Nakshatra

Nakshatras
Ashvinī
Bharanī
Kṛttikā
Rohinī
Mrigashīra
Ārdrā
Punarvasu
Pushya
Āshleshā
Maghā
Pūrva Phalgunī
Uttara Phalgunī
Hasta
Chitrā
Svātī
Vishākhā
Anurādhā
Jyeshtha
Mūla
Pūrva Ashādhā
Uttara Ashādhā
Shravana
Dhanistha
Shatabhisha
Pūrva Bhādrapadā
Uttara Bhādrapadā
Revatī
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Nakshatra (Devanagari: नक्षत्र nákṣatra) is the term for lunar mansion in Hindu astrology. A nakshatra is one of 27 (sometimes also 28) sectors along the ecliptic. Their names are related to the most prominent asterisms in the respective sectors.

The starting point for the nakshatras is the point on the ecliptic directly opposite to the star Spica called Chitrā in Sanskrit (other slightly different definitions exist). It is called Meshādi or the "start of Aries".^{[citation needed]} The ecliptic is divided into each of the nakshatras eastwards starting from this point. The number of nakshatras reflects the number of days in a sidereal month (modern value: 27.32 days), that the width of a nakshatra is traversed by the moon in about one day. Each nakshatra is further subdivided into quarters (or padas) These play a role in popular Hindu astrology, where each pada is associated with a syllable, conventionally chosen as the first syllable of the given name of a child born when the moon was in the corresponding pada.

The nakshatras of traditional Hindu astronomy are based on a list of 28 asterisms found in the Atharvaveda (AVŚ 19.7) and also in the Shatapatha Brahmana.^{[citation needed]} The first astronomical text that lists them is the Vedanga Jyotisha.

In classical Hindu mythology (Mahabharata, Harivamsa), the creation of the nakshatras is attributed to Daksha. They are personified as daughters of the deity and as mythological wives of Chandra, the moon god, or alternatively the daughters of Kashyapa, the brother of Daksha.^[1]

Each of the nakshatras is governed as 'lord' by one of the nine graha in the following sequence: Ketu (South Lunar Node), Shukra (Venus), Ravi or Surya (Sun), Chandra (Moon), Mangala (Mars), Rahu (North Lunar Node), Guru or Brihaspati (Jupiter), Shani (Saturn) and Budha (Mercury). This cycle repeats itself three times to cover all 27 nakshatras. The lord of each nakshatra determines the planetary period known as the dasha, which is considered of major importance in forecasting the life path of the individual in Hindu astrology.

In Vedic Sanskrit, the term nákṣatra may refer to any heavenly body, or to "the stars" collectively. The classical sense of "lunar mansion" is first found in the Atharvaveda, and becomes the primary meaning of the term in Classical Sanskrit.

Nakshatras in the Atharvaveda

In the Atharvaveda (Shaunakiya recension, hymn 19.7) a list of 28 stars or asterisms is given, many of them corresponding to the later nakshatras:

(1) Kṛttikā (the Pleiads), (2) Rohinī, (3) Mrigashīrsha, (4) Ārdrā, (5) Punarvasu, (6) Sūnritā, (7) Pushya, (8) Bhanu (the Sun), (9) Asleshā, (10) Maghā, (11) Svāti (Arcturus), (12) Chitrā (Spica), (13) Phalgunis, (14) Hasta, (15) Rādhas, (16) Vishākhā, (17) Anurādhā, (18) Jyeshthā, (19) Mūla, (20) Ashādhas, (21) Abhijit, (22) Sravana, (23) Sravishthās, (24) Satabhishak, (25) Proshtha-padas, (26) Revati, (27) Asvayujas, (28) Bharani. ^[2]

List of Nakshatras

The classical list of 27 nakshatras is first found in the Vedanga Jyotisha, a text dated to the final centuries BCE.^{[citation needed]}.

