Thursday 22 August 2013

The 27 ‘Nakshatras’ or Lunar Mansions in the Hindu System

The 27 ‘Nakshatras’ in the Hindu System of Astrology


The ‘Nakshatras’ or constellations form the most important element of the Hindu Astrology and ‘Muhurtha‘ streams of knowledge. Without these, our knowledge would be incomplete.

Nakshatra means ‘something that never decays’. It has been referred to as ‘constellation’ or ‘asterism’ and also at times as ‘lunar mansions’ by  astrologers from the west. Among these, the word ‘asterism’ comes closest to the meaning of ‘Nakshatra’.

The Nakshatras represent a cluster of stars. For instance, the first Nakshatra in sequence known as ‘Ashwini’ is made up of three stars, which looks like a Horse. Hence the name ‘Ashwini’, which is derived from the Sanskrit word ‘Ashwa’, which means a Horse. The Horse thus becomes the symbol of this asterism. As the Horse represents physical power and stamina, those born in this Nakshatra are always active, tenacious, dynamic and full of energy.

How to co-relate the Nakshatras to the planets in an individual?s Horoscope

The sky is considered as a stage and the planets are said to be the players on the stage. The screen behind the players represents the backdrop of the sky, which keeps on changing with every new act in the play. The Nakshatras form the designs on this screen. The situation is similar to a singer singing on the stage while projections on the screen behind him can be changed with different colours or scenes, which the director of the program decides. When we talk of the Moon in an individual?s birth chart, the rising asterism nearest to the degrees of Moon at the time of one?s birth in the backdrop of the sky, will be considered as ‘Janma Nakshatra’, or the Asterism in which ones Moon is placed.

How they help us

The Nakshatras form a major ‘anga’ or a major element of the Hindu Panchanga. They are used while choosing a Muhurtha in Electional Astrology. 
They guide us to the first letter of an infant?s name at the time of ‘Naamkaran’ or naming ceremony of an infant. The Nakshatras also guide us during matchmaking. They are help us find how each planet in the horoscope will function. This forms the study of another domain of astrology known as ‘Nakshatra Paddhaty’.

Janma Nakshatra

The Moon placed in a particular Nakshatra decides the mental bearings of the Native they would be, and if they are not in required levels, then the remedial measures of the Moons Nakshatra Lord Owner have to be undertaken for pacifying and strengthening the Moon so as to decrease the malefic effects and bring an increase in the benefic one. 

In Astrology, there are umpteen uses of the Nakshatras for gauging celestial influences on human lives. This can produce many hard paperback volumes if one decides to write a thesis on it. 


Below given are the names of the 27 Nakshatras and a list of their other attributes. Kindly note that the list is not exhaustive.

 
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LUNAR
MANSION
(NAKSHATRA)

SYMBOL
DEITY
MAIN IDEAS
BACKGROUND DETAIL
1) ASVINI
Star of Transport
 
ASVINI KUMAR
Sun's
Charioteers
Power that sets things in motion
Journey from Darkness to Light, Miraculous healingTransportation
2) BHARANI
Star of Restraint
OSS
MOUTH
(Mouth of womb)
YAMA
Lord of
Death
JUSTICE, DISCIPLINE, Truth, Power to withstand onslaught of great force
Forbearance, EnduranceMaker of Saints
3) KRITTIKA
Star of Fire

 AGNI
Lord of Fire
BURNER OF IMPURITIES Military strategist, Monumental Deeds, BRILLIANCE Encyclopaedic exposition of all branches of learning
4) ROHINI
Star of Ascent

 BRAHMA
(Prajapati-
the creator)
SENSUAL EXCESS, Fulfilment of desires, Love of finery & comfort, Power of manifestation, creativity
5) MRIGASIRA
Searching Star

 MOONSearch or Hunt, Erotic affair
Radiant beauty, feminine attributes, maternal instincts
 cruelty
6) ARUDRA
Oppressing Star

 
RUDRA
The Destroyer
Rudra = redemption of sin by dissolving abberated manifestion back into underlying unmanifest reality. Tenderness born of great suffering. Surcharged with water (emotion).
Water retention: Fat
7)PUNARVASU
Star of Renewal

Quiver of arrows
ADITI
mother of the Gods
Perennial well spring of energy and intelligence. Infinite renewal. Life orchestrating circumstances that inculcate this habit/skill of constantly curving back to tap the inner reservoir.
Renewal of dwelling/riches
Reform or remake in original image
8) PUSHYA
Flourishing Star

 cows udderJupiter (Brihaspati preceptor/ priest/pandit
to the Gods)
Blossoming, blooming, nurturing, nourishing (heart of Cancer)
Love of ritual worship
Most auspicious
 
