27 Nakshatra Names, Symbol, and Deity
There are twelve zodiac signs and 27 stars in astrology. The star that dominates when we are born is called the zodiac star. It is said in horoscope mythology that our star is also related to life. There is an angel for every star. The belief is that worshiping them will bring good luck and prosperity in life.
The word Nakshatra means “that which does not decay” they are the union of lunar mansions, through which the moon passes in the orbit around the earth and is divided into 27 segments of the fixed star.
The moon revolves around the earth in roughly 27 days. During this period, the moon traces a path around the sky. The ancient mystics split this path of the moon into 27 units and gave each unit the name of a nakshatra, nakshatras group, or constellation.
The 27 Nakshatra
1. Aswini (Horse’s Head)
Deity: Asvini-Kumara “Twin gods of health”
Ashwini is the first nakshatra among the 27 nakshatras present in Vedic Astrology. Ashwini is governed by the duality idols known as Ashwini Kumar Twins, who are the physicians of god. Therefore, this nakshatra has great healing power. Ashwini is classified as a small constellation, which means that it is believed to be beneficial to begin works of a small or a delicate nature while the moon is in Ashwini.
2. Bharani (Yoni, the female organ of reproduction)
Deity: Yama – god of death
Bharani is the second nakshatra of Vedic Astrology, the name Bharani comes from the word bharaṇa, which means, “to maintain, bear”. This nakshatra remains under the domain of Yama, who is the Hindu god of death.
3. Krittika (Knife or spear)
Deity: Agni, the god of fire
Krittika Nakshatra is the 3rd star of Vedic Astrology. The ruling deity of this nakshatra is the god of fire or ‘agni’. Thus it is supposed to be the source of energy and power.
4. Rohini (Cart, temple, banyan tree)
Deity: Brahma or Prajapati, the Creator
Rohini is the fourth Nakshatra in Vedic Astrology and is also considered to be the brightest of all the nakshatras. It is governed by ‘Brahma’ who is considered to be the epicenter of creation. He who created the world has his force behind this nakshatra, which adds immense value to it.
5. Mrigashira (Deer’s head)
Deity: Soma, Chandra, the moon god
The Mrigasira Nakshatra is the 5th Nakshatra of the Vedic Astrology and is also considered to be the same as the constellation ‘Orion’. This is a very prominent constellation that is visible from all the parts of the world and is one of the most conspicuous star formations in the night sky.
6. Ardra (Teardrop, diamond, a human head)
Deity: Rudra, the storm god
Ardra Nakshatra is the 6th nakshatra in the Vedic Astrology and is considered to be the goddess of fortune. The star formation of this nakshatra corresponds to the Betelgeuse star. It is one of the brightest stars in the night sky and appears as a giant big red star.
7. Punarvasu (Bow and quiver)
Deity: Aditi
Punarvasu Nakshatra is the 7th nakshatra in Vedic Astrology. This nakshatra is also the birth star of Lord Rama, the popular Hindu god who is believed to be the reincarnation of Lord Vishnu. The presiding deity of this Nakshatra is Aditi and it is under the influence of planet Jupiter.
8. Pushya (Cow’s udder, lotus, arrow, and circle)
Deity: Brihaspati, priest of the gods
Pushya Nakshatra is the 8th nakshatra in Vedic Astrology whose name has been derived from the Sanskrit word ‘pushti’ that means nourishment. In the constellation, it appears as a collection of three stars and is marked by its absence of brightness.
9. Ashlesha (Serpent)
Deity: Sarpas or Nagas, deifies snakes
Ashlesha Nakshatra is the 9th Nakshatra of Vedic Astrology and is believed to embody the energy of Mercury and the strength of serpent God Naga. It is also known as Naga and Clinging Star.
10. Magha (Royal throne)
Deity: Pitrs, ‘The fathers’, family ancestors
Magha nakshatra is the 10th nakshatra of the Vedic Astrology which corresponds to the star Regulus. The word ‘magha’ means royal or grand and just as its name suggests the natives of this nakshatra get royal and respectable positions in their lives.
11. Purva Phalguni (Front legs of bed, hammock, fig tree)
Deity: Aryaman, the God of contracts and unions
Purva Phalguni Nakshatra is the 11th nakshatra of the Vedic Astrology. On one hand, this star symbolizes joy and creation and on the other, it symbolizes a lack of desire and insipidity, hence it is a mixture of both positive and negative.
