Sun Transit in Uttara Ashadha

Uttara Ashadha, the elephant's tusk, is the Sun's own nakshatra, with the Vishvadevas as its deities. One pada lies in Sagittarius and three in Capricorn. The Sun's entry into Capricorn at the second pada is Makara Sankranti, which the tradition takes as the start of Uttarayana. Saturn, lord of Capricorn, is the Sun's enemy, so the graha is at home in the nakshatra and a rival's guest in the sign.

Within these two weeks the Sun's northern course opens, Dhanurmasa closes, and marriages and new undertakings resume. Uttara Ashadha is dhruva. The Sun's significations of authority, father and government are at their most lasting, and titles conferred or posts taken now tend to be kept.

The Vishvadevas are the universal gods, and the nakshatra gives victory that holds because it is dharmic. In Saturn's sign the Sun wins through duty done in full, which satisfies Saturn.

In the Sagittarius pada, Libra, Cancer, Pisces and Aquarius Moons hold the favourable houses. Once the Sun is in Capricorn, Scorpio, Leo, Aries and Pisces Moons take the third, sixth, tenth and eleventh, and Capricorn Moons carry the Sun in the first, Aquarius in the twelfth, Gemini in the eighth and Libra in the fourth. The lagna is counted the same way.

Here one sees whether a person's victories last. The Sun in its own nakshatra gives strength, and Saturn's sign asks what the strength is for.

On Makara Sankranti, give sesame and jaggery as the custom is, and offer water to the rising Sun that morning. Recite the Aditya Hridaya. For the Vishvadevas, who are many, feed a gathering.