Nakshatras (Lunar Mansions)

An introduction to the 27 lunar mansions of Vedic astrology, a system that provides a deeper layer of insight into personality and timing.

What are Nakshatras?

While the familiar zodiac is divided into 12 signs (Rāśis), Vedic astrology further divides it into 27 Nakshatras, or "lunar mansions." Each Nakshatra spans 13 degrees and 20 minutes of the zodiac. Since the Moon travels this distance in approximately one day, the Nakshatra where the Moon is placed at the time of birth provides a highly specific and nuanced description of a person's or entity's mental and emotional makeup.

Why the Moon's Nakshatra is Critical

The Moon's Nakshatra is considered the single most important astrological factor for understanding personality in Jyotish. It reveals the subconscious patterns, core motivations, and the "flavor" of an individual's mind. It is also the foundation for calculating the all-important Dasha systems (planetary periods), which determine the timing of life events.

Nakshatra Lords

Each of the 27 Nakshatras is ruled by one of the nine planets in a specific, repeating sequence (Ketu, Venus, Sun, Moon, Mars, Rahu, Jupiter, Saturn, Mercury). This rulership is crucial for two main reasons:

1. It determines the starting point of the Vimshottari Dasha cycle.
2. It imbues the Nakshatra with the qualities of its ruling planet, adding another layer to its interpretation.

How this is used in our app:

The app uses an entity's birth Nakshatra (the Moon's Nakshatra at its inception) as the primary input for calculating its Vimshottari and Yogini Dasha systems. This ensures that the long-term planetary period forecasts shown in the Dasha Card are accurate and personalized to that entity's unique astrological signature.

The 27 Nakshatras

Below is a brief summary of each Nakshatra's core meaning.