Nakshatras: The 27 Lunar Mansions of Indian Astrology
Dive deep into the Nakshatras, the Moon's celestial residences that reveal your soul's nature and karmic path.
While most people are familiar with the twelve zodiac signs, Indian astrology also works with a more refined system—the 27 Nakshatras or lunar mansions. These star clusters divide the zodiac into smaller, more precise segments, each carrying unique energy, symbolism, and karmic significance.
What Are Nakshatras?
A Nakshatra (literally "star" or "that which does not decay") is a lunar mansion—a division of the zodiac that the Moon passes through during its monthly journey around Earth. The Moon spends approximately one day in each Nakshatra, completing the full cycle in about 27.3 days.
The Math Behind Nakshatras
- The zodiac spans 360 degrees
- Divided by 27 Nakshatras = 13°20' per Nakshatra
- Each Nakshatra has 4 padas (quarters) of 3°20' each
- These padas correspond to the four navamsa divisions
The 27 Nakshatras: Complete List
| # | Nakshatra | Zodiac Span | Ruling Planet |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ashwini | 0° - 13°20' Aries | Ketu |
| 2 | Bharani | 13°20' - 26°40' Aries | Venus |
| 3 | Krittika | 26°40' Aries - 10° Taurus | Sun |
| 4 | Rohini | 10° - 23°20' Taurus | Moon |
| 5 | Mrigashira | 23°20' Taurus - 6°40' Gemini | Mars |
| 6 | Ardra | 6°40' - 20° Gemini | Rahu |
| 7 | Punarvasu | 20° Gemini - 3°20' Cancer | Jupiter |
| 8 | Pushya | 3°20' - 16°40' Cancer | Saturn |
| 9 | Ashlesha | 16°40' - 30° Cancer | Mercury |
| 10 | Magha | 0° - 13°20' Leo | Ketu |
| 11 | Purva Phalguni | 13°20' - 26°40' Leo | Venus |
| 12 | Uttara Phalguni | 26°40' Leo - 10° Virgo | Sun |
| 13 | Hasta | 10° - 23°20' Virgo | Moon |
| 14 | Chitra | 23°20' Virgo - 6°40' Libra | Mars |
| 15 | Swati | 6°40' - 20° Libra | Rahu |
| 16 | Vishakha | 20° Libra - 3°20' Scorpio | Jupiter |
| 17 | Anuradha | 3°20' - 16°40' Scorpio | Saturn |
| 18 | Jyeshtha | 16°40' - 30° Scorpio | Mercury |
| 19 | Mula | 0° - 13°20' Sagittarius | Ketu |
| 20 | Purva Ashadha | 13°20' - 26°40' Sagittarius | Venus |
| 21 | Uttara Ashadha | 26°40' Sagittarius - 10° Capricorn | Sun |
| 22 | Shravana | 10° - 23°20' Capricorn | Moon |
| 23 | Dhanishtha | 23°20' Capricorn - 6°40' Aquarius | Mars |
| 24 | Shatabhisha | 6°40' - 20° Aquarius | Rahu |
| 25 | Purva Bhadrapada | 20° Aquarius - 3°20' Pisces | Jupiter |
| 26 | Uttara Bhadrapada | 3°20' - 16°40' Pisces | Saturn |
| 27 | Revati | 16°40' - 30° Pisces | Mercury |
Your Janma Nakshatra (Birth Nakshatra)
Your Janma Nakshatra is determined by the Moon's position at your birth. This Nakshatra reveals:
- Your core emotional nature
- Your subconscious patterns
- Your mother's influence
- Your mental and emotional responses
- Your initial Dasha period
"If the zodiac sign is the house, the Nakshatra is the room you live in."
Nakshatra Padas (Quarters)
Each Nakshatra is divided into four padas of 3°20' each. These padas correspond to the four signs of the same element in the navamsa chart.
Example - Ashwini Padas:
- 1st Pada (0° - 3°20' Aries): Aries Navamsa - Aggressive, pioneering
- 2nd Pada (3°20' - 6°40' Aries): Taurus Navamsa - Practical, stable
- 3rd Pada (6°40' - 10° Aries): Gemini Navamsa - Communicative, versatile
- 4th Pada (10° - 13°20' Aries): Cancer Navamsa - Nurturing, emotional
The pada where your Moon falls adds refinement to interpretation.
