60 Shashtia and their nature

Shashtia 1. Ghora: Horrible, ghastly, extremely

fierce. Nature: KRURA.Mantresvara in Phaladeepika classified
this as Krura.

Shashtia 2. Rakshasa: Demons, opposite of Deva, follower

of unrighteous path, sinful. Nature: KRURA. Mantresvara in
Phaladeepika classified this as Krura.

Shashtia 3. Deva: Brightness, light, follower of righteous

path. Nature: SHUBHA. Mantresvara in Phaladeepika classified
this as Shubha.

Shashtia 4. Kubera: Lord of wealth. Kubera is the Lord of

Wealth and the god-king of the semi-divine Yakshas in Hindu
mythology. He is regarded as the regent of the North (Dik-pala),
and a protector of the world (Lokapala). His many epithets extol
him as the overlord of numerous semi-divine species and the
owner of the treasures of the world. Kubera is often depicted with
a plump body, adorned with jewels, and carrying a money-pot and
a club. Nature: SHUBHA Mantresvara in Phaladeepika
classified this as Shubha.

Shashtia 5. Yaksha: Protector of hidden wealth. Yaksha is

the name of a broad class of nature-spirits, usually benevolent,
who are caretakers of the natural treasures hidden in the earth and
tree roots. They appear in Hindu, Jain and Buddhist
literature. Nature: SHUBHA (?). According to BS Raos
interpretation of Sarvartha Chintamani, this is not Shubha. But
according to JK Ojha in Phaladeepika this is Shubha. I am more
inclined to agree with Phaladeepika and classify this as Shubha.
Why? Because Yakshas are the classes of creatures who are given
the task of guarding natural treasures. They dont harm anyone
unless provoked. In Mahabharata, in the episode of interaction
between Yakshas and Yudhisthira, the Pandavas were rendered
unconscious, to be revived later. They were not killed in a fight!
Mantresvara in Phaladeepika classified this as Shubha.

Shashtia 6. Kinnara: Kinnaras are the Celestial musicians.

They are usually depicted by half human, half horse form, like
Centaur. Their character is clarified in the Adi Parva of the
Mahabharata, where they say: We are everlasting lover and
beloved. We never separate. We are eternally husband and
wife; never do we become mother and father. No offspring is seen
in our lap. We are lover and beloved ever-embracing. In between
us we do not permit any third creature demanding affection. Our
life is a life of perpetual pleasure. Nature:
SHUBHA. Mantresvara in Phaladeepika classified this as
Shubha.

Shashtia 7. Bhrashta: Bhrasta means corrupt. One who is

deviated from the righteous path, sinful, bereft of benevolent
qualities. Nature: KRURA (?). According to both BS Rao (SC)
and GK Ojha (PD) this is Shubha. However, in my humble
opinion, this should be considered as KRURA as one who is not on
the righteous path, how can that person be Shubha? Mantresvara
classified this as SHUBHA, hence this needs to be validated with
experimentation and research. Mantresvara in Phaladeepika
classified this as Shubha.

Shashtia 8. Kulaghna: Destroyer (ghna) of ones lineage

(kula). Nature: KRURA. Mantresvara in Phaladeepika classified
this as Krura.
Shashtia 9. Garala: Poison. Nature:
KRURA. Mantresvara in Phaladeepika classified this as Krura.

Shashtia 10. Vanhi: Agni, Fire deity, one that

burns. Nature: KRURA.Mantresvara in Phaladeepika classified
this as Krura.

Shashtia 11. Maya: Illusion, delusion, truth is

hidden. Nature: KRURA.Mantresvara in Phaladeepika classified
this as Krura.

Shashtia 12. Purishak Disembodied soul, highly unsettled

and looking for peace. Jataka Tattva and Sarvartha Chintamani
have mentioned this as Preta-Purisha. Nature:
KRURA. Mantresvara in Phaladeepika classified this as Krura.

