Last Updated on May 20, 2022 by astrologerbydefault
This is also a basic post, a longish answer to a question on the types of Nakshatra and how to use them in analysing charts. The Nakshatra are the the basic structure of Jyotish (post here). Interpreting their characteristics gives a more pin-point analysis of the personality.
The basic types of Nakshatra are Kshipra, Ugra, Mrudu/Tikshna or Mishra, Dhruva, Mrudu, Tikshna and Chara. You will see the natures of the nakshatra more commonly used in calculating Muhurt (post here), ie auspicious time for performing certain actions, this is a part of electional astrology. As per the Muhurt Chintamani, the energies of the Dhruva nakshatra are stronger on Sundays, Chara on Mondays, Ugra on Tuesdays, Mishra on Wednesdays, Kshipra on Thursdays, Mrudu on Fridays and Teekshna on Saturdays. But you can also use their natures to determine how the planets placed in them in your birth chart will work, this is what I will try to explain in this post, briefly.
The nakshatra environment influences the ability of the graha-s to give results. Generally when we discuss nakshatra-s we think of only the Birth Moon’s lunar mansion. Which is a good point to start with. The Moon is nurture, nutrition and nature. But for an in-depth study you have to analyse each of the Nakshatra-s in where your 9 graha and also the ascendant/rising degree are located. In our example chart, the Ascendant degree is located in Pushya, Ketu in Hasta, Sun in Chitra, Venus in Chitra, Jupiter in Swati, Mercury in Vishakha, Mars in Uttarashadha, Saturn in Dhanishtha, Moon in Purvabhadrapada and Rahu in Uttarabhadrapada. So these nakshatra-s will modulate the activities of the planets/rising degree as per their typical natures.
So how do the 7 nakshatra categories work?
The behaviour of the planet will change as per the nakshatra he is placed in. Eg If Saturn is placed in a Kshipra Nakshatra he will not be comfortable, he is by nature slow, but the energy of the nakshatra environment is making him hurry along. He will not be able to give his optimal results here. The rising degree/ Lagna nakshtra will have a very significant say on your body structure and overall environment. Also analyse the Nakshatra the ascendant lord occupies, this will give pointers on, what you want to do, how you like doing it and how you use the environment in which you are placed.
So very briefly on the 7 types of natures of the lunar mansions.
Kshipra nakshatra – Kshipra means ‘very quick’ – three lunar mansions in this category, Ashvini, Pushya and Hasta. These are sometimes called Laghu, which means ‘limited’ nakshatra. They can grant bursts of speed, energy and vitality. There is a sense of rapid movement, adaptability and flexibility around them. Any graha placed in these Nakshatra will give sudden and swift results, but these generally do not endure over a longer period of time, ie are limited in this sense. These Nakshatra are good for all types work which require a spurt of energy but cannot power activities which need sustained efforts over long period of time. There is limited depth to these nakshatras, ie they are suited for logical stuff but things requiring deep thinking or philosophy may not suit their nature. Any planet placed in these Nakshatra-s will give results somewhat on these lines. Eg, if your birth Moon, the fastest graha, is in any of these nakshatra-s, your mind works very fast. You are quick to grasp ideas, understand concepts and are quite creative. The body is also generally fit and active. Emotional and physical health remains good. You are able to seize the opportunity and make the most of it. But you will have to ensure that the quickness of your mind does not end up in fickle-mindedness.
Ugra or Fierce Nakshatra are Bharani, Magha, Purvaphalguni, Purvashadha and Purvabhadrapada. Their nature is aggressive, assertive and bold. Highly competitive by nature they will seize success by their actions. They are physically powerful, have a strong intellect and are generally not swayed by emotions. They have distinct opinions and are not afraid to express themselves. Capable of ruthless actions which can easily hurt others. If these nakshatra-s do not control their aggression, their life can become problematic. Their problems are often hidden in the initial stages and suddenly erupt later at advanced stages where repairing them can be difficult. If you have any graha placed in the Ugra nakshatra-s, then you will show an inherent aggressive behaviour towards those things in life represented by this planet. Events related to this planet will occur with uncharacteristic force. Even the milder planets like Moon, Venus or Jupiter placed here gain a higher level of intensity and assertiveness. And the aggressive graha-s placed here will amplify their aggression. If the Moon or ascendant degree or its lord is placed in these, then your personal nature and surroundings can be very intense. Do introspect a bit and try to use your inherent Ugra nature in a more controlled manner as an overdose of fierce energies is never a good idea.
