List of Nakshatras

The classical list of 27 nakshatras ("lunar mansion") is first found in the Vedanga Jyotisha, a text dated to the final centuries BCE. The nakshatra system predates the influence of Hellenistic astronomy on vedic tradition, which became prevalent from about the 2nd century CE.

In Hindu astrology, there are various systems of enumerating 27 or 28 nakshatras. Although there are 28 days to a sidereal month, by custom only 27 days are used, the last 28th day being considered unlucky. The following list of nakshatras gives the corresponding regions of sky, following Basham.[1]

No. Name Associated starsDescription Image
1 Ashvini
"wife of the Ashvins"
β and γ Arietis
  • Lord: 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' Mesha
  • Western zodiac 26° Aries - 9°20' Taurus
2; 7 Bharani
"the bearer"
35, 39, and 41 Arietis
  • Lord: Shukra (Venus)
  • Symbol: Yoni, the female organ of reproduction
  • Deity: Yama, god of death or Dharma
  • Indian zodiac: 13° 20' - 26°40' Mesha
  • Western zodiac 9° 20' - 22° 40' Taurus
3 Krittika
an old name of the Pleiades; personified as the nurses of Kārttikeya, a son of Shiva.
Pleiades
  • Lord: Surya (Sun)
  • Symbol: Knife or spear
  • Deity : Agni, god of fire
  • Indian zodiac: 26°40' Mesha - 10° Vrishabha
  • Western zodiac 22° 40' Taurus - 6° Gemini
4; 9 Rohini
"the red one", a name of Aldebaran. Also known as brāhmī
Aldebaran
5; 3 Mrigashīrsha
"the deer's head". Also known as āgrahāyaṇī
λ, φ Orionis
  • Lord: Mangala (Mars)
  • Symbol: Deer's head
  • Deity: Soma, Chandra, the Moon god
  • Indian zodiac: 23° 20' Vrishabha - 6° 40' Mithuna
  • Western zodiac: 19°20' Gemini - 2°40' Cancer
6; 4 Ardra
"the moist one"
Betelgeuse
  • Lord: Rahu (North lunar node)
  • Symbol: Teardrop, diamond, a human head
  • Deity : Rudra, the storm god
  • Indian zodiac: 6° 40' - 20° Mithuna
  • Western zodiac: 2° 40' - 16° Cancer
7; 5 Punarvasu (dual)
"the two restorers of goods", also known as yamakau "the two chariots"
Castor and Pollux
  • Lord: Guru (Jupiter)
  • Symbol : Bow and quiver
  • Deity : Aditi, mother of the gods
  • Indian zodiac: 20° Mithuna - 3°20' Karka
  • Western zodiac 16° - 29°20' Cancer
8; 6 Pushya
"the nourisher", also known as sidhya or tiṣya
γ, δ and θ Cancri
  • Lord: Shani (Saturn)
  • Symbol : Cow's udder, lotus, arrow and circle
  • Deity : Bṛhaspati, priest of the gods
  • Indian zodiac: 3°20' -16°40' Karka
  • Western zodiac 29°20' Cancer - 12°40' Leo
9; 7 Āshleshā
"the embrace"
δ, ε, η, ρ, and σ Hydrae
  • Lord: Budh (Mercury)
  • Symbol: Serpent
  • Deity : Sarpas or Nagas, deified snakes
  • Indian zodiac: 16°40' - 30° Karka
  • Western zodiac 12°40' - 26° Leo
10; 15 Maghā
"the bountiful"
Regulus
  • Lord: Ketu (south lunar node)
  • Symbol : Royal Throne
  • Deity : Pitrs, 'The Fathers', family ancestors
  • Indian zodiac: 0° - 13°20' Simha
  • Western zodiac 26° Leo - 9°20' Virgo
11 Pūrva Phalgunī
"first reddish one"
δ and θ Leonis
  • Lord: Shukra (Venus)
  • Symbol : Front legs of bed, hammock, fig tree
  • Deity : Bhaga, god of marital bliss and prosperity
  • Indian zodiac: 13°20' - 26°40' Simha
  • Western zodiac 9°20' - 22°40' Virgo
12 Uttara Phalgunī
"second reddish one"
Denebola
  • Lord: Surya (Sun)
  • Symbol: Four legs of bed, hammock
  • Deity : Aryaman, god of patronage and favours
  • Indian zodiac: 26°40' Simha- 10° Kanya
  • Western zodiac 22°40' Virgo - 6° Libra
13 Hasta
"the hand"
α, β, γ, δ and ε Corvi
  • Lord: Chandra (Moon)
  • Symbol: Hand or fist
  • Deity : Saviti or Surya, the Sun god
  • Indian zodiac: 10° - 23°20' Kanya
  • Western zodiac 6° - 19°20' Libra
14 Chitra
"the bright one", a name of Spica
Spica
  • Lord: Mangala (Mars)
  • Symbol: Bright jewel or pearl
  • Deity : Tvastar or Vishvakarman, the celestial architect
