Nakshatras: The 27 Lunar Mansions Explained

The word Nakshatra derives from the Sanskrit roots 'naksha' (map) and 'tra' (guard), suggesting these are the guardians of the celestial map. Astronomically, each Nakshatra corresponds to a specific star or star cluster along the Moon's path through the zodiac. The ancient Rishis observed the Moon's roughly 27.3-day cycle through the sky and mapped 27 distinct stations, each associated with particular stars and cosmic qualities.

Nakshatras matter for several reasons. First, they add a layer of specificity that Rashis cannot. Two people with Moon in Aries might seem similar at the Rashi level, but one might have Moon in Ashwini Nakshatra (ruled by Ketu, deity Ashwini Kumaras — swift healers) while the other has Moon in Bharani (ruled by Venus, deity Yama — the lord of death and dharma). These are profoundly different psychological profiles despite sharing the same zodiac sign.

Second, Nakshatras determine compatibility in marriage matching (Guna Milan). The traditional system of Ashtakoot matching — used by millions of families across India — is based entirely on the Nakshatras of the prospective bride and groom, not their Rashis. Third, Nakshatras anchor the Dasha system to specific starting points, making them essential for predictive astrology. Without Nakshatras, the Vimshottari Dasha timeline could not be calculated, and Vedic astrology would lose its most powerful predictive tool.

Each Nakshatra spans 13 degrees and 20 minutes of the zodiac and is further divided into four Padas (quarters) of 3 degrees and 20 minutes each. The 108 total Padas (27 Nakshatras times 4) map directly onto the Navamsa chart — each Pada corresponds to one Navamsa division. This elegant mathematical relationship connects the Nakshatra system to the divisional chart system, creating layers of interpretive depth.

Every Nakshatra has a planetary ruler drawn from the nine Grahas, and these rulerships cycle in a fixed sequence: Ketu, Venus, Sun, Moon, Mars, Rahu, Jupiter, Saturn, Mercury — repeating three times to cover all 27. This sequence is the same order used in the Vimshottari Dasha system, which is why the Moon's Nakshatra at birth determines your starting Dasha. If your Moon is in Ashwini (ruled by Ketu), your Dasha sequence begins with Ketu Mahadasha.

Nakshatras are also grouped by various qualities. By motivation (Purushartha): some are Dharma Nakshatras (duty-oriented), some Artha (wealth-oriented), some Kama (desire-oriented), and some Moksha (liberation-oriented). By Guna (quality): Sattvic (pure, spiritual), Rajasic (active, passionate), or Tamasic (material, inertial). By temperament: Deva (divine), Manushya (human), or Rakshasa (fierce). These classifications add texture to interpretation and are factored into compatibility analysis.

The Nakshatras begin with Ashwini at 0 degrees Aries and proceed through the entire zodiac to Revati at 30 degrees Pisces. Here is a condensed reference for all 27. Ashwini (0-13:20 Aries, Ketu, Ashwini Kumaras) — swift, healing, pioneering. Bharani (13:20-26:40 Aries, Venus, Yama) — intense, creative, transformative. Krittika (26:40 Aries-10:00 Taurus, Sun, Agni) — sharp, purifying, authoritative.

Rohini (10:00-23:20 Taurus, Moon, Brahma) — fertile, beautiful, materialistic. Mrigashira (23:20 Taurus-6:40 Gemini, Mars, Soma) — curious, searching, gentle. Ardra (6:40-20:00 Gemini, Rahu, Rudra) — stormy, transformative, intellectual. Punarvasu (20:00 Gemini-3:20 Cancer, Jupiter, Aditi) — restoring, optimistic, returning. Pushya (3:20-16:40 Cancer, Saturn, Brihaspati) — nourishing, auspicious, devout. Ashlesha (16:40-30:00 Cancer, Mercury, Nagas) — mystical, clinging, penetrating.

Magha (0-13:20 Leo, Ketu, Pitris) — regal, ancestral, authoritative. Purva Phalguni (13:20-26:40 Leo, Venus, Bhaga) — creative, romantic, luxurious. Uttara Phalguni (26:40 Leo-10:00 Virgo, Sun, Aryaman) — service-oriented, loyal, contractual. Hasta (10:00-23:20 Virgo, Moon, Savitar) — skilled, clever, healing. Chitra (23:20 Virgo-6:40 Libra, Mars, Tvastar) — brilliant, artistic, visionary. Swati (6:40-20:00 Libra, Rahu, Vayu) — independent, flexible, scattered.

Vishakha (20:00 Libra-3:20 Scorpio, Jupiter, Indra-Agni) — determined, goal-driven, transformative. Anuradha (3:20-16:40 Scorpio, Saturn, Mitra) — devoted, organizational, friendly. Jyeshtha (16:40-30:00 Scorpio, Mercury, Indra) — protective, senior, ambitious. Mula (0-13:20 Sagittarius, Ketu, Nirriti) — root-seeking, destructive-creative, investigative. Purva Ashadha (13:20-26:40 Sagittarius, Venus, Apas) — invincible, persuasive, purifying. Uttara Ashadha (26:40 Sagittarius-10:00 Capricorn, Sun, Vishvadevas) — universally victorious, responsible, late-blooming.

