Lunar Mansions/Nakshatra in Vedic Astrology
The ancient Indian sages who created the Vedic Astrology and Nakshatras system believed that these lunar mansions are the homes in which the fruits of labor—or karma, in other words—are stored. The Nakshatras, or lunar mansions, are 27 segments of the ecliptic through which the Moon passes in its orbit around the Earth. Each segment is 13°20′ long and is further subdivided into four equal parts known as padas.
Each of these 27 Nakshatras has a unique set of characteristics and qualities associated with it. For example, people whose birth Moon is in the Chart or horoscope.
Ashvini – अश्विनी
“physician to the Gods”β “Sheratan” and γ “Mesarthim” ArietisLord: Ketu (South lunar node)
Symbol : Horse’s head
Deity : Ashvins, the horse-headed twins who are physicians to the gods
Indian zodiac: 0° – 13°20′ Mesha
Western zodiac 23°46 Aries – 7°06′ Taurus
2Bharani – भरणी
“the bearer”35, 39 “Lilii Borea”, and 41 ArietisLord: Shukra (Venus)
Symbol: Yoni, the female organ of reproduction
Deity: Yama, god of death or Dharma
Indian zodiac: 13° 20′ – 26°40′ Mesha
Western zodiac 7°06′ – 20°26′ Taurus
3Krittika – कृत्तिका
an old name of the Pleiades; personified as the nurses of Kārttikeya, a son of Shiva.PleiadesLord: Surya (Sun)
Symbol: Knife or spear
Deity : Agni, god of fire
Indian zodiac: 26°40′ Mesha – 10° Vrishabha
Western zodiac 20°26′ Taurus – 3°46’ Gemini
4Rohini – रोहिणी
“the red one”, a name of Aldebaran. Also known as brāhmīAldebaranLord: Chandra (Moon)
Symbol: Cart or chariot, temple, banyan tree
Deity : Brahma or Prajapati, the Creator
Indian zodiac: 10° – 23°20′ Vrishabha
Western zodiac 3°46 – 17°06′ Gemini
5Mrigashīrsha – मृगशीर्ष
“the deer’s head”. Also known as āgrahāyaṇīλ “Meissa”, φ OrionisLord: Mangala (Mars)
Symbol: Deer’s head
Deity: Soma, Chandra, the Moon god
Indian zodiac: 23° 20′ Vrishabha – 6° 40′ Mithuna
Western zodiac: 17°06′ Gemini – 0°26′ Cancer
6Ardra – आर्द्रा
“the storm god”BetelgeuseLord: Rahu (North lunar node)
Symbol: Teardrop, diamond, a human head
Deity : Rudra, the storm god
Indian zodiac: 6° 40′ – 20° Mithuna
Western zodiac: 0°26′ – 13°46 Cancer
7Punarvasu – पुनर्वसु (dual)
“the two restorers of goods”, also known as yamakau “the two chariots”Castor and PolluxLord: Guru (Jupiter)
Symbol : Bow and quiver
Deity : Aditi, mother of the gods
Indian zodiac: 20° Mithuna – 3°20′ Karka
Western zodiac 13°46 – 27°06′ Cancer
8Pushya – पुष्य
“the nourisher”, also known as sidhya or tiṣyaγ “Asellus Borealis”, δ “Asellus Australis” and θ CancriLord: Shani (Saturn)
Symbol : Cow’s udder, lotus, arrow and circle
Deity : Bṛhaspati, priest of the gods
Indian zodiac: 3°20′ -16°40′ Karka
Western zodiac 27°06′ Cancer – 10°26′ Leo
9Āshleshā – आश्ळेषा/आश्लेषा
“the embrace”δ, ε “Āshleshā Nakshatra”, η, ρ, and σ “Minchir” HydraeLord: Budh (Mercury)
Symbol: Serpent
Deity : Sarpas or Nagas, deified snakes
Indian zodiac: 16°40′ – 30° Karka
Western zodiac 10°26′ – 23°46 Leo
10Maghā – मघा
“the bountiful”RegulusLord: Ketu (south lunar node)
Symbol : Royal Throne
Deity : Pitrs, ‘The Fathers’, family ancestors
Indian zodiac: 0° – 13°20′ Simha
Western zodiac 23°46 Leo – 7°06′ Virgo
11Pūrva Phalgunī – पूर्व फाल्गुनी
“first reddish one”δ “Zosma” and θ “Chertan” LeonisLord: Shukra (Venus)
Symbol : Front legs of bed, hammock, fig tree
Deity : Bhaga, god of marital bliss and prosperity
Indian zodiac: 13°20′ – 26°40′ Simha
