Shloka 15
Nakṣatra-Devatā Enumeration and Muhūrta Rules for Travel, Rites, and Yogas
अश्विनीमैत्ररेवत्यो मृगमूलपुनर्वसु / पुष्या हस्ता तथा ज्येष्ठा प्रस्थाने श्रेष्ठमुच्यते
aśvinīmaitrarevatyo mṛgamūlapunarvasu / puṣyā hastā tathā jyeṣṭhā prasthāne śreṣṭhamucyate
اشوِنی، مَیتْر اور ریوَتی؛ مِرگ، مُول اور پُنَروَسو؛ نیز پُشیا، ہَستا اور جَیَشٹھا—سفر کے لیے روانگی میں یہ نَکشتر نہایت مبارک کہے گئے ہیں۔
Lord Viṣṇu (speaking to Garuḍa)
Concept: Śubha-muhūrta (auspicious timing) for prastāna (setting out) to reduce obstacles and enhance success.
Vedantic Theme: Living in harmony with cosmic law (ṛta) as supportive to dharmic action; karma is shaped by intention and conditions.
Application: When planning travel or initiating a venture, prefer the listed nakṣatras (Aśvinī, Maitra/Anurādhā, Revatī, Mṛgaśīrṣa, Mūla, Punarvasu, Puṣyā, Hastā, Jyeṣṭhā) as favorable windows.
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Type: journey/roadway
Related Themes: Garuda Purana 1.59 (muhūrta/nakṣatra-vidhi context)
FAQs
This verse explicitly lists specific nakṣatras considered “best” for prasthāna (departure), showing that timing (muhūrta/nakṣatra) is treated as a practical dharma-based aid for undertaking actions with fewer obstacles.
It does not describe the soul’s post-death journey here; instead, it provides Ācāra guidance—selecting favorable nakṣatras for worldly travel—reflecting the text’s broader concern with right conduct and auspicious procedure.
If you follow traditional practice, you may consult a pañcāṅga and prefer these nakṣatras for beginning important travel; more generally, it encourages mindful planning and disciplined action rather than impulsive departure.