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

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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.

Ashwini Mrigashira Punarvasu Pushya Hasta Swati Anuradha Shravana Revati

Manushya Gana

Human, rajasic temperament

Balanced mix of qualities. Practical, ambitious, capable of both good and selfish acts.

Bharani Rohini Ardra Purva Phalguni Uttara Phalguni Purva Ashadha Uttara Ashadha Purva Bhadrapada Uttara Bhadrapada

Rakshasa Gana

Demonic, tamasic temperament

Intense, independent, unconventional. Can be dominating but also fiercely protective.

Krittika Ashlesha Magha Chitra Vishakha Jyeshtha Mula Dhanishta Shatabhisha

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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