Nakshatra

Nakshatra (Devanagari: न, Sanskrit: nakshatra, 'star', from Sanskrit: naksha,

'approach', and Sanskrit: tra, 'guard') or lunar mansion is one of the 27 divisions of
the sky, identified by the prominent star(s) in them, used in Jyotisha.[1]

Each nakshatra represents a division of the ecliptic similar to the zodiac (13°20’ each
instead of the 30° for each zodiac sign). The orbit of the moon is 27.3 days, so the
Moon takes approximately one day to pass through each nakshatra.

The starting point for the nakshatras is the point on the ecliptic directly opposite to
the starSpica called Chitrā in Sanskrit (other slightly different definitions exist). It is
called Meshādi or the "start of Aries". The ecliptic is divided into each of the
nakshatras eastwards starting from this point.

The list of Nakshatras is found in the Vedic texts (AV 19.7; Taittiriya Samhita) and
also in the Shatapatha Brahmana. The first astronomy text that lists them is the
Vedanga Jyotisha of Lagadha.

In Hindu mythology, the Nakshastras were created by Daksha and are personified as
daughters of the deity and as mythological wives of Chandra, the moon god. Some
even make them the daughters of Kashyapa, the brother of Daksha.[2]

Each of the nakshatras is governed as 'lord' by one of the nine graha in the following
sequence: Ketu (South Lunar Node), Shukra (Venus), Ravi or Surya (Sun), Chandra
(Moon), Mangala (Mars), Rahu (North Lunar Node), Guru or Brihaspati (Jupiter),
Shani (Saturn) and Budha (Mercury). This cycle repeats itself three times to cover all
27 nakshatras. The lord of each nakshatra determines the planetary period known as
the dasha , which is considered of major importance in forecasting the life path of
the individual.

Nakshatra descriptions

The following are the 27 nakshatras and their meanings, with their equivalent
positions in the Indian and Western zodiacs. The corresponding regions of sky are
also given, following Basham's Appendix: Astronomy.

Although the Indian and Western zodiac signs have a common origin, due to
differences in measuring the zodiac they have diverged from each other by about
25°. Therefore in the Western zodiac 0° Aries (Mesha) corresponds to 5° Pisces
(Meena) in the Indian zodiac and so on.
Sl. Sanskrit Name Western star
Description Image
No. and Meaning name
• Lord: Ketu (South lunar
node)
• Symbol : Horse's head
• Deity : Ashwini Kumaras,,
Ashvini the horse-headed twins
अिवनी who are physicians to the
1 β and γ Arietis
Horse-like- gods
woman • Indian zodiac: 0° - 13°20'
Mesha
• Western zodiac 26° Aries -
9°20' Taurus

• Lord: Shukra (Venus)

• Symbol: Yoni, the female
organ of reproduction
Bharani • Deity: Yama, god of death
35, 39,, and 41 or Dharma
2 भरणी
Arietis • Indian zodiac: 13° 20' -
Bearer-woman 26°40' Mesha
• Western zodiac 9° 20' -
22° 40' Taurus

• Lord: Surya (Sun)

• Symbol: Knife or spear
Krittika • Deity : Agni, god of fire
• Indian zodiac: 26°40'
3 कृितका Pleiades
Mesha - 10° Vrishabha
Cutting woman • Western zodiac 22° 40'
Taurus - 6° Gemini

• Lord: Chandra (Moon)

• Symbol: Cart or chariot,,
temple, banyan tree
Rohini • Deity : Brahma or
Prajapati, the Creator
4 रोहणी Aldebaran
• Indian zodiac: 10° -
Red woman 23°20' Vrishabha
• Western zodiac 6° -
19°20' Gemini

• Lord: Mangala (Mars)

• Symbol: Deer's head
• Deity: Soma, Chandra,, the
Mrigashīrsha Moon god
5 ग
ृ शीषा λ, φ Orionis • Indian zodiac: 23° 20'
Head of a Deer Vrishabha - 6° 40' Mithuna
• Western zodiac: 19°20'
Gemini - 2°40' Cancer
 • Lord: Rahu (North lunar
node)
• Symbol: Teardrop,
diamond, a human head
Ardra • Deity : Rudra,, the storm
6 आा Betelgeuse god
Moist One • Indian zodiac: 6° 40' - 20°
Mithuna
• Western zodiac: 2° 40' -
16° Cancer

