Nakshatra - The Basics

Amit SethiUpdated 3 Aug 20261,225 words · 6 minNakshatra

Ashwini

MeaningHorsemen
DeityAshwins (twin brothers, children of the Sun and his wife Samjna (consciousness))
Shakti (Power)To quickly reach something
Result of ShaktiThe world becomes free from disease
Basis AboveThose to be healed
Basis BelowHealing therapy
SymbolismHealing, doing good, getting to the right place at the right time, expediency

Bharani

MeaningThe bearers
DeityYama (Dharmaraj, the king of Dharma and the deity of death)
Shakti (Power)To take things away
Result of ShaktiMoving on to the next world
Basis AboveRemoval of life from the body
Basis BelowCarrying the soul to the ancestral realm
SymbolismTransition, transformation, death and rebirth, difficulties as opportunities

Krittika

MeaningThe razor, cutter, or knife
DeityAgni (god of fire)
Shakti (Power)To burn
Result of ShaktiPurification
Basis AboveHeat
Basis BelowLight
SymbolismPurification, transformation, spiritual growth, cutting away the old to make way for the new

Rohini

MeaningRuddy cow or growth
DeityPrajapati (lord of all offspring, equated to Brahma, the creator)
Shakti (Power)To grow
Result of ShaktiTo create
Basis AboveThe plants
Basis BelowThe water
SymbolismGrowth, creativity, nourishment, fertility

Mrigashira

MeaningThe head of the deer
DeitySoma (god of immortality)
Shakti (Power)To give fulfillment
Result of ShaktiTo make the world enjoyable
Basis AboveExtension
Basis BelowWeaving
SymbolismPursuit of desires, goals, and immortality, finding happiness through achieving one's aspirations

Ardra

MeaningThe drop (teardrop)
DeityRudra (Shiva, god of the storm)
Shakti (Power)Effort
Result of ShaktiAchievement
Basis AboveHunting or searching
Basis BelowReaching the goal
SymbolismIntensity, storms, challenges, effort leading to achievement, transformation through difficulties

Punarvasu

MeaningRestoring the good
DeityAditi (mother of the gods)
Shakti (Power)To gain wealth or substance
Result of ShaktiRevitalization of plants
Basis AboveWind or ai
Basis BelowWetness or rain
SymbolismRestoration, revitalization, nourishment, change that brings growth, the power of the divine mother

Pushya

MeaningNourishment, flower, the best
DeityBrihaspati (guru of the gods, equated to Jupiter)
Shakti (Power)To create spiritual energy
Result of ShaktiSpiritual energy is created
Basis AboveSacrificial worship
Basis BelowThe worshipper
SymbolismSpiritual growth, doing one's best, the greater good, the means justify the end

Ashlesha

MeaningEntwining
DeitySarpas (the serpents)
Shakti (Power)To inflict with poison
Result of ShaktiDestruction of the victim
Basis AboveApproach of the serpent
Basis BelowTrembling and agitation
SymbolismKarmic entanglements, challenges, difficult situations, the need to confront and overcome negative patterns

Magha

MeaningThe mighty ones
DeityPitris (ancestors, forefathers)
Shakti (Power)To leave the body
Result of ShaktiDeath
Basis AboveMourning
Basis BelowLeaving the body
SymbolismAncestral karma, family duties, lineage, letting go, moving on

Purva Phalguni

MeaningThe former reddish one
DeityAryaman (the Sun as a friend and beloved)
Shakti (Power)To give the ability to procreate
Result of ShaktiCreation of the fetus (or an idea)
Basis AboveThe wife or female partner
Basis BelowThe husband or male partner
SymbolismPartnership, creativity, chemistry, the beginning of creation

Uttara Phalguni

MeaningThe latter reddish one
DeityBhag (the Sun as fortune)
Shakti (Power)To give prosperity through union or marriage
Result of ShaktiAccumulation of wealth
Basis AboveWealth gained from one's own family
Basis BelowWealth gained from one's partner's family
SymbolismProsperity, wealth, abundance, the result of creativity

Hasta

MeaningThe hand
DeitySavitar (the Sun as the impeller, the vivifier)
Shakti (Power)To gain what one is seeking, to place it in one's hands
Result of ShaktiTo put one's wishes in one's hand
Basis AboveSeeking of gain
Basis BelowProcess of gaining
SymbolismTangible results, acquiring, fulfilling desires, divine inspiration

