BeginnerNakshatras⏱ 10 min read

Nakshatra Basics

The 27 Nakshatras (lunar mansions) are the foundation of Vedic astrology. While Western astrology divides the sky into 12 signs, Vedic astrology uses 27 (or 28) Nakshatras — each spanning 13°20' of the ecliptic. The Moon transits one Nakshatra roughly every day, making them the primary tool for daily timing.

Why 27?

The Moon takes approximately 27.3 days to orbit Earth. Each Nakshatra represents one day's journey of the Moon — a precise, empirically derived system over 3,000 years old.

The Structure of a Nakshatra

Each Nakshatra has:

·Span: 13°20' of the zodiac

·Ruling Planet (Swami): One of the 9 Grahas

·Ruling Deity: A Vedic god or entity

·Nature: Deva (divine), Manusha (human), or Rakshasa (demonic)

·Gana: Deva, Manava, or Rakshasa — used in compatibility matching

·Symbol: A visual representation of its energy

·4 Padas (quarters): Each 3°20', mapped to the 12 Rashis by Navamsha

The 27 Nakshatras at a Glance

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Nakshatra in Vimshottari Dasha

The most important use of Nakshatras is in the Vimshottari Dasha system. Your birth Moon Nakshatra determines which planetary period (Mahadasha) you are born into:

·Ketu rules: Ashwini, Magha, Mula — 7-year Dasha

·Venus rules: Bharani, Purva Phalguni, Purva Ashadha — 20-year Dasha

·Sun rules: Krittika, Uttara Phalguni, Uttara Ashadha — 6-year Dasha

·Moon rules: Rohini, Hasta, Shravana — 10-year Dasha

·Mars rules: Mrigashira, Chitra, Dhanishtha — 7-year Dasha

·Rahu rules: Ardra, Swati, Shatabhisha — 18-year Dasha

·Jupiter rules: Punarvasu, Vishakha, Purva Bhadrapada — 16-year Dasha

·Saturn rules: Pushya, Anuradha, Uttara Bhadrapada — 19-year Dasha

·Mercury rules: Ashlesha, Jyeshtha, Revati — 17-year Dasha

Total Vimshottari cycle = 120 years

Nakshatra in Compatibility (Guna Milan)

In Kundali matching, Nakshatra compatibility is assessed across 8 dimensions (Ashtakoot). The Nakshatra determines:

·Nadi Koota — most important (8 points); same Nadi is a serious defect

·Gana Koota — Deva-Deva compatible; Rakshasa-Deva incompatible

·Yoni Koota — animal symbol compatibility

Nakshatra in Muhurta

For any auspicious event, the Moon's Nakshatra on the day is critical:

Best for marriage: Rohini, Mrigashira, Magha, Uttara Phalguni, Hasta, Swati, Anuradha, Uttara Ashadha, Uttara Bhadrapada, Revati

Avoid for auspicious events: Ardra, Ashlesha, Jyeshtha, Mula (the 4 destructive Nakshatras), Bharani, Krittika

Explore Each Nakshatra

Every Nakshatra has its own deep personality profile. Explore them in the [Nakshatra guide](/nakshatra) or read the [detailed articles](/learn) for each one.

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Nakshatra Basics — The 27 Lunar Mansions