Nakshatras
The 27 nakshatras
The nakshatras are the 27 lunar mansions of Vedic astrology. Your birth nakshatra, the one the Moon occupied when you were born, shapes temperament, the starting letter of your name and the order of your dasha periods.
Not sure of yours? Use the free nakshatra finder or read the overview of how nakshatras work.
| # | Nakshatra | Ruler | Zodiac sign | Deity | Symbol |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ashwini (अश्विनी)Gandmool | Ketu | Aries | The Ashwini Kumaras | Horse's head |
| 2 | Bharani (भरणी) | Venus | Aries | Yama | Yoni, the womb |
| 3 | Krittika (कृत्तिका) | Sun | Aries / Taurus | Agni | Razor or flame |
| 4 | Rohini (रोहिणी) | Moon | Taurus | Brahma (Prajapati) | Chariot or ox-cart |
| 5 | Mrigashira (मृगशिरा) | Mars | Taurus / Gemini | Soma | Deer's head |
| 6 | Ardra (आर्द्रा) | Rahu | Gemini | Rudra | Teardrop or diamond |
| 7 | Punarvasu (पुनर्वसु) | Jupiter | Gemini / Cancer | Aditi | Quiver of arrows |
| 8 | Pushya (पुष्य) | Saturn | Cancer | Brihaspati | Cow's udder or lotus |
| 9 | Ashlesha (आश्लेषा)Gandmool | Mercury | Cancer | The Nagas | Coiled serpent |
| 10 | Magha (मघा)Gandmool | Ketu | Leo | The Pitris | Royal throne |
| 11 | Purva Phalguni (पूर्व फाल्गुनी) | Venus | Leo | Bhaga | Front legs of a bed |
| 12 | Uttara Phalguni (उत्तर फाल्गुनी) | Sun | Leo / Virgo | Aryaman | Back legs of a bed |
| 13 | Hasta (हस्त) | Moon | Virgo | Savitar | The hand |
| 14 | Chitra (चित्रा) | Mars | Virgo / Libra | Tvashtar (Vishvakarma) | A bright jewel or pearl |
| 15 | Swati (स्वाति) | Rahu | Libra | Vayu | A young sprout swaying in the wind |
| 16 | Vishakha (विशाखा) | Jupiter | Libra / Scorpio | Indra and Agni | Triumphal archway |
| 17 | Anuradha (अनुराधा) | Saturn | Scorpio | Mitra | Lotus |
| 18 | Jyeshtha (ज्येष्ठा)Gandmool | Mercury | Scorpio | Indra | Circular amulet or earring |
| 19 | Mula (मूल)Gandmool | Ketu | Sagittarius | Nirriti | A bunch of tied roots |
| 20 | Purva Ashadha (पूर्वाषाढ़ा) | Venus | Sagittarius | Apas | A fan or winnowing basket |
| 21 | Uttara Ashadha (उत्तराषाढ़ा) | Sun | Sagittarius / Capricorn | The Vishvadevas | Elephant's tusk |
| 22 | Shravana (श्रवण) | Moon | Capricorn | Vishnu | An ear, or three footprints |
| 23 | Dhanishta (धनिष्ठा) | Mars | Capricorn / Aquarius | The eight Vasus | A drum |
| 24 | Shatabhisha (शतभिषा) | Rahu | Aquarius | Varuna | An empty circle, a hundred healers |
| 25 | Purva Bhadrapada (पूर्व भाद्रपद) | Jupiter | Aquarius / Pisces | Aja Ekapada | A sword, or the front of a funeral cot |
| 26 | Uttara Bhadrapada (उत्तर भाद्रपद) | Saturn | Pisces | Ahir Budhnya | Twins, or the back of a funeral cot |
| 27 | Revati (रेवती)Gandmool | Mercury | Pisces | Pushan | A fish, or a drum |
Frequently asked questions
How many nakshatras are there?
There are 27 nakshatras, each spanning 13°20' of the 360° zodiac. Some traditions also use a 28th, Abhijit, for muhurat purposes, but the birth-chart system uses 27.
Which nakshatras are gandmool?
Ashwini, Ashlesha, Magha, Jyeshtha, Mula and Revati are the six gandmool nakshatras. They sit at the junctions between water and fire signs. Traditionally a Mool Shanti puja is recommended when a child is born in one.
How do I find my nakshatra?
Your nakshatra is the one the Moon occupied at birth. Use the free nakshatra finder with your date, time and place of birth to get it, along with your pada and Moon sign.
What is a pada?
Each nakshatra is divided into four padas of 3°20'. Each pada corresponds to a navamsa sign and has a traditional starting syllable used for naming.
Your nakshatra is one factor in a full chart. For dasha timing and a reading of your kundli, book a consultation.
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