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Nakshatra (Sanskrit: नक्षत्रम्, romanized: Nakṣatram) is the term for Lunar mansion in Hindu astrology and Buddhist astrology. A nakshatra is one of 27 (sometimes also 28) sectors along the ecliptic. Their names are related to a prominent star or asterisms in or near the respective sectors. In essence (in Western astronomical terms), a nakshatra simply is a constellation. Every nakshatra is divided into four padas (lit. "steps") related to the Char Dham, a set of four pilgrimage sites in India.

The starting point for the nakshatras according to the Vedas is "Krittika" (it has been argued because the Pleiades may have started the year at the time the Vedas were compiled, presumably at the vernal equinox), but, in more recent compilations, the start of the nakshatras list is the point on the ecliptic directly opposite to the star Spica, called Chitrā in Sanskrit. This translates to Ashwinī, a part of the modern constellation of Aries. These compilations, therefore may have been compiled during the centuries when the sun was passing through Aries at the time of the vernal equinox. This version may have been called Meshādi or the "start of Aries".

The first astronomical text that lists them is the Vedanga Jyotisha.

In classical Hindu scriptures (Mahabharata, Harivamsa), the creation of the asterisms is attributed to Daksha. The Nakshatras are personified as daughters of Daksha and as wives of Chandra, the god of the Moon. When Chandra neglected his 26 other wives in favour of Rohini, his father-in-law cursed him with leprosy and proclaimed that the Moon would wax and wane each month. The Nakshatras are also alternatively described as the daughters of Kashyapa.

In the Atharvaveda

In the Atharvaveda (Shaunakiya recension, hymn 19.7) a list of 27 stars or asterisms is given, many of them corresponding to the later nakshatras:

1. Ashwini
2. Bharani
3. Kṛttikā (the Pleiades)
4. Rohinī (Aldebaran)
5. Mrigashīrsha
6. Ārdrā (Betelgeuse)
7. Punarvasu (Castor and Pollux)
8. Pushya
9. Asleshā
10. Maghā (Regulus)
11. Purva Phalguni
12. Uttara Phalguni (Denebola)
13. Hasta
14. Chitrā (Spica)
15. Svāti (Arcturus)
16. Vishākhā
17. Anurādhā
18. Jyeshthā
19. Mūla
20. Purva Ashadha
21. Uttara Ashadha
22. Shravana
23. Dhanishta
24. Satabhishak (Sadachbia)
25. Purva Bhadrapada
26. Uttara Bhadrapada
27. Revati

This 27-day cycle has been taken to mean a particular group of stars. This has to do with the periodicity with which the Moon travels past the specific star fields called nakshatras. Hence, the stars are more like numbers on a clock, through which the hands of time (the moon) pass. This concept is described by J. Mercay (2012) in connection with Surya Siddhanta.

List of Nakshatras

In Hindu astronomy, there was an older tradition of 28 Nakshatras which were used as celestial markers in the heavens. When these were mapped into equal divisions of the ecliptic, a division of 27 portions was adopted since that resulted in a clearer definition of each portion (i.e. segment) subtending 13° 20′ (as opposed to 12° 51+3⁄7′ in the case of 28 segments). In the process, the Nakshatra Abhijit was left out without a portion. However, the Abhijit nakshatra becomes important while deciding on the timing of an auspicious event. The Surya Siddhantha concisely specifies the coordinates of the twenty-seven Nakshatras.

It is noted above that with the older tradition of 28 Nakshatras each equal segment would subtend 12.85 degrees or 12° 51′. But the 28 Nakshatra were chosen at a time when the Vedic month was recognised as having exactly 30 days. In India and China the original 28 lunar mansions were not equal. Weixing Nui provides a list of the extent of the original 28 Nakshatras expressed in Muhurtas (with one Muhurta = 48 minutes of arc). Hindu texts note there were 16 Nakshatras of 30 Muhurtas, 6 of 45 Muhurtas, 5 of 15 Muhurtas and one of 6 Muhurtas.

