Nakshatra (Sanskrit: नक्षत्रम्, romanized: Nakṣatram) is the term for lunar mansion in Hindu 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 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, which would be Ashwinī, a part of the modern constellation Aries, and these compilations therefore may have been compiled during the centuries when the sun was passing through the area of the constellation Aries at the time of the vernal equinox. This version may have been called Meshādi or the "start of Aries".^[1]

The first astronomical text that lists them is the Vedanga Jyotisha.^[2]

In classical Hindu scriptures (Mahabharata, Harivamsa), the creation of the nakshatras is attributed to Daksha.^[3] They are personified as daughters of Daksha and as wives of Chandra, known as the Moon God (who reluctantly married the 26 other nakshatras on Daksha's request even though he was only interested to marry Rohini), or alternatively the daughters of Kashyapa.

In the Atharvaveda

Nakshatras in a circle

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:^{[4][lower-alpha 1]}

This 27 day time cycle has been taken to mean a particular group of stars. The relationship to the stars really has to do with the periodicity with which the Moon travels over time and through space past the field of the specific stars called nakshatras. Hence, the stars are more like numbers on a clock through which the hands of time pass (the moon). This concept is described by J. Mercay (2012) in connection with Surya Siddhanta.^[5]

List of Nakshatras

Positions of the Nakshatras on the celestial sphere

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.^[6]: 179 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.^[6]: 211

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.^{[lower-alpha 2][7]} 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.^[8]

The following list of nakshatras gives the corresponding regions of sky, per Basham (1954).^[9]

