What are Nakshatras in Vedic Astrology?
In Vedic astrology (Jyotish), the 27 Nakshatras (also called lunar mansions) are the fundamental building blocks of astrological interpretation. While the 12 zodiac signs divide the ecliptic into 30° segments, the 27 nakshatras divide it into 13°20' segments — providing a far more precise and nuanced system.
Your Janma Nakshatra (birth nakshatra) is determined by the Moon's position in your birth chart. This nakshatra reveals your instinctive nature, emotional patterns, subconscious mind, and spiritual path. In Kundali matching, nakshatra compatibility is the most critical factor — the Tara Koota, Nadi Koota, Yoni Koota, and Gana Koota are all calculated based on nakshatras.
The 9 Ruling Planets (Navagrahas)
Each nakshatra is ruled by one of the 9 planetary lords in a repeating cycle: Ketu → Venus → Sun → Moon → Mars → Rahu → Jupiter → Saturn → Mercury. The planetary lord of your birth nakshatra significantly influences your Vimshottari Dasha timeline — the system used to predict major life events.