12. Uttara Phalguni (Four legs of the bed, hammock)
Deity: Bhaga, the god of marital bliss and prosperity
Uttara Phalguni Nakshatra is the 12th Nakshatra of the Vedic Astrology and is believed to derive its governing force from the deity Aryaman. This nakshatra is symbolically represented by the bed and some of its general characteristics include their motivation to look out for truth and knowledge through good action.
13. Hasta (Hand or fist)
Deity: Saviti or Surya, the Sun god
The Hasta nakshatra is the 13th nakshatra of the Vedic Astrology. This nakshatra is ruled by the planetary power of the moon and derives its power from the glitteringly powerful arena of ‘Surya Deva’.
14. Chitra (Bright jewel or pearl)
Deity: Tvastar or Vishwakarma, the celestial architect
Chitra Nakshatra is the 14th nakshatra of Vedic Astrology. Because of its solitary existence in the celestial firmament, this nakshatra embodies and exemplifies the supreme craftsmanship of its governing deity tvashtar.
15. Swati (Shoot of plant, coral)
Deity: Vayu, the Wind god
Swati Nakshatra is the 15th nakshatra of Vedic Astrology. The word ‘Swati’ means purity, or more correctly the first drop of rain which is considered to be very pure.
16. Vishakha (Triumphal arch, potter’s wheel)
Deity: Indra, the king of the gods, and Agni, ritual fire
Vishakha Nakshatra is the 16th nakshatra of the Vedic Astrology. Agni and Indra symbolize power, position, and authority and their traits strongly relate to the natives of this nakshatra.
17. Anuradha (Triumphal archway, lotus)
Deity: Mitra, the God of friendship and partnership
Anuradha Nakshatra is the 17th nakshatra of the Vedic Astrology. They derive their strength from Mitra which is their ruling deity and strikes a harmonious nexus with Vishakha Nakshatra.
18. Jyestha (Circular amulet, umbrella, earring)
Deity: Indra, chief of the gods
Jyeshta Nakshatra is the 18th nakshatra of Vedic Astrology. This nakshatra is believed to epitomize the quintessence divinity of Indra which is its governing deity.
19. Mula (Bunch of roots tied together, elephant goad)
Deity: Niriti, the god of dissolution and destruction
Mula Nakshatra is the 19th nakshatra of Vedic Astrology. This nakshatra is associated with a root that provides a basis for everything. All the plants in this world have roots and cannot survive without them.
20. Purva Ashadha (Elephant tusk, fan, winnowing basket)
Deity: Apah, the god of water
Purva Ashadha Nahskatra is the 20th nakshatra of Vedic Astrology. This nakshatra is ruled by the planet Venus and thus the natives born under it are strongly influenced by this planet and its characteristics.
21. Uttara Ashadha (Elephant tusk)
Deity: Visvedevas, universal gods
The Uttara Ashadha Nakshatra is the twenty-first nakshatra of the Vedic Astrology. The planetary forces have a strong impact on the life and characteristics of this nakshatra.
22. Shravana (Ear or three footprints)
Deity: Vishnu, preserver of the universe
Shravana Nakshatra is the 22nd nakshatra of Vedic Astrology. This nakshatra is ruled by the planetary forces of the moon and also the divine powers of Lord Vishnu.
23. Dhanishta (Drum or flute)
Deity: Eight vasus, deities of earthly abundance
Dhanishta Nakshatra is the twenty-third nakshatra of Vedic Astrology. It is guided by the divine power of the eight Vasus which are its presiding deities.
24. Shatabhisha (Empty circle, flowers, or stars)
Deity: Varuna, the god of cosmic waters, sky, and earth
Satabhisha Nakshatra is the twenty-fourth nakshatra of Vedic Astrology. This nakshatra has the influence of the divine powers of Varuna and is ruled by the planetary forces of Saturn.
25. Purva Bhadra (Swords or two front legs of cot, a man with two faces)
Deity: Ajikapada, an ancient fire dragon
Purva Bhadrapada Nakshatra is the 25th Nakshatra of the Vedic Astrology. Its presiding deity is Aja Ekapat.
26. Uttara Bhadra (Twins, back legs of cot, snake in the water)
Deity: Ahir Budhyana, serpent or dragon
Uttara Bhadrapada Nakshatra is the 26th nakshatra of the Vedic Astrology. It is governed by the divine power of Ahir Budhnya and is guided by the planetary force of Saturn.
27. Revati (Pair of fish, drum)
Deity: Pushan nourisher, the protective deity
Revati Nakshatra is the twenty-seventh nakshatra of Vedic Astrology. It is guided by the divine powers of ‘Pushan’ which is one of the twelve Adityas.
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