Lunar mansions
The 27 nakshatras.
The Moon passes through twenty-seven mansions each month. The one it held when you were born — your Janma Nakshatra — sets the order of your dashas and colours your mind.
- Nakshatras
- 27
- Lunar mansions
- Padas
- 108
- Four quarters each
- Each span
- 13°20′
- Of the zodiac
Nakshatra guides
Explore the lunar mansions
A name syllable finds the nakshatra traditionally linked to it.
Ketu
7-year mahadasha. Born with the Moon in one of these, life opens in Ketu's dasha.
01 · Lord Ketu
Ashwini
A horse's head
The first mansion is swift and healing. Ashwini acts on instinct, rushes to help and loves a fresh start.
- Span
- 0°–13°20′ Aries
- Gana
- Deva
- Syllables
- Chu · Che · Cho · La
10 · Lord Ketu
Magha
A royal throne
Magha is the throne of the ancestors. It carries lineage, dignity and the authority of tradition.
- Span
- 0°–13°20′ Leo
- Gana
- Rakshasa
- Syllables
- Ma · Mi · Mu · Me
19 · Lord Ketu
Mula
A bunch of roots
Mula goes to the root. It questions, uproots and investigates until it finds the truth beneath things.
- Span
- 0°–13°20′ Sagittarius
- Gana
- Rakshasa
- Syllables
- Ye · Yo · Bha · Bhi
Venus
20-year mahadasha. Born with the Moon in one of these, life opens in Venus's dasha.
02 · Lord Venus
Bharani
The yoni, the womb
Bharani carries and bears: creative force, endurance and the courage to face life's thresholds of birth, change and restraint.
- Span
- 13°20′–26°40′ Aries
- Gana
- Manushya
- Syllables
- Li · Lu · Le · Lo
11 · Lord Venus
Purva Phalguni
The front legs of a bed
Purva Phalguni rests and enjoys. Warm and creative, it loves beauty, romance and the pleasures of a life well lived.
- Span
- 13°20′–26°40′ Leo
- Gana
- Manushya
- Syllables
- Mo · Ta · Ti · Tu
20 · Lord Venus
Purva Ashadha
A fan or an elephant's tusk
Purva Ashadha is the invincible. Confident and persuasive, it purifies and inspires, and does not accept defeat.
- Span
- 13°20′–26°40′ Sagittarius
- Gana
- Manushya
- Syllables
- Bhu · Dha · Pha · Dha
Sun
6-year mahadasha. Born with the Moon in one of these, life opens in Sun's dasha.
03 · Lord Sun
Krittika
A razor, or a flame
Krittika cuts and purifies. Sharp, honest and determined, it burns away what is false and protects what it nurtures.
- Span
- 26°40′ Aries – 10° Taurus
- Gana
- Rakshasa
- Syllables
- A · I · U · E
12 · Lord Sun
Uttara Phalguni
The back legs of a bed
Uttara Phalguni keeps its word. It builds partnerships, honours agreements and gives steady support to others.
- Span
- 26°40′ Leo – 10° Virgo
- Gana
- Manushya
- Syllables
- Te · To · Pa · Pi
21 · Lord Sun
Uttara Ashadha
An elephant's tusk or a small bed
Uttara Ashadha is the final victory: principled, responsible and enduring, it wins slowly and keeps what it wins.
- Span
- 26°40′ Sagittarius – 10° Capricorn
- Gana
- Manushya
- Syllables
- Be · Bo · Ja · Ji
Moon
10-year mahadasha. Born with the Moon in one of these, life opens in Moon's dasha.
04 · Lord Moon
Rohini
An ox-cart or chariot
The Moon's favourite mansion is fertile and beautiful. Rohini grows, attracts and enjoys, and draws abundance towards it.
- Span
- 10°–23°20′ Taurus
- Gana
- Manushya
- Syllables
- O · Va · Vi · Vu
13 · Lord Moon
Hasta
An open hand
Hasta is the skilled hand. Clever, resourceful and good-humoured, it shapes outcomes with craft and timing.
- Span
- 10°–23°20′ Virgo
- Gana
- Deva
- Syllables
- Pu · Sha · Na · Tha
22 · Lord Moon
Shravana
An ear, or three footprints
Shravana listens. It learns, connects and preserves knowledge, and finds its path by hearing what others miss.
- Span
- 10°–23°20′ Capricorn
- Gana
- Deva
- Syllables
- Ju · Je · Jo · Gha
Mars
7-year mahadasha. Born with the Moon in one of these, life opens in Mars's dasha.
05 · Lord Mars
Mrigashira
A deer's head
Mrigashira is the seeker, always searching for the next thing worth finding — gentle, curious and alert like the deer.
