Glossary · Astrology
Nakshatra
नक्षत्र
What does Nakshatra mean?
The nakshatra system is older than the zodiac signs in Indian astrology. The Moon passes through all 27 nakshatras each month, and the nakshatra it occupied at your birth — your janma nakshatra — is considered a key marker of mind and emotional nature.
Each nakshatra spans 13°20′ and is subdivided into four padas (quarters). Nakshatras determine the starting dasha (planetary period) of a life and play a central role in kundli matching, naming ceremonies, and muhurta (electional astrology).