Nakshatra · Mrigashira
Mrigashira nakshatra: ruled by Mars, in Vrishabha and Mithuna rashis
Mrigashira is the 5th 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
Mrigashira nakshatra is the 5th of the 27 nakshatras, 53°20'–66°40' of the sidereal zodiac, with padas 1, 2 in Vrishabha (Taurus) and padas 3, 4 in Mithuna (Gemini). Its lord is Mars, so people born in it start life in Mars's 7-year Vimshottari dasha. It is Deva gana and Madhya nadi.
Mrigashira nakshatra at a glance
| Mrigashira | |
|---|---|
| Number | 5th of 27 |
| Also spelled | Mrigasira, Mrigashirsha |
| Span | 53°20'–66°40' of the sidereal zodiac |
| Rashi | padas 1, 2 in Vrishabha (Taurus) and padas 3, 4 in Mithuna (Gemini) |
| Lord | Mars, whose Vimshottari dasha lasts 7 years |
| Gana | Deva |
| Yoni | Sarpa (serpent) |
| Nadi | Madhya |
| Nature (muhurat) | Mridu (gentle) |
| Marriage star | Yes, one of the eleven (Muhurta Chintamani ch. 6) |
The 4 padas of Mrigashira
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 | 53°20'–56°40' | Vrishabha (Taurus) | Simha (Leo) |
| Pada 2 | 56°40'–60° | Vrishabha (Taurus) | Kanya (Virgo) |
| Pada 3 | 60°–63°20' | Mithuna (Gemini) | Tula (Libra) |
| Pada 4 | 63°20'–66°40' | Mithuna (Gemini) | Vrishchika (Scorpio) |
Read more on Vrishabha (Taurus) and Mithuna (Gemini).
Mrigashira and the Vimshottari dasha
Mars rules Mrigashira, and also Chitra and Dhanishta. A person born at the very start of Mrigashira 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.
Mrigashira in matching and muhurat
In Ashtakoot matching, Mrigashira gives the gana, yoni and nadi of a birth star: Deva, Sarpa (serpent) 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, Mrigashira is Mridu (gentle), a star suited to friendship, arts and music, new clothes and jewellery, celebrations. It is one of the eleven marriage stars.
Questions about Mrigashira nakshatra
Which rashi is Mrigashira nakshatra?
Mrigashira has padas 1, 2 in Vrishabha (Taurus) and padas 3, 4 in Mithuna (Gemini). Which rashi applies to you depends on your pada.
Who is the lord of Mrigashira nakshatra?
Mars rules Mrigashira, as it rules Chitra and Dhanishta. If you were born in Mrigashira, your first Vimshottari dasha is Mars's, which lasts 7 years in full.
What is the gana, yoni and nadi of Mrigashira?
Mrigashira is Deva gana, Sarpa yoni (serpent) and Madhya nadi (K. S. Charak's tables). These are used in Ashtakoot matching.
Is Mrigashira a good nakshatra for marriage?
For a wedding date, yes: Mrigashira 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 Mrigashira nakshatra in English?
In English, Mrigashira is the 5th lunar mansion (nakshatra) of the Vedic zodiac, 53°20' to 66°40' of the sidereal zodiac, across Taurus and Gemini.
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.
Is Mrigashira your birth star?
Sign up free with your birth date, time and place: your chart card shows your nakshatra and pada, rashi and Lagna, and your first 3 questions are free.