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{{Short description|Lunar mansion in Hindu astronomy}}
{{redirect|Nakshatram|the 2017 film|Nakshatram (film)}}
{{hatnote group|
{{for multi|the Indian actress|Nakshatra (actress)|the 2010 film|Nakshatra (film)}}
}}
{{Nakshatras}}
'''Nakshatra''' ({{langx|sa| नक्षत्रम्|translit=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 [[asterism (astronomy)|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"). 

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 the star [[Spica]], called ''Chitrā'' in [[Sanskrit]]. This translates to Ashwinī, a part of the modern constellation of [[Aries (constellation)|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 "[[first point of Aries|start of Aries]]".<ref>
{{cite book
 |first=Vashisht |last=Vaid
 |year=2012
 |title=The Radiant Words of Love & Wisdom
}}
</ref>{{full citation|date=December 2022|reason=page, publisher, publication place}}

The first [[Indian astronomy|astronomical]] text that lists them is the ''[[Vedanga Jyotisha]]''.<ref>
{{cite web
 |title=Nakshatras and Upanakshatras
 |date=June 13, 2012
 |website=vedanet.com
 |publisher=American Institute of Vedic Studies
 |url=https://vedanet.com/2012/06/13/nakshatras-and-upanakshatras/
 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150322154946/https://vedanet.com/2012/06/13/nakshatras-and-upanakshatras/
 |archive-date=March 22, 2015
}}
</ref>{{better source needed|date=June 2018}}

In classical Hindu scriptures (''[[Mahabharata]], [[Harivamsa]]''), the creation of the asterisms is attributed to [[Daksha]].<ref>{{Cite book |last=Moor |first=Edward |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=5kJDAAAAYAAJ&dq=Daksha+Nakshatra&pg=PA291 |title=The Hindu Pantheon |date=1810 |publisher=J. Johnson |pages=291 |language=en}}</ref> 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 (goddess)|Rohini]], his father-in-law cursed him with [[leprosy]] and proclaimed that the Moon would wax and wane each month.<ref>{{Cite book |last1=Coulter |first1=Charles Russell |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=QEJUEAAAQBAJ&dq=Chandra+Daksha&pg=PA437 |title=Encyclopedia of Ancient Deities |last2=Turner |first2=Patricia |date=2021-12-06 |publisher=McFarland |isbn=978-0-7864-9179-7 |pages=437 |language=en}}</ref> The Nakshatras are also alternatively described as the daughters of [[Kashyapa]].

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

* [[Tithi]]
* [[Nityayoga]]
* [[Karana (pancanga)|Karana]]
* [[Vāra (astronomy)|Vāra]]

==In the Atharvaveda==
[[File:Nakshatras.jpg|thumb|300px|Nakshatras in a circle]]

In the [[Atharvaveda]] (Shaunakiya recension, hymn&nbsp;19.7) a list of 27&nbsp;stars or asterisms is given, many of them corresponding to the later nakshatras:<ref name="griffithveda">
{{cite book
 |translator=Griffith, R.T.H.  |translator-link=Ralph T. H. Griffith
 |year=1895
 |title=Hymns of the Atharva Veda
}}
:Original text via <br />
{{cite web
 |title=Gretil
 |publisher=[[University of Goettingen]]
 |url=http://fiindolo.sub.uni-goettingen.de/gretil.htm#Veda
 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120202232942/http://fiindolo.sub.uni-goettingen.de/gretil.htm
 |archive-date=2012-02-02
}}
:from <br />
{{cite book
 |editor-first=Chatia |editor-last=Orlandi
 |year=1991
 |title=Gli inni dell Atharvaveda (Saunaka)
 |type=trasliteration
 |place=Pisa, IT
}}
:collated with the edition of
{{cite book
 |editor1=Roth, R.
 |editor2=Whitney, W.D.
 |year=1856
 |title=Atharva Veda Sanhita
 |place=Berlin, DE
}}
</ref>{{efn|
From [[Ralph T. H. Griffith|Griffith]] (1895) ''Hymns of the Atharva Veda'':<ref name=griffithveda/>
<poem>
1 &emsp; citrā́ṇi sākáṃ diví rocanā́ni sarīsr̥pā́ṇi bhúvane javā́ni
:: turmíśaṃ sumatím ichámāno áhāni gīrbhíḥ saparyāmi nā́kam

