Nakshatras in Vedic Astrology
The Ancient Sages divided the zodiac(apart from twelve signs) into 27 Nakshatras or
constellations of 13.20 degrees each. A Nakshatra is also called as lunar mansion or
constellation. Its reference is found in the ancient Vedic scriptures. As per the Hindu
mythology, all the twenty seven Nakshatras are the daughters of king Daksha and Moon is
married to all of them and the Moon spends approximately one day each in one constellation
and thus lunar month is of approximately of 27 days equal to the numbers of Nakshatras.
Nakshatras are classified as per several attributes like its owner, deity, sex, caste, species etc.
The Nakshatra, in which one's Moon is placed at the time of birth, is called Janma Nakshatra or
the birth star. These Nakshatras are further subdivided into four quarters known as Pada, each
spanning 3.20 degrees, know as Navamsa. The placement of planets in these padas or
subdivisions is studied for finer predictions. Each zodiac sign covers nine Padas in total. Thus
we can see that Nakshatras are used for various purposes and one of its major uses is to
determine starting point of a dasha or planetary period or cycles that divide the time in major
periods and sub periods and to choosing a muhurtha or auspicious time for any important
activity.
As per with their qualities, the 27 constellations are divided into following categories and are
favorable muhurtha for:
Sthira or Fixed,
Chara or Movable,
Ugra or Fierce,
Kshipra or Swift,
Mridu or Tender,
Tikshna or sharp,
Misra or Mixed
The Sthira or Fixed nakshatras are Rohini, Uttara Phalguni, Uttara Ashadha, and Uttara
Bhadrapada. These constellations are favorable for any work of fixed, stability and long term
purpose like planting trees, purchasing property, laying the foundations for buildings,
construction of home, factory etc. This will be more auspicious if these nakshatras happen to fall
on Sunday.
The Chara or Movable nakshatras are Punarvasu, Swati, Shravana, Dhanishtha, and
Shatabhisha. These constellations are favorable for buying automobiles, vehicles, gardening,
going on journey and travel. This will be more auspicious if these nakshatras happen to fall on
Monday.
The Ugra or Fierce nakshatras are Bharani, Magha, Purva Phalguni, Purva Ashadha, and
Purva Bhadrapada. These constellations are favorable for destructive deeds such as
demolishing any structure, setting fires, making imprisonment and works that require force,
weapons and confronting enemies. This will be more auspicious if these nakshatras happen to
fall on Tuesday.
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The Kshipra or Swift nakshatras are Ashwini, Pushya and Hasta. These constellations are
favorable for trade and commercial transactions, admission in school or college, using medicine,
taking or giving loans, journey and travel. This will be more auspicious if these nakshatras
happen to fall on Thursday.
The Mridu or Tender nakshatras are Mrigashira, Chitra, Anuradha, and Revati. These
constellations are favorable for making new friends and enjoyment of pleasures, romance,
dance, drama, fashionable clothes, writing of poetry. This will be more auspicious if these
nakshatras happen to fall on Friday.
The Tikshna or Sharp nakshatras are Ardra, Ashlesha, Jyeshtha, and Mula. These
constellations are favorable for filing for a divorce, black magic, casting spells, exorcism,
punishment, hypnotism, evoking of spirits, goblins, demons etc. This will be more auspicious if
these nakshatras happen to fall on Saturday.
The Misra or mixed nakshatras are Krittika and Vishakha. These constellations are favorable
for activities like worshiping, fire ceremonies, purchasing furniture and electronics. This will be
more auspicious if these nakshatras happen to fall on Wednesday.
