Question 1

What is a Nakshatra in Vedic astrology?

Accepted Answer

A Nakshatra is a lunar mansion — one of 27 star clusters that slice the zodiac into 13°20' segments. Ancient rishis mapped these thousands of years ago. Each Nakshatra carries its own devata, ruling graha, yoni animal, gana (deva, manushya, or rakshasa), and shakti (power). Your birth Nakshatra isn't just a label. It's the lens through which your Moon expresses itself — your emotional DNA at the most granular level jyotish can offer.

Question 2

How do I find my Nakshatra?

Accepted Answer

You need your Moon's exact sidereal longitude. That requires your date, time, and place of birth. Plug those into our calculator and it identifies which of the 27 Nakshatras the Moon occupied and which Pada you fall in. The Moon moves fast — about 13° per day — so even a few hours difference can shift you from one Nakshatra to the next. Someone born at dawn in Delhi might be Ashlesha while the same date at dusk puts the Moon in Magha. Big difference.

Question 3

What is a Nakshatra Pada?

Accepted Answer

Four Padas per Nakshatra. Each Pada spans 3°20' and maps directly to a Navamsa sign — that's the D9 divisional chart used for marriage analysis and spiritual assessment. Pada 1 of Ashwini falls in Aries Navamsa. Pada 2 in Taurus Navamsa. Same Nakshatra, but the Pada shifts the flavor significantly. A Bharani Pada 4 person (Kataka/Cancer Navamsa) is emotionally softer than a Bharani Pada 1 person (Mesha/Aries Navamsa). Details matter.

Question 4

How are Nakshatras used in compatibility matching?

Accepted Answer

Ashtakoot Milan — the traditional 8-factor compatibility system — runs entirely on the couple's birth Nakshatras. Yoni kuta checks physical compatibility through animal symbolism (a horse yoni and a buffalo yoni? Challenging). Nadi kuta flags potential health issues in offspring. Gana kuta looks at temperament clashes — deva with rakshasa can be volcanic. Maximum score is 36 points. Below 18 and most families get nervous. But here's what experienced jyotishis know: a 22-point match with strong Nadi and Bhakoot can work better than a 28-pointer with Nadi dosha.

Question 5

What is the most auspicious Nakshatra?

Accepted Answer

Pushya. Hands down. Brihaspati (Jupiter) rules it, sits in Kataka (Cancer), and carries the shakti of spiritual nourishment. Pushya Nakshatra is so auspicious that Pushya Yoga — when the Moon transits through it — is considered ideal for starting businesses, buying gold, or initiating anything you want to flourish. That said, every Nakshatra has its genius. Ashwini heals. Rohini creates beauty. Swati builds independence. Jyeshtha wields protective power. Moola destroys illusions so you can rebuild from truth.

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