SafekipediaNakshatra (Sanskrit: नक्षत्रम्, romanized: Nakṣatram) is the term for Lunar mansion in Hindu astrology and Buddhist astrology. A nakshatra is one of the 27 (sometimes also 28) sectors along the ecliptic. Their names are related to a prominent star or asterisms in or near the respective sectors. In essence (in Western astronomical terms), a nakshatra simply is a constellation.
Every nakshatra is divided into four padas (lit. "steps"). The starting point for the nakshatras according to the Vedas is traditionally "Krittika", but more recent compilations start from the point opposite the star Spica, called Chitrā in Sanskrit. This system is closely tied to the movements of the Moon and the stars.
The first astronomical text that lists them is the Vedanga Jyotisha. In classical Hindu scriptures like the Mahabharata and Harivamsa, the nakshatras are personified as daughters of Daksha and wives of Chandra, the god of the Moon.
Nakshatra is one of the five elements of a Pañcāṅga, along with Tithi, Nityayoga, Karana, and Vāra. These elements help in determining important dates and times in traditional Hindu calendars.
In the Atharvaveda
The Atharvaveda lists 27 important stars or groups of stars, many of which are linked to the nakshatras used today. These stars include well-known ones like the Pleiades, Aldebaran, Betelgeuse, Castor, Pollux, Regulus, Denebola, Spica, and Arcturus.
These stars help create a 27-day cycle, showing how the Moon moves past different star groups. Think of it like numbers on a clock, with the Moon moving past each "number" over time.
List of Nakshatras
In Hindu astronomy, there is an older tradition of 28 Nakshatras, which are special star patterns used as markers in the sky. These were later simplified into 27 equal parts of the ecliptic, each covering 13° 20′ of the sky. The Nakshatra called Abhijit was left out in this newer system, though it still plays a role in deciding good times for events.
Originally, these 28 Nakshatras were not all the same size. They were based on a calendar that had exactly 30 days in each month, with the Moon moving about 13 degrees each day. This old way of counting time was very careful and matched the Moon's path closely, even though it looks a bit different from how we measure time today.
| No. | Name | Associated stars | Description | Image |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Aśvinī "The Horsemen" | β and γ Arietis | ||
| 2 | Bharaṇī "The Bearer" | 35, 39, and 41 Arietis | ||
| 3 | Kṛttikā "To Cut" | Pleiades | ||
| 4 | Rohiṇi "Radiant Maiden" | Aldebaran | Indian zodiac: 10° – 23°20′ Taurus Tropical zodiac: 6° – 19°20′ Gemini | |
| 5 | Mṛgaśiras "The Deer's Head" | λ, φ Orionis | ||
| 6 | Ārdrā "The Moist One" | Betelgeuse | ||
| 7 | Punarvasu "Return Of The Light" | Castor and Pollux | ||
| 8 | Puṣya "The Nourisher" | γ, δ and θ Cancri | ||
| 9 | Āśleṣā "The Embrace" | δ, ε, η, ρ, and σ Hydrae | ||
| 10 | Maghā "The Mighty" | Regulus | ||
| 11 | Pūrvaphalgunī "The Former Reddish One" | δ and θ Leonis | Symbol: Front legs of bed, hammock, fig tree Deity: Bhaga, god of marital bliss and prosperity. NOTE: Ancient texts interchange the deities of the Phalguni nakshatras. In some, such as Taittiriya Brahmana, Aryaman rules Purva Phalgunī. Indian zodiac: 13° 20′ – 26°40′ Leo Tropical zodiac: 9° 20′ – 22°40′ Virgo | |