Shashtia 13. Apampati: The deity of the oceans. Apa is

water and Pati is lord. Apampati means lord of water or Jala
tattva. Varuna is the another name for the lord of the waters (Jala
Tattva). JT: Varuna. SC: Apampati. Nature:
SHUBHA. Mantresvara in Phaladeepika classified this as
Shubha.

Shashtia 14. Marutvan: The deity of the air, the powerful

deities called marutas. The son of Air deity, Pavana i.e., Pavana
Putra Hanuman is also called Maruti. Nature:
SHUBHA Mantresvara in Phaladeepika classified this as Shubha.

Shashtia 15. Kala: Time personified, kala-purusha, the

eternal destroyer. Why, the time personified should be depicted as
Krurua? Because Kala has no emotions, no sympathy and no
kindness. It manifests the karma with the hands of steel and
punishes those who has broken the Dharma. Shani is the
representation of Kala and is the most punishing Graha in the
Zodiac. Nature: KRURA Mantresvara in Phaladeepika classified
this as Krura.

Shashtia 16. Sarpa: Serpents. JT: Ahi. SC:

Sarpa. Sarpas have many connotation, one who binds us to the
material universe (Rahu), one who is sleeping at the base of spine
(Kundalini) etc. The Ashlesha Nakshatra is also governed by the
Sarpas. The Sarpas are different from the Nagas, who have more
divine qualities, such as Sheshanaaga. Nature:
KRURA Mantresvara in Phaladeepika classified this as Krura.

Shashtia 17. Amrita: Nectar, Rejuvenation. JT: Chandra

amrita. This could mean Soma-Rasa or the juice oozing from
Chandra, which is indicative of refined taste, imagination and
creativity. Nature: SHUBHA. Mantresvara in Phaladeepika
classified this as Shubha.

Shashtia 18. Indu: Moon, Lunar deity, imagination,

creativity, mental faculties, delight. JT/SC: Chandra. Nature:
SHUBHA. Mantresvara in Phaladeepika classified this as
Shubha.

Shashtia 19. Mrdu: Soft, tender. JT: Mrdu. Nature:

SHUBHA.Mantresvara in Phaladeepika classified this as Shubha.

Shashtia 20. Komala: Delicate, fragile, soft, subtle. JT:

Mrdu-komala.Nature: SHUBHA. Mantresvara in
Phaladeepika classified this as Shubha.

Shashtia 21. Heramba: Hera + Amba i.e., follower of the

mother (Amba). JT/SC: Padma. Heramba also known as
Heramba Ganapati, is a five-headed iconographical form of the
Hindu god Ganesha (Ganapati). This form is particularly popular
in Nepal. Heramba is also known as the beloved son the Mother,
representative of Ganesha who was created by mother Parvati,
who sacrificed his life to protect his mother. Nature:
SHUBHA. Mantresvara in Phaladeepika classified this as
Shubha.

Shashtia 22#. Brahma: The creator. JT: Vishnu. SC:

Lakshmisha. Both JT and SC opine that this should be assigned
to Vishnu. Lakshmisha means, the lord (isha) of Lakshmi i.e., lord
Vishnu. In my opinion Final verdict: #22 Shastiamsa should
be Vishnu, Lakshmisha as suggested by Jataka Tattva and
Sarvartha Chintamani. Nature: SHUBHA. Mantresvara in
Phaladeepika classified this as Shubha.

Shashtia 23#. Vishnu: The sustainer. JT/SC:

Vaagisha. The lord speech (vac), who is no other than
mother Sarasvati. Final verdict: #23 Shastiamsa:
Vaagisha as suggested by Jataka Tattva and Sarvartha
Chintamani. Nature: SHUBHA. Mantresvara in Phaladeepika
classified this as Shubha.

Shashtia 24#. Maheshwara: The destroyer. JT/SC:

Digambara. Dig means directions and Ambara means sky. The
lord of all the direction and the sky. In Jainism, Digambara is a
sect who consider the space and the sky to be their clothes and
choose to remain naked, clad by the sky. Final verdict: #23
Shastiamsa: Digambara. Nature: SHUBHA. Mantresvara in
Phaladeepika classified this as Shubha.

