The Nakshatra Fact Sheet: Classification Of Nakshatras

The Nakshatras are the fixed stars, asterisms or ‘lunar mansions’ in the zodiac. While the Rashis subdivide the Zodiac into 30-degree sections, the Nakshatras divide it into 13 degree and 20-minute sections. They are assigned many different characteristics that include ruling planets, gender, temperament, symbols, deities, animal symbols and also syllables. Each of these characteristics of the Nakshatra finds use in many applications of Vedic astrology from chart interpretation, name selection for a baby as well as Panchang and Muhurta selection.

Janma Nakshatra: The Most Important Nakshatra

In Vedic astrology, much importance is given to the Nakshatra where the Moon is placed. This is the Janma Nakshatra. It is easy enough to find this by using an online Nakshatra finder. It is the ruling planet of this Nakshatra that defines the first Dasha in the Vimshottari Dasha system and the sequence of Dashas thereafter. Traditional name selection for a child is also done to match the syllables that are assigned to the Nakshatra. Matching of birth charts such as Ashtakoot or Gun Milan is between the Moon Nakshatras of the couple. It is only when this condition is satisfied that the next step of matchmaking proceeds.

In Panchang, the Nakshatra of the day is also very important. It is the combination of the Nakshatra with the Tithi and other aspects of the day that makes it suitable for certain actions as well as occasions. On a personal level, the Nakshatra today compared to the Janma Nakshatra defines Tarabal or Tarabalam for the person.

The Nakshatras: Planetary Rulers And Their Degrees

The Nakshatras each span 13 degrees and 20 minutes of the Zodiac. This makes 27 Nakshatras across Rashi borders. The Nakshatras also have planetary rulers that are assigned as per the Vimshottari Dasha sequence. Systems of astrology that use the rulers of Nakshatras and also give great importance to the Nakshatra where each planet is placed.

No.	Nakshatra	Lord	Degrees
1	Ashwini	Ketu	0° – 13°20′ Mesha
2	Bharani	Venus	13° 20′ – 26°40′ Mesha
3	Krittika	Sun	26°40′ Mesha – 10° Rishaba
4	Rohini	Moon	10° – 23°20′ Rishaba
5	Mrigashirsha	Mars	23° 20′ Rishaba – 6° 40′ Mithuna
6	Ardra	Rahu	6° 40′ – 20° Mithuna
7	Punarvasu	Jupiter	20° Mithuna – 3°20′ Karka
8	Pushya	Saturn	3°20′ -16°40′ Karka
9	Ashlesha	Mercury	10°26′ – 30° Karka
10	Magha	Ketu	0° – 13°20′ Simha
11	Purva Phalguni	Venus	13°20′ – 26°40′ Simha
12	Uttara Phalguni	Sun	26°40′ Simha- 10° Kanya
13	Hasta	Moon	10° – 23°20′ Kanya
14	Chitra	Mars	23°20′ Kanya – 6°40′ Tula
15	Swati	Rahu	6°40′ – 20° Tula
16	Vishakha	Jupiter	20° Tula – 3°20′ Vrishchik
17	Anuradha	Saturn	3°20′ – 16°40′ Vrishchik
18	Jyeshta	Mercury	16°40′ – 30° Vrishchik
19	Mula	Ketu	0° – 13°20′ Dhanush
20	Purvashadha	Venus	13°20′ – 26°40′ Dhanush
21	Uttarashadha	Sun	26°40′ Dhanush – 10° Makara
22	Shravana	Moon	10° – 23°20′ Makara
23	Dhanistha	Mars	23°20′ Makara – 6°40′ Kumbha
24	Shatabhishak	Rahu	6°40′ – 20° Kumbha
25	Purvabhadrapada	Jupiter	20° Kumbha – 3°20′ Meena
26	Uttarabhadrapada	Saturn	3°20′ – 16°40′ Meena
27	Revati	Mercury	16°40′ – 30° Meena

Nakshatra Temperament

The temperament of the Nakshatra defines the temperament of the person. The selection of Muhurta is also done in line with the temperament of the Nakshatra.

