27 Nakshatras in Astrology

27 Nakshatras in Astrology

Nakshatra or constellation is one of the five main components of Hindu Astronomy and astrology that is called The Panchanga or almanac. These are Tithis. They form the foundation of Vedic astrology which provides a comprehensive, simplified system for predicting the effects of planets throughout our lives. Krishnamurti Paddhati, Vimshottari Dasha, and many other Astrological predictive systems are based upon the birth of Nakshatra. (Moon’s placement at the time of birth, in a person’s Birth chart or Kundali, is known as Birth Star or Janma Nakshatra). 

The western astrological system looks at the Sun sign, however Indians or Vedic focus on the Moon sign and Nakshatra for astrological calculations and personality traits. There are various types of Dasha system which are based purely on Nakshatras and are considered less complicated and simplified.

This Sanskrit term “Nakshatra,” is comprised of its constituent parts: “Naks” meaning “Sky” and “Shetra” meaning “Region”, which can be termed as “Sky Map.” 

There are 27 nakshatras, also known as Lunar Mansions in the western stream with 4 Padas or parts of 3°20′ each; which is assigned a particular alphabet. In Hindu predictive or Hora astrology the nomenclature of the born child born in that particular Pada or charan is done so that the name begins with the first alphabet for example a person born in the fourth charan of Pushya nakshatra is named with “HE” as the first alphabet say if it is “Hema Malini” as birth name then any astrologer shall know that the native is born in the fourth Charan or Pad of Pushya Nakshatra. Each nakshatra spans 13°20′. The entire zodiac of 360 degrees corresponds to 12 zodiac signs and these 27 nakshatras. Nakshatras’ importance is mentioned in various Religious ancient script, mythology, and Vedas.

These Nakshatras are again classified in various ways. Some streams divided them Every Nakshatra has its own characteristic, been attributed certain qualities, a Deity, ruling planet, symbolic form and animal, purpose, they are defined as Yoni, Nadi, aspect, or Drishti, lord of that pad, element, their influence of a Jatakas body, color, their gender, merits and so on are studied in lost horoscopy, theft investigation and other important matters such as matchmaking, friendship, Muhurtas Anadhi Yogas which are extensively used in medical astrology. 

Nakshatra names and meanings

The Vedic horoscope starts at the first Pada of the first nakshatra at Ashwini and ends at the last Pada of the last nakshatra at Revati. The 27 Nakshatras are Ashwini, Bharani, Krittika, Rohini, Mrigashira, Ardra, Punarvasu, Pushya, Ashlesha, Magha, Purva Phalguni, Uttara Phalguni, Hasta, Chitra, Swati, Vishakha, Anuradha, Jyeshtha, Moola, Purvashadha, Uttarashadha, Shravana, Dhanishtha, Shatabhisha, Purvabhadrapada, Uttara Bhadrapada and Revati. Amongst this Pushya nakshatra is supposed to be the most auspicious among all.

Nakshatra Names:

Some attributes, significances and qualities, importance are briefed below:

Importance of Nakshatra in Astrology:

• Rohini, Uttaraphalguni, Uttarashadha, and Uttarbhadrapada are FIXED or Sthir Nakshatras (Favorable to perform permanent things like laying foundations, for building, careers, relationships, etc.)
• Mrigashira, Citra, Anuradha, and Revati are GENTLE or Soumya Nakshatras. (Favorable for finer things in life such as art, dance, music, martial ceremonies, etc.)
• Ashvini, Pushya, and Hasta  are LIGHT or SWIFT nakshatras (Favorable to start sports, giving medicine, starting businesses, new ventures or travel, considered as excellent stars, which give pleasure, and profits) 
• Ardra, Ashlesha, Jyeshtha, and Mula are DREADFUL or Krur Nakshatras. (These harsh stars are usually considered for, Tantric-Mantra practices, imprisonment, causing separation, assassinations and similar purposes) 
• Punarvasu, Swati, Shravana, Dhanishtha, and Shatabhisha are MOVABLE or Chal Nakshatras. (Favorable for purchasing new vehicles, going on procession, gardening, travel)
• Bharani, Magha, Purva Phalguni, Purvashadha, and Purvabhadrapada are FIERCE or Ugra stars. (Associated with evil acts, evil deeds, planting or calling ghosts, black magic, deceit, imprisonment, setting fires, etc.)
• Krittika and Vishakha are MIXED or Sama nakshatras (Favorable and good for routine duties, works of day to day importance).

Nakshatra Compatibility:

Navamsa Kundali holds a very important place when it comes to matchmaking for marriage. The Navamsa is vital as per Vedic astrology for the study of wife or Dara as the texts say: 

nunam navanshech kalatra saukhyam.

Every Rashi has two and a quarter of Nakshatra e.g. nine charans or Pada consists one Rashi or sign it is used while the study of Navamsa Kundali. These Charans or Padas have the planet as Lord of that Pada. Koota / Guna matching is done while matching marriage compatibility.

The matching is always done from the girl’s Nakshatra to the boy’s Nakshatra. The Koota matching is based on various different compatibility parameters based on the Janma Nakshatra of the Boy and the girl. There are several systems of Koota matching. The most accurate and common is Koota matching where points are allocated for parameters. The higher the sum of points, the best would be the match.

Nakshatra and Rashi

Let’s take a glance at their few important aspects as below:

Conclusion:

There is a lot more that is hidden in the nakshatras, which cannot be fathomed in an article, as the which Pada gives what effect, the association, transit, deity, aspects changes the effects, and is a very vast subject in itself.

The use of Nakshatra is very important in Vedic astrology, much more than with zodiac signs, and so is the interlinking of Rashis, planetary transits, the ruling planet. So, a greater degree of accuracy of analysis and ease of predictions can be forecast taking the nakshatras into consideration.