In Hindu astrology, there are various systems of enumerating 27 or 28 nakshatras^[3]. The following list of nakshatras gives the corresponding regions of sky, following Basham.^[4]

No.	Name	Associated stars	Description	Image
1	Ashvini "wife of the Ashvins"	β and γ Arietis	Lord: Ketu (South lunar node) Symbol : Horse's head Deity : Ashvins, the horse-headed twins who are physicians to the gods Indian zodiac: 0° - 13°20' Mesha Western zodiac 26° Aries - 9°20' Taurus
2; 7	Bharani "the bearer"	35, 39, and 41 Arietis	Lord: Shukra (Venus) Symbol: Yoni, the female organ of reproduction Deity: Yama, god of death or Dharma Indian zodiac: 13° 20' - 26°40' Mesha Western zodiac 9° 20' - 22° 40' Taurus
3	Krittika an old name of the Pleiades; personified as the nurses of Kārttikeya, a son of Shiva.	Pleiades	Lord: Surya (Sun) Symbol: Knife or spear Deity : Agni, god of fire Indian zodiac: 26°40' Mesha - 10° Vrishabha Western zodiac 22° 40' Taurus - 6° Gemini
4; 9	Rohini "the red one", a name of Aldebaran. Also known as brāhmī	Aldebaran	Lord: Chandra (Moon) Symbol: Cart or chariot, temple, banyan tree Deity : Brahma or Prajapati, the Creator Indian zodiac: 10° - 23°20' Vrishabha Western zodiac 6° - 19°20' Gemini
5; 3	Mrigashīrsha "the deer's head". Also known as āgrahāyaṇī	λ, φ Orionis	Lord: Mangala (Mars) Symbol: Deer's head Deity: Soma, Chandra, the Moon god Indian zodiac: 23° 20' Vrishabha - 6° 40' Mithuna Western zodiac: 19°20' Gemini - 2°40' Cancer
6; 4	Ardra "the moist one"	Betelgeuse	Lord: Rahu (North lunar node) Symbol: Teardrop, diamond, a human head Deity : Rudra, the storm god Indian zodiac: 6° 40' - 20° Mithuna Western zodiac: 2° 40' - 16° Cancer
7; 5	Punarvasu (dual) "the two restorers of goods", also known as yamakau "the two chariots"	Castor and Pollux	Lord: Guru (Jupiter) Symbol : Bow and quiver Deity : Aditi, mother of the gods Indian zodiac: 20° Mithuna - 3°20' Karka Western zodiac 16° - 29°20' Cancer
8; 6	Pushya "the nourisher", also known as sidhya or tiṣya	γ, δ and θ Cancri	Lord: Shani (Saturn) Symbol : Cow's udder, lotus, arrow and circle Deity : Bṛhaspati, priest of the gods Indian zodiac: 3°20' -16°40' Karka Western zodiac 29°20' Cancer - 12°40' Leo
9; 7	Āshleshā "the embrace"	δ, ε, η, ρ, and σ Hydrae	Lord: Budh (Mercury) Symbol: Serpent Deity : Sarpas or Nagas, deified snakes Indian zodiac: 16°40' - 30° Karka Western zodiac 12°40' - 26° Leo
10; 15	Maghā "the bountiful"	Regulus	Lord: Ketu (south lunar node) Symbol : Royal Throne Deity : Pitrs, 'The Fathers', family ancestors Indian zodiac: 0° - 13°20' Simha Western zodiac 26° Leo - 9°20' Virgo
11	Pūrva Phalgunī "first reddish one"	δ and θ Leonis	Lord: Shukra (Venus) Symbol : Front legs of bed, hammock, fig tree Deity : Bhaga, god of marital bliss and prosperity Indian zodiac: 13°20' - 26°40' Simha Western zodiac 9°20' - 22°40' Virgo
12	Uttara Phalgunī "second reddish one"	Denebola	Lord: Surya (Sun) Symbol: Four legs of bed, hammock Deity : Aryaman, god of patronage and favours Indian zodiac: 26°40' Simha- 10° Kanya Western zodiac 22°40' Virgo - 6° Libra
13	Hasta "the hand"	α, β, γ, δ and ε Corvi	Lord: Chandra (Moon) Symbol: Hand or fist Deity : Saviti or Surya, the Sun god Indian zodiac: 10° - 23°20' Kanya Western zodiac 6° - 19°20' Libra
14	Chitra "the bright one", a name of Spica	Spica	Lord: Mangala (Mars) Symbol: Bright jewel or pearl Deity : Tvastar or Vishvakarman, the celestial architect Indian zodiac: 23°20' Kanya - 6°40' Tula Western zodiac: 19°20' Libra - 2°40' Scorpio
