Nakshatra · Ardra
Ardra nakshatra: ruled by Rahu, in Mithuna rashi
Ardra is the 6th 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
Ardra nakshatra is the 6th of the 27 nakshatras, 66°40'–80° of the sidereal zodiac, with all 4 padas in Mithuna (Gemini). Its lord is Rahu, so people born in it start life in Rahu's 18-year Vimshottari dasha. It is Manushya gana and Adya nadi.
Ardra nakshatra at a glance
| Ardra | |
|---|---|
| Number | 6th of 27 |
| Also spelled | Arudra, Thiruvathirai |
| Span | 66°40'–80° of the sidereal zodiac |
| Rashi | all 4 padas in Mithuna (Gemini) |
| Lord | Rahu, whose Vimshottari dasha lasts 18 years |
| Gana | Manushya |
| Yoni | Shwana (dog) |
| Nadi | Adya |
| Nature (muhurat) | Tikshna (sharp) |
| Marriage star | No |
The 4 padas of Ardra
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 | 66°40'–70° | Mithuna (Gemini) | Dhanu (Sagittarius) |
| Pada 2 | 70°–73°20' | Mithuna (Gemini) | Makara (Capricorn) |
| Pada 3 | 73°20'–76°40' | Mithuna (Gemini) | Kumbha (Aquarius) |
| Pada 4 | 76°40'–80° | Mithuna (Gemini) | Meena (Pisces) |
Read more on Mithuna (Gemini).
Ardra and the Vimshottari dasha
Rahu rules Ardra, and also Swati and Shatabhisha. A person born at the very start of Ardra has the whole 18 years of Rahu's dasha ahead; born near its end, only a little. The next dasha is Jupiter's. See Rahu in astrology.
Ardra in matching and muhurat
In Ashtakoot matching, Ardra gives the gana, yoni and nadi of a birth star: Manushya, Shwana (dog) 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, Ardra is Tikshna (sharp), a star suited to ending what no longer serves: clearing old debts and bad habits. It is not one of the eleven marriage stars.
Questions about Ardra nakshatra
Which rashi is Ardra nakshatra?
Ardra has all 4 padas in Mithuna (Gemini). Which rashi applies to you depends on your pada.
Who is the lord of Ardra nakshatra?
Rahu rules Ardra, as it rules Swati and Shatabhisha. If you were born in Ardra, your first Vimshottari dasha is Rahu's, which lasts 18 years in full.
What is the gana, yoni and nadi of Ardra?
Ardra is Manushya gana, Shwana yoni (dog) and Adya nadi (K. S. Charak's tables). These are used in Ashtakoot matching.
Is Ardra a good nakshatra for marriage?
For a wedding date, Ardra 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 Ardra nakshatra in English?
In English, Ardra is the 6th lunar mansion (nakshatra) of the Vedic zodiac, 66°40' to 80° of the sidereal zodiac, all in Gemini.
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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