Shashtia 25. Deva: The follower the lights. Deva is from

Diva which means day, or the time that is full of light. They are the
follower of the righteous path (dharma) and cause brightness in
everyones life. Nature: SHUBHA. Mantresvara in Phaladeepika
classified this as Shubha.
Shashtia 26#. Ardra: Wet, moist, very powerful like the
Rudras of the Ardra Nakshatra. JT: Ardra. SC: Indra. Even if
we consider this to belong to Indra, it represents power, opulence,
influence and also arrogance. The Rudras, although known to be
fierce, they are the protector of the Pranas. They protect things
from getting destroyed or decayed. Hence they should be
considered Shubha, although they are fierce in nature. Indra is the
devata for Thunder and Rains and is one who has full control over
the Indriyas (Sense Organs). Hence this Shastiamsa can indicate
the ability to self-control.Nature: SHUBHA. According to both
BS Rao and GK Ojha this is considered as Shubha. Mantresvara in
Phaladeepika classified this as Shubha.

Shashtia 27#. Kalinasa: One who destroys strife. Kali

means strife and Nasa means destruction. Kalinasa is destruction
of Strife, hence should be considered highly auspicious. JT:
Nasha. If we consider only Nasha as suggested by Jataka Tattva,
then it cant be Shubha, as Naasha means destruction. However,
Phaladeepika classified the Shastiamsa 27 as Shubha, hence it can
only be Kalinasa. Nature: SHUBHA, Mantresvara in
Phaladeepika classified this as Shubha.

Shashtia 28. Kshitees: Kshitees means Horizon. This can

imply new beginning, new life, rising time of the Sun. This is
highly auspicious as this indicate new beginning or the moment
that is coming out of strife (black cloud) like a golden ray of
sunlight. Nature: SHUBHA. Mantresvara in Phaladeepika
classified this as Shubha.

Shashtia 29. Kamalakara: Creator of the Lotus i.e.,

Reclining Vishnu. As per the legend, Lord Brahma who sits on the
Lotus and symbolises creation of the material universe is created
from the Navel of Vishnu. This is supposed to be highly auspicious
as this represent the moment of creation where the Lotus is
coming out of the Navel of lord Vishnu, reclining in yoga nidra
(meditative state). Nature: SHUBHA Mantresvara in
Phaladeepika classified this as Shubha.

Shashtia 30. Gulika: Gulika is an Upagraha and is

considered highly destructive. JT/SC: Mandastamaja i.e. Son of
Shani (Manda). Highly inauspicious. Nature:
KRURA. Mantresvara in Phaladeepika classified this as Krura.

Shashtia 31. Mrityu: Highly destructive child (upagraha) of

Mangal (Upagraha). Highly inauspicious. Nature:
KRURA. Mantresvara in Phaladeepika classified this as Krura.

Shashtia 32. Kala: Child (upagraha) of of Surya. Highly

inauspicious. Nature: KRURA. Mantresvara in Phaladeepika
classified this as Krura.

Shashtia 33. Davagni: Davagni is also known as Davanal

which means Forest fire, highly destructive and beyond anyones
control. Highly inauspicious. Nature: KRURA. Mantresvara in
Phaladeepika classified this as Krura.

Shashtia 34#. Ghora: Horrible, ghastly, extremely fierce.

Highly destructive. JT: Bhaya. SC: Yamakantaka: Child
(upagraha) of Guru. Highly inauspicious. Nature:
KRURA. Mantresvara in Phaladeepika classified this as Krura.

