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The 27 Lunar Mansions — Stars that Map the Ecliptic
The word "Nakshatra" derives from Sanskrit — "naksha" (map) + "tra" (guard), literally meaning "guardians of the sky map." They are 27 divisions of the ecliptic, each spanning 13°20' of celestial longitude, identified by prominent stars or star groups near the Moon's path.
This system predates the 12-sign zodiac and represents one of humanity's oldest star catalogues. The Rigveda (c. 1500 BCE) references many Nakshatras, and the Vedanga Jyotisha (c. 1200 BCE) provides a systematic framework. Each Nakshatra is associated with a presiding deity, a ruling planet (Graha), a symbol representing its energy, and specific qualities that influence human activities.
Nakshatra names derive from multiple sources: the shape of their star patterns (Mrigashira — "deer's head"), their presiding deities (Brahma for Rohini), the qualities they embody (Pushya — "nourisher"), or mythological narratives (Ashwini — named after the divine twin horsemen, the Ashwini Kumaras, physicians of the gods).
The 27 Nakshatras divide the 360° ecliptic into equal segments of 13°20' (13.333°) each. They are defined by prominent stars (Yogatara) near the ecliptic plane. As the Moon completes one sidereal orbit in approximately 27.3 days, it spends roughly one day in each Nakshatra. The Nakshatra is determined by the Moon's sidereal longitude: Nakshatra number = floor(Moon_sidereal_longitude / 13.333) + 1. Each Nakshatra is further divided into 4 Padas (quarters) of 3°20' each, linking them to the Navamsha chart in Jyotish.
Formula: Nakshatra = floor(Moon_sidereal_longitude / 13.333) + 1
Click any Nakshatra to explore its mythology, significance, and detailed characteristics.