27 Nakshatras Reference
Complete guide to the lunar mansions of Vedic astrology
The 27 nakshatras are the lunar mansions of Vedic astrology - ancient star divisions that predate the 12-sign zodiac. Each nakshatra spans 13°20' and carries its own mythology, deity, and meaning. The Moon spends approximately one day in each nakshatra, making them intimately connected to the mind and emotions.
Master Reference Table
| # | Nakshatra | Symbol | Deity | Ruler | Sign | Degrees | Guna | Gana | Quality |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ashwini | Horse's head | Ashwini Kumaras | Ketu | Aries | 0°-13°20' | Sattva | Deva | Movable |
| 2 | Bharani | Yoni | Yama | Venus | Aries | 13°20'-26°40' | Rajas | Manushya | Fierce |
| 3 | Krittika | Razor/flame | Agni | Sun | Aries-Taurus | 26°40' Ar-10° Ta | Rajas | Rakshasa | Mixed |
| 4 | Rohini | Chariot | Brahma | Moon | Taurus | 10°-23°20' | Rajas | Manushya | Fixed |
| 5 | Mrigashira | Deer's head | Soma | Mars | Taurus-Gemini | 23°20' Ta-6°40' Ge | Tamas | Deva | Soft |
| 6 | Ardra | Teardrop | Rudra | Rahu | Gemini | 6°40'-20° | Tamas | Manushya | Sharp |
| 7 | Punarvasu | Bow/quiver | Aditi | Jupiter | Gemini-Cancer | 20° Ge-3°20' Ca | Sattva | Deva | Movable |
| 8 | Pushya | Cow's udder | Brihaspati | Saturn | Cancer | 3°20'-16°40' | Tamas | Deva | Light |
| 9 | Ashlesha | Coiled serpent | Nagas | Mercury | Cancer | 16°40'-30° | Sattva | Rakshasa | Sharp |
| 10 | Magha | Throne | Pitris | Ketu | Leo | 0°-13°20' | Tamas | Rakshasa | Fierce |
| 11 | Purva Phalguni | Hammock | Bhaga | Venus | Leo | 13°20'-26°40' | Rajas | Manushya | Fierce |
| 12 | Uttara Phalguni | Bed | Aryaman | Sun | Leo-Virgo | 26°40' Le-10° Vi | Rajas | Manushya | Fixed |
| 13 | Hasta | Hand | Savitar | Moon | Virgo | 10°-23°20' | Rajas | Deva | Light |
| 14 | Chitra | Pearl/jewel | Vishvakarma | Mars | Virgo-Libra | 23°20' Vi-6°40' Li | Tamas | Rakshasa | Soft |
| 15 | Swati | Coral/sword | Vayu | Rahu | Libra | 6°40'-20° | Tamas | Deva | Movable |
| 16 | Vishakha | Potter's wheel | Indra-Agni | Jupiter | Libra-Scorpio | 20° Li-3°20' Sc | Sattva | Rakshasa | Mixed |
| 17 | Anuradha | Lotus | Mitra | Saturn | Scorpio | 3°20'-16°40' | Tamas | Deva | Soft |
| 18 | Jyeshtha | Earring | Indra | Mercury | Scorpio | 16°40'-30° | Sattva | Rakshasa | Sharp |
| 19 | Mula | Tied roots | Nirriti | Ketu | Sagittarius | 0°-13°20' | Tamas | Rakshasa | Sharp |
| 20 | Purva Ashadha | Fan/tusk | Apas | Venus | Sagittarius | 13°20'-26°40' | Rajas | Manushya | Fierce |
| 21 | Uttara Ashadha | Elephant tusk | Vishvedevas | Sun | Sag-Capricorn | 26°40' Sg-10° Cp | Rajas | Manushya | Fixed |
| 22 | Shravana | Ear | Vishnu | Moon | Capricorn | 10°-23°20' | Rajas | Deva | Movable |
| 23 | Dhanishta | Drum | Vasus | Mars | Cap-Aquarius | 23°20' Cp-6°40' Aq | Tamas | Rakshasa | Movable |
| 24 | Shatabhisha | Circle | Varuna | Rahu | Aquarius | 6°40'-20° | Tamas | Rakshasa | Movable |
| 25 | Purva Bhadrapada | Funeral cot (front) | Aja Ekapada | Jupiter | Aquarius-Pisces | 20° Aq-3°20' Pi | Sattva | Manushya | Fierce |
| 26 | Uttara Bhadrapada | Funeral cot (back) | Ahir Budhnya | Saturn | Pisces | 3°20'-16°40' | Tamas | Manushya | Fixed |
| 27 | Revati | Fish/drum | Pushan | Mercury | Pisces | 16°40'-30° | Sattva | Deva | Soft |
Use the filters above to narrow down the table. Click column headers to sort.
