Rashi · Dhanu (Sagittarius)
Dhanu rashi in English: Sagittarius, ruled by Jupiter
Dhanu is Sagittarius, the 9th rashi. Its lord, element and nature, the nakshatras in it, the planets exalted there and the Sade Sati dates for a Moon in it.
In short
Dhanu rashi in English is Sagittarius. Dhanu is the 9th sign of the Vedic zodiac, 240°–270°, ruled by Jupiter. It is a dual, fire sign and holds Moola (all 4 padas), Poorva Ashadha (all 4 padas) and Uttara Ashadha (pada 1).
Dhanu rashi at a glance
| Dhanu (Sagittarius) | |
|---|---|
| English name | Sagittarius |
| Sanskrit and Indian names | Dhanu; Hindi Dhanu, Kannada Dhanu, Tamil Dhanusu, Telugu Dhanassu |
| Position | 9th sign, 240°–270° of the sidereal zodiac |
| Lord | Jupiter (also rules Meena) |
| Nature | Dual (dvisvabhava) |
| Odd or even | Odd: male |
| Element | Fire |
| Humour | Bilious (pitta) |
| Limb of Kalapurusha | The thighs |
| Strong by | Night |
| Direction | East |
| Rises | With its head |
| Feet | Two-footed in the first half, four-footed in the second |
| Guna | Sattva |
| Nakshatra padas | Moola (all 4 padas), Poorva Ashadha (all 4 padas) and Uttara Ashadha (pada 1) |
| Planets in dignity | No planet is exalted or debilitated in Sagittarius; 0°–10° is the moolatrikona of Jupiter. |
How BPHS describes Dhanu
BPHS describes Dhanu as even-bodied, tawny in colour, two-footed in the first half, four-footed in the second, strong by night, belonging to the east, and found in land. It rises with its head. Its picture holds a bow; it is a royal sign. (BPHS ch. 4 sl. 17-18½.)
In the body of time, Kalapurusha, Dhanu is the thighs (sl. 4). These are qualities of the sign, used to read whatever falls in it; they are not a forecast for people born with the Moon there. When Dhanu is the rising sign instead, see Dhanu Lagna for its house lords.
Nakshatras in Dhanu rashi
Each rashi holds 9 padas (quarters) of 3°20'. Dhanu holds Moola (all 4 padas), Poorva Ashadha (all 4 padas) and Uttara Ashadha (pada 1). Your nakshatra and pada set the start of your Vimshottari dasha and are used in matching.
Planets exalted and debilitated in Sagittarius
No planet is exalted or debilitated in Sagittarius; 0°–10° is the moolatrikona of Jupiter. A planet is exalted in one sign and debilitated in the sign opposite (BPHS ch. 3).
Sade Sati for a Dhanu Moon
Sade Sati for a Sagittarius (Dhanu) Moon is the 7½ years Saturn takes to cross Scorpio, Sagittarius and Capricorn, the 12th, 1st and 2nd signs from the Moon. The next Sade Sati for a Sagittarius Moon is Dec 2043 – Feb 2052. The Sade Sati guide explains the three phases.
Questions about Dhanu rashi
What is Dhanu rashi in English?
Dhanu rashi (Dhanu in Sanskrit) is Sagittarius in English. It is the 9th sign of the zodiac, 240° to 270° of the Vedic (sidereal) zodiac.
Who is the lord of Dhanu rashi?
Jupiter rules Dhanu (Sagittarius), and also rules Meena.
Which nakshatras come in Dhanu rashi?
Dhanu holds 9 nakshatra padas: Moola (all 4 padas), Poorva Ashadha (all 4 padas) and Uttara Ashadha (pada 1).
Which planet is exalted in Sagittarius?
No planet is exalted or debilitated in Sagittarius; 0°–10° is the moolatrikona of Jupiter.
When is Sade Sati for Dhanu rashi?
Sade Sati for a Sagittarius (Dhanu) Moon is the 7½ years Saturn takes to cross Scorpio, Sagittarius and Capricorn, the 12th, 1st and 2nd signs from the Moon. The next Sade Sati for a Sagittarius Moon is Dec 2043 – Feb 2052.
Is Sagittarius a fire, earth, air or water sign?
Sagittarius is a fire sign, dual in nature, and male (BPHS ch. 4 sl. 5).
Keep learning
- All 12 rashis Rashi by date of birth, lords, elements and nakshatras.
- Vrishchika (Scorpio) The rashi before this one.
- Makara (Capricorn) The rashi after this one.
- Jupiter in astrology The lord of Dhanu.
- Sagittarius compatibility How a Dhanu Moon sign matches every sign.
- Dhanu rashi 2027 What Jupiter, Saturn, Rahu and Ketu bring a Dhanu Moon in 2027.
Sources
- BPHS ch. 4 sl. 3 (the 12 rashis), sl. 4 (the limbs of Kalapurusha), sl. 5 (movable, fixed and dual; odd and even; the humours) and sl. 6-24 (each sign described).
- BPHS ch. 3 (sign lords, exaltation, debilitation and moolatrikona), as coded in Astrojar's engine.
- Sade Sati dates: computed by Astrojar's engine (Lahiri ayanamsa, Saturn's sidereal ingresses) as of 18 October 2026.
Chapter and verse numbers follow R. Santhanam's English translation of BPHS (Ranjan Publications). About the text.
This is the traditional reading of the classical texts, given for learning and reflection. It is not a prediction for you, and not medical, legal or financial advice.
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