No.	Name	Associated stars	Description	Image
1	Aśvini	β and γ Arietis	Astrological Mate: Ketu (South lunar node) Symbol: Horse's head Rigvedic name: Ashvins, the horse-headed twins who are physicians to the gods Indian zodiac: 0° – 13°20′ Mesha Tropical zodiac: 26° Aries – 9°20′ Taurus
2	Bharani "the bearer"	35, 39, and 41 Arietis	Astrological Mate: Shukra (Venus) Symbol: Yoni, the female organ of reproduction Rigvedic name: Yama, god of death or Dharma Indian zodiac: 13° 20′ – 26°40′ Mesha Tropical zodiac: 9° 20′ – 22° 40′ Taurus
3	Kṛttikā an old name of the Pleiades; personified as the nurses of Kārttikeya, a son of Shiva.	Pleiades	Astrological Mate: Surya (Sun) Symbol: Knife or spear Rigvedic name: Agni, god of fire Indian zodiac: 26°40′ Mesha – 10° Vrishabha Tropical zodiac: 22° 40′ Taurus – 6° Gemini
4	Rohiṇi "the red one", a name of Aldebaran. Also known as brāhmī	Aldebaran	Astrological Mate: Chandra (Moon) Symbol: Cart or chariot, temple, banyan tree Rigvedic name: Prajapati, the Creator Indian zodiac: 10° – 23°20′ Vrishabha Tropical zodiac: 6° – 19°20′ Gemini
5	Mṛgaśīrā "the deer's head". Also known as āgrahāyaṇī	λ, φ Orionis	Astrological Mate: Mangala (Mars) Symbol: Deer's head Rigvedic name: Soma, Chandra, the Moon god Indian zodiac: 23° 20′ Vrishabha – 6° 40′ Mithuna Tropical zodiac: 19° 20′ Gemini – 2° 40′ Cancer
6	Ārdrā "the moist one"	Betelgeuse	Astrological Mate: Rahu (North lunar node) Symbol: Teardrop, diamond, a human head Rigvedic name: Rudra, the storm god Indian zodiac: 6° 40′ – 20° Mithuna Tropical zodiac: 2° 40′ – 16° Cancer
7	Punarvasu (dual) "the two restorers of goods", also known as yamakau "the two chariots"	Castor and Pollux	Astrological Mate: Guru (Jupiter) Symbol : Bow and quiver Rigvedic name: Aditi, mother of the gods Indian zodiac: 20° Mithuna – 3°20′ Karka Tropical zodiac: 16° – 29°20′ Cancer
8	Puṣya/Tishya "the nourisher", also known as sidhya or tiṣya	γ, δ and θ Cancri	Astrological Mate: Shani (Saturn) Symbol: Cow's udder, lotus, arrow and circle Rigvedic name: Bṛhaspati, priest of the gods Indian zodiac: 3° 20′ – 16° 40′ Karka Tropical zodiac: 29° 20′ Cancer – 12° 40′ Leo
9	Āśleṣā "the embrace"	δ, ε, η, ρ, and σ Hydrae	Astrological Mate: Budha (Mercury) Symbol: Serpent Rigvedic name: Sarpas or Nagas, deified snakes Indian zodiac: 16° 40′ – 30° Karka Tropical zodiac: 12° 40′ – 26° Leo
10	Maghā "the bountiful"	Regulus	Astrological Mate: Ketu (South lunar node) Symbol: Royal Throne Rigvedic name: Pitrs, 'The Fathers', family ancestors Indian zodiac: 0° – 13° 20′ Simha Tropical zodiac: 26° Leo – 9° 20′ Virgo
11	Pūrva Phalgunī "first reddish one"	δ and θ Leonis	Astrological Mate: Shukra (Venus) Symbol: Front legs of bed, hammock, fig tree Rigvedic name: Aryaman, god of marital bliss and prosperity Indian zodiac: 13° 20′ – 26°40′ Simha Tropical zodiac: 9° 20′ – 22°40′ Virgo
12	Uttara Phalgunī "second reddish one"	Denebola	Astrological Mate: Surya (Sun) Symbol: Four legs of bed, hammock Rigvedic name: Bhaga, god of patronage and favours Indian zodiac: 26° 40′ Simha- 10° Kanya Tropical zodiac: 22° 40′ Virgo – 6° Libra
13	Hasta "the hand"	α, β, γ, δ and ε Corvi	Astrological Mate: Chandra (Moon) Symbol: Hand or fist Rigvedic name: Savitr, the Sun god Indian zodiac: 10° – 23° 20′ Kanya Tropical zodiac: 6° – 19° 20′ Libra
14	Chitrā "the bright one", a name of Spica	Spica	Astrological Mate: Mangala (Mars) Symbol: Bright jewel or pearl Rigvedic name: Tvastar, Vishwakarma Indian zodiac: 23° 20′ Kanya – 6° 40′ Tula Tropical zodiac: 19° 20′ Libra – 2° 40′ Scorpio
15	Svātī "Su-Ati (Sanskrit) Very good" name of Arcturus	Arcturus	Astrological Mate: Rahu (North lunar node) Symbol: Shoot of plant, coral Rigvedic name: Vayu, the Wind god Indian zodiac: 6° 40′ – 20° Tula Tropical zodiac: 2° 40′ – 16° Scorpio
