What is a nakshatra? The 27 lunar mansions of Indian astrology
Nakshatras divide the zodiac into 27 parts, often called lunar mansions. The Moon moves through roughly one a day, so the nakshatra of the Moon at birth is central both to reading a person and to calculating life periods in Jyotish.
27 divisions of 13°20′
Dividing 360° into 27 gives 13°20′ per nakshatra; the Moon moves about 13° a day. Each nakshatra has four padas of 3°20′, 108 in all, the same width as one Navamsa (D9) division.
The 27 nakshatras and their rulers
Nine planets rule three nakshatras each; this mapping is the basis of the Vimshottari Dasha.
| Period ruler | Years | Nakshatras (Moon position) |
|---|---|---|
| Ketu | 7 | Ashwini, Magha, Mula |
| Venus | 20 | Bharani, Purva Phalguni, Purva Ashadha |
| Sun | 6 | Krittika, Uttara Phalguni, Uttara Ashadha |
| Moon | 10 | Rohini, Hasta, Shravana |
| Mars | 7 | Mrigashira, Chitra, Dhanishta |
| Rahu | 18 | Ardra, Swati, Shatabhisha |
| Jupiter | 16 | Punarvasu, Vishakha, Purva Bhadrapada |
| Saturn | 19 | Pushya, Anuradha, Uttara Bhadrapada |
| Mercury | 17 | Ashlesha, Jyeshtha, Revati |
Link to Dasha
The ruler of the Moon's birth nakshatra gives the first dasha, and the Moon's progress through it sets the remaining balance.
How GenesisCore handles it
GenesisCore calculates Jyotish separately and derives Dasha from the Moon's position; the Premium Jyotish screen shows the current dasha, sub-periods and gochara. A precise birth time gives precise period boundaries.
FAQ
- What is a nakshatra?
- One of 27 divisions of the zodiac (13°20' each). The natal Moon's nakshatra is used for character and for the Dasha calculation.
- What do I need to find mine?
- Your birth date, time and place; the Moon moves about 13 degrees a day.
Meaning of each Moon sign
Each page covers the Western reading, the Jyotish rashi view, the nakshatras in that sign and how it combines with your Sun sign. All Moon signs
- Moon in Aries (Mesha)a quick, direct emotional nature that needs independence and action
- Moon in Taurus (Vrishabha)steady, patient feelings that seek comfort and security and change slowly
- Moon in Gemini (Mithuna)a curious, talkative inner life that processes feelings through words and variety
- Moon in Cancer (Karka)protective, nurturing feelings centred on home, family and belonging
- Moon in Leo (Simha)warm, generous and expressive feelings that need appreciation
- Moon in Virgo (Kanya)careful, practical feelings that seek order and show care through service
- Moon in Libra (Tula)harmonious, relationship-oriented feelings that seek fairness and balance
- Moon in Scorpio (Vrishchika)deep, private and intense feelings that need trust and honesty
- Moon in Sagittarius (Dhanu)optimistic, freedom-loving feelings lifted by meaning and new horizons
- Moon in Capricorn (Makara)reserved, responsible feelings that seek structure and achievement
- Moon in Aquarius (Kumbha)independent, friendly feelings that value freedom and ideas
- Moon in Pisces (Meena)receptive, imaginative and compassionate feelings that need retreat
GenesisCore
Read your own chart through both systems.
Try one system free. Standard (four PDFs) and Premium (six PDFs) are one-time purchases that include both Western astrology and Jyotish.
Launch prices until Nov 15, 2026, 23:59 JST: Standard 2,980 JPY → 2,235 JPY / Premium 5,980 JPY → 4,485 JPY
Related guides
- Western astrology vs. Indian astrology (Jyotish): the key differencesWhy do Western astrology and Indian astrology (Jyotish) give different results f…
- How to read a birth chart, and why your birth time mattersA birth chart is built from your date, time and place of birth. Learn how the As…
- What an AI astrology analysis shows: strengths, work and timing through two systemsWhat can GenesisCore's AI astrology analysis tell you? How it calculates Western…
- How to explore career direction with astrologyWhere to look in a birth chart for career direction: the Western 10th house and …
- Finding your strengths in a birth chart: a self-reflection guideHow to read strengths from a birth chart: Sun, Moon and Ascendant, element and m…
- What is Dasha? Reading life periods in Indian astrologyDasha divides life into planetary periods in Indian astrology. Learn how the 120…
- What is the Navamsa (D9)? How the ninth-division chart is built and readThe Navamsa (D9) divides each sign into nine parts of 3°20′. Learn how the start…
- What is the Ascendant (Lagna)? The starting point of the birth chartThe Ascendant (rising sign) is the degree of the zodiac on the eastern horizon a…
- Sun sign vs. Moon sign: how to find them and how each system reads themYour Sun sign comes from your birth date; your Moon sign changes about every two…
- Astrology houses: the meaning of the 12 houses and house systemsThe houses divide a birth chart into twelve areas of life such as work, relation…
- Astrology transits: reading timing from current planetary positionsTransits overlay current planetary positions on the birth chart to read timing. …
- Synastry: reading compatibility by comparing two birth chartsSynastry compares two birth charts to read a relationship. Learn which planets m…
- The Midheaven (MC) and your calling: reading your public role in the chartThe Midheaven (MC) is the highest point of the birth chart and a key to career a…
- Yogas in Vedic astrology: key combinations and how to read themA yoga in Jyotish is a planetary combination that meets defined conditions. Lear…
- The D10 (Dasamsa) chart: reading career and public lifeThe D10 (Dasamsa) divides each sign into ten parts and is used in Jyotish to rea…