What are Nakshatras?

Nakshatras are the asterism or constellation through which the moon passes. Some call this “the lunar mansion”.
According to ancient myths, the Moon had married all the 27 daughters of King Dakshan, so that’s why there are 27 Nakshatras in the sky. But the Moon loved to spend time with only one of his wives – Rohini Nakshatra and that’s why it is the exaltation point for the Moon.
The other wives complained to their father (King Dakshan) and because the Moon refused to stop doing this, finally King Dakshan got angry and cursed the Moon, causing it to wane in size.
But because this wasn’t good, all the Devas intervened and requested King Dakshan to withdraw the curse. And so after the Moon assured the King that he would visit all his wives, King Dakshan allowed the Moon to regain his strength for half a month.
So that’s why the Moon transits all 27 Nakshatras in a month and why there is Amavasya (inauspicious no moon day) and Poornima (auspicious full moon day).
The Rashi (Moon Sign) explains where the moon resides in your chart (i.e., which “Rashi” or “Sign” it resides in).
Rashi Lord explains which planet is Lord of that moon sign (meaning it has an influence over it).
Within this sign resides the Birth Nakshatra or birth star you were born under. There are 27:

Ashvini Nakshatra

Ashvini – “wife of the Ashvins”:
– Lord: Ketu
– Symbol: Horse’s head
– Deity: Ashvins, the horse-headed twins who are physicians to the gods
– Description: Good-looking, well-mannered, intelligent, skilled at your work.

Bharani Nakshatra

Bharani – “the bearer”
– Lord: Shukra (Venus)
– Symbol: Yoni, the female organ of reproduction
– Deity: Yama, God of death or Dharma
– Description: Successful in your work, efficient, truthful, healthy, happy.

Krittika Nakshatra

Krittika – an old name of the Pleiades; personified as the nurses of Kārttikeya, a son of Shiva:
– Lord: Surya (Sun)
– Symbol: Knife or spear
– Deity : Agni, god of fire
– Description: Heroic, full of initiatives, sharp, protecting.

Rohini Nakshatra

Rohini – “the red one”, a name of Aldebaran. Also known as brāhmī:
– Lord: Chandra (Moon)
– Symbol: Cart or chariot, temple, banyan tree
– Deity : Brahma or Prajapati, the Creator
– Description: Great beauty, wealth, artistic.

Mrigashira Nakshatra

Mrigashīrsha – “the deer’s head”. Also known as āgrahāyaṇī:
– Lord: Mangala (Mars)
– Symbol: Deer’s head
– Deity: Soma, Chandra, the Moon god
– Description: Friendly, creative, a little fickle at times, growth of material comforts, Ojas, reproductive power.

Ardra Nakshatra

Ardra – “the storm god”:
– Lord: Rahu (North lunar node)
– Symbol: Teardrop, diamond, a human head
– Deity : Rudra, the storm god
– Description: Soft, stable, strong, willing to sacrifice a lot, a little prone to sickness, fear and anger.

Punarvasu Nakshatra

Punarvasu (dual) – “the two restorers of goods”, also known as yamakau “the two chariots” Castor and Pollux:
– Lord: Guru (Jupiter)
– Symbol : Bow and quiver
– Deity : Aditi, mother of the gods
– Description: Intellectual and spiritual wisdom, worldly prosperity, soft-spoken, amiable, patient.

Pushya Nakshatra

Pushya – “the nourisher”, also known as sidhya or tiṣya:
– Lord: Shani (Saturn)
– Symbol : Cow’s udder, lotus, arrow and circle
– Deity : Bṛhaspati, priest of the gods
– Description: Happy, respected, stable-minded, good-looking.

Ashlesha Nakshatra

Āshleshā – “the embrace”:
– Lord: Budh (Mercury)
– Symbol: Serpent
– Deity : Sarpas or Nagas, deified snakes
– Description: Courageous, sometimes angry or a little cruel, a traveller.

Magha Nakshatra

Maghā – “the bountiful”:
– Lord: Ketu (south lunar node)
– Symbol : Royal Throne
– Deity : Pitris, ‘The Fathers’, family ancestors
– Description: Worship God and ancestors, do important work.

Purva Phalguni Nakshatra

Pūrva Phalgunī – “first reddish one”:
– Lord: Shukra (Venus)
– Symbol : Front legs of bed, hammock, fig tree
– Deity: Aryaman – God of contracts and union, Sun as friend
– Description: Attractive, generous, happy, well-mannered, lucky in relationships.

Uttara Phalguni Nakshatra

Uttara Phalgunī – “second reddish one”:
– Lord: Surya (Sun)
– Symbol: Four legs of bed, hammock
– Deity: Bhaga – the Sun as bliss
– Description: Friendly, high-minded, amiable, successful, lover of luxury.

Hasta Nakshatra

Hasta – “the hand”:
– Lord: Chandra (Moon)
– Symbol: Hand or fist
– Deity : Saviti or Surya, the Sun god
– Description: Pure in your thoughts, words and deeds, self-controlled, active, resourceful.

