People born in Shravana nakshatra

Shravana, the listener, is traditionally the nakshatra of learning and wise counsel - of attentive people who gather knowledge and pass it on.

The story in the sky

Shravana belongs to Vishnu, and its old symbol is three footprints. The story is that of Vamana. The generous king Mahabali had grown so powerful that the gods had lost their place, and Vishnu came to his sacrifice as a small boy asking only for as much land as he could cover in three steps. Bali gladly agreed; the boy grew to fill the universe, and with two steps covered earth and sky. Bali offered his own head for the third, and Vishnu, moved by his generosity, blessed him. In Kerala families still welcome Bali home each year at Onam, on the day of Thiruvonam, which is Shravana. Tradition sees in Shravana people the listener and the learner: attentive, humble and wise.

What the name holds

Shravana means 'hearing' or 'the listener', and its symbol is an ear, the picture of learning from elders and of the wisdom passed on by hearing. Tradition gives each quarter (pada) of the nakshatra its own syllable for beginning a child's name, and the quarter the Moon stood in at birth chooses it: खी (khi), खू (khu), खे (khe) or खो (kho).

Nature

People born with the Moon in Shravana are said to be attentive, thoughtful and devoted to learning. The Moon, its ruling planet, gives them sensitivity, a good memory and a caring, receptive nature.

Strengths

They are excellent listeners, and people naturally confide in them and seek their advice. Many love study, scripture, music or languages, and do well as teachers, counsellors and advisers. They are patient, well-mannered and respectful of tradition. Their ability to listen before they act helps them avoid mistakes and gives their words real weight in the family.

In family and marriage

In family life they are caring, respectful to elders and devoted to keeping the family's values and customs alive. They like a peaceful, orderly home and are often the ones who remember the family's stories. Because they take in so much, they can be sensitive to criticism or worry over what others say, so they do well to trust their own good judgement.

The partner who suits them

A partner who is gentle, sincere and willing to talk things through tends to suit them, someone who values learning and family tradition. They respond to respect and to being truly heard in return. With a spouse who shares their values and listens as well as they do, they make a loyal, wise and nurturing partner for life.

In kundali matching

Shravana is Deva gana and Antya nadi, and its yoni animal is the monkey. In a match these are set against the partner's nakshatra: a partner who is also Antya nadi brings Nadi dosha; a partner of Rakshasa gana brings Gana dosha; and Yoni compares the two animals. Other features of the two kundalis can cancel a dosha, so no nakshatra makes a match good or bad on its own. How kundali matching works explains the whole reading.

Related guides

• How kundali matching worksWhere the gunas and Manglik come from, and how to read the result
• How many gunas should match?The 18-guna mark, what a total means, and the four answers the Gun Milan app gives
• Manglik doshaWhat being Manglik means, and which pairings suit
• Nadi doshaHealth and children: the heaviest koota, and when its dosha is cancelled
• The 27 nakshatrasThe nature and story of the people of each birth star, and the partner they suit
• The 12 rashisWhat the people of each Moon sign are like, at home and in marriage