Nakshatras of Vedic Astrology

Nakshatra – Stars in Vedic Astrology

Nakshatra or in Sanskrit: नक्षत्रम्, or in Hindi नक्षत्र is the term for lunar mansion in Hindu astrology and Indian Astronomy.

The root word ‘Naksh’ means to worship or approach, and ‘tra’ is a suffix. The word ‘Nakshatra’ also is believed to mean ‘not destructible.’

A nakshatra is one of 28 (sometimes also 27) sectors along the ecliptic. Their names are related to a prominent star or asterisms in or near the respective sectors.

The 360⁰ zodiac system is divided into 12 zodiac signs. There is a total of 27 Nakshatras in astrology, and hence the value of each star is 13⁰ 20’. These 27 constellations are based on the movement of the Moon, which travels approximately 27.3 days around its orbit. Hence, the birth star of an individual is calculated based on the position of the Moon in any of these stars.

The 27 Nakshatras are spread across the 12 zodiac signs in three cusps at Aries, Leo, and Sagittarius. Some Nakshatras lie entirely within a sign, whereas certain stars overlap in two zodiac signs. Each Nakshatra has its own ruling deity and powers, which play a major role in deciding the characteristics of an individual. Everyone born on this earth has their birth star, which depends on the placement of Moon in one of the 27 stars. Each Nakshatra is further divided into 4 Padas (quarters) at 3⁰ 20’ each, which represent the quality of each star.

As per Vedas, the starting point for the nakshatras according to Vedas is “Krittika”. It is considered that the Pleiades may have started the year at the time the Vedas were compiled, presumably at the vernal equinox. But in more recent compilations, the start of the nakshatras list is the point on the ecliptic directly opposite to the star Spica called Chitrā in Sanskrit, which would be Ashvinī, an asterism that is part of the modern constellation Aries, and these compilations therefore may have been compiled during the centuries when the sun was passing through the area of the constellation Aries at the time of the vernal equinox. This version may have been called Meshādi or the “start of Aries”.

Nakshatras and Moon in Mythology

In classical Hindu scriptures Mahabharata, the creation of the nakshatras is attributed to King Daksha. They are personified as daughters of Daksha and as wives of Chandra known as the Moon God (who reluctantly married the 26 other nakshatras on Daksha’s request even though he was only interested to marry Rohini), or alternatively the daughters of Kashyapa.

Nakshatra List

The 27 Nakshatras include Ashwini, Bharani, Krittika, Rohini, Mrighasira, Ardra, Punarvasu, Pushya, Ashlesha, Magha, Purva Phalguni, Uttara Phalguni, Hasta, Chitra, Swati, Vishaka, Anuradha, Jyestha, Moola, Purvashada, Uttarashada, Sharavan, Dhanishta, Shatabisha, Purvabhadra, Uttarabhadra, and Revati. Based on the birth time of an individual and the position of Moon at that moment, the birth star of an individual is determined.

Importance of Nakshatras

In Vedic astrology, the personality traits are read more through the birth star (Nakshatra of the Moon) than by the Sun sign. Nakshatra positions of planets are examined in the birth chart as well. The use of Nakshatra is very important in Vedic astrology, much more than with zodiac signs.

Indian seers say that the Nakshatras represent the abodes into which the fruits of our labor (our Karma) is transferred and stored. The Nakshatras dispense the fruits of Karma, the highest of which is the fruit of our worship and meditation, our spiritual labor of life.

Nakshatra is responsible to give an analysis of one’s thinking power, insights, characteristics and even helps to calculate your dasha period ( birth chart ). People use the concept of Nakshatra for astrological analysis and accurate predictions. Nakshatra is based on a list of 27 asterisms and each nakshatra has a powerful deity that places within it. Each nakshatra has its own shakti and power and is governed as ‘lord’ by one of the nine planets following the same order: South lunar node, Venus, Sun, Moon, Mars, North lunar node, Jupiter, Saturn, and Mercury. The sequence repeats itself three times to cover all 27 nakshatras.

Nakshatras and Dasha System

Vedic astrology uses a system of planetary periods called Dasha (Major Period) of various planets based on the Moon Nakshatra at the time of birth. Most important is Vimshottari Dasha, a 120-year-long cycle of planetary positions based upon the birth Nakshatra, stars. The planetary periods of Vedic astrology provide an easy and comprehensive system for judging the effects of planets throughout out our lives. The planetary periods are the most accurate system of how the planets distribute their effects through time and different stages of our lives. The major seven planets plus two lunar nodes are assigned periods ranging from 6 to 20 years

Nakshatras Classifications

The Nakshatras are classified in various ways, according to basic attribute, primary motivation (Kama – sensual desires; Artha – material desires; Dharma – living life based on spiritual principles; Moksha – liberation from birth and death), sex, caste, species and so on. They are particularly revealed by their presiding deities, ruling planets and their symbolic form

NAKSHATRAS IN MUHURATS

 

Fixed Constellations – Rohini, Uttaraphalguni, Uttarasadha, and Uttarabhadrapada

Favourable for digging wells, laying foundations or cities, expiatory rituals, planting trees, coronations, buying lands, meritorious deeds, sowing of seeds, installation of Deities, the building of a temple, or any other activity desirous of a lasting or permanent effect.