2 &emsp; suhávam agne kŕ̥ttikā róhiṇī cā́stu bhadráṃ mr̥gáśiraḥ śám ārdrā́ 
:: púnarvasū sūnŕ̥tā cā́ru púṣyo bhānúr āśleṣā́ áyanaṃ maghā́ me

3 &emsp; púṇyaṃ pū́rvā phálgunyau cā́tra hástaś citrā́ śivā́ svātí sukhó me astu 
:: rā́dhe viśā́khe suhávānurādhā́ jyéṣṭhā sunákṣatram áriṣṭa mū́lam

4 &emsp; ánnaṃ pū́rvā rāsatāṃ me aṣādhā́ ū́rjaṃ devy úttarā ā́ vahantu 
:: abhijín me rāsatāṃ púṇyam evá śrávaṇaḥ śráviṣṭhāḥ kurvatāṃ supuṣṭím

5 &emsp; ā́ me mahác chatábhiṣag várīya ā́ me dvayā́ próṣṭhapadā suśárma 
:: ā́ revátī cāśvayújau bhágaṃ ma ā́ me rayíṃ bháraṇya ā́ vahantu<ref name=griffithveda/>
&nbsp;
</poem>
}}{{columns-list|colwidth=18em|
# [[Ashvini|Ashwini]]
# [[Bharani]]
# [[Kṛttikā]] (the [[Pleiades]])
# [[Rohini (nakshatra)|Rohinī]] ([[Aldebaran]])
# [[Mrigashīrsha]]
# [[Ardra Nakshatra|Ārdrā]] ([[Betelgeuse]])
# [[Punarvasu]] ([[Castor (star)|Castor]] and [[Pollux (star)|Pollux]])
# [[Pushya]]
# [[Ashlesha (nakshatra)|Asleshā]]
# [[Magha (nakshatra)|Maghā]] ([[Regulus]])
# [[Purva Phalguni]]
# [[#List of Nakshatras|Uttara Phalguni]] ([[Denebola]])
# [[Hasta (nakshatra)|Hasta]]
# [[#List of Nakshatras|Chitrā]] ([[Spica]])
# [[Svati|Svāti]] ([[Arcturus]]) 
# [[Vishākhā]]
# [[Anuradha (nakshatra)|Anurādhā]]
# [[Jyeshtha (nakshatra)|Jyeshthā]]
# [[Mula (nakshatra)|Mūla]]
# [[#List of Nakshatras|Purva Ashadha]] 
# [[Uttara Ashadha]]
# [[Shravana]]
# [[Dhanishta]]
# [[Shatabhisha|Satabhishak]] ([[Sadachbia]])
# [[Purva Bhadrapada]]
# [[Uttara Bhādrapadā|Uttara Bhadrapada]]
# [[Revati (nakshatra)|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]]''.<ref name="mercay">
{{cite book
 |author=Mercay, Jessie
 |year=2012
 |title=Fundamentals of Mamuni Mayans Vaastu Shastras: Building architecture of Sthapatya Veda and traditional Indian architecture
 <!-- Mercay, 2006 – 2012 -->
 |publisher=AUM Science and Technology publishers
}}
</ref>

