27 Nakshatras Explained: Find Your Birth Star
While most people know their zodiac sign, very few know their Nakshatra - and that's a shame, because in Vedic astrology, your Nakshatra reveals far more about your personality, emotional nature, and life path than your Rashi (Moon sign) alone.
The word Nakshatra comes from Sanskrit: naksha (map) + tra(guard). Literally, “the stars that guard.” The 27 Nakshatras divide the 360° zodiac into segments of 13°20' each, creating a lunar calendar that's been used in India for over 5,000 years.
How Your Nakshatra is Determined
Your birth Nakshatra is determined by the position of the Moon at the exact moment of your birth. Since the Moon moves roughly 13° per day, it transits one Nakshatra every day, which is why even people born on the same day can have different Nakshatras depending on their birth time.
Each Nakshatra has a ruling planet, a deity, a symbol, and a set of characteristics. Your Nakshatra also determines your Vimshottari Dasha sequence, the planetary periods that time your life events.
The 27 Nakshatras
1. Ashwini (0°–13°20' Aries)
Ruling planet: Ketu | Symbol: Horse's head | Deity: Ashwini Kumaras (divine physicians)
Quick, healing, pioneering energy. Ashwini natives are natural healers with a restless, adventurous spirit. They start things fast but may struggle with follow-through.
2. Bharani (13°20'–26°40' Aries)
Ruling planet: Venus | Symbol: Yoni (womb) | Deity: Yama (god of death/dharma)
Intense, creative, transformative. Bharani deals with the cycle of creation and destruction. These natives are passionate, sometimes to the point of extremes.
3. Krittika (26°40' Aries–10° Taurus)
Ruling planet: Sun | Symbol: Razor/flame | Deity: Agni (fire god)
Sharp, purifying, determined. Krittika natives cut through illusion with clarity and purpose. Strong willpower but can be critical and harsh.
4. Rohini (10°–23°20' Taurus)
Ruling planet: Moon | Symbol: Ox cart | Deity: Brahma (creator)
Fertile, beautiful, sensual. Rohini is considered the most creative and materially abundant Nakshatra. These natives are charming, artistic, and drawn to luxury.
5. Mrigashira (23°20' Taurus–6°40' Gemini)
Ruling planet: Mars | Symbol: Deer's head | Deity: Soma (Moon god)
Searching, curious, gentle. Mrigashira natives are eternal seekers, always looking for the next experience, the next answer, the next adventure.
6. Ardra (6°40'–20° Gemini)
Ruling planet: Rahu | Symbol: Teardrop | Deity: Rudra (storm god)
Intense emotional transformation. Ardra natives experience deep struggles that lead to profound growth. Intellectual, sometimes destructive before rebuilding.
7. Punarvasu (20° Gemini–3°20' Cancer)
Ruling planet: Jupiter | Symbol: Bow and quiver | Deity: Aditi (mother of gods)
Return of the light. Punarvasu natives bounce back from adversity with optimism. Philosophical, generous, and nurturing with an ability to renew and refresh.
8. Pushya (3°20'–16°40' Cancer)
Ruling planet: Saturn | Symbol: Cow's udder | Deity: Brihaspati (Jupiter/guru)
The most auspicious Nakshatra. Pushya natives are nourishing, responsible, and community-oriented. Excellent for starting ventures and spiritual practices.
9–27: The Remaining Nakshatras
The journey continues through Ashlesha (serpent energy, deep psychology), Magha (royal ancestry, authority), Purva Phalguni (creativity, romance), Uttara Phalguni (service, partnerships), Hasta (skill, craftsmanship), Chitra (beauty, architecture), Swati (independence, flexibility), Vishakha (determination, ambition), Anuradha (devotion, friendship), Jyeshtha (seniority, protection), Mula (roots, destruction of illusion), Purva Ashadha (invincibility, purification), Uttara Ashadha (final victory, leadership), Shravana (listening, learning), Dhanishta (wealth, music), Shatabhisha (healing, mystery), Purva Bhadrapada (intensity, transformation), Uttara Bhadrapada (wisdom, depth), and Revati (completion, transcendence).
Why Your Nakshatra Matters
Your Nakshatra affects several key aspects of Vedic astrology:
Personality: While your Rashi gives you a broad personality framework, your Nakshatra adds specific behavioral tendencies, emotional patterns, and innate talents. Two people with Moon in Cancer but different Nakshatras (Punarvasu vs Pushya vs Ashlesha) will have notably different personalities.
Dasha sequence: Your birth Nakshatra determines which planet's Dasha you start life in and how the 120-year cycle unfolds. This is crucial for timing life events.
Compatibility: In traditional Kundli matching, Nakshatra compatibility is the foundation. The Ashtakoot system assigns points based on how two people's Nakshatras interact across eight categories, from temperament to sexuality to life purpose.
Muhurta (timing): Important events, marriages, business launches, travel, are traditionally timed based on the Moon's Nakshatra on that day. Certain Nakshatras are auspicious for specific activities.
Finding Your Nakshatra
To know your Nakshatra, you need your exact birth time and place, because the Moon moves through one Nakshatra roughly every day, and even a few hours' difference can change your placement.
In Gochar, your Nakshatra is automatically calculated from precise astronomical ephemeris data when you enter your birth details. You can see not just which Nakshatra you belong to, but which Pada (quarter) within it, giving you an even more specific reading.
Your Nakshatra is one of the most personal and revealing elements in your entire Kundli. It's worth knowing.