In Depth
9) ASLESHA
Clinging Star

 SERPENTThe ability to go where others cannot go (knowledge of hidden things) Tortuous path
Snake attributes: clinging, secretive, venomous, biting, sexual, uniting in secret
In Depth
10 MAGHA
Glorious One
 Pitri Manes
(Departed Ancestors)
Noble incentives. Patriarch
Nourishing and terrible (thunder cloud). Kingliness of Leo (largess, pomp etc.)
In Depth
11 PURVA PHALGUNI
Star of fortune
  Shiva
Lingam
(Shiva's procreative organ)
LORD SHIVA (mahadeva) At once the source of all material affluence while immovabley grounded in transcendental non-material reality. Gift of through participations in sensory / material realm without becoming slave to passion. Tantra. Awareness = "lamp at the door" lights inner and outer simultaneously
12 UTTARA PHALGUNI
Star of Patron

 ARYAMAN Patron = one approached for financial help or relief in sickness. Bestows popularity. The sincere impulse to help others.
In Depth
13 HASTA
Clutching Hand

 (Clenched fist)ADITYA (SUN) POWER TO RULE/CONTROL OTHERS for higher purpose
Determination or resolution to bring people/circumstances under one's control. Martialling of disparate forces or energy
In Depth
14 CHITRA
Star of Wonder
 Twashtri
(divine archtitect or fabricator)
Artistic beauty, dazzling, fashioned/manufactured. Will to undergo trials necessary to attain goal of perfection (diamond/lathe) In Virgo may be engineering skill. Libra = artist
In Depth
15. SWATI
Self Going Star
sprout blowing in the wind Pawana
Lord of Wind
 Restless, independent, freedom loving, coming & going according to own will. Self establishing, self supporting. Purifying. Knowledge of akasha (ether). Windy diseases
16 VISAKHA
Star of Purpose

 Indra - king of gods and Agni - lord of fire  Achievement of purpose irrespective of means employed. End justifies means. Pursuit of self interest. Associating with others solely to achieve end in view. Variety of enterprise. Obedience to religious injunction.
In Depth
17 ANURADHA
Calling to Action

 MITRA - true friendFriendship, love, affection, camaraderie. Associating with others for a common end – emphasis on association VS outcome (compare 16)
In Depth
18 JYESHTA
The Chief Star

 INDRA - king of godsFirst, pre-eminent, most excellent, eldest, senior most.Supremacy, power, dominion(afflicted = sorrow, poverty)
In Depth
19 MULA
The Root Star
 Bound RootsNirriti – goddess of death or misfortuneStripping externals; opposed to worldly prosperity. pennetrating to fundamentals, essentials re: all branches of learning – philosophers, scientists etc., Basic in nature: bound, finite, limited. TRADITION
In Depth
20 PURVA ASHADHA
HAND FAN
VARUNA Lord of waters Protection of dependent, kindness, compassion. Firmness in danger, courage never to yield, to prevail, victory. Forbearance ability to endure. To spread over/cover like water.
21. UTTARA ASHADHA

 Ganadevata – lord of class/divisionUniversal social appealPenetration/intention VS extensiveness (compare 20). To become one with, absorbed into, settle into
In Depth
22 SRAVANA
Star of learning
 HARI [Vishnu]Sravana = to hear (learning = listening). One who is listened to with respect by others. Love of scholarship, all branches of learning.Aural transmission. Inner listening/meditation. Fringe dweller.Saraswati’s birth star.
In Depth
23 DHANISTHA
Star of Symphony

 8
VASUS (BHISHMA)
Higher altruistic (artistic, musical) orientation precludes carnality. Delayed/unhappy romance (more in Capricorn). Temperamental incompatibility. Giver of what is highly valued. Singing, sonorous, melodious
In Depth
24 SATABHISHA
The Veiling Star
 VARUNA
Lord of
Waters
Protect, shield, conceal, obstruct(affliction often = child abuse)Healing that which is protected Physician, watery ailments Oceans, rivers & waters
In Depth
25 PURVA BHADRA
Scorching Pair

Two faced man
RUDRA
The destroyer
PURGATORIAL FIRE, contrition, atonement.
Scorching, paining, consuming desire, unsatisfied ambitionNo satisfaction(heart of K self abnegation)
In Depth
26 UTTARA BHADRA
Scorching Pair
 Death bed
RUDRA
The destroyer
Same as 25 but with power to endure & restrain.
Long journey. Journey towards spiritual plane – end of illusion (maya) cultivation of higher character qualities
In Depth
27 REVATI
Keeper of Flocks
 PUSHAN
Protector of wayfarers and belongings
Shepherd. Foster parent, incubator. Protector & nurturer of others on their journey.
Difficulty with own children, diseases of childhood
Progress in jumps
In Depth
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