27 Nakshatras
The 27 Lunar Mansions of Vedic astrology — each spanning 13°20' of the zodiac, ruled by a planet and deity, carrying a unique energy that shapes personality, destiny, and timing.
Ashwini
अश्विनी
Lord
Ketu
Symbol
Horse Head
Deity
Ashwini Kumaras
Gana
Deva
Swift, pioneering, healing energy. Natives are energetic, ambitious, and often gifted with medical or athletic ability.
Bharani
भरणी
Lord
Venus
Symbol
Yoni (womb)
Deity
Yama
Gana
Manushya
Creative, transformative, and deeply karmic. Bharani natives carry great life force and face intense experiences of birth and death.
Krittika
कृत्तिका
Lord
Sun
Symbol
Razor/Flame
Deity
Agni
Gana
Rakshasa
Sharp, purifying fire energy. Krittika natives are determined, critical, and capable of great spiritual discipline.
Rohini
रोहिणी
Lord
Moon
Symbol
Chariot/Ox
Deity
Brahma
Gana
Manushya
Most beloved of the Moon. Rohini natives are beautiful, creative, sensual, and gifted in arts, music, and material abundance.
Mrigashira
मृगशिरा
Lord
Mars
Symbol
Deer's Head
Deity
Soma
Gana
Deva
Gentle, curious, and searching. Mrigashira natives are seekers — always looking for beauty, truth, and the perfect ideal.
Ardra
आर्द्रा
Lord
Rahu
Symbol
Teardrop/Diamond
Deity
Rudra
Gana
Manushya
Stormy, transformative, intellectually intense. Ardra natives experience great upheaval that ultimately leads to profound renewal.
Punarvasu
पुनर्वसु
Lord
Jupiter
Symbol
Quiver of Arrows
Deity
Aditi
Gana
Deva
Restoration and renewal. Punarvasu natives are optimistic, philosophical, and have the rare ability to bounce back from adversity.
Pushya
पुष्य
Lord
Saturn
Symbol
Lotus/Circle
Deity
Brihaspati
Gana
Deva
Most auspicious of all Nakshatras. Pushya natives are nurturing, responsible, and spiritually inclined with natural authority.
Ashlesha
आश्लेषा
Lord
Mercury
Symbol
Coiled Serpent
Deity
Nagas
Gana
Rakshasa
Serpentine wisdom, mystical power, and penetrating insight. Ashlesha natives are perceptive, shrewd, and deeply intuitive.
Magha
मघा
Lord
Ketu
Symbol
Royal Throne
Deity
Pitrs (Ancestors)
Gana
Rakshasa
Regal, proud, and ancestrally connected. Magha natives are natural leaders who carry the weight of lineage and family honor.
Purva Phalguni
पूर्व फाल्गुनी
Lord
Venus
Symbol
Front Legs of Bed
Deity
Bhaga
Gana
Manushya
Pleasure, creativity, and romance. Purva Phalguni natives are charming, artistic, and enjoy the finer things in life.
Uttara Phalguni
उत्तर फाल्गुनी
Lord
Sun
Symbol
Back Legs of Bed
Deity
Aryaman
Gana
Manushya
Contracts, friendship, and social order. Uttara Phalguni natives are dependable, organized, and excellent at forming lasting alliances.
Hasta
हस्त
Lord
Moon
Symbol
Open Hand
Deity
Savitar
Gana
Deva
Skillful hands, healing touch, and practical intelligence. Hasta natives excel in craftsmanship, medicine, and service.
Chitra
चित्रा
Lord
Mars
Symbol
Bright Jewel
Deity
Vishvakarma
Gana
Rakshasa
Brilliant artistry and architectural genius. Chitra natives are creative visionaries with a magnetic appearance and refined aesthetic sense.
Swati
स्वाती
Lord
Rahu
Symbol
Coral/Sword
Deity
Vayu
Gana
Deva
Independent, flexible, and socially adept. Swati natives are excellent communicators who can bend without breaking, like wind.
Vishakha
विशाखा
Lord
Jupiter
Symbol
Triumphal Arch
Deity
Indra-Agni
Gana
Rakshasa
Ambitious, goal-oriented, and persistent. Vishakha natives pursue their objectives with single-minded focus until they achieve success.
Anuradha
अनुराधा
Lord
Saturn
Symbol
Lotus Flower
Deity
Mitra
Gana
Deva
Devotion, friendship, and organizational ability. Anuradha natives form deep bonds and excel in cooperative ventures and spiritual practice.
Jyeshtha
ज्येष्ठा
Lord
Mercury
Symbol
Circular Amulet
Deity
Indra
Gana
Rakshasa
Seniority, power, and protective strength. Jyeshtha natives are natural protectors who often carry heavy responsibilities with courage.
Mula
मूल
Lord
Ketu
Symbol
Root/Tied Bundle
Deity
Nirriti
Gana
Rakshasa
Investigative, root-seeking, and transformative. Mula natives dig to the very foundation of things, often experiencing radical life changes.