The 27 Nakshatras
1. Ashwini Nakshatra
Location
0.00 Aries to 13.20 Aries
Ruler
Ketu
Symbol
Horse's head
Deity
Ashwini Kumar
Varna
Merchant
Alphabets
Chu, Che, Cho, La
2. Bharani Nakshatra
Location
13.20 Aries to 26.40 Aries
Ruler
Venus
Symbol
Yoni
Deity
Yama
Varna
2
Outcast
Alphabets
Lee, Lu, Lay, Lo
3. Krittika Nakshatra
Location
26.40 Aries to 10.00 Taurus
Ruler
Sun
Symbol
Razor
Deity
Agni
Varna
Priest
Alphabets
Aa, Ee, Oo, Ay
4. Rohini Nakshatra
Location
10.00 Taurus to 23.20 Taurus
Ruler
Moon
Symbol
Chariot
Deity
Brahma
Varna
Labourer
Alphabets
O, Va, Vi, Vu
5. Mrigashira Nakshatra
Location
23.20 Taurus to 6.40 Gemini
Ruler
Mars
Symbol
Deer's head
Deity
Chandra
Varna
Servant
Alphabets
3
Ve, Vo, Ka, Kee
6. Ardra Nakshatra
Location
6.40 Gemini to 20.00 Gemini
Ruler
Rahu
Symbol
Tear Drop
Deity
Rudra
Varna
Butcher
Alphabets
Ku, Ghaa, Kha, Cha
7. Punarvasu Nakshatra
Location
20.00 Gemini to 3.20 Cancer
Ruler
Jupiter
Symbol
Quiver
Deity
Aditi
Varna
Merchant
Alphabets
Kay, Ko, Ha, Hee
8. Pushya Nakshatra
Location
3.20 Cancer to 16.40 Cancer
Ruler
Saturn
Symbol
Udder
Deity
Brihaspati
Varna
Warrior
Alphabets
Hoo, He, Ho, Dah
4
9. Ashlesha Nakshatra
Location
16.40 Cancer to 30.00 Cancer
Ruler
Mercury
Symbol
Serpent
Deity
Nag
Varna
Outcast
Alphabets
Dee, Doo, Day, Doh
10. Magha Nakshatra
Location
0.00 Leo to 13.20 Leo
Ruler
Ketu
Symbol
Throne
Deity
Pitras
Varna
Labourer
Alphabets
Ma, Mi, Mu, Me
11. Purva Phalguni Nakshatra
Location
13.20 Leo to 26.40 Leo
Ruler
Venus
Symbol
Hammock
Deity
Bhaga
Varna
Priest
Alphabets
Mo, Ta, Tee, Too
12. Uttara Phalguni Nakshatra
5
Location
26.40 Leo to 10.00 Virgo
Ruler
Sun
Symbol
Fig tree
Deity
Aryaman
Varna
Warrior
Alphabets
Tay, To, Pa, Pee
13. Hasta Nakshatra
Location
10.00 Virgo to 23.20 Virgo
Ruler
Moon
Symbol
Hand
Deity
Surya
Varna
Merchant
Alphabets
Pu, Sha, Nu, Tha
14. Chitra Nakshatra
Location
23.20 Virgo to 6.40 Libra
Ruler
Mars
Symbol
Jewel
Deity
Vishvakarma
Varna
Servant
Alphabets
Pe, Po, Ra, Re
15. Swati Nakshatra
Location
6.40 Libra to 20.00 Libra
6
Ruler
Rahu
Symbol
Coral
Deity
Vaayu
Varna
Butcher
Alphabets
Ru, Re, Ro, Ta
16. Vishakha Nakshatra
Location
20.00 Libra to 3.20 Scorpio
Ruler
Jupiter
Symbol
Arch
Deity
Indra
Varna
Outcast
Alphabets
Ti, Tu, Te, To
17. Anuradha Nakshatra
Location
3.20 Scorpio to 16.00 Scorpio
Ruler
Saturn
Symbol
Lotus
Deity
Mitra
Varna
Labourer
Alphabets
Na, Ni, Nu, Nay
18. Jyestha Nakshatra
Location
16.40 Scorpio to 30.00 Scorpio
Ruler
Mercury
7
Symbol
Amulet
Deity
Indra
Varna
Servant
Alphabets
No, Ya, Yi, Yu
19. Mula Nakshatra
Location
0.00 to 13.20 Sagittarius
Ruler
Ketu
Symbol
Roots
Deity
Nirriti
Varna
Butcher
Alphabets
Ye, Yo, Bha, Bhe
20. Purva Ashadha Nakshatra
Location
13.20 to 26.40 Sagittarius
Ruler
Venus
Symbol
A fan
Deity
Varuna
Varna
Priest
Alphabets
Bu, Dah, Bha, Dha
21. Uttara Ashadha Nakshatra
Location
26.40 Sagittarius to 10 Capricorn
Ruler
Sun
Symbol
Tusk
8
Deity
Vishvadevas
Varna
Warrior
Alphabets
Be, Bo, Ja. Ji
22. Shravana Nakshatra
Location
10 Capricorn to 23.20 Capricorn
Ruler
Moon
Symbol
An Ear
Deity
Vishnu
Varna
Outcast
Alphabets
Ju, Je, Jo, Gha
23. Dhanishta Nakshatra
Location
23.20 Capricorn to 6.40 Aquarius
Ruler
Mars
Symbol
Drum
Deity
Vasus
Varna
Servant
Alphabets
Ga, Gi, Gu, Ge
24. Shatabhisha Nakshatra
Location
6.40 Aquarius to 20.00 Aquarius
Ruler
Rahu
Symbol
1000 stars
Deity
Varuna
9
Varna
Butcher
Alphabets
Go, Sa, Si, Su
25. Purva Bhadra Nakshatra
Location
20.00 Aquarius to 3.20 Pisces
Ruler
Jupiter
Symbol
Funeral cot
Deity
Ajaikapada
Varna
Priest
Alphabets
Se, So, De, Di
26. Uttara Bhadra Nakshatra
Location
03.20 Pisces to 16.40 Pisces
Ruler
Saturn
Symbol
Water snake
Deity
Ahirbudhnya
Varna
Warrior
Alphabets
Du, Tha, Jha, Na
27. Revati Nakshatra
Location
16.40 Pisces to 30.00 Pisces
Ruler
Mercury
Symbol
A fish
Deity
Pushan
Varna
Labourer
10
Alphabets
De, Tho, Cha, Chi
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