| 12 | Uttaraphalgunī "The Latter Reddish One" | Denebola | Symbol: Four legs of bed, hammock Deity: Aryaman, god of patronage and favours. NOTE: Ancient texts interchange the deities of the Phalguni nakshatras. In some, such as Taittiriya Brahmana, Bhaga rules Uttara Phalgunī. Indian zodiac: 26° 40′ Leo - 10° Virgo Tropical zodiac: 22° 40′ Virgo – 6° Libra | |
| 13 | Hasta "The Hand" | α, β, γ, δ and ε Corvi | ||
| 14 | Citrā "The Bright One" | Spica | Symbol: Bright jewel or pearl Deity: Tvastar/Vishwakarma, artisan god Indian zodiac: 23° 20′ Virgo – 6° 40′ Libra Tropical zodiac: 19° 20′ Libra – 2° 40′ Scorpio | |
| 15 | Svātī "The Independent One" | Arcturus | ||
| 16 | Viśākhā "Branching Out" | α, β, γ and ι Librae | ||
| 17 | Anurādhā "Following Radha" | β, δ and π Scorpionis | ||
| 18 | Jyeṣṭhā "The Eldest" | α, σ, and τ Scorpionis | ||
| 19 | Mūla "The Root" | ε, ζ, η, θ, ι, κ, λ, μ and ν Scorpionis | Astrological leader: Ketu (South lunar node) Symbol: Bunch of roots tied together, elephant goad Deity: Nirrti, goddess personifying death, decay, sorrow, as well as the peak of material achievement and the beginning of the spiritual impulse Indian zodiac: 0° – 13° 20′ Sagittarius Tropical zodiac: 26° Sagittarius – 9° 20′ Capricorn | |
| 20 | Pūrvāṣāḍha "The Former Unconquered" | δ and ε Sagittarii | ||
| 21 | Uttarāṣāḍha "The Latter Unconquered" | ζ and σ Sagittarii | Symbol: Elephant tusk, small bed Deity: Visvedevas, the most comprehensive gathering of the gods, a classification in which no deity is stated to be omitted Indian zodiac: 26° 40′ Sagittarius– 10° Capricorn Tropical zodiac: 22° 40′ Capricorn – 6° Aquarius | |
| * | Abhijit "The Invincible" | ζ and σ Lyrae | Astrological leader and Deity: Brahma Indian zodiac: 6° 40′ – 10° 53′ Capricorn Tropical zodiac: 2° 40′ – 6° 53′ Aquarius | |
| 22 | Śravaṇa "To Hear" | α, β and γ Aquilae | ||
| 23 | Dhaniṣṭhā "Wealthiest" | α, β, γ and δ Delphini | ||
| 24 | Śatabhiṣaj "A Hundred Physicians" | λ Aquarii | ||
| 25 | Pūrvabhādrapada "The Former Blessed Feet" | α and β Pegasi | Symbol: Swords or two front legs of funeral cot, man with two faces Deity: Ajaikapada, one-footed aspect of Shiva Indian zodiac: 20° Aquarius – 3° 20′ Pisces Tropical zodiac: 16° – 29° 20′ Pisces | |
| 26 | Uttarabhādrapada "The Latter Blessed Feet" | γ Pegasi and α Andromedae | Symbol: Twins, back legs of funeral cot, snake in the water Deity: Ahirbudhnya, serpent or dragon of the deep Indian zodiac: 3° 20′ – 16° 40′ Pisces Tropical zodiac: 29° 20′ Pisces – 12° 40′ Aries | |
| 27 | Revatī "Prosperous" | ζ Piscium | Symbol: Fish or a pair of fish, drum Deity: Pushan, nourisher, and the psychopomp deity Indian zodiac: 16° 40′ – 30° Pisces Tropical zodiac: 12° 40′ – 26° Aries |
Padas (quarters)
Each of the 27 Nakshatras covers 13° 20’ of the ecliptic. They are also divided into quarters, called padas, which are each 3° 20’ in size. These quarters help determine the starting sounds used to name a child. With 27 Nakshatras and 4 padas each, there are 108 parts in total, matching the number of beads in a japa mala, which represents all the elements of Vishnu.
