Nakshatra · Chitra
Chitra nakshatra: ruled by Mars, in Kanya and Tula rashis
Chitra is the 14th 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
Chitra nakshatra is the 14th of the 27 nakshatras, 173°20'–186°40' of the sidereal zodiac, with padas 1, 2 in Kanya (Virgo) and padas 3, 4 in Tula (Libra). 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.
Chitra nakshatra at a glance
| Chitra | |
|---|---|
| Number | 14th of 27 |
| Also spelled | Chithirai, Chitta |
| Span | 173°20'–186°40' of the sidereal zodiac |
| Rashi | padas 1, 2 in Kanya (Virgo) and padas 3, 4 in Tula (Libra) |
| Lord | Mars, whose Vimshottari dasha lasts 7 years |
| Gana | Rakshasa |
| Yoni | Vyaghra (tiger) |
| Nadi | Madhya |
| Nature (muhurat) | Mridu (gentle) |
| Marriage star | No |
The 4 padas of Chitra
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 | 173°20'–176°40' | Kanya (Virgo) | Simha (Leo) |
| Pada 2 | 176°40'–180° | Kanya (Virgo) | Kanya (Virgo) |
| Pada 3 | 180°–183°20' | Tula (Libra) | Tula (Libra) |
| Pada 4 | 183°20'–186°40' | Tula (Libra) | Vrishchika (Scorpio) |
Read more on Kanya (Virgo) and Tula (Libra).
Chitra and the Vimshottari dasha
Mars rules Chitra, and also Mrigashira and Dhanishta. A person born at the very start of Chitra 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.
Chitra in matching and muhurat
In Ashtakoot matching, Chitra gives the gana, yoni and nadi of a birth star: Rakshasa, Vyaghra (tiger) 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, Chitra is Mridu (gentle), a star suited to friendship, arts and music, new clothes and jewellery, celebrations. It is not one of the eleven marriage stars.
Questions about Chitra nakshatra
Which rashi is Chitra nakshatra?
Chitra has padas 1, 2 in Kanya (Virgo) and padas 3, 4 in Tula (Libra). Which rashi applies to you depends on your pada.
Who is the lord of Chitra nakshatra?
Mars rules Chitra, as it rules Mrigashira and Dhanishta. If you were born in Chitra, your first Vimshottari dasha is Mars's, which lasts 7 years in full.
What is the gana, yoni and nadi of Chitra?
Chitra is Rakshasa gana, Vyaghra yoni (tiger) and Madhya nadi (K. S. Charak's tables). These are used in Ashtakoot matching.
Is Chitra a good nakshatra for marriage?
For a wedding date, Chitra 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 Chitra nakshatra in English?
In English, Chitra is the 14th lunar mansion (nakshatra) of the Vedic zodiac, 173°20' to 186°40' of the sidereal zodiac, across Virgo and Libra.
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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