==List of Nakshatras==
[[File:Nakshatras.jpg|thumb|300px|Positions of the Nakshatras on the celestial sphere]]
{{See also|List of Nakshatras}}
{{See also|Astronomical basis of the Hindu calendar#nakshatra}}
In Hindu astronomy, there was an older tradition of 28&nbsp;Nakshatras which were used as celestial markers in the heavens. When these were mapped into equal divisions of the ecliptic, a division of 27&nbsp;portions was adopted since that resulted in a clearer definition of each portion (i.e. segment) subtending 13° 20′ (as opposed to 12°&nbsp;{{frac|51|3|7}}′ in the case of 28&nbsp;segments). In the process, the Nakshatra Abhijit was left out without a portion.<ref name=SS>
{{cite book
 |first=Ebenezer |last=Burgess
 |year=1858
 |title=Translation of the Surya Siddhantha, a Textbook of Hindu Astronomy
 |publisher=The American Oriental Society
 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=jpE7AAAAcAAJ
}}
</ref>{{rp|p=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.<ref name=SS/>{{rp|p=211}}

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

The 28&nbsp;mansions of the 360° lunar zodiac total 831&nbsp;Muhurtas or 27.7&nbsp;days. This is sometimes described as an inaccurate estimate of our modern sidereal period of 27.3&nbsp;days, but using the ancient Indian calendar with Vedic months of 30&nbsp;days and a daily movement of the Moon of 13&nbsp;degrees, this early designation of a sidereal month of 831&nbsp;Muhurtas or 27.7&nbsp;days is very precise.{{efn|
The exact figure should be nearer 27.692308&nbsp;days but 27.7 is near enough.
}}<ref>
{{cite book
 |first1=Nui |last1=Weixing
 |first2=Jiang |last2=Xiaoyuan
 |title=Astronomy in the Sutras translated into Chinese
}}
</ref>{{full citation needed|date=January 2019}}
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&nbsp;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&nbsp;months of 30&nbsp;days it was this calendar and not a modern calendar of 365&nbsp;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&nbsp;Nakshatras on their lunar zodiac.<ref>
{{cite journal
 |author=Jones, H.
 |date=September 2018
 |title=The Origin of the 28&nbsp;Naksatras in Early Indian Astronomy and Astrology
 |journal=Indian Journal of History of Science
 |volume=53 |issue=3 |pages=317–324
 |doi=10.16943/ijhs/2018/v53i3/49463 |doi-access=free
 |bibcode=2018InJHS..53..317J
}}
</ref>

The following list of nakshatras gives the corresponding regions of sky, per Basham (1954).<ref>
{{cite book
 |first=Arthur Llewellyn |last=Basham
 |year=1954
 |title=The Wonder that was India
 |section=Appendix&nbsp;II: Astronomy
 |publisher=Rupa
 |place=Calcutta, IN
 |page=[https://archive.org/details/dli.bengal.10689.12501/page/n514 490]
 |url=https://archive.org/details/dli.bengal.10689.12501
}}
</ref>

