What is a Nakshatra in Jyotish? |
Jyotish FAQs | |||
Written by Ashutosh | |||
Monday, 27 April 2009 07:59 | |||
Nakshatras are Lunar mansions or constellations which divide the 360 degree zodiac into 27 parts of 13 degrees and 20 minutes. Each Nakshatra is named after the prominent star in that constellation. So, we have 12 Rashis (Zodiac signs) and 27 Nakshatras. Each Rashi is of 30 degrees. The first Nakshatra is Ashwini which begins at zero degree of the first Rahsi, Mesh (Aries). Each Nakshatra is further divided into 4 parts which are called Padas or Charans. In all, there are 108 padas of 3 degrees and 20 minutes each. Interestingly, one charan corresponds with one Navamsa. A Navamsa is the 9th division of a Rashi. So, each Rashi has 9 Navamsas and, therefore, 9 padas of Nakshatras. The Nakshatras are as follows - 1. Ashwini 2. Bharani 3. Krittika 4. Rohini 5. Mrigshira 6. Ardra 7. Punarvasu 8. Pushya 9. Ashlesha 10. Magha 11. Poorvafalguni 12. Uttarfalguni 13. Hasta 14. Chitra 15. Swati 16. Vishakha 17. Anuradha 18. Jyestha 19. Mool 20. Poorvashada 21. Uttarashada 22. Shravan 23. Dhanishtha 24. Shatbisha 25. Poorvabhadrapad 26. Uttarabhadrapad 27. Revati Nakshatra are classified by their nature (Dev, Manushya or Rakshas), caste (Varna), colour, gender, virtues etc. In the traditional match-making the Nakshatras of the Moon in both horoscopes are matched to calculate the Guna Score.This Nakshatra of the Moon is called the Janma Nakshatra. This Janma Nakshatra is also the basis of calculation of the dasha periods which govern a person's life.
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