Nakshatra · Ashwini
Ashwini nakshatra: ruled by Ketu, in Mesha rashi
Ashwini is the 1st of the 27 nakshatras. Its rashi and padas, its lord and dasha, its gana, yoni and nadi for matching, and its nature for muhurat.
In short
Ashwini nakshatra is the 1st of the 27 nakshatras, 0°–13°20' of the sidereal zodiac, with all 4 padas in Mesha (Aries). Its lord is Ketu, so people born in it start life in Ketu's 7-year Vimshottari dasha. It is Deva gana and Adya nadi.
Ashwini nakshatra at a glance
| Ashwini | |
|---|---|
| Number | 1st of 27 |
| Also spelled | Aswini, Ashvini |
| Span | 0°–13°20' of the sidereal zodiac |
| Rashi | all 4 padas in Mesha (Aries) |
| Lord | Ketu, whose Vimshottari dasha lasts 7 years |
| Gana | Deva |
| Yoni | Ashwa (horse) |
| Nadi | Adya |
| Nature (muhurat) | Kshipra (quick) |
| Marriage star | No |
The 4 padas of Ashwini
Each pada is 3°20'. The pada decides the rashi when a nakshatra spans two signs, and places the Moon in a navamsa (D9) sign.
| Pada | Span | Rashi | Navamsa sign |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pada 1 | 0°–3°20' | Mesha (Aries) | Mesha (Aries) |
| Pada 2 | 3°20'–6°40' | Mesha (Aries) | Vrishabha (Taurus) |
| Pada 3 | 6°40'–10° | Mesha (Aries) | Mithuna (Gemini) |
| Pada 4 | 10°–13°20' | Mesha (Aries) | Karka (Cancer) |
Read more on Mesha (Aries).
Ashwini and the Vimshottari dasha
Ketu rules Ashwini, and also Magha and Moola. A person born at the very start of Ashwini has the whole 7 years of Ketu's dasha ahead; born near its end, only a little. The next dasha is Venus's. See Ketu in astrology.
Ashwini in matching and muhurat
In Ashtakoot matching, Ashwini gives the gana, yoni and nadi of a birth star: Deva, Ashwa (horse) and Adya. Two people with the same nadi get 0 of its 8 points, the Nadi dosha, unless one of the exceptions Charak lists applies. Check two stars with the free star matching.
For muhurat, Ashwini is Kshipra (quick), a star suited to quick tasks: trade, learning, medicine and short trips. It is not one of the eleven marriage stars.
Questions about Ashwini nakshatra
Which rashi is Ashwini nakshatra?
Ashwini has all 4 padas in Mesha (Aries). Which rashi applies to you depends on your pada.
Who is the lord of Ashwini nakshatra?
Ketu rules Ashwini, as it rules Magha and Moola. If you were born in Ashwini, your first Vimshottari dasha is Ketu's, which lasts 7 years in full.
What is the gana, yoni and nadi of Ashwini?
Ashwini is Deva gana, Ashwa yoni (horse) and Adya nadi (K. S. Charak's tables). These are used in Ashtakoot matching.
Is Ashwini a good nakshatra for marriage?
For a wedding date, Ashwini is not one of the eleven marriage stars in Muhurta Chintamani ch. 6. For a couple, what matters is how the two birth stars match, not the star alone.
What is Ashwini nakshatra in English?
In English, Ashwini is the 1st lunar mansion (nakshatra) of the Vedic zodiac, 0° to 13°20' of the sidereal zodiac, all in Aries.
Sources
- The 27 nakshatras of 13°20' and their 4 padas of 3°20': Astrojar's engine (Lahiri ayanamsa, sidereal zodiac).
- Nakshatra lords and Vimshottari years: BPHS, the chapter on the Vimshottari dasha, as coded in Astrojar's engine (Ketu 7, Venus 20, Sun 6, Moon 10, Mars 7, Rahu 18, Jupiter 16, Saturn 19, Mercury 17 years).
- Gana, yoni and nadi: K. S. Charak, Elements of Vedic Astrology, ch. XXVII (pp. 456, 458, 460), the tables Astrojar's star matching uses.
- Nature of each star for muhurat: Muhurta Chintamani ch. 2. The eleven marriage stars: Muhurta Chintamani ch. 6.
This is the traditional reading of the classical texts, given for learning and reflection. It is not a prediction for you, and not medical, legal or financial advice.
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