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Nakshatra Calculator — Find Your Birth Star

Enter your birth details above to discover your Janma Nakshatra (birth star), its quarter (Pada), ruling planet, ruling deity, symbol, quality, and Gana, and receive a personalized AI analysis.

Nakshatra Calculator — Find Your Vedic Birth Star

While your Sun Sign reveals your ego and your Moon Sign indicates your general emotional framework, your **Nakshatra** (Vedic birth star) reveals who you truly are at the deepest soul level. The 27 Nakshatras form the oldest and most refined astrological system in the world, predating the 12 zodiac signs by thousands of years. Each Nakshatra carries the energy of a specific deity, a ruling planet, and a unique cosmic power (Shakti). Finding your birth star and pada is the deepest layer of self-knowledge Vedic astrology offers.

What is a Nakshatra?

A Nakshatra is a lunar mansion. The word translates roughly to "that which does not decay." While the Sun takes a full year to travel through the 12 signs of the zodiac, the Moon travels through all 27 Nakshatras in a single month, spending approximately 24 hours in each.

Each Nakshatra spans exactly 13 degrees and 20 minutes of the zodiac. Every Nakshatra is further divided into 4 quarters, known as **Padas**, of 3 degrees and 20 minutes each. This results in a total of 108 Padas across the entire zodiac. The number 108 is a sacred number in Hinduism, representing the cosmic dance of the Moon through the sky. Your specific birth Nakshatra is the one the Moon occupied at the exact moment of your birth.

The 27 Nakshatras — Complete Guide

Here is a guide to all twenty-seven lunar mansions, including their ruling planet, presiding deity, and key qualities:

1. Ashwini

Ketu

Deity: Ashwini Kumaras · Symbol: Horse head

Swift, healing, and pioneering. Initiators and healers of the zodiac.

2. Bharani

Venus

Deity: Yama · Symbol: Yoni

Intense, creative, and carries karmic burdens. Deeply passionate and transformative.

3. Krittika

Sun

Deity: Agni · Symbol: Flame/Razor

Sharp, purifying, and ambitious. Can cut through obstacles with courage.

4. Rohini

Moon

Deity: Brahma · Symbol: Chariot/Temple

Beautiful, sensual, and creative. The most fertile and growth-oriented nakshatra.

5. Mrigashira

Mars

Deity: Soma · Symbol: Deer head

Curious, searching, and gentle. Always seeking knowledge and new experiences.

6. Ardra

Rahu

Deity: Rudra · Symbol: Teardrop

Transformative, stormy, and intellectually sharp. Destruction followed by renewal.

7. Punarvasu

Jupiter

Deity: Aditi · Symbol: Quiver of arrows

Optimistic, nurturing, and focused on returning to goodness. Home-loving.

8. Pushya

Saturn

Deity: Brihaspati · Symbol: Flower/Cow's udder

Nourishing, devoted, and spiritual. Considered the most auspicious star for daily activity.

9. Ashlesha

Mercury

Deity: Nagas · Symbol: Coiled serpent

Penetrating, hypnotic, and mysterious. Deeply intuitive but can be possessive.

10. Magha

Ketu

Deity: Pitras · Symbol: Throne/Palanquin

Royal, ancestral power, and leadership. Strongly connected to lineage and past lives.

11. Purva Phalguni

Venus

Deity: Bhaga · Symbol: Hammock/Bed legs

Pleasurable, creative, and romantic. Enjoys relaxation, luxury, and comfort.

12. Uttara Phalguni

Sun

Deity: Aryaman · Symbol: Bed/Cot

Friendly, helpful, and patronizing. Highly focused on relationships and marriage.

13. Hasta

Moon

Deity: Savitar · Symbol: Hand/Fist

Skillful, crafty, humorous, and hardworking. Natural healers and artisans.

14. Chitra

Mars

Deity: Vishwakarma · Symbol: Pearl/Bright jewel

Beautiful, artistic, and the architect of form. Lovers of aesthetics and structure.

15. Swati

Rahu

Deity: Vayu · Symbol: Coral/Sword

Independent, flexible, and business-minded. Adaptable and free-flowing like the wind.

16. Vishakha

Jupiter

Deity: Indra/Agni · Symbol: Triumphal arch

Goal-oriented, determined, and highly ambitious. Sometimes prone to competition.

17. Anuradha

Saturn

Deity: Mitra · Symbol: Lotus flower

Devoted, organized, and excellent in groups. Deeply loyal and values friendship.

18. Jyeshtha

Mercury

Deity: Indra · Symbol: Earring/Amulet

Eldest, protective, and responsible. Natural leaders who value honor and power.

19. Mula

Ketu

Deity: Nirriti · Symbol: Roots tied together

Investigative, destructive of illusions, and deeply philosophical. Truth-seekers.

20. Purva Ashadha

Venus

Deity: Apas · Symbol: Winnowing basket

Invincible, proud, and closely connected to water. Highly persuasive speakers.

21. Uttara Ashadha

Sun

Deity: Vishwadevas · Symbol: Elephant tusk

Victorious, responsible, and universally respected. Dedicated to long-term goals.

22. Shravana

Moon

Deity: Vishnu · Symbol: Ear/Three footprints

Learning through listening, wise, and connected. Possesses an excellent memory.

23. Dhanishtha

Mars

Deity: Ashta Vasus · Symbol: Drum/Flute

Wealthy, musical, and group-oriented. Driven to achieve status and prosperity.

