27 Nakshatras - Vedic Lunar Mansions
In my 15+ years as a Vedic astrologer, I've come to believe that Nakshatras are the most precise tool we have. While your Sun sign gives you a rough sketch, your birth Nakshatra reveals your soul's blueprint in exquisite detail. Let me guide you through these 27 cosmic doorways.
Find Your Birth Nakshatra
I always tell my clients: knowing your Nakshatra is like having a GPS for your soul. It's more precise than zodiac signs and reveals your personality traits, natural talents, and life path with incredible accuracy.
Calculate My NakshatraWhat are Nakshatras?
Nakshatras (also called Lunar Mansions or Birth Stars) are 27 divisions of the zodiac in Vedic astrology. Each Nakshatra spans 13°20' and is ruled by a specific deity, planet, and carries unique symbolism. In my practice, I've seen how understanding your Nakshatra can unlock insights that Sun signs simply can't provide.
Unlike Western astrology's 12 sun signs, Nakshatras are based on the Moon's position at your birth. Since the Moon changes Nakshatras every ~1 day, your Nakshatra provides much more precise insights into your:
- Core Personality - Your innermost nature
- Life Purpose - Dharma and soul mission
- Career Path - Natural talents and vocations
- Compatibility - Relationship dynamics
All 27 Nakshatras: Soul Map
Ashwini
The Star of Transport
Start things quickly. Don't overthink. Use speed as your weapon. Your energy is designed for sprints, not marathons.
To initiate healing and new beginnings without waiting for permission.
Bharani
The Bearer
Embrace the extreme. Birth new ideas through intense labor. Use your restraint to build pressure, then release it creatively.
To learn when to hold on and when to let go (the cycle of birth and death).
Krittika
The Cutter
Cut the fluff. Use your sharp words to purify, not to wound. Cook, digest, and burn away what is no longer needed.
To use your fire to protect and nourish, rather than to destroy.
Rohini
The Red One
Create beauty. Plant seeds (literal or metaphorical) and watch them grow. Use your charm to manifest abundance.
To overcome jealousy and realize that abundance is infinite, not a zero-sum game.
Mrigashira
Deer Head
Keep moving. Follow the scent of inspiration. Research, explore, and hunt for the truth. Don't settle too soon.
To find the "Soma" (bliss) within yourself so you stop searching for it frantically in the outer world.
Ardra
The Moist One
Let the storm rage. Cry if you need to. Use emotional intensity to break old structures and wash away the debris.
To use your power of destruction to eliminate ignorance and suffering, not to create chaos.
Punarvasu
Return of the Light
Try again. If you fail, reset and reload. Use your resilience to bounce back. Simplicity is your superpower.
To nurture the world like a mother and to teach the lesson that nothing is ever truly lost.
Pushya
The Nourisher
Feed others. Offer advice, food, or support. Stand firm like a tree and let others find shade under your wisdom.
To serve without ego and to provide spiritual and physical nourishment to the community.
Ashlesha
The Clinging Star
Trust your gut. Dive deep into the psychological undercurrents. Use your hypnotic presence to heal or protect.
To master your Kundalini energy and use your insight for healing rather than manipulation.
Magha
The Royal Star
Own your throne. Act with dignity and authority. Honor your ancestors and uphold your traditions.
To lead with humility and to realize that true power comes from serving the lineage, not the ego.
Purva Phalguni
The Fruit of the Tree
Relax and enjoy. Prioritize pleasure and connection. Use your charm to bring people together for celebration.
To balance leisure with purpose and to share your good fortune with others.
Uttara Phalguni
The Star of Patronage
Make a deal. Support a friend. Be the reliable pillar that others can lean on. Honor your contracts.
To help others without expecting applause and to find self-worth independent of how useful you are.
Hasta
The Golden Handed
Use your hands. Write, craft, heal, or fix. Manifest your ideas into physical reality through dexterity.
To overcome the anxiety of "doing" and trust that the divine is guiding your hands.
Chitra
The Brilliant
Design it. Make it beautiful. Use your aesthetic sense to create structures that inspire awe.
To look past the glittering surface and find the spiritual essence within the form.
Swati
The Independent
Scatter your seeds. Network, travel, and trade. Be flexible like a sapling in the wind. Adapt to survive.
To find your own center in the midst of the storm and to use your freedom to help others grow.
Vishakha
The Forked
Focus your fire. Pick a goal and pursue it with obsession. Use your envy as fuel to achieve greatness.
To realize that the only true victory is over your own lower nature, not over others.
Anuradha
The Disciple
Connect deeply. Form alliances based on loyalty. Use your devotion to rise above the mud like a lotus.
To transform your emotional neediness into universal love and friendship.
Jyeshtha
The Eldest
Take charge. Protect your tribe. Use your seniority and experience to guide those who are younger or weaker.
To use power responsibly and to protect the vulnerable rather than dominating them.
Mula
The Root
Dig deep. Uproot the lies. Don't be afraid to destroy what is rotten so you can build on a solid foundation.
To find the root of truth, even if it is painful, and to embrace the necessary destruction of the ego.
Purva Ashadha
The Invincible
Declare victory. Be optimistic. Use your fluid, water-like nature to persist until you win.
To balance your immense confidence with humility and to purify your emotions.
Uttara Ashadha
The Universal
Build for the ages. Take on the heavy responsibility. Unite people for a cause that is bigger than yourself.
To sacrifice personal comfort for the greater good and to be a pillar of society.
Shravana
The Listener
Listen carefully. Absorb wisdom from every sound. Use your knowledge to bridge gaps and connect people.
To discern the truth amidst the noise and to speak only when your words improve the silence.
Dhanishta
The Wealthy
Find your rhythm. March to your own beat. Use your timing to accumulate wealth and fame.
To be "hollow" like a flute so the divine music can play through you, rather than being full of ego.
Shatabhisha
The 100 Healers
Observe from the shadows. Heal yourself first. Use your ability to see the invisible patterns to solve impossible problems.
To break the boundaries of convention and to heal the collective consciousness.
Purva Bhadrapada
The Two Faced
Burn the karma. embrace the fire of transformation. Stand on one leg if you have to. Do the hard work.
To integrate your light and dark sides and to use your intensity for spiritual evolution.
Uttara Bhadrapada
The Deep
Go deep. Meditate. Be the calm ocean that holds the world. Offer stability and wisdom to those in transition.
To control your anger and power, using it only to support the foundation of the universe.
Revati
The Wealthy
Nourish the lost. Guide the travelers. Use your wealth to protect the innocent and the animals.
To guide others safely to the other shore and to realize that true wealth is spiritual liberation.
Understanding Nakshatra Padas
Each Nakshatra is further divided into 4 Padas (quarters), making 108 divisions total (27 × 4 = 108). In my consultations, I always check the Pada because it can completely change the interpretation. Two people born in the same Nakshatra but different Padas can have noticeably different life experiences.
Why Padas Matter
The Pada refines your personality even further. Each Pada corresponds to a specific zodiac sign's Navamsa, adding another layer of cosmic influence to your birth star.
Baby Naming
In Vedic tradition, each Pada suggests specific syllables for baby names. This aligns the child's name with their cosmic blueprint for a harmonious life.
Nakshatra FAQs
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Written by Rajesh Sharma
Senior Vedic Astrology Expert
With over 15 years studying Vedic astrology, I've helped thousands understand their cosmic blueprints. My mission is to bridge ancient wisdom with modern technology.