What is a Nakshatra in Vedic astrology?

A Nakshatra (lunar mansion) is one of 27 equal divisions of the ecliptic, each spanning 13°20′. The Moon transits one Nakshatra approximately every 24 hours, completing the circuit in 27 days (a sidereal lunar month). At birth, the Nakshatra occupied by the Moon is called the Janma Nakshatra and determines the starting Vimshottari Mahadasha, emotional nature, and a specific archetypal quality that colours the entire life.

What is the difference between Gana and Nature in Nakshatras?

Gana (Deva/Manushya/Rakshasa) classifies the temperament — divine, human, or fierce — and is used in compatibility matching. Nature (Kshipra, Laghu, Ugra, Tikshna, Mridu, Sthira, Chara, Mishra) classifies the quality of activities initiated under each Nakshatra: Kshipra and Laghu are quick and light; Ugra and Tikshna are sharp and fierce; Mridu is tender; Sthira is fixed; Chara is movable; Mishra is mixed.

How do I find my birth Nakshatra?

Your birth Nakshatra is determined by the position of the Moon at your exact birth time. AstroShri computes it from your birth date, time, and place using the Lahiri (Chitrapaksha) ayanamsha. The Moon's sidereal longitude, divided by 13°20′, gives the Nakshatra number (1–27).

वैदिक ज्योतिष

27 वैदिक नक्षत्र

हर चंद्र मंडल का विश्लेषण — स्वामी ग्रह, अधिष्ठाता देवता, प्रतीक, गण, प्रकृति और व्यक्तित्व।

Nakshatra Atlas

27Nakshatras

13°20′Each Span

9Ruling Planets

~27dLunar Cycle

Ashwini

Horse head

DevaKshipra

♟ Ketu·Mesha

→

Bharani

Yoni (womb)

ManushyaUgra

♟ Venus·Mesha

→

Krittika

Razor / flame

RakshasaTikshna

♟ Sun·Mesha–Vrishabha

→

Rohini

Chariot / ox cart

ManushyaSthira

♟ Moon·Vrishabha

→

Mrigashira

Deer head

DevaMridu

♟ Mars·Vrishabha–Mithuna

→

Ardra

Teardrop / diamond

ManushyaTikshna

♟ Rahu·Mithuna

→

Punarvasu

Quiver of arrows

DevaChara

♟ Jupiter·Mithuna–Kataka

→

Pushya

Lotus / cow's udder

DevaLaghu

♟ Saturn·Kataka

→

Ashlesha

Coiled serpent

Magha

Throne room / palanquin

Purva Phalguni

Front legs of a bed / hammock

Uttara Phalguni

Back legs of a bed / fig tree

Hasta

Palm of the hand

Chitra

Bright jewel / pearl

Swati

Coral / young plant shoot

Vishakha

Triumphal archway / potter's wheel

RakshasaMishra

♟ Jupiter·Tula–Vrischika

→

#17

Anuradha

Lotus / staff

Jyeshtha

Circular talisman / earring

Mula

Bundle of roots / lion's tail

Purva Ashadha

Elephant tusk / fan / winnowing basket

Uttara Ashadha

Elephant tusk / small cot

Shravana

Three footprints / ear

Dhanishtha

Drum / flute

Shatabhisha

Empty circle / thousand flowers

Purva Bhadrapada

Sword / two front legs of funeral cot

ManushyaUgra

♟ Jupiter·Kumbha–Meena

→

#26

Uttara Bhadrapada

Twins / back legs of funeral cot

Revati

Fish / drum

DevaMridu

♟ Mercury·Meena

→

Quick Reference

#	Nakshatra	स्वामी	देवता	गण	प्रकृति	Rasi
1	Ashwini	Ketu	Ashwini Kumaras	Deva	Kshipra	Mesha
2	Bharani	Venus	Yama	Manushya	Ugra	Mesha
3	Krittika	Sun	Agni	Rakshasa	Tikshna	Mesha–Vrishabha
4	Rohini	Moon	Brahma	Manushya	Sthira	Vrishabha
5	Mrigashira	Mars	Soma	Deva	Mridu	Vrishabha–Mithuna
6	Ardra	Rahu	Rudra	Manushya	Tikshna	Mithuna
7	Punarvasu	Jupiter	Aditi	Deva	Chara	Mithuna–Kataka
8	Pushya	Saturn	Brihaspati	Deva	Laghu	Kataka
9	Ashlesha	Mercury	Sarpas	Rakshasa	Tikshna	Kataka
10	Magha	Ketu	Pitrs	Rakshasa	Ugra	Simha
11	Purva Phalguni	Venus	Bhaga	Manushya	Ugra	Simha
12	Uttara Phalguni	Sun	Aryaman	Manushya	Sthira	Simha–Kanya
13	Hasta	Moon	Savitar	Deva	Kshipra	Kanya
14	Chitra	Mars	Tvashtar / Vishvakarman	Rakshasa	Mridu	Kanya–Tula
15	Swati	Rahu	Vayu	Deva	Chara	Tula
16	Vishakha	Jupiter	Indra and Agni	Rakshasa	Mishra	Tula–Vrischika
17	Anuradha	Saturn	Mitra	Deva	Mridu	Vrischika
18	Jyeshtha	Mercury	Indra	Rakshasa	Tikshna	Vrischika
19	Mula	Ketu	Nirriti	Rakshasa	Tikshna	Dhanus
20	Purva Ashadha	Venus	Apah	Manushya	Ugra	Dhanus
21	Uttara Ashadha	Sun	Vishvedevas	Manushya	Sthira	Dhanus–Makara
22	Shravana	Moon	Vishnu	Deva	Chara	Makara
23	Dhanishtha	Mars	Ashta Vasus	Rakshasa	Chara	Makara–Kumbha
24	Shatabhisha	Rahu	Varuna	Rakshasa	Chara	Kumbha
25	Purva Bhadrapada	Jupiter	Aja Ekapada	Manushya	Ugra	Kumbha–Meena
26	Uttara Bhadrapada	Saturn	Ahir Budhnya	Manushya	Sthira	Meena
27	Revati	Mercury	Pushan	Deva	Mridu	Meena