Nakshatra · Ashlesha
Ashlesha nakshatra: ruled by Mercury, in Karka rashi
Ashlesha is the 9th 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
Ashlesha nakshatra is the 9th of the 27 nakshatras, 106°40'–120° of the sidereal zodiac, with all 4 padas in Karka (Cancer). Its lord is Mercury, so people born in it start life in Mercury's 17-year Vimshottari dasha. It is Rakshasa gana and Antya nadi.
Ashlesha nakshatra at a glance
| Ashlesha | |
|---|---|
| Number | 9th of 27 |
| Also spelled | Aslesha, Ayilyam |
| Span | 106°40'–120° of the sidereal zodiac |
| Rashi | all 4 padas in Karka (Cancer) |
| Lord | Mercury, whose Vimshottari dasha lasts 17 years |
| Gana | Rakshasa |
| Yoni | Marjara (cat) |
| Nadi | Antya |
| Nature (muhurat) | Tikshna (sharp) |
| Marriage star | No |
The 4 padas of Ashlesha
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 | 106°40'–110° | Karka (Cancer) | Dhanu (Sagittarius) |
| Pada 2 | 110°–113°20' | Karka (Cancer) | Makara (Capricorn) |
| Pada 3 | 113°20'–116°40' | Karka (Cancer) | Kumbha (Aquarius) |
| Pada 4 | 116°40'–120° | Karka (Cancer) | Meena (Pisces) |
Read more on Karka (Cancer).
Ashlesha and the Vimshottari dasha
Mercury rules Ashlesha, and also Jyeshtha and Revati. A person born at the very start of Ashlesha has the whole 17 years of Mercury's dasha ahead; born near its end, only a little. The next dasha is Ketu's. See Mercury in astrology.
Ashlesha in matching and muhurat
In Ashtakoot matching, Ashlesha gives the gana, yoni and nadi of a birth star: Rakshasa, Marjara (cat) and Antya. 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, Ashlesha 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 Ashlesha nakshatra
Which rashi is Ashlesha nakshatra?
Ashlesha has all 4 padas in Karka (Cancer). Which rashi applies to you depends on your pada.
Who is the lord of Ashlesha nakshatra?
Mercury rules Ashlesha, as it rules Jyeshtha and Revati. If you were born in Ashlesha, your first Vimshottari dasha is Mercury's, which lasts 17 years in full.
What is the gana, yoni and nadi of Ashlesha?
Ashlesha is Rakshasa gana, Marjara yoni (cat) and Antya nadi (K. S. Charak's tables). These are used in Ashtakoot matching.
Is Ashlesha a good nakshatra for marriage?
For a wedding date, Ashlesha 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 Ashlesha nakshatra in English?
In English, Ashlesha is the 9th lunar mansion (nakshatra) of the Vedic zodiac, 106°40' to 120° of the sidereal zodiac, all in Cancer.
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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