Shravana (10:00-23:20 Capricorn, Moon, Vishnu) — listening, learning, connecting. Dhanishta (23:20 Capricorn-6:40 Aquarius, Mars, Vasus) — wealthy, musical, ambitious. Shatabhisha (6:40-20:00 Aquarius, Rahu, Varuna) — mystical, healing, secretive. Purva Bhadrapada (20:00 Aquarius-3:20 Pisces, Jupiter, Aja Ekapad) — fiery, transformative, ascetic. Uttara Bhadrapada (3:20-16:40 Pisces, Saturn, Ahir Budhnya) — deep, wise, kundalini energy. Revati (16:40-30:00 Pisces, Mercury, Pushan) — nurturing, traveling, the final journey.

Your Janma Nakshatra — the Nakshatra occupied by the Moon at your exact moment of birth — is considered one of the most personally defining factors in Vedic astrology. While the Lagna (Ascendant) determines the structural framework of your chart and the Sun sign reflects your soul's purpose, the Moon's Nakshatra reveals your emotional core, instinctive reactions, and the psychological patterns that drive your daily experience of life.

The Janma Nakshatra influences several practical dimensions. Your emotional temperament and stress responses are colored by it — an Ashwini Moon person reacts quickly, seeks immediate solutions, and becomes restless with slow processes, while a Rohini Moon person craves comfort, beauty, and sensory experience, becoming distressed when deprived of material security. Your natural talents and career inclinations often align with Nakshatra themes — Hasta (the hand) natives excel in craftsmanship and manual skill, while Vishakha (the forked branch) natives thrive in goal-oriented pursuits requiring determination.

Perhaps most importantly, the Janma Nakshatra determines your starting point in the Vimshottari Dasha system. The balance of the Dasha period remaining at the time of birth is calculated from the Moon's exact degree within the Nakshatra. Two people born minutes apart but with the Moon crossing a Nakshatra boundary will have entirely different Dasha sequences and therefore profoundly different life timelines. This is why exact birth time matters so critically in Vedic astrology.

Two of the most practical applications of Nakshatras are marriage compatibility assessment (Guna Milan) and electional astrology (Muhurta) for timing important events. The Ashtakoot system of marriage matching evaluates eight factors based on the Nakshatras of the prospective couple, yielding a score out of 36 points. A score of 18 or above is generally considered acceptable, with higher scores indicating greater compatibility.

The eight factors (Koots) assessed include Varna (spiritual compatibility), Vashya (mutual attraction), Tara (birth star compatibility), Yoni (sexual and temperamental compatibility based on animal symbols), Graha Maitri (planetary friendship between Nakshatra lords), Gana (temperament match — Deva, Manushya, or Rakshasa), Bhakoota (relative position of Moon signs), and Nadi (health and genetic compatibility). Each factor carries different point weights, with Nadi carrying the most (8 points) due to its association with health and progeny.

For Muhurta (choosing auspicious times), specific Nakshatras are considered favorable for specific activities. Rohini, Uttara Phalguni, Uttara Ashadha, and Uttara Bhadrapada are classified as Dhruva (fixed) Nakshatras, ideal for permanent undertakings like laying foundations, starting businesses, or entering new homes. Ashwini, Pushya, and Hasta are considered Kshipra (swift) Nakshatras, suitable for quick tasks, travel, and trade. Understanding these classifications helps in choosing optimal timing for life decisions.

The connection between Nakshatras and the Vimshottari Dasha system is the backbone of predictive Vedic astrology. The 120-year Dasha cycle allocates specific year durations to each of the nine planetary rulers in the same sequence as the Nakshatra lordship cycle: Ketu (7 years), Venus (20 years), Sun (6 years), Moon (10 years), Mars (7 years), Rahu (18 years), Jupiter (16 years), Saturn (19 years), Mercury (17 years).

When you are born, the Moon's position within its Nakshatra determines how much of that Nakshatra lord's Mahadasha period remains. If the Moon is at the very beginning of Ashwini (ruled by Ketu), you are born at the start of a 7-year Ketu Mahadasha. If the Moon is near the end of Ashwini, only a small fraction of Ketu's period remains, and Venus Mahadasha begins soon after birth. This precise calculation creates a unique timeline for every individual, even those born minutes apart.

The practical implication is profound. Your Nakshatra does not just describe your personality — it determines when different planetary energies will dominate your life. Someone born in the early degrees of Magha Nakshatra (Ketu-ruled) will experience Ketu Mahadasha through childhood, followed by Venus Mahadasha during their teens and twenties, followed by Sun Mahadasha in their early thirties. Each of these periods brings dramatically different life themes, opportunities, and challenges. Kaala calculates your complete Dasha timeline from your Nakshatra position and Jyoti interprets what each period means specifically for your chart.