• Lord: Guru (Jupiter)

• Symbol : Bow and quiver
Punarvasu • Deity : Aditi,, mother of the
gods
पुनवसु Castor and
7 • Indian zodiac: 20°
Return of the Pollux
Mithuna - 3°20' Karka
Light • Western zodiac 16° -
29°20' Cancer

• Lord: Shani (Saturn)

• Symbol : Cow's udder,
lotus, arrow and circle
Pushya • Deity : Bṛhaspati,, priest of
γ, δ and θ the gods
8 पुय
Cancri • Indian zodiac: 3°20' -
Nourishing 16°40' Karka
• Western zodiac 29°20'
Cancer - 12°40' Leo

• Lord: Budh (Mercury)

• Symbol: Serpent
Āshleshā • Deity : Sarpas or Nagas,,
आळे षा / deified snakes
δ, ε, η, ρ, and
9 • Indian zodiac: 16°40' -
आलेषा σ Hydrae
30° Karka
The Embracer • Western zodiac 12°40' -
26° Leo

• Lord: Ketu (south lunar

node)
• Symbol : Royal Throne
Maghā • Deity : Pitrs,, 'The Fathers',
family ancestors
10 मघा Regulus
• Indian zodiac: 0° - 13°20'
The Great One Simha
• Western zodiac 26° Leo -
9°20' Virgo
 • Lord: Shukra (Venus)
• Symbol : Front legs of
bed, hammock, fig tree
Pūrva Phalgunī • Deity : Bhaga, god of
marital bliss and
पव
ू  फा'गुनी
11 δ and θ Leonis prosperity
Former Reddish • Indian zodiac: 13°20' -
One 26°40' Simha
• Western zodiac 9°20' -
22°40' Virgo

• Lord: Surya (Sun)

• Symbol: Four legs of bed,
ed,
hammock
Uttara Phalgunī • Deity : Aryaman,, god of
उतर फा'गुनी patronage and favours
12 Denebola
Latter Reddish • Indian zodiac: 26°40'
One Simha- 10° Kanya
• Western zodiac 22°40'
Virgo - 6° Libra

• Lord: Chandra (Moon)

• Symbol: Hand or fist
• Deity : Saviti or Surya,, the
Hasta Sun god
α, β, γ,, δ and ε
13 ह)त • Indian zodiac: 10° -
Corvi
The Hand 23°20' Kanya
• Western zodiac 6° -
19°20' Libra

• Lord: Mangala (Mars)

• Symbol: Bright jewel or
pearl
• Deity : Tvastar or
Chitra Vishvakarman, the
14 *चा Spica celestial architect
Bright One • Indian zodiac: 23°20'
Kanya - 6°40' Tula
• Western zodiac: 19°20'
Libra - 2°40' Scorpio

• Lord: Rahu (north lunar

node)
• Symbol: Shoot of plant,
Svātī coral
• Deity : Vayu, the Wind
)वाती
15 Arcturus god
Sword or • Indian zodiac: 6°40' - 20°
Independence Tula
• Western zodiac 2°40' -
16° Scorpio
 • Lord: Guru (Jupiter)
• Symbol : Triumphal arch,
Vishakha potter's wheel
• Deity : Indira,, chief of the
,वशाखा
α, β, γ and ι gods; Agni, god of Fire
16 Fork Shaped
Librae • Indian zodiac: 20° Tula -
(Having 3°20' Vrishchika
branches) • Western zodiac 16° -
29°20' Scorpio

• Lord: Shani (Saturn)

• Symbol : Triumphal
archway, lotus
• Deity : Mitra, one of
Anuradha Adityas of friendship and
अनुराधा β, δ and π partnership
17
Disciple of Scorpionis • Indian zodiac: 3°20' -
Divine Spark 16°40' Vrishchika
• Western zodiac 29°20'
Scorpio - 12°40'
Sagittarius

