The lunar mansions · नक्षत्र
The 27 Nakshatrasनक्षत्र
A nakshatra is one of the 27 equal segments — each 13°20′ wide — into which Vedic astrology divides the band of sky the Moon travels. Together they tile the whole zodiac, and the one the Moon occupied at your birth is your janma nakshatra, the star that a Vedic reading treats as more personal than your rashi.
Each nakshatra has a ruling graha, a presiding deity and its own character. Below are all twenty-seven in classical order, grouped into the three rounds of the Vimshottari dasha lord cycle — Ketu through Budha, repeated three times.
First round · Ketu → Budha
1
Ketu · केतु
Ashwiniअश्विनी
Mesha 0°00′ – 13°20′
Ashwini is the first nakshatra, ruled by Ketu and presided over by the twin horse-headed physicians, and it carries the speed, healing instinct and headlong energy of a fresh start.
2
Venus · शुक्र
Bharaniभरणी
Mesha 13°20′ – 26°40′
Bharani, ruled by Venus and presided over by Yama, is the nakshatra of bearing and restraint — it carries things through the full passage of birth, effort and death, and it does not flinch from the hard middle.
3
Sun · सूर्य
Krittikaकृत्तिका
Mesha 26°40′ – Vrishabha 10°00′
Krittika, ruled by the Sun and presided over by Agni, is the nakshatra of the cutting flame — it burns away impurity, sees sharply, and is not gentle about the truth.
4
Moon · चंद्र
Rohiniरोहिणी
Vrishabha 10°00′ – 23°20′
Rohini, ruled by the Moon and presided over by the creator Brahma, is the nakshatra of growth, beauty and fertile attraction — it is where things take root and flourish.
5
Mars · मंगल
Mrigashiraमृगशिरा
Vrishabha 23°20′ – Mithuna 6°40′
Mrigashira, ruled by Mars and presided over by Soma, is the nakshatra of the searching deer — curious, gentle and forever seeking, it is happiest on the trail of something just out of reach.
6
Rahu · राहु
Ardraआर्द्रा
Mithuna 6°40′ – 20°00′
Ardra, ruled by Rahu and presided over by the storm-god Rudra, is the nakshatra of the cleansing storm — the teardrop and the thunderclap, destruction that clears the ground for something new.
7
Jupiter · गुरु
Punarvasuपुनर्वसु
Mithuna 20°00′ – Karka 3°20′
Punarvasu, ruled by Jupiter and presided over by Aditi, is the nakshatra of return and renewal — the light that comes back after darkness, safe, generous and endlessly able to begin again.
8
Saturn · शनि
Pushyaपुष्य
Karka 3°20′ – 16°40′
Pushya, ruled by Saturn and presided over by Brihaspati, is the most nourishing and auspicious of the nakshatras — steady, dutiful and protective, it feeds and shelters what is in its care.
9
Mercury · बुध
Ashleshaआश्लेषा
Karka 16°40′ – 30°00′
Ashlesha, ruled by Mercury and presided over by the serpent Nagas, is the nakshatra of the coiled snake — penetrating, hypnotic and self-contained, it holds a subtle power that it rarely shows.
Second round · Ketu → Budha
10
Ketu · केतु
Maghaमघा
Simha 0°00′ – 13°20′
Magha, ruled by Ketu and presided over by the ancestral Pitris, is the nakshatra of the throne — dignified, ceremonial and proud of its lineage, it carries the authority handed down by those who came before.
11
Venus · शुक्र
Purva Phalguniपूर्व फाल्गुनी
Simha 13°20′ – 26°40′
Purva Phalguni, ruled by Venus and presided over by Bhaga, is the nakshatra of rest and pleasure — warm, creative and generous, it knows how to enjoy life and to make others feel welcome.
12
Sun · सूर्य
Uttara Phalguniउत्तर फाल्गुनी
Simha 26°40′ – Kanya 10°00′
Uttara Phalguni, ruled by the Sun and presided over by Aryaman, is the nakshatra of dependable partnership — it turns the pleasure of the former Phalguni into commitment, service and lasting bonds.
13
Moon · चंद्र
Hastaहस्त
Kanya 10°00′ – 23°20′
Hasta, ruled by the Moon and presided over by Savitar, is the nakshatra of the skilled hand — deft, clever and practical, it can make, mend and grasp whatever it sets its mind to.