  • Indian zodiac: 23°20' Kanya - 6°40' Tula
  • Western zodiac: 19°20' Libra - 2°40' Scorpio
15 Swāti
"Su-Ati (sanskrit) Very good" name of Arcturus
Arcturus
  • Lord: Rahu (north lunar node)
  • Symbol: Shoot of plant, coral
  • Deity : Vayu, the Wind god
  • Indian zodiac: 6°40' - 20° Tula
  • Western zodiac 2°40' - 16° Scorpio
16; 14 Vishakha
"forked, having branches"; also known as rādhā "the gift"
α, β, γ and ι Librae
  • Lord: Guru (Jupiter)
  • Symbol : Triumphal arch, potter's wheel
  • Deity : Indra, chief of the gods; Agni, god of Fire
  • Indian zodiac: 20° Tula - 3°20' Vrishchika
  • Western zodiac 16° - 29°20' Scorpio
17 Anuradha
"following rādhā"
β, δ and π Scorpionis
  • Lord: Shani (Saturn)
  • Symbol : Triumphal archway, lotus
  • Deity : Mitra, one of Adityas of friendship and partnership
  • Indian zodiac: 3°20' - 16°40' Vrishchika
  • Western zodiac 29°20' Scorpio - 12°40' Sagittarius
18; 16 Jyeshtha
"the eldest, most excellent"
α, σ, and τ Scorpionis
  • Lord: Budh (Mercury)
  • Symbol : circular amulet, umbrella, earring
  • Deity : Indra, chief of the gods
  • Indian zodiac: 16°40' - 30° Vrishchika
  • Western zodiac 12°40' - 26° Sagittarius
19; 17 Mula
"the root"
ε, ζ, η, θ, ι, κ, λ, μ and ν Scorpionis
  • Lord: Ketu (south lunar node)
  • Symbol : Bunch of roots tied together, elephant goad
  • Deity : Nirrti, goddess of dissolution and destruction
  • Indian zodiac: 0° - 13°20' Dhanus
  • Western zodiac 26° Sagittarius - 9°20' Capricorn
20; 18 Purva Ashadha
"first of the aṣāḍhā", aṣāḍhā "the invincible one" being the name of a constellation
δ and ε Sagittarii
  • Lord: Shukra (Venus)
  • Symbol: Elephant tusk, fan, winnowing basket
  • Deity : Apah, god of Water
  • Indian zodiac: 13°20' - 26°40' Dhanus
  • Western zodiac 9°20' - 22°40' Capricorn
21 Uttara Ashadha
"second of the aṣāḍhā"
ζ and σ Sagittarii
  • Lord: Surya (Sun)
  • Symbol : Elephant tusk, small bed
  • Deity : Visvedevas, universal gods
  • Indian zodiac: 26°40' Dhanus - 10° Makara
  • Western zodiac 22°40' Capricorn - 6° Aquarius
22; 20 Abhijit
"victorious"[2]
α, ε and ζ Lyrae - Vega Lord: Brahma (creator)
  • Indian zodiac: 06° 40' Dhanus - 10° 53' 40 Makara
23; 20 Sravana
α, β and γ Aquilae
  • Lord: Chandra (Moon)
  • Symbol : Ear or Three Footprints
  • Deity : Vishnu, preserver of universe
  • Indian zodiac: 10° - 23°20' Makara
  • Western zodiac 6° - 19°20' Aquarius
24; 21; 23 Dhanishta
"most famous", also Shravishthā "swiftest"
α to δ Delphini
  • Lord: Mangala (Mars)
  • Symbol : Drum or flute
  • Deity : Eight vasus, deities of earthly abundance
  • Indian zodiac: 23°20' Makara - 6°40' Kumbha
  • Western zodiac 19°20' Aquarius - 2°40' Pisces
24; 22 Shatabhisha
"requiring a hundred physicians"
γ Aquarii
  • Lord: Rahu (north lunar node)
  • Symbol : Empty circle, 1,000 flowers or stars
  • Deity : Varuna, god of cosmic waters, sky and earth
  • Indian zodiac: 6°40' - 20° Kumbha ; Western zodiac 2°40' - 16° Pisces
25; 3 Purva Bhadrapada
"the first of the blessed feet"
α and β Pegasi
  • Lord: Guru (Jupiter)
  • Symbol : Swords or two front legs of funeral cot, man with two faces
  • Deity : Ajikapada, an ancient fire dragon
  • Indian zodiac: 20° Kumbha - 3°20' Meena ; Western zodiac 16° - 29°20' Pisces
26; 4 Uttara Bhādrapadā
"the second of the blessed feet"
γ Pegasi and α Andromedae
  • Lord: Shani (Saturn)
  • Symbol : Twins, back legs of funeral cot, snake in the water
  • Deity : Ahir Budhyana, serpent or dragon of the deep
  • Indian zodiac: 3°20' - 16°40' Meena ; Western zodiac 29°20' Pisces - 12°40' Aries
27; 5 Revati
"prosperous"
ζ Piscium
  • Lord: Budh (Mercury)
  • Symbol : Fish or a pair of fish, drum
  • Deity : Pushan, nourisher, the protective deity
  • Indian zodiac: 16°40' - 30° Meena
  • Western zodiac 12°40' - 26° Aries

