Nakshatra

Nakshatra are the 27 constellations forming a belt, against backdrop of which the zodiacs are considered. Moon travels across the sky and around the earth through this pathway. Each constellation covers 13 degrees, 20 minutes.

The concept of Nakshatra is exclusive only to Vedic astrology, and is known to give much more accurate results. Nakshatras are the backbone of astrology and were taken into account even before Sign system was considered. Nakshatras are considered throughout the astrological analysis.

Nakshatras also defines characteristics and influence of the planets placed in them.

Janmanakshatra is the Nakshatra in which the moon is placed at the time of birth. It plays a major role in shaping our thinking patterns, inherent capabilities and destiny.
Because of being the pathway of Moon, Nakshtras are also known as Lunar mansions. Moon travels through one Nakshatra in a day.

According to Hindu mythology, Moon had married all the 27 daughters of king Dakshan, who are the star constellations (27 Nakshatras) in the sky. But he loved to spend time with only his beloved queen Rohini. Other wives complained the matter to their father. Inspite of king Dakshan`s repeated interference, Moon did not rectify his habit. Dakshan finally lost his mind and cursed moon, causing it to wane in size. Moon started diminishing in size, and feeling the ill consequences of it, all the gods intervened and requested the king to revoke the curse. King then assured that only if Moon visits all his wives, he would regain his strength for half a month. That is the reason why Moon visits the entire 27 constellations during the month, constantly waxing and waning in size.

Each Nakshatra is divided in four sections called Padas or charan. Consideration of Pada is also very important during chart analysis as each Pada of Nakshatra gives a different result. Each zodiac covers nine Padas in total. Hence any zodiac covers more than two Nakshatra. The calculation begin by Ashwini Nakshatra which covers from 0 degrees of Aries, and ends in 30 degrees of Pisces covered by last Nakshatra of Revati.

The table is as given:

No.	Nakshatra	Symbol	Sign occupying Padas	Presiding Planet
1.	Ashwini – "The horse Tamer "	Horse’s head	Aries occupies all 4 Padas	Ketu
2	Bharani – "The bearer of new life"	Vagina	Aries occupies all four Padas.	Venus
3	Krittika – " The one who Cuts"	Razor	1st Pada – Aries 2,3,4 Padas – Taurus	Sun
4	Rohini – " The red One"	Chariot	All 4 Padas occupied by Gemini	Moon
5	Mrigashira – "Head of a deer"	Deer’s Head	1st, 2nd Pada- Taurus 3rd, 4th Pada – Gemini	Mars
6	Ardra – " The moist one"	Head	All four Pada occupied by Gemini.	Rahu
7	Punarvasu – "Return of the light"	Bow	First three occupied by Gemini. 4th – Cancer.	Jupiter
8	Pushya – " To nourish"	Flower	All four Padas occupied by Cancer.	Saturn
9	Ashlesha – "The embracer"	Serpent	All four Padas occupied by Cancer	Mercury
10	Magha – " The great one"	Palanquin	All the four Padas occupied by Leo.	Ketu
11	Purva Phalguni – "The Meritorious One"	Front legs of cot	All the four Padas occupied by Leo	Venus
12	Uttara Phalguni – "The excellent one"	Back legs of Cots	1st Pada occupied by Leo. 2nd, 3rd, 4th occupied by Virgo	Sun
13	Hasta – "The hand"	Palm	All the four Padas occupied by Virgo	Moon
14	Chitra – " the bright one"	Pearl	First two Padas occupied by Virgo. Last two Padas occupied by Libra.	Mars
15	Swati – "The independent one"	Sapphire	All the four Padas occupied by Libra	Rahu
16	Vishakha - " The forked Shape"	Potter’s wheel	First three Padas occupied by Libra. Last Pada occupied by Scorpio.	Jupiter
17	Anuradha – " The disciple of Divine spark"	Umbrella	All the four Padas occupied by Scorpio	Saturn
18	Jyestha – "The eldest"	Umbrella	All the four Padas occupied by Scorpio.	Mercury
19	Mula – "The Basic"	Crouching Tiger	All the four Padas occupied by Sagittarius	Ketu
20	Purva Ashadha- " The early victory"	Front of Square	All the four Padas occupied by Sagittarius.	Venus
21	Uttara ashadha – "Latter victory"	Back of Square	1st Pada in Sagittarius. Later three Padas in Capricorn	Sun
22	Shravana – "the learned one"	Arrow	All the four Padas in Capricorn.	Moon
23	Dhanishtha – "The richest One"	Drum	First two Padas in Capricorn. Later two Padas in Aquarius.	Mars
24	Shatabhishak – " A hundred Healers"	Flower	Aquarius occupies all the four Padas.	Rahu
25	Purva Bhadrapada - "The auspicious feet"	Front legs of cots	First Three Padas occupied by Aquarius. Last Pada occupied by Pisces.	Jupiter
26	Uttara Bhadrapada – "The auspicious feet"	Back legs of the Cots	All the Padas occupied by Pisces.	Saturn
27	Revati – "the wealthy"	Fish	Pisces occupies all the four Padas.	Mercury