{| class="wikitable" style="margin:auto;" cellspacing="2" cellpadding="0"
|-
!No.!! Name !!Associated stars!!Description!! Image
|-
| 1
||'''[[Ashvini|Aświni]]'''<br/>"The Horsemen"
||[[Sheratan|β]] and [[Mesarthim|γ]] [[Aries (constellation)|Arietis]]
||
*''Astrological leader'': [[Ketu (mythology)|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
||[[Image:Aries constellation map.svg|100px]]
|-
| 2
||'''[[Bharani]]'''<br/>"The Bearer"
||[[35 Arietis|35]], [[39 Arietis|39]], and [[41 Arietis|41]] [[Aries (constellation)|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
||[[Image:Aries constellation map.svg|100px]]
|-
| 3
||'''[[Krittika|Kṛttikā]]'''<br/>"To Cut"
||[[Pleiades]]
||
*''Astrological leader'': [[Surya]] ([[Solar deity|Sun]])
*''Symbol'': [[Knife]] or [[spear]]
*''Deity'': [[Agni]], god of fire
*''Indian zodiac'': 26°40′ Aries – 10° Taurus 
*''Tropical zodiac'': 22° 40′ Taurus – 6° Gemini
||[[Image:Taurus constellation map.svg|100px]]
|-
| 4
||'''[[Rohini (nakshatra)|Rohiṇi]]'''<br>"Radiant Maiden"
||[[Aldebaran]]
||
*''Astrological leader'': [[Chandra]] ([[Moon]])
*''Symbol'': Cart or [[chariot]], [[temple]], [[banyan tree]]
*''Deity'': [[Prajapati]], rigvedic form of [[Brahma]] - [[Creator deity|the Creator]]
*''Indian zodiac'': 10° – 23°20′ Taurus 
*''Tropical zodiac'': 6° – 19°20′ Gemini
||[[Image:Taurus constellation map.svg|100px]]
|-
| 5
||'''[[Mrigashīrsha|Mṛgaśīrā]]'''<br/>"The Deer's Head"
||[[Meissa|λ]], [[Phi Orionis|φ]] [[Orion (constellation)|Orionis]]
||
*''Astrological leader'': [[Mangala]] ([[Mars]])
*''Symbol'': Deer's head
*''Deity'': [[Soma (deity)|Soma]], the moon god
*''Indian zodiac'': 23° 20′ Taurus – 6° 40′ Gemini
*''Tropical zodiac'': 19° 20′ Gemini – 2° 40′ Cancer
||[[Image:Orion constellation map.svg|100px]]
|-
| 6
||'''[[Ardra Nakshatra|Ārdrā]]'''<br/>"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
||[[Image:Orion constellation map.svg|100px]]
|-
| 7
||'''[[Punarvasu]]'''<br/>"Return Of The Light"
||[[Castor (star)|Castor]] and [[Pollux (star)|Pollux]]
||
*''Astrological leader'': [[Bṛhaspati|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
||[[File:Gemini constellation map.svg|100px]]
|-
| 8
||'''[[Pushya|Puṣya]]'''<br/>"The Nourisher"
||[[Asellus Borealis|γ]], [[Asellus Australis|δ]] and [[Theta Cancri|θ]] [[Cancer (constellation)|Cancri]]
||
*''Astrological leader'': [[Shani]] ([[Saturn]])
*''Symbol'': Cow's udder, [[Lotus Flower|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
||[[Image:Cancer constellation map.svg|100px]]
|-
| 9
||'''[[Āshleshā|Āśleṣā]]'''<br/>"The Embrace"
||[[Delta Hydrae|δ]], [[Epsilon Hydrae|ε]], [[Eta Hydrae|η]], [[Rho Hydrae|ρ]], and [[Sigma Hydrae|σ]] [[Hydra (constellation)|Hydrae]]
||
*''Astrological leader'': [[Budha]] ([[Mercury (mythology)|Mercury]])
*''Symbol'': Serpent
*''Deity'': [[Nāga|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
||[[Image:Hydra constellation map.svg|100px]]
|-
| 10
||'''[[Maghā]]'''<br/>"The Mighty"
||[[Regulus]]
||
*''Astrological leader'': [[Ketu (mythology)|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
||[[Image:Leo constellation map.svg|100px]]
|-
| 11
||'''[[Purva Phalguni (Nakshatra)|Pūrva Phalgunī]]'''<br>"The Former Reddish One"
||[[Zosma|δ]] and [[Theta Leonis|θ]] [[Leo (constellation)|Leonis]]
||
*''Astrological leader'': [[Shukra]] ([[Venus]])
*''Symbol'': Front legs of bed, hammock, fig tree