Chitra Nakshatra

Chitra – “the bright one”, a name of Spica:
– Lord: Mangala (Mars)
– Symbol: Bright jewel or pearl
– Deity : Tvastar or Vishvakarman, the celestial architect
– Description: Good health, look younger, have stamina, muscular.

Swati Nakshatra

Swāti – Su-Ati (sanskrit) “Very good”:
– Lord: Rahu (north lunar node)
– Symbol: Shoot of plant, coral
– Deity : Vayu, the Wind god
– Description: Soft spoken, compassionate, charitable, able to control your passions, skilled in trade.

Vishkha Nakshatra

Vishakha – “forked, having branches”; also known as rādhā “the gift”:
– Lord: Guru (Jupiter)
– Symbol : Triumphal arch, potter’s wheel
– Deity : Indra, chief of the gods; Agni, god of Fire
– Description: Energetic, strong, powerful, good at making money.

Anuradha Nakshatra

Anuradha – “following rādhā”:
– Lord: Shani (Saturn)
– Symbol : Triumphal archway, lotus
– Deity : Mitra, one of Adityas of friendship and partnership
– Description: Beautiful face, bright eyes, tender, soft.

Jyeshtha Nakshatra

Jyeshtha – “the eldest, most excellent”:
– Lord: Budh (Mercury)
– Symbol : circular amulet, umbrella, earring
– Deity : Indra, chief of the gods
– Description: Analytical, cheerful, virtuous.

MulaNakshatra

Mula / Moola – “the root”:
– Lord: Ketu (south lunar node)
– Symbol : Bunch of roots tied together, elephant goad
– Deity : Nirrti, goddess of dissolution and destruction
– Description: Philosophical, curious, you like exploring the depths of any subject, wealthy, happy, not inclined to hurt others, opinionated.

Purva Asadha Nakshatra

Purva Ashadha – “first of the āṣāḍhā”, āṣāḍhā “the invincible one” being the name of a constellation:
– Lord: Shukra (Venus)
– Symbol: Elephant tusk, fan, winnowing basket
– Deity : Apah, god of Water
– Description: Proud, attached to friends, compatible with spouse.

Uttara Ashada Nakshatra

Uttara Ashadha – “second of the āṣāḍhā”:
– Lord: Surya (Sun)
– Symbol : Elephant tusk, small bed
– Deity : Visvedevas, universal gods
– Description: Seeker of spiritual wisdom; deeply involved in your work, obey elders, virtuous, grateful.

Shravana Nakshatra

Shravana – “listening”:
– Lord: Chandra (Moon)
– Symbol : Ear or Three Footprints
– Deity : Vishnu, preserver of universe
– Description: Wealthy, learned, fame, liberal-minded spouse.

Dhanista Nakshatra

Dhanishta – “most famous”, also Shravishthā “swiftest”:
– Lord: Mangala (Mars)
– Symbol : Drum or flute
– Deity : Eight vasus, deities of earthly abundance
– Description: Courageous, wealthy and a lover of music.

Satabhisha Nakshatra

Shatabhisha – “requiring a hundred physicians”:
– Lord: Rahu (north lunar node)
– Symbol : Empty circle, 1,000 flowers or stars
– Deity : Varuna, god of cosmic waters, sky and earth
– Description: Self-sufficient, harsh but truthful, your work may seem unnecessary to some.

Purva Bhadrapada Nakshatra

Purva Bhadrapada / Poorvabhadrapada – “the first of the blessed feet”:
– Lord: Guru (Jupiter)
– Symbol : Swords or two front legs of funeral cot, man with two faces
– Deity : Ajikapada, an ancient fire dragon
– Description: Intelligent scholar, and skilled at making money.

Uttara Bhadrapada Nakshatra

Uttara Bhādrapadā – “the second of the blessed feet”:
– Lord: Shani (Saturn)
– Symbol : Twins, back legs of funeral cot, snake in the water
– Deity : Ahir Budhyana, serpent or dragon of the deep
– Description: Happy, a good orator, lover of your children and grandchildren, truthful and chaste.

Revati Nakshatra

Revati – “prosperous”:
– Lord: Budh (Mercury)
– Symbol : Fish or a pair of fish, drum
– Deity : Pushan, nourisher, the protective deity
– Description: Well-mannered, deep knowledge, wealthy, you don’t covet the property of others.

28th is Abhijit – “victorious”.
– Lord: Brahma (creator)
– Description: Lucky, beautiful, honest, spiritual, highly esteemed in society.

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Why Nakshatra Matching for Marriage is important 

Nakshatra refers to the star or constellation. There are 27 constellations in the sky that form the zodiac. Here are the names of 27 Nakshatras.

Each Nakshatra divides the 360⁰ zodiac into 13⁰ 20’ section. The Moon remains in each Nakshatra for approximately one day. On the basis of the transition of the Moon, the 27 Nakshatras are determined.

It is believed that each Nakshatra shows you the direction of the energy of nature’s flow. It helps in prediction of the future and capabilities of the people born in a specific Nakshatra. The 27 Nakshatras also help in determining the Shubh Muhurat of the day and the best time for performing marriage and other auspicious rituals.