Shravana Nakshatra

Shravana Nakshatra by Prash Trivedi

Shravana is a nakshatra, or lunar mansion, in the celestial firmament represented by three bright stars in the constellation Aquila. These stars are Altair, Alshain, and Tarazed. Altair, with a visual magnitude of 0.93, is easily visible in the night sky. The name "Shravana" translates to "hearing" and "one who limps," referring to the three steps taken by Vishnu in his Vamana-avatar. The alternative name for this nakshatra is "Ashvatha," which is also the name of the sacred Pipal tree. The symbol for Shravana is a row of three uneven footsteps, representing Vishnu s steps in his incarnation. It is also represented by a trident, symbolizing communication and the establishment of order in the universe, and an ear, emphasizing the importance of listening and learning. Shravana is associated with preservation and is considered significant in horoscopes with a strong influence from this nakshatra.