This guide gathers everything you need to understand the nakshatras: what the 27 lunar mansions are, how to find your Janma nakshatra (birth star), how nakshatras shape personality, and the finer detail of the four padas (quarters) within each. The nakshatra system underlies the dasha timeline and much of practical Vedic prediction.
The 27 nakshatras by ruling planet
Each nakshatra spans 13°20′ and divides into four padas. The ruling planet of your birth nakshatra decides which Vimshottari dasha you were born into — and therefore the order and dates of every mahadasha that follows.
| Nakshatras | Ruling planet | Dasha length |
|---|---|---|
| Ashwini, Magha, Mula | Ketu | 7 years |
| Bharani, Purva Phalguni, Purva Ashadha | Venus | 20 years |
| Krittika, Uttara Phalguni, Uttara Ashadha | Sun | 6 years |
| Rohini, Hasta, Shravana | Moon | 10 years |
| Mrigashira, Chitra, Dhanishtha | Mars | 7 years |
| Ardra, Swati, Shatabhisha | Rahu | 18 years |
| Punarvasu, Vishakha, Purva Bhadrapada | Jupiter | 16 years |
| Pushya, Anuradha, Uttara Bhadrapada | Saturn | 19 years |
| Ashlesha, Jyeshtha, Revati | Mercury | 17 years |
In this guide
Nakshatras and Personality: How Your Birth Star Shapes You
How your birth star or nakshatra quietly shapes your personality, talents, and life path as seen in Vedic astrology.
Read guide →Nakshatra Padas: The Four Quarters and Why They Matter
Understand nakshatra padas, the four quarters of the 27 lunar mansions in Vedic astrology, and how they refine your Kundli readings with deeper timing.
Read guide →Baby Names by Nakshatra: The Complete 108-Pada Syllable Chart
The complete, shastra-correct naming syllable chart for all 27 nakshatras and 108 padas, why the first letter matters, Gand Mool flags.
Read guide →Ashwini Nakshatra: The Complete Classical Profile
Ashwini nakshatra explained — its lord Ketu, deity the Ashwini Kumaras, symbol, gana, padas and naming syllables. Classical profile by Dr. R.P. Sharma.
Read guide →Bharani Nakshatra: The Complete Classical Profile
Bharani nakshatra explained — its lord Venus, deity Yama, symbol, gana, padas and naming syllables. Classical profile by Dr. R.P. Sharma.
Read guide →Krittika Nakshatra: The Complete Classical Profile
Krittika nakshatra explained — its lord the Sun, deity Agni, symbol, gana, padas and naming syllables. Classical profile by Dr. R.P. Sharma.
Read guide →Rohini Nakshatra: The Complete Classical Profile
Rohini nakshatra explained — its lord the Moon, deity Brahma / Prajapati, symbol, gana, padas and naming syllables. Classical profile by Dr. R.P. Sharma.
Read guide →Mrigashira Nakshatra: The Complete Classical Profile
Mrigashira nakshatra explained — its lord Mars, deity Soma, symbol, gana, padas and naming syllables. Classical profile by Dr. R.P. Sharma.
Read guide →Ardra Nakshatra: The Complete Classical Profile
Ardra nakshatra explained — its lord Rahu, deity Rudra, symbol, gana, padas and naming syllables. Classical profile by Dr. R.P. Sharma.
Read guide →Punarvasu Nakshatra: The Complete Classical Profile
Punarvasu nakshatra explained — its lord Jupiter, deity Aditi, symbol, gana, padas and naming syllables. Classical profile by Dr. R.P. Sharma.
Read guide →Pushya Nakshatra: The Complete Classical Profile
Pushya nakshatra explained — its lord Saturn, deity Brihaspati, symbol, gana, padas and naming syllables. Classical profile by Dr. R.P. Sharma.
Read guide →Ashlesha Nakshatra: The Complete Classical Profile
Ashlesha nakshatra explained — its lord Mercury, deity the Nagas, symbol, gana, padas and naming syllables. Classical profile by Dr. R.P. Sharma.
Read guide →Magha Nakshatra: The Complete Classical Profile
Magha nakshatra explained — its lord Ketu, deity the Pitris, symbol, gana, padas and naming syllables. Classical profile by Dr. R.P. Sharma.
Read guide →Purva Phalguni Nakshatra: The Complete Classical Profile
Purva Phalguni nakshatra explained — its lord Venus, deity Bhaga, symbol, gana, padas and naming syllables. Classical profile by Dr. R.P. Sharma.
Read guide →Uttara Phalguni Nakshatra: The Complete Classical Profile
Uttara Phalguni nakshatra explained — its lord the Sun, deity Aryaman, symbol, gana, padas and naming syllables. Classical profile by Dr. R.P. Sharma.
Read guide →Chitra Nakshatra: The Complete Classical Profile
Chitra nakshatra explained — its lord Mars, deity Tvashtar (Vishwakarma), symbol, gana, padas and naming syllables. Classical profile by Dr. R.P. Sharma.