The 28 mansions of the 360° lunar zodiac total 831 Muhurtas or 27.7 days. This is sometimes described as an inaccurate estimate of our modern sidereal period of 27.3 days, but using the ancient Indian calendar with Vedic months of 30 days and a daily movement of the Moon of 13 degrees, this early designation of a sidereal month of 831 Muhurtas or 27.7 days is very precise. Later some Indian savants dropped the Nakshatra named Abhijit to reduce the number of divisions to 27, but the Chinese retained all of their original 28 lunar mansions. These were grouped into four equal quarters which would have been fundamentally disrupted if it had been decided to reduce the number of divisions to 27.

Irrespective of the reason why ancient early Indian astronomers followed a Vedic calendar of exactly 12 months of 30 days it was this calendar and not a modern calendar of 365 days that they used for the astronomical calculations for the number of days taken for the Moon to complete one sidereal cycle of 360°. This is why initially they named 28 Nakshatras on their lunar zodiac.

The following list of nakshatras gives the corresponding regions of sky, per Basham (1954).

No.	Name	Associated stars	Description	Image
1	Aświni "The Horsemen"	β and γ Arietis	Astrological leader: Ketu (South lunar node) Symbol: Horse's head Deity: Ashvins, the horse-headed twins who are physicians to the gods Indian zodiac: 0° – 13°20′ Aries Tropical zodiac: 26° Aries – 9°20′ Taurus
2	Bharani "The Bearer"	35, 39, and 41 Arietis	Astrological leader: Shukra (Venus) Symbol: Yoni, the female organ of reproduction Deity: Yama, god of death and Dharma Indian zodiac: 13° 20′ – 26°40′ Aries Tropical zodiac: 9° 20′ – 22° 40′ Taurus
3	Kṛttikā "To Cut"	Pleiades	Astrological leader: Surya (Sun) Symbol: Knife or spear Deity: Agni, god of fire Indian zodiac: 26°40′ Aries – 10° Taurus Tropical zodiac: 22° 40′ Taurus – 6° Gemini
4	Rohiṇi "Radiant Maiden"	Aldebaran	Astrological leader: Chandra (Moon) Symbol: Cart or chariot, temple, banyan tree Deity: Prajapati, rigvedic form of Brahma - the Creator Indian zodiac: 10° – 23°20′ Taurus Tropical zodiac: 6° – 19°20′ Gemini
5	Mṛgaśīrā "The Deer's Head"	λ, φ Orionis	Astrological leader: Mangala (Mars) Symbol: Deer's head Deity: Soma, the moon god Indian zodiac: 23° 20′ Taurus – 6° 40′ Gemini Tropical zodiac: 19° 20′ Gemini – 2° 40′ Cancer
6	Ārdrā "The Moist One"	Betelgeuse	Astrological leader: Rahu (North lunar node) Symbol: Teardrop, diamond, a human head Deity: Rudra, rigvedic fierce form of Shiva Indian zodiac: 6° 40′ – 20° Gemini Tropical zodiac: 2° 40′ – 16° Cancer
7	Punarvasu "Return Of The Light"	Castor and Pollux	Astrological leader: Guru (Jupiter) Symbol : Bow and quiver Deity: Aditi, goddess representing the infinity and the mother of Adityas Indian zodiac: 20° Gemini – 3°20′ Cancer Tropical zodiac: 16° – 29°20′ Cancer