Shashtia 35. Yama: The god of death, extreme suffering,

death like suffering. Yama is merciless and highly duty-bound. He
does not have mercy, kindness, empathy for one whose death is
near. He even didnt spare the life of Markendeya Maharishi, until
lord Shiva stepped in. This means that when Yama strikes, Lord
Shivas grace is the only remedy. Nature: KRURA.Mantresvara
in Phaladeepika classified this as Krura.
Shashtia 36#. Kantaka: Thorne in the foot, highly painful,
make you limp. JT: Kantaka. SC: Satya. In Sarvatha
chintamani, the author combines Yama and Kantaka into
Yamakantaka and the 36th Shastiamsa is Satya. However, in
Jataka Tattva and Parashara Horashastra, it is broken into Yama
(Bhaya in JT) and Kantaka, while Satya Shastiamsa is missing. In
my humble opinion, Yama and Kantaka should be
separate which is as per BPHS and JT. The Satya shastiamsa
(#36) mentioned by SC should be assigned to the next shastiamsa.
The SC next shastiamsa Amrita should be pushed further to #37 to
align with BPHS and JT. Final verdict: #36 Shastiamsa:
Kantaka.Nature: SHUBHA (?). According to both BS Rao and
GK Ojha, this is a shubha Shastiamsa, which also tallies with
Phaladeepika. However, if the name be Kantaka, then this should
ideally be Krura. If this Shastiamsa to be taken as Shubha, then
there must be a hidden meaning to the term Kantaka. Mantresvara
in Phaladeepika classified this as Shubha.

Shashtia 37#. Suddha: Pure, serene. JT: Sudha. SC:

Amrita. My opinion: SC Shastiamsa Satya should be assigned
here and Amrita should be assigned to #37. Final verdict: #37
Shastiamsa: Suddha, Satya. Nature:
SHUBHA. Mantresvara in Phaladeepika classified this as
Shubha.

Shashtia 38#. Amrita: Nectar. JT: Amrita. SC:

Paripurna SC Shastiamsa Amrita should be assigned here.
Paripurna should be assigned to next #39 to align with BPHS, JT
Purnachandra and Purnendu. Final verdict: #38 Shastiamsa:
Amrita. Nature: SHUBHA Mantresvara in Phaladeepika
classified this as Shubha.

Shashtia 39#. Purna Candra: Full moon, highly

auspicious and benevolent. JT: Purnendu. SC:
Vishapradagdha. SC Shastiamsa Vishapradagdha should be
assigned to #40 to align with BPHS and JT. Final verdict: #39
Shastiamsa: Purna Candra. Nature: KRURA (?). According
to both BS Rao and GK Ojha, this is Krura. However, the name
suggests that this should be SHUBHA, as full moon is highly
auspicious. Mantresvara in Phaladeepika classified this as Krura.

Shashtia 40#. Vishadagdha: Fully poisoned, cant be

resuscitated. JT: Visha. SC: Kulanasa. SC Shastiamsa Kulanasa
should be assigned to #41 to align with BPHS and JT. Final
verdict: #40 Shastiamsa: Vishadagdha, Visha. Nature:
KRURA. Mantresvara in Phaladeepika classified this as Krura.

Shashtia 41#. Kulanasa: Destroyer of lineage. JT: Kali.

SC: Mukhya. SC Shastiamsa Mukhya should be combined and
assigned to this Shastiamsa #41. Here BPHS and JT are aligned.
The JT #41 and #42 should be combined to get Kalinasha. Final
verdict: #41 Shastiamsa: Kulanasa,
Kulanasamukhya. Nature: SHUBHA (?). According to both
BS Rao and GK Ojha this is SHUBHA. The name Kulanaasa means
destruction of the Kula or lineage; how can this be Shubha? In my
humble opinion, this should ideally be classified as KRURA.
Mantresvara in Phaladeepika classified this as Shubha.

Shashtia 42#. Vamshakshaya: Destroyer of lineage. JT:

Nasha. SC: Vamshakshaya. JT #43 Vamshakshaya should be
assigned here. Final verdict: #42 Shastiamsa:
Vamshakshaya. Nature: KRURA. Mantresvara in
Phaladeepika classified this as Krura.