*''Deity'': [[Bhaga]], god of marital bliss and prosperity.{{ small | NOTE: Ancient texts interchange the deities of the Phalguni nakshatras. In some, such as ''Taittiriya Brahmana'', Aryaman rules Purva Phalgunī. }}
*''Indian zodiac'': 13° 20′ – 26°40′ Leo
*''Tropical zodiac'': 9° 20′ – 22°40′ Virgo
|| [[Image:Leo constellation map.svg|100px]]
|-
| 12
||'''[[Phalguna|Uttara Phalgunī]]'''<br/>"The Latter Reddish One"
||[[Denebola]]
||
*''Astrological leader'': [[Surya]] ([[Solar deity|Sun]])
*''Symbol'': Four legs of bed, hammock
*''Deity'': [[Aryaman]], god of patronage and favours.{{ small | NOTE: Ancient texts interchange the deities of the Phalguni nakshatras. In some, such as ''Taittiriya Brahmana'', Bhaga rules Uttara Phalgunī. }}
*''Indian zodiac'': 26° 40′ Leo - 10° Virgo
*''Tropical zodiac'': 22° 40′ Virgo – 6° Libra
|| [[Image:Leo constellation map.svg|100px]]
|-
| 13
||'''[[Hasta (nakshatra)|Hasta]]'''<br/>"The Hand"
||[[Alpha Corvi|α]], [[Beta Corvi|β]], [[Gienah|γ]], [[Algorab|δ]] and [[Minkar|ε]] [[Corvus (constellation)|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
||[[Image:Corvus constellation map.svg|100px]]
|-
| 14
||'''[[Chitra (nakshatra)|Chitrā]]'''<br/>"The Bright One"
||[[Spica]]
||
*''Astrological leader'': [[Mangala]] ([[Mars]])
*''Symbol'': Bright jewel or pearl
*''Deity'': [[Tvastar]]/[[Vishvakarman|Vishwakarma]], artisan god 
*''Indian zodiac'': 23° 20′ Virgo – 6° 40′ Libra
*''Tropical zodiac'': 19° 20′ Libra – 2° 40′ Scorpio
|| [[Image:Virgo constellation map.svg|100px]]
|-
| 15
||'''[[Svati|Svātī]]'''<br/>"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
|| [[Image:Bootes constellation map.png|100px]]
|-
| 16
||'''[[Vishākhā|Viśākhā]]'''<br/>"Branching Out"
|| [[Alpha Librae|α]], [[Beta Librae|β]], [[Gamma Librae|γ]] and [[Iota Librae|ι]] [[Libra (constellation)|Librae]]
||
*''Astrological leader'': [[Bṛhaspati|Guru]] ([[Jupiter]])
*''Symbol'': Triumphal arch, potter's wheel
*''Deity'': [[Indra]], king of the [[Deva (Hinduism)|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
||[[Image:Libra constellation map.svg|100px]]
|-
| 17
||'''[[Anuradha (nakshatra)|Anurādhā]]'''<br/> "Following  ''[[Radha]]''" 
|| [[Acrab|β]], [[Dschubba|δ]] and [[Pi Scorpii|π]] [[Scorpius (constellation)|Scorpionis]]
||
*''Astrological leader'': [[Shani]] ([[Saturn]])
*''Symbol'': Triumphal archway, lotus, bamboo
*''Deity'': [[Mitra (Vedic)|Mitra]], one of Adityas of friendship and partnership
*''Indian zodiac'': 3° 20′ – 16° 40′ Scorpio
*''Tropical zodiac'': 29° 20′ Scorpio – 12° 40′ Sagittarius
|| [[File:Scorpius constellation map.svg|100px]]
|-
| 18
||'''[[Jyeshtha (nakshatra)|Jyeṣṭha]]'''<br/> "The Eldest"
|| [[Antares|α]], [[Sigma Scorpii|σ]], and [[Tau Scorpii|τ]] [[Scorpius (constellation)|Scorpionis]]
||
*''Astrological leader'': [[Budha]] ([[Mercury (mythology)|Mercury]])
*''Symbol'': circular amulet, umbrella, earring
*''Deity'': [[Indra]], king of the [[Deva (Hinduism)|devas]]
*''Indian zodiac'': 16° 40′ – 30° Scorpio
*''Tropical zodiac'': 12° 40′ – 26° Sagittarius
|| [[Image:Scorpius constellation map.svg|100px]]
|-
| 19
||'''[[Mula (astrology)|Mūlā]]'''<br/>"The Root"
|| [[Epsilon Scorpii|ε]], [[Zeta Scorpii|ζ]], [[Eta Scorpii|η]], [[Sargas|θ]], ι, [[Girtab|κ]], [[Shaula|λ]], [[Mu Scorpii|μ]] and [[Jabbah|ν]] [[Scorpius (constellation)|Scorpionis]]
||
*''Astrological leader'': [[Ketu (mythology)|Ketu]] (South lunar node)
