Amrutkaal The 27 Nakshatras: Names, Characteristics & Ruling Planets
A nakshatra (नक्षत्र) — literally a lunar mansion — is one of twenty-seven equal divisions of the zodiac, each spanning exactly 13°20' (13 degrees 20 minutes) of arc. Together the 27 nakshatras tile the full 360° circle, and because the Moon completes its sidereal orbit in roughly 27.3 days, it traverses approximately one nakshatra each day. For this reason the nakshatras are often called the Moon's daily resting places or mansions. In the Vedic tradition the nakshatra occupied by the Moon at birth — the janma nakshatra (जन्म नक्षत्र) — is held to be as significant as the rashi (राशि), shaping temperament, naming conventions, muhurta selection and compatibility analysis. Each nakshatra carries a presiding deity, a ruling planet that governs its segment of the Vimshottari dasha cycle, a symbol and a gana (गण) classification. While the twelve rashis describe the broad zodiacal sign, the nakshatras offer a finer, more granular reading of the same sky — a 27-fold lens layered over the 12-fold one. This explainer lists all twenty-seven nakshatras in order from Ashwini to Revati, each with its ruling planet and a characteristic trait, then explains padas and the sensitive gandanta junctions.
All 27 Nakshatras with Ruling Planet and Trait
The cycle begins at 0° Aries and proceeds in fixed order. The first nine: Ashwini (अश्विनी), ruled by Ketu — swift, healing and pioneering. Bharani (भरणी), ruled by Venus — bearing, restraint and creative endurance. Krittika (कृत्तिका), ruled by the Sun — sharp, purifying, cutting through illusion. Rohini (रोहिणी), ruled by the Moon — fertile, sensual and growth-loving. Mrigashira (मृगशिरा), ruled by Mars — searching, curious and restless. Ardra (आर्द्रा), ruled by Rahu — stormy, transformative and intense. Punarvasu (पुनर्वसु), ruled by Jupiter — renewing, hopeful and expansive. Pushya (पुष्य), ruled by Saturn — nourishing, dutiful and the most auspicious. Ashlesha (आश्लेषा), ruled by Mercury — penetrating, hypnotic and serpentine.
The middle nine repeat the same planetary order (Ketu through Mercury): Magha (मघा), ruled by Ketu — regal, ancestral and proud. Purva Phalguni (पूर्व फाल्गुनी), ruled by Venus — pleasure-loving, relaxed and generous. Uttara Phalguni (उत्तर फाल्गुनी), ruled by the Sun — steady, helpful and committed. Hasta (हस्त), ruled by the Moon — skilful, dexterous and resourceful. Chitra (चित्रा), ruled by Mars — brilliant, artistic and charismatic. Swati (स्वाति), ruled by Rahu — independent, flexible and self-going. Vishakha (विशाखा), ruled by Jupiter — goal-driven, ambitious and determined. Anuradha (अनुराधा), ruled by Saturn — devoted, friendly and disciplined. Jyeshtha (ज्येष्ठा), ruled by Mercury — senior, protective and sharp-minded.
The final nine again follow Ketu through Mercury: Mula (मूल), ruled by Ketu — root-seeking, investigative and uprooting. Purva Ashadha (पूर्वाषाढा), ruled by Venus — invincible, persuasive and proud. Uttara Ashadha (उत्तराषाढा), ruled by the Sun — principled, persevering and victorious. Shravana (श्रवण), ruled by the Moon — listening, learned and connecting. Dhanishta (धनिष्ठा), ruled by Mars — musical, wealthy and rhythmic. Shatabhisha (शतभिषा), ruled by Rahu — healing, secretive and reclusive. Purva Bhadrapada (पूर्व भाद्रपदा), ruled by Jupiter — fiery, idealistic and intense. Uttara Bhadrapada (उत्तर भाद्रपदा), ruled by Saturn — deep, patient and compassionate. Revati (रेवती), ruled by Mercury — nurturing, transcendent and protective — the journey's gentle completion at 30° Pisces.
Padas: The 108 Quarters
Each nakshatra is further divided into four equal quarters called padas (पाद), each measuring 3°20'. With 27 nakshatras of four padas apiece, the zodiac contains 108 padas in total — the same sacred number found in the japa mala and across Vedic cosmology. Each pada corresponds to one navamsha (नवांश) division and is associated with a sign of the zodiac, refining the reading of the Moon or any planet far beyond the nakshatra alone.
A pada determines, among other things, the traditional first syllable used to choose a child's birth name, so that the name resonates with the natal Moon. It also sharpens dasha and transit interpretation: two people born under the same nakshatra but in different padas can express its qualities quite differently. Because each pada maps onto a navamsha sign, the pada is essential for assessing a planet's deeper strength in the divisional charts.
Gandanta: The Sensitive Junctions
Gandanta (गण्डान्त) — literally the "knot" or "end of the body" — marks the most sensitive junctions of the zodiac, where a water sign meets the following fire sign. These fall at the boundaries between Revati and Ashwini (Pisces–Aries), Ashlesha and Magha (Cancer–Leo), and Jyeshtha and Mula (Scorpio–Sagittarius). The final pada of the water-sign nakshatra and the first pada of the fire-sign nakshatra are considered especially delicate transition points in traditional analysis.
Of these, the Ashlesha–Magha and Jyeshtha–Mula junctions involve the so-called moola or jyeshtha gandanta, regarded in classical texts as karmically charged. Mula, ruled by the goddess Nirriti, and Jyeshtha and Ashlesha — all ending or beginning a knot — are traditionally treated with care in muhurta and remedial practice. A child born with the Moon at a gandanta point is, by custom, given specific protective observances. These are matters of tradition and ritual convention rather than verifiable claims.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why are there exactly 27 nakshatras?
Because the Moon takes about 27.3 days to complete one sidereal circuit of the zodiac, the ecliptic is divided into 27 equal segments of 13°20' each — one for roughly each day of the lunar cycle. Some traditions add a 28th, Abhijit, but standard Vedic astrology uses 27.
How do nakshatras differ from the 12 rashis?
Both divide the same 360° zodiac, but a rashi (sign) spans 30° while a nakshatra spans 13°20'. The 27 nakshatras give a finer reading of the Moon's position and temperament, layered over the broader 12-sign framework.
How do I find my birth nakshatra?
Your janma nakshatra is the nakshatra the Moon occupied at your exact birth time and place. Enter your birth details into a nakshatra or rashi calculator, which computes the sidereal Moon longitude and maps it to one of the 27 nakshatras and its pada.