• Lord: Budh (Mercury)

• Symbol : circular amulet,
umbrella, earring
Jyeshtha • Deity : Indra,, chief of the
α, σ,, and τ gods
18 /येठा
Scorpionis • Indian zodiac: 16°40' -
The Eldest 30° Vrishchika
• Western zodiac 12°40' -
26° Sagittarius

• Lord: Ketu (south lunar

node)
• Symbol : Bunch of roots
tied together, elephant
goad
Mula ε, ζ, η,, θ, ι, κ, • Deity : Nirrti, god of
19 मळ
ू λ, µ and ν lution and destruction
dissolution
The Root Scorpionis • Indian zodiac: 0° - 13°20'
Dhanus
• Western zodiac 26°
Sagittarius - 9°20'
Capricorn
 • Lord: Shukra (Venus)
• Symbol: Elephant tusk, fan,
Purva Ashadha winnowing basket
पूवाषाढा • Deity : Apah,, god of Water
δ and ε
20 Early Victory or • Indian zodiac: 13°20' -
Sagittarii
The 26°40' Dhanus
Undefeated • Western zodiac 9°20' -
22°40' Capricorn

• Lord: Surya (Sun)

• Symbol : Elephant tusk,
Uttara Ashadha small bed
उतराषाढा • Deity : Vishvedas,, universal
ζ and σ gods
21 Latter victory
or Sagittarii • Indian zodiac: 26°40'
Latter Dhanus - 10° Makara
Undefeated • Western zodiac 22°40'
Capricorn - 6° Aquarius

• Lord: Chandra (Moon)

• Symbol : Ear or Three
Footprints
Shravana • Deity : Vishnu,, preserver of
α, β and γ universe
22 2वण
Aquilae • Indian zodiac: 10° - 23°20'
Hearing Makara
• Western zodiac 6° - 19°20'
Aquarius

• Lord: Mangala (Mars)

• Symbol : Drum or flute
Shravishthā or • Deity : Eight vasus,, deities
Dhanishta of earthly abundance
α to δ
23 2,वठा or • Indian zodiac: 23°20'
Delphinus
ध3नठा Makara - 6°40' Kumbha
Richest One • Western zodiac 19°20'
Aquarius - 2°40' Pisces

• Lord: Rahu (north lunar

node)
Shatabhisha or • Symbol : Empty circle,
Shatataraka 1,000 flowers or stars
शत4भषक् / • Deity : Varuna, god of
24 γ Aquarii cosmic waters, sky and
शततारका earth
Hundred • Indian zodiac: 6°40' - 20°
Healers Kumbha ; Western zodiac
2°40' - 16° Pisces
 • Lord: Guru (Jupiter)
• Symbol : Swords or two
Purva front legs of funeral cot,
Bhadrapada man with two faces
पूवभ
 ापदा / • Deity : Ajikapada, an
25 α and β Pegasi
पूव7
 ोठपदा ancient fire dragon
Former Happy • Indian zodiac: 20° Kumbha
Feet - 3°20' Meena ; Western
zodiac 16° - 29°20' Pisces

• Lord: Shani (Saturn)

• Symbol : Twins, back legs
of funeral cot, snake in the
Uttara
water
Bhādrapadā • Deity : Ahir Budhyana,
उतरभापदा / γ Pegasi and α serpent or dragon of the
26
उतर7ोठपदा Andromedae deep
Latter Happy • Indian zodiac: 3°20' -
Feet 16°40' Meena ; Western
zodiac 29°20' Pisces -
12°40' Aries

• Lord: Budh (Mercury)

• Symbol : Fish or a pair of
fish, drum
Revati • Deity : Pushan,, nourisher,
the protective deity
27 रे वती ζ Piscium
• Indian zodiac: 16°40' - 30°
(The Wealthy) Meena
• Western zodiac 12°40' -
26° Aries

