importance of nakshatra in astrology

Nakshatras have always been a part of Vedic Astrology. The timing of mahadashas and antardashas of the Vimshottari dasha system which is the most commonly used one to time events in life is purely based on the Moon's nakshatra placement at the time of birth. In fact, the nakshatra in which Moon is placed at the time of birth is itself called the birth star of the native. For all the pujas that are offered for grah shanti (appeasement of the planets) to different deities, the birth star of the native is always required. The deity and the planet that govern the Moon’s nakshatra as well as the other nakshatras that are significantly triggered in a horoscope, are very important for all the vedic pujas conducted for astrological purposes.

There are 27 nakshatras with 4 padas or parts of 3°20′ each. Each nakshatra spans 13°20′. The entire zodiac of 360 degrees corresponds to 12 zodiac signs and these 27 nakshatras. One of the most important reasons for 108 being such an important number for the Vedic culture is the fact that there are a total of 108 padas (27 nakshatras with 4 padas each) in the entire zodiac belt.

The Kaalpurush horoscope starts at the first pada of the first nakshatra at Ashwini and ends at the last pada of the last nakshatra at Revati, encompassing a total of 108 padas of these 27 nakshatras. It is supposed that a soul needs to gain the wisdom corresponding to all the padas of all the nakshatras in order to become fully enlightened. Only such a soul can be called a Master, and is fit to become a Sadguru, a guide to other souls who seek enlightenment.

Each nakshatra can be compared to a certain type of energetic field or soil embued with a certain quality or set of peculiar characteristics. The planets that are present in a nakshatra can be compared to the type of seeds that are planted in that soil. The crop that we get in terms of life outcomes are a result of the interaction between the nakshatra (the field) and the concerned planet (the seed).

Let us see some examples. Let's say that Moon is present in the Pushya nakshatra, which is supposed to be the most auspicious nakshatra among all. It is represented by the cow's udder. This symbol implies that this nakshatra is imbued with motherly qualities of nurturing, nourishing etc. because the cow's udder represents the mothering quality. An infant drinks milk to grow up. So, Moon being the karaka for Mother, and a very emotional planet, finds itself very comfortable here. It also happens to be in its own sign in Cancer. Such a native is likely to be very loving and nurturing towards his children, students, friends and relatives etc. He is likely to be adored because of this nature. But on the other hand, an aggressive, angry and pushy planet like Mars is all at sea in the extremely soft environment that pervades this nakshatra. It doesn't do very well here.

Pushya is ruled by Saturn, and it's deity is Brihaspati, the guru of the devatas. These people are likely to have deep interest in spirituality if both Jupiter (Brihaspati) and Saturn are well placed in the horoscope. This is so because both of these are spiritual planets. Pushya natives are very wise, nurturing, disciplined, and knowledgeable about spirituality if both these planets are fortified.

Another way the nakshatras are used is to see if certain nakshatras are very significantly triggered in a horoscope due to placement of quite a few planets. That would mean that for that native, the concerned nakshatra is very important, and the qualities associated with that nakshatra are going to dominate his life. His talents lie in related areas and he would be well advised to focus upon the strengths signified by that nakshatra.

Another way to use nakshatras is to understand the nature of all the planets when functioning in their lowest, middling and highest aspects. This can be done by looking at the all three nakshatras that a given planet rules and the intrinsic nature of those nakshatras. Each of the 9 vedic planets rules 3 nakshatras each - one from the set of first 9 (tamasik) nakshatras, one from the second set of 9 (rajasik) nakshatras and one from the third set of 9 (satvik) nakshatras. The qualities of the first nakshatra that the planet rules represent it's tamasik qualities. These are the qualities that the given planet will bring to a native when functioning in its lowest aspect. The qualities of the second nakshatra that the given planet rules represent it's rajasik qualities. These are the qualities that the given planet will bring to the native when functioning in its middling aspect. The qualities of the third nakshatra that the given planet rules represent it's satvik qualities. These are the qualities that the given planet will bring to the native when functioning in its highest aspect.

Let us take an example to understand. Venus rules three nakshatras - Bharani, Purvaphalguni and Purvasaadha. We all know that Venus is the planet that rules pleasures, the enjoyments of life. Bharani is symbolized by the female yoni (genital or the vagina). The myth associated with this nakshatra is the one where Yami requests her blood brother Yama to copulate with her, and gives so many arguments to convince him why it is not a violation of Dharma, the eternal way of life. Of course, Yama being an embodiment of Dharma doesn't fall for this corrupting to the soul proposition. As a reward for this exemplary self control, he is made the Chief Justice of this universe by the Supreme Divine. This myth clearly tells us the nature of planet Venus when functioning in its lowest aspect. It doesn't pay any consideration to Dharma. It just wants to enjoy the physical pleasures of life. Sex being the strongest pleasure available on this planet, is the primary motif of this myth associated with Bharani.

The next nakshatra that Venus rules is Purvaphalguni. This nakshatra rules marriage. Here also it confers conjugal pleasure on the native just like in Bharani, but this time, it is dharmically approved pleasure through the way of a formal marriage, with all the devatas bearing witness to the wedding proceedings and blessing the couple. This nakshatra bestows the couple with all the sweetness, honey and riches to make their married life enjoyable and pleasurable. So, Venus in its middling aspect bestows lots of wealth, pleasures and a beautiful spouse to enjoy life with on the physical plane, but it also binds the native in tremendous ties of familial attachments.

The last nakshatra that the planet Venus rules is Purvasaadha. Purvasaadha falls in Sagittarius sign, the zodiac sign that represents wisdom, and is ruled by the Guru of the devatas, Lord Jupiter, the enlightened one. The deity associated with this nakshatra is Apah, the water Goddess. She is the Goddess who bestows the divine waters upon the native which helps him to purify his soul. What is the idea behind this myth? It is quite simple. Here Venus helps a native to get 'married' to the purifying waters of higher wisdom that the Devaguru Jupiter can bestow upon him. So, Venus functioning in its highest aspect helps a native to get attached to the liberating waters of wisdom.

Similarly, we can look at the nakshatra lordships of all the planets to understand their nature in their tamasik, rajasik and satvik aspects. This understanding can help us a lot in understanding the way they are functioning in different horoscopes, as well as provide a deeper understanding to us of life itself. This knowledge adds so much depth and beauty to one's knowledge of astrology as well as life. There is a lot more that is hidden in the nakshatras that I have not talked about here.

A good astrologer will never neglect the nakshatras. The planets and the zodiac signs are only half the story. It is by only looking at the nakshatras where the various planets sit in the horoscope that we can really understand a horoscope.