Chitra

MeaningBright
DeityVishwakarma (the divine architect)
Shakti (Power)To accumulate merit in life
Result of ShaktiGaining honor in one's work
Basis AboveLaw
Basis BelowTruth
SymbolizmDivine law, truth, doing the right thing, being noble, magnetic personality

Swati

MeaningThe sword
DeityVayu (the wind)
Shakti (Power)To scatter like the wind
Result of ShaktiTransformation
Basis AboveMoving in various directions
Basis BelowChange of form
SymbolismWind of change, transformation, making things happen through change

Vishakha

MeaningBranched
DeityIndra and Agni (worshipped together)
Shakti (Power)To achieve many and various fruits
Result of ShaktiThe fruit of the harvest
Basis AbovePlowing or cultivation
Basis BelowHarvest
SymbolismAchieving multiple goals, planning, spiritual cultivation, reaping rewards

Anuradha

MeaningFollowing Radha
DeityMitra (the divine friend, lord of compassion)
Shakti (Power)Worship and devotion
Result of ShaktiHonor and abundance
Basis AboveAscension
Basis BelowDescent
SymbolismFriendship, devotion, honor, abundance, where heaven meets earth

Jyeshtha

MeaningThe eldest or the senior
DeityIndra (king of the gods)
Shakti (Power)To rise or conquer and gain courage in battle
Result of ShaktiOne becomes a hero
Basis AboveAttack
Basis BelowDefense
SymbolismBattle, overcoming challenges, heroism, gaining respect

Mula

MeaningThe root
DeityNirriti (goddess of disaster)
Shakti (Power)To ruin or destroy
Result of ShaktiThe power to destroy
Basis AboveBreaking things apart
Basis BelowCrushing things
SymbolismDestruction, getting to the root, creating space for new growth

Purva Ashadha

MeaningThe previous invincible
DeityApas (goddess of water)
Shakti (Power)Invigoration
Result of ShaktiGain of luster
Basis AboveStrength
Basis BelowConnection
SymbolismFlow of consciousness, feeling strongly, invigoration, magnetism

Uttara Ashadha

MeaningThe latter invincible
DeityVishvadevas (the universal gods)
Shakti (Power)To grant unchallengeable victory
Result of ShaktiOne becomes the unchallenged winner
Basis AboveThe strength to win
Basis BelowThe goal that one can win
SymbolismUnchallengeable victory, tangible success, achieving goals

Shravana

MeaningHearing
DeityVishnu (the absolute aspect of God)
Shakti (Power)Connection
Result of ShaktiThe person gets connected to all things
Basis AboveSeeking
Basis BelowThe paths
SymbolismConnection, seeking truth, the importance of hearing, bringing things together

Dhanishtha

MeaningVery rich or very swift
DeityVasus (the gods inherent in nature)
Shakti (Power)To give abundance and fame
Result of ShaktiBringing people together
Basis AboveBirth
Basis BelowProsperity
SymbolismAbundance, fame, wealth, drawing people together, being an icon

Shatabhishak

Meaning100 physicians or 100 medicines
DeityVaruna (god of the waters or the sky)
Shakti (Power)Healing
Result of ShaktiThe world is free of calamity
Basis AbovePervasion overall
Basis BelowSupporting all
SymbolismHealing, support, freeing the world from calamity, seeing the big picture

Purva Bhadrapada

MeaningThe previous auspicious feet
DeityAja Ekapada (the one-footed goat)
Shakti (Power)To give the fire to raise the worshipper up in life
Result of ShaktiSupport of the entire world
Basis AboveWhat is good for all people
Basis BelowWhat is good for the gods
SymbolismWorship, devotion, supporting the world, renunciation, hidden power

Uttara Bhadrapada

MeaningThe latter auspicious feet
DeityAhirbudhnya (dragon of the depths)
Shakti (Power)Bringing of the rain
Result of ShaktiStability of the three worlds
Basis AboveThe rainy clouds
Basis BelowThe growing of plants
SymbolismBringing nourishment, consciousness, stability, fulfilling needs

Revati

MeaningWealthy
DeityPushan (the Sun as nourisher and fosterer)
Shakti (Power)Nourishment
Result of ShaktiNourishment of the entire world
Basis AboveThe cows
Basis BelowThe calves
SymbolismNourishment, fostering, taking care of others, abundance for the purpose of nurturing