Nakshatra — Sanskrit word meaning "that which never decays" — are the 27 fixed segments of the sky through which the Moon passes in its 27.3-day orbit. Each nakshatra is a 13°20' celestial division. Nakshatra is possibly the most ancient and unique concept of Vedic astronomy — Western astrology has 12 zodiac signs, but Vedic astrology's 27 nakshatras provide a finer classification.
The study of nakshatras has been the foundation of Indian astrology for thousands of years. The Rigveda mentions all 27 nakshatras; the Yajurveda lists their deities. In this article, we will study all 27 nakshatras in detail — their ruling planets, deities, natures, ganas, padas, and astrological significance.
✦ Complete List of 27 Nakshatras
1. Ashwini (0°-13°20') — Ruler Ketu, deity Ashwini Kumars, symbol horse head. Movable nature. Auspicious for healing, medicine, travel. 2. Bharani (13°20'-26°40') — Ruler Venus, deity Yamaraja, symbol yoni. Fierce nature. Intense work, discipline, transformation. 3. Krittika (26°40'-40°) — Ruler Sun, deity Agni, symbol flame/razor. Mixed nature. Purification, fire-related work.
4. Rohini (40°-53°20') — Ruler Moon, deity Brahma, symbol chariot/cart. Fixed nature. Fertility, growth, marriage — among the best nakshatras. 5. Mrigashira (53°20'-66°40') — Ruler Mars, deity Soma, symbol deer head. Soft nature. Travel, marriage, search. 6. Ardra (66°40'-80°) — Ruler Rahu, deity Rudra, symbol teardrop. Sharp nature. Intense work, meditation, but generally not for auspicious activities.
7. Punarvasu (80°-93°20') — Ruler Jupiter, deity Aditi, symbol quiver/bow. Movable nature. Reconstruction, travel. 8. Pushya (93°20'-106°40') — Ruler Saturn, deity Brihaspati, symbol milk pot. Light nature. King of nakshatras — auspicious for all work except marriage. 9. Ashlesha (106°40'-120°) — Ruler Mercury, deity Naga, symbol serpent. Sharp nature. Inauspicious — for hidden work, deception.
10. Magha (120°-133°20') — Ruler Ketu, deity Pitrs, symbol throne. Fierce nature. Ancestral work, royal work. 11. Purva Phalguni (133°20'-146°40') — Ruler Venus, deity Bhaga, symbol bed. Fierce nature. Marriage prohibited but pleasure-related work fine. 12. Uttara Phalguni (146°40'-160°) — Ruler Sun, deity Aryaman, symbol bed-leg. Fixed nature. Marriage best — powerful nakshatra.
13. Hasta (160°-173°20') — Ruler Moon, deity Savitar, symbol hand. Light nature. Skill-work, handicrafts, marriage — extremely auspicious. 14. Chitra (173°20'-186°40') — Ruler Mars, deity Vishwakarma, symbol gem/pearl. Soft nature. Construction work, beauty. 15. Swati (186°40'-200°) — Ruler Rahu, deity Vayu, symbol sword/sapling. Movable nature. Travel, independent decisions.
16. Vishakha (200°-213°20') — Ruler Jupiter, deity Indragni, symbol toran. Mixed nature. Pavilion/decoration work. 17. Anuradha (213°20'-226°40') — Ruler Saturn, deity Mitra, symbol lotus. Soft nature. Friendship, marriage — excellent. 18. Jyeshtha (226°40'-240°) — Ruler Mercury, deity Indra, symbol umbrella/earring. Sharp nature. Inauspicious — marriage prohibited.
19. Mula (240°-253°20') — Ruler Ketu, deity Nirriti, symbol root. Sharp nature. Research, analysis, but considered somewhat inauspicious by birth. 20. Purvashadha (253°20'-266°40') — Ruler Venus, deity Apas, symbol fan. Fierce nature. 21. Uttarashadha (266°40'-280°) — Ruler Sun, deity Vishwedeva, symbol fan/elephant tusk. Fixed nature. Marriage excellent.
22. Shravana (280°-293°20') — Ruler Moon, deity Vishnu, symbol ear. Movable nature. Education, listening-work, travel. 23. Dhanishtha (293°20'-306°40') — Ruler Mars, deity Ashtavasus, symbol drum/mridanga. Movable nature. Music, wealth-work. 24. Shatabhisha (306°40'-320°) — Ruler Rahu, deity Varuna, symbol hundred flowers. Movable nature. Medicine, secret research.
25. Purva Bhadrapada (320°-333°20') — Ruler Jupiter, deity Aja Ekapada, symbol bed. Fierce nature. 26. Uttara Bhadrapada (333°20'-346°40') — Ruler Saturn, deity Ahirbudhnya, symbol bed-leg. Fixed nature. Marriage excellent. 27. Revati (346°40'-360°) — Ruler Mercury, deity Pushan, symbol fish/drum. Soft nature. Travel, but avoid for funeral rites.
✦ Gana Classification — Deva, Manushya, Rakshasa
The 27 nakshatras are divided into three ganas — 9 nakshatras each. Deva Gana: Ashwini, Mrigashira, Punarvasu, Pushya, Hasta, Swati, Anuradha, Shravana, Revati. These are divine, peaceful, sattvic in nature. People of Deva Gana are spiritual, religious, charitable.
Manushya Gana: Bharani, Rohini, Ardra, Purva Phalguni, Uttara Phalguni, Purvashadha, Uttarashadha, Purva Bhadrapada, Uttara Bhadrapada. These are human, balanced, rajasic in nature. Normal human qualities and faults are present.
