Nakshtra

Nakshtra

Now we know that Rashi (division of moving group of stars) consist of 360 degrees and divided in 12 equal parts, each 30-degree. Again the same 360-degree Rashi (division of moving group of stars) band is divided into 27 equal imaginary zones, called Nakshtar (asterisms - constellations of fixed stars) and each 13-degree and 20 minute. Further each Nakshtar (constellations of fixed stars) is divided into four equal quarters called Padas, each 3-degree and 20 minute. In other words this means that now 360-degree band has been divided into 108 equal portions. That’s why number 108 has a special significance in Indian worship.

Nakshtra and Rashi

Now we can superimpose the Rashi (division of moving group of stars) on Nakshtar (asterisms - constellations of fixed stars) you will find that each Rashi (division of moving group of stars) has approximately 2.33 Nakshtar (asterisms - constellations of fixed stars) and each Nakshtar (asterisms - constellations of fixed stars) is divided into four Padas. Nakshtar (asterisms - constellations of fixed stars) Ashivini starts from Rashi (division of moving group of stars) Aries and Nakshtar (asterisms - constellations of fixed stars) Revati ends and coincides with Rashi (division of moving group of stars) Pisces. Refer to following table for Nakshra (asterisms - constellations of fixed stars) and Rashi (division of moving group of stars) relationship –

#	Nakshtras (constellations of fixed stars)	From degree in Rashi		To degree in Rashi
1	Ashvini	0°	Mesha	13°19	Mesha
2	Bharani	13°20	Mesha	26°39	Mesha
3	Kritika	26°40	Mesha	9°59	Vrishaba
4	Rohini	10°	Vrisha	23°19	Vrisha
5	Mrigashira	23°20	Vrisha	6°39	Mithuna
6	Ardra	6°40	Mithuna	19°59	Mithuna
7	Punarvasu	20°00	Mithuna	3°19	Karka
8	Pushya	3°20	Karka	16°39	Karka
9	Ashlesha	16°40	Karka	29°59	Karka
10	Magha	0°	Simha	13°19	Simha
11	PurvaPhalguni	13°20	Simha	26°39	Simha
12	UttaraPhalguni	26°40	Simha	9°59	Kanya
13	Hasta	10°	Kanya	23°19	Kanya
14	Chitra	23°20	Kanya	6°39	Tula
15	Swati	6°40	Tula	19°59	Tula
16	Vishakha	20°00	Tula	3°19	Vrischika
17	Anuradha	3°20	Vrischika	16°39	Vrischika
18	Jyeshtha	16°40	Vrischika	29°59	Vrischika
19	Mula	0°	Dhanu	13°19	Dhanu
20	PurvaAshadha	13°20	Dhanu	26°39	Dhanu
21	UttaraAshadha	26°40	Dhanu	9°59	Makara
22	Shravan	10°	Makara	23°19	Makara
23	Dhanistha	23°20	Makara	6°39	Kumbha
24	Satabishak	6°40	Kumbha	19°59	Kumbha
25	PurvaBhadrapad	20°00	Kumbha	3°19	Meena
26	Uttarabhadrapad	3°20	Meena	16°39	Meena
27	Revati	16°40	Meena	29°59	Meena

First five lines will be read as that Mesha (Aries) contains Nakshra (asterisms - constellations of fixed stars) Ashvini, Bharani and ¼ of Kritika. Vrishaba (Taurus) contains Nakshra (asterisms - constellations of fixed stars) ¾ Kritika, Rohini and Mrigashira ½ and so on.

Nakshtras and Grahas

Twenty-seven Nakshtras (asterisms - constellations of fixed stars) are –

#	Nakshtras (constellations of fixed stars)	Lord of Nakshtras (constellations of fixed stars)
1	Ashvini	Ketu (Dragon Tail)
2	Bharani	Shukar (Venus)
3	Kritika	Surya (Sun)
4	Rohini	Chander (Moon)
5	Mrigashira	Mangal (Mars)
6	Ardra	Rahu (Dragon Head)
7	Punarvasu	Guru (Jupiter)
8	Pushya	Shani (Satrun)
9	Ashlesha	Budh (Mercury)
10	Magha	Ketu (Dragon Tail)
11	PurvaPhalguni	Shukar (Venus)
12	UttaraPhalguni	Surya (Sun)
13	Hasta	Chander (Moon)
14	Chitra	Mangal (Mars)
15	Swati	Rahu (Dragon Head)
16	Vishakha	Guru (Jupiter)
17	Anuradha	Shani (Satrun)
18	Jyeshtha	Budh (Mercury)
19	Mula	Ketu (Dragon Tail)
20	PurvaAshadha	Shukar (Venus)
21	UttaraAshadha	Surya (Sun)
22	Shravan	Chander (Moon)
23	Dhanistha	Mangal (Mars)
24	Satabishak	Rahu (Dragon Head)
25	PurvaBhadrapad	Guru (Jupiter)
26	Uttarabhadrapad	Shani (Satrun)
27	Revati	Budh (Mercury)