Shravana Nakshatra

Lunar mansion 22 of 27 — ruled by Moon

Updated 19 October 2026

Shravana is the 22nd of the 27 nakshatras (lunar mansions) in Vedic astrology, spanning 280° to 293.333° sidereal in Makara (Capricorn). It is ruled by Moon, presided over by the deity Vishnu, and its symbol is the ear / three footprints.

Also spelled: Sravana, Shravan, Thiruvonam, Onam nakshatra, Shravana Dwadashi star

Shravana mythology and symbolism

Shravana means "hearing" or "listening", and the symbol is an ear, or three footprints in a line. The star group, the bright Altair flanked by two companions, Tarazed and Alshain, in the constellation Aquila, forms a row of three that tradition reads as the three strides of Vishnu. Vishnu, the preserver, is the presiding deity, and in his dwarf avatar Vamana he crossed the earth, the sky and the heavens in three steps, a picture of the whole cosmos measured and held in order.

In South India the nakshatra is called Thiruvonam, the sacred star of Vishnu, and it gives its name to the festival of Onam. The Ramayana tells of the dutiful young Shravana Kumara, who carried his blind parents on pilgrimage, so that his name has long stood for devotion to elders. Listening is the heart of the nakshatra: it is by hearing the teachings, the stories and the voice of those who came before that knowledge is passed down. The Moon rules it, lending receptive, absorbent attentiveness.

Shravana nakshatra characteristics

People with the Moon in Shravana are typically attentive, thoughtful and good listeners. They tend to pick up information quickly by ear, enjoy stories, lectures and conversation, and often have a retentive memory. A calm, composed manner and a readiness to hear all sides make others confide in them, and they often become the keepers of a family's traditions and histories.

The Moon's rulership gives them emotional receptivity and a love of home, while the Deva gana adds gentleness and refinement. They are usually respectful toward teachers and elders, and they like learning for its own sake. Many Shravana natives are well-travelled in thought, absorbing cultures and languages, and they connect people through their gift of understanding.

Because they listen so much, they can absorb other people's worries and opinions until their own voice is hard to hear. They may be indecisive, easily influenced, or inclined to gossip or worry. Their growth lies in processing what they hear, trusting their judgement, and speaking up for themselves.

Strengths

• Excellent listener with strong memory for what is heard
• Respectful of teachers, elders and tradition
• Calm, composed and diplomatic
• Good at learning languages and absorbing knowledge
• Caring, family-oriented and dutiful
• Able to connect different people and viewpoints

Challenges

• Absorbs the moods and opinions of others
• May be indecisive or easily influenced
• Tendency to worry or overthink what was said
• Can be sensitive to criticism and gossip
• Might neglect own needs for family duty

Career and work

Shravana is associated with careers that rely on hearing, learning and connecting. Traditional fields include teaching, counselling, audio and radio work, music, translation and interpreting, and linguistics. The Vishnu link supports the preservation and transmission of knowledge, through librarianship, archiving, publishing, law and religious or cultural teaching. Natives also do well in diplomacy, public relations, hospitality, healthcare and communications. Roles in which careful listening is valued, such as therapy, mediation, journalism and customer relations, suit the nakshatra well.

Relationships and compatibility

Shravana natives tend to be devoted, considerate partners who listen well and take family obligations seriously. They value communication and quiet loyalty, and they may need reassurance when they absorb too much stress. Shravana belongs to the Deva gana and the female monkey yoni; Purva Ashadha, the male monkey, is the ideal yoni partner, and the sheep (Krittika, Pushya) is the classical enemy. Other Deva nakshatras such as Ashwini, Mrigashira, Punarvasu, Pushya, Hasta, Swati, Anuradha and Revati generally match well in temperament. The full chart is the final judge.

Shravana men are traditionally described as dutiful, learned and soft-spoken, and Shravana women as gracious, attentive and devoted to family. These are general cultural impressions and vary widely with the rest of the chart.

The four padas of Shravana

Each nakshatra is divided into four quarters (padas) of 3°20′, and each pada maps onto one sign of the Navamsa (D9) chart.

Pada 1 — Aries navamsa (Mars)

Pada 1 is in Capricorn rashi with an Aries navamsa, ruled by Mars, and a Dharma emphasis. It is the most active and direct quarter, where listening is paired with initiative. Natives are often determined, quick to act, and keen to put knowledge into practice.

Pada 2 — Taurus navamsa (Venus)

Pada 2 is in Capricorn rashi with a Taurus navamsa, ruled by Venus, and an Artha emphasis. Appreciation for music, beauty and security comes strongly forward. Natives are often steady earners with refined taste and a gift for pleasant speech.

Pada 3 — Gemini navamsa (Mercury)

Pada 3 is in Capricorn rashi with a Gemini navamsa, ruled by Mercury, and a Kama emphasis. It is the most intellectual and communicative quarter, curious and quick at languages. Natives are often teachers, writers and speakers with an agile mind.

Pada 4 — Cancer navamsa (Moon)

Pada 4 is in Capricorn rashi with a Cancer navamsa, ruled by the Moon, and a Moksha emphasis. It is the most emotional, nurturing and intuitive pada, with strong ties to family and tradition. Natives are often devoted, protective and prone to worry.

Health (traditional associations)

Shravana is traditionally associated with the ears and hearing, the knees and the joints (in line with Capricorn), and with the lymphatic and nervous systems through the Moon. Older advice stresses protection of the ears and calming the mind. This is symbolic and not medical advice; consult a qualified doctor for specific concerns.

Remedies and practices

Traditional practice includes "Om Vishnave Namah" and the Moon mantra "Om Chandraya Namah" on Mondays. Listening to sacred recitations such as the Vishnu Sahasranama, caring for elderly parents and sharing stories with the young honour the nakshatra's spirit. Favourable colours are white, light blue and cream; pearl is the traditional Moon gem, worn only after consulting a qualified astrologer. Quiet time without input, such as silent walks, helps balance a mind that absorbs a lot.

Shravana in your chart

Your birth (Janma) nakshatra is set by the Moon's exact sidereal position at birth. Navagraha computes it precisely from astronomical data and explains what Shravana means for your temperament, relationships, career timing and Vimshottari dasha — because the nakshatra lord (Moon) also opens your dasha sequence.

Frequently asked questions

Navagraha provides Vedic astrology for informational and reflective purposes only; it is not a substitute for professional advice.