Rakshasa Gana: Krittika, Ashlesha, Magha, Chitra, Vishakha, Jyeshtha, Mula, Dhanishtha, Shatabhisha. These are fierce, courageous, tamasic in nature. Despite the name "Rakshasa" they are extremely effective in certain works — especially leadership, daring tasks, research-investigation.
Gana has special significance in marriage. In kundali matching, "Gana Koota" carries 6 points. Same gana = 6 points (best). Deva-Manushya = 5 points (good). Manushya-Rakshasa = 1 point (poor). Deva-Rakshasa = 0 points (prohibited — marriage should not be done). This shows that nature-compatibility is the foundation of marital happiness.
✦ Nakshatra Padas and Naming
Each nakshatra is divided into four padas (charans) — each pada is 3°20'. Total 27 × 4 = 108 padas. 108 is an extremely sacred number in Hinduism — 108 beads in a mala, mantra-japa is 108 times, the number of Puranas is 108.
Based on the pada of the janma nakshatra, the first letter of the child's name is determined. Example: the four pada letters of Ashwini nakshatra — Chu, Che, Cho, La. Similarly, all 27 nakshatras have 108 letters. If a child is born in the second pada of Ashwini — the name will start with "Che" (like Chetan, Chetna).
This 108-letter system is called "Nakshatra-pada Naming". Traditionally, the naming ceremony is performed on the 11th day after birth (12th in some schools). The astrologer specifies the janma nakshatra, pada, and the resulting letter. Parents choose a name starting with that letter.
✦ Nakshatra Nature — 7 Categories
Chara (Movable, 7): Swati, Punarvasu, Shravana, Dhanishtha, Shatabhisha. Auspicious for travel, motion, change. Daily activities, beginning travel, vehicle purchase favorable in these.
Sthira (Fixed, 5): Rohini, Uttara Phalguni, Uttarashadha, Uttara Bhadrapada, Anuradha. Permanent work — griha pravesh, well-digging, planting trees, marriage, building.
Tikshna (Sharp/Cruel, 3): Ardra, Jyeshtha, Mula, Ashlesha. Intense, fierce work — weapon-making, war, mantra-tantra, abhichara-karma. Not for auspicious work.
Mridu (Soft/Tender, 6): Mrigashira, Chitra, Anuradha, Revati (in some scriptures Hasta, Jyeshtha also). Gentle work — art, music, poetry, marriage, friendship.
Ugra (Fierce, 5): Bharani, Magha, Purva Phalguni, Purvashadha, Purva Bhadrapada. Power-display, risk-taking, intense decisions. However, prohibited for ordinary auspicious work.
Mishra (Mixed, 2): Krittika, Vishakha. Both auspicious and inauspicious work favorable — depends on circumstance. Particularly Vishakha is excellent for "mandap-work" (setting up pandals, organizing ceremonies).
Laghu (Light/Quick, 5): Ashwini, Pushya, Hasta, Abhijit, Margashirsha (according to some). Light, quick work — business, beginning of education, skill-work.
✦ Pushya — King of Nakshatras
Pushya nakshatra is considered supreme among all 27. Scriptures call it "Nakshatra-Raja" (King of Nakshatras). With Brihaspati as deity and Saturn as ruler, it has a wonderful combination of knowledge, dharma, and stability. Every tithi of Pushya nakshatra is considered to grant success in all undertakings — except marriage.
Reason marriage is prohibited in Pushya: This nakshatra's deity Brihaspati and ruler Saturn — both are "tapasvi" (ascetic) in nature. Marriage is the beginning of "grihastha" (householder) life — therefore Pushya's tap-shakti is considered contrary to marital happiness. However, all other works — griha pravesh, business inception, property purchase, travel — are extremely auspicious in Pushya.
Guru Pushya Yoga (when Pushya nakshatra falls on a Thursday) is considered universally auspicious — it occurs 8-12 times a year. Guru Pushya Yoga in 2026: 22 January, 19 February, 19 March, 16 April, 14 May, 11 June, 9 July, 6 August, 3 September, 1 October, 29 October, 26 November, 24 December. Buying gold, silver, property is extremely auspicious on these dates.
📚Sources & References
Content in this article is verified against the following classical and modern authoritative sources. Readers may independently verify against the original sources.
- ▪27 Nakshatras — described in Taittiriya Samhita, Atharva Veda and Vishnu Purana
- ▪Surya Siddhanta — classical Sanskrit astronomical text (~5th century CE)
- ▪Brihat Parashara Hora Shastra — foundational text on Vedic astrology by Maharishi Parashara
- ▪Muhurta Chintamani by Ram Daivajna (16th century) — standard reference for muhurat selection
✦ Frequently Asked Questions
How to find your janma nakshatra?▼
For janma nakshatra determination, birth date, time, and place are required. The Moon's sidereal position at that moment is examined to determine the nakshatra. Our janma-nakshatra calculator does this accurately — using Lahiri Ayanamsa.
Is nakshatra different from rashi?▼
Yes. 12 rashis = 360° divided into 12 parts of 30° each. 27 nakshatras = 360° divided into 27 parts of 13°20' each. Approximately 2.25 nakshatras fit in one rashi. Example: Aries contains Ashwini (full), Bharani (full), Krittika (1 pada) — total 9 padas.
Is Abhijit the 28th nakshatra?▼
Traditionally there are 27 nakshatras. Some schools consider Abhijit as the 28th — a small segment (4°) between Uttarashadha and Shravana. Abhijit's deity is Brahma. However, in modern panchang it is used only from a time-perspective, not for zodiac position.
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Note: This content is published for educational and cultural reference. For personal religious or astrological decisions, please consult a qualified pandit or jyotishi.