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नक्षत्र — The Stars That Do Not Perish
The 27 lunar mansions of Vedic astronomy — one of the world's oldest continuous astronomical traditions
| # | Name | Sanskrit | Star (Western) | Deity | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ashwini | अश्विनी | β Arietis (Sheratan) | Ashwins (divine physicians) | She who possesses horses — swift, healing energy |
| 2 | Bharani | भरणी | 41 Arietis | Yama (god of death/dharma) | She who bears — carrying and sustaining |
| 3 | Krittika | कृत्तिका | Pleiades (η Tauri) | Agni (fire god) | The cutters — the six sisters who nurture and cut |
| 4 | Rohini | रोहिणी | Aldebaran (α Tauri) | Brahma / Prajapati | The red one — the most beloved nakshatra, the moon's favourite |
| 5 | Mrigashira | मृगशिरा | λ Orionis | Soma (moon god) | Deer's head — gentle, searching, creative |
| 6 | Ardra | आर्द्रा | Betelgeuse (α Orionis) | Rudra (storm, destruction) | The moist one — fresh after rain, intense transformation |
| 7 | Punarvasu | पुनर्वसु | Pollux & Castor (Gemini) | Aditi (mother of gods) | Return of the good — restoration, renewal, abundance |
| 8 | Pushya | पुष्य | δ Cancri | Brihaspati (Jupiter) | Nourishing — the most auspicious nakshatra for beginnings |
| 9 | Ashlesha | आश्लेषा | ε Hydrae | Nagas (serpent deities) | The entwiner — serpentine wisdom, kundalini energy |
| 10 | Magha | मघा | Regulus (α Leonis) | Pitrs (ancestors) | The great one — royal, ancestral power |
| 11 | Purva Phalguni | पूर्व फाल्गुनी | δ Leonis | Bhaga (lord of good fortune) | Former reddish one — creativity, love, relaxation |
| 12 | Uttara Phalguni | उत्तर फाल्गुनी | β Leonis (Denebola) | Aryaman (contracts, marriage) | Latter reddish one — relationships, commitment, prosperity |
| 13 | Hasta | हस्त | Corvus constellation | Savitar (sun god) | The hand — skill, craftsmanship, dexterity |
| 14 | Chitra | चित्रा | Spica (α Virginis) | Tvashtr/Vishwakarma (divine architect) | Bright jewel — the brilliant one, beauty and creativity |
| 15 | Swati | स्वाति | Arcturus (α Bootis) | Vayu (wind god) | Independent — self-going, freedom and independence |
| 16 | Vishakha | विशाखा | α & β Librae | Indra & Agni | Forked, branched — the two-branched one; determination |
| 17 | Anuradha | अनुराधा | δ Scorpii | Mitra (the friend) | Following Radha — devotion, friendship, following the beloved |
| 18 | Jyeshtha | ज्येष्ठा | Antares (α Scorpii) | Indra | The eldest, most senior — authority, seniority, protective power |
| 19 | Mula | मूल | ε Scorpii (tail of Scorpius) | Nirriti (dissolution) | Root — going to the root of things; investigation, dissolution |
| 20 | Purva Ashadha | पूर्व आषाढ़ा | δ Sagittarii | Apas (water deities) | Former invincible one — purification, enthusiasm |
| 21 | Uttara Ashadha | उत्तर आषाढ़ा | σ Sagittarii | Vishvadevas (universal gods) | Latter invincible one — lasting victory, leadership |
| 22 | Shravana | श्रवण | Altair (α Aquilae) | Vishnu | Hearing — the nakshatra of listening, learning, Vishnu's star |
| 23 | Dhanishtha | धनिष्ठा | β Delphini | Eight Vasus | Wealthiest — musical, abundant, connected to rhythm |
| 24 | Shatabhisha | शतभिषा | λ Aquarii | Varuna (cosmic law) | Hundred physicians / stars — healing, mysticism, hidden knowledge |
| 25 | Purva Bhadrapada | पूर्व भाद्रपदा | α Pegasi (Markab) | Aja Ekapad (one-footed serpent) | Former auspicious feet — transformative, intensely focused |
| 26 | Uttara Bhadrapada | उत्तर भाद्रपदा | γ Pegasi | Ahir Budhnya (serpent of the deep) | Latter auspicious feet — deep wisdom, spiritual endurance |
| 27 | Revati | रेवती | ζ Piscium | Pushan (nourisher, guide) | Wealthy, prosperous — the last nakshatra; journeys, endings, completion |
What is a Nakshatra?
A nakshatra (नक्षत्र) is a lunar mansion — one of the 27 (or 28) sectors of the sky through which the moon travels during its monthly orbit. The word comes from na (not) + ksha (perish) + tra (protector) — "that which does not perish," i.e. a star. The moon spends approximately one day in each nakshatra. Vedic astronomy used nakshatras as the primary framework for tracking time — the moon's position in a nakshatra determines the quality and energy of that day.
How old is the Nakshatra system?
The Vedanga Jyotisha (one of the six limbs of the Vedas) dates to approximately 1400-1200 BCE and contains a complete nakshatra system. The Rigveda itself contains nakshatra references. Some researchers, using the astronomical positions described in the Vedic texts, have proposed dates as early as 3000 BCE for the observation framework. This makes the Vedic nakshatra system one of the oldest continuous astronomical traditions in the world — predating Greek, Babylonian, and Chinese zodiac systems in their current form.
What is the difference between a Nakshatra and a Rashi?
A rashi (राशि — zodiac sign) is one of 12 equal divisions of the ecliptic (30° each), based on the solar year. A nakshatra is one of 27 divisions based on the lunar month (13°20' each). The rashi system came to India largely via contact with Babylonian/Greek astronomy (1st century CE onward). The nakshatra system is indigenous to India and considerably older. Vedic astrology (Jyotisha) uses both — the rashi for the sun's position, and the nakshatra for the moon's, the ascendant, and detailed timing.
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