An Article on Moola Nakshatra by a student

Moola- Symbolism and Metaphorical interpretation


Moola is the 19th in the scheme of the 27 nakshatras.
It extends from 0 degrees of Sagittarius to 13 degrees 20 minutes of Sagittarius.


Nakshatra Lord- Ketu


Sign Lord- Jupiter


Deity- Goddess Nritti


Symbol – Tied Bunch of roots


Shakti - Barhana Shakti - The power of destruction of things/ people/ intentions


1. It is seen as being made up of a group of 9 stars, which resemble a lion’s tail.

This symbolism can also have a metaphorical interpretation. It is said that these people have an inherent ability to tame the beasts (wild animals). Since this Nakshatra is ruled by Ketu, which represents our past life expertise, it is assumed that these people have an intangible and instinctual knowledge of dealing with the beasts within and without (difficult traits/people/circumstances). In the area of the life which is ruled by Moola, there is a potential to move ahead fearlessly, instinctively, without the intervention of the head (Rahu).


2. Moola literally means the origin of something, the root cause. And so, the symbol of this Nakshatra is a tied bunch of roots. People with prominence of Moola in their chart are the uprooters. They go deep into anything and anybody, destroying the inner and outer beastliness (the lion’s tail symbolism) offering the ultimate restoration of goodness and peace. The roots are usually, underground, hidden from the sight. So, this nakshatra deals with all the hidden aspects of life. Hidden motives, hidden events, and hidden people. It also makes them excellent investigators. They have the deepest curiosity and sense of inquiry among all the nakshatras. The desire to go to the root cause of anything is seen in Moola prominent natives.


3. Because the symbol is a tied bunch of roots, it symbolises a sense of restriction. There is a restrictive feeling in the areas of life ruled by Moola. One is not able to experience them fully. It can also be interpreted as- because you cannot experience the vastness of something, you experience the depth. Because you can’t expand horizontally, you go deep within. This makes the Moola natives’ expert in a particular area of life.


On the other hand, depending on the dignity of the sign lord and how comfortable the planet sitting therein is, it is difficult for the native to stick to a single topic or pursue a single pursuit long enough to get anything accomplished. So Moola natives might dig for meaning, may try to search for the underlying roots/cause– but this search might be chaotic, not streamlined. Without any concrete plan, digging here there everywhere, whatever looks interesting in the moment. Abandoning one area suddenly when another “more interesting” one catches the eye. The positive side of this is that one becomes open minded and can hear advice from all angles and understand topics from multiple points of view.


4. The Goddess associated with this Nakshatra is known as Nritti who is known as the Goddess of death and destruction. She is seen to be named as Nritti in the Markandeya Purana and is referred to as Alakshmi in the Padam Purana. It is said that during the churning of the ocean, the first two things produced were Alakshmi (the elder sister of Goddess Lakshmi) and the poison, and thereafter the ocean started producing the good things. This can be metaphorically understood as - once you learn to deal with your fears and ugliness, only then do you deserve to get all the beneficial things. So, this Nakshatra gives one the courage and spiritual sense to accept the destruction of things that do not hold any purpose or value any longer. This destruction can then lead to creation of beneficial and more valuable things in life.


This Nakshatra, therefore, can give extreme reversals of fortune in life. But learning to “let go” is a must. It asks for a sacrifice if you want to grow and move ahead.


5. Nritti is a summation of two words. ‘Rta’ means the natural order and harmony. Nritti is “Ni+Rta”, which is the absence of Rta, absence of natural order and harmony. That is why this nakshatra can bring major chaos and tumultuous events in Mula ruled areas of life.


It can also be etymologically seen as being derived from the combination of Ni and Ati. That is, avoiding the extremes of behaviour in any area of life. This also aligns with the teachings of Buddhism, where Buddha’s main message was to always stick to the middle path.


