Nakshatra Calculator

What is a nakshatra?

The zodiac is 360 degrees. Vedic astrology splits it into 12 signs of 30 degrees and also into 27 nakshatras (lunar mansions) of 13°20' each. Your janma nakshatra is the one the Moon was in when you were born. It's often called your birth star.

Each nakshatra has a ruling planet, a symbol and a deity, and is split into four padas (quarters) of 3°20'. The pada links the nakshatra to a navamsa sign and is traditionally used to pick the first syllable of a baby's name.

Why the nakshatra matters

• Dasha timing. The ruler of your birth nakshatra is your first Vimshottari mahadasha. How far the Moon had moved through it decides how many years of that dasha were left at birth.
• Matching. Ashtakoota guna milan scores several points (tara, yoni, gana, nadi) from the two partners' nakshatras.
• Muhurta. Good dates for events are often picked by counting from your birth star.
• Personality. Nakshatras add a lot of detail beyond the Moon sign.

The 27 nakshatras and their lords

The lords repeat in a fixed order: Ketu, Venus, Sun, Moon, Mars, Rahu, Jupiter, Saturn, Mercury. Ashwini, Magha and Mula are ruled by Ketu; Bharani, Purva Phalguni and Purva Ashadha by Venus; and so on around the circle. That same order is the order of the dashas.

Accuracy

The Moon spends about a day in each nakshatra, so your birth time matters more here than for the Moon sign. Without a time we use noon, which is right on most days but can be one nakshatra off if the Moon changed nakshatra that day.