Mars Transit in Purva Bhadrapada

Purva Bhadrapada is Jupiter's nakshatra. Aja Ekapada, the one-footed goat, is its deity, and its symbols are the front legs of a funeral cot and a sword. Three padas lie in Aquarius, Saturn's sign, and the fourth in Pisces, Jupiter's own. Mars counts Jupiter a friend and Saturn neutral, so the lord supports the graha.

Mars stays a little over two weeks. This is the nakshatra of tapas, of fierce austerity and the cause a person would die for, and its themes are intensity, sacrifice, funeral rites, penance and the sword that cuts both ways. A person may give more to a cause in these two weeks than in the year before.

The calves and ankles are the body areas in Aquarius, and the feet in the Pisces pada. Burns and injuries taken for a principle are the classical warnings. Fanaticism is the moral hazard, including anger dressed as righteousness.

Sagittarius, Virgo and Aries Moons and lagnas have Mars in the third, sixth and eleventh during the Aquarius padas. In the Pisces pada those houses pass to Capricorn, Libra and Taurus. Phaladeepika names these three as favourable for Mars. Aquarius and Pisces Moons carry the graha on the self in turn and feel the heat of conviction.

Scorpio, Leo and Cancer Moons have Mars in the fourth, seventh and eighth for most of the stay. They should hold the temper down at home and in partnership. Purva Bhadrapada shows what the person is willing to burn for. Aja Ekapada stands on one foot, unmoved, and Mars in his nakshatra reveals whether the person's firmness is discipline or rigidity.

Honour the deity with a fast on Tuesday and with worship of Hanuman, whose strength is held in service. Recite Om Angarakaya Namah and give red lentils or copper, Parashara's dana for Mars. Put the intensity into one sadhana kept at a fixed hour.