VEDIC ASTROLOGY

LESSON – 7
THE NAKSHATRAS OR THE STAR CONSTELLATIONS
The term ‘Nakshatras’, can be broken down as ‘naks’, which means ‘sky’ and ‘shetra’, which means ‘region’,
which when translated stands for ‘Sky Map’. Another translation is derived by using a different analysis; it
says ‘naksha’ is ‘map’ and ‘tara’ is ‘star’ and so `Nakshatra’ means ‘Star Map’.

Nakshatras in Hindu Vedic Astrology

When many stars group together and make themselves a luminous mass of a specific figure. it is called
‘Nakshatra’ (Constellation). Numerous groups of stars which we see in the sky in different forms and shapes
are called constellations. According to some astrologers, there are 28 constellations. Since ancient times the
Moon was looked for calculating time and connecting to the stars. `Nakshatras` is the name that is given to
the constellations or mansions of the Moon, as the Moon resides in each of these constellations for one day.

In astrology these constellations have special importance. All these constellations existing in the sky are
divided into 27 categories in astrology and each constellation has been given a separate name. The 28th
constellation — ‘Abhijit’ — comprises the last 15 Ghatis of ‘Uttarashada’ and the first 4 Ghatis of ‘Shravana’
constellation totaling 19 Ghatis. Hence this constellation is not taken as a separate constellation for
astrological calculations. Each constellation is known by its most prominent star.

To understand these constellations minutely. each constellation is sub-divided into four quarters known
as ‘Charanas’ or “Padha”.

Names of Constellations
1.Ashvini 2. Bharani 3. Kritika 4. Rohini 5. Mrigashira 6. Ardra 7. Punarvasu 8. Pushya 9. Ashlesha 10.
Magha 11. Poorvafalguni 12. Uttarafalguni 13. Hasta 14. Chittra 15. Swati 16. Vishakha 17. Anuradha
18. Jyeshtha 19. Moola 20. Poorvashadha 21. Uttarashadha 22. Shravana 23. Dhanishtha
24. Shatabhisha 25. Poorvabhadrapada 26. Uttara Bhadrapada27. Revathi

Each of the Nakshatra is governed by one ‘Lord‘ or ‘Athipathi’ (one of the nine graha) in the following
sequence: Kethu, Sukra, Surya, Chandra, Mangal, Rahu, Guru, Sani and Budha. This cycle repeats itself three
times to cover all 27 nakshatras. The lord of each nakshatra determines the planetary period known as the
dasha which is considered of major importance in forecasting the life path of the individual. Each Nakshatra
has different ruling deity and is owned by different planet and have divergent qualities.
Hence while studying the effects of a planet placed in Aries, it is also studied in which nakshatra it is placed
and in which pada of that nakshatra it is placed. This system of analysis exists only in Indian astrology.

The nakshatra in which your moon is placed at the time of your birth is called your Janma Nakshatra. This
Janma Nakshatra has also got its influence on you. Nakshatras also play a major role in calculating Dasha
periods related to a horoscope.

There is a fascinating story related to Nakshatra in the ancient Indian scriptures. They are said to be the ’27
daughters of Daksha’ who was the Prajapati or the King of the mankind when the universe was initially
created. Daksha was the Son of Brahma, the creator. All these 27 daughters of Daksha got married to
Chandra or the Moon lord.

Chandra was attracted to the Nakshatra named Rohini and used to spend almost all his time with her. This
caused rage and anger among other Nakshatras who went and complained to their father Daksha who in
turn cursed Moon to wane and get destroyed. But Lord Shiva came to Chandra’s rescue and wore him on his
head to minimize the effect of the curse and to save the creation from losing its balance. That’s the reason
why Moon will never be destroyed. But because of the effect of the curse he wanes for 15 days and waxes
for the other 15 days. Fascinating story, isn’t it?

Nakshatra Names and Other Important Details

The starting point of nakshatras is a point on the Zodiac directly opposite to the start ‘Spica’ which is
otherwise called ‘Chitra’ in Vedic astrology. The number of Nakshatras denotes the number of days in a
sidereal month which is roughly 27 days. A sidereal month is the time taken for Moon to return to the
similar position in relation to stars which is 27.321 days.