Padas (quarters)

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, indicating all the elements (ansh) of Vishnu:

# Name Pada 1 Pada 2 Pada 3 Pada 4
1 Ashwini (अश्विनि) चु Chu चे Che चो Cho ला La
2 Bharani (भरणी) ली Li लू Lu ले Le लो Lo
3 Kritika (कृत्तिका) अ A ई I उ U ए E
4 Rohini(रोहिणी) ओ O वा Va/Ba वी Vi/Bi वु Vu/Bu
5 Mrigashīrsha(म्रृगशीर्षा) वे Ve/Be वो Vo/Bo का Ka की Ke
6 Ārdrā (आर्द्रा) कु Ku घ Gha ङ Ng/Na छ Chha
7 Punarvasu (पुनर्वसु) के Ke को Ko हा Ha ही Hi
8 Pushya (पुष्य) हु Hu हे He हो Ho ड Da
9 Āshleshā (आश्लेषा) डी Di डू Du डे De डो Do
10 Maghā (मघा) मा Ma मी Mi मू Mu मे Me
11 Pūrva or Pūrva Phalgunī (पूर्व फाल्गुनी) नो Mo टा Ta टी Ti टू Tu
12 Uttara or Uttara Phalgunī (उत्तर फाल्गुनी) टे Te टो To पा Pa पी Pi
13 Hasta (हस्त) पू Pu ष Sha ण Na ठ Tha
14 Chitra (चित्रा) पे Pe पो Po रा Ra री Ri
15 Svātī (स्वाति) रू Ru रे Re रो Ro ता Tha
16 Viśākhā (विशाखा) ती Ti तू Tu ते Te तो To
17 Anurādhā (अनुराधा) ना Na नी Ni नू Nu ने Ne
18 Jyeshtha (ज्येष्ठा) नो No या Ya यी Yi यू Yu
19 Mula (मूल) ये Ye यो Yo भा Bha भी Bhi
20 Pūrva Ashādhā (पूर्वाषाढ़ा) भू Bhu धा Dha फा Bha/Pha ढा Dha
21 Uttara Aṣāḍhā (उत्तराषाढ़ा) भे Bhe भो Bho जा Ja जी Ji
22 Śrāvaṇa (श्र‌ावण) खी Ju/Khi खू Je/Khu खे Jo/Khe खो Gha/Kho
23 Śrāviṣṭha (श्रविष्ठा) or Dhanishta गा Ga गी Gi गु Gu गे Ge
24 Shatabhisha (शतभिषा)or Śatataraka गो Go सा Sa सी Si सू Su
25 Pūrva Bhādrapadā (पूर्वभाद्रपदा) से Se सो So दा Da दी Di
26 Uttara Bhādrapadā (उत्तरभाद्रपदा) दू Du थ Tha झ Jha ञ Da/Tra
27 Revati (रेवती) दे De दो Do च Cha ची Chi

Names in modern languages

The names of nakshatras in other languages are adapted from the Sanskrit variation (apabhramsa) through Pali or Prakrit. The variations evolved for easier pronunciation in popular usage.

