Janma Nakshatra or Birth star

Zodiac can be divided into twelve houses, with further subdivision of the same into twenty seven nakshatras or star constellation.

Just as an individual takes birth under different rasis or zodiac signs governing the twelve houses, similarly the celestial presence of the twenty seven 'nakshatras' or birth star governs our birth. Lunar placement in natal or birth chart determines the birth star governing an individual.

Since the constellation or nakshatra where moon finds its presence is known as the Janma Nakshatra and as moon influences the mental aspects of the native, nakshatra of the moon thus casts its indelible influence on moon. If one is born under Mars's nakshatra, it is likely to influence the aspects governed by Mars such as marriage and younger siblings. With each nakshatra having a planetary lord, the placement of the same (planetary lord) determines the initial dasa or 'phase' in the horoscope of a native. Nakshatra lords also play an important role in determining the essential quality of a person besides helping to assess the focal points of his energy and ambition.

Nakshatra Names and Their Meanings

According to Vedic astrology, there are twenty seven nakshatras or birth stars inhabiting each of the twenty seven segments of the elliptical zodiac. The names of Nakshatras along with their meanings is given below.

1. Ashwini - Horse-like-woman
2. Bharani - Bearer-woman
3. Krittika - Cutting woman
4. Rohini - Red woman
5. Mrigashirsha - Head of a deer
6. Ardra - Moist One
7. Punarvasu - Return of the Light
8. Pushya - Nourishing
9. Ashlesha - The embracer
10. Magha - The great one
11. Purva Phalguni - Former reddish one
12. Uttara Phalguni - Latter reddish one
13. Hasta - The hand
14. Chitra - The bright one
15. Swati - Sword or Independence
16. Vishaka - Fork shaped(having branches)
17. Anuradha - Disciple of divine spark
18. Jyeshta - The eldest
19. Moola - The root
20. Purva Ashadha - Early Victory or The Undefeated
21. Uttara Ashada - Latter Victory or latter Undefeated
22. Shravana - Hearing
23. Dhanistha - The richest one
24. Shatabhisaa - Hundred healers
25. Purva Bhadrapada - Former happy feet
26. Uttara Bhadrapada - Latter happy feet
27. Revati - The wealthy