6. Because the planet of optimism and positivity, Jupiter is getting connected to all these tribulations and tumultuous things, it signifies that whatever destructive and transformative events are happening, they are supposed to bring an ultimate good and will be for the betterment in the long run.


7. Because this nakshatra lies completely within Sagittarius, which is the 9th sign of the kaal Purush Kundali, which represents the highest of the Dharma Houses, it indicates that we must be aligned with our inner truth and the righteous path in life at all times, which will help us conquer the inner untameable wild energy and then this nakshatra has the ability to lead us to the pinnacle of prosperity. It is said that the Owl that Goddess Lakshmi carries on her shoulder is her sister, Alakshmi; and both are the counterparts of each other.


8. Because this nakshatra is related to uprooting of things that are no longer considered useful, do not offer any further opportunities for growth, and are hence desired to be cut off, it can lend a flavour of impulsivity to the native in the Mula ruled areas of life. Also, because Ketu, the ruling planet is headless, not much thought is put in before taking the violent uprooting actions. It is therefore possible that it leads to a feeling of regret in the hindsight.


9. Nritti’s energy can also signify transformation. With the great upheavals, chaos and tumultuous energy that it brings, individuals may develop resilience and the ability to navigate through the difficulties of life. This can lead to personal growth and a more holistic understanding of the mysterious way in which the universe works.


10. Therefore, the Moola ruled areas of life can serve as a catalyst for spiritual growth if the native embraces transformation and does not pose any resistance to it.


11. This is said to be the Birth Nakshatra of Lord Hanuman and Ravana. And as seen in the story of Ramayana, Lord Hanuman remained in illusion for a very long time. He was unable to recognize, and hence use his own powers and capabilities. Moola natives may be unable to comprehend their inner abilities in early lives. In Ravana’s case however, we can see the lower energies of Moola working prominently. Using power and influence to harass without the use of wisdom and farsightedness.


12. As roots hold on to the soil tightly, a person with prominent Moola in the chart can be very rigid in his views in Moola ruled areas of life. This can make them very arrogant and highly egoistic.


13. The symbolic representation of roots may also mean that this person is very connected to his roots, cultural and ethnic roots, and family traditions. The person may be very ‘rooted’ to the Moola ruled areas in life.


14. Those who have their Atmakaraka, Ascendant, 10th lord, Rahu or Bhrigu Bindu associated with the Moola Nakshatra, can work in areas which require a deep dive into something or investigation of things. Also, traditionally many Ayurvedic herbs or roots have been used as medicines , so this person can work as a Pharmacist, Doctor , healer. Can also be an endodontist (dentist who specializes in doing RCT), Microbiologist (going to the root cause of diseases), Detective, Investigator, Astrologer, Psychotherapist, counsellor, Vegetable seller (especially root vegetables), can be in professions related to mining and digging. It may also be possible that the native is in professions involving destructive activities. For example, Mars in Moola can be an excellent boxer. However, if this energy is not used wisely, it can make someone very aggressive and violent. Mercury in Moola can have an excellent insight into things; can be a great nuclear scientist. Rahu in Moola can however be a difficult energy to deal with. It is a frightful Nakshatra and Rahu is the karaka of illusions, of Maya. He can give a lot of fears and phobias here.


15. Jyeshtha-Moola Gandanta Bridge (last 3 degrees of Jyeshtha and first 3 degrees of Moola) is said to be the most difficult as it leads to the final jump, from materialism to spiritualism. Jyeshtha is seen as the pinnacle of Material prosperity. The Nakshatras after Jyeshtha are related to the spiritual journey, going within.


16. Moola is like a black hole, that has an immense gravitational pull, there’s a great energy which needs to be used constructively. Inside the black hole, everything is dark and gloomy, but as soon as you come out, there are stars and divinity all around. These natives usually have a group of people, especially, in the close family group, who are usually not supportive, they may try to belittle the native and demotivate him, but outside of this close group, there is immense light. The Moola native may get a lot of fame and material success outside of this inner core group. This fame and success can last only when the Moola native lets go of the desire to seek revenge, otherwise sometime in the lifetime, the Moola energy can take away everything that it gave. A complete transformation.


