Introduction

Nakshatra, also known as Birth Star, are a celestial body’s position in an individual’s birth chart. While they are often used synonymously with Rashi, they are not exactly the same. Rashi refers to the position of moon and its natural aspects while Nakshatra refers to star which is associated with the moon. For example:

Leo Moon Rasi – Moon is placed in Leo sign.

Magha Nakshatra – if Moon is 0″ 00′ – 13″ 20′ Leo sign

Nakshatras are more important because they determine your nature and make up your life’s purpose. They not only provide you with guidance but also affect your career choice, marriage compatibility and love life in general.

Nakshtra is a guiding factor for:

• Selecting your Career Domain
• Identifying your personality type
• Finding compatible partner

In Vedic Astrology, there are three main components –

1. Navagraha – 09 Planets,

2. Rasi/ Zodiac Sign- 12 and,

3. Nakshatra/Birth Star- 27.

Description

A layman identifies himself with a moon Rashi, which is correct.

Since there are only 12 Rashi’s, whereas there is 27 Nakshtra, and each Nakshtra has 4 pada/Charan/legs – identifying oneself with a Nakshtra seems to be more appropriate.

When a Nakshatra is mentioned, it means the position of moon in your Natal birth chart – Lunar Nakshatra.

Solar nakshatras are associated with the Sun’s position in your Natal Birth Chart.

The positioning of Ascendent/ Lagna in the specific nakshatras determines the physical body shape of an individual.

There are 12 zodiac sign which is 360 degrees in totality and each sign/house measures 30 degrees.

Nakshatra is more specific—it’s a specific star in the sky that represents a certain quality within each of us. It also represents a direction within which we can grow as individuals.  It helps to categorize a person in a more specific grouping via referring to few of the following points:

1. Moon Rasi – For example if Moon is 0″ 00′ – 13″ 20′ Leo; Moon Sign is Leo and Nakshatra is Magha
2. Symbol – The symbol of Magha is “The Palanquin”
3. Ruling Planet-The ruling planet is Ketu
4. Gana- The nature of a person can be Rakshas or Demonic /Manushya or Human/ Devta or God like.
5. Motivation – The motivation can be Artha or Money / Kama or Sensual / Moksha or Liberation
6. Yoni /Animal Symbol- Helps in identifying compatibility between 2 individuals
7. Direction: Gives a fair idea which direction is most suitable.
8. Birth name letter /Sounds – Based on Nakshtra, Naam Karan is done of a child with a particular alphabet, for example people born in SWATI Nakshtra are named with a letter beginning with – Ru Ray Raa Tha
9. Lifestyle quality – Can be one or two of the following: Tamasic(Demonic) / Sattwik (Saint like) / Rajashi (King Like).
10.  Isht Devta/ Deity – for example Indra, Agni are Istha Devta of Visakha Nakshtra.

List of 27 nakshatra with name of deity and ruling planet