Shashtia 43#. Utpata: Destructive, unsettling,

revolutionary. JT: Vamshakshaya. SC: Utpata. I think JT #44
Utpata should be assigned here. Final verdict: #43
Shastiamsa: Utpata. Nature: KRURA. Mantresvara in
Phaladeepika classified this as Krura.
Shashtia 44#. Kala: Who is in the form of Kala or the time
personified. JT: Utpata. SC: Kalarupa. I think JT #45
Kalarupa should be assigned here. Final verdict: #44
Shastiamsa: Kala or Kalarupa. Nature:
KRURA.Mantresvara in Phaladeepika classified this as Krura.

Shashtia 45#. Saumya: Gentle, auspicious or Budha

(Mercury). JT: Kalarupa. SC: Saumya. I think JT #46 Saumya
should be assigned here. Final verdict: #45 Shastiamsa:
Saumya. Nature: SHUBHA. Mantresvara in Phaladeepika
classified this as Shubha.

Shashtia 46#. Komal: Fragile, delicate. JT: Saumya. SC:

Mrdu. Soft. I think JT #47 Mrdu should be assigned here. Final
verdict: #46 Shastiamsa: Komala or Mrdu. Nature:
SHUBHA. Mantresvara in Phaladeepika classified this as
Shubha.

Shashtia 47#. Sheetala: Cooling, soothing, life giving. JT:

Mrdu. SC: Su-sheetala. I think JT #48 Sheetala should be
assigned here. Final verdict: #47 Shastiamsa: Sheetala and
Susheetala. Nature: SHUBHA. Mantresvara in Phaladeepika
classified this as Shubha.

Shashtia 48#. Karaladamshtra: Big tooth jutting out of

the mouth, dangerous. JT: Sheetala. SC: Damstrakarale. JT
#49 Damstrakarale should be assigned here. Final verdict: #48
Shastiamsa: Karaladamshtra, Damstrakarale. Nature:
KRURA Mantresvara in Phaladeepika classified this as Krura.

Shashtia 49#. Candramukhi: Seductive facial appearance

of Chandra. JT: Damstrakarale. SC: Seethabja. According to
JN Bhasin SC edition, this is Indumukha. Both of JT and SC
Indumukha should be assigned here. Final verdict: #49
Shastiamsa: Chandramukha, Indumukha. Nature:
SHUBHA.Mantresvara in Phaladeepika classified this as Shubha.

Shashtia 50#. Praveen: Adept, expert. JT/SC:

Indumukha(x). I think this should be Praveena. JT seemed to
have missed this one. In SC JN Bhasin edition, this is mentioned
as Praveen only. Final verdict: #50 Shastiamsa: Praveen.
Nature: SHUBHA. Mantresvara in Phaladeepika classified this
as Shubha.

Shashtia 51#. Kaalpavaka: Shiva or Rudra in the form of

destroyer of time. Kalapavaka is also called Kalagni as Pavaka is
the another name for Agni. See below the Shiva prarthana
(prayer). JT: Kalagni. SC: Poorna(x).Namaste astu Bhagavan
Vishveshvaraya Mahadevaya Trayambakaya Tripurantakaya
TrikagniKalaya KalagniRudraya Nilakantaya Mrityunjayaya
Sarvesvaraya Sadhashivaya Sriman Mahadevaya Namah. I think
the word Poorna in SC BS Rao edition is misleading. The is
clarified in SC JN Bhasin edition to be Kalagni. Final verdict:
#51 Shastiamsa: Kaalpavaka, Kalagni. Nature: KRURA
(?). According to BS Rao this is Shubha while according to GK
Ojha this is Krura. The name is destructive as this is implying
burning of the older time, albeit for creation of something new.
Mantresvara in Phaladeepika classified this as Krura.