8	Puṣya "The Nourisher"	γ, δ and θ Cancri	Astrological leader: Shani (Saturn) Symbol: Cow's udder, lotus, arrow and circle Deity: Bṛhaspati, counsellor of the gods Indian zodiac: 3° 20′ – 16° 40′ Cancer Tropical zodiac: 29° 20′ Cancer – 12° 40′ Leo
9	Āśleṣā "The Embrace"	δ, ε, η, ρ, and σ Hydrae	Astrological leader: Budha (Mercury) Symbol: Serpent Deity: Nagas, divine race of half-human, half-serpent beings that reside in the Patala Indian zodiac: 16° 40′ – 30° Cancer Tropical zodiac: 12° 40′ – 26° Leo
10	Maghā "The Mighty"	Regulus	Astrological leader: Ketu (South lunar node) Symbol: Royal Throne Deity: Pitrs, 'The Fathers', family ancestors Indian zodiac: 0° – 13° 20′ Leo Tropical zodiac: 26° Leo – 9° 20′ Virgo
11	Pūrva Phalgunī "The Former Reddish One"	δ and θ Leonis	Astrological leader: Shukra (Venus) Symbol: Front legs of bed, hammock, fig tree Deity: Bhaga, god of marital bliss and prosperity Indian zodiac: 13° 20′ – 26°40′ Leo Tropical zodiac: 9° 20′ – 22°40′ Virgo
12	Uttara Phalgunī "The Latter Reddish One"	Denebola	Astrological leader: Surya (Sun) Symbol: Four legs of bed, hammock Deity: Aryaman, god of patronage and favours Indian zodiac: 26° 40′ Leo - 10° Virgo Tropical zodiac: 22° 40′ Virgo – 6° Libra
13	Hasta "The Hand"	α, β, γ, δ and ε Corvi	Astrological leader: Chandra (Moon) Symbol: Hand or fist Deity: Savitr, the sun god Indian zodiac: 10° – 23° 20′ Virgo Tropical zodiac: 6° – 19° 20′ Libra
14	Chitrā "The Bright One"	Spica	Astrological leader: Mangala (Mars) Symbol: Bright jewel or pearl Deity: Tvastar/Vishwakarma, artisan god Indian zodiac: 23° 20′ Virgo – 6° 40′ Libra Tropical zodiac: 19° 20′ Libra – 2° 40′ Scorpio
15	Svātī "The Independent One"	Arcturus	Astrological leader: Rahu (North lunar node) Symbol: Shoot of plant, coral Deity: Vayu, the wind god Indian zodiac: 6° 40′ – 20° Libra Tropical zodiac: 2° 40′ – 16° Scorpio
16	Viśākhā "Branching Out"	α, β, γ and ι Librae	Astrological leader: Guru (Jupiter) Symbol: Triumphal arch, potter's wheel Deity: Indra, king of the devas and god of thunder, storms, and lightning, and Agni, god of Fire - representing the duality of water and fire Indian zodiac: 20° Libra – 3° 20′ Scorpio Tropical zodiac: 16° – 29° 20′ Scorpio
17	Anurādhā "Following Radha"	β, δ and π Scorpionis	Astrological leader: Shani (Saturn) Symbol: Triumphal archway, lotus, bamboo Deity: Mitra, one of Adityas of friendship and partnership Indian zodiac: 3° 20′ – 16° 40′ Scorpio Tropical zodiac: 29° 20′ Scorpio – 12° 40′ Sagittarius
18	Jyeṣṭha "The Eldest"	α, σ, and τ Scorpionis	Astrological leader: Budha (Mercury) Symbol: circular amulet, umbrella, earring Deity: Indra, king of the devas Indian zodiac: 16° 40′ – 30° Scorpio Tropical zodiac: 12° 40′ – 26° Sagittarius