Purva Ashadha
पूर्व आषाढ़ा
Lord
Venus
Symbol
Elephant Tusk/Fan
Deity
Apas (Waters)
Gana
Manushya
Purifying, invincible, and deeply principled. Purva Ashadha natives are idealistic crusaders who fight for what they believe is right.
Uttara Ashadha
उत्तर आषाढ़ा
Lord
Sun
Symbol
Elephant Tusk/Planks
Deity
Vishvadevas
Gana
Manushya
Universal victory and lasting achievement. Uttara Ashadha natives succeed through righteous effort and leave enduring legacies.
Shravana
श्रवण
Lord
Moon
Symbol
Ear/Three Footsteps
Deity
Vishnu
Gana
Deva
Learning, listening, and connection. Shravana natives are exceptional listeners, teachers, and communicators who spread knowledge.
Dhanishtha
धनिष्ठा
Lord
Mars
Symbol
Drum/Flute
Deity
Eight Vasus
Gana
Rakshasa
Wealth, rhythm, and musical talent. Dhanishtha natives are abundantly gifted, group-oriented, and succeed through collective endeavors.
Shatabhisha
शतभिषा
Lord
Rahu
Symbol
Empty Circle/100 Stars
Deity
Varuna
Gana
Rakshasa
Mystical healing, secrecy, and independent thinking. Shatabhisha natives are researchers, healers, and truth-seekers who prefer solitude.
Purva Bhadrapada
पूर्व भाद्रपदा
Lord
Jupiter
Symbol
Sword/Two Front Legs of Funeral Bed
Deity
Aja Ekapada
Gana
Manushya
Fiery transformation and spiritual intensity. Purva Bhadrapada natives are passionate, unconventional, and capable of complete self-transformation.
Uttara Bhadrapada
उत्तर भाद्रपदा
Lord
Saturn
Symbol
Two Back Legs of Funeral Bed/Twins
Deity
Ahir Budhnya
Gana
Manushya
Depth, wisdom, and karmic completion. Uttara Bhadrapada natives are deeply spiritual, patient, and gifted with profound understanding.
Revati
रेवती
Lord
Mercury
Symbol
Drum/Fish
Deity
Pushan
Gana
Deva
Nourishment, completion, and safe passage. Revati natives are compassionate, spiritually evolved, and natural caretakers of all living beings.
Nakshatra Planetary Lords
The 9 planets rule the 27 Nakshatras in a repeating sequence of 3 cycles. The Nakshatra lord at birth becomes the first Dasha lord in Vimshottari Dasha system.
| Planet | Dasha Years | Nakshatras Ruled |
|---|---|---|
| Ketu | 7 | Ashwini, Magha, Mula |
| Venus | 20 | Bharani, Purva Phalguni, Purva Ashadha |
| Sun | 6 | Krittika, Uttara Phalguni, Uttara Ashadha |
| Moon | 10 | Rohini, Hasta, Shravana |
| Mars | 7 | Mrigashira, Chitra, Dhanishtha |
| Rahu | 18 | Ardra, Swati, Shatabhisha |
| Jupiter | 16 | Punarvasu, Vishakha, Purva Bhadrapada |
| Saturn | 19 | Pushya, Anuradha, Uttara Bhadrapada |
| Mercury | 17 | Ashlesha, Jyeshtha, Revati |
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the 27 Nakshatras?
The 27 Nakshatras (also called Lunar Mansions) are the 27 equal divisions of the zodiac belt of 360°, each spanning 13°20'. The Moon travels through one Nakshatra per day, completing the full cycle in approximately 27.3 days (one sidereal month). Each Nakshatra has a presiding deity, planetary lord, symbol, and unique energy that influences all born under it.
How are Nakshatras used in Vedic astrology?
Nakshatras are the foundation of Vedic (Jyotish) astrology. The Moon sign Nakshatra at birth determines the Vimshottari Dasha starting lord — the 120-year planetary period system that predicts life events. Nakshatras also determine Kundali Milan compatibility (Ashta Koota), Muhurta auspiciousness, and describe personality at a finer level than the Rashi (sign).
What is the difference between Nakshatra and Rashi?
A Rashi (zodiac sign) spans 30°, while a Nakshatra spans 13°20'. Each sign contains 2.25 Nakshatras. The Rashi is ruled by a planet and describes the general nature of a sign. The Nakshatra is a finer division that gives more specific information about character, life events, and timing. In Vedic astrology, the Nakshatra is considered more important for predictive purposes.
Which is the most auspicious Nakshatra?
Pushya (ruled by Saturn, deity Brihaspati) is considered the most auspicious Nakshatra in the Vedic tradition. Pushya Nakshatra day — especially on a Thursday — is supremely auspicious for new ventures, buying gold, and sacred rites. Rohini and the three Uttara Nakshatras (Uttara Phalguni, Uttara Ashadha, Uttara Bhadrapada) are also considered highly favorable.
What is Nakshatra Dosha (Tara Dosha) in Kundali Milan?
Tara (Nakshatra) compatibility is one of the 8 Kootas in Ashtakoot Milan, worth 3 points. It is calculated by counting from the bride's birth Nakshatra to the groom's and dividing by 9. The remainder determines compatibility. A favorable Tara score indicates harmony in life's major events and long-term well-being.