnu-sahasranama, and sattvic vows; integrate devotion into daily time-awareness.
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Type: celestial sphere (lunar mansions)
Related Themes: Garuda Purana 1.59.1-9 (nakshatra-devata list; Śravaṇā marked Vaiṣṇava)
FAQs
This verse maps specific nakṣatras to their ruling deities, a traditional basis for selecting appropriate times and devotional orientations for rites and observances.
Indirectly: by identifying cosmic rulers of lunar mansions, it supports the Purāṇic view that dharma and ritual actions are aligned with a structured divine order governing time.
Use the nakṣatra–devatā association to frame prayers or choose timings for worship (e.g., Viṣṇu-upāsanā on Śravaṇā), while keeping ethical conduct as the primary dharmic foundation.