15	Svāti name of Arcturus (of unknown derivation)	Arcturus	Lord: Rahu (north lunar node) Symbol: Shoot of plant, coral Deity : Vayu, the Wind god Indian zodiac: 6°40' - 20° Tula Western zodiac 2°40' - 16° Scorpio
16; 14	Viśākhā "forked, having branches"; also known as rādhā "the gift"	α, β, γ and ι Librae	Lord: Guru (Jupiter) Symbol : Triumphal arch, potter's wheel Deity : Indra, chief of the gods; Agni, god of Fire Indian zodiac: 20° Tula - 3°20' Vrishchika Western zodiac 16° - 29°20' Scorpio
17	Anuradha "following rādhā"	β, δ and π Scorpionis	Lord: Shani (Saturn) Symbol : Triumphal archway, lotus Deity : Mitra, one of Adityas of friendship and partnership Indian zodiac: 3°20' - 16°40' Vrishchika Western zodiac 29°20' Scorpio - 12°40' Sagittarius
18; 16	Jyeshtha "the eldest, most excellent"	α, σ, and τ Scorpionis	Lord: Budh (Mercury) Symbol : circular amulet, umbrella, earring Deity : Indra, chief of the gods Indian zodiac: 16°40' - 30° Vrishchika Western zodiac 12°40' - 26° Sagittarius
19; 17	Mula "the root"	ε, ζ, η, θ, ι, κ, λ, μ and ν Scorpionis	Lord: Ketu (south lunar node) Symbol : Bunch of roots tied together, elephant goad Deity : Nirrti, goddess of dissolution and destruction Indian zodiac: 0° - 13°20' Dhanus Western zodiac 26° Sagittarius - 9°20' Capricorn
20; 18	Purva Ashadha "first of the aṣāḍhā", aṣāḍhā "the invincible one" being the name of a constellation	δ and ε Sagittarii	Lord: Shukra (Venus) Symbol: Elephant tusk, fan, winnowing basket Deity : Apah, god of Water Indian zodiac: 13°20' - 26°40' Dhanus Western zodiac 9°20' - 22°40' Capricorn
21	Uttara Ashadha "second of the aṣāḍhā"	ζ and σ Sagittarii	Lord: Surya (Sun) Symbol : Elephant tusk, small bed Deity : Visvedevas, universal gods Indian zodiac: 26°40' Dhanus - 10° Makara Western zodiac 22°40' Capricorn - 6° Aquarius
22; 20	Abhijit "victorious"[5]	α, ε and ζ Lyrae - Vega	Lord: Brahma
23; 20	Shravana	α, β and γ Aquilae	Lord: Chandra (Moon) Symbol : Ear or Three Footprints Deity : Vishnu, preserver of universe Indian zodiac: 10° - 23°20' Makara Western zodiac 6° - 19°20' Aquarius
24; 21; 23	Shravishthā "most famous", also Dhanishta "swiftest"	α to δ Delphini	Lord: Mangala (Mars) Symbol : Drum or flute Deity : Eight vasus, deities of earthly abundance Indian zodiac: 23°20' Makara - 6°40' Kumbha Western zodiac 19°20' Aquarius - 2°40' Pisces
25; 22	Shatabhishaj "requiring a hundred physicians"	γ Aquarii	Lord: Rahu (north lunar node) Symbol : Empty circle, 1,000 flowers or stars Deity : Varuna, god of cosmic waters, sky and earth Indian zodiac: 6°40' - 20° Kumbha ; Western zodiac 2°40' - 16° Pisces
26; 3	Purva Bhadrapada "the first of the blessed feet"	α and β Pegasi	Lord: Guru (Jupiter) Symbol : Swords or two front legs of funeral cot, man with two faces Deity : Ajikapada, an ancient fire dragon Indian zodiac: 20° Kumbha - 3°20' Meena ; Western zodiac 16° - 29°20' Pisces
27; 4	Uttara Bhādrapadā "the second of the blessed feet"	γ Pegasi and α Andromedae	Lord: Shani (Saturn) Symbol : Twins, back legs of funeral cot, snake in the water Deity : Ahir Budhyana, serpent or dragon of the deep Indian zodiac: 3°20' - 16°40' Meena ; Western zodiac 29°20' Pisces - 12°40' Aries
28; 5	Revati "prosperous"	ζ Piscium	Lord: Budh (Mercury) Symbol : Fish or a pair of fish, drum Deity : Pushan, nourisher, the protective deity Indian zodiac: 16°40' - 30° Meena Western zodiac 12°40' - 26° Aries

