Understanding Your Nakshatra: Complete Guide to All 27

While Western astrology assigns one of 12 zodiac signs based on your Sun's position, Vedic astrology — known as Jyotish — places far greater emphasis on the Nakshatra: the lunar mansion the Moon occupied at the moment of your birth. There are 27 Nakshatras, each spanning 13°20' of the zodiac, and each carries its own deity, animal, planetary lord, gana (nature), and karmic theme.

How to find your Nakshatra

Your Nakshatra is determined by the sidereal longitude of the Moon at the exact time and place of your birth. Even a five-minute error can shift you into a different pada (quarter), so birth-time accuracy matters. Generate your free birth chart to find yours instantly.

The 27 Nakshatras

Each Nakshatra has four padas (quarters of 3°20' each), giving 108 sub-divisions in total — the same number as the beads on a Hindu mala.

1. Ashwini (Aries 0°-13°20') — Ketu, Ashwini Kumaras (twin healers). Speed, healing, pioneers.
2. Bharani (Aries 13°20'-26°40') — Venus, Yama. Discipline, transformation, sensuality.
3. Krittika (Aries-Taurus) — Sun, Agni. Sharp intellect, leadership, fire to purify.
4. Rohini (Taurus) — Moon, Brahma. Beauty, fertility, growth, art.
5. Mrigashira (Taurus-Gemini) — Mars, Soma. Curious seeker, gentle, restless.
6. Ardra (Gemini) — Rahu, Rudra. Storms of change, deep research.
7. Punarvasu (Gemini-Cancer) — Jupiter, Aditi. Renewal, wisdom, return-to-light.
8. Pushya (Cancer) — Saturn, Brihaspati. Most auspicious nakshatra. Nourishment, dharma.
9. Ashlesha (Cancer) — Mercury, Naga (serpent). Cunning, secrecy, kundalini.
10. Magha (Leo) — Ketu, Pitris (ancestors). Royalty, lineage, throne.
11. Purva Phalguni (Leo) — Venus, Bhaga. Pleasure, marriage, creative joy.
12. Uttara Phalguni (Leo-Virgo) — Sun, Aryaman. Service, contracts, friendships.
13. Hasta (Virgo) — Moon, Savitar. Skilled hands, healing, manifestation.
14. Chitra (Virgo-Libra) — Mars, Vishvakarma. Brilliance, art, architecture.
15. Swati (Libra) — Rahu, Vayu. Independent, scattered, diplomatic.
16. Vishakha (Libra-Scorpio) — Jupiter, Indra-Agni. Fierce determination, dual nature.
17. Anuradha (Scorpio) — Saturn, Mitra. Devoted friendship, mystical depth.
18. Jyeshtha (Scorpio) — Mercury, Indra. Eldest, authority, occult power.
19. Mula (Sagittarius) — Ketu, Nirriti. Root-deep investigation, destruction-rebirth.
20. Purva Ashadha (Sagittarius) — Venus, Apas. Invincibility, water-cleansing.
21. Uttara Ashadha (Sagittarius-Capricorn) — Sun, Vishvedevas. Final victory, righteous.
22. Shravana (Capricorn) — Moon, Vishnu. Listening, learning, fame.
23. Dhanishta (Capricorn-Aquarius) — Mars, Vasus. Wealth through music, drum.
24. Shatabhisha (Aquarius) — Rahu, Varuna. Hundred healers, mystical research.
25. Purva Bhadrapada (Aquarius-Pisces) — Jupiter, Aja Ekapada. Two-faced burning, asceticism.
26. Uttara Bhadrapada (Pisces) — Saturn, Ahir Budhnya. Deep waters, calm wisdom.
27. Revati (Pisces) — Mercury, Pushan. Compassion, journey's end, prosperity.

Why Nakshatras matter more than zodiac signs

In Parashari Jyotish, your Nakshatra determines:

• Mahadasha sequence — the 120-year planetary period system that governs life events
• Marriage compatibility — 26 of the 36 Ashtakoot points come from Nakshatra-based Kutas
• Personality core — temperament, gana (Deva/Manushya/Rakshasa), yoni (animal nature)
• Auspicious Muhurtas — the Nakshatra ruling each day affects which activities will succeed

Find yours in 30 seconds

Generate your free Vedic Kundali to discover your Nakshatra, pada, ruling planet, and what it reveals about your karmic blueprint. We compute it using Vedic Ephemeris with Lahiri (Chitrapaksha) ayanamsa — the Indian government's official sidereal standard.