*''Symbol'': Bunch of roots tied together, elephant goad
*''Deity'': [[Nirṛti (goddess)|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
|| [[Image:Scorpius constellation map.svg|100px]]
|-
| 20
||'''[[Purva Ashadha|Pūrva Āṣāḍhā]]'''<br/>"The Former Unconquered"
||[[Kaus Medius|δ]] and [[Kaus Australis|ε]] [[Sagittarius (constellation)|Sagittarii]]
||
*''Astrological leader'': [[Shukra]] ([[Venus]])
*''Symbol'': Elephant tusk, fan, winnowing basket
*''Deity'': [[Ap (water)|Apah]], god of Water
*''Indian zodiac'': 13° 20′ – 26° 40′ Sagittarius
*''Tropical zodiac'': 9° 20′ – 22° 40′ Capricorn
|| [[Image:Sagittarius constellation map.svg|100px]]
|-
| 21
||'''[[Uttara Ashadha|Uttara Āṣāḍhā]]'''<br/>"The Latter Unconquered"
||[[Ascella|ζ]] and [[Sigma Sagittarii|σ]] [[Sagittarius (constellation)|Sagittarii]]
||
*''Astrological leader'': [[Surya]] ([[Solar deity|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
|| [[Image:Sagittarius constellation map.svg|100px]]
|-
| *{{refn|group=note| 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.}}
||'''[[Abhijit (nakshatra)|Abhijit]]'''<br/>"The Invincible"
||[[Vega|ζ]] and [[Lyra|σ]] [[Lyra (constellation)|Lyrae]]
|| 
*''Astrological leader and Deity'': [[Brahma]]
*''Indian zodiac'': 6° 40′ – 10° 53′ Capricorn
*''Tropical zodiac'': 2° 40′ – 6° 53′ Aquarius  
|| [[Image:Lyra constellation map.svg|100px]]
|-
| 22
||'''[[Shravana|Śravaṇa]]'''<br/> "To Hear" 
||[[Altair|α]], [[Alshain|β]] and [[Tarazed|γ]] [[Aquila (constellation)|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
|| [[Image:Aquila constellation map.svg|100px]]
|-
| 23
||'''[[Dhanishta|Dhaniṣṭhā]]''' <br/>"Wealthiest" 
||[[Alpha Delphini|α]], [[Beta Delphini|β]], [[Gamma Delphini|γ]] and [[Delta Delphini|δ]] [[Delphinus|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
|| [[Image:Delphinus constellation map.svg|100px]]
|-
| 24
||'''[[Shatabhisha|Śatabhiṣa]]'''<br/>"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
|| [[File:Aquarius constellation map.svg|100px]]
|-
| 25
||'''[[Purva Bhadrapada|Pūrva Bhādrapada]]'''<br/>"The Former Blessed Feet"
|| [[Alpha Pegasi|α]] and [[Scheat|β]] [[Pegasus (constellation)|Pegasi]]
||
*''Astrological leader'': [[Bṛhaspati|Guru]] ([[Jupiter]])
*''Symbol'': Swords or two front legs of funeral cot, man with two faces
*''Deity'': [[Ekapada|Ajaikapada]], one-footed aspect of [[Shiva]]
*''Indian zodiac'': 20° Aquarius – 3° 20′ Pisces
*''Tropical zodiac'': 16° – 29° 20′ Pisces
|| [[Image:Pegasus constellation map.svg|100px]]
|-
| 26
||'''[[Uttara Bhādrapadā|Uttara Bhādrapada]]'''<br/>"The Latter Blessed Feet"
|| [[Gamma Pegasi|γ]] [[Pegasus (constellation)|Pegasi]] and [[Alpheratz|α]] [[Andromeda (constellation)|Andromedae]]
||
*''Astrological leader'': [[Shani]] ([[Saturn]])
*''Symbol'': Twins, back legs of funeral cot, snake in the water
*''Deity'': [[Ahirbudhnya Samhita|Ahirbudhnya]], serpent or dragon of the deep
*''Indian zodiac'': 3° 20′ – 16° 40′ Pisces
*''Tropical zodiac'': 29° 20′ Pisces – 12° 40′ Aries
|| [[Image:Andromeda constellation map (1).png|100px]]
|-
| 27
||'''[[Revati (nakshatra)|Revatī]]'''<br/> "Prosperous"
|| [[Zeta Piscium|ζ]] [[Pisces (constellation)|Piscium]]
||
*''Astrological leader'': [[Budha]] ([[Mercury (mythology)|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
|| [[Image:Pisces constellation map.png|100px]]
|}