Padas (quarters)

The 27 Nakshatras cover 13°20’ of the ecliptic each. Each Nakshatra is also divided into quarters or padas of 3°20’, and the below table lists the appropriate starting sound to name the child. The 27 nakshatras, each with 4 padas, give 108, which is the number of beads in a japa mala, indicating all the elements (ansh) of Vishnu:

#	Name	Pada 1	Pada 2	Pada 3	Pada 4
1	Aśvini (अश्विनि))	चु Chu	चे Che	चो Cho	ला La
2	Bharaṇī (भरणी)	ली Li	लू Lu	ले Le	पो Lo
3	Kṛttikā (कृत्तिका)	अ A	ई I	उ U	ए E
4	Rohini(रोहिणी)	ओ O	वा Va/Ba	वी Vi/Bi	वु Vu/Bu
5	Mṛgaśīrsha (म्रृगशीर्षा)	वे Ve/Be	वो Vo/Bo	का Ka	की Ke
6	Ārdrā (आर्द्रा)	कु Ku	घ Gha	ङ Ng/Na	छ Chha
7	Punarvasu (पुनर्वसु)	के Ke	को Ko	हा Ha	ही Hi
8	Puṣya (पुष्य)	हु Hu	हे He	हो Ho	ड Da
9	Āshleṣā (आश्लेषा)	डी Di	डू Du	डे De	डो Do
10	Maghā (मघा)	मा Ma	मी Mi	मू Mu	मे Me
11	Pūrva or Pūrva Phalgunī (पूर्व फाल्गुनी)	नो Mo	टा Ta	टी Ti	टू Tu
12	Uttara or Uttara Phalgunī (उत्तर फाल्गुनी)	टे Te	टो To	पा Pa	पी Pi
13	Hasta (हस्त)	पू Pu	ष Sha	ण Na	ठ Tha
14	Citrā (चित्रा)	पे Pe	पो Po	रा Ra	री Ri
15	Svātī (स्वाति)	रू Ru	रे Re	रो Ro	ता Ta
16	Viśākhā (विशाखा)	ती Ti	तू Tu	ते Te	तो To
17	Anurādhā (अनुराधा)	ना Na	नी Ni	नू Nu	ने Ne
18	Jyeṣṭha (ज्येष्ठा)	नो No	या Ya	यी Yi	यू Yu
19	Mūla (मूल)	ये Ye	यो Yo	भा Bha	भी Bhi
20	Pūrva Ashādhā (पूर्वाषाढ़ा)	भू Bhu	धा Dha	फा Bha/Pha	ढा Dha
21	Uttara Aṣāḍhā (उत्तराषाढ़ा)	भे Bhe	भो Bho	जा Ja	जी Ji
22	Śrāvaṇa (श्र‌ावण)	खी Ju/Khi	खू Je/Khu	खे Jo/Khe	खो Gha/Kho
23	Śrāviṣṭha (श्रविष्ठा) or Dhaniṣṭha	गा Ga	गी Gi	गु Gu	गे Ge
24	Śatabhiṣā (शतभिषा)or Śatataraka	गो Go	सा Sa	सी Si	सू Su
25	Pūrva Bhādrapadā (पूर्वभाद्रपदा)	से Se	सो So	दा Da	दी Di
26	Uttara Bhādrapadā (उत्तरभाद्रपदा)	दू Du	थ Tha	झ Jha	ञ Da/Tra
27	Revatī (nakṣatra) (रेवती)	दे De	दो Do	च Cha	ची Chi

