What is Nakshatra? Understanding Vedic Birth Stars
Nakshatra (नक्षत्र in Sanskrit) refers to the 27 lunar mansions or birth stars in Vedic astrology. Your Nakshatra is determined by the precise position of the Moon at the exact moment of your birth. Unlike Western astrology which primarily focuses on the Sun sign, Vedic astrology gives paramount importance to your Nakshatra because the Moon governs your mind, emotions, and inner self.
Every Nakshatra spans exactly 13°20' of the zodiac. Each has its own:
- Ruling Deity - The divine power governing the star
- Ruling Planet - The planet influencing its energy
- Symbol - Sacred image representing its qualities
- Guna - Temperament (Sattva, Rajas, or Tamas)