17. The energy is quite the same, in a continuum from Scorpio up to Moola in Sagittarius. Scorpio is co-ruled by Ketu and Moola is a Ketu ruled Nakshatra. One of the stars in this Nakshatra actually lies in Scorpio and it is in the tail part of Scorpio. Tail is where the scorpion’s sting is. Sting is what kills the other people, it is poisonous and it is painful. There lays its ability to harm. This indicates that these people hold a lot of grudges in their heart, about the perceived wrongs. They brood over it and hold a lot of resentment. It is only when they let go of this desire to avenge the wrongdoings, do they move to the higher levels of functioning of this nakshatra.


18. Placement of Jupiter, the sign lord, in a difficult house/sign can magnify the pains and resentments for the native. And a benefic Jupiter can give him the ability to understand the underlying spiritual reasons and hence lead to an immense soul growth.


The 4 Padas


1st Pada (0°00' to 3°20' Sagittarius, ruled by Mars):


It is influenced by Mars, giving the flavor of energy, enthusiasm, and courage. Individuals born in this pada are action-oriented and competitive. They are determined and may face challenges head-on. They have a pioneering spirit and are risk takers. They possess leadership qualities and may have a desire for personal growth and exploration.


2nd Pada (3°20' to 6°40' Sagittarius, ruled by Venus):


It is governed by Venus and so a love for beauty and aesthetics is seen here. People born in this pada appreciate art, music, and culture. They have good social skills and can build harmonious relationships. They possess a diplomatic nature and can navigate through different situations with ease. They value balance and harmony in their personal and professional lives.


3rd Pada (6°40' to 10°00' Sagittarius, ruled by Mercury):


It is influenced by Mercury, and so it gives intellectual abilities, analytical thinking, and communication skills to this Nakshatra. Individuals born in this pada are mentally sharp, logical, and possess good problem-solving abilities. They have a curious and inquisitive mind, always seeking knowledge and understanding. They have effective communication skills and can express their thoughts clearly. They may excel in professions that require analysis, research or communicative abilities


4th Pada (10°00' to 13°20' Sagittarius, ruled by Moon):


It is ruled by the Moon, so it gives the native and emotional nature, intuition, and nurturing qualities. People born in this pada are compassionate, empathetic, and have a caring nature. They possess strong instincts and take intuitive decisions. They value their relationships and may prioritize the well-being of their loved ones over anything else. This may make them very selfless and altruistic.

How to Deal with this Ugra energy in the chart:


Nritti is said to be the daughter of Adharma (non righteousness) and Hinsa (violence) and the mother of Bhaya (fear) and Mrityu (death).


It can be interpreted that Destruction (Nritti) is the result (daughter) of non-righteous and violent behavior. Also, Fear and Death are the result (children) of Destruction (Nritti). 


She’s said to thrive only in places that are unclean, where violence is resorted to, people are ungrateful and non righteous deeds are being committed.


So if one stays true to one’s path, stays non violent in thoughts, words and deeds and maintains cleanliness – personal and of the surroundings, one shall invoke the counterpart energy of Nritti (Alakshmi) that is Lakshmi, which is symbolic of Love, Prosperity and Wealth.


Also, it helps if one is not resistant to the changes that the universe brings. There needs to be a sense of trust and a complete surrender, an attitude of going with the flow. If something or someone is being taken away, one should let go, the tighter one holds, the more painful the whole process shall become. There needs to be a willingness to sacrifice. There needs to be a belief that whatever is happening, is happening for some greater good that shall be revealed in due course of time.


A lot of spiritual awareness is needed to suitably transmute the negative energies of this Nakshatra.


Let us all put our best efforts in becoming the highest version of ourselves. Amen.


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Very well written. Beautifully explained. Keep up the good work. Thanks for sharing.