Nakshatra Explained

The 27 Nakshatras

Western astrology divides the sky into 12 sun signs. Vedic astrology goes finer: 27 Nakshatras — lunar mansions of 13°20′ each — based on where the Moon sat when you were born. This is why two people with the same sun sign can be completely different.

Why the Moon, not the Sun?

The Sun stays in one sign for a month, but the Moon crosses a whole Nakshatra in about a day. That makes your Nakshatra far more specific to you — your temperament, instincts, and emotional wiring — and it's the anchor for your entire dasha timeline (see our Mahadasha guide).

All 27, in order

1Ashwini
2Bharani
3Krittika
4Rohini
5Mrigashira
6Ardra
7Punarvasu
8Pushya
9Ashlesha
10Magha
11Purva Phalguni
12Uttara Phalguni
13Hasta
14Chitra
15Swati
16Vishakha
17Anuradha
18Jyeshtha
19Mula
20Purva Ashadha
21Uttara Ashadha
22Shravana
23Dhanishta
24Shatabhisha
25Purva Bhadrapada
26Uttara Bhadrapada
27Revati

Padas — the fine print

Each Nakshatra divides into four padas (quarters) of 3°20′. Your pada refines the reading further — two people born under the same Nakshatra but different padas express its energy differently. Your RashiBot Kundli shows both your Nakshatra and its exact pada.

💡 Each Nakshatra also has a ruling planet — and that ruler decides which Mahadasha your life starts in. Your Nakshatra is literally the first domino of your entire planetary timeline.