The 27 Nakshatras are one of the most unique and sophisticated features of Vedic astrology. While most people are familiar with the 12 zodiac signs (Rashis), the Nakshatra system provides a far more granular level of personalisation — dividing the 360° ecliptic into 27 equal segments of 13°20' each.
The word Nakshatra (Sanskrit: नक्षत्र) translates as "that which does not decay" or "lunar mansion." Each Nakshatra corresponds to a specific star or star cluster that the Moon passes through during its 27.3-day orbit. Your birth Nakshatra is determined by the Moon's position at your exact birth time.
Each Nakshatra is further subdivided into four Padas (quarters) of 3°20' each. The 108 Padas (27 × 4) correspond to the 108 divisions of the Navamsha chart — one of the most important divisional charts in Vedic astrology. Your birth Pada adds another layer of personalisation to your Nakshatra reading.
1. Ashwini (अश्विनी)
Ruler: Ketu
Swift healing, new beginnings
2. Bharani (भरणी)
Ruler: Venus
Nurturing, transformation, extremes
3. Krittika (कृत्तिका)
Ruler: Sun
Sharp focus, purification, fire
4. Rohini (रोहिणी)
Ruler: Moon
Creativity, beauty, fertility
5. Mrigashira (मृगशिरा)
Ruler: Mars
Searching, gentle, curious
6. Ardra (आर्द्रा)
Ruler: Rahu
Storm, destruction for renewal
7. Punarvasu (पुनर्वसु)
Ruler: Jupiter
Return, restoration, abundance
8. Pushya (पुष्य)
Ruler: Saturn
Nourishment, most auspicious Nakshatra
9. Ashlesha (आश्लेषा)
Ruler: Mercury
Mystical, serpent energy, penetrating
10. Magha (मघा)
Ruler: Ketu
Royal, ancestral, authority
11. Purva Phalguni (पूर्व फाल्गुनी)
Ruler: Venus
Pleasure, romance, relaxation
12. Uttara Phalguni (उत्तर फाल्गुनी)
Ruler: Sun
Service, contracts, patronage
13. Hasta (हस्त)
Ruler: Moon
Skill, craftsmanship, healing hands
14. Chitra (चित्रा)
Ruler: Mars
Brilliance, art, architecture
15. Swati (स्वाती)
Ruler: Rahu
Independence, flexibility, trade
16. Vishakha (विशाखा)
Ruler: Jupiter
Purpose, ambition, determination
17. Anuradha (अनुराधा)
Ruler: Saturn
Devotion, friendship, occult
18. Jyeshtha (ज्येष्ठा)
Ruler: Mercury
Seniority, protection, courage
19. Mula (मूल)
Ruler: Ketu
Roots, destruction, research
20. Purva Ashadha (पूर्व आषाढ़)
Ruler: Venus
Invincibility, early victory
21. Uttara Ashadha (उत्तर आषाढ़)
Ruler: Sun
Final victory, leadership
22. Shravana (श्रवण)
Ruler: Moon
Learning, listening, connection
23. Dhanishtha (धनिष्ठा)
Ruler: Mars
Wealth, music, adaptability
24. Shatabhisha (शतभिषा)
Ruler: Rahu
Healing, secretive, scientific
25. Purva Bhadrapada (पूर्व भाद्रपद)
Ruler: Jupiter
Transformation, two-faced fire
26. Uttara Bhadrapada (उत्तर भाद्रपद)
Ruler: Saturn
Wisdom, depth, rain-bringer
27. Revati (रेवती)
Ruler: Mercury
Completion, nourishment, journey's end
Your birth Nakshatra determines which planetary period (Dasha) is active at your birth and sets the sequence of all subsequent Dashas throughout your life. This is why knowing your exact birth time is so important in Vedic astrology — even a few minutes can change which Dasha you begin with and all subsequent timing predictions.