Shloka 38
Nakṣatra-Devatā Enumeration and Muhūrta Rules for Travel, Rites, and Yogas
मूलेर्ऽकः श्रवणे चन्द्रः प्रोष्ठपद्युत्तरे कुजः / कृत्तिकासु बुधश्चैव गुरौ रुद्र पुनर्वसुः
mūler'kaḥ śravaṇe candraḥ proṣṭhapadyuttare kujaḥ / kṛttikāsu budhaścaiva gurau rudra punarvasuḥ
మూల నక్షత్రంలో అర్కుడు (సూర్యుడు), శ్రవణంలో చంద్రుడు అధిపతులు. ఉత్తరప్రోష్ఠపదలో కుజుడు (మంగళుడు). కృత్తికలో బుధుడు; ‘గురు’ (పుష్య) నక్షత్రంలో రుద్రుడు; పునర్వసులో పునర్వసు దేవత అధిపతి।
Lord Vishnu (in dialogue with Garuda)
Concept: Devatā-adhikāra: each nakṣatra has a presiding power (graha/devatā) shaping its qualities and outcomes.
Vedantic Theme: Many deities as functional expressions within māyā/ṛta; knowledge of correspondences supports right action without mistaking the relative for the absolute.
Application: Use nakṣatra presiding powers for choosing times, framing prayers (graha/devatā), and interpreting results: Mūla–Sūrya, Śravaṇa–Candra, Uttaraproṣṭhapadā–Kuja, Kṛttikā–Budha, Puṣya/Guru–Rudra, Punarvasu–(Aditi/Punarvasu devatā as named).
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Type: celestial asterisms (nakṣatra-loka mapping)
Related Themes: Garuda Purana 1.59 (nakṣatra-graha/devatā assignments)
FAQs
This verse maps specific nakshatras to their presiding planetary/deity influences, supporting dharmic timing (muhūrta) and ritual alignment with cosmic order.
Indirectly: by emphasizing cosmic governance (deities/planets over lunar mansions), it frames human actions and rites as occurring within an ordered universe—an idea repeatedly used in the Purana to connect karma, ritual correctness, and outcomes.
Use it as a traditional reference when selecting auspicious timings for vows, worship, or samskāras—while prioritizing ethical conduct (dharma) as the core purifier alongside ritual timing.