Pushkara Navamsa Meaning
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In Vedic astrology, some small parts of the zodiac are believed to nourish any planet that falls in them. The best known are the Pushkara Navamsas. "Pushkara" means nourishing or auspicious, and a planet in a Pushkara Navamsa is traditionally said to give better, cleaner results than its sign alone would suggest.
This guide explains what Pushkara Navamsa is, lists its exact degrees for every sign, and shows how to check it in your own chart.
First, what is a navamsa?
Each zodiac sign is 30 degrees wide. Divide it into nine equal parts and you get nine navamsas of 3°20' each. Each navamsa is assigned a sign, and these assignments build the Navamsa (D9) chart, the most important divisional chart after the birth chart itself. If you are new to divisional charts, our guide to reading the D10 Dasamsa chart shows how a varga is built and used.
| Navamsa no. | Degrees in the sign |
|---|---|
| 1 | 0°00' - 3°20' |
| 2 | 3°20' - 6°40' |
| 3 | 6°40' - 10°00' |
| 4 | 10°00' - 13°20' |
| 5 | 13°20' - 16°40' |
| 6 | 16°40' - 20°00' |
| 7 | 20°00' - 23°20' |
| 8 | 23°20' - 26°40' |
| 9 | 26°40' - 30°00' |
The Pushkara Navamsas of each sign
Every sign has two Pushkara Navamsas. Which two depends only on the sign's element:
| Element | Signs | Pushkara navamsa no. | Degrees | Navamsa signs |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fire | Aries, Leo, Sagittarius | 7th and 9th | 20°00'-23°20' and 26°40'-30°00' | Libra, Sagittarius |
| Earth | Taurus, Virgo, Capricorn | 3rd and 5th | 6°40'-10°00' and 13°20'-16°40' | Pisces, Taurus |
| Air | Gemini, Libra, Aquarius | 6th and 8th | 16°40'-20°00' and 23°20'-26°40' | Pisces, Taurus |
| Water | Cancer, Scorpio, Pisces | 1st and 3rd | 0°00'-3°20' and 6°40'-10°00' | Cancer, Virgo |
Notice the pattern in the last column. Every Pushkara Navamsa falls in a navamsa sign ruled by a natural benefic: Venus (Libra, Taurus), Jupiter (Sagittarius, Pisces), the Moon (Cancer) or Mercury (Virgo). That is the traditional reason these parts are considered nourishing.
Worked examples
Example 1: Jupiter at 22° Aries. Aries is a fire sign. 22° lies between 20° and 23°20', the 7th navamsa. In the D9 chart, the 7th navamsa of Aries is Libra. Jupiter is in Pushkara Navamsa.
Example 2: Moon at 8° Cancer. Cancer is a water sign. 8° lies between 6°40' and 10°, the 3rd navamsa, which is Virgo in the D9. The Moon is in Pushkara Navamsa.
Example 3: Venus at 15° Taurus. Taurus is an earth sign. 15° lies between 13°20' and 16°40', the 5th navamsa, which is Taurus itself. Venus is in Pushkara Navamsa and is also Vargottama (same sign in the Rasi and Navamsa charts), in its own sign. That is a very well supported Venus.
Example 4: Mars at 12° Gemini. Gemini is an air sign; its Pushkara Navamsas are 16°40'-20° and 23°20'-26°40'. 12° is in neither, so Mars is not in Pushkara Navamsa.
What it does in a chart
- A planet in Pushkara Navamsa is said to give good results for the houses it rules and occupies, especially in its dasa and bhukti.
- A weak planet (in an enemy sign or debilitated) placed in Pushkara Navamsa is said to be helped. It does not erase the weakness, but its results are milder and more useful. Our guide to exaltation, own sign and debilitation explains the dignity side.
- The Lagna in Pushkara Navamsa is traditionally considered a blessing for health and general well-being. Because the Lagna degree changes quickly, this needs an accurate birth time; see how to find your Lagna.
- In muhurtha (choosing auspicious times), astrologers often try to place the rising degree of the chosen moment in a Pushkara Navamsa.
Pushkara Navamsa, Pushkara Bhaga and Vargottama
These three are often confused:
| Term | What it is | Size |
|---|---|---|
| Pushkara Navamsa | Two auspicious navamsas in each sign | 3°20' each |
| Pushkara Bhaga | One especially auspicious degree in each sign | 1 degree |
| Vargottama | Planet in the same sign in the Rasi and Navamsa charts | One navamsa (3°20') in each sign |
The Pushkara Bhaga is a single degree in each sign. Classical sources and modern authors do not all give the same degree for every sign, so check the tradition you follow before using it.
How to check your own chart
- Get each planet's sign and degree from your horoscope, not just the sign.
- Find the sign's element in the table above.
- See whether the degree falls in one of that element's two Pushkara ranges.
- Near a boundary (for example 19°58' in an air sign), a small error in birth time or ayanamsa can move a planet in or out, so treat boundary cases with care.
Keep it in proportion
Pushkara Navamsa is a helpful supporting factor. It adds to a planet's goodness but is only one of many tests of strength, alongside sign dignity, house, aspects, Shadbala and Ashtakavarga. A chart with no planet in Pushkara Navamsa is perfectly normal, since only 2 of every 9 navamsas qualify.
Summary
Each sign has two Pushkara Navamsas, fixed by its element: fire 7th and 9th, earth 3rd and 5th, air 6th and 8th, water 1st and 3rd. They all fall in navamsa signs of natural benefics, which is why they are called nourishing. A planet there tends to give better results, especially in its dasa, but always read it together with the rest of the chart.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is Pushkara Navamsa?
It is a navamsa (a 3 degree 20 minute part of a sign) that classical astrologers treat as especially auspicious. Each sign has two of them, 24 in the whole zodiac. A planet placed in one is said to be nourished and to give better results.
How do I know if a planet is in Pushkara Navamsa?
Note the planet's sign and degree. Fire signs have Pushkara Navamsa at 20-23°20' and 26°40'-30°, earth signs at 6°40'-10° and 13°20'-16°40', air signs at 16°40'-20° and 23°20'-26°40', and water signs at 0-3°20' and 6°40'-10°.
Is Pushkara Navamsa the same as Vargottama?
No. Vargottama means the planet is in the same sign in the Rasi chart and the Navamsa chart. Pushkara Navamsa depends on which navamsa the planet falls in. A planet can be both, for example Venus at 15° Taurus.
Can a debilitated planet in Pushkara Navamsa give good results?
Many astrologers say Pushkara Navamsa improves any planet, so a weak planet placed there gives better results than it otherwise would. It does not cancel debilitation on its own; read it with the planet's dignity, house and aspects.
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