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Nakshatra

Nakshatra in vedic astrology is used for the accurate predictions and for more specific astrological predictions. Nakshatras are also called Lunar mansions as these come in the path of the moon.

Each nakshatra has four sections that are known as Padas or charan. Each zodiac has nine padas which means that every zodiac covers more than two Nakshatra i.e. 2 � Nakshatras, which are 4 + 4 + 1 = 9 padas.

Every Nakshatra measures 13.20' (13 degrees and 20 minutes).

In the past there used to be a system of 28 Nakshatras. The 28th Nakshatra is Abhijit. This Nakshatra� is located between Purvashadha and Shravana. It is the only Nakshatra of which the main star Vega is located far away from the ecliptic. That is also why it is hard to locate it on the ecliptic and probably one reason why it is skipped.

Each Nakshatra also corresponds with a certain animal, animal type, caste, sex, temperament, dosha, tattva (element) and even wind direction In addition to a planet, deity, symbol, aim of life and guna.

Nakshatra History

According to Hindu Mythology, King Dakshan had 27 daughters and all of them were married to Moon. 27 daughters are the 27 nakshatras in the sky. But to Moon queen Rohini Nakshatra was the most beloved one and he used to spend most of his time with her only. This is also the exaltation point for Moon. Seeing this other wives ( Nakshtras) went to their father to complain about this. King Dakshan made a request to Moon regarding this but this was unable to change the moon's nature. King Dakshan got angry because of this and cursed Moon, causing it to decline in size. All Devas got worried as the consequences of the wanning size were not good. They went to King Dakshan to withdraw its curse. King said that the curse cannot be revoked completely. But the moon will have to visit all his wives and said that Moon will regained its strength for half a month. Because of this Moon transits through 27 nakshtras in one month.

Janamanakshtra - It is the Nakshatra in which the Natal Moon is placed at the time of birth. Janamnakstra shows one's thinking patterns and characteristics of the person. It is also used to calculate the dasha period.

Nakshatras Sexes

Male nakshatras: Ashwini, Bharani, Pushya, Ashlesha, Magha, Uttara Phalguni, Swati, Jyeshta, Mula, Purvashadha, Uttarashadha, Shravana and Purva Bhadrapada.

Female Nakshatras: Krittika, Rohini, Mrigashirsha, Ardra, Punarvasu, Purva Phalguni, Hasta, Chitra, Vishakha, Anuradha, Dhanistha, Shatabhishak, Uttara Bhadrapada and Revati.

Activity of male naskshatras is more than that of female naskshatras and these are governed by female deities.

Nakshatra Temperament

Deva (godly) nakshatras: Ashwini, Mrigashirsha, Punarvasu, Pushya, Hasta, Swati, Anuradha, Revati.

Human nakshatras: Bharani, Rohini, Ardra, Shravana and all the Purva and Uttara Nakshatras.

Rakshasa (demon) nakshatras: Krittika, Ashlesha, Magha, Chitra, Vishakha, Jyestha, Mula, Dhanistha, Shatabhishak.

List of 27 Nakshatras

Ashwini	Bharani	Krittika
Rohini	Mrigashira	Ardra
Punarvasu	Pushya	Ashlesha
Maghas	Purva Phalguni	Uttara Phalguni
Hasta	Chitra	Swati
Vishakha	Anuradha	Jyestha
Mula	Purva ashadha	Uttar Ashadha
Shravana	Dhanishtha	Shatabhishak
Purva Bhadrapada	Uttara Bhadrapada	Revati

No.	Nakshatra	Symbol	Sign occupying Padas	Presiding Planet
1.	Ashwini - "The horse Tamer "	Horse's head	Aries occupies all 4 Padas	Ketu
2	Bharani - "The bearer of new life"	Vagina	Aries occupies all four Padas.	Venus
3	Krittika - " The one who Cuts"	Razor	1^st Pada - Aries 2,3,4 Padas - Taurus	Sun
4	Rohini - " The red One"	Chariot	All 4 Padas occupied by Gemini	Moon
5	Mrigashira - "Head of a deer"	Deer's Head	1^st, 2^nd Pada - Taurus 3^rd, 4^th Pada - Gemini	Mars
6	Ardra- " The moist one"	Head	All four Pada occupied by Gemini.	Rahu
7	Punarvasu - "Return of the light"	Bow	First three occupied by Gemini. 4^th - Cancer.	Jupiter
8	Pushya - " To nourish"	Flower	All four Padas occupied by Cancer.	Saturn
9	Ashlesha - "The embracer"	Serpent	All four Padas occupied by Cancer	Mercury
10	Maghas - " The great one"	Palanquin	All the four Padas occupied by Leo.	Ketu
11	Purva Phalguni - "The Meritorious One"	Front legs of cot	All the four Padas occupied by Leo	Venus
12	Uttara Phalguni - "The excellent one"	Back legs of Cots	1st Pada occupied by Leo. 2^nd, 3^rd, 4^th occupied by Virgo	Sun
13	Hasta - "The hand"	Palm	All the four Padas occupied by Virgo	Moon
14	Chitra - " the bright one"	Pearl	First two Padas occupied by Virgo. Last two Padas occupied by Libra.	Mars
15	Swati - "The independent one"	Sapphire	All the four Padas occupied by Libra	Rahu
16	Vishakha - " The forked Shape"	Potter�s wheel	First three Padas occupied by Libra. Last Pada occupied by Scorpio.	Jupiter
17	Anuradha - " The disciple of Divine spark"	Umbrella	All the four Padas occupied by Scorpio	Saturn
18	Jyestha - "The eldest"	Umbrella	All the four Padas occupied by Scorpio.	Mercury
19	Mula - "The Basic"	Crouching Tiger	All the four Padas occupied by Sagittarius	Ketu
20	Purva Ashadha - " The early victory"	Front of Square	All the four Padas occupied by Sagittarius.	Venus
21	Uttara ashadha - "Latter victory"	Back of Square	1^st Pada in Sagittarius. Later three Padas in Capricorn	Sun
22	Shravana - "the learned one"	Arrow	All the four Padas in Capricorn.	Moon
23	Dhanishtha - "The richest One"	Drum	First two Padas in Capricorn. Later two Padas in Aquarius.	Mars
24	Shatabhishak - " A hundred Healers"	Flower	Aquarius occupies all the four Padas.	Rahu
25	Purva Bhadrapada - "The auspicious feet"	Front legs of cots	First Three Padas occupied by Aquarius. Last Pada occupied by Pisces.	Jupiter
26	Uttara Bhadrapada - "The auspicious feet"	Back legs of the Cots	All the Padas occupied by Pisces.	Saturn
27	Revati - "the wealthy"	Fish	Pisces occupies all the four Padas.	Mercury

Source:http://astrology.indianetzone.com