Nakshatra · Dhanishta
Dhanishta nakshatra: ruled by Mars, in Makara and Kumbha rashis
Dhanishta is the 23rd 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
Dhanishta nakshatra is the 23rd of the 27 nakshatras, 293°20'–306°40' of the sidereal zodiac, with padas 1, 2 in Makara (Capricorn) and padas 3, 4 in Kumbha (Aquarius). Its lord is Mars, so people born in it start life in Mars's 7-year Vimshottari dasha. It is Rakshasa gana and Madhya nadi.
Dhanishta nakshatra at a glance
| Dhanishta | |
|---|---|
| Number | 23rd of 27 |
| Also spelled | Dhanishtha, Avittam |
| Span | 293°20'–306°40' of the sidereal zodiac |
| Rashi | padas 1, 2 in Makara (Capricorn) and padas 3, 4 in Kumbha (Aquarius) |
| Lord | Mars, whose Vimshottari dasha lasts 7 years |
| Gana | Rakshasa |
| Yoni | Simha (lion) |
| Nadi | Madhya |
| Nature (muhurat) | Chara (moving) |
| Marriage star | No |
The 4 padas of Dhanishta
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 | 293°20'–296°40' | Makara (Capricorn) | Simha (Leo) |
| Pada 2 | 296°40'–300° | Makara (Capricorn) | Kanya (Virgo) |
| Pada 3 | 300°–303°20' | Kumbha (Aquarius) | Tula (Libra) |
| Pada 4 | 303°20'–306°40' | Kumbha (Aquarius) | Vrishchika (Scorpio) |
Read more on Makara (Capricorn) and Kumbha (Aquarius).
Dhanishta and the Vimshottari dasha
Mars rules Dhanishta, and also Mrigashira and Chitra. A person born at the very start of Dhanishta has the whole 7 years of Mars's dasha ahead; born near its end, only a little. The next dasha is Rahu's. See Mars in astrology.
Dhanishta in matching and muhurat
In Ashtakoot matching, Dhanishta gives the gana, yoni and nadi of a birth star: Rakshasa, Simha (lion) and Madhya. 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, Dhanishta is Chara (moving), a star suited to travel, vehicles and outings. It is not one of the eleven marriage stars.
Questions about Dhanishta nakshatra
Which rashi is Dhanishta nakshatra?
Dhanishta has padas 1, 2 in Makara (Capricorn) and padas 3, 4 in Kumbha (Aquarius). Which rashi applies to you depends on your pada.
Who is the lord of Dhanishta nakshatra?
Mars rules Dhanishta, as it rules Mrigashira and Chitra. If you were born in Dhanishta, your first Vimshottari dasha is Mars's, which lasts 7 years in full.
What is the gana, yoni and nadi of Dhanishta?
Dhanishta is Rakshasa gana, Simha yoni (lion) and Madhya nadi (K. S. Charak's tables). These are used in Ashtakoot matching.
Is Dhanishta a good nakshatra for marriage?
For a wedding date, Dhanishta 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 Dhanishta nakshatra in English?
In English, Dhanishta is the 23rd lunar mansion (nakshatra) of the Vedic zodiac, 293°20' to 306°40' of the sidereal zodiac, across Capricorn and Aquarius.
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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