Mishra, Mixed nature or Mrudu/Teekshna – there are just the two lunar mansions Krutika and Vishakha. Their nature is a mix of the sober and the aggressive. Their early life is more difficult, there may be illnesses or neglect in the childhood but things generally ease out later in life. These nakshatra can get very competitive in certain areas of life and in some areas they get over-powered easily. An undercurrent of secrecy and passion almost always underlies all their actions. They feel very intensely and can lash out unexpectedly. They generally have no close friends nor sworn enemies and can get along equally with all. If you have any birth planets placed these nakshatra, then you will show this mixed type of behaviour towards the things these planets rule over in your life. You have very intense energies which have to be expressed in a balanced manner to be useful. A fire is necessary for life but if used inappropriately can burn everything down. The more aggressive planets are more at home in these lunar mansions but using them in a productive manner can be a challenge. And the milder planets though a bit uncomfortable perform reasonably well.
Dhruva or fixed nakshtra are Rohini, Uttaraphalguni, Uttarashadha and Uttarabhadrapada. These are the best balanced Nakshatra energies. Their body and mind is strong and life is generally easy and stable. They are capable of using what they have in a systematic and productive manner. Physically fit and emotionally stable, their moral character and understanding is also good. These energies are capable of creating a sustained path to success which will be enduring. They evolve themselves and create assets which help others too. Gentle natured, fair, mild-mannered but very firm about what they have decided. They are clear about their purpose in life and are determined to achieve it. If you have any planet in these lunar mansions, try to use its energies more consciously in your life. You will be able to maintain a balanced approach in respect to those things related to this graha. Whatever aspects of life they indicate, you will progress well and be satisfied there. All graha-s perform quite well in the environment presented by these naksahtra-s. If you have the more important planets eg Moon, Ascendant sign/lord and even the Yogkarak graha here, you can especially benefit from the Dhruva energies.
Mrudu or Tender/sweet lunar mansions include Mruga, Chitra, Anuradha and Revati. These are delicate in nature and there is a softness, a tenderness about them. They expect softness from others always. Their focus is more on relationships, communication, art etc, the more refined and creative aspects of existence. The body is reasonably heathy but remains sensitive and there may be an inherent susceptibility to illness. There is a very real possibility of emotional vulnerability. If you have too many planets in these Nakshatra-s you must be careful as always expecting sweetness in life is not a good thing. You have to evaluate your expectations in the aspects of life linked to these planets. As when these expectations break, which they eventually will, it will create emotional issues. These issues will spill over into the body frame causing illnesses. And also affect your relationships with the others around you. In the charts I have seen, people having their birth Moon in these lunar mansions generally go through some sort of neglect during their childhood. This may be emotional or physical, but probably breaks their expectations very early in life. And this later life generally manifests as a sharp tongue and an ability to hurt other with their words.
Teekshna or Sharply pointed Nakshatra are Aradra, Ashleysha, Mula and Jeyshtha. These are known for their aggressive and destructive natures. They are highly assertive, confident and uncaring of what effect their behaviour has on others. These energies are not favourable for creative or constructive actions. They are not helpful or supportive in nature. They can separate from family/ friends, create enemies and thus several difficulties in life. The physical body may be susceptible to illness or emotional issues are also possible as the stress levels will increase with time. If you have the milder planets here, then it creates a deep internal discomfort in the areas of life linked to them. Aggressive planets here cause an over-load of aggression. So if you have any planet in these Teekshna lunar mansions, analyse it carefully and try to use their destructive powers sensibly. Try not to harm yourself and others around you in the process. Every sort of energy can be channelized safely if you know how it works. Even destruction is a desirable thing if done in a controlled and targeted manner.