Western zodiac 7°06′ – 20°26′ Virgo
12Uttara Phalgunī – उत्तर फाल्गुनी
“second reddish one”DenebolaLord: Surya (Sun)
Symbol: Four legs of bed, hammock
Deity : Aryaman, god of patronage and favours
Indian zodiac: 26°40′ Simha- 10° Kanya
Western zodiac 20°26′ Virgo – 3°46 Libra
13Hasta – हस्त
“the hand”α “Alchiba”, β “Kraz”, γ, δ “Algorab” and ε “Minkar” CorviLord: Chandra (Moon)
Symbol: Hand or fist
Deity : Savitri or Surya, the Sun god
Indian zodiac: 10° – 23°20′ Kanya
Western zodiac 3°46 – 17°06′ Libra
14Chitra – चित्रा
“the bright one”, a name of SpicaSpicaLord: Mangala (Mars)
Symbol: Bright jewel or pearl
Deity : Tvastar or Vishvakarman, the celestial architect
Indian zodiac: 23°20′ Kanya – 6°40′ Tula
Western zodiac: 17°06′ Libra – 0°26′ Scorpio
15Svati – स्वाति
“Su-Ati (Sanskrit) Very good” name of ArcturusArcturusLord: Rahu (north lunar node)
Symbol: Shoot of plant, coral
Deity : Vayu, the Wind god
Indian zodiac: 6°40′ – 20° Tula
Western zodiac 0°26′ – 13°46 Scorpio
16Vishakha – विशाखा
“forked, having branches”; also known as rādhā “the gift”α “Zubenelgenubi”, β “Zubeneschamali”, γ and ι LibraeLord: Guru (Jupiter)
Symbol : Triumphal arch, potter’s wheel
Deity : Indra, chief of the gods; Agni, god of Fire
Indian zodiac: 20° Tula – 3°20′ Vrishchika
Western zodiac 13°46 – 27°06′ Scorpio
17Anuradha – अनुराधा
“following rādhā”β “Acrab”, δ “Dschubba” and π “Fang” ScorpionisLord: Shani (Saturn)
Symbol : Triumphal archway, lotus
Deity : Mitra, one of Adityas of friendship and partnership
Indian zodiac: 3°20′ – 16°40′ Vrishchika
Western zodiac 27°06′ Scorpio – 10°26′ Sagittarius
18Jyeshtha – ज्येष्ठा
“the eldest, most excellent”α “Antares”, σ, and τ “Paikauhale” ScorpionisLord: Budh (Mercury)
Symbol : circular amulet, umbrella, earring
Deity : Indra, chief of the gods
Indian zodiac: 16°40′ – 30° Vrishchika
Western zodiac 10°26′ – 23°46 Sagittarius
19Mula – मूल
“the root”ε “Larawag”, ζ, η, θ “Sargas”, ι, κ, λ “Shaula”, μ and ν “Jabbah” ScorpionisLord: Ketu (south lunar node)
Symbol : Bunch of roots tied together, elephant goad
Deity : Nirrti, goddess of dissolution and destruction
Indian zodiac: 0° – 13°20′ Dhanus
Western zodiac 23°46 Sagittarius – 7°06′ Capricorn
20Purva Ashadha – पूर्व आषाढा
“first of the āṣāḍhā”, āṣāḍhā “the invincible one” being the name of a constellationδ “Kaus Media” and ε “Kaus Australis” SagittariiLord: Shukra (Venus)
Symbol: Elephant tusk, fan, winnowing basket
Deity : Apah, god of Water
Indian zodiac: 13°20′ – 26°40′ Dhanus
Western zodiac 7°06′ – 20°26′ Capricorn
21Uttara Ashadha – उत्तर आषाढा
“Later invincible”ζ “Ascella” and σ “Nunki” SagittariiLord: Surya (Sun)
Symbol : Elephant tusk, small bed
Deity : Visvedevas, universal gods
Indian zodiac: 26°40′ Dhanus – 10° Makara
Western zodiac 20°26′ Capricorn – 3°46 Aquarius
22Shravana – श्रवण
α “Altair”, β and γ AquilaeLord: Chandra (Moon)
Symbol : Ear or Three Footprints
Deity : Vishnu, preserver of universe
Indian zodiac: 10° – 23°20′ Makara
Western zodiac 3°46 – 17°06′ Aquarius
23Dhanishta – श्रविष्ठा/धनिष्ठा
“most famous”, also Shravishthā “swiftest”α “Sualocin” to δ DelphiniLord: Mangala (Mars)
Symbol : Drum or flute
Deity : Eight vasus, deities of earthly abundance
Indian zodiac: 23°20′ Makara – 6°40′ Kumbha
Western zodiac 17°06′ Aquarius – 0°26′ Pisces
24Shatabhisha – शतभिष/शततारका
“requiring a hundred physicians”γ Aquarii “Sadachbia”Lord: Rahu (north lunar node)
Symbol : Empty circle, 1,000 flowers or stars