19	Mūlā "The Root"	ε, ζ, η, θ, ι, κ, λ, μ and ν Scorpionis	Astrological leader: Ketu (South lunar node) Symbol: Bunch of roots tied together, elephant goad Deity: Nirrti, goddess personifying death, decay, sorrow, as well as the peak of material achievement and the beginning of the spiritual impulse Indian zodiac: 0° – 13° 20′ Sagittarius Tropical zodiac: 26° Sagittarius – 9° 20′ Capricorn
20	Pūrva Āṣāḍhā "The Former Unconquered"	δ and ε Sagittarii	Astrological leader: Shukra (Venus) Symbol: Elephant tusk, fan, winnowing basket Deity: Apah, god of Water Indian zodiac: 13° 20′ – 26° 40′ Sagittarius Tropical zodiac: 9° 20′ – 22° 40′ Capricorn
21	Uttara Āṣāḍhā "The Latter Unconquered"	ζ and σ Sagittarii	Astrological leader: Surya (Sun) Symbol: Elephant tusk, small bed Deity: Visvedevas, the most comprehensive gathering of the gods, a classification in which no deity is stated to be omitted Indian zodiac: 26° 40′ Sagittarius– 10° Capricorn Tropical zodiac: 22° 40′ Capricorn – 6° Aquarius
*	Abhijit "The Invincible"	ζ and σ Lyrae	Astrological leader and Deity: Brahma Indian zodiac: 6° 40′ – 10° 53′ Capricorn Tropical zodiac: 2° 40′ – 6° 53′ Aquarius
22	Śravaṇa "To Hear"	α, β and γ Aquilae	Astrological leader: Chandra (Moon) Symbol: Ear or Three Footprints Deity: Vishnu, preserver of universe Indian zodiac: 10° – 23° 20′ Capricorn Tropical zodiac: 6° – 19° 20′ Aquarius
23	Dhaniṣṭhā "Wealthiest"	α, β, γ and δ Delphini	Astrological leader: Mangala (Mars) Symbol: Drum or flute Deity: Vasus, group of eight deities associated with fire and light signifying earthly abundance Indian zodiac: 23° 20′ Capricorn – 6° 40′ Aquarius Tropical zodiac 19° 20′ Aquarius – 2° 40′ Pisces
24	Śatabhiṣa "A Hundred Physicians"	Sadachbia	Astrological leader: Rahu (North lunar node) Symbol: Empty circle, 1,000 flowers or stars Deity: Varuna, god of celestial waters Indian zodiac: 6° 40′ – 20° Aquarius Tropical zodiac: 2° 40′ – 16° Pisces
25	Pūrva Bhādrapada "The Former Blessed Feet"	α and β Pegasi	Astrological leader: Guru (Jupiter) Symbol: Swords or two front legs of funeral cot, man with two faces Deity: Ajaikapada, one-footed aspect of Shiva Indian zodiac: 20° Aquarius – 3° 20′ Pisces Tropical zodiac: 16° – 29° 20′ Pisces
26	Uttara Bhādrapada "The Latter Blessed Feet"	γ Pegasi and α Andromedae	Astrological leader: Shani (Saturn) Symbol: Twins, back legs of funeral cot, snake in the water Deity: Ahirbudhnya, serpent or dragon of the deep Indian zodiac: 3° 20′ – 16° 40′ Pisces Tropical zodiac: 29° 20′ Pisces – 12° 40′ Aries
27	Revatī "Prosperous"	ζ Piscium	Astrological leader: Budha (Mercury) Symbol: Fish or a pair of fish, drum Deity: Pushan, nourisher, and the psychopomp deity Indian zodiac: 16° 40′ – 30° Pisces Tropical zodiac: 12° 40′ – 26° Aries

