We are familiar with Rashis and their lords. However, Nakshatras also have lords that influence the characteristics of the Nakshatra. The Nakshatra lord and Rashi lord of a planet together give us in-depth information about it.
The 360 degrees of the zodiac is divided into twelve Rashis which are 30 degrees each. However, Vedic astrology is unique in the usage of a different system of subdivision which is the Nakshatras. This loosely translates as the lunar mansions. Further, the literal meaning of the word Nakshatra is ‘that which doesn’t move’.
Nakshatras And Nakshatra Lords
We can divide the 360 degrees of the zodiac into 27 Nakshatras that are located around certain stars in the sky. Each Nakshatra is a 13 degrees and 20 minutes section of the zodiac. Nakshatras also have unique characteristics and symbology. Each Nakshatra has a planetary lord giving its own flavour to the Nakshatra significations.
Further, the Vimshottari Dasha system is based on the Nakshatra lordships. So, the order of planetary lordships of each Nakshatra is the same as that of the Vimshottari Dasha order; Ketu, Venus, Sun, Moon, Mars, Rahu, Jupiter, Saturn and then Mercury. Therefore, the first Maha Dasha of a person starts from the planet signified by the lord of the Nakshatra in which the person’s Moon was placed at birth. When one does an in-depth study of any birth chart the Nakshatra lordship of the Nakshatras in which the planets are placed is an important factor. We divide the Nakshatras further into four sections of 3 degrees 20 minutes each called Padas. These Nakshatras fall under the Rashi divisions but some Nakshatras have their padas in more than one Rashi.
So, one can say that the Nakshatra is under the influence of the Rashi lord of the Rashi in which the Nakshatra is placed as well as the Nakshatra Lord. This is also one of the ways in which the Vedic system of Astrology is able to give a very in-depth analysis of a birth chart.
Nakshatra Lord Table
| No. | Nakshatra | Lord |
| 1 | Ashwini | Ketu |
| 2 | Bharani | Venus |
| 3 | Krittika | Sun |
| 4 | Rohini | Moon |
| 5 | Mrigashirsha | Mars |
| 6 | Ardra | Rahu |
| 7 | Punarvasu | Jupiter |
| 8 | Pushya | Saturn |
| 9 | Ashlesha | Mercury |
| 10 | Magha | Ketu |
| 11 | Purvaphalguni | Venus |
| 12 | Uttaraphalguni | Sun |
| 13 | Hasta | Moon |
| 14 | Chitra | Mars |
| 15 | Swati | Rahu |
| 16 | Vishakha | Jupiter |
| 17 | Anuradha | Saturn |
| 18 | Jyeshta | Mercury |
| 19 | Mula | Ketu |
| 20 | Purvashadha | Venus |
| 21 | Uttarashadha | Sun |
| 22 | Shravana | Moon |
| 23 | Dhanistha | Mars |
| 24 | Shatabhishak | Rahu |
| 25 | Purvabhadrapada | Jupiter |
| 26 | Uttarabhadrapada | Saturn |
| 27 | Revati | Mercury |
So, of the 27 Nakshatras, we see that each planet has the rulership of three Nakshatras. The Nakshatras ruled by the Moon are Rohini, Hasta as well as Shravana.
Rohini – The Red One
The fourth Nakshatra, Rohini is one of the most well-known Nakshatras. The name Rohini means ‘the reddish one’. The mythology of Nakshatras states that the 27 Nakshatras are the daughters of King Daksha. The 27 daughters were given in marriage to the Moon also known as Chandra. Chandra was more enamoured with Rohini and spent more time with her than her other sisters. This upset Daksha and he cursed Chandra that he would wither away with each passing day. After penance to Lord Shiva, Chandra received the boon that he would wither away but would then also regain his splendour. This is the story that describes the waxing phase or Shukla Paksha as well as the waning phase or Krishna Paksha of the Moon.
All the four Padas of the Rohini Nakshatra are in the Rashi of Taurus. The star that is associated with Rohini is known as Aldebaran (Alpha-Tauri). The deity of Rohini is Brahma, the creator. This Nakshatra is known for its charm, creativity and nourishment. It is represented by the symbol of a cart drawn by two oxen or a chariot. This Nakshatra is under the influence of both the Moon and Venus and this indicates its association with luxury, music, arts, sensuousness and receptivity. The special power that this Nakshatra is Rohana Shakti or to empower to nourish and grow.
People born under Rohini have great charisma and also use their charm to get the attention of others. The fertile nature of this star helps those born under Rohini to achieve their goals as they have the capacity to express thoughts and materialize creations. In addition to the Venus influence of being in Taurus, the planetary influence of the Moon and Venus give this Nakshatra the feminine qualities of receptivity and nourishment.
Rohini At A Glance
- Deity: Brahma or Prajapati
- Rashi Degrees: 10 degrees – 23 degrees 20 minutes Vrishaba/Taurus
- Animal Symbol: Male Serpent
- Nature: Manushya (Human)
- Power Or Sign: Nourishment, creation as well as making things grow
- Symbol: Cart pulled by two oxen, banyan tree, chariot, temple
- Good For: Starting good activities, trade, marriage, agriculture, travel, romance, buying a home, vehicle, clothes, starting the construction of a building, healing and also sexual activity.
- Not Good For: Destructive activities
- Dosha: Kapha
- Guna: Rajas
- Motivation: Moksha
- Direction: East
Hasta – The Golden Hands
Hasta is the thirteenth Nakshatra. The word Hasta literally means the hand. This Nakshatra is entirely in the Rashi of Virgo. The Rashi lord Mercury as well as the Nakshatra Lord of Moon influence Hasta. This influence of both Mercury and the Moon makes it rather vulnerable to health issues.
This Nakshatra symbolises dexterity and the ability to be inspired and transform it into something tangible grasped in the hand. In its positive interpretation, it means things that are connected with the hands such as healing, transforming, manipulating, handicrafts and all the activities that require great skill and attention to detail with the hands. It can also signify magic tricks, trickery and cunning. This Nakshatra also possesses the ability to be very flexible and blend in with the situation. Savitur or the Sun God is the deity of this Nakshatra. It is also associated with agreements and the handshake.
The association of Hasta with Savitur can show that since the Sun is the source of all creative energy and inspiration, this Nakshatra can help one realise the inspiration and place it in one’s hands (Hasta Sthapanaya Agama Shakti). Savitur is also known as the deity in whose praise the Gayatri Mantra is chanted.
Hasta – At A Glance
- Deity: Savitur, The Sun God
- Rashi Degrees: 10 degrees – 23 degrees 20 minutes Kanya/Virgo
- Animal Symbol: Female Buffalo
- Nature: Deva (God-like)
- Power Or Sign: Manifesting the desired thing into the hands
- Symbol: Hand, palm and also an open hand in blessing
- Good For: Arts, crafts and skills that require dexterity with the hands, alternative healing, sports, humorous activities, travel, moving, business negotiations as well as outdoor activities in the sun.
- Not Good For: Relaxation, long term events, sex and also nocturnal activities
- Dosha: Kapha
- Guna: Rajas
- Motivation: Deva
- Direction: East
Shravana / Thiruvonam – Three Steps Of Lord Vishnu
Shravana is the 22nd Nakshatra and is very closely related to the Vamana Avatar of Lord Vishnu. The stars that mark this Nakshatra are three in number depicting the three steps (Trivikrama ) of Lord Vishnu as Vamandev. These three stars form the head of Aquila, the Eagle. Shravana Nakshatra is entirely in the Rashi of Capricorn that is ruled by Saturn. Moon as well as Saturn influence this Nakshatra. Since Moon is the mind and Saturn is the masses, Shravana can give the ability to convince and convey a message to the masses. Hence, this makes it a prominent Nakshatra in the charts of politicians. The negative side of this Moon and Saturn influence is a mind that is fearful and with a tendency to depression.
Shravana Nakshatra is also the birth star of Saraswati, the Goddess of learning. There is a great interest in learning that is sustained life-long. Shravana Nakshatra is signified by the ear and therefore signifies the native being able to hear and absorb knowledge. This Nakshatra is one that is motivated by Artha or material prosperity. In Tamil and Malayalam, Shravana is also known by the name Thiruvonam.
Shravana – At A Glance
- Deity: Vishnu, Saraswati
- Animal Symbol: Female Monkey
- Nature: Deva (God-like)
- Power Or Sign: Samhanana Shakti – which is connecting with people
- Symbol: Ear, three footsteps
- Good For: Learning, philosophy, new ventures, medical treatment, music, politics, travel and also counselling.
- Not Good For: Aggressive and destructive activities, marriage, lending money, making promises.
- Dosha: Kapha
- Guna: Rajas
- Direction: North
Nakshatra Padas
The Nakshatras are further divided into four Padas of 3 degrees and 20 minutes each. When a planet of Lagna falls in a certain pada, its Navamsa position changes. For all the three Moon ruled Nakshatras, the first pada falls in the Aries Navamsa, the second in the Taurus Navamsa, third in the Gemini Navamsa as well as the fourth in the Cancer Navamsa. This is useful information to manually draw up the Navamsa chart when one is not able to readily access software that will calculate it. It also adds the flavours of an additional planetary influence based on the Pada Rashi lord. Navamsa placement is also very important to determine the inner strength of the planet. It is a chart that gives finer details about the planetary strength as well as being very important to study the marital life of the person.
You can find more details in our posts on Rohini, Hasta and Shravana.