There is an additional 28th intercalary nakshatra, Abhijit (अ4भिजत ्)(α α, ε and ζ Lyrae -
Vega - between Uttarasharha and Sravana). Its longitude starts from 06° 40' to 10°
53' 40 in sidereal Capricorn i.e. from the last quarter of Uttra Ashadha to first 1/15
th part of Shravana.
vana. Its span is 4° 13' 40 (4.22777... degrees). The span of 27 mean
daily lunar motions totals 355.76167 degrees, and together these total 359.98945
degrees. Unless specifically mentioned it is not included in the list of the 27
constellations. It is held
d as an auspicious constellation in electional astrology. It is
small (Laghu / Kshipra) in nature. The lord of Abhijit is Brahma.
Divisions

The 27 Nakshatras cover 13°20’ of the ecliptic each. Each Nakshatra is also divided
into quarters or padas of 3°20’, as follows:

# Name Pada 1 Pada 2 Pada 3 Pada 4

1 Ashvini (अिव3न)) चु Chu चे Che चो Cho ला La
2 Bharani (भरणी) ल9 Li लू Lu ले Le पो Lo
3 Krittikā (कृितका) अA ईI उU एE
4 Rohini(रोहणी) ओO वा Va/Ba वी Vi/Bi वु Vu/Bu
5 Mrigashīrsha (ग
ृ शीषा) वे Ve/Be वो Vo/Bo का Ka क= Ke
6 Ārdrā (आा) कु Ku घ Gha ङ Ng/Na छ Chha
7 Punarvasu (पुनवसु) के Ke को Ko हा Ha ह9 Hi
8 Pushya (पुय) हु Hu हे He हो Ho ड Da
9 Āshleshā (आलेषा) डी Di डू Du डे De डो Do
10 Maghā (मघा) मा Ma मी Mi मू Mu मे Me
11 Pūrva or Pūrva Phalgunī (पव
ू  फा'गुनी) नो Mo टा Ta ट9 Ti टू Tu
Uttara or Uttara Phalgunī (उतर
12 टे Te टो To पा Pa पी Pi
फा'गुनी)
13 Hasta (ह)त) पू Pu ष Sha ण Na ठ Tha
14 Chitrā (*चा) पे Pe पो Po रा Ra र9 Ri
15 Svātī ()वा3त) B Ru रे Re रो Ro ता Ta
16 Vishākhā (,वशाखा) ती Ti तू Tu ते Te तो To
17 Anurādhā (अनुराधा) ना Na नी Ni नू Nu ने Ne
18 Jyeshtha (/येठा) नो No या Ya यी Yi यू Yu
19 Mūla (मूल) ये Ye यो Yo भा Bha भी Bhi
फा
20 Pūrva Ashādhā (पूवाषाढ़ा) भू Bhu धा Dha ढा Dha
Bha/Pha
21 Uttara Ashādhā (उतराषाढ़ा) भे Bhe भो Bho जा Ja जी Ji
खी खू खो
22 Shravana (2वण) खे Jo/Khe
Ju/Khi Je/Khu Gha/Kho
23 Shravishthā (2,वठा) or Dhanishta गा Ga गी Gi गु Gu गे Ge
24 Shatabhishā (शत4भषा)or Shatataraka गो Go सा Sa सी Si सू Su
25 Pūrva Bhādrapadā (पूवभ
 ापदा) से Se सो So दा Da द9 Di
26 Uttara Bhādrapadā (उतरभापदा) द ू Du थ Tha झ Jha ञ Da/Tra
27 Revatī (रे वती) दे De दो Do च Cha ची Chi

Names
The names of nakshatras in other languages are adapted from the Sanskrit variation
(apabhramsa) through Pali or Prakrit. The variations evolved for easier pronunciation
in popular usage.