24. Shatabhisha

Rahu

Deity: Varuna · Symbol: Empty circle/100 flowers

Healing, secretive, and scientific. The star of a hundred doctors and healers.

25. Purva Bhadrapada

Jupiter

Deity: Aja Ekapada · Symbol: Sword/Two-faced man

Intense, fiery, and philosophically extreme. Often eccentric and unique.

26. Uttara Bhadrapada

Saturn

Deity: Ahir Budhnya · Symbol: Twins/Back of a bed

Wise, deep, and possessing ancient soul energy. Strong connection to dreams.

27. Revati

Mercury

Deity: Pushan · Symbol: Fish

Nurturing, prosperous, and protective of travelers. The end of the journey and rebirth.

Nakshatra Padas — The 4 Quarters

Every Nakshatra is divided into 4 Padas of 3°20' each. The Pada is an essential subdivision because it maps directly to the D9 Navamsa chart.

  • Pada 1 (Dharma) — Associated with fire and action. Focuses on setting goals and self-discovery.
  • Pada 2 (Artha) — Associated with earth and material stability. Focuses on career and practical values.
  • Pada 3 (Kama) — Associated with air and communication. Focuses on relationships and mental concepts.
  • Pada 4 (Moksha) — Associated with water and emotional release. Focuses on spiritual growth and healing.

Nakshatra and Career Alignment

In Jyotish, the planet ruling your birth Nakshatra influences your professional talents and inclinations. Here is how careers are grouped:

Ketu-ruled (Ashwini, Magha, Mula)

Alternative medicine, healing, research, spiritual guidance, computing, intelligence work, and investigation.

Venus-ruled (Bharani, Purva Phalguni, Purva Ashadha)

Arts, music, fashion, beauty, luxury goods, travel, relationships counselling, and entertainment.

Sun-ruled (Krittika, Uttara Phalguni, Uttara Ashadha)

Government service, political leadership, administration, medicine, and management.

Moon-ruled (Rohini, Hasta, Shravana)

Food industry, hospitality, real estate, public relations, healthcare, and education.

Mars-ruled (Mrigashira, Chitra, Dhanishtha)

Engineering, military, sports, real estate, physical construction, and surgery.

Rahu-ruled (Ardra, Swati, Shatabhisha)

Technology, software development, foreign trade, media, research science, and advanced medicine.

Jupiter-ruled (Punarvasu, Vishakha, Purva Bhadrapada)

Teaching, law, advisory roles, religious work, financial planning, and publishing.

Saturn-ruled (Pushya, Anuradha, Uttara Bhadrapada)

Social service, structural law, politics, mining, manufacturing, and heavy industry.

Mercury-ruled (Ashlesha, Jyeshtha, Revati)

Writing, communications, trade, commerce, software, travel management, and journalism.

Nakshatra and Marriage Compatibility

In Vedic astrology, marriage matching (Kundli Milan) is calculated using the Nakshatras of both partners. The Nakshatra determines four of the eight major compatibility factors: Gana (temperament), Yoni (instinctual compatibility), Nadi (health and genetics), and Tara (friendship).

The most critical compatibility factor is **Nadi**, which carries a weight of 8 points. If the bride and groom share the exact same Nakshatra group (Nadi), it is considered a mismatch (Nadi Dosha) that requires careful remediation. To read about the temperament category, check out our Gana Calculator.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a Nakshatra in Vedic astrology?

A Nakshatra is a lunar mansion — one of 27 equal segments of the sky, each spanning 13 degrees and 20 minutes. The Moon travels through all 27 Nakshatras in one month. Your birth Nakshatra (Janma Nakshatra) is the one the Moon occupied at your exact birth time. Each Nakshatra has a ruling planet, deity, symbol, and unique qualities that reveal your deepest personality traits and life path.

How many Nakshatras are there?

There are 27 Nakshatras used in Vedic astrology calculations, each divided into 4 Padas (quarters), giving 108 Padas in total. Some texts mention a 28th Nakshatra called Abhijit, but it is rarely used in standard calculations. Your specific Pada within the Nakshatra adds another layer of precision to your reading.

What is the difference between Nakshatra and Rashi?

Your Rashi (Moon Sign) is which of the 12 zodiac signs the Moon occupies. Your Nakshatra is which of the 27 lunar mansions within that sign it occupies. Every zodiac sign contains approximately 2.25 Nakshatras. The Nakshatra is more specific — two people with the same Moon Sign can have completely different temperaments based on their Nakshatra.

Why is Nakshatra important for marriage?

In Vedic marriage matching (Guna Milan), the Nakshatra determines Gana (temperament category), Yoni (compatibility category), Nadi (health compatibility), and Tara (friendship compatibility) — four of the eight compatibility factors. The Nakshatra also determines the starting syllable of your spouse's name in Jaimini astrology.

Which nakshatra is most powerful?

In classical astrology, Pushya (ruled by Saturn and presided over by Brihaspati) is considered the most auspicious and strong for general success and spiritual growth. However, every Nakshatra holds a unique power (Shakti) that is beneficial when directed correctly.

What is my nakshatra's lucky day?

Your nakshatra's lucky day is typically the day ruled by the planetary lord of your Nakshatra. For example, if your Nakshatra is Rohini (ruled by the Moon), Monday is considered auspicious. Alternatively, the day the transiting Moon enters your birth Nakshatra is also a power day.