- Span
- 23°20′ Taurus – 6°40′ Gemini
- Gana
- Deva
- Syllables
- Ve · Vo · Ka · Ki
14 · Lord Mars
Chitra
A bright jewel
Chitra designs and dazzles. It joins precision to beauty and wants what it makes to be seen.
- Span
- 23°20′ Virgo – 6°40′ Libra
- Gana
- Rakshasa
- Syllables
- Pe · Po · Ra · Ri
23 · Lord Mars
Dhanishtha
A drum
Dhanishtha keeps the rhythm. Prosperous and musical, it moves with the times and brings people together.
- Span
- 23°20′ Capricorn – 6°40′ Aquarius
- Gana
- Rakshasa
- Syllables
- Ga · Gi · Gu · Ge
Rahu
18-year mahadasha. Born with the Moon in one of these, life opens in Rahu's dasha.
06 · Lord Rahu
Ardra
A teardrop
Ardra is the storm that clears the air. Intense and searching, it brings upheaval that leaves things renewed.
- Span
- 6°40′–20° Gemini
- Gana
- Manushya
- Syllables
- Ku · Gha · Na · Chha
15 · Lord Rahu
Swati
A young sprout swaying in the wind
Swati moves on its own terms. Independent and diplomatic, it bends without breaking and finds its own balance.
- Span
- 6°40′–20° Libra
- Gana
- Deva
- Syllables
- Ru · Re · Ro · Ta
24 · Lord Rahu
Shatabhisha
An empty circle
Shatabhisha is the hundred healers. Private and philosophical, it is drawn to hidden systems and to curing what others cannot.
- Span
- 6°40′–20° Aquarius
- Gana
- Rakshasa
- Syllables
- Go · Sa · Si · Su
Jupiter
16-year mahadasha. Born with the Moon in one of these, life opens in Jupiter's dasha.
07 · Lord Jupiter
Punarvasu
A quiver of arrows
Punarvasu is the return of the light. It restores, forgives and begins again, with faith that things come right.
- Span
- 20° Gemini – 3°20′ Cancer
- Gana
- Deva
- Syllables
- Ke · Ko · Ha · Hi
16 · Lord Jupiter
Vishakha
A triumphal archway
Vishakha sets its sights on a goal and does not stop. Purposeful and intense, it wins through persistence.
- Span
- 20° Libra – 3°20′ Scorpio
- Gana
- Rakshasa
- Syllables
- Ti · Tu · Te · To
25 · Lord Jupiter
Purva Bhadrapada
The front of a funeral cot, or a sword
Purva Bhadrapada burns with purpose. Idealistic and intense, it can renounce comfort for a cause it believes in.
- Span
- 20° Aquarius – 3°20′ Pisces
- Gana
- Manushya
- Syllables
- Se · So · Da · Di
Saturn
19-year mahadasha. Born with the Moon in one of these, life opens in Saturn's dasha.
08 · Lord Saturn
Pushya
A cow's udder, a flower or a circle
Pushya nourishes. Counted among the most auspicious mansions, it protects, teaches and sustains with quiet strength.
- Span
- 3°20′–16°40′ Cancer
- Gana
- Deva
- Syllables
- Hu · He · Ho · Da
17 · Lord Saturn
Anuradha
A lotus
Anuradha is devotion and friendship. It keeps faith with people and blossoms in difficult conditions, like the lotus.
- Span
- 3°20′–16°40′ Scorpio
- Gana
- Deva
- Syllables
- Na · Ni · Nu · Ne
26 · Lord Saturn
Uttara Bhadrapada
The back of a funeral cot, or twins
Uttara Bhadrapada is the deep, still water. Wise and self-controlled, it brings calm depth and quiet compassion.
- Span
- 3°20′–16°40′ Pisces
- Gana
- Manushya
- Syllables
- Du · Tha · Jha · Na
Mercury
17-year mahadasha. Born with the Moon in one of these, life opens in Mercury's dasha.
09 · Lord Mercury
Ashlesha
A coiled serpent
Ashlesha embraces and binds. Perceptive and magnetic, it understands hidden motives and holds on with great intensity.
- Span
- 16°40′–30° Cancer
- Gana
- Rakshasa
- Syllables
- Di · Du · De · Do
18 · Lord Mercury
Jyeshtha
A circular amulet or earring
Jyeshtha is the eldest: protective, responsible and powerful, carrying authority and the weight that comes with it.
- Span
- 16°40′–30° Scorpio
- Gana
- Rakshasa
- Syllables
- No · Ya · Yi · Yu
27 · Lord Mercury
Revati
A fish, or a drum
The last mansion guides travellers home. Revati is kind, protective and imaginative, closing one cycle with grace.
- Span
- 16°40′–30° Pisces
- Gana
- Deva
- Syllables
- De · Do · Cha · Chi