Nakshatra · Moola
Moola nakshatra: ruled by Ketu, in Dhanu rashi
Moola is the 19th 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
Moola nakshatra is the 19th of the 27 nakshatras, 240°–253°20' of the sidereal zodiac, with all 4 padas in Dhanu (Sagittarius). Its lord is Ketu, so people born in it start life in Ketu's 7-year Vimshottari dasha. It is Rakshasa gana and Adya nadi.
Moola nakshatra at a glance
| Moola | |
|---|---|
| Number | 19th of 27 |
| Also spelled | Mula, Moolam |
| Span | 240°–253°20' of the sidereal zodiac |
| Rashi | all 4 padas in Dhanu (Sagittarius) |
| Lord | Ketu, whose Vimshottari dasha lasts 7 years |
| Gana | Rakshasa |
| Yoni | Shwana (dog) |
| Nadi | Adya |
| Nature (muhurat) | Tikshna (sharp) |
| Marriage star | Yes, one of the eleven (Muhurta Chintamani ch. 6) |
The 4 padas of Moola
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 | 240°–243°20' | Dhanu (Sagittarius) | Mesha (Aries) |
| Pada 2 | 243°20'–246°40' | Dhanu (Sagittarius) | Vrishabha (Taurus) |
| Pada 3 | 246°40'–250° | Dhanu (Sagittarius) | Mithuna (Gemini) |
| Pada 4 | 250°–253°20' | Dhanu (Sagittarius) | Karka (Cancer) |
Read more on Dhanu (Sagittarius).
Moola and the Vimshottari dasha
Ketu rules Moola, and also Ashwini and Magha. A person born at the very start of Moola 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.
Moola in matching and muhurat
In Ashtakoot matching, Moola gives the gana, yoni and nadi of a birth star: Rakshasa, 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, Moola is Tikshna (sharp), a star suited to ending what no longer serves: clearing old debts and bad habits. It is one of the eleven marriage stars.
Questions about Moola nakshatra
Which rashi is Moola nakshatra?
Moola has all 4 padas in Dhanu (Sagittarius). Which rashi applies to you depends on your pada.
Who is the lord of Moola nakshatra?
Ketu rules Moola, as it rules Ashwini and Magha. If you were born in Moola, your first Vimshottari dasha is Ketu's, which lasts 7 years in full.
What is the gana, yoni and nadi of Moola?
Moola is Rakshasa gana, Shwana yoni (dog) and Adya nadi (K. S. Charak's tables). These are used in Ashtakoot matching.
Is Moola a good nakshatra for marriage?
For a wedding date, yes: Moola 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 Moola nakshatra in English?
In English, Moola is the 19th lunar mansion (nakshatra) of the Vedic zodiac, 240° to 253°20' of the sidereal zodiac, all in Sagittarius.
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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