The 27 Nakṣatras
🌌 The 27 Nakṣatras (Lunar Mansions) in Vedic Astrology
The Soul Map of Emotions, Destiny & Dharma
“Nakṣatrāṇāṁ ahaṁ śaśī”
“Among the Nakṣatras, I am the Moon.”
— Bhagavad Gītā 10.21
In Vedic astrology, Nakṣatras are the soul-code of the sky — 27 deep-space constellations that form the bedrock of Jyotiṣa. While the 12 Rāśis (Zodiac Signs) shape the body and outer behavior, it is the Nakṣatras that sculpt the mind, emotions, karma, and spiritual orientation.
🕉️ What Are Nakṣatras?
- Nakṣatra (नक्षत्र) = “That which does not decay”
- They are 27 lunar mansions, each covering 13° 20′ of the 360° zodiac.
- The Moon travels through one Nakṣatra per day, making it the most emotionally and mentally influential marker in a person’s chart.
- Each Nakṣatra has:
- A symbol
- A presiding deity
- A planetary ruler (graha)
- A shakti (power or ability)
🌙 Moon’s Power in Nakṣatras
The Moon (Chandra), being the fastest-moving graha, expresses our emotions, mental habits, desires, and memory. Hence, your Janma Nakṣatra (the Nakṣatra the Moon was in at your birth) is as vital as your Sun or Moon sign in Western astrology.
🗂️ Overview Table of 27 Nakṣatras
| No | Nakṣatra | Symbol | Deity | Ruling Graha | Shakti (Power) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Aśvinī | Horse’s head | Aśvinī Kumāras | Ketu | Healing and quick action |
| 2 | Bharaṇī | Yoni (womb) | Yama | Venus | Carrying and transformation |
| 3 | Kṛttikā | Razor/flame | Agni | Sun | Cutting and purification |
| 4 | Rohiṇī | Cart/Chariot | Brahmā | Moon | Growth and creation |
| 5 | Mṛgaśīrṣa | Deer’s head | Soma (Chandra) | Mars | Seeking and searching |
| 6 | Ārdrā | Teardrop | Rudra | Rahu | Destruction and renewal |
| 7 | Punarvasu | Bow & quiver | Aditi | Jupiter | Return of light; restoration |
| 8 | Puṣya | Lotus/Teat | Bṛhaspati | Saturn | Nourishment and expansion |
| 9 | Āśleṣā | Coiled serpent | Nāgas | Mercury | Binding, clinging, hypnotism |
| 10 | Maghā | Throne | Pitṛs (Ancestors) | Ketu | Royalty and legacy |
| 11 | Pūrvaphalgunī | Hammock | Bhaga | Venus | Enjoyment and procreation |
| 12 | Uttaraphalgunī | Two legs (bed) | Aryamān | Sun | Contracts and union |
| 13 | Hastā | Hand | Sāvitr | Moon | Manifestation and dexterity |
| 14 | Citrā | Jewel | Viśvakarma | Mars | Shaping and crafting |
| 15 | Svātī | Coral | Vāyu (Wind) | Rahu | Independence and scattering |
| 16 | Viśākhā | Decorated arch | Indra–Agni | Jupiter | Achievement and goal-setting |
| 17 | Anurādhā | Lotus | Mitra (Friendship) | Saturn | Devotion and relationship |
| 18 | Jyeṣṭhā | Amulet | Indra | Mercury | Superiority and protection |
| 19 | Mūla | Root | Nirṛti (Destruction) | Ketu | Uprooting and transformation |
| 20 | Pūrvāṣāḍhā | Fan | Apas (Waters) | Venus | Invigoration and conquest |
| 21 | Uttarāṣāḍhā | Elephant tusk | Viśvadevas | Sun | Steadfastness and victory |
| 22 | Śravaṇa | Ear | Viṣṇu | Moon | Hearing and learning |
| 23 | Dhanisṭhā | Drum | Vasus | Mars | Fame and rhythm |
| 24 | Śatabhiṣaj | 100 healers | Varuṇa | Rahu | Healing and secrecy |
| 25 | Pūrvabhādrapadā | Sword, pyre | Aja Ekapāda | Jupiter | Spiritual fire and detachment |
| 26 | Uttarabhādrapadā | Twin fish/couch | Ahirbudhnya | Saturn | Stillness and responsibility |
| 27 | Revatī | Fish, drum | Pūṣan | Mercury | Nourishing journey and prosperity |
🔍 Detailed Snapshots of Key Nakṣatras
Let’s explore some Nakṣatras more deeply:
🌠 1. Aśvinī – The Healers of Heaven
- Deity: Aśvinī Kumāras, the celestial twin doctors
- Ruler: Ketu
- Shakti: Healing energy, swiftness, spontaneous action
- Traits: Energetic, spontaneous, impulsive, light-hearted
- Keywords: Pioneering, rejuvenation, rescue, medicine
- Spiritual Message: Trust divine timing — your healing arrives when you serve others.