#Sanskrit
संस्कृतम्
Tamil
தமிழ்
Sinhala
සිoහල
Dhivehi
ދިވެހި
Telugu
తెలుగు
Kannada
ಕನ್ನಡ
Malayalam
മലയാളം
Mongolian Chinese
宿
1 Ashvinī
अश्विनी
Aswini
அஸ்வினி
Aswida
අස්විද
A'sidha
އައްސިދަ
Ashwini
అశ్విని
Ashwini
ಅಶ್ವಿನಿ
Ashvati
അശ്വതി
Шийдэм
2 Bharanī
भरणी
Baraṇi
பரணி
Berana
බෙරණ
Burunu
ބުރުނު
Bharani
భరణి
Bharani
ಭರಣಿ
Bharaṇi
ഭരണി
Гоё хүүхэн
3 Krittikā
कृत्तिका
Kārthikai
கார்த்திகை
Kethi
කැති
Kethi
ކެތި
Kritika
కృత్తిక
Kritika
ಕೃತಿಕ
Kārttika
കാർത്തിക
Нэг эхт зургаан хөвгүүн
4 Rohini
रोहिणी
Rōhiṇi
ரோகிணி
Rehena
රෙහෙණ
Roanu
ރޯނު
Rohini
రోహిణి
Rohini
ರೋಹಿಣಿ
Rōhiṇi
രോഹിണി
Чөлөөт эх
5 Mrigashīrsha
म्रृगशीर्षा
Mirugasīridam
மிருகசீரிடம்
Muwasirasa
මුවසිරස
Miyaheli
މިޔަހެލި
Mrigasiraa
మ్రిగాశిర
Mrigashira
ಮೃಗಶಿರ
Makayiram
മകയിരം
Гөрөөсөн толгой
6 Ārdrā
आद्रा
Thiruvādhirai
திருவாதிரை
Ada
අද
Adha
އަދަ
Arudra
ఆర్ద్ర
Ardra
ಆರ್ದ್ರ
Ātira or Tiruvātira
ആതിര (തിരുവാതിര)
Хэрцгий охин
7 Punarvasu
पुनर्वसु
Punarpoosam
புனர்பூசம்
Punavasa
පුනාවස
Funoas
ފުނޯސް
Punarvasu
పునర్వసు
Punarvasu
ಪುನರ್ವಸು
Puṇartam
പുണർതം
Өглөгт охин
8 Pushya
पुष्य
Poosam
பூசம்
Pusha
පුෂ
Fus
ފުސް
Pushya
పుష్య
Pushyami
ಪುಷ್ಯ
Pūyam
പൂയം
Найралт эх
9 Āshleshā
आश्ळेषा / आश्लेषा
Ayilyam
ஆயில்யம்
Aslisa
අස්ලිස
Ahuliha
އަހުލިހަ
Ashlesha
ఆశ్లేష
Ashlesha
ಆಶ್ಲೇಷ
Āyilyam
ആയില്യം
Үнэг
10 Maghā
मघा
Magam
மகம்
Maa
මා
Maa
މާ
Maghaa
మాఘ
Magha
ಮಾಘ
Makam
മകം
Их морь
11 Pūrva or Pūrva Phalgunī
पूर्व फाल्गुनी
Pooram
பூரம்
Puwapal
පුවපල්
Fura
ފުރަ
Pubba
పూర్వ ఫల్గుని
Poorva
ಪೂರ್ವ
Pūram
പൂരം
Бага морь
12 Uttara or Uttara Phalgunī
उत्तर फाल्गुनी
Uthiram
உத்திரம்
Uttrapal
උත්රපල්
Uthura
އުތުރަ
Uttara
ఉత్తర ఫల్గుని
Uttara
ಉತ್ತರ
Utram
ഉത്രം
Харцага
13 Hasta
हस्त
Astham
அஸ்தம்
Hatha
හත
Atha
އަތަ
Hasta
హస్త
Hastaa
ಹಸ್ತ
Attam
അത്തം
Тугчин
14 Chitrā
चित्रा
Chithirai
சித்திரை
Sitha
සිත
Hitha
ހިތަ
Chittaa
చిత్ర
Chitra
ಚಿತ್ರ
Chittira
ചിത്തിര (ചിത്ര)
Тэргүүн дагуул
15 Svātī
स्वाती
Swathi
சுவாதி
Saa
සා
Hey
ހޭ
Swaati
స్వాతి
Swathi
ಸ್ವಾತಿ
Chōti
ചോതി
Салхины эх
16 Vishākhā
विशाखा
Visakam
விசாகம்
Wisa
විසා
Vihaa
ވިހާ
Vishaakha
విశాఖ
Vishakha
ವಿಶಾಖ
Vishākham
വിശാഖം
Эрхтний тэнгэрт
17 Anurādhā