Chara Nakshatra or the lunar mansions of the ‘moveable’ nature. These are Punarvasu, Svati, Shravan, Dhanishtha and Shatataraka. They are capable of giving generally fast and positive results. Again their results are not very permanent or enduring, there is sense of superficiality about them. Good for providing bursts of energy at the right moment. The body and the mind is active and desirous of change. They like getting into many things, know a lot, but converting this into action can take time, but once they begin, they move to finish the task. They are somewhat similar to the Kshipra nakshatra-s, but not as swift as them. If you have any planets in these Nakshatra-s, it would be best if you have all the information you need before moving in the aspects of life controlled by them. Be clear in your own mind what you want and how do you want to go about it.
In Jyotish, you have to eventually learn about the lunar mansions and their use in analysing charts. These 7 categories is a small start in this direction. The Nakshatra is the subtle energy which rules your astral self, the Sookshma-sharir (post here) and thus is linked to your inherent potential which you can consciously actualise in your life.
29 responses to “Seven categories of the Nakshatra”
Hello!!!
Firts of all thank you for all your very inspiring posts.
One question is here 🙂
Please can you also explain how is working parivartana between nakhatras? For example mercury in ketu nakshatra and ketu in mercurys nakshatra. Like who will give which results or how the energies works and how to understand it properly?
And please also when the planets are in parivartana, than which nakshatras will influence those planets? For example mars in chitra (tula) and venus in anuradha (vrischcika)…
Many many thanks for your time and for throwing some light into this subject…
Take care and wonderful blogs you are writting 🙏☘️
Hi there
for the nakshatra their devata, deities, are more important,
we say the nakshatra have planets linked to them only because of the Vimshottari system connection. i havent come across the standard reference books mentioning such planets owning the nakshatra., i use these planetary linkages as they are a simpler way of starting with them. i always write ‘planet linked to the nakshatra’ never ‘planet who owns nakshatra’.
nakshatra are the subtler way of looking at the results, the quality of the results. how these results are going to make you feel,
nakshatra have so many other qualites, gan, yoni, etc which tell you how they are going to give these results.
will need to write an entire book on this, it would be too much fr a blog.
Maam, when the soul exits from the body, for the few days till the post exit ceremonies are completed, does the soul still feel a longing for its relationships and possesions. Or does all attachment disappear right at the moment of exit itself prior to the rituals also?
Also I had a doubt on are there any precautions or do ‘s and donts on keeping garuda purana at home? Or can it simply be kept and read as an other book on theology.
Hi there
i wrote several posts on death, the dying process, the lok you go to after this, etc. do use the index page or the search bar.
of course the soul feels a longing, the depth of this feeling will depend on the soul’s evolution, eg a Yogi who has advanced farther on the path will not feel it intensely or fr long,
but someone who was deeply involved with his family etc would definately feel it deeply, these people can cause problems like for their relatives by coming back in dreams etc
i have the Garudpuran at home. and the 4 Ved-s, Mahabharat, Ramayam, Devi Mahatmya, 10 main Upanishad, the 18 major purans, almost all of Adi Shankarachrya’s works, and standard books like Yogvashishtha etc these in sanskrit and so many many books in marathi too. plus the random books on jyotish and stuff. this is my dad’s collection, i read them as a child, also understood them a bit as i grew u. today my son sits with my dad and reads these same books.
paper books can never be really replaced by “soft copies”
and they are not theology, they are mantra, they have power.
i doubt if theology texts have power.
and why should’nt you keep books of Dharma in your house?
I do have the ramayan, mahabharat, the 4 vedas, markandeya purana, linga purana,upanishad commentaries by a guru,adi shankaras vivekachudamani and soundarya lahiri and devi mahatmyam.
But I was told that the garuda purana can’t be kept by all.
I didn’t understand why but wanted to clarify with you. Thanks for the clarification 🙏
I have gotten into a habit to check my mail every Sunday morning to read a post from you. I usually try to not ask too many questions as I understand you are usually flooded with queries with limited time to respond. Therefore I appreciate all the responses I have received from you in the past.