TABLE OF NAKSHATRA- RULING PLANET – SYMBOL – RASI – DEITY – NATURE

Nakshatra Name Symbol Range Deity Astronomically

associated with
Ruling Planet Nature
1.Ashwini 0° to 13°20′ Aswini ‘β and γ Arietis’.
Kethu Mesha Kumaras Head of Horse
Deva
2. Barani 13°20′ to 26°40′ Yama ’35, 39, and 41 Arietis’.
Sukra Mesha Ugra with Yoni
Manushya
Character
3. Kritika 26°-40′ Mesha to Agni (The Fire star ‘Pleiades’
Surya 10° Rishabha God) Knife or Spear
Rakshasa

4. Rohini 10° to 23°20′ Brahma star ‘Aldebaran’

Chandra Rishabha Cart or Chariot
Manushya
5. Mirgashira 23° 20′ Rishabha Soma star ‘λ, φ Orionis’
to 6° 40′ Mithuna
Mangal Deva Deer’s head

6. Arudhra 6° 40′ to 20° Rudra star ‘Betelgeuse’

Rahu Mithuna Manushya
Teardrop, diamond, a
human head
7. Punarvasu 20° Mithuna to Aditi star ‘Castor and Pollux’
Guru 3°20′ Karka Deva Bow and quiver

8. Pushya 3°20′ to 16°40′ Brihaspathi star ‘γ, δ and θ Cancri’

Sani Karka
Deva Cow’s udder, Lotus,
arrow and circle
9.Ashlesha 16°40′ to 30° Naga star ‘δ, ε, η, ρ, and
Budha Karka Rakshasa σ Hydrae’
Serpent

10. Maka 0° to 13°20′ Leo Pitru star ‘Regulus’

Kethu
Rakshasa Royal Throne
13°20′ to 26°40′ Bhagya star ‘δ and θ Leonis’
11.Purva Phalguni
Simha(Leo)
Manushya Front legs of bed,
Sukra
hammock, fig tree
12. Uttara 26°40′ Simha to Aryaman star ‘Denebola’
Phalguni 10° Kanya Manushya Bed or two rear legs of
Surya a cot.
13.Hasta 10° to 23°20′ Savitar ( star ‘α, β, γ, δ and ε
Chandra Kanya Surya). Corvi’
Deva Hand or fist

14.Chitra 23°20′ Kanya to Tvastar or star ‘Spica’

Mangal 6°40′ Tula Vishvakarma Bright Jewel
Rakshasa
15. Swathi 6°40′ to 20° Tula Vayu star ‘Arcturus’
Rahu Deva Shoot of plant,
coral.
16, Visaka 20° Tula to 3°20′ Indra and Agni stars ‘α, β, γ and ι
Guru Vrishchika Rakshasa Librae’
Triumphal arch,
potter’s wheel.
17.Anuradha 3°20′ to 16°40′ Mithra ‘β, δ and π Scorpionis’
Sani Vrishchika Deva Triumphal
archway and lotus.
18.Jyeshta 16°40′ – 30° Indra ‘α, σ and τ Scorpionis’
Vrishchika
Budha Rakshasa Circular amulet,
umbrella and ear ring
19. Moola 0° – 13°20′ Nirriti ‘ε, ζ, η, θ, ι, κ, λ, μ
Kethu Dhanur Rakshasa And ν Scorpionis’
Bunch of roots tied
together, elephant
goad.

20 Poorva ashada 13°20′ – 26°40′ Apas ‘δ and ε Sagittarii’

Sukra Dhanur Manushya Elephant tusk,
fan, winnowing basket

21. Uttara Ashada 26°40′ Dhanus – Vishwa Devas ‘ ζ and σ Sagittarii’

Surya 10° Makara Manushya Elephant tusk,
small bed.

22. Shravana 10° – 23°20′ Vishnu ‘ α, β and γ Aquilae’

Makara Ear or Three
Chandra Deva Footprints.
23. Dhanishta 23°20′ Makara – Ashta Vasu ‘ α to δ Delphini’
6°40′ Kumbha
Mangal Rakshasa – Drum or flute

24. Sadabisha 6°40′ – 20° Varuna ‘ γ Aquarii’

Rahu Kumbha Rakshasa Empty circle,
1,000 flowers or stars

25. Poorva 20° Kumbha – Aja Ekapada ‘ α and β Pegasi’

Bhadrapada 3°20′ Meena Swords or
Manushya two front legs of
Guru funeral
cot, man with two
faces.
26.Uttara 3°20′ – 16°40′ Ahirbudhnya ‘γ Pegasi and
Bhadrapada Meena α Andromedae’
Manushya Twins, back
Sani legs of funeral cot,
snake in the water
27. Revathi 16°40′ – 30° Pushan stars ‘ ζ Piscium
Meena Fish or a
Kethu Deva pair of fish, drum

TO BE CONTINUED IN LESSON 8