27 Nakshatras in Vedic Astrology: Complete Lunar Mansion Guide
Understanding Nakshatras: The Foundation of Vedic Astrology
Nakshatras, also called lunar mansions or birth stars, are one of the most important concepts in Vedic astrology (Jyotish). These 27 (or 28) divisions of the zodiac represent the Moon's journey through the sky, with each nakshatra spanning 13°20' of the 360° zodiac circle.
While Western astrology primarily focuses on the Sun sign, Vedic astrology considers your Moon's nakshatra (janma nakshatra) as the most crucial indicator of personality, psychology, and life purpose. Your birth nakshatra, determined by the Moon's position at your birth moment, reveals your innermost nature, emotional patterns, and karmic tendencies.
The Origin and Significance of Nakshatras
The nakshatra system dates back over 5,000 years to ancient Vedic texts. Each nakshatra is associated with:
- Ruling deity: A god or goddess embodying that nakshatra's energy
- Ruling planet: One of the nine planets (Navagrahas) governing its effects
- Symbols: Objects or animals representing its essential nature
- Qualities: Fixed, movable, or dual characteristics
- Gender: Masculine, feminine, or neutral energy
- Caste: Brahmin (priestly), Kshatriya (warrior), Vaishya (merchant), or Shudra (servant)
- Guna: Sattva (purity), Rajas (activity), or Tamas (inertia)
These attributes create a detailed psychological and spiritual profile unique to each nakshatra.
The 27 Nakshatras: Complete Guide
1. Ashwini (0°00' - 13°20' Aries)
Symbol: Horse's head | Deity: Ashwini Kumaras | Ruler: Ketu
Characteristics: Quick, pioneering, healing abilities, adventurous spirit. Ashwini natives are natural healers, physicians, and first-responders with swift energy and initiative.
Career Paths: Medicine, emergency services, entrepreneurship, sports, alternative healing
2. Bharani (13°20' - 26°40' Aries)
Symbol: Yoni (womb) | Deity: Yama (God of Death) | Ruler: Venus
Characteristics: Intense, creative, transformative, restrained power. Bharani energy relates to birth, death, and transformation cycles.
Career Paths: Arts, entertainment, fertility treatments, psychology, hospice care
3. Krittika (26°40' Aries - 10°00' Taurus)
Symbol: Razor/flame | Deity: Agni (Fire God) | Ruler: Sun
Characteristics: Sharp, cutting through illusion, purifying energy, leadership. Krittika natives have penetrating insight and fierce determination.
Career Paths: Military, critics, surgeons, metallurgy, spiritual teaching
4. Rohini (10°00' - 23°20' Taurus)
Symbol: Cart/chariot | Deity: Brahma (Creator) | Ruler: Moon
Characteristics: Beautiful, creative, materialistic, sensual. Considered the most auspicious nakshatra for beauty, wealth, and growth.
Career Paths: Fashion, arts, agriculture, luxury goods, banking, beauty industry
5. Mrigashira (23°20' Taurus - 6°40' Gemini)
Symbol: Deer's head | Deity: Soma (Moon God) | Ruler: Mars
Characteristics: Seeking, curious, gentle yet quick, searching for perfection. Mrigashira natives are eternal seekers of knowledge and experience.
Career Paths: Research, travel, writing, gemology, forestry
6. Ardra (6°40' - 20°00' Gemini)
Symbol: Teardrop | Deity: Rudra (Storm God) | Ruler: Rahu
Characteristics: Stormy, transformative, electrical energy, breakthrough insights. Ardra brings destruction that precedes renewal.
Career Paths: Technology, research, pharmaceuticals, radical reform, weather science
7. Punarvasu (20°00' Gemini - 3°20' Cancer)
Symbol: Bow and quiver of arrows | Deity: Aditi (Mother of Gods) | Ruler: Jupiter
Characteristics: Renewal, restoration, optimism, maternal protection. Punarvasu represents returning to source and spiritual renewal.
Career Paths: Teaching, counseling, restoration work, spiritual guidance, hospitality
8. Pushya (3°20' - 16°40' Cancer)
Symbol: Cow's udder | Deity: Brihaspati (Jupiter) | Ruler: Saturn
Characteristics: Nourishing, supportive, spiritual, auspicious. Pushya is considered the most fortunate nakshatra for spiritual growth.
Career Paths: Nursing, education, ministry, social work, nutrition
9. Ashlesha (16°40' - 30°00' Cancer)
Symbol: Coiled serpent | Deity: Nagas (Serpent Gods) | Ruler: Mercury
Characteristics: Mysterious, hypnotic, penetrating wisdom, kundalini energy. Ashlesha natives possess occult knowledge and psychological depth.