Use in astrology

Hindu given names

Hindu astrologers (see Jyotisha) teach that when a child is born, they should be given an auspicious first name which will correspond to the child's Nakshatra. The technique for deducing the name is to see which nakshatra the moon is in at the moment of birth; this gives four possible sounds. A refinement is to pick one sound out of that four that relates to the Pada or division of the Nakshatra. Each Nakshatra has four Padas and four sounds and each Pada is of equal width. The Moon remains in each Nakshatra for approximately one day.

A further refinement or opportunity is to instead use the Nakshatra that the ascendent resides in at birth. The same broad choice of sounds and Padas apply, but now the sounds change roughly every 15 minutes. The ascendent passes through all 27 Nakshatras every 24 hours, being in each one for 53 and a third minutes of time, and is in a Pada for 13 and a third minutes of time. By using the ascendent's nakshatra, instead of the moon's nakshatra leads more to comfort of the Self, rather than comfort of the mother. This second approach is only really applicable if intuitively the moon approach does not feel right.

Electional astrology

Constellations are grouped on the basis of their nature, type of their face, degree of their beneficence, their quarters in different signs, with reference to the constellation occupied by the Sun, with reference to the birth constellation (Janma Nakshatra), their caste, etc. The current constellation occupied by the Moon, and its nature forms the fundamental of Vedic system of electional astrology (Muhurta). Some of the activities and works which are associated with the Nakshatras are given below based on their fundamental nature:

• Fixed (Dhruva, Sthira) constellations:

Rohini, Uttara Bhādrapadā, Uttra Phalguni, and Uttara Ashada

Fixed and permanent nature, house, village, temple, entering in new hose-city-temple, religious works, rites for getting peace, propitiation of portents, Vinayaka Shanti, coronation, sowing of seeds, planting of small garden, starting of vocal music, friendship, sexual works, making & wearing of ornaments & clothes may be auspiciously begun / effectively performed. Works allocated to delicate & friendly (Mridu) asterisms may also be performed.

• Movable (Chala , Chara) constellations:

Punarvasu, Swaati, Sharavana, Shatabhishā & Shravishthā

Related to motion & movement, riding on a vehicle or elephant, opening of shop, walking first time, walking in garden, sex, making jewellery, learning of a trait. Things performed in Small (Laghu) constellation are also effectively performed in the Movable constellations.

• Cruel (Ugra, Karur) constellations:

Magha, Bharani, Purva Phalguni, Purva Shadha, & Purva Bhadra.

Ambush, burning, poisoning (self & others), making & using weapons especially related to fire, cheating / deception / wickedness / craftiness, cutting & destroying, controlling of animals, beating & punishing of enemy. Works allocated to Sharp / Horrible (Darun) asterisms are also successfully done in these asterisms.

• Mixed (Mishra & Sadharan) constellations

Vishakha & Krittika.

Fire works, burning of sacred fire (Agnihotra), using poison, fearsome works, arresting, adulteration (mixing), donation of ox to get one’s desires fulfilled (Vrashotsarga). Works prescribed under cruel (Ugra, Karur) constellations may also be performed. As per N.S. works of Sweet / delicate & friendly (Mridu & Maitri) constellations can also be included.