अनुराधा
Anusham
அனுஷம்
Anura
අනුර
Nora
ނޮރަ
Anuraadha
అనురాధ
Anuradha
ಅನುರಾಧಾ
Anizham
അനിഴം
Гар од
18 Jyeshtha
ज्येष्ठा
Kettai
கேட்டை
Deta
දෙට
Dhosha
ދޮށަ
Jyesthaa
జఎస్త
Jyestha
ಜ್ಯೇಷ್ಠ
Хонгорцог
19 Mūla
मूल
Mūlam
மூலம்
Moola
මුල
Mula
މުލަ
Moolaa
మూల
Moola
ಮೂಲ
Mūlam
മൂലം
Онгоц
20 Pūrva Ashādhā
पूर्वाषाढा
Pūradam
பூராடம்
Puwasala
පුවසල
Furahalha
ފުރަހަޅަ
Poorvashaadha
పూర్వశాధ
Poorvashadha
ಪುರ್ವಾಷಾಡ
Pūrāṭam
പൂരാടം
Суулга
21 Uttara Ashādhā
उत्तराषाढा
Uthirādam
உத்திராடம்
Uttrasala
උත්රසල
Uthurahalha
އުތުރަހަޅަ
Uttarashaadha
ఉత్తరాశాధ
Uttarashadha
ಉತ್ತರಾಷಾಡ
Utrāṭam
ഉത്രാടം
Элдэв тэнгэртэн
22 Shravana
श्रवण
Tiruvōnam
திருவோணம்
Suvana
සුවණ
Huvan
ހުވަން
Shravana
శ్రావణ
Shravana
ಶ್ರವಣ
Tiruvōnam
ഓണം (തിരുവോണം)
Булаагч/Яруу эгшигт
23 Shravishthā or Dhanishta
श्रविष्ठा or धनिष्ठा
Aviṭṭam
அவிட்டம்
Denata
දෙණට
Dhinasha
ދިނަށަ
Dhanishta
ధనిష్ఠ
Dhanishta
ಧನಿಷ್ಠ
Aviṭṭam
അവിട്ടം
Тооно
24 Shatabhishā or Shatataraka
शतभिषक् / शततारका
Sadayam
சதயம்
Siyawasa
සියාවස
Hiyavihaa
ހިޔަވިހާ
Shatabhisha
శతభిష
Shatabhisha
ಶಥಭಿಷ
Chatayam
ചതയം
Чөдөр
25 Pūrva Bhādrapadā
पूर्वभाद्रपदा / पूर्वप्रोष्ठपदा
Pūraṭṭādhi
பூரட்டாதி
Puvaputupa
පුවපුටුප
Furabadhuruva
ފުރަބަދުރުވަ
Poorvabhadraa
పూర్వ భాద్రపద
Poorva Bhadrapada
ಪೂರ್ವ ಭಾದ್ರಪದ
Pūraṭṭāti
പൂരുരുട്ടാതി
Шувуун хошуут
26 Uttara Bhādrapadā
उत्तरभाद्रपदा / उत्तरप्रोष्ठपदा
Uttṛṭṭādhi
உத்திரட்டாதி
Uttraputupa
උත්රපුටුප
Fasbadhuruva
ފަސްބަދުރުވަ
Uttaraa bhadra
ఉత్తర భాద్రపద
Uttara Bhadrapada
ಉತ್ತರ ಭಾದ್ರಪದ
Uttṛṭṭāti
ഉത്രട്ടാതി
Могой хүлэгч
27 Revati
रेवती
Rēvathi
ரேவதி
Revathi
රේවතී
Reyva
ރޭވަ
Revati
రేవతి
Revati
ರೇವತಿ
Rēvati
രേവതി
Дэлгэрүүлэгч

References

  1. Arthur Llewellyn Basham, Indian Astronomy Appendix: Astronomy.
  2. Its longitude starts from 06° 40' to 10° 53' 40 in sidereal Capricorn i.e. from the last quarter of Uttra Ashadha to first 1/15 th part of Shravana. Its span is 4° 13' 40. The span of 27 mean daily lunar motions totals 355.76167 degrees, and together these total 359.98945 degrees. Considered an "intercalary" lunar mansion.
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