Sanskrit Malayalam Tamil

#
 Mongolian
सं)कृतम ् தமிழ்
Ashvinī Ashvati Aswini
1 a
 Шийдэм
अिवनी அஸ்வினி
Bharanī Bharaṇi Baraṇi
2   Гоё хүүхэн
भरणी பரணி
Krittikā Kārttika Kārthikai Нэг эхт зургаан
3 t
कृितका காத்திைக хөвгүүн
Rohini Rōhiṇi Rōhiṇi
4   Чөлөөт эх
रोहणी ேராகிணி
Mrigashīrsha Makayiram Mirugasīridam
5
  Гөрөөсөн толгой
ग
ृ शीषा மிருகசீrடம்
Ātira or Tiruvātira
Ārdrā Thiruvādhirai
6 
 Хэрцгий охин
आा திருவாதிைர
(
 
 )
Punarvasu Puṇartam Punarpoosam
7 
 Өглөгт охин
पुनवसु புனபூசம்
Pushya Pūyam Poosam
8  Найралт эх
पुय பூசம்
Āshleshā Āyilyam Ayilyam
9  Үнэг
आळे षा / आलेषा ஆயில்யம்
Maghā Makam Magam
10
 Их морь
मघा மகம்
Pūrva or Pūrva
Pūram Pooram
11 Phalgunī   Бага морь
பூரம்
पूव फा'गुनी
Uttara or Uttara
Utram Uthiram
12 Phalgunī u
 Харцага
உத்திரம்
उतर फा'गुनी
Hasta Attam Astham
13 at Тугчин
ह)त அஸ்தம்
Chitrā Chittira Chithirai
14 t (
) Тэргүүн дагуул
*चा சித்திைர
Svātī Chōti Swathi
15 
 Салхины эх
)वाती சுவாதி
Vishākhā Vishākham Visakam
16  Эрхтний тэнгэрт
,वशाखा விசாகம்
Anurādhā Anizham Anusham
17 a Гар од
अनुराधा அனுஷம்
 Jyeshtha Kēṭṭa (Trikkēṭṭa) Kettai
18  (
!k ) Хонгорцог
/येठा ேகட்ைட
Mūla Mūlam Mūlam
19
 Онгоц
मल
ू மூலம்
Pūrva Ashādhā Pūrāṭam Pūradam
20  # Суулга
पव
ू ाषाढा பூராடம்
Uttara Ashādhā Utrāṭam Uthirādam
21 u
# Элдэв тэнгэртэн
उतराषाढा உத்திராடம்
Tiruvōnam
Shravana Tiruvōnam Булаагч/Яруу
22 $
2वण திருேவாணம் эгшигт
(
 )
Shravishthā or
Aviṭṭam Aviṭṭam
23 Dhanishta a  Тооно
அவிட்டம்
2,वठा or ध3नठा
Shatabhishā or
Chatayam Sadayam
24 Shatataraka 
 Чөдөр
சதயம்
शत4भषक् / शततारका
Pūrva Bhādrapadā Pūruruṭṭāti Pūruruṭṭādhi
25 Шувуун хошуут
पूवभ  ोठपदा    

 ापदा / पूव7 பூரட்டாதி
Uttara Bhādrapadā
Uttṛṭṭāti Uttṛṭṭādhi
26 उतरभापदा / u

 Могой хүлэгч
உத்திரட்டாதி
उतर7ोठपदा
Revati Rēvati Rēvathi
27  
 Дэлгэрүүлэгч
रे वती ேரவதி

Traditional Hindu names

Hindu astrologers (see Jyotisha) teach that when a child is born, they should be
given an auspicious first name which will correspond to the child's Nakshatra. It is
claimed that the benefit of this naming is that when the child hears this sound it
generates the feeling of wholeness within the child. The child gains the feeling of
comfort 'that mother is at home', whereas the wrong name can lead to feelings of
isolation or alienation. The Moon is associated with mother, so using this sound
gives the child that comfort feeling of mother.

