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 The Nakshatras ~ an Overview

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The nakshatras are perhaps the most ancient part of Vedic astrology. They are the lunar constellations, or "Mansions of the Moon." This is because the Moon enters a new nakshatra (approximately) each day of the month.

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The nakshatras are a uniquely Indian tool, that can be used to supercharge your Vedic astrology. They provide a wealth of information that is much more specific than what the tradional constellations offer.

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The table at right gives a simple outline of the nakshatras.

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 Nakshatra Translation Ruler Zodiacal Position Main Star Symbol Deity

1

 Ashwini Horse Goddess Ketu 00Ari00 - 13Ari19 a or b Arietis Horse Head Ashwini Kumars
2 Bharani Bearer Venus 13Ari20 - 26Ari39 41 Arietis Vagina Yama
3 Krittika Cutter Sun 26Ari40 - 9Tau59 h Tauri (Alcyone) Razor Agni
4 Rohini Red Moon 10Tau00 - 23Tau19 a Tauri (Aldebaran) Chariot Brahma
5 Mrigashira Deer's Head Mars 23Tau20 - 6Gem39 l Orionis Deer Head Moon
6 Ardra Moist Rahu 6Gem40 - 19Gem59 a Orionis (Betelgeuse) Head Rudra
7 Punavasu Prosperity Jupiter 20Gem00 - 3Can19 b Geminorium Bow Aditi
8 Pushya Flower Saturn 3Can20 - 16Can39 d Cancri Flower Brihaspati
9 Ashlesha Embrace Mercury 16Can40 - 29Can59 e Hydrae Serpent Sarpas
10 Magha Mighty Ketu 0Leo00 - 13Leo19 r Leonis (Regulus) Palaquin the Pitris
11 Purva Phalguni Former Red One Venus 13Leo20 - 26Leo39 d Leonis Front Legs of Marriage Bed Bhaga
12 Uttara Phalguni Latter Red One Sun 26Leo40 - 9Vir59 b Leonis (Denebola) Back Legs of Marriage Bed Aryaman
13 Hasta Hand Moon 10Vir00 - 23Vir19 d Corvi Hand Savitri
14 Chitra Bright Mars 23Vir40 - 6Lib39 a Virginis (Spica) Pearl Tvashtri
15 Svati Independant Rahu 6Lib40 - 19Lib59 a Bootis Wheat Sprout Vayu
16 Vishakha Forked Jupiter 20Lib00 - 3Sco19 a Librae Triumph Arch Indragni
17 Anuradha Following Radha Saturn 3Sco20 - 16Sco39 d Scorpii Lotus Mitra
18 Jyeshtha Eldest Mercury 16Sco40 - 29Sco59 a Scorpii (Antares) Umbrella Indra
19 Mula Root Ketu 0Sag00 - 13Sag19 l Scorpii Crouching Lion Nirriti
20 Purva Ashadha Former Victor Venus 13Sag20 - 26Sag39 d Sagittarii Fan Apah
21 Uttara Ashadha Latter Victor Sun 26Sag40 - 9Cap59 s Sagittarii Elephant Tusk Vishva
22 Shravana Ear Moon 10Cap00 - 23Cap19 a Aquila (Altair) Arrow Vishnu
23 Dhanishtha Abundance Mars 23Cap20 - 6Aqu39 b Delphini Flute The Vasus
24 Satabhisha 100 Physicians Rahu 6Aqu40 - 19Aqu59 l Aquarii Empty Circle Varuna
25 Purva Bhadrapada Front Good Feet Jupiter 20Aqu00 - 3Pis19 b Pegasi Front Legs of Death Bed Ajaikapada
26 Uttara Bhadrapada Back Good Feet Saturn 3Pis20 - 16Pis39 g Pegasi Back Legs of Death Bed Ahirbudhnya
27 Revati Rich Mercury 16Pis40 - 29Pis59 z Piscium Drum Pushan