I will keep it short, how does one analyse planets that are in dhruva nakshatras in 6/8/12 houses? Eg: Mercury in Rohini in 6th.
Also what about a slow planet like Saturn in a teekshna nakshatra like mula in an uncomfortable spot like the 1st house? Would we analyse that house as over aggressive-destructive Saturnian energies?
Thank you very much fır your explanations and please continue to teach. Thank you again!
Namaste Madam,
I sincerely would like to thank you for these valuable posts. Nowhere else have I found such a clear, in depth explanation of concepts. I really wish I had come across this precious knowledge earlier. Thank you again for all the knowledge and positivity.
Hi there
thns fr the compliment.
i think thts probably coz i do not have any personal agenda in writing this blog.
i am required to write what i know and i am doing it.
if someone is required to read it he will be brought here when his time is right…
Pranams🙏
Dear Tejaswini please can you also explain more meanings and how exactly works energies behind the nakshatras of your Moon, Ascendant, Lagna Lord, Atmakaraka, Yogakaraka etc.
Also the meaning if more grahas are in the same nakshatra? Of course there is not a general rule but at least some explications 🙏
This topic is torturing my mind since long time😅 please help!
Many many thanks and keep a nice work going on ☘️☀️
With regards
J
Hi there
More planets in the same nakshatra naturally means thar it will have more influence on ur life, the subtler aspects.
Hello Ma’am,
If a person is born in ugra nakshatra,
What do these following sentences mean?
“Their problems are often hidden in the initial stages and suddenly erupt later at advanced stages where repairing them can be difficult”.
And
“Events related to the planet in the ugra nakshatra will occur with uncharacteristic force”.
And
“ If the Moon or ascendant degree or its lord is placed in these, then your personal nature and surroundings can be very intense”.
The post also mentions about introspecting, so what remedies are recommended?
If surroundings are intense then what can be done to change that?
Thank you
Namaste Tejaswini ji 🙏
Thank you for this insightful post!
Have a question about Akshaya triteeya, generally believed to be a ‘shubh muhurth’ for any endeavor, in many parts of the country. Is this true and if so, is it valid for the whole triteeya tithi for the day, like an ‘abhijit muhurth’?
Thank you🙏
Hi there
both sun and moon are exalted on akshay trutiya, so its energies are excellent for practically all auspicious things.
its muhurt duration depend on the position of moon, will be valid as long as he remains in his exalted state.
Thank you for the clarification 🙏
that means does it override the janma nava taraka principles (in this case, it’s one’s own janma nakshatra) & the surya sankranti rules (6 hrs & 24’ before & after the sankranti)?
Thank you🙏
Hi there
Yes.
It will b valid as long as sun and moon as both exalted.
Namaste!
This Akshay Tritriya, the moon will be conjunct Rahu. Does that affect the benevolence of the tithi?
Thank you.
Hi there
No
Hi,
Thank you for this article. I had been wanting to get into Nakshatra analysis and this is a helpful starting point. Any book recommendations for understand all the mythology related to Nakshatra?
Also- I had a question on the “natural relationships” of planets.
For example, let’s take Mercury and Moon, and a statement from your article:
“Moon considers Mercury as a friend but for Mercury, Moon is an enemy!”
So does that mean, Moon will benefit Mercury, but Mercury will hurt the moon?
I.e Moon is a friend TO Mercury, and Mercury is an enemy TO the Moon.
So if they are conjunct, will Moon be in Kshudita and Mercury in Mudita?
Or is it the exact opposite?
For example, when people say “Moon has no enemies” is it that the Moon is not an enemy to anyone? Or nobody behaves like an enemy to the Moon?
Across various astrologers I find a contradiction in interpretation and I wonder what your knowledge and experience says on this matter. This is so important to determine the Lajjitadi Avasthas, yet many are in contradiction!
I would also love it if you could point to Parashara’s verse where he explains this particular rule in Sanskrit, and explain your interpretation based upon your knowledge of Sanskrit. If I’m lucky maybe you will write an article!! 🙂
But I absolutely get the handicap of not knowing Sanskrit in a full manner (though I am thankful I can at least read it.. and know languages that are close to it, like Marathi). Many misinterpretations of everything just seems to boil down to lack of knowing Sanskrit.