Selected Nakshatra Profiles
Ashwini (0° - 13°20' Aries)
Ruling Planet: Ketu
Nature: Quick, healing, pioneering, adventurous
Careers: Medicine, healing arts, sports, emergency services, exploration
Key Traits: Fast learners, impulsive, natural healers, restless energy
Rohini (10° - 23°20' Taurus)
Ruling Planet: Moon
Nature: Creative, materialistic, fertile, charming
Careers: Arts, fashion, agriculture, luxury goods, entertainment
Key Traits: Attractive, sensual, creative, materialistic desires, fertile
Ardra (6°40' - 20° Gemini)
Ruling Planet: Rahu
Nature: Transformative, intense, destructive-creative
Careers: Research, technology, transformation work, crisis management
Key Traits: Intense emotions, seeking truth, destructive-constructive cycles
Pushya (3°20' - 16°40' Cancer)
Ruling Planet: Saturn
Nature: Nourishing, protective, spiritual, auspicious
Careers: Teaching, counseling, nursing, religious work, spiritual guidance
Key Traits: Nurturing, wise, protective, supportive, spiritually inclined
Magha (0° - 13°20' Leo)
Ruling Planet: Ketu
Nature: Noble, regal, traditional, honoring ancestry
Careers: Leadership, politics, ceremonial roles, heritage preservation
Key Traits: Dignified, traditional, respects authority and ancestors, proud
Swati (6°40' - 20° Libra)
Ruling Planet: Rahu
Nature: Independent, flexible, adaptable, commerce-oriented
Careers: Business, trade, diplomacy, consultation, independent professions
Key Traits: Independent, flexible, business-minded, diplomatic, scattered energy
Vishakha (20° Libra - 3°20' Scorpio)
Ruling Planet: Jupiter
Nature: Goal-oriented, determined, ambitious, transformative
Careers: Politics, military, competitive fields, transformation work
Key Traits: Determined, ambitious, competitive, transformative, intense focus
Mula (0° - 13°20' Sagittarius)
Ruling Planet: Ketu
Nature: Investigative, destructive-creative, seeking truth, spiritual
Careers: Research, investigation, spiritual teaching, root-cause analysis
Key Traits: Investigative mind, destroys to rebuild, seeks core truth, philosophical
Uttara Ashadha (26°40' Sagittarius - 10° Capricorn)
Ruling Planet: Sun
Nature: Permanent victory, righteous, leadership
Careers: Leadership, law, government, righteous causes, social reform
Key Traits: Righteous, leadership qualities, permanent achievements, integrity
Shatabhisha (6°40' - 20° Aquarius)
Ruling Planet: Rahu
Nature: Healing, mystical, reclusive, research-oriented
Careers: Medicine, astrology, research, alternative healing, technology
Key Traits: Mystical, healing abilities, reclusive, independent, unconventional
Revati (16°40' - 30° Pisces)
Ruling Planet: Mercury
Nature: Nurturing, protective, completing journeys, spiritual
Careers: Travel, hospitality, spiritual guidance, arts, completing projects
Key Traits: Nurturing, protective, prosperous, spiritual, journey completion
Nakshatra Applications
1. Muhurta (Electional Astrology)
Certain Nakshatras are auspicious for specific activities:
Marriage: Rohini, Mrigashira, Magha, Uttara Phalguni, Hasta, Swati, Anuradha, Uttara Ashadha, Uttara Bhadrapada, Revati
Business Start: Ashwini, Rohini, Pushya, Hasta, Chitra, Swati, Anuradha, Shravana, Dhanishtha
Travel: Ashwini, Punarvasu, Pushya, Hasta, Anuradha, Shravana, Dhanishtha, Revati
2. Compatibility (Nakshatra Matching)
In marriage compatibility, Nakshatras are part of several types of analysis. Some of the aspects used in compatibility checking include:
- Nadi: Health and progeny compatibility
- Gana: Temperamental compatibility
- Yoni: Physical compatibility
- Rashi: Mental compatibility
- Graha Maitri: Psychological compatibility
- Dina: Daily living compatibility
- Tara: Beneficial influence
- Vasya: Mutual attraction
3. Remedies and Timing
Nakshatra transits of planets (especially Moon) are used for:
- Choosing auspicious times
- Performing remedies
- Timing important activities
- Understanding daily energy
The Abhijit Nakshatra
Traditionally, a 28th Nakshatra called Abhijit is sometimes used for special Muhurta purposes. It is considered extremely auspicious and can override other negative factors.
Nakshatras and Your Spiritual Path
Beyond prediction, Nakshatras reveal your spiritual journey:
- Ketu-ruled Nakshatras (Ashwini, Magha, Mula): Past life karma, spiritual liberation
- Venus-ruled Nakshatras (Bharani, Purva Phalguni, Purva Ashadha): Material desires, creativity
- Saturn-ruled Nakshatras (Pushya, Anuradha, Uttara Bhadrapada): Discipline, service, maturity
Conclusion
The Nakshatras add incredible depth and precision to Indian astrology. While zodiac signs give broad strokes, Nakshatras provide fine details about your nature, karma, and destiny.
Your birth Nakshatra is particularly significant—it determines your starting Dasha, colors your emotional nature, and provides deep insights into your soul's journey in this lifetime.
Understanding Nakshatras elevates your astrological practice from basic to advanced, allowing for:
- Precise birth time rectification
- Accurate prediction timing
- Deep psychological insight
- Effective remedial measures
- Successful muhurta selection
Want to master astrology? Enroll in our advanced courses and unlock the secrets of these celestial mansions.