=={{visible anchor|Padas}} (quarters)==
{{Contains special characters|Indic}}
{{unreferenced section|date=June 2018}}
Each of the 27&nbsp;Nakshatras cover 13°&nbsp;20’ of the [[ecliptic]]. Each Nakshatra is also divided into quarters or ''padas'' of 3°&nbsp;20’, and the table below lists the appropriate starting sound to name the child. The 27&nbsp;nakshatras, each with 4&nbsp;padas, give 108, which is the number of beads in a japa mala, representing all the elements (ansh) of [[Vishnu]]:

{| class="wikitable" style="margin:auto;" cellspacing="2" cellpadding="0"
|-
!#!! Name !! Pada 1 !! Pada 2 !! Pada 3 !! Pada 4 !! Vimsottari Lord !! Ruling Deity
|-
| 1|| [[Ashvini|Aśvini]] (अश्विनी)|| चु  Chu || चे  Che || चो  Cho || ला  La || Ketu || Aswini Kumara
|-
| 2|| [[Bharani|Bharaṇī]] (भरणी)|| ली  Li || लू  Lu || ले  Le || लो  Lo || Venus || Yama
|-
| 3 || [[Kṛttikā]] (कृत्तिका)|| अ  A || ई  I || उ  U || ए  E || Sun || Agni
|-
| 4 || [[Rohini (nakshatra)|Rohiṇī]] (रोहिणी) ||  ओ  O || वा  Va/Ba || वी  Vi/Bi || वु  Vu/Bu || Moon || Brahma
|-
| 5 || 	[[Mrigashīrsha|Mṛgaśīrṣā]] (मृगशीर्षा)|| वे  Ve/Be || वो  Vo/Bo || का  Ka || की  Ke || Mars || Moon
|-
| 6 || [[Ardra Nakshatra|Ārdrā]] (आर्द्रा)|| कु  Ku || घ  Gha || ङ  Ng/Na || छ  Chha || Rahu || Shiva
|-
| 7 || [[Punarvasu]] (पुनर्वसु)|| के  Ke || को  Ko || हा  Ha || ही  Hi || Jupiter || Aditi
|-
| 8 || [[Pushya|Puṣya]] (पुष्य) || हु  Hu || हे  He || हो  Ho || ड  Da || Saturn || Brihaspati
|-
| 9 || 	[[Ashlesha (nakshatra)|Āśleṣā]] (आश्लेषा)|| डी  Di || डू  Du || डे  De || डो  Do || Mercury || Rahu
|-
| 10 || [[Maghā]] (मघा)|| मा  Ma || मी  Mi || मू  Mu || मे  Me || Ketu || Pitr
|-
| 11 || Pūrva or [[Pūrva Phalgunī|Pūrva Phālgunī]] (पूर्व फाल्गुनी) || नो  Mo || टा  Ta || टी  Ti || टू  Tu || Venus || Bhaga
|-
| 12 || Uttara or [[Uttara Phalgunī|Uttara Phālgunī]] (उत्तर फाल्गुनी)|| टे  Te || टो  To || पा  Pa || पी  Pi || Sun || Sun
|-
| 13 || [[Hasta (nakshatra)|Hasta]] (हस्त)|| पू  Pu || ष  Sha || ण  Na || ठ  Tha || Moon || Savitr
|-
| 14 || [[Spica|Chitrā]] (चित्रा)|| पे  Pe || पो  Po || रा  Ra || री  Ri || Mars || Vishwakarma
|-