Career Paths: Psychology, tantric practices, politics, investigation, hypnotherapy
10. Magha (0°00' - 13°20' Leo)
Symbol: Royal throne | Deity: Pitris (Ancestors) | Ruler: Ketu
Characteristics: Royal, authoritative, ancestral connections, traditional. Magha energy relates to lineage, legacy, and rightful authority.
Career Paths: Leadership, government, genealogy, history, ceremonial roles
11. Purva Phalguni (13°20' - 26°40' Leo)
Symbol: Hammock | Deity: Bhaga (God of Fortune) | Ruler: Venus
Characteristics: Pleasure-seeking, creative, romantic, leisurely. This nakshatra governs enjoyment, arts, and marital happiness.
Career Paths: Entertainment, music, hospitality, marriage counseling, leisure industry
12. Uttara Phalguni (26°40' Leo - 10°00' Virgo)
Symbol: Bed | Deity: Aryaman (God of Contracts) | Ruler: Sun
Characteristics: Generous, leadership through service, partnership-oriented, reliable. Excellent for marriage and business partnerships.
Career Paths: Law, contracts, unions, partnership businesses, counseling
13. Hasta (10°00' - 23°20' Virgo)
Symbol: Open hand | Deity: Savitar (Sun God) | Ruler: Moon
Characteristics: Skilled with hands, clever, resourceful, humorous. Hasta natives excel in crafts, arts, and detailed work.
Career Paths: Crafts, healing hands, massage, sculpture, magic, sleight of hand
14. Chitra (23°20' Virgo - 6°40' Libra)
Symbol: Bright jewel/pearl | Deity: Vishwakarma (Divine Architect) | Ruler: Mars
Characteristics: Artistic, charismatic, desire for beauty, architectural vision. Chitra represents divine creativity and aesthetic perfection.
Career Paths: Architecture, design, photography, fashion, jewelry, cosmetics
15. Swati (6°40' - 20°00' Libra)
Symbol: Young sprout blown by wind | Deity: Vayu (Wind God) | Ruler: Rahu
Characteristics: Independent, flexible, business-minded, dispersing energy. Swati natives value freedom and adaptability.
Career Paths: Trade, commerce, diplomacy, aviation, alternative energy
16. Vishakha (20°00' Libra - 3°20' Scorpio)
Symbol: Archway decorated for wedding | Deity: Indra-Agni | Ruler: Jupiter
Characteristics: Goal-oriented, determined, transformative, sacred purpose. Vishakha represents focused intention and achievement.
Career Paths: Research, politics, activism, goal achievement coaching, motivation
17. Anuradha (3°20' - 16°40' Scorpio)
Symbol: Lotus | Deity: Mitra (God of Friendship) | Ruler: Saturn
Characteristics: Devoted, mystical, organizational skills, loyal friendship. Anuradha excels in balancing spirituality with material world.
Career Paths: Organization building, mystical practices, diplomacy, numerology
18. Jyeshtha (16°40' - 30°00' Scorpio)
Symbol: Earring/umbrella | Deity: Indra (King of Gods) | Ruler: Mercury
Characteristics: Powerful, protective, authoritative, eldest. Jyeshtha natives possess natural authority and protective instincts.
Career Paths: Senior positions, military, police, protective services, occult sciences
19. Mula (0°00' - 13°20' Sagittarius)
Symbol: Bundle of roots | Deity: Nirriti (Goddess of Destruction) | Ruler: Ketu
Characteristics: Investigative, getting to root causes, destructive wisdom, spiritual seeker. Mula digs deep to find truth.
Career Paths: Research, investigation, archaeology, spiritual teaching, root cause analysis
20. Purva Ashadha (13°20' - 26°40' Sagittarius)
Symbol: Elephant's tusk/fan | Deity: Apas (Water Goddess) | Ruler: Venus
Characteristics: Invincible, purifying, early victory, inspirational. This nakshatra brings triumph and purification.
Career Paths: Competitive fields, purification technologies, motivation, success coaching
21. Uttara Ashadha (26°40' Sagittarius - 10°00' Capricorn)
Symbol: Elephant's tusk/planks of bed | Deity: Vishvadevas (Universal Gods) | Ruler: Sun
Characteristics: Righteous, leadership, final victory, universal approach. Uttara Ashadha represents lasting achievement.