🔥 4. Rohiṇī – The Star of Ascent
- Deity: Brahmā, the Creator
- Ruler: Moon
- Shakti: Growth, fertility, attractiveness
- Traits: Artistic, charming, sensual, nurturing
- Keywords: Abundance, procreation, fame, beauty
- Spiritual Message: Beauty attracts, but grace sustains.
🌪️ 6. Ārdrā – The Storm Bringer
- Deity: Rudra, god of storms and destruction
- Ruler: Rahu
- Shakti: Teardrop, cleansing grief
- Traits: Intense, emotional, moody, disruptive
- Keywords: Renewal, change, shadow work
- Spiritual Message: Storms clear the sky — do not fear inner destruction.
💫 9. Āśleṣā – The Embracer
- Deity: Nāgas (Serpent beings)
- Ruler: Mercury
- Shakti: Binding energy — power to entangle
- Traits: Mysterious, psychic, controlling, emotionally intense
- Keywords: Kundalinī, hypnotism, secrets
- Spiritual Message: Your power lies in detachment, not domination.
🧿 19. Mūla – The Root Cutter
- Deity: Nirṛti – Goddess of destruction
- Ruler: Ketu
- Shakti: Uprooting, karmic clearing
- Traits: Radical, deep, transformative, secretive
- Keywords: Endings, occultism, cosmic reset
- Spiritual Message: Destruction is not evil — it is the dark womb of rebirth.
🐠 27. Revatī – The Nourisher of Completion
- Deity: Pūṣan – Protector of travelers
- Ruler: Mercury
- Shakti: Prosperity, safe journeys
- Traits: Kind, artistic, intuitive, giving
- Keywords: Endings, fulfillment, guiding others
- Spiritual Message: Walk others home. You carry the wisdom of lifetimes.
📿 Spiritual Uses of Nakṣatras
- Naming (Nāmakaraṇa): Children are traditionally named based on the syllable of their Janma Nakṣatra.
- Muhurta (Auspicious Timing): Nakṣatras determine the best times for marriage, travel, rituals, and vows.
- Vedic Rituals: Certain Nakṣatras are preferred for shraddha (ancestral rituals), marriages, or initiations.
- Remedies: Chanting the mantra or worshipping the deity of a troubled Nakṣatra can dissolve karmic blocks.
🛕 Nakṣatra Deities in Temples
Many ancient Indian temples, especially in Tamil Nadu, have dedicated shrines to Nakṣatra Deities, allowing devotees to perform Nakṣatra Shānti Pujas for emotional, psychological, and spiritual peace.
🧠 Final Reflection: Your Nakṣatra is Your Dharma Key
Your Janma Nakṣatra is more than your birth star — it is your soul’s compass. It whispers the path of your mental nature, emotional patterns, spiritual inclinations, and karmic destiny.
“Nakṣatreṣu prabhutvaṁ tu candramāṁ vadanti hi”
“The Moon rules over the Nakṣatras and controls the emotional flow.”
— Jyotiṣa Siddhānta