The direct answer: Rashi and Nakshatra Chart: The 27 Nakshatras of Vedic Astrology: Your Rashi and Nakshatra chart pairs your Moon sign (Rashi) with your birth star (Nakshatra) — one of 27 lunar mansions of Vedic astrology. Learn each Nakshatra's deity, symbol, ruling planet, personality traits, and role in compatibility. AskSoma publishes this at asksoma.ai/vedic-astrology/nakshatras as a free Vedic astrology resource using Swiss Ephemeris calculations and classical Jyotish interpretation — not generic sun-sign copy.
Your Rashi and Nakshatra chart pairs your Moon sign (Rashi) with your birth star (Nakshatra) — one of 27 lunar mansions of Vedic astrology. Learn each Nakshatra's deity, symbol, ruling planet, personality traits, and role in compatibility.
Your birth star reveals what your Sun sign cannot
Nakshatras are lunar divisions used in Indian astrological and calendrical traditions. In the usual 27-part system, each covers 13°20′ of the sidereal zodiac. These equal divisions are associated with named stars and traditional symbols; they are not the unequal physical boundaries of astronomical constellations. A rashi is one of twelve 30-degree signs. A nakshatra is a finer division, so a single rashi can contain parts of several nakshatras. The Janma nakshatra is normally obtained from the Moon’s birth longitude, while an ascendant nakshatra uses the rising degree. State which one the calculation uses. The Moon takes roughly 27.3 days to complete a sidereal circuit. Its transit through a particular division does not last exactly 24 hours, so live timing requires a calculated entry and exit. Birth calculations also require the correct timezone and an explicit ayanamsa; AskSoma’s Vedic convention is Lahiri. Names, deities and dasha rulers belong to the tradition. Their symbolic meanings are interpretations, not proof of a person’s temperament or future. The worked examples below explain the numerical lookup without treating interpretation as an experimentally established result.
Each Nakshatra spans 13 degrees 20 minutes and is ruled by a planet that determines its Vimshottari Dasha period. The sequence begins with Ashwini in Aries and ends with Revati in Pisces. Ashwini (0-13:20 Aries), ruled by Ketu, deity Ashwini Kumaras, symbolizes swift healing and new beginnings. Bharani (13:20-26:40 Aries), ruled by Venus, deity Yama, embodies transformation and the cycle of life and death. Krittika (26:40 Aries - 10:00 Taurus), ruled by Sun, deity Agni, represents purification and sharp intelligence. Rohini (10:00-23:20 Taurus), ruled by Moon, deity Brahma, signifies creativity, beauty, and material abundance. Mrigashira (23:20 Taurus - 6:40 Gemini), ruled by Mars, deity Soma, embodies curiosity and the quest for knowledge. Ardra (6:40-20:00 Gemini), ruled by Rahu, deity Rudra, represents storms, transformation, and intellectual intensity. Punarvasu (20:00 Gemini - 3:20 Cancer), ruled by Jupiter, deity Aditi, symbolizes renewal and return to harmony. Pushya (3:20-16:40 Cancer), ruled by Saturn, deity Brihaspati, is considered the most auspicious Nakshatra for nourishment and spiritual growth. Ashlesha (16:40-30:00 Cancer), ruled by Mercury, deity Sarpa, represents mystical wisdom and serpentine cunning. Magha (0-13:20 Leo), ruled by Ketu, deity Pitris (ancestors), embodies royal authority and ancestral lineage. Purva Phalguni (13:20-26:40 Leo), ruled by Venus, deity Bhaga, signifies pleasure, love, and creative expression. Uttara Phalguni (26:40 Leo - 10:00 Virgo), ruled by Sun, deity Aryaman, represents contracts, patronage, and marital happiness. Hasta (10:00-23:20 Virgo), ruled by Moon, deity Savitar, symbolizes skill, craftsmanship, and healing hands. Chitra (23:20 Virgo - 6:40 Libra), ruled by Mars, deity Vishwakarma, represents artistic brilliance and architectural vision. Swati (6:40-20:00 Libra), ruled by Rahu, deity Vayu, embodies independence, flexibility, and diplomacy. Vishakha (20:00 Libra - 3:20 Scorpio), ruled by Jupiter, deity Indra-Agni, signifies determination and the pursuit of goals. Anuradha (3:20-16:40 Scorpio), ruled by Saturn, deity Mitra, represents friendship, devotion, and organizational ability. Jyeshtha (16:40-30:00 Scorpio), ruled by Mercury, deity Indra, embodies seniority, protective power, and authority. Moola (0-13:20 Sagittarius), ruled by Ketu, deity Nirriti, represents uprooting, investigation, and getting to the root cause. Purva Ashadha (13:20-26:40 Sagittarius), ruled by Venus, deity Apas, signifies invincibility and the power of rejuvenation. Uttara Ashadha (26:40 Sagittarius - 10:00 Capricorn), ruled by Sun, deity Vishwadevas, represents universal principles and final victory. Shravana (10:00-23:20 Capricorn), ruled by Moon, deity Vishnu, symbolizes listening, learning, and connection. Dhanishtha (23:20 Capricorn - 6:40 Aquarius), ruled by Mars, deity Vasus, represents musical talent, wealth, and group achievement. Shatabhisha (6:40-20:00 Aquarius), ruled by Rahu, deity Varuna, embodies healing, secrecy, and the veiling of hidden truths. Purva Bhadrapada (20:00 Aquarius - 3:20 Pisces), ruled by Jupiter, deity Ajaikapada, signifies spiritual fire and intense transformation. Uttara Bhadrapada (3:20-16:40 Pisces), ruled by Saturn, deity Ahirbudhnya, represents deep meditation, cosmic wisdom, and kundalini energy. Revati (16:40-30:00 Pisces), ruled by Mercury, deity Pushan, symbolizes safe journeys, nourishment, and the completion of cycles.