• Small (Laghu & Kshipra) constellations

Hasta, Abhijit, Pushya, and Ashvini.

Selling, medical knowledge, using & handling of medicines, literature-music-art, the 64 Kala Shilpa (various arts, sculpture etc.) jewellery making & wearing, sexual intercourse. And the works prescribed for Movable (Char) constellations. Though Abhijit is included in Small group of asterisms, but is rarely referred in the Muhurt prescriptions.

• Sweet/Delicate & Friendly (Mridu & Maitri) constellations

Mrigashīrsha, Chitra, Anuradha and Revati.

Starting & learning singing of songs, clothes & jewellery making & wearing, Manglik works, matter related to friends, female company, enjoyments, sexual passions.

• Sharp & Horrible (Teekshan & Darun) constellations:

Jyeshta, Ardra, Ashlesha, and Mula

Charm or spell causing disease or death, hypnotism, sorcery; ghost, ambush, horror, murder, capture, matters related to secrecy, backbiting, starting of quarrel, separation, matters related to friendship & breaking thereof, training & tying of animals, pleasure works, playing games, getting made & wearing of new dress & ornaments, starting & learning singing of songs, entering into village / city, peaceful & developmental works.

See also

• Atmakaraka
• Navagraha
• Panchangam
• Gandanta
• Chinese constellation
• Twenty-eight mansions

References

1. ^ Mythology of the Hindus, by Charles Coleman p.131
2. ^ trans. Ralph T.H. Griffith, Hymns of the Atharva Veda, 1895[]. Original text via GRETIL from Gli inni dell’ Atharvaveda (Saunaka), trasliterazione a cura di Chatia Orlandi, Pisa 1991, collated with the ed. R. Roth and W.D. Whitney: Atharva Veda Sanhita, Berlin 1856.
   1. citrā́ṇi sākáṃ diví rocanā́ni sarīsr̥pā́ṇi bhúvane javā́ni | turmíśaṃ sumatím ichámāno áhāni gīrbhíḥ saparyāmi nā́kam
   2. suhávam agne kŕ̥ttikā róhiṇī cā́stu bhadráṃ mr̥gáśiraḥ śám ārdrā́ | púnarvasū sūnŕ̥tā cā́ru púṣyo bhānúr āśleṣā́ áyanaṃ maghā́ me
   3. púṇyaṃ pū́rvā phálgunyau cā́tra hástaś citrā́ śivā́ svātí sukhó me astu | rā́dhe viśā́khe suhávānurādhā́ jyéṣṭhā sunákṣatram áriṣṭa mū́lam
   4. ánnaṃ pū́rvā rāsatāṃ me aṣādhā́ ū́rjaṃ devy úttarā ā́ vahantu | abhijín me rāsatāṃ púṇyam evá śrávaṇaḥ śráviṣṭhāḥ kurvatāṃ supuṣṭím
   5. ā́ me mahác chatábhiṣag várīya ā́ me dvayā́ próṣṭhapadā suśárma | ā́ revátī cāśvayújau bhágaṃ ma ā́ me rayíṃ bháraṇya ā́ vahantu
3. ^ А. И. Володарский (1975). "Астрономия в Древней Индии" (in Russian). Историко-астрономические исследования (Москва: Наука) 12: 237-238. http://books.google.com/books?id=NpS4AAAAIAAJ. 
4. ^ Arthur Llewellyn Basham, Indian Astronomy^{[year needed]} Appendix: Astronomy.^{[page needed]}
5. ^ Its longitude starts from 06° 40' to 10° 53' 40 in sidereal Capricorn i.e. from the last quarter of Uttra Ashadha to first 1/15 th part of Shravana.^{[citation needed]} Its span is 4° 13' 40.^{[citation needed]} The span of 27 mean daily lunar motions totals 355.76167 degrees, and together these total 359.98945 degrees. Considered an "intercalary" lunar mansion.^{[citation needed]}