The 27 Nakshatras
The Vedic zodiac is divided into 27 nakshatras — lunar mansions — each spanning 13°20' of the 360° zodiac. The nakshatra in which the moon sits at birth (the Janma Nakshatra) shapes personality, the naming ceremony, and the entire Ashtakuta compatibility framework.
Gana
Deva (godly)
Refined, harmonious, gentle energy.
Gana
Manushya (human)
Balanced, dharmic, social energy.
Gana
Rakshasa (intense)
Powerful, transformative, sometimes turbulent energy.
Nadi
Adi (Vata)
Air-element predominant. Creative, mobile, restless.
Nadi
Madhya (Pitta)
Fire-element predominant. Goal-oriented, ambitious, intense.
Nadi
Antya (Kapha)
Earth/water predominant. Grounded, sustaining, patient.
All 27 nakshatras
#1Ashwini
अश्विनीAries 0° – 13°20' · Ketu · deva gana
The first nakshatra — swift, healing, beginning energy.
#2Bharani
भरणीAries 13°20' – 26°40' · Venus · manushya gana
The bearer — transformation through restraint.
#3Krittika
कृत्तिकाAries 26°40' – Taurus 10° · Sun · rakshasa gana
The cutter — clarity through fire.
#4Rohini
रोहिणीTaurus 10° – 23°20' · Moon · manushya gana
The most fertile nakshatra — Krishna's favourite.
#5Mrigashira
मृगशीर्षTaurus 23°20' – Gemini 6°40' · Mars · deva gana
The seeker — the deer that won't be caught.
#6Ardra
आर्द्राGemini 6°40' – 20° · Rahu · manushya gana
The storm — destruction that cleanses.
#7Punarvasu
पुनर्वसुGemini 20° – Cancer 3°20' · Jupiter · deva gana
Return of the light — Rama's nakshatra.
#8Pushya
पुष्यCancer 3°20' – 16°40' · Saturn · deva gana
The most auspicious nakshatra — universal nourishment.
#9Ashlesha
आश्लेषाCancer 16°40' – 30° · Mercury · rakshasa gana
The embracer — serpentine intelligence.
#10Magha
मघाLeo 0° – 13°20' · Ketu · rakshasa gana
The royal nakshatra — the throne of the ancestors.
#11Purva Phalguni
पूर्व फल्गुनीLeo 13°20' – 26°40' · Venus · manushya gana
The fruit of pleasure — the front of the bed.
#12Uttara Phalguni
उत्तर फल्गुनीLeo 26°40' – Virgo 10° · Sun · manushya gana
The fruit of agreement — sustained partnership.
#13Hasta
हस्तVirgo 10° – 23°20' · Moon · deva gana
The hand — skilled craft, manifestation through touch.
#14Chitra
चित्राVirgo 23°20' – Libra 6°40' · Mars · rakshasa gana
The bright one — the architect's eye.
#15Swati
स्वातिLibra 6°40' – 20° · Rahu · deva gana
The independent one — sways with the wind.
#16Vishakha
विशाखाLibra 20° – Scorpio 3°20' · Jupiter · rakshasa gana
Goal-oriented — the triumphal arch.
#17Anuradha
अनुराधाScorpio 3°20' – 16°40' · Saturn · deva gana
The follower — devotion through friendship.
#18Jyeshtha
ज्येष्ठाScorpio 16°40' – 30° · Mercury · rakshasa gana
The eldest — protective authority.
#19Mula
मूलSagittarius 0° – 13°20' · Ketu · rakshasa gana
The root — investigation to the source.
#20Purva Ashadha
पूर्वाषाढाSagittarius 13°20' – 26°40' · Venus · manushya gana
The earlier invincible one — undefeated through purification.
#21Uttara Ashadha
उत्तराषाढाSagittarius 26°40' – Capricorn 10° · Sun · manushya gana
The later invincible one — sustained universal victory.
#22Shravana
श्रवणCapricorn 10° – 23°20' · Moon · deva gana
The listener — wisdom through the ear.
#23Dhanishta
धनिष्ठाCapricorn 23°20' – Aquarius 6°40' · Mars · rakshasa gana
The wealthiest — rhythm-bringer.
#24Shatabhisha
शतभिषाAquarius 6°40' – 20° · Rahu · rakshasa gana
The hundred healers — secrets within the circle.
#25Purva Bhadrapada
पूर्व भाद्रपदAquarius 20° – Pisces 3°20' · Jupiter · manushya gana
The earlier auspicious one — fiery transformation.
#26Uttara Bhadrapada
उत्तर भाद्रपदPisces 3°20' – 16°40' · Saturn · manushya gana
The later auspicious one — depth and stability.
#27Revati
रेवतीPisces 16°40' – 30° · Mercury · deva gana
The wealthy nourisher — the shepherd at the threshold.