Nakshastras

Stars & Constellations

The Naksatram or Nakshatras are the embodiment of constellations which surround the moon, their name meaning Lunar Mansions or Sky Map. These are 28 goddesses and daughters of Daksha, each and every one of them married to the god of the moon, Chandra! Rohini, her name meaning Red or Ruddy, quickly became Chandra's favorite and represents growth, auspiciousness and fertility. Altogether, the Naksatram play an important role in many myths and are the basis of Sanatanis astrology. One's birth star, their janma nakshatra, is determined by which constellation is positioned around the moon when one is born. Everything from personal qualities, personality traits, life path, challenges and opportunities are believed to be affected by these astrologies. And each of these Naksatram are also linked to a specific god or goddess, their nakshatra lord, this deity having the strongest influence on the destiny of those born under that Nakshatra. For example, those born under the Ashwini are connected to the Ashvins, believed to have healing qualities, an interest in medicine and to be quick and and energetic in nature! In this way, the Naksatram are believed to be guides in how to face one's life and destiny, what challenges they will face and how to approach them.

Each Naksatram is believed to reside in their constellations in the night sky, represented by an individual symbols and a ruling planet such as a teardrop, diamond or human head. Worshippers try to immitate the patterns of the universe in order to honor these goddesses, sometimes conversing with their Nakshatra. But one can perform rituals for other Naksatram that better match their goals, associated devas bringing them luck and support. Star rituals are very specific and performed with extreme care but are believed to connect faithful Sanatanis with the larger universe! There is also a practice called Dasha, which studies the timing of events to predict the future, and parents name their child according to their sign with specific syllables related to each constellation.

Naksatram Sisters

Goddess	Symbols	Lord	Planet
Ashwini Physician to the Gods	Horse Head	Ashvins	☋ Ketu (Descending Moon)
Bharani the Bearer	Yoni Uterus	Yama	♀️ Shukra (Venus)
Krittika Nurse of Kartikeya	Knife Spear	Agni	♀️ Shukra (Venus)
Rohini the Red One	Cart/Chariot Temple Banyan Tree	Brahma	Chandra (Moon)
Mrigashira the Deer's Head	Deer's Head	Soma	♂️ Mangala (Mars)
Ardra the Storm God	Teardrop Diamond Human Head	Rudra	☊ Rahu (Ascending Moon)
Punarvasu Two Chariots	Bow & Quiver	Aditi	♃ Guru (Jupiter)
Pushya the Nourisher	Cow Udder Lotus Arrow & Circle	Brhaspati	♄ Shani (Saturn)
Ashlesha the Embrace	Serpent	Sarpas Nagas	☿️ Budh (Mercury)
Magha the Bountiful	Royal Throne	Pitrs	☋ Ketu (Descending Moon)
Purva Phalguni First Reddish One	Hammock Fig Tree	Bhaga	♀️ Shukra (Venus)
Uttara Phalguni Second Reddish One	Four Bed Legs Hammock	Aryaman	☉ Surya (Sun)
Hasta the Hand	Hand Fist	Savitri Surya	Chandra (Moon)
Chitra the Bright One	Jewel Pearl	Tvashtr Vishvakarman	♂️ Mangala (Mars)
Su-Ati Very Good	Shoots of a Plant Coral	Vayu	☊ Rahu (Ascending Moon)
Vishakha Forked Having Branches	Triumphral Arch Potter's Wheel	Indra Agni	♃ Guru (Jupiter)
Anuradha Following Radha	Triumphral Arch Lotus	Mitra	♄ Shani (Saturn)
Jyeshtha Eldest Most Excellent	Circular Amulet Umbrella Earring	Indra	☿️ Budh (Mercury)
Mula the Root	Bunch of Roots Elephant Goad	Nrrt	☋ Ketu (Descending Moon)
Purva Ashadha the Invincible One	Elephant Tusk Fan Winnowing Basket	Apah	♀️ Shukra (Venus)
Uttara Ashadha Later Invincible	Elephant Tusk Small Bed	Visvedevas	☉ Surya (Sun)
Shravana	Ear Three Footprints	Vishnu	Chandra (Moon)
Dhanishta Most Famous Swiftest	Drum Flute	Eight Vasus	♂️ Mangala (Mars)
Shatabhisha Requiring 100 Physicians	Empty Circle 1,000 Flowers	Varuna	☊ Rahu (Ascending Moon)
Purva Bhadrapada First of the Blessed Feet	Sword Funeral Cot Man with Two Faces	Ajaikapada	♃ Guru (Jupiter)
Uttara Bhadrapada Second of the Blessed Feet	Twins Snake in Water	Ahirbudhnya	♄ Shani (Saturn)
Revati Prosperous	Fish Pair of Fish Drum	Pushan	☿️ Budh (Mercury)
Abhijit Invincible	Shaligram Stone Lotus	Swathi	Vishnu