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Nakshatra

NakshatraNakshatra in vedic astrology is used for the accurate predictions and for more specific astrological predictions. Nakshatras are also called Lunar mansions as these come in the path of the moon.

Each nakshatra has four sections that are known as Padas or charan. Each zodiac has nine padas which means that every zodiac covers more than two Nakshatra i.e. 2 � Nakshatras, which are 4 + 4 + 1 = 9 padas.

Every Nakshatra measures 13.20' (13 degrees and 20 minutes).

In the past there used to be a system of 28 Nakshatras. The 28th Nakshatra is Abhijit. This Nakshatra� is located between Purvashadha and Shravana. It is the only Nakshatra of which the main star Vega is located far away from the ecliptic. That is also why it is hard to locate it on the ecliptic and probably one reason why it is skipped.

Each Nakshatra also corresponds with a certain animal, animal type, caste, sex, temperament, dosha, tattva (element) and even wind direction In addition to a planet, deity, symbol, aim of life and guna.

Nakshatra History

According to Hindu Mythology, King Dakshan had 27 daughters and all of them were married to Moon. 27 daughters are the 27 nakshatras in the sky. But to Moon queen Rohini Nakshatra was the most beloved one and he used to spend most of his time with her only. This is also the exaltation point for Moon. Seeing this other wives ( Nakshtras) went to their father to complain about this. King Dakshan made a request to Moon regarding this but this was unable to change the moon's nature. King Dakshan got angry because of this and cursed Moon, causing it to decline in size. All Devas got worried as the consequences of the wanning size were not good. They went to King Dakshan to withdraw its curse. King said that the curse cannot be revoked completely. But the moon will have to visit all his wives and said that Moon will regained its strength for half a month. Because of this Moon transits through 27 nakshtras in one month.

Janamanakshtra - It is the Nakshatra in which the Natal Moon is placed at the time of birth. Janamnakstra shows one's thinking patterns and characteristics of the person. It is also used to calculate the dasha period.

Nakshatras Sexes

Male nakshatras: Ashwini, Bharani, Pushya, Ashlesha, Magha, Uttara Phalguni, Swati, Jyeshta, Mula, Purvashadha, Uttarashadha, Shravana and Purva Bhadrapada.

Female Nakshatras: Krittika, Rohini, Mrigashirsha, Ardra, Punarvasu, Purva Phalguni, Hasta, Chitra, Vishakha, Anuradha, Dhanistha, Shatabhishak, Uttara Bhadrapada and Revati.

Activity of male naskshatras is more than that of female naskshatras and these are governed by female deities.

Nakshatra Temperament

Deva (godly) nakshatras: Ashwini, Mrigashirsha, Punarvasu, Pushya, Hasta, Swati, Anuradha, Revati.

Human nakshatras: Bharani, Rohini, Ardra, Shravana and all the Purva and Uttara Nakshatras.

Rakshasa (demon) nakshatras: Krittika, Ashlesha, Magha, Chitra, Vishakha, Jyestha, Mula, Dhanistha, Shatabhishak.


List of 27 Nakshatras
Ashwini Bharani Krittika
Rohini Mrigashira Ardra
Punarvasu Pushya Ashlesha
Maghas Purva Phalguni Uttara Phalguni
Hasta Chitra Swati
Vishakha Anuradha Jyestha
Mula Purva ashadha Uttar Ashadha
Shravana Dhanishtha Shatabhishak
Purva Bhadrapada Uttara Bhadrapada Revati

No. Nakshatra Symbol Sign occupying Padas Presiding Planet

1.

Ashwini - "The horse Tamer "

Horse's head

Aries occupies all 4 Padas

Ketu

2

Bharani - "The bearer of new life"

Vagina

Aries occupies all four Padas.

Venus

3

Krittika - " The one who Cuts"

Razor

1st Pada - Aries

2,3,4 Padas - Taurus

Sun

4

Rohini - " The red One"

Chariot

All 4 Padas occupied by Gemini

Moon

5

Mrigashira - "Head of a deer"

Deer's Head

1st, 2nd Pada - Taurus

3rd, 4th Pada - Gemini

Mars

6

Ardra- " The moist one"

Head

All four Pada occupied by Gemini.

Rahu

7

Punarvasu - "Return of the light"

Bow

First three occupied by Gemini. 4th - Cancer.

Jupiter

8

Pushya - " To nourish"

Flower

All four Padas occupied by Cancer.

Saturn

9

Ashlesha - "The embracer"

Serpent

All four Padas occupied by Cancer

Mercury

10

Maghas - " The great one"

Palanquin

All the four Padas occupied by Leo.

Ketu

11

Purva Phalguni - "The Meritorious One"

Front legs of cot

All the four Padas occupied by Leo

Venus

12

Uttara Phalguni - "The excellent one"

Back legs of Cots

1st Pada occupied by Leo. 2nd, 3rd, 4th occupied by Virgo

Sun

13

Hasta - "The hand"

Palm

All the four Padas occupied by Virgo

Moon

14

Chitra - " the bright one"

Pearl

First two Padas occupied by Virgo. Last two Padas occupied by Libra.

Mars

15

Swati - "The independent one"

Sapphire

All the four Padas occupied by Libra

Rahu

16

Vishakha - " The forked Shape"

Potter�s wheel

First three Padas occupied by Libra. Last Pada occupied by Scorpio.

Jupiter

17

Anuradha - " The disciple of Divine spark"

Umbrella

All the four Padas occupied by Scorpio

Saturn

18

Jyestha - "The eldest"

Umbrella

All the four Padas occupied by Scorpio.

Mercury

19

Mula - "The Basic"

Crouching Tiger

All the four Padas occupied by Sagittarius

Ketu

20

Purva Ashadha - " The early victory"

Front of Square

All the four Padas occupied by Sagittarius.

Venus

21

Uttara ashadha - "Latter victory"

Back of Square

1st Pada in Sagittarius. Later three Padas in Capricorn

Sun

22

Shravana - "the learned one"

Arrow

All the four Padas in Capricorn.

Moon

23

Dhanishtha - "The richest One"

Drum

First two Padas in Capricorn. Later two Padas in Aquarius.

Mars

24

Shatabhishak - " A hundred Healers"

Flower

Aquarius occupies all the four Padas.

Rahu

25

Purva Bhadrapada - "The auspicious feet"

Front legs of cots

First Three Padas occupied by Aquarius. Last Pada occupied by Pisces.

Jupiter

26

 

Uttara Bhadrapada - "The auspicious feet"

Back legs of the Cots

All the Padas occupied by Pisces.

Saturn

27

Revati - "the wealthy"

Fish

Pisces occupies all the four Padas.

Mercury


Source:http://astrology.indianetzone.com