Deity : Varuna, god of cosmic waters, sky and earth
Indian zodiac: 6°40′ – 20° Kumbha ; Western zodiac 0°26′ – 13°46 Pisces
25Purva Bhadrapada – पूर्व भाद्रपदा/पूर्व प्रोष्ठपदा
“the first of the blessed feet”α “Markab” and β PegasiLord: Guru (Jupiter)
Symbol : Swords or two front legs of funeral cot, man with two faces
Deity : Ajaikapada, an ancient fire dragon
Indian zodiac: 20° Kumbha – 3°20′ Meena ; Western zodiac 13°46 – 27°06′ Pisces
26Uttara Bhādrapadā – उत्तर भाद्रपदा/उत्तर प्रोष्ठपदा
“the second of the blessed feet”γ “Algenib” Pegasi and α “Alpheratz” AndromedaeLord: Shani (Saturn)
Symbol : Twins, back legs of funeral cot, snake in the water
Deity : Ahirbudhnya, serpent or dragon of the deep
Indian zodiac: 3°20′ – 16°40′ Meena ; Western zodiac 27°06′ Pisces – 10°26′ Aries
27Revati – रेवती
“prosperous”ζ Piscium “Revati”Lord: Budh (Mercury)
Symbol : Fish or a pair of fish, drum
Deity : Pushan, nourisher, the protective deity
Indian zodiac: 16°40′ – 30° Meena
Western zodiac 10°26′ – 23°46 Aries
The invincible star:
Abhijit – अभिजित
“Invincible”LyraLord: vishnu (preserver)
Symbol : shaligram, lotus
delight in : Swathi (15th Nakshatra)
Indian zodiac: 06°40′ – 10°53’20 Makara
Western zodiac
The 27 Nakshatras are divided into three categories — the Fixed Stars, Common Signs and Dual Signs — based on their governing deities. Each of these categories has its own set of qualities and behavioural traits. The Fixed Stars are ruled by the seven divine seers, the Common Signs by Indra and Agni (gods of thunder and fire) while the Dual Signs are ruled jointly by both Vishnu and Rudra (the gods of protection and destruction).
The Nakshatras have long been used in Vedic Astrology as a tool to predict the future, analyze character, and make decisions about relationships. They can also be used to gain insight into an individual’s spiritual journey and help them find their true purpose in life. Additionally, these Nakshatras serve as a powerful aid for meditation, providing guidance on how one can best use their mental, emotional and physical energy in order to achieve inner peace. By understanding the qualities of each Nakshatra and its ruling deity, one can use them as a tool for self-awareness and personal growth.
The Nakshatras can also help us gain a greater appreciation for our place in Nature and the cosmos. Each Nakshatra is a doorway to the timeless wisdom of our ancestors and a reminder of our connection to the celestial world. With this understanding, we can begin to appreciate how our individual lives are part of something much larger, and gain insight into the role each of us plays in the great cosmic order.
In addition to providing insight into one’s personality traits, understanding the Nakshatras can also help us gain insight into our spiritual path. By studying each of these 27 lunar mansions we can gain an understanding of how our karmic past influences our present life situation and how we can use this knowledge to create positive changes for ourselves and others.
The study of Vedic Astrology is complex but incredibly rewarding when done correctly. With a little bit of effort you can learn about your own personal chart and gain insight into your life’s purpose. Understanding the Nakshatras is just one part of this journey but it can be an incredibly powerful tool for self-discovery!
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