Padas (quarters)

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Each of the 27 Nakshatras cover 13° 20’ of the ecliptic each. Each Nakshatra is also divided into quarters or padas of 3° 20’, and the below table lists the appropriate starting sound to name the child. The 27 nakshatras, each with 4 padas, give 108, which is the number of beads in a japa mala, representing all the elements (ansh) of Vishnu:

See also

• Astronomical basis of the Hindu calendar
• List of Natchathara temples
• Navagraha
• Panchangam

Nakshatra is one of the five elements of a Pañcāṅga. The other four elements:

• Tithi
• Nityayoga
• Karana
• Vāra

Notes

1. Abhijit is the 22nd lunar mansion in the Indian system of 28 nakshatras. According to traditional beliefs, it is not necessarily a separate nakshatra per se, but rather a division within the sidereal Capricorn sign, spanning from the fourth pada of Uttara Ashadha to the first pada of Shravana.

1. From Griffith (1895) Hymns of the Atharva Veda:

   1   citrā́ṇi sākáṃ diví rocanā́ni sarīsr̥pā́ṇi bhúvane javā́ni
   turmíśaṃ sumatím ichámāno áhāni gīrbhíḥ saparyāmi nā́kam
   
   2   suhávam agne kŕ̥ttikā róhiṇī cā́stu bhadráṃ mr̥gáśiraḥ śám ārdrā́
   púnarvasū sūnŕ̥tā cā́ru púṣyo bhānúr āśleṣā́ áyanaṃ maghā́ me
   
   3   púṇyaṃ pū́rvā phálgunyau cā́tra hástaś citrā́ śivā́ svātí sukhó me astu
   rā́dhe viśā́khe suhávānurādhā́ jyéṣṭhā sunákṣatram áriṣṭa mū́lam
   
   4   ánnaṃ pū́rvā rāsatāṃ me aṣādhā́ ū́rjaṃ devy úttarā ā́ vahantu
   abhijín me rāsatāṃ púṇyam evá śrávaṇaḥ śráviṣṭhāḥ kurvatāṃ supuṣṭím
   
   5   ā́ me mahác chatábhiṣag várīya ā́ me dvayā́ próṣṭhapadā suśárma
   ā́ revátī cāśvayújau bhágaṃ ma ā́ me rayíṃ bháraṇya ā́ vahantu
    

2. The exact figure should be nearer 27.692308 days but 27.7 is near enough.

References

1. Vaid, Vashisht (2012). The Radiant Words of Love & Wisdom.
2. "Nakshatras and Upanakshatras". vedanet.com. American Institute of Vedic Studies. June 13, 2012. Archived from the original on March 22, 2015.
3. Moor, Edward (1810). The Hindu Pantheon. J. Johnson. p. 291.
4. Coulter, Charles Russell; Turner, Patricia (2021-12-06). Encyclopedia of Ancient Deities. McFarland. p. 437. ISBN 978-0-7864-9179-7.
5. ^ Hymns of the Atharva Veda. Translated by Griffith, R.T.H. 1895.

   Original text via
   

   "Gretil". University of Goettingen. Archived from the original on 2012-02-02.

   from
   

   Orlandi, Chatia, ed. (1991). Gli inni dell Atharvaveda (Saunaka) (trasliteration). Pisa, IT.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link)

   collated with the edition of

   Roth, R.; Whitney, W.D., eds. (1856). Atharva Veda Sanhita. Berlin, DE.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link)
6. Mercay, Jessie (2012). Fundamentals of Mamuni Mayans Vaastu Shastras: Building architecture of Sthapatya Veda and traditional Indian architecture. AUM Science and Technology publishers.
7. ^ Burgess, Ebenezer (1858). Translation of the Surya Siddhantha, a Textbook of Hindu Astronomy. The American Oriental Society.
8. Weixing, Nui; Xiaoyuan, Jiang. Astronomy in the Sutras translated into Chinese.
9. Jones, H. (September 2018). "The Origin of the 28 Naksatras in Early Indian Astronomy and Astrology". Indian Journal of History of Science. 53 (3): 317–324. Bibcode:2018InJHS..53..317J. doi:10.16943/ijhs/2018/v53i3/49463.
10. Basham, Arthur Llewellyn (1954). "Appendix II: Astronomy". The Wonder that was India. Calcutta, IN: Rupa. p. 490.

External links

• Ahargana - The Astronomy of the Hindu Calendar: Nakshatra Explains Nakshatras by means of astronomical simulations created using Stellarium.

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