Read guide →Swati Nakshatra: The Complete Classical Profile
Swati nakshatra explained — its lord Rahu, deity Vayu, symbol, gana, padas and naming syllables. Classical profile by Dr. R.P. Sharma.
Read guide →Vishakha Nakshatra: The Complete Classical Profile
Vishakha nakshatra explained — its lord Jupiter, deity Indragni, symbol, gana, padas and naming syllables. Classical profile by Dr. R.P. Sharma.
Read guide →Anuradha Nakshatra: The Complete Classical Profile
Anuradha nakshatra explained — its lord Saturn, deity Mitra, symbol, gana, padas and naming syllables. Classical profile by Dr. R.P. Sharma.
Read guide →Jyeshtha Nakshatra: The Complete Classical Profile
Jyeshtha nakshatra explained — its lord Mercury, deity Indra, symbol, gana, padas and naming syllables. Classical profile by Dr. R.P. Sharma.
Read guide →Mula Nakshatra: The Complete Classical Profile
Mula nakshatra explained — its lord Ketu, deity Nirriti, symbol, gana, padas and naming syllables. Classical profile by Dr. R.P. Sharma.
Read guide →Purva Ashadha Nakshatra: The Complete Classical Profile
Purva Ashadha nakshatra explained — its lord Venus, deity Apas, symbol, gana, padas and naming syllables. Classical profile by Dr. R.P. Sharma.
Read guide →Uttara Ashadha Nakshatra: The Complete Classical Profile
Uttara Ashadha at a glance: the 21st nakshatra, ruled by the Sun, spanning 26°40′ Sagittarius to 10° Capricorn, deity Vishvedevas, symbol the elephant's.
Read guide →Shravana Nakshatra: The Complete Classical Profile
Shravana nakshatra explained — its lord the Moon, deity Vishnu, symbol, gana, padas and naming syllables. Classical profile by Dr. R.P. Sharma.
Read guide →Dhanishta Nakshatra: The Complete Classical Profile
Dhanishta nakshatra explained — its lord Mars, deity the eight Vasus, symbol, gana, padas and naming syllables. Classical profile by Dr. R.P. Sharma.
Read guide →Shatabhisha Nakshatra: The Complete Classical Profile
Shatabhisha nakshatra explained — its lord Rahu, deity Varuna, symbol, gana, padas and naming syllables. Classical profile by Dr. R.P. Sharma.
Read guide →Purva Bhadrapada Nakshatra: The Complete Classical Profile
Purva Bhadrapada nakshatra explained — its lord Jupiter, deity Aja Ekapada, symbol, gana, padas and naming syllables. Classical profile by Dr. R.P. Sharma.
Read guide →Uttara Bhadrapada Nakshatra: The Complete Classical Profile
Uttara Bhadrapada nakshatra explained — its lord Saturn, deity Ahirbudhnya, symbol, gana, padas and naming syllables. Classical profile by Dr. R.P. Sharma.
Read guide →Revati Nakshatra: The Complete Classical Profile
Revati nakshatra explained — its lord Mercury, deity Pushan, symbol, gana, padas and naming syllables. Classical profile by Dr. R.P. Sharma.
Read guide →Frequently asked questions
What is a nakshatra in Vedic astrology?
A nakshatra is one of the 27 segments of the zodiac, each spanning 13°20', often called a lunar mansion. The Moon's nakshatra at birth — the Janma nakshatra — is central to personality analysis and to the timing system of dashas.
How do I find my nakshatra?
Your nakshatra is determined by the exact position of the Moon at your birth, which depends on accurate birth date, time and place. It is the nakshatra in which the Moon was placed at the moment you were born.
Common questions about nakshatras
What is a nakshatra?
One of 27 divisions of the zodiac, each spanning 13 degrees 20 minutes and subdivided into four padas. The Moon spends about 24 hours and 20 minutes in each. Your birth nakshatra is the one the Moon occupied when you were born.
Why does the nakshatra matter more than the rashi?
Because it is finer and it does more work. Twelve rashis divide the zodiac into 30-degree blocks; 27 nakshatras divide it far more precisely. The nakshatra also sets your Vimshottari dasha and is what guna milan is scored from — the rashi does neither.
Do I need an exact birth time for my nakshatra?
Less than for the lagna. The Moon stays in a nakshatra for about a day, so an approximate time usually gives the right one. Only a birth near a boundary needs the time confirmed — and the pada, being a quarter of that, is more sensitive.
What is a pada?
A quarter of a nakshatra, 3 degrees 20 minutes wide. Padas map onto the Navamsa and are used in finer matching and in reading a chart at greater resolution.
Why are nakshatras important?
Nakshatras refine the broad zodiac signs into 27 finer divisions, giving deeper insight into character and timing. They also form the basis of the Vimshottari dasha system, which times the unfolding of life events.
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See also: KP astrology (Krishnamurti Paddhati).