Shashtia 52#. Dandayudha: Wielder of the Guru Danda

(stick hold by the preceptor of the spiritual lineage). Kartikeya is
known as Dandayudhapani. JT: Dandayudha. SC:
Kalagnya(x). I think SC Kalagnya should be assigned to #51.
Here BPHS and JT are aligned. Final verdict: #52
Shastiamsa: Dhannayudha, Dandayudhapani. Nature:
KRURA(?).According to both BS Rao and GK Ojha, this is Krura.
However, the name suggests lord Kartikeya, who is the giver of all
Siddhis; how can it be Krura? This can however be interpreted as
Guru wielding the staff, to punish the evil doers. Hence, this
Shastiamsa could be punishing. Mantresvara in Phaladeepika
classified this as Krura.

Shashtia 53#. Nirmala: Clean, pure, unadulterated. JT:

Nirmala. SC: Dandayudha(x). My opinion: SC Dandayudha
should be assigned to #52. BPHS and JT are aligned. Final
verdict: #53 Shastiamsa: Nirmala. Nature: SHUBHA
(?) In Sarvartha Chintamani, Prof. BS Rao didnt include this into
the list of Shubha Shastiamsa, but according to GJ Ojha this is
Shubha. Mantresvara in Phaladeepika classified this as Shubha.

Shashtia 54#. Saumya: Auspicious, gentle, tender, soft,

benevolent. JT: Shubha. SC: Nirmala(x). Final verdict: #54
Shastiamsa: Saumya, Shubha. Nature:
SHUBHA Mantresvara in Phaladeepika classified this as Shubha.

Shashtia 55#. Krura: Cruel, harsh, inauspicious. JT:

Ashubha. SC: Shubha(x). Final verdict: #55 Shastiamsa:
Krura, Ashubha. Nature: SHUBHA(?). According to both BS
Rao and GK Ojha, this is SHUBHA. However, the name suggests
that this should be KRURA. Mantresvara in Phaladeepika
classified this as Shubha.

Shashtia 56#. Atisheetal: Very cooling. JT: Sheetal. SC:

Ashubha(x).Final verdict: #56 Shastiamsa: Atisheetal,
Sheetal, Atishubha. Nature: SHUBHA (?). According to
both BS Rao this is Krura while as per GK Ojha, this is SHUBHA.
Mantresvara in Phaladeepika classified this as Shubha.

Shashtia 57#. Amrita: Nectar, life giving, rejuvenating. JT:

Sudha. SC: Atishubha(x). Final verdict: #57 Shastiamsa:
Amrit, Sudha, Atishubha.Nature: SHUBHA (?). According
to BS Rao, this is Krura while as per GK Ojha, this is SHUBHA.
This cant be Krura as Amrita rejuvenates life and protects the
Prana. Mantresvara in Phaladeepika classified this as Shubha.

Shashtia 58. Payodhi: Ocean, boundless water. JT:

Payodhi. SC: Sudha-payodhi. Final verdict: #58
Shastiamsa: Payodhi. Nature: SHUBHAMantresvara in
Phaladeepika classified this as Shubha.

Shashtia 59#. Bhramana: Travel, moving, non static, lack

stability, fatigue. JT: Bhramana. SC: Dyumani. Final
verdict: #59 Shastiamsa: Bhramana Nature:
KRURA. According to BS Rao, this is Shubha while as per GK
Ojha, this is Krura. In ancient times, wandering, moving to a
foreign land etc. was not considered auspicious as one has to leave
family and kinsmen behind. Travel is also associated with
wandering, causing fatigue, hence not considered auspicious.
Mantresvara in Phaladeepika classified this as Krura.

Shashtia 60. Candrarekha: Indu is Moon and Rekha is

line. JT/SC:Indurekha. Many classify this as full moon
however, that does not appear to be right. In my view this is the
Krsna Chaturdasi Moon which appears as a thin line. This adorns
the head of lord Shiva and is highly auspicious for Shiva Puja.
Maha Shivaratri is celebrated on Krsna Chaturdasi in the Magha
month. Final verdict:#59 Shastiamsa: Candrarekha,
Indurekha. Nature: SHUBHA. Mantresvara in Phaladeepika
classified this as Shubha.