Career Paths: Leadership, governance, law, universal welfare, international organizations
22. Shravana (10°00' - 23°20' Capricorn)
Symbol: Three footprints/ear | Deity: Vishnu (Preserver) | Ruler: Moon
Characteristics: Listening, learning, connection, disseminating knowledge. Shravana excels in communication and education.
Career Paths: Media, education, counseling, telecommunications, music
23. Dhanishtha (23°20' Capricorn - 6°40' Aquarius)
Symbol: Drum/flute | Deity: Eight Vasus | Ruler: Mars
Characteristics: Wealthy, musical, celebrity energy, group activities. Dhanishtha brings fame and material abundance.
Career Paths: Music, performing arts, real estate, group leadership, sports
24. Shatabhisha (6°40' - 20°00' Aquarius)
Symbol: Empty circle/thousand flowers | Deity: Varuna (God of Cosmic Waters) | Ruler: Rahu
Characteristics: Healing, mystical, secretive, hundred medicines. Shatabhisha represents alternative healing and hidden knowledge.
Career Paths: Alternative medicine, astrology, research, aerospace, innovation
25. Purva Bhadrapada (20°00' Aquarius - 3°20' Pisces)
Symbol: Front legs of funeral cot | Deity: Aja Ekapada (One-footed Goat) | Ruler: Jupiter
Characteristics: Passionate, idealistic, transformative fire, mystical. This nakshatra bridges material and spiritual realms.
Career Paths: Occult sciences, mysticism, transformation work, humanitarian causes
26. Uttara Bhadrapada (3°20' - 16°40' Pisces)
Symbol: Back legs of funeral cot/serpent | Deity: Ahir Budhnya (Serpent of Depths) | Ruler: Saturn
Characteristics: Wise, stable, depth, kundalini energy. Uttara Bhadrapada represents deep spiritual wisdom.
Career Paths: Spiritual teaching, meditation, depth psychology, writing, mysticism
27. Revati (16°40' - 30°00' Pisces)
Symbol: Fish/drum | Deity: Pushan (Nourisher) | Ruler: Mercury
Characteristics: Wealthy, nurturing, completion, safe journey. Revati is the final nakshatra representing journey's end and spiritual wealth.
Career Paths: Travel industry, shipping, wealth management, completion specialist, hospice
Finding Your Birth Nakshatra
Your janma nakshatra (birth star) is determined by the Moon's exact degree at your birth moment. To find your nakshatra, you need:
- Accurate birth date
- Precise birth time (even minutes matter)
- Birth location (city and country)
KalDekho's free kundli calculator instantly determines your birth nakshatra along with detailed analysis of its characteristics, ruling planet, deity, and life implications.
Nakshatra Pada (Quarters)
Each nakshatra is further divided into four padas (quarters) of 3°20' each, corresponding to the four navamsa signs. The pada adds nuance to nakshatra interpretation, indicating:
- First Pada: Initiative, beginnings, self-expression
- Second Pada: Accumulation, security, values
- Third Pada: Communication, versatility, short journeys
- Fourth Pada: Emotions, home, inner world
Nakshatra Compatibility for Marriage
In Vedic astrology, nakshatra matching (Ashtakoota system) is essential for marriage compatibility. The system assigns points across eight categories:
- Varna (1 point): Spiritual compatibility
- Vashya (2 points): Mutual control
- Tara (3 points): Birth star compatibility
- Yoni (4 points): Sexual compatibility
- Graha Maitri (5 points): Mental compatibility
- Gana (6 points): Temperament matching
- Bhakoot (7 points): Love and affection
- Nadi (8 points): Health and progeny
A score above 18 out of 36 is generally considered acceptable, while above 27 indicates excellent compatibility.
Nakshatra Remedies and Worship
Each nakshatra has specific remedies to strengthen its positive qualities:
- Mantra chanting: Recite your nakshatra's deity mantra
- Gemstone: Wear the gemstone of your nakshatra's ruling planet
- Fasting: Fast on the weekday ruled by your nakshatra lord
- Temple visits: Visit temples dedicated to your nakshatra deity
- Charitable acts: Donate items related to your nakshatra
Conclusion
Understanding your birth nakshatra unlocks profound insights into your personality, life purpose, career path, and relationship compatibility. These ancient lunar mansions provide a level of detail and accuracy that goes beyond sun signs, revealing the subtle energies shaping your destiny.
Whether you're seeking self-knowledge, planning important life decisions, or exploring relationship compatibility, your nakshatra serves as an invaluable guide. Discover your birth nakshatra and unlock the cosmic secrets encoded at your birth with KalDekho's advanced Vedic astrology platform!