16	Viśākhā "forked, having branches";	α, β, γ and ι Librae	Astrological Mate: Guru (Jupiter) Symbol: Triumphal arch, potter's wheel Rigvedic name: Indra, chief of the gods; Agni, god of Fire Indian zodiac: 20° Tula – 3° 20′ Vrishchika Tropical zodiac: 16° – 29° 20′ Scorpio
17	Anurādhā "following Indra"	β, δ and π Scorpionis	Astrological Mate: Shani (Saturn) Symbol: Triumphal archway, lotus, bamboo Rigvedic name: Mitra, one of Adityas of friendship and partnership Indian zodiac: 3° 20′ – 16° 40′ Vrishchika Tropical zodiac: 29° 20′ Scorpio – 12° 40′ Sagittarius
18	Jyeṣṭha "the eldest, most excellent"	α, σ, and τ Scorpionis	Astrological Mate: Budha (Mercury) Symbol: circular amulet, umbrella, earring Rigvedic name: Indra, chief of the gods Indian zodiac: 16° 40′ – 30° Vrishchika Tropical zodiac: 12° 40′ – 26° Sagittarius
19	Mūlā "the root"	ε, ζ, η, θ, ι, κ, λ, μ and ν Scorpionis	Astrological Mate: Ketu (South lunar node) Symbol: Bunch of roots tied together, elephant goad Rigvedic name: Nirrti, peak of material achievement and the beginning of the spiritual impulse Indian zodiac: 0° – 13° 20′ Dhanus Tropical zodiac: 26° Sagittarius – 9° 20′ Capricorn
20	Pūrva Āṣāḍhā "first of the aṣāḍhā", aṣāḍhā "the invincible one" being the name of a constellation	δ and ε Sagittarii	Astrological Mate: Shukra (Venus) Symbol: Elephant tusk, fan, winnowing basket Rigvedic name: Apah, god of Water Indian zodiac: 13° 20′ – 26° 40′ Dhanus Tropical zodiac: 9° 20′ – 22° 40′ Capricorn
21	Uttara Āṣāḍhā "Later invincible"	ζ and σ Sagittarii	Astrological Mate: Surya (Sun) Symbol: Elephant tusk, small bed Rigvedic name: Visvedevas, universal gods Indian zodiac: 26° 40′ Dhanus – 10° Makara Tropical zodiac: 22° 40′ Capricorn – 6° Aquarius
22	Abhijit	ζ and σ Lyrae	Astrological Mate: Brahma Indian zodiac: 6° 40′ Makara – 10° 53′ Makara
23	Śravaṇa	α, β and γ Aquilae	Astrological Mate: Chandra (Moon) Symbol: Ear or Three Footprints Rigvedic name: Vishnu, preserver of universe Indian zodiac: 10° – 23° 20′ Makara Tropical zodiac: 6° – 19° 20′ Aquarius
24	Dhaniṣṭhā "most famous", also Shravishthā "swiftest"	α, β, γ and δ Delphini	Astrological Mate: Mangala (Mars) Symbol: Drum or flute Rigvedic name: Eight vasus, deities of earthly abundance Indian zodiac: 23° 20′ Makara – 6° 40′ Kumbha Tropical zodiac 19° 20′ Aquarius – 2° 40′ Pisces
25	Śatabhiṣa "Comprising a hundred physicians"	Sadachbia	Astrological Mate: Rahu (North lunar node) Symbol: Empty circle, 1,000 flowers or stars Rigvedic name: Varuna, god of celestial waters Indian zodiac: 6° 40′ – 20° Kumbha Tropical zodiac: 2° 40′ – 16° Pisces
26	Pūrva Bhādrapada "the first of the blessed feet"	α and β Pegasi	Astrological Mate: Guru (Jupiter) Symbol: Swords or two front legs of funeral cot, man with two faces Rigvedic name: Ajaikapada, an ancient fire dragon Indian zodiac: 20° Kumbha – 3° 20′ Meena Tropical zodiac: 16° – 29° 20′ Pisces
27	Uttara Bhādrapada "the second of the blessed feet"	γ Pegasi and α Andromedae	Astrological Mate: Shani (Saturn) Symbol: Twins, back legs of funeral cot, snake in the water Rigvedic name: Ahirbudhnya, serpent or dragon of the deep Indian zodiac: 3° 20′ – 16° 40′ Meena Tropical zodiac: 29° 20′ Pisces – 12° 40′ Aries
28	Revatī "prosperous"	ζ Piscium	Astrological Mate: Budha (Mercury) Symbol: Fish or a pair of fish, drum Rigvedic name: Pushan, nourisher, the protective deity Indian zodiac: 16° 40′ – 30° Meena Tropical zodiac: 12° 40′ – 26° Aries

Padas (quarters)

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

References

External links

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