Generally, the term ‘Nakshatra’ is believed to mean ‘indestructible.’ They are an important part of India’s Vedic culture. The Vedic system of Astrology (zodiac) has been divided into 28 Nakshatras or lunar constellations. Their use is crucial in the astrological study. These Nakshatras define the distinctiveness of the planets placed in them. You can find the mention of these Nakshatras and their listing in the Vedas, especially Rig Ved, Yajur Ved and Atharva Ved. Below, you can find the entire list of 28 Nakshatras. In ancient times, they were the means of worshipping God. These constellations are based on the movement of the Moon. And therefore, the birth star of a person is calculated based on the moon’s position in any of these stars. Also, these Nakshatras are classified under the three broad heads of Dev (divine), Nar (human), and Rakshas (Demonic).
Ashvini is the first nakshatra (lunar mansion) in Hindu astronomy having a spread from 0°-0′-0″ to 13°-20′, corresponding to the head of Aries, including the stars β and γ Arietis. The name aśvinī is used by Varahamihira (6th century). The older name of the asterism, found in the Atharvaveda (AVS 19.7; in the dual) and in Panini (4.3.36), was aśvayúj, “harnessing horses”.
Bharani (Devanagari: भरणी) is the second nakshatra in Hindu astronomy, corresponding to 35, 39, and 41 Arietis all together. In Jyotiṣa, Bharani is ruled by Shukra (the planet Venus). Also, it is classified as a Cruel or Active nakshatra, meaning that, under electional astrological beliefs, works of a harmful or deceptive nature are best conducted while the moon is Bharani.
The star cluster Kṛttikā Sanskrit: कृत्तिका, pronounced [kɽɪttɪkaː], popularly transliterated Krittika), sometimes known as Kārtikā, corresponds to the open star cluster called Pleiades in western astronomy; it is one of the clusters which makes up the constellation Taurus. In Indian astronomy and Jyotiṣa (Hindu astrology) the name literally translates to “the cutters”. It is also the name of its goddess-personification, who is a daughter of Daksha and Panchajani, and thus a half-sister to Khyati. Spouse of Kṛttikā is Chandra (“moon”). The six Krittikas who raised the Hindu God Kartikeya are Śiva, Sambhūti, Prīti, Sannati, Anasūya and Kṣamā.
Rohini (रोहिणी) is a goddess in Hinduism and the favorite consort of Chandra, the moon god. She is a daughter of Daksha and sister of the 26 other Nakshatras. Of the lunar mansions the asterism Kṛttikā, Revati and Rohini are often described as deified beings and “mothers”.
Sanskrit mṛgaśiraṣa (popularly spelled Mārgaśīrṣa/Mṛgaśira) (Devanagari: मृगशीर्ष)(Tamil: மிருகசீரிடம்) (Sinhalese:Muwasirasa)(Kannada: ಮೃಗಶಿರ) the 5th nakṣatra or lunar mansion as used in Hindu astronomy and astrology is the constellation Orion. Its position is described in the Surya Siddhānta.
Ardra is the name of a nakṣatra in Hindu astrology, the sixth depending on numbering scheme used. The Sanskrit name Ārdrā translates to “green” or “the moist one”. It is associated with the star Betelgeuse (α Ori). The Ardra nakshatra extends from 06 degrees 40 minutes to 20 degrees 00 minutes of Mithun (Gemini).
Punarvasu is a Nakshatra in Hindu astrology, which refers to the two brightest stars in the constellation of Gemini: Castor and Pollux.
Pushya is a nakshatra in Indian astrology. Some texts give its name as Tishya meaning to look. It corresponds to γ, δ and θ Cancri, in the Cancer (constellation). The Hindu god Bharata, brother of Rama was born under this Nakshatra. Also, God Shree Swaminarayan was born under this Nakshatra. It is also mentioned in the story of the Birth of Buddha. Pushya is known as Poosam in Tamil and Pooyam in Malayalam.
Ashlesha (Sanskrit: आश्लेषा or Āśleṣā) (Tibetan: སྐར་མ་སྐག), also known as Ayilyam in Tamil and Malayalam (Tamil: ஆயில்யம், Malayalam: ആയില്യം, Āyilyaṃ), is the 9th of the 27 nakshatras in Hindu astrology. Ashlesha is also known as the Clinging Star or Nāga. It is known as the Hydra. It extends from 16:40 to 30:00 Cancer .
The zodiac of this constellation is Lord Surya and the constellation Swami Ketu.
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Purva Phalguni nakshatra is the 11th of 27 nakshatras according to the Hindu astrological beliefs. It spans through the Simha rashi or the Leo constellation.
Hasta Nakshatra is one of the Nakshatras that has the best of both the worlds. It derives power from the arena of Surya dev and is ruled by the strong Moon.
Chitra nakshatra is the 14th nakshatra out of the total 27 nakshatra. A star is the prime of this nakshatra which forms the shape of a pearl.
