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Nakshatra's

The Meaning and Purpose in Vedic Astrology

By Kranthi_ReddyPublished 3 years ago 3 min read
Nakshatra's
Photo by Farzad Mohsenvand on Unsplash

"Star light, Star bright, first star I see tonight, wish I may, wish I might, wish the wish, I wish tonight."

The 27 Nakshatras in Vedic astrology

Nakshatras meaning "lunar mansion" or "lunar house" is classified under three heads of Deva (divine), Nara (human) and Rakshasa (Demonic). One lunar cycle is 27 days plus 7 hours approximately. We can round it off from the lower portion of 27 Constellations. If we divide all the 12 zodiacs across 360 degrees measurement of the sky, further divided into 27 parts, we will get 13 degrees 20 minutes for each Nakshatra. Because of that, the Moon takes 28 days to move in each zodiac sign and stays there for 2.3 days. Also, Moon is known as the ruler of the Nakshatras. Therefore, it looks after the planets and their positions, responsible for predicting the life of each individual in a variable manner.

In astrology, these Nakshatras play a significant role. The ancient texts say that Nakshatra is taken from the word Naksha, meaning map, and Tara is a star. And the full meaning of the word Nakshatra tends to be the map of stars.

The Symbolic Tale behind the Nakshatras

It was believed that there was a King named Dakshan who had 27 daughters. The Moon married all 27 daughters (the Nakshatras). However, the Moon had a disconnect from one of his queens more than others, her name was Rohini. She was considered the ecstasy point of the moon. For that reason, the other 26 wives of Moon complained to the King. Regardless of the repeated request of the King, Moon didn’t change his nature. It made the King angry, and he cursed the Moon, making it shrink in the size. Which led to the waning of the Moon. Seeing the consequences, the other Gods/Goddesses requested the King to take his curse back and promised him that Moon would visit each of his daughters and spend time with them. Because the King cannot draw his curse off completely, he mentioned a solution to the Moon. He said that in half a month he would be capable to restore his strength. And this is the reason why we have Purnima (full moon) and Amavasya(new moon) and the Moon stays in each Nakshatra for the same amount of time, completing his orbit in the month.

Pada in Nakshatras

Just as in Western astrology, each zodiac sign has an element to which that zodiac sign can relate too. Those elements being, Fire, Earth, Air and Water.

As we know that there are 27 constellations. These stars divide into four parts known as the Padas. These padas have the traits of the zodiac signs, beginning with the first zodiac sign— Aries. So, we can conclude that the Pada is the most unified system that Naksahtra's follow involving the zodiac signs. In every 3 constellations, there are 12 padas.

The 4 Aim's of Life

Our life consists of four aims— Dharma, Artha, Kama, and Mosha. By looking at the position of the Nakshatra, we can figure out the main aim of an individual's life.

1. Dharma illustrates what you do or are supposed to do. It represents the fulfilment of your soul with everyday work and activities.

2. Artha is next. It depicts wealth and income so you feel fulfilment regarding your food and shelter.

3. Kama is the third. It represents you wanting to go after any desire.

4. Moksha is the last, which signifies the liberation of your soul.

Each aim of life represents an element in astrology. The Dharma shows a strong connection with the fire, Artha with earth, and Kama and Moksha with water.

CONCLUSION

Our Universe is boundless, not only that, our destinies are connected with each nakshatra as they formulate the characteristics of each individual born on earth. In the perspective of Vedic Astrology, human beings are reflections of the Cosmic Being, which is called Purusha in Vedic Astrology. Purusha was a cosmic being whose sacrifice by the gods created all life. Overall we all receive an influx of energies that are affecting us daily, and how we respond to those energies, with help from the Vedas, help us in our spiritual journeys.

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