Soft or Gentle Constellations – Mrgasira, Citra, Anuradha, and Revati

Good for fine arts, learning, making friendships, sensual pleasures, decorations, sexual union, wearing new apparel, marriage, singing and dancing, processions, auspicious ceremonies, festivities, dealings of agriculture, and journeys.

Light or Swift Constellations – Asvini, Pusya, and Hasta

Good for sports, enjoying items of luxury, starting industries, skilled labour, medical treatments, starting education, starting journeys, seeing friends, buying and selling, the performance of spiritual activities, decorations, fine arts, exercise, and for giving or receiving loans.

Dreadful Stars – Ardra, Aslesa, Jyestha, and Mula

Suitable for success in warfare, invocation of elementals and other spirits, imprisonment, separations, acts of destruction, and the breaking of alliances with superiors.

Temporary, Movable Or Quick stars  – Purnavasu, Svati, Sravana, Dhanistha, and Satabhisa

Favourable for undertaking travel, acquiring conveyances, gardening, going on processions, visiting friends, and anything of a temporary nature.

Fierce or Cruel constellations – Bharani, Magha, Purvaphalguni, Purvasadha, and Purvabhadrapada

Suitable for acts of evil, deceit, and conflict, destruction of enemies, incarceration, poisoning, arson, battle, setting fire, acts of destruction, ill-repute, and cruelty.

Mixed constellations – Krtttika and Visakha

Good for routine duties, one’s professional responsibilities, and any activities of day-to-day importance.

Application of Nature of Constellations

Fixed (steady) stars, this is a favourable nakshatra to perform such things as laying foundations, for building, careers, relationships, things that you want to be permanent.

Soft (gentle) stars, favourable for art, dance, music, marital union, ceremonies.

Light (excellent) stars, which give pleasure, sports, giving medicine, starting industries or travel.

Sharp (harsh) stars, tantric incantations, imprisonment, causing separation of friends, assasinations.

Movable stars, acquiring vehicles, going on procession, gardening.

Dreadful (cruel) stars, evil schemes, evil deeds, planting ghosts in people, deceit, imprisonment, setting fires – arson.

Mixed stars, works of every day, day to day importance.

Properties of Nakshtras

1	ASWINI	M	GOOD	GENTLE	ASWINIDEVATAS	FORWARD
2	BHARANI	F	HARM	CRUEL	YAMARAJ	DOWNWARD
3	KRITTIKA	M	HARM	MIXED	AGNI	DOWNWARD
4	ROHINI	M	GOOD	STEADY	BRAHMA	UPWARD
5	MRGASIRA	H	GOOD	EXCELLENT	MOON	FORWARD
6	ARDRA	F	OK	HARSH	RUDRA	UPWARD
7	PUNARVASU	M	OK	MOVABLE	ADITI	FORWARD
8	PUSYAMI	M	GOOD	GENTLE	GURU	UPWARD
9	ASLESHA	F	MISERY	HARSH	SARPA (RAHU)	DOWNWARD
10	MAGHA	F	GOOD	CRUEL	PITRS	DOWNWARD
11	PURVA.PH.	F	OK	CRUEL	BHAGA (SIVA)	DOWNWARD
12	UTT.PHAL.	F	GOOD	STEADY	ARYAMAN	UPWARD
13	HASTA	M	GOOD	GENTLE	SAVITR (SUN)	FORWARD
14	CHITRA	F	GOOD	EXCELLENT	TVASTR	FORWARD
15	SWATI	F	GOOD	MOVABLE	VAYU	DOWNWARD
16	VISHAKHA	F	OK	MIXED	INDRA AND AGNI	DOWNWARD
17	ANURADHA	M	GOOD	EXCELLENT	MITRA (SUN)	FORWARD
18	JYESTHA	F	OK	MIXED	SHAKRA (INDRA)	FORWARD
19	MULA	H	GOOD	CRUEL	NIRRTI	DOWNWARD
20	P.ASADHA	F	OK	CRUEL	APAH (WATER)	DOWNWARD
21	UTT.ASADHA	F	GOOD	STEADY	VISVADEVAS	UPWARD
22	SRAVAN	F	GOOD	MOVABLE	VISNU	UPWARD
23	DHANISTHA	F	GOOD	MOVABLE	VASANA (INDRA)	UPWARD
24	SATABHISAK	H	OK	MOVABLE	VARUNA	UPWARD
25	P.BHADRA	M	OK	CRUEL	AJA (BRAHMA)	UPWARD
26	UTT.BHADRA	M	GOOD	STEADY	AHIRBUDHNYA	UPWARD
27	REVATI	M	GOOD	EXCELLENT	PUSAN	FORWARD
28	ABHIJIT	F	OK	BRAHMA	UPWARD