Each birthstar has corresponding Sanskrit sounds which would belong at the
beginning of such a name. These are available under each Nakshatra, listed above.
The principle technique for deducing the name is to see which nakshatra the moon
is in at the moment of birth; this gives four possible sounds. A refinement is to pick
one sound out of that four that relates to the Pada or division of the Nakshatra. Each
Nakshatra has four Padas and four sounds and each Pada is of equal width. The
Nakshatra changes every 62 minutes of time and the Pada every 15 minutes.
A further refinement or opportunity is to instead use the Nakshatra that the
ascendent resides in at birth. The same broad choice of sounds and Padas apply, but
now the sounds change roughly every 15 minutes. The ascendent passes through all
27 Nakshatras every 24 hours, being in each one for 53 and a third minutes of time,
and is in a Pada for 13 and a third minutes of time. By using the ascendent's
nakshatra, instead of the moon's nakshatra leads more to comfort of the Self, rather
than comfort of the mother. This second approach is only really applicable if
intuitively the moon approach does not feel right.

Use in electional astrology

Constellations are grouped on the basis of their nature, type of their face, degree of
their beneficence, their quarters in different signs, with reference to the constellation
occupied by the Sun, with reference to the birth constellation (Janma Nakshatra),
their caste, etc. The current constellation occupied by the Moon, and its nature
forms the fundamental of Vedic system of electional astrology (Muhurta). Some of
the activities and works which are associated with the Nakshatras are given below
based on their fundamental nature:

• Fixed (Dhruva, Sthira) constellations:

Rohini, Uttara Bhādrapadā , Uttra Falguni, and Uttara Ashada

Fixed and permanent nature, house, village, temple, entering in new hose-city-
temple, religious works, rites for getting peace, propitiation of portents, Vinayaka
Shanti, coronation, sowing of seeds, planting of small garden, starting of vocal
music, friendship, sexual works, making & wearing of ornaments & clothes may be
auspiciously begun / effectively performed. Works allocated to delicate & friendly
(Mridu) asterisms may also be performed.

• Movable (Chal , Char) constellations:

Punarvasu, Swaati, Sharavana, Shatabhishā & Shravishthā

Related to motion & movement, riding on a vehicle or elephant, opening of shop,

walking first time, walking in garden, sex, making jewellery, learning of a trait.
Things performed in Small (Laghu) constellation are also effectively performed in the
Movable constellations.

• Cruel (Ugra, Karur) constellations:

Magha, Bharni, Porva Falguni, Poorva Shada, & Poorva Bhadra.

Ambush, burning, poisoning (self & others), making & using weapons especially
related to fire, cheating / deception / wickedness / craftiness, cutting & destroying,
controlling of animals, beating & punishing of enemy. Works allocated to Sharp /
Horrible (Darun) asterisms are also successfully done in these asterisms.

• Mixed (Mishra & Sadharan) constellations

Vishakha & Krittika.

Fire works, burning of sacred fire (Agnihotra), using poison, fearsome works,
arresting, adulteration (mixing), donation of ox to get one’s desires fulfilled
(Vrashotsarga). Works prescribed under cruel (Ugra, Karur) constellations may also
be performed. As per N.S. works of Sweet / delicate & friendly (Mridu & Maitri)
constellations can also be included.

• Small (Laghu & Kshipra) constellations

Hasta, Abhijit, Pushya, and Ashvani.

Selling, medical knowledge, using & handling of medicines, literature-music-art, the

64 Kala Shilpa (various arts, sculpture etc.) jewellery making & wearing, sexual
intercourse. And the works prescribed for Movable (Char) constellations. Though
Abhijit is included in Small group of asterisms, but is rarely referred in the Muhurt
prescriptions.

• Sweet/Delicate & Friendly (Mridu & Maitri) constellations

Mrigashīrsha, Chitra, Anuradha and Revati.

Starting & learning singing of songs, clothes & jewellery making & wearing, Manglik
works, matter related to friends, female company, enjoyments, sexual passions.

• Sharp & Horrible ( Teekshan & Darun ) constellations:

Jyeshta, Ardra, Ashlesha, and Moola

Charm or spell causing disease or death, hypnotism, sorcery; ghost, ambush, horror,
murder, capture, matters related to secrecy, backbiting, starting of quarrel,
separation, matters related to friendship & breaking thereof, training & tying of
animals, pleasure works, playing games, getting made & wearing of new dress &
ornaments, starting & learning singing of songs, entering into village / city, peaceful
& developmental works.