Vedic Astrology Guide — Jyotish, Nakshatras, Rashis & Grahas

Jyotish — the eye of the Vedas — is India’s most ancient system of self-knowledge. It maps the soul’s journey through time using the planetary positions at birth and the cycle of dashas (planetary periods) that unfold across a lifetime. This is your complete Vedic astrology reference on Yukti Labs.

The 27 Nakshatras

Nakshatras are the lunar mansions — 27 star clusters through which the Moon passes in its monthly cycle. Your Janma Nakshatra (birth nakshatra) is one of the most important indicators in your chart.

Ashwini Nakshatra — Ketu-ruled, Aries
Bharani Nakshatra — Venus-ruled, Aries
Krittika Nakshatra — Sun-ruled, Aries (1 pada) / Taurus (3 padas)
Rohini Nakshatra — Moon-ruled, Taurus
Mrigashira Nakshatra — Mars-ruled, Taurus (2 padas) / Gemini (2 padas)
Ardra Nakshatra — Rahu-ruled, Gemini
Punarvasu Nakshatra — Jupiter-ruled, Gemini (3 padas) / Cancer (1 pada)
Pushya Nakshatra — Saturn-ruled, Cancer
Ashlesha Nakshatra — Mercury-ruled, Cancer
Magha Nakshatra — Ketu-ruled, Leo
Purva Phalguni Nakshatra — Venus-ruled, Leo
Uttara Phalguni Nakshatra — Sun-ruled, Leo (1 pada) / Virgo (3 padas)
Hasta Nakshatra — Moon-ruled, Virgo
Chitra Nakshatra — Mars-ruled, Virgo (2 padas) / Libra (2 padas)
Swati Nakshatra — Rahu-ruled, Libra
Vishakha Nakshatra — Jupiter-ruled, Libra (3 padas) / Scorpio (1 pada)
Anuradha Nakshatra — Saturn-ruled, Scorpio
Jyeshtha Nakshatra — Mercury-ruled, Scorpio
Mula Nakshatra — Ketu-ruled, Sagittarius
Purva Ashadha Nakshatra — Venus-ruled, Sagittarius
Uttara Ashadha Nakshatra — Sun-ruled, Sagittarius (1 pada) / Capricorn (3 padas)
Shravana Nakshatra — Moon-ruled, Capricorn
Dhanishtha Nakshatra — Mars-ruled, Capricorn (2 padas) / Aquarius (2 padas)
Shatabhisha Nakshatra — Rahu-ruled, Aquarius
Purva Bhadrapada Nakshatra — Jupiter-ruled, Aquarius (3 padas) / Pisces (1 pada)
Uttara Bhadrapada Nakshatra — Saturn-ruled, Pisces
Revati Nakshatra — Mercury-ruled, Pisces

The 12 Rashis (Zodiac Signs)

The 12 rashis divide the zodiac into 30° segments, each carrying distinct elemental and planetary qualities.

Aries (Mesha) — Mars-ruled Fire
Taurus (Vrishabha) — Venus-ruled Earth
Gemini (Mithuna) — Mercury-ruled Air
Cancer (Karka) — Moon-ruled Water
Leo (Simha) — Sun-ruled Fire
Virgo (Kanya) — Mercury-ruled Earth
Libra (Tula) — Venus-ruled Air
Scorpio (Vrishchika) — Mars-ruled Water
Sagittarius (Dhanu) — Jupiter-ruled Fire
Capricorn (Makara) — Saturn-ruled Earth
Aquarius (Kumbha) — Saturn-ruled Air
Pisces (Meena) — Jupiter-ruled Water

The 9 Grahas (Planets)

The nine Vedic planets — seven classical plus the two shadow nodes — are the primary actors in your birth chart.

The 12 Houses (Bhavas)

The twelve houses are the twelve arenas of life experience through which planets express their energy.