The embrace — serpentine wisdom, mystery and hidden power.
| Ruling planet (dasha lord) | Mercury |
| Presiding deity | The Nagas (divine serpents) |
| Symbol | Coiled serpent |
| Gana (temperament) | Rakshasa |
| Naming syllables (pada 1–4) | Di, Du, De, Do |
| Position in zodiac | Nakshatra 9 of 27 |
Ashlesha is the nakshatra of the Nagas, the wise serpents who guard hidden treasure and esoteric knowledge. Its coiled-serpent symbol speaks of kundalini, penetrating insight and the power to entwine. Tradition associates Ashlesha with magnetism, intuition, secrecy, psychological depth and a sharp, sometimes hypnotic, intelligence.
If a child is born under Ashlesha nakshatra, tradition suggests a name beginning with one of these syllables, chosen by the Moon's pada (quarter) at birth: Di, Du, De, Do — one syllable for each of the four padas.