Hastha – The Hand

Hastha (10.00-23.20 Virgo) represents the creativity of the Sun. The word Hastha translates into the ‘hand’ or it may be alternatively transcribed as ‘laughter’. The significance of the latter is that Hastha is often associated with punning.

The symbol of the closed fist gives Hastha the ability to achieve goals and good manners. In fact, Hastha is often associated with the sun and the solar principle, as it is related to the Sun and its rays.

Behavioral Characteristics

The common English words like hand, handy, hassle, haggle, haste, hard, harness etc are said to be derived from Hastha. The relation to the well known greeting Hastha Maniana symbolizes the jovial aspect of the Hastha personality and its relation with endings of all types. Once the family in Uttaraphalguni has been established, Hastha seeks to get the household going. It makes advocacy of civilized living, by making excellent householders, with apparent seriousness and joviality beneath.

The Hastha nakshatra may betray a staright faced expression, and their supple build can handle various kinds of manual jobs. Their sharp minds make for instant solutions along lines of practicality, which makes them disregard extreme romantic attitudes. Their mischievous smiles are complemented by the lack of ability to sit still and hence the natives are somewhat fidgety. Often obsessed with staying busy, this asterism likes to complicate apparently simple tasks, but with a very high amount of attention to detail.

Hastha born individuals expect others to be as meticulous as they are and are highly critical when their ends are not met, or expectations not realized. When related with the progeny in the 5^th house, Hastha born individuals are likely to develop tension with their children. In accordance with the universal scheme of things, Hastha born persons are associated with the Sanskrit phrase ‘Hastha sthapaniya agama shakti’. This means, the nakshatra has the power to put the object of their desire within their hands or power.

The symbolism of Hastha is a representation of attainment of the end or material object over the procedure of the attainment. In fact, the very symbol refers to the fact that Hastha holds the promise of immediate acquisition of the desired object by dint of sheer skill.

Quarters or Padas

Aries Navamsa (10.00–13.20 Virgo): This quarter is ruled by Mars. It is characterized by abundance of energy, expert at underhand dealings, skills like math, surgery, military, with the focus being on a well-placed Mars

Taurus Navamsa (13.20-16.40 Virgo): This quarter is ruled by Venus. It is characterized by practicality, earthiness, perfection, material wealth, honesty, art, morality

Gemini Navamsa (16.40–20.00 Virgo): This quarter is ruled by Mercury. It is characterized by merchant, trade and business skills, career, dexterity, cleverness, intelligence, extraordinary sense of perception

Cancer Navamsa (20.00–23.20 Virgo): This quarter is ruled by the Moon. It is characterized by sense of family and community, material security, xenophobia, manifestation of the best and the worst, possibility of having a good progeny by a well-placed Jupiter

Gana: Hastha is a ‘deva’/godly nakshatra, ruled by Savitar the benevolent deity that never possesses negative facets.

Favorable Activities

Generally good for all activities, art and craft, laughter-inducing activities, pottery, jewelry designing, linguistics, holistic healing procedures, magic, skills of hands, dealing with kids, travel, changing homes

Unfavorable Activities

Planning long term objectives and aims, sexual acts, inactivity, relaxation, executive maturity, nighttime acts

Measures for Remedy

Hastha natives should worship the Sun god and chant the root mantra “Om Jham” and “Om Nyam” 108 times during the lunar transition of this nakshatra to alleviate afflictions. Wearing light colors like green and white is also recommended. All important actions should correspond to the course of this constellation for best results.

Miscellaneous

In the words of Varahamihira, the lunar influence gives Hastha energy, boldness, and mercilessness and thieving qualities. Swami Vivekananda is a typical Hastha native, if some of the qualities are ignored.