Glossary · concept
Nakshatra
Also written lunar mansion · moon mansion
A nakshatra is a lunar mansion: one of twenty-seven equal segments the sidereal zodiac is divided into, each 13°20′ wide. They are older than the twelve signs in Indian astronomy — the moon, moving about one nakshatra a day, gave the sky its first map.
Your birth nakshatra is the one the moon occupied when you were born; in Jyotish it describes your emotional nature, instincts and inner self, and it anchors much else — the dasha (planetary-period) system runs from it, and traditional naming, compatibility and muhurta (electional timing) all lean on it.
Each nakshatra has a ruling graha (planet), a presiding deity, and a symbol. You can read all twenty-seven below.
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