14
Mars · मंगल
Chitraचित्रा
Kanya 23°20′ – Tula 6°40′
Chitra, ruled by Mars and presided over by the divine architect Vishwakarma, is the nakshatra of the brilliant jewel — it builds beautiful, well-made things and has a striking presence of its own.
15
Rahu · राहु
Swatiस्वाति
Tula 6°40′ – 20°00′
Swati, ruled by Rahu and presided over by Vayu, is the nakshatra of the wind — independent, flexible and self-directed, it bends without breaking and goes its own way.
16
Jupiter · गुरु
Vishakhaविशाखा
Tula 20°00′ – Vrischika 3°20′
Vishakha, ruled by Jupiter and presided over by Indra-Agni, is the nakshatra of the focused goal — ambitious, determined and single-minded, it fixes on a target and does not let go until it arrives.
17
Saturn · शनि
Anuradhaअनुराधा
Vrischika 3°20′ – 16°40′
Anuradha, ruled by Saturn and presided over by Mitra, is the nakshatra of friendship and devotion — it builds warm, loyal bonds and can thrive far from home, holding people together by care.
18
Mercury · बुध
Jyeshthaज्येष्ठा
Vrischika 16°40′ – 30°00′
Jyeshtha, ruled by Mercury and presided over by Indra, is the nakshatra of the elder — capable, authoritative and protective, it carries seniority and responsibility, and the burden that comes with them.
Third round · Ketu → Budha
19
Ketu · केतु
Mulaमूल
Dhanu 0°00′ – 13°20′
Mula, ruled by Ketu and presided over by Nirriti, is the nakshatra of the root — it digs to the foundation of things, tearing up the surface to reach what is true underneath.
20
Venus · शुक्र
Purva Ashadhaपूर्वाषाढा
Dhanu 13°20′ – 26°40′
Purva Ashadha, ruled by Venus and presided over by the cosmic waters, is the nakshatra of invincibility — buoyant, persuasive and unshakably confident, it rises again and again and carries others with it.
21
Sun · सूर्य
Uttara Ashadhaउत्तराषाढा
Dhanu 26°40′ – Makara 10°00′
Uttara Ashadha, ruled by the Sun and presided over by the ten universal gods, is the nakshatra of lasting victory — it wins slowly, ethically and for good, and what it builds does not fall.
22
Moon · चंद्र
Shravanaश्रवण
Makara 10°00′ – 23°20′
Shravana, ruled by the Moon and presided over by Vishnu, is the nakshatra of listening — it learns by hearing, connects people through knowledge, and carries wisdom and tradition forward.
23
Mars · मंगल
Dhanishtaधनिष्ठा
Makara 23°20′ – Kumbha 6°40′
Dhanishta, ruled by Mars and presided over by the eight Vasus, is the nakshatra of rhythm and wealth — musical, energetic and prosperous, it keeps the beat that others move to.
24
Rahu · राहु
Shatabhishaशतभिषा
Kumbha 6°40′ – 20°00′
Shatabhisha, ruled by Rahu and presided over by Varuna, is the nakshatra of the hundred healers — secretive, independent and unconventional, it mends what is hidden and keeps its own mysteries.
25
Jupiter · गुरु
Purva Bhadrapadaपूर्व भाद्रपदा
Kumbha 20°00′ – Meena 3°20′
Purva Bhadrapada, ruled by Jupiter and presided over by the one-footed Aja Ekapada, is the nakshatra of the fiery idealist — intense, unconventional and burning for a cause beyond the ordinary.
26
Saturn · शनि
Uttara Bhadrapadaउत्तर भाद्रपदा
Meena 3°20′ – 16°40′
Uttara Bhadrapada, ruled by Saturn and presided over by the serpent of the deep, is the nakshatra of calm depth — patient, wise and steadying, it holds a still, compassionate strength beneath the surface.
27
Mercury · बुध
Revatiरेवती
Meena 16°40′ – 30°00′
Revati, ruled by Mercury and presided over by the shepherd Pushan, is the final nakshatra — gentle, nourishing and protective, it guides travellers safely to journey’s end and to a new beginning.
Which one is yours? · जन्म नक्षत्र
Find your janma nakshatraअपना नक्षत्र जानें
Your janma nakshatra is where the Moon stood at the moment you were born. Enter your birth details and our own calculation engine places it exactly, down to the pada.
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