Nakshatras by Planetary Ruler
Each planet rules three nakshatras, forming the basis of the Vimshottari dasha system.
Ketu
7 years
- 1. Ashwini - Healing, speed, pioneering
- 10. Magha - Ancestry, authority, tradition
- 19. Mula - Roots, investigation, transformation
Venus
20 years
- 2. Bharani - Creation, destruction, bearing
- 11. Purva Phalguni - Pleasure, creativity, romance
- 20. Purva Ashadha - Invincibility, conviction
Sun
6 years
- 3. Krittika - Fire, purification, cutting
- 12. Uttara Phalguni - Contracts, partnerships
- 21. Uttara Ashadha - Final victory, endurance
Moon
10 years
- 4. Rohini - Growth, beauty, prosperity
- 13. Hasta - Skill, dexterity, craftsmanship
- 22. Shravana - Listening, learning, teaching
Mars
7 years
- 5. Mrigashira - Seeking, curiosity, gentleness
- 14. Chitra - Beauty, architecture, design
- 23. Dhanishta - Rhythm, wealth, fame
Rahu
18 years
- 6. Ardra - Storms, destruction, renewal
- 15. Swati - Independence, flexibility
- 24. Shatabhisha - Healing, secrecy, solitude
Jupiter
16 years
- 7. Punarvasu - Renewal, restoration, return
- 16. Vishakha - Purpose, determination, goals
- 25. Purva Bhadrapada - Spiritual fire, intensity
Saturn
19 years
- 8. Pushya - Nourishment, auspiciousness
- 17. Anuradha - Devotion, friendship, loyalty
- 26. Uttara Bhadrapada - Wisdom, depth, renunciation
Mercury
17 years
- 9. Ashlesha - Serpent, psychology, hypnotic
- 18. Jyeshtha - Seniority, protection, authority
- 27. Revati - Journey's end, guidance, nurture
Nakshatras by Quality Type
The quality type indicates the nature of activities favored during that nakshatra.
Fixed (Dhruva)
Stable, permanent, lasting activities
- Rohini - Building foundations
- Uttara Phalguni - Commitments, marriage
- Uttara Ashadha - Long-term projects
- Uttara Bhadrapada - Spiritual foundations
Best for: Marriage, building, planting, starting business, anything meant to last
Movable (Chara)
Movement, change, travel
- Ashwini - Quick beginnings
- Punarvasu - New starts
- Swati - Commerce, travel
- Shravana - Education journeys
- Dhanishta - Moving forward
- Shatabhisha - Medical travel
Best for: Travel, vehicle purchase, moving house, changing jobs
Sharp (Tikshna)
Cutting, piercing, aggressive activities
- Ardra - Breaking through
- Ashlesha - Psychological work
- Jyeshtha - Competition, authority
- Mula - Root cause, surgery
Best for: Surgery, dental work, competition, debates, breaking habits
Soft (Mridu)
Gentle, pleasant, artistic activities
- Mrigashira - Gentle exploration
- Chitra - Art, design
- Anuradha - Friendships
- Revati - Nurturing activities
Best for: Arts, romance, music, dance, wearing new clothes, social events
Fierce (Ugra)
Powerful, intense, destructive if needed
- Bharani - Transformation
- Magha - Authority assertion
- Purva Phalguni - Bold creativity
- Purva Ashadha - Conquering
- Purva Bhadrapada - Spiritual intensity
Best for: Legal matters, destroying enemies, exorcism, breaking contracts
Light (Laghu)
Quick, light, temporary activities
- Pushya - Light spiritual work
- Hasta - Quick crafts, healing
Best for: Learning, sports, installing equipment, short trips, healing sessions
Nakshatras by Gana (Temperament)
Gana indicates the fundamental temperament and is important for compatibility matching.
