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SECRETS OF NAKSHATRAS
PART 1: THE POWER OF READING MICROSCOPIC STRANDS OF DNA

The 27 lunar constellations in the zodiac (each being 13.20 minutes) form more of a  richer
tapestry of ancient astrological knowledge than we might imagine.  Naksha in Sanskrit means
getting closer and Tra means to preserve.   The two words taken together thus mean one that
never decays.  Western astrologers use the word “fixed stars”  that we are familiar with like
Antares in Scorpio or major constellations like Orion which straddles Taurus and Gemini and is
know in the Vedic system as Mrigashira.

Nakshatras influence the mind everyday because the moon transits through one constellation of
the zodiac daily over a month  and hence they impact are daily struggles for peace and
calmness.   Due to the complex mental matrix that we are born with from the connections of the
stars and the complex interaction of transits connecting new matrices in zodiac, our mind
encounters daily complex emotional interactions of chaos and sorrow that moves us on the
evolutionary path in search of happiness. The fixed nature of our birth stars and the planets in
them at birth are cosmic guardians of our soul that propel our evolution through lifetimes of
Karma and they transmit specific patterns to our mind to propel us toward Enlightenment or
Self-Realization.

The key with the Nakshatras is learning to understand the mental noises that are influencing us
and how to filter them out and understand them so that we are not victimized by past karmic
patterns.

Vedic astrology is microscopic and it is like reading strands of DNA.  We started our astrological
journey understanding Sun signs  and the influence on the 12 signs.  Every sign has 2 and ½
constellations  and thus planets in constellations give us more microscopic personality traits. 
Each constellation has 4 sections or padas and each section connects the planet to the four aims
of life, kama or pleasure, moksha or our quest for liberation, artha or our quest for wealth and
status and dharma or our quest to protect and defend and advance society.  Each ½ degree has
an impulse of intelligence know as a Deva that also transmits karmic information from past lives
that pervades and influences our lives. (known as Shatiamsha)

While we are fascinated by just how revealing planets in signs are, on a micoscopic level Vedic
astrology allows us to go much deeper. It  allow us to  connect the planet to our life path  and a
planet connected to a certain impulse of intelligence on the deva level.    It is really like reading
strands of DNA and is particularly revealing when we do this microscopic analysis on our moon,
our ascendant, our Sun and how we impact the outer world, our Atmakaraka or the planet with
the highest number of degrees in our chart that governs our soul’s journey.

The nakshatras form a complex matrix or web of influences that often trace back to a core
planet or constellation.  For example, my rising constellation is Anuradha ruled by Saturn  and
Saturn located in my 12th house and  is exalted in Libra in a constellation called Vishahka (Libra
20-Scorpio 3.20) ruled by Jupiter and Jupiter is in my 8 th house stationary in the constellation of
Purnavasu (Gemini 20-Cancer 3.20).  Hence my rising sign and the planet ruling my soul trace
back to Jupiter.
Saturn is also my Atmakaraka or planet that governs my soul’s destiny. Hence  my soul’s
purpose are very connected to teaching 8th house knowledge of transcendence and astrology.
The constellation of Purnavasu is the Universal mother who guides us toward the divine light
and helps us  convey the higher planes of existence and bring them into earthly life and help
people on their quest for Truth.  Jupiter is in the Taurus Pada which is a Pushkara pada of
creativity which is a healing section of the constellation and brings calmness and constructive
behavior to my counseling.  As an Artha pada connected to material existence it has moved me
into being more practical in my counseling around finance and enhanced relationship skills. The
deva connected to Jupiter is Nirmala which is connected with being pure, truthful and free of
bad qualities.    So you can see how you can get more microscopic in analyzing anyone’s DNA.

Nakshatras are very useful for prediction so in Part 2 we will look at the basics of Tarabala and
how the nakshatras counted from your moon and your rising sign and your dasha lord can
reveal very deep insights into your nature and predicting what is happening in your life.  In Part
3 we will look at Special Nakshatra counts like the 4th nakshatra from your rising sign or moon,
called Jati Nakshatra which connects us to our life style and life path.

PART 2

 THE POWERFUL NINE AND THE SECRET OF TRANSITS 

he key to understanding transits  is through the Nakshatra predictive system known as Navatara

and Tara Bala where transits through key nakshatras from the natal moon trigger events. They
can also be  counted from ascendant and sometimes from the Dasha lord or the Sun and more
accurately help us understand why certain larger transits or dasha periods bring great fruits or
bring challenges.

Find out where your natal moon’s nakshatra is , your ascendant or lagna is  and then count the
nakshatra sequences from there.

So if you born in the constellation of Jyestha and your moon was there then Jyestha is counted
as 1 and is your Janma Nakshatra and then Mula would counted as 2 , Purva Shadha would be
counted as 3, Uttar Shadha would be counted as 4, Shravana would be counted as 5 and
Dhanishata would be 6 and Shatabhisha would be 7 and Purvabhadra Pada would be 8t and
Uttarbhardra Pada would be 9. .

The first nine nakshatras from your natal moon have more potency to produce extreme results 
where as the 2nd and 3rd tiers are less potent.  There is a complex numerology inherent in the
numbers and there is a deep significance and connection to the unfoldment of dashas and
transits.  Here in Part 2 we will explain the connection to transits.

1. Janma: Your birth moon

2.  Sampat: Connected to gains

3. Vipat:  Danger to finances

4. Kshema: Happiness and security

5. Prayatak: Enemies and Obstacles

 6. Sadhana: Attainment and fulfillment of desires

7.  Naidhana: Transformation through destruction of the old.

8. Mitra:  Marriage and Partnership /  Fulfillment of Desires

9. Param Mitra: Great Friendship or Spiritual Fuflilment

Andrew Foss in Yoga of the Planets, connects the 9 positions to planetary rulers and to the
sequence of the dasha lords. My