Nakshatras: Complete Guide to the 27 Lunar Mansions

Nakshatras are segments of the ecliptic associated with specific star clusters (asterisms) that the Moon passes through during its approximately 27.3-day orbit around Earth. Ancient Vedic seers observed the Moon's journey through these star groups and encoded each segment with mythological, psychological, and karmic meaning based on millennia of empirical observation.

The system works on multiple levels simultaneously. At the astronomical level, each Nakshatra corresponds to a specific star or star group — Ashwini aligns with Beta Arietis, Rohini with Aldebaran, Chitra with Spica, and so on. At the mythological level, each Nakshatra is governed by a deity whose story encodes the essential nature of that lunar mansion. Ashwini's Ashwini Kumaras bring healing and speed; Rohini's Brahma brings creativity and desire; Ardra's Rudra brings storms and transformation.

At the practical astrological level, any planet placed in a Nakshatra takes on a layer of that Nakshatra's qualities in addition to the sign it occupies. Venus in Aries behaves differently depending on whether it falls in Ashwini (Ketu-ruled, healing-oriented) or Bharani (Venus-ruled, creation-and-death oriented). This is why Nakshatras are essential for precision — they are the fine-tuning dial of Vedic chart interpretation.

The 27 Nakshatras are classified into three Ganas (temperamental groups) of nine Nakshatras each. This classification is fundamental to compatibility analysis and reveals the core orientation of a Nakshatra's energy.

Deva Gana (Divine) Nakshatras include Ashwini, Mrigashira, Punarvasu, Pushya, Hasta, Swati, Anuradha, Shravana, and Revati. These Nakshatras carry a refined, harmonious, and dharmic quality. People born under Deva Nakshatras tend to be polite, gracious, principled, and oriented toward ethical conduct. They are often idealistic and seek to uplift others.

Manushya Gana (Human) Nakshatras include Bharani, Rohini, Ardra, Purva Phalguni, Uttara Phalguni, Purva Ashadha, Uttara Ashadha, Purva Bhadrapada, and Uttara Bhadrapada. These carry a balanced, pragmatic energy. Manushya Nakshatra natives deal with the full spectrum of human experience — ambition, desire, struggle, and achievement — without strong leanings toward purity or intensity.

Rakshasa Gana (Demon) Nakshatras include Krittika, Ashlesha, Magha, Chitra, Vishakha, Jyeshtha, Mula, Dhanishta, and Shatabhisha. Despite the alarming name, Rakshasa does not mean evil. It indicates intensity, independence, unconventionality, and transformative power. These natives are fierce, self-reliant, and willing to break rules when necessary. They make powerful leaders and change agents.

Each Nakshatra is assigned one of the four Purusharthas (life aims), revealing the fundamental motivation driving its energy. This cycle repeats through the zodiac, with each set of Nakshatras carrying one of the four aims.

Dharma (righteous purpose) Nakshatras include Ashwini, Mrigashira, Punarvasu, Hasta, Swati, Anuradha, Mula, Shravana, and Purva Bhadrapada. These are driven by duty, ethics, and the desire to do what is right. Their actions are oriented toward purpose rather than personal gain. Key life lessons revolve around finding and fulfilling their unique dharmic path.

Artha (material security) Nakshatras include Bharani, Ardra, Pushya, Uttara Phalguni, Vishakha, Jyeshtha, Purva Ashadha, Dhanishta, and Uttara Bhadrapada. These are motivated by the pursuit of resources, stability, and tangible achievement. They are builders and accumulators, focused on creating material foundations for themselves and their families.

Kama (desire and pleasure) Nakshatras include Krittika, Rohini, Ashlesha, Purva Phalguni, Chitra, Uttara Ashadha, Shatabhisha, and Revati. These pursue sensory experience, beauty, creativity, and emotional fulfillment. Their drive is toward enjoyment and the arts.

Moksha (liberation) Nakshatras include Magha and others oriented toward transcendence. These seek spiritual freedom, understanding of deeper truths, and release from material attachment. Their karmic arc bends toward wisdom and letting go.

Your Janma Nakshatra (birth Nakshatra) is determined by the Moon's position at the exact time of your birth. Since the Moon moves through one Nakshatra approximately every day, your birth Nakshatra is far more specific than your Moon sign and captures the precise emotional and karmic signature you carry.

The Janma Nakshatra determines your Vimshottari Dasha starting point. Each Nakshatra is ruled by one of the nine Grahas, and the balance of that planetary period remaining at birth becomes your first Dasha. If you are born with the Moon in Ashwini (ruled by Ketu), your first Dasha is the remaining balance of Ketu Mahadasha. This single detail cascades through your entire life timeline, determining when each planetary period activates.

In marriage compatibility analysis (Ashtakoot Milan or Guna matching), the bride's and groom's Nakshatras are compared across eight categories scoring a total of 36 points. The Nakshatras determine compatibility in temperament (Gana), sexual compatibility (Yoni), spiritual compatibility (Nadi), and several other dimensions. A minimum score of 18 out of 36 is traditionally required for marriage compatibility.

Beyond compatibility, your birth Nakshatra reveals your emotional processing style, instinctive reactions, subconscious patterns, and the flavor of your inner world. It is, in many ways, more telling than your Sun sign or even your Ascendant.

The Nakshatras begin with Ashwini (0 degrees Aries) and end with Revati (30 degrees Pisces), spanning the entire zodiac. The first nine Nakshatras — Ashwini through Ashlesha — fall in the fire and water signs (Aries through Cancer) and are associated with the process of creation and establishing individual identity. Ashwini initiates, Bharani creates, Krittika purifies, Rohini grows, Mrigashira seeks, Ardra destroys to renew, Punarvasu restores, Pushya nurtures, and Ashlesha binds.

The middle nine — Magha through Jyeshtha — span Leo through Scorpio and represent the development of personal power, relationships, and mastery. Magha claims ancestral authority, Purva Phalguni celebrates, Uttara Phalguni commits, Hasta crafts, Chitra creates beauty, Swati finds independence, Vishakha pursues goals, Anuradha devotes, and Jyeshtha achieves seniority.

The final nine — Mula through Revati — span Sagittarius through Pisces and represent the arc toward wisdom, transcendence, and completion. Mula uproots false foundations, Purva Ashadha invigorates, Uttara Ashadha achieves final victory, Shravana listens, Dhanishta resonates, Shatabhisha heals, Purva Bhadrapada burns with transformation, Uttara Bhadrapada finds depth, and Revati completes the cycle with compassion and safe passage.

Kaala calculates the exact Nakshatra and Pada for every planet in your chart, and Jyoti interprets how each placement colors the corresponding life area with that Nakshatra's specific energy.