| # | Name | Pada 1 | Pada 2 | Pada 3 | Pada 4 | Vimsottari Lord | Ruling Deity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Aśvini (अश्विनी) | चु Chu | चे Che | चो Cho | ला La | Ketu | Aswini Kumara |
| 2 | Bharaṇī (भरणी) | ली Li | लू Lu | ले Le | लो Lo | Venus | Yama |
| 3 | Kṛttikā (कृत्तिका) | अ A | ई I | उ U | ए E | Sun | Agni |
| 4 | Rohiṇī (रोहिणी) | ओ O | वा Va/Ba | वी Vi/Bi | वु Vu/Bu | Moon | Brahma |
| 5 | Mṛgaśīrṣā (मृगशीर्षा) | वे Ve/Be | वो Vo/Bo | का Ka | की Ke | Mars | Moon |
| 6 | Ārdrā (आर्द्रा) | कु Ku | घ Gha | ङ Ng/Na | छ Chha | Rahu | Shiva |
| 7 | Punarvasu (पुनर्वसु) | के Ke | को Ko | हा Ha | ही Hi | Jupiter | Aditi |
| 8 | Puṣya (पुष्य) | हु Hu | हे He | हो Ho | ड Da | Saturn | Brihaspati |
| 9 | Āśleṣā (आश्लेषा) | डी Di | डू Du | डे De | डो Do | Mercury | Rahu |
| 10 | Maghā (मघा) | मा Ma | मी Mi | मू Mu | मे Me | Ketu | Pitr |
| 11 | Pūrva or Pūrva Phālgunī (पूर्व फाल्गुनी) | नो Mo | टा Ta | टी Ti | टू Tu | Venus | Bhaga |
| 12 | Uttara or Uttara Phālgunī (उत्तर फाल्गुनी) | टे Te | टो To | पा Pa | पी Pi | Sun | Sun |
| 13 | Hasta (हस्त) | पू Pu | ष Sha | ण Na | ठ Tha | Moon | Savitr |
| 14 | Chitrā (चित्रा) | पे Pe | पो Po | रा Ra | री Ri | Mars | Vishwakarma |
| 15 | Svāti (स्वाति) | रू Ru | रे Re | रो Ro | ता Ta | Rahu | Vaayu |
| 16 | Vishākhā (विशाखा) | ती Ti | तू Tu | ते Te | तो To | Jupiter | Indra Agni |
| 17 | Anurādhā (अनुराधा) | ना Na | नी Ni | नू Nu | ने Ne | Saturn | Mitra |
| 18 | Jyeṣṭhā (ज्येष्ठा) | नो No | या Ya | यी Yi | यू Yu | Mercury | Indra |
| 19 | Mūla (मूल) | ये Ye | यो Yo | भा Bha | भी Bhi | Ketu | Varuna, Nirriti |
| 20 | Pūrva Aṣāḍhā (पूर्वाषाढ़ा) | भू Bhu | धा Dha | फा Bha/Pha | ढा Dha | Venus | Apah |
| 21 | Uttara Aṣāḍhā (उत्तराषाढ़ा) | भे Bhe | भो Bho | जा Ja | जी Ji | Sun | Brahma |
| 22 | Śrāvaṇa (श्रवण) | खी Ju/Khi | खू Je/Khu | खे Jo/Khe | खो Gha/Kho | Moon | Vishnu |
| 23 | Śrāviṣṭhā (श्रविष्ठा) or Dhaniṣṭhā (धनिष्ठा) | गा Ga | गी Gi | गु Gu | गे Ge | Mars | Vasu |
| 24 | Śatabhiṣā (शतभिषा) | गो Go | सा Sa | सी Si | सू Su | Rahu | Varuna |
| 25 | Pūrva Bhādrapadā (पूर्वभाद्रपदा) | से Se | सो So | दा Da | दी Di | Jupiter | Aja Ek Pada |
| 26 | Uttara Bhādrapadā (उत्तरभाद्रपदा) | दू Du | थ Tha | झ Jha | त्र Da/Tra | Saturn | Ahirbudhnya |
| 27 | Revati (रेवती) | दे De | दो Do | च Cha | ची Chi | Mercury | Pooshan |
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