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 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 Taurus | 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 |
