What is a nakshatra?
Short answer
A nakshatra is one of 27 lunar mansions that divide the zodiac into equal parts of 13°20′. Your janma (birth) nakshatra is the one the Moon occupied when you were born. It shapes temperament, sets the starting point of your Vimshottari dasha and is used for names, muhurta and compatibility.
How nakshatras divide the sky
The 360° zodiac is split into 27 nakshatras of 13°20′ each, starting with Ashwini at 0° Aries and ending with Revati at the end of Pisces. Each nakshatra is further split into four padas (quarters) of 3°20′.
Every nakshatra is linked to a group of stars in the sky, a presiding deity, a symbol and a ruling planet. For example, Rohini is ruled by the Moon and Krittika — the Pleiades — by the Sun.
The ruling-planet sequence
Nakshatra lords repeat in a fixed order of nine: Ketu, Venus, Sun, Moon, Mars, Rahu, Jupiter, Saturn, Mercury. Ashwini is ruled by Ketu, Bharani by Venus, Krittika by the Sun, and so on three times around the zodiac. This same order drives the Vimshottari dasha.
Where nakshatras are used
Your janma nakshatra decides your first dasha period. Its pada gives the traditional starting syllable for a baby name. Nakshatras are central to Guna Milan (Kundli matching) and to choosing muhurtas, the auspicious times for important events.
Common questions
- How many nakshatras are there?
- There are 27 in standard use. A 28th, Abhijit, appears in some muhurta calculations.
- Is my nakshatra the same as my rashi?
- No. The rashi is the Moon’s sign (30°); the nakshatra is the Moon’s narrower 13°20′ mansion within or across signs.
Sources and further reading
Jyotish is a traditional system for reflection. Interpretations vary between schools; this guide describes common practice.