Astrology Glossary
What is Nakshatra?
नक्षत्र - Nakshatra (Birth Star)
Lunar Mansions in Vedic Astrology
Nakshatra Definition
Nakshatra (Sanskrit: नक्षत्र) means "that which does not decay" and refers to the 27 lunar mansions in Vedic astrology. Each Nakshatra spans 13°20' of the zodiac. Your Janma Nakshatra (birth star) is where Moon is placed at birth, determining your Dasha sequence, name letter, and core personality traits.
The 27 Nakshatras
| # | Name | Ruler | Rashi |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ashwini | Ketu | Aries |
| 2 | Bharani | Venus | Aries |
| 3 | Krittika | Sun | Aries/Taurus |
| 4 | Rohini | Moon | Taurus |
| 5 | Mrigashira | Mars | Taurus/Gemini |
| 6 | Ardra | Rahu | Gemini |
| 7 | Punarvasu | Jupiter | Gemini/Cancer |
| 8 | Pushya | Saturn | Cancer |
| 9 | Ashlesha | Mercury | Cancer |
| 10 | Magha | Ketu | Leo |
| 11 | Purva Phalguni | Venus | Leo |
| 12 | Uttara Phalguni | Sun | Leo/Virgo |
| 13 | Hasta | Moon | Virgo |
| 14 | Chitra | Mars | Virgo/Libra |
| 15 | Swati | Rahu | Libra |
| 16 | Vishakha | Jupiter | Libra/Scorpio |
| 17 | Anuradha | Saturn | Scorpio |
| 18 | Jyeshtha | Mercury | Scorpio |
| 19 | Mula | Ketu | Sagittarius |
| 20 | Purva Ashadha | Venus | Sagittarius |
| 21 | Uttara Ashadha | Sun | Sag/Capricorn |
| 22 | Shravana | Moon | Capricorn |
| 23 | Dhanishta | Mars | Cap/Aquarius |
| 24 | Shatabhisha | Rahu | Aquarius |
| 25 | Purva Bhadrapada | Jupiter | Aqu/Pisces |
| 26 | Uttara Bhadrapada | Saturn | Pisces |
| 27 | Revati | Mercury | Pisces |
Why Nakshatra Matters
Dasha System
Your Nakshatra lord determines which Mahadasha you're born into and the sequence of planetary periods throughout life.
Name Selection
Each Nakshatra pada has prescribed letters. Traditional naming uses the first letter of the birth Nakshatra pada.
Compatibility
Nakshatra matching is crucial in Kundali Milan. Tara, Yoni, and Gana koota are Nakshatra-based compatibility factors.
Personality
Each Nakshatra has unique characteristics, deity, symbol, and nature that influence core personality traits.
Usage Examples
"My Nakshatra is Rohini, ruled by Moon, which gives me a creative and nurturing nature."
"The baby's name should start with 'R' based on the Nakshatra pada at birth time."
"Since my Nakshatra is Magha, I was born in Ketu Mahadasha."
Related Terms
Find Your Nakshatra
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