While I’ve read your article about Sanskrit learning, I wonder if you know any course that is offered online? At least as a starting point.
Hi there
Fr lajjitadi and other avastha calculations use BPHS as the reference.
Analysing them, thts another game altogether. Best is to study people u know to know what happens with these avasthas.
there are no good books on this. Just the cryptic shloks in Sanskrit.. sometimes this frustrates me too.
May write something on this, but its too big a topic. Lets see
Hmm yea, it’s a big topic.
But, how would you see the avastha of a Moon conjunct Mercury? (Without full interpretation)
Will Moon be Mudita or Mercury be Mudita?
When two planets are mutually friends or enemies, there is no problem in interpretation. When it is not straightforward, I wonder which is the “direction”.
त्रिकोणात् स्वात् सुख स्वान्त्यधीधर्मायुःस्वतुञ्गयाः
सुहृदो रिपवश्चान्ये समाश्चोभयलक्षणाः
Is this verse describing how we arrive at Natural Relationships i.e. from the Mooltrikona of a planet, right?
I wonder if the ‘direction’ is clear from it.
I wonder if my question is clear?
Hi there
you have put in 2-3 questions on this.
i didn’t want to write much on this as the avastha-s by themselves require a lot of analysis and study. and the context of the question asked by the client is the reference point.
i think you want to know who will influence the other.
the avastha is a detailed topic in itself, first the power of aspects on the other planets has to be judged. then the words ‘lajjit’ etc have to be interpreted in context of the chart.
another thing everywhere i read ‘lajjit’ is translated into ‘ashamed’ which is not appropriate. its better understood as shy, bashful, timid, confused, with a hint of anticipation, etc.
so first use the concepts of graha yuddha, bala, ashtakvarga scores etc to arrive at who is more powerful thus more capable of influencing the other more. this will give you a reasonably good foundation for your in-depth anlaysis.
the lajjitadi avastha-s do not give direct results, they are more related to the quality of results.
eg a chart who has all his graha either in swapna/ sushupti, this person has everything that one could wish in life, money, family, spiritual base etc. but none of this seems ‘alive’ for him. its like he is sleepwalking through life
eg another person has majority of his planets in the specific baladi-avasthas where they are incapable of giving powerful results. again he has everything necessary for a good life. curiously he has no motivation, no desire to take advantage of the opportunities which are offered to him. he is content to live silently in the background
eg a chart where all the planets are either khala-1, dukhi-2 or deena-5, this person has everything for a comfortable life but he is least bothered about it all. very rich, but does not desire to use those riches for personal power. lives a very simple life.
eg – one chart with 5 planets in Prakashan avastha, this person is internally happy always, not bothered about others. is successful in life but that external success does not seem to affect him in any way.
eg – having the birth Moon ascendant lord and yogkarak in the more happier lajjidati avastha grants a very big boost to the entire personality.
eg one chart 6 graha in mudit avastha, this person though virtually alone in life, remains quite content and capable by himself.
i have written just one line on these states/ explanations but there are so many shades of meanings which can be gleaned out. so the question asked is important.
eg if its about a job, then a person with all khala/ deen/ dukhi planets cannot really go into a business where confidence /personality is important.
eg if all planets are swapna/ sushupti then intuition will be very high, so can be actively used in something to do with divination.
Thank you for your elaborate responses with so many examples 🙂
Yes it gave me a direction to think on, in terms of understanding who will influence the other more.
Hi. Please include charts of South Indian format also. I love your analysis and depth of knowledge.
So Nakshatras they are !!
Now I know why although no grahas in Bhava 1 , lagna and lagna lord are full of Dhruva nature 🙂
. .
This is great , to be able to understand more about myself.
All thanks to you mam , for your golden guidance. Another one being the gratitude to Surya !
Hi Tejaswini….what happens when an Aatmakarak planet in Kendra and in a friendly sign is in Mruth avastha…
Hi there
I do not use Jaimini system much so cannot comment