| 15 || [[Svati|Svāti]] (स्वाति) || रू  Ru || रे  Re || रो  Ro || ता  Ta || Rahu || Vaayu
|-
| 16 || [[Vishākhā]] (विशाखा)|| ती  Ti || तू  Tu || ते  Te || तो  To || Jupiter || Indra Agni
|-
| 17 || [[Anuradha (nakshatra)|Anurādhā]] (अनुराधा)|| ना  Na || नी  Ni || नू  Nu || ने  Ne || Saturn || Mitra
|-
| 18 || [[Jyeshtha (nakshatra)|Jyeṣṭhā]] (ज्येष्ठा)|| नो  No || या  Ya || यी  Yi || यू  Yu || Mercury || Indra
|-
| 19 || [[Mula (nakshatra)|Mūla]] (मूल)|| ये  Ye || यो  Yo || भा  Bha || भी  Bhi || Ketu || Varuna, Nirriti
|-
| 20 || [[Purva Ashadha|Pūrva Aṣāḍhā]] (पूर्वाषाढ़ा)|| भू  Bhu || धा  Dha || फा  Bha/Pha || ढा  Dha || Venus || Apah
|-
| 21 || [[Uttara Ashadha|Uttara Aṣāḍhā]] (उत्तराषाढ़ा)|| भे  Bhe || भो  Bho || जा  Ja || जी  Ji || Sun || Brahma
|-
| 22 || [[Shravana|Śrāvaṇa]] (श्रवण)|| खी  Ju/Khi || खू  Je/Khu || खे   Jo/Khe || खो  Gha/Kho || Moon || Vishnu
|-
| 23 || Śrāviṣṭhā (श्रविष्ठा) or [[Dhanishta|Dhaniṣṭhā]] (धनिष्ठा)|| गा  Ga || गी  Gi || गु  Gu || गे  Ge || Mars || Vasu
|-
| 24 || [[Shatabhisha|Śatabhiṣā]] (शतभिषा) || गो  Go || सा  Sa || सी  Si || सू  Su || Rahu || Varuna
|-
| 25 || [[Pūrva Bhādrapadā]] (पूर्वभाद्रपदा)|| से  Se || सो  So || दा Da || दी  Di || Jupiter || Aja Ek Pada
|-
| 26 || [[Uttara Bhādrapadā]] (उत्तरभाद्रपदा)|| दू  Du || थ  Tha || झ  Jha || ञ  Da/Tra || Saturn || Ahirbudhnya
|-
| 27 || [[Revati (nakshatra)|Revati]] (रेवती)|| दे  De || दो  Do || च  Cha || ची  Chi || Mercury || Pooshan
|}

==See also==

* [[Astronomical basis of the Hindu calendar]]  
* [[List of Natchathara temples]]
* [[Navagraha]]
* [[Panchangam]]

==Notes==
{{reflist|group=note}}
{{notelist}}


==References==
{{reflist|25em}}

== External links ==
* [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rss4M6Z6koo&list=PLYNax2xNHwV2r5_Ca4JeJM2zFhvwTHRry&index=2 Ahargana - The Astronomy of the Hindu Calendar: Nakshatra] Explains Nakshatras by means of astronomical simulations created using [[Stellarium (software)|Stellarium]].

{{Jyotish Vidya|Dhanishta = Dhanishtha}}
{{Indian astronomy}}
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[[Category:Nakshatra| ]]
[[Category:Constellations|+]]
[[Category:Celestial goddesses]]