Swati (Devanagari स्वाति, Transliteration IAST svāti, also found svātī́) According to some is a feminine noun of unknown derivation or ′su′ + ′ati′ (″Great goer″, in reference to its remoteness) meaning very beneficent. Probably referring to its brightness call ″the real pearl″ in Bhartṛhari’s kāvyas. It was the name of one of the wives of the Moon in Hindu Epics and the Sanskrit name of Arcturus as well as of the nakshatra (lunar mansion) associated with Arcturus in Hindu astrology.
Vishākhā is a nakshatra in Indian astronomy spread in Tula or Libra (The 7th House of Natural Vedic Astrology). In Hindu mythology, Vishākhā is a daughter of king Daksha. She was one of the twenty-seven daughters of Daksha who married the moon-God Chandra. Vishākhā is the sixteenth nakshatra of the Hindu zodiac, ruled by the planet Jupiter Brihaspati or Guru, It is also the birth star of the Hindu goddess Seetha Devi.
(There are 27 Nakshatras or Star Constellations in our Zodiac, that are moving very, very slowly and they appear to be stationery to us, here on earth. These stars were given names by ancient Vedic people (Vedanta Jotisha) in India, thousands of years ago. They were named and classified keeping track of our moon’s transits and trajectory through the 12 signs of the Zodiac.
Jyeshtha (The Elder or Older in Sanskrit) is the 18th nakshatra or lunar mansion in Hindu astronomy and Vedic astrology associated with the string of the constellation Scorpii, and the stars ε, ζ1 Sco, η, θ, ι1 Sco, κ, λ, μ and ν Scorpionis.
Mūla (“root”) (Devanagari मूल/मूळ) (Tamil: மூலம்) is the 19th nakshatra or “lunar mansion” in Jyotish and corresponds to the stars ε, ζ Sgr, η, θ, ι Sgr, κ Sgr, υ, λ, μ and ν Sagittarii. The symbol of Mula is a bunch of roots tied together (reticulated roots) or an ‘elephant goad’ (ankusha) and the Deity associated with it is Niriti, the god of dissolution and destruction. The Lord of Mula is Ketu (south lunar as a node).
The Purvashada Nakshatra ranges from degrees 13:20 – 26:40 in the Sagittarius zodiac sign.
Uttara Ashadha (lit. “latter victory”, “latter unconquered”) is the twenty-first of the 27 Nakshatra (constellations) in Hindu astrology. It is situated on the lower part of Lyra and spans from 26°40″ in Sagittarius to 10°00″ in Capricorn in the sidereal Vedic zodiac.
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Shravana is the 22nd nakshatra (Devanagari नक्षत्र) or lunar mansion as used in Hindu astronomy, Hindu calendar and Hindu astrology. It belongs to the constellation Makara (Devanagari: मकर) or Capricorn.
Dhanishtha (Devanagari: धनिष्ठा), (Tamil: அவிட்டம்), (Malayalam: അവിട്ടം), (Telugu: ధనిష్ఠ) and (Kannada: ಧನಿಷ್ಠಾ) is the twenty-third nakshatra in Hindu astronomy, corresponding to α to δ Delphini. It is also known as Avittam in Malayalam and Tamil. In Jyotiṣa, Dhanishta is ruled by Mangala (the planet Mars). Dhanishta is classified as a movable nakshatra, meaning that, under electional astrological beliefs, it is best to begin activities like travel when the moon is in Dhanishta. This is based on the Panchanga reading only (which is also known as a calendar to track the suitable day for doing or starting anything good).
Shatabhisha, also known as Chathayam or Sadayam (Devanagari: शतभिषा, Tamil: சதயம், Malayalam: ചതയം), or Shatabhishak or Shatataraka is the 24th nakshatra in Hindu astronomy. It corresponds to the star γ Aquarii.[citation needed] Varuna is the deity of this nakshatra.[citation needed] The ruling planet of this nakshatra is Rahu.
Pūrva Bhādrapadā (Devanagari: पूर्वभाद्रपदा) is the twenty-fifth nakshatra in Hindu astrology, corresponding to α and β Pegasi. It is placed under the domain of Bṛhaspati, the deity represented by the planet Jupiter. Practitioners of electional astrology see Pūrva Bhādrapadā as a Cruel sign, meaning that activities related to deception, craftiness or wickedness are best begin while this sign is in prominence.
Uttara Bhādrapadā or Uttṛṭṭāti (Devanagari: उत्तरभाद्रपदा) is the twenty-sixth nakshatra in Hindu astrology, corresponding to γ Pegasi and α Andromedae. It is ruled by Shani, the deity identified with the planet Saturn.
Revathi is the Hindu name for Zeta Piscium, a star on the edge of the Pisces zodiac constellation. In Hindu sidereal astronomy this star is identified as the First Point of Aries, when the Sun crosses this star, a new solar year begins.
Abhijit (Hindi: अभिजित) is the 22nd lunar mansion out of 28 in the Indian system of nakshatra. Abhijit is the Sanskrit name for Vega, the brightest star in the northern constellation of Lyra. Abhijit means “the Victorious One” or “the One who cannot be defeated”. In the Mahabharata (Harivamsa), Krishna was born under this nakshatra.