Deva Gana
Divine, sattvic temperament
Kind, generous, spiritual, gentle disposition. Seek harmony and avoid conflict.
Manushya Gana
Human, rajasic temperament
Balanced mix of qualities. Practical, ambitious, capable of both good and selfish acts.
Rakshasa Gana
Demonic, tamasic temperament
Intense, independent, unconventional. Can be dominating but also fiercely protective.
Gana Compatibility
Best matches: Same gana pairings (Deva-Deva, Manushya-Manushya, Rakshasa-Rakshasa) score highest.
Moderate: Deva-Manushya and Manushya-Rakshasa can work with understanding.
Challenging: Deva-Rakshasa combinations require extra effort and awareness.
Nakshatra Compatibility (Yoni)
Each nakshatra has an animal symbol (yoni) used for compatibility assessment. Matching yonis indicate natural harmony.
| Animal | Male Nakshatra | Female Nakshatra | Nature |
|---|---|---|---|
| Horse | Ashwini | Shatabhisha | Swift, energetic |
| Elephant | Bharani | Revati | Strong, nurturing |
| Sheep | Pushya | Krittika | Gentle, following |
| Serpent | Rohini | Mrigashira | Mysterious, transformative |
| Dog | Mula | Ardra | Loyal, protective |
| Cat | Ashlesha | Punarvasu | Independent, curious |
| Rat | Magha | Purva Phalguni | Resourceful, social |
| Cow | Uttara Phalguni | Uttara Bhadrapada | Nurturing, patient |
| Buffalo | Swati | Hasta | Strong, hardworking |
| Tiger | Vishakha | Chitra | Powerful, independent |
| Deer | Jyeshtha | Anuradha | Gentle, alert |
| Monkey | Purva Ashadha | Shravana | Clever, playful |
| Mongoose | Uttara Ashadha | - | Independent, fierce |
| Lion | Purva Bhadrapada | Dhanishta | Regal, dominant |
Note: Same animal pairs have highest compatibility. Enemy animals (e.g., snake-mongoose, cat-rat) indicate natural friction. Neutral pairs fall in between.
Nakshatras for Muhurta (Timing)
Selecting the right nakshatra for activities is a key part of electional astrology (muhurta).
Marriage
Favorable: Rohini, Mrigashira, Magha, Uttara Phalguni, Hasta, Swati, Anuradha, Mula, Uttara Ashadha, Shravana, Uttara Bhadrapada, Revati
Travel
Favorable: Ashwini, Mrigashira, Punarvasu, Pushya, Hasta, Anuradha, Shravana, Revati
Business Start
Favorable: Ashwini, Rohini, Mrigashira, Punarvasu, Pushya, Uttara Phalguni, Hasta, Chitra, Swati, Anuradha, Shravana, Dhanishta, Revati
Education/Learning
Favorable: Ashwini, Punarvasu, Pushya, Hasta, Swati, Shravana, Revati
Medical Treatment
Favorable: Ashwini, Rohini, Mrigashira, Punarvasu, Pushya, Hasta, Chitra, Anuradha, Shravana, Dhanishta
Construction
Favorable: Rohini, Mrigashira, Uttara Phalguni, Hasta, Chitra, Uttara Ashadha, Shravana, Uttara Bhadrapada
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