The different temperaments assigned are

• Sthira Or Fixed/Constant: Uttara Phalguni, Uttarashada, Uttarabhadrapada and also Rohini. These fixed Nakshatras are good for any activity that is meant to last long such as laying the foundation for a house, digging a well or any other such activity.
• Chara/Chala Or Movable: Swati, Punarvasu, Dhanishta as well as Satabishak. These stars are good for activities that require speed and also movement. Some examples are buying automobiles, starting a journey, starting machinery or factory as well as starting to drive a vehicle. 
• Ugra/Krura Or Fierce/Cruel: Purva Phalguni, Purvashadha, Purvabhadrapada, Bharani as well as Magha are fierce Nakshatras. They are good for sharp, cruel, destructive and also volatile acts. These include acts of demolishing, breaking up, facing the enemy, imprisonment and any other work that is destructive and requires force. 
• Kshipra/Laghu Or Swift/Short/Dynamic: Ashwini, Pushya as well as Hasta are good for acts of business, raising or settling loans, travel, admission for education, singing, acting, beauty therapies, wearing ornaments, sexual union and selling something. 
• Mridu/Maitri Or Tender/Gentle/Friendly: Mrigashirsha, Chitra, Anuradha and also Revati are gentle nakshatras. The gentle Nakshatras are also good for entertainment, recreation, arts, auspicious ceremonies and meetings.  They are also suitable for all the acts that one does in fixed Nakshatras.
• Tikshna/Daruna Or Sharp/Ferocious/Bitter: Ardra, Aslesha, Jyeshta and Moola are good for harmful and violent acts such as black magic, Tantra, sacrifices or other harmful, aggressive and deadly acts. 
• Misra/Sadharan Or Mixed/Ordinary: Vishaka and Krittika are good for any activity that uses fire such as welding, boilers, furnaces, making medicines etc. 

Nakshatra Sight Directions

Nakshatras are also given directions that they ‘look’ at. This makes them suitable or unsuitable for certain acts.

• Adhomukha (Facing Downward): Moola, Aslesha, Vishaka, Krittika, Purvaphalguni, Purvashada, Purvabhadrapada, Bharani as well as Magha. These Nakshatras are good for digging foundations, wells, mining and also other downward-facing acts. 
• Urdhavamukha (Facing Upward): Ardra, Pushya, Shravana, Dhanishta, Satabishak, Uttaraphalguni, Uttarashada, Uttarabhadrapada as well as Rohini. These stars are good for auspicious acts, construction, laying of foundation, worship, planting as well as other things that have to grow upwards.
• Triyangamukha (Facing Forward): Revati, Chitra, Mrigashirsha, Anuradha, Hasta, Swati, Punarvasu, Ashwini and Jyeshta are good for journeys, visiting friends and also other forward-facing acts. 

Other Nakshatra Characteristics

No.	Nakshatra	Deity	Animal	Symbol	Sound/Syllable
1	Ashwini	Ashwini Kumar	Male Horse	Horse Head	Chu, Che, Cho, La
2	Bharani	Yama	Female Elephant	Yoni	Lee, Lu, Lay, Lo
3	Krittika	Agni	Female Goat	Razor	Aa, Ee, Oo, Ay
4	Rohini	Brahma	Male Snake	Chariot	O, Va, Vi, Vu
5	Mrigashirsha	Chandra	Female Snake	Deer Head	Ve, Vo, Ka, Kee
6	Ardra	Rudra	Female Dog	Tear Drop	Ku, Ghaa, Kha, Cha
7	Punarvasu	Aditi	Male Cat	Quiver	Kay, Ko, Ha, Hee
8	Pushya	Brihaspati	Male Goat	Udder	Hoo, He, Ho, Dah
9	Ashlesha	Nagas	Female Cat	Serpent	Dee, Doo, Day, Doh
10	Magha	Pitris	Female Rat	Throne	Ma, Mi, Mu, Me
11	Purvaphalguni	Bhaga	Female Cow	Hammock	Mo, Ta, Tee, Too
12	Uttaraphalguni	Aryaman	Female Rat	Fig Tree	Tay, To, Pa, Pee
13	Hasta	Surya	Male Buffalo	Hand	Pu, Sha, Nu, Tha
14	Chitra	Vishwakarma	Female Tiger	Jewel	Pe, Po, Ra, Re
15	Swati	Vayu	Female Buffalo	Coral	Ru, Re, Ro, Ta
16	Vishakha	Indra	Female Tiger	Arch	Ti, Tu, Te, To
17	Anuradha	Mitra	Male Deer	Lotus	Na, Ni, Nu, Nay
18	Jyeshta	Indra	Female Deer	Amulet / Umbrella	No, Ya, Yi, Yu
19	Mula	Niritti	Dog	Roots	Ye, Yo, Bha, Bhe
20	Purvashadha	Varuna	Female Monkey	Fan	Bu, Dah, Bha, Dha
21	Uttarashadha	Vishwadevas	Female Mongoose	Tusk	Be, Bo, Ja. Ji
22	Shravana	Vishnu	Male Monkey	Ear	Ju, Je, Jo, Gha
23	Dhanistha	Vasus	Lion	Drum	Ga, Gi, Gu, Ge
24	Shatabhishak	Varuna	Horse	1000 Stars	Go, Sa, Si, Su
25	Purvabhadrapada	Ajaekapada	Male Lion	Funeral Cot	Se, So, De, Di
26	Uttarabhadrapada	Ahirbudhanya	Male Cow	Water Snake	Du, Tha, Jha, Na
27	Revati	Pushan	Female Elephant	Fish	De, Tho, Cha, Chi