Nakshatra symbols, deities and classifications provide a traditional vocabulary for interpretation. They are not measured personality traits. Terms such as Deva, Manushya and Rakshasa name categories within that system; they should not be used as labels of virtue, social status or danger. A reading should separate the calculable placement from the proposed interpretation. The Moon’s sidereal longitude identifies a span and pada. Descriptions such as nurturing, creative or intense are themes that may or may not feel relevant to an individual. For example, a nakshatra associated with craftsmanship can prompt a discussion about an activity someone enjoys making or improving. It cannot prove artistic talent, predict a career or determine whether a partner is trustworthy. Ask about experience rather than treating a symbolic association as evidence. The four padas divide each 13°20′ span into quarters of 3°20′. A time uncertainty near a boundary can change the assigned quarter. Naming that uncertainty is more useful than adding confident detail to an unstable input.
Traditional Ashtakoot matching compares Moon signs and nakshatras across eight factors: Varna (1), Vashya (2), Tara (3), Yoni (4), Graha Maitri (5), Gana (6), Bhakoot (7) and Nadi (8), for a total of 36 points. Those numbers are weights in a traditional scoring system, not statistical probabilities of marriage success. An 18-point threshold is used in some traditions as an initial convention. It is not a validated decision rule for choosing a spouse. Interpretations and exceptions differ between schools, so a report should state its method and inputs. Tamil porutham and Ashtakoot are not identical systems. Nadi is not a genetic, fertility or medical test. Yoni and Gana categories do not establish a person’s sexual compatibility, moral worth or character. No score should override consent, safety, respectful behaviour or professional advice. If a birth time is uncertain and the Moon is near a boundary, calculate the plausible range before presenting one definitive nakshatra. A complete chart comparison can add traditional context, but it still cannot promise that a relationship will succeed or fail.
Janma nakshatra usually refers to the Moon’s nakshatra at birth. It differs from the ascendant nakshatra, which uses the rising degree. Record which position is being discussed and which ayanamsa was used. In Vimshottari, the Moon’s nakshatra identifies the opening dasha ruler. The fraction of the span remaining determines the starting balance; it is not automatically the full period of that planet. This is a rule-based calculation, while descriptions of what a period means are interpretations. Some naming traditions associate syllables with nakshatra padas. Families may use these as one consideration alongside language, meaning and personal preference. The syllable does not determine a child’s personality or future. A monthly return of the Moon to the same nakshatra is a transit, not an annual birthday by itself. Ritual birthday conventions depend on the tradition. Do not prescribe a gemstone, diagnose a dosha-related health problem or promise prosperity from the birth star alone.
The usual 27-part nakshatra system divides 360 degrees into equal spans of 13°20′. Each span has four padas of 3°20′. The Janma nakshatra uses the sidereal Moon’s longitude; the ascendant nakshatra uses a different position. A Moon sign spans 30 degrees, so one sign can contain parts of several nakshatras.
A sidereal Moon at 42° lies in Rohini, which begins at 40°. It is 2° into that span, so it is in the first pada. This arithmetic example shows the lookup rule. It is not today’s sky or a real person’s chart. Close to a boundary, an uncertain birth time or a different ayanamsa can change the assigned star or quarter.
Symbols, deities and Vimshottari rulers belong to the interpretive tradition. They are not measured personality traits. Likewise, Gana, Yoni and Nadi categories in matching do not diagnose health, genetics, fertility or a partner’s character. A score cannot replace consent, communication or medical assessment.
Pushya is the eighth nakshatra, covering sidereal Cancer 3°20′ to 16°40′. Its Vimshottari ruler is Saturn; its traditional deity is Brihaspati. These are different roles, so the deity’s association with Jupiter does not make Jupiter the dasha ruler of Pushya.
Its four padas run 3°20′–6°40′, 6°40′–10°, 10°–13°20′ and 13°20′–16°40′ within Cancer. For example, a Moon at Cancer 11° falls in Pushya’s third pada. Traditional nurturing imagery is a theme for reflection, not proof of someone’s occupation, temperament or relationship prospects.
Guru Pushya and Ravi Pushya describe an overlap of Pushya with Thursday or Sunday respectively. Use the Moon transit tool for the actual entry and exit times in your timezone. Do not reuse a previous month’s dates or treat the whole civil day as one uninterrupted interval. An auspicious label is not a guarantee of investment returns, and suitability for a specific ritual depends on more than this star.
Chitra is the fourteenth nakshatra. It spans sidereal Virgo 23°20′ to Libra 6°40′, with Mars as its Vimshottari ruler. Its traditional association with Tvashtar, the artisan, is commonly used to discuss making and design. It does not establish artistic ability or a career outcome.
Padas one and two are in Virgo; padas three and four are in Libra. A Moon at Virgo 28° is therefore Chitra pada two, whereas Libra 2° is Chitra pada three. This is why “Chitra” does not by itself tell you the Moon sign. The examples are boundary arithmetic, not personal forecasts.
Avoid separate deterministic claims about Chitra men and women, marriage age or health. Use the calculated placement to understand the tradition’s vocabulary, then consider the whole chart if you want an interpretation. If a time is approximate, check whether the Moon could cross a pada boundary within the uncertainty interval before presenting a single answer.
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Written by Savan Vyas, founder of AskSoma.
The astrology is not written from memory: every chart position, dasha period and panchang timing AskSoma shows is computed with the Swiss Ephemeris on the Lahiri (Chitrapaksha) ayanamsa. How we calculate.