🟣 Module 3 — Nakshatra (Lunar Mansions)
27 nakshatras, 4 padas each, 108 padas total. Vimshottari lords and pada-to-rasi mapping.
Why 27?
The Moon completes one full orbit through the zodiac in ~27.3 days. Each day's stretch is one nakshatra (literally 'that which does not decay'). 27 × 13°20' = 360°.
Padas
Each nakshatra is split into 4 padas of 3°20' each. 27 × 4 = 108 padas covering the zodiac. Each pada corresponds to one navamsa — that's why the D-9 chart is built from padas.
Vimshottari Lords
The 27 nakshatras cycle through 9 lords in this fixed order: Ketu, Venus, Sun, Moon, Mars, Rahu, Jupiter, Saturn, Mercury. Ashwini begins with Ketu, then Bharani (Venus), then Krittika (Sun), and so on. The lord assigned at birth becomes your Vimshottari Mahadasha starting point.
Pada → Rasi mapping
Each rasi (30°) holds 9 padas (9 × 3°20'). Memorising which nakshatras fall in which sign is a rite of passage. Use the Decoder tool with assignment longitudes to drill this until it's reflex.
All 27 Nakshatras
| # | Name | Lord | Deity | Symbol |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ashwini | Ketu | Ashwini Kumaras | Horse's head |
| 2 | Bharani | Venus | Yama | Yoni |
| 3 | Krittika | Sun | Agni | Razor / flame |
| 4 | Rohini | Moon | Brahma | Chariot |
| 5 | Mrigashira | Mars | Soma | Deer's head |
| 6 | Ardra | Rahu | Rudra | Teardrop |
| 7 | Punarvasu | Jupiter | Aditi | Quiver of arrows |
| 8 | Pushya | Saturn | Brihaspati | Cow's udder / lotus |
| 9 | Ashlesha | Mercury | Nagas | Coiled serpent |
| 10 | Magha | Ketu | Pitris | Royal throne |
| 11 | Purva Phalguni | Venus | Bhaga | Front of bed |
| 12 | Uttara Phalguni | Sun | Aryaman | Back of bed |
| 13 | Hasta | Moon | Savitar | Hand / palm |
| 14 | Chitra | Mars | Tvashtar | Bright jewel |
| 15 | Swati | Rahu | Vayu | Coral / sapling |
| 16 | Vishakha | Jupiter | Indra-Agni | Triumphal arch |
| 17 | Anuradha | Saturn | Mitra | Lotus |
| 18 | Jyeshtha | Mercury | Indra | Earring / umbrella |
| 19 | Mula | Ketu | Nirriti | Bunch of roots |
| 20 | Purva Ashadha | Venus | Apas | Elephant tusk / fan |
| 21 | Uttara Ashadha | Sun | Vishvedevas | Elephant tusk |
| 22 | Shravana | Moon | Vishnu | Ear / footprints |
| 23 | Dhanishta | Mars | Vasus | Drum |
| 24 | Shatabhisha | Rahu | Varuna | Empty circle |
| 25 | Purva Bhadrapada | Jupiter | Aja Ekapada | Front of funeral cot |
| 26 | Uttara Bhadrapada | Saturn | Ahir Budhnya | Back of funeral cot |
| 27 | Revati | Mercury | Pushan | Fish / drum |