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The 27 Nakshatras (Lunar Mansions)

The 27 nakshatras are arguably the deepest and most distinctive layer of Vedic astrology. Each is a 13°20' segment of the zodiac, named after the cluster of stars that anchors it. Together they cover the full 360° band of the sky.

Where the 12 signs give broad personality strokes, the 27 nakshatras give the mood of a placement — what feels right, who you're drawn to, what your speech sounds like. The Moon's nakshatra at birth is so important that it's the basis of your Vimshottari Dasha (the major life-timing system in Jyotish).

This article is a quick reference. KarmaWheel shows your nakshatras in the planet table, the lagna banner, and the planet popovers — and tapping a planet's nakshatra opens a fullscreen view with all its classical attributes.

How nakshatras work

  • 360° ÷ 27 = 13°20' per nakshatra (also written 13.333°)
  • Each nakshatra has 4 padas (quarters) of 3°20' each
  • Each pada falls within a specific sign — so a planet's pada tells you both its nakshatra and its placement in a divisional context
  • Each nakshatra is ruled by one of the nine planets in a fixed sequence: Ketu, Venus, Sun, Moon, Mars, Rahu, Jupiter, Saturn, Mercury (this repeats three times to cover all 27)
  • Each nakshatra has a deity, symbol, gana (divine/human/demonic temperament), gunas (qualities), and a list of suitable activities

The Moon's nakshatra at birth is the Janma Nakshatra — your "birth star." From it, KarmaWheel derives:

  • Your starting Vimshottari Dasha
  • Your Tarabala rhythm — daily favorable/unfavorable days
  • Your nadi in compatibility readings
  • Recommended mantras, gemstones, and devotional practices

The 27 nakshatras

1. Ashwini (0°00' to 13°20' Aries)

Lord: Ketu · Deity: Ashwini Kumaras (twin horsemen-physicians) · Symbol: horse's head · Gana: divine

Healing, swiftness, pioneering action. Ashwini natives are typically energetic, eager to help, and quick to start things.

2. Bharani (13°20' to 26°40' Aries)

Lord: Venus · Deity: Yama (god of death and dharma) · Symbol: yoni (vulva) · Gana: human

Restraint, discipline, the bearing of burdens, and the threshold of birth and death. Bharani natives can be intense, dramatic, and deeply moral.

3. Krittika (26°40' Aries to 10°00' Taurus)

Lord: Sun · Deity: Agni (fire) · Symbol: razor or flame · Gana: demonic

Sharpness, purification, cutting through illusion. The "razor of the gods." Krittika natives often have a sharp mind, strong principles, and the ability to burn away what's false.

4. Rohini (10°00' to 23°20' Taurus)

Lord: Moon · Deity: Brahma (creator) · Symbol: chariot, ox-cart · Gana: human Notable: the Moon's exaltation degree (3° Taurus) falls here — a very auspicious nakshatra.

Beauty, fertility, growth, sensual richness. Rohini natives are typically attractive, artistic, and good with material abundance.

5. Mrigashira (23°20' Taurus to 6°40' Gemini)

Lord: Mars · Deity: Soma (Moon, nectar) · Symbol: deer's head · Gana: divine

Searching, curiosity, gentle pursuit. Mrigashira natives often wander — physically or mentally — looking for something elusive.

6. Ardra (6°40' to 20°00' Gemini)

Lord: Rahu · Deity: Rudra (the storm form of Shiva) · Symbol: teardrop, diamond · Gana: human

Storms, transformation through difficulty, intense emotion. Ardra natives can be passionate, sometimes turbulent, and grow through crisis.

7. Punarvasu (20°00' Gemini to 3°20' Cancer)

Lord: Jupiter · Deity: Aditi (mother of the gods) · Symbol: quiver of arrows · Gana: divine

Renewal, return, hopeful nourishment. Punarvasu natives are optimistic, return to old places, and find restoration through faith.

8. Pushya (3°20' to 16°40' Cancer)

Lord: Saturn · Deity: Brihaspati (priest of the gods) · Symbol: udder, lotus, arrow · Gana: divine

Nourishment, dharma, classical wisdom. Considered one of the most auspicious nakshatras. Pushya natives are nurturing, principled, and often religious.

9. Ashlesha (16°40' to 30°00' Cancer)

Lord: Mercury · Deity: the Nagas (serpents) · Symbol: coiled serpent · Gana: demonic

Hypnotic charm, hidden knowledge, mystical insight, sometimes manipulation. Ashlesha natives are deeply intuitive and can be surprisingly persuasive.

10. Magha (0°00' to 13°20' Leo)

Lord: Ketu · Deity: the Pitris (ancestors) · Symbol: royal throne · Gana: demonic

Inheritance, lineage, ancestral connection, royal bearing. Magha natives carry their family's karma vividly and often feel a calling to lead.

11. Purva Phalguni (13°20' to 26°40' Leo)

Lord: Venus · Deity: Bhaga (god of marital happiness, wealth) · Symbol: front legs of a couch · Gana: human

Pleasure, romance, generous enjoyment. Purva Phalguni natives often have a warm presence, love good food and fine clothes, and value relaxation.

12. Uttara Phalguni (26°40' Leo to 10°00' Virgo)

Lord: Sun · Deity: Aryaman (god of contracts, friendship) · Symbol: back legs of a couch · Gana: human

Generous service, marriage, dignified contracts. Uttara Phalguni natives value loyalty and reliable partnerships.

13. Hasta (10°00' to 23°20' Virgo)

Lord: Moon · Deity: Savitar (the inspiring Sun) · Symbol: open hand · Gana: divine

Skilled hands, healing touch, careful craft. Hasta natives are known for their craftsmanship and steady, attentive work.

14. Chitra (23°20' Virgo to 6°40' Libra)

Lord: Mars · Deity: Tvashtar (divine architect) · Symbol: bright pearl, jewel · Gana: demonic

Brilliance, design, beauty, distinction. Chitra natives are often striking-looking and gifted in design or architecture.

15. Swati (6°40' to 20°00' Libra)

Lord: Rahu · Deity: Vayu (wind) · Symbol: young shoot blowing in the wind · Gana: divine

Independence, flexibility, scattered movement, sometimes restlessness. Swati natives prize their freedom.

16. Vishakha (20°00' Libra to 3°20' Scorpio)

Lord: Jupiter · Deity: Indra and Agni (king and fire) · Symbol: archway, potter's wheel · Gana: demonic

Goal-driven ambition, achievement through focused effort. Vishakha natives are determined and willing to do what it takes.

17. Anuradha (3°20' to 16°40' Scorpio)

Lord: Saturn · Deity: Mitra (god of friendship) · Symbol: lotus, staff · Gana: divine

Devotion, deep friendship, structured success. Anuradha natives often build lasting bonds and lead in cooperative ventures.

18. Jyeshtha (16°40' to 30°00' Scorpio)

Lord: Mercury · Deity: Indra (king of gods) · Symbol: earring, umbrella · Gana: demonic

Eldest sibling, authority, protection of others, sometimes alone at the top. Jyeshtha natives are often the responsible eldest.

19. Mula (0°00' to 13°20' Sagittarius)

Lord: Ketu · Deity: Nirriti (goddess of dissolution) · Symbol: tied bundle of roots · Gana: demonic

Roots, the search for foundations, sometimes uprooting. Mula natives are seekers who often go through dissolution to find truth.

20. Purva Ashadha (13°20' to 26°40' Sagittarius)

Lord: Venus · Deity: Apas (waters) · Symbol: elephant's tusk, fan · Gana: human

Invincibility, energetic conviction. Purva Ashadha natives are hard to defeat once committed to a cause.

21. Uttara Ashadha (26°40' Sagittarius to 10°00' Capricorn)

Lord: Sun · Deity: Vishvedevas (universal gods) · Symbol: elephant's tusk, planks of a bed · Gana: human

Universal goodwill, lasting victory. Uttara Ashadha natives often achieve enduring success through ethical action.

22. Shravana (10°00' to 23°20' Capricorn)

Lord: Moon · Deity: Vishnu · Symbol: ear · Gana: divine

Listening, learning, oral tradition. Shravana natives are excellent students and attentive listeners.

23. Dhanishta (23°20' Capricorn to 6°40' Aquarius)

Lord: Mars · Deity: the eight Vasus · Symbol: drum, flute · Gana: demonic

Rhythm, music, abundance, fame. Dhanishta natives are often musical or rhythmically-skilled and prosperous.

24. Shatabhisha (6°40' to 20°00' Aquarius)

Lord: Rahu · Deity: Varuna (cosmic waters) · Symbol: empty circle, hundred healers · Gana: demonic

Healing, mystical isolation, secret knowledge. Shatabhisha natives often work alone, in research or healing.

25. Purva Bhadrapada (20°00' Aquarius to 3°20' Pisces)

Lord: Jupiter · Deity: Aja Ekapada (one-footed serpent of fire) · Symbol: front legs of a funeral cot · Gana: human

Spiritual fire, dramatic passion, sometimes fanatic devotion. Purva Bhadrapada natives feel things intensely.

26. Uttara Bhadrapada (3°20' to 16°40' Pisces)

Lord: Saturn · Deity: Ahir Budhnya (serpent of the deep) · Symbol: back legs of a funeral cot · Gana: human

Depth, hidden wisdom, ascetic temperament. Uttara Bhadrapada natives often seek solitude and ancient knowledge.

27. Revati (16°40' to 30°00' Pisces)

Lord: Mercury · Deity: Pushan (nourisher of cattle, guide of souls) · Symbol: drum, fish, milk · Gana: divine

Compassionate ending, safe journey, completion. Revati is the last nakshatra — its natives often have an ending-and-beginning quality, gentle and protective.

How to use nakshatras in your chart

In KarmaWheel, every planet's nakshatra is shown in the planet table. Tap a nakshatra name to open a fullscreen view with the deity, symbol, gana, and a chart-specific reading.

For practical use:

  • Moon's nakshatra is by far the most important — it drives Vimshottari Dasha
  • Lagna's nakshatra describes your overall manner and bearing
  • Sun's nakshatra influences father, dharma, and authority themes
  • Atmakaraka's nakshatra (the highest-degree planet) gives soul-level themes

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