The 27 Nakshatras: Ruling Planets, Deities and Meanings

The zodiac is divided into 27 nakshatras (ನಕ್ಷತ್ರ), or lunar mansions, each spanning 13°20′. Your Janma Nakshatra is the one the Moon occupied at birth. It decides your name syllable, your starting Mahadasha and your marriage matching.

Complete list of the 27 nakshatras

Where two rashis are listed, the nakshatra crosses a sign boundary. Its first pada(s) fall in the first sign and the rest in the next.

Padas: the four quarters

Each nakshatra has four padas of 3°20′. 27 × 4 = 108 padas, which fill the 12 signs exactly (9 padas per sign). Each pada maps to one Navamsa sign, which is why your nakshatra pada also gives your D9 position. Traditional name syllables (namakshara) are assigned to each pada.

Ruling planets and the Vimshottari dasha

The nine ruling planets repeat in the same order three times: Ketu, Venus, Sun, Moon, Mars, Rahu, Jupiter, Saturn, Mercury. This is the order of the Vimshottari Mahadasha, a 120-year cycle:

Your first Mahadasha is that of your birth nakshatra's lord. How much of it is left at birth depends on how far the Moon had travelled through the nakshatra. For example, a Moon halfway through Rohini starts life with about 5 years of Moon Mahadasha remaining.

Gandanta and Mula nakshatras

The junctions where a water sign ends and a fire sign begins (Ashlesha–Magha, Jyeshtha–Mula and Revati–Ashwini) are called gandanta. Births near these points traditionally call for a shanti ritual. Mula, Ashlesha and Jyeshtha births are often given special attention in South Indian families.

How to find your nakshatra

You need your date, exact time and place of birth. The Moon moves through one nakshatra in about a day, so the time matters. Enter your details in the free horoscope tool to see your nakshatra, pada, rashi and running dasha.

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This guide explains traditional Jyotisha practice for information and spiritual interest. It is not medical, legal or financial advice. See our disclaimer.