Nakshatra · Magha
Magha nakshatra: ruled by Ketu, in Simha rashi
Magha is the 10th 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
Magha nakshatra is the 10th of the 27 nakshatras, 120°–133°20' of the sidereal zodiac, with all 4 padas in Simha (Leo). Its lord is Ketu, so people born in it start life in Ketu's 7-year Vimshottari dasha. It is Rakshasa gana and Antya nadi.
Magha nakshatra at a glance
| Magha | |
|---|---|
| Number | 10th of 27 |
| Also spelled | Makha, Makam |
| Span | 120°–133°20' of the sidereal zodiac |
| Rashi | all 4 padas in Simha (Leo) |
| Lord | Ketu, whose Vimshottari dasha lasts 7 years |
| Gana | Rakshasa |
| Yoni | Mushaka (rat) |
| Nadi | Antya |
| Nature (muhurat) | Ugra (bold) |
| Marriage star | Yes, one of the eleven (Muhurta Chintamani ch. 6) |
The 4 padas of Magha
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 | 120°–123°20' | Simha (Leo) | Mesha (Aries) |
| Pada 2 | 123°20'–126°40' | Simha (Leo) | Vrishabha (Taurus) |
| Pada 3 | 126°40'–130° | Simha (Leo) | Mithuna (Gemini) |
| Pada 4 | 130°–133°20' | Simha (Leo) | Karka (Cancer) |
Read more on Simha (Leo).
Magha and the Vimshottari dasha
Ketu rules Magha, and also Ashwini and Moola. A person born at the very start of Magha 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.
Magha in matching and muhurat
In Ashtakoot matching, Magha gives the gana, yoni and nadi of a birth star: Rakshasa, Mushaka (rat) 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, Magha is Ugra (bold), a star suited to hard or pending work that needs courage. It is one of the eleven marriage stars.
Questions about Magha nakshatra
Which rashi is Magha nakshatra?
Magha has all 4 padas in Simha (Leo). Which rashi applies to you depends on your pada.
Who is the lord of Magha nakshatra?
Ketu rules Magha, as it rules Ashwini and Moola. If you were born in Magha, your first Vimshottari dasha is Ketu's, which lasts 7 years in full.
What is the gana, yoni and nadi of Magha?
Magha is Rakshasa gana, Mushaka yoni (rat) and Antya nadi (K. S. Charak's tables). These are used in Ashtakoot matching.
Is Magha a good nakshatra for marriage?
For a wedding date, yes: Magha is one of the eleven stars Muhurta Chintamani ch. 6 names for marriage. For a couple, what matters is how the two birth stars match, not the star alone.
What is Magha nakshatra in English?
In English, Magha is the 10th lunar mansion (nakshatra) of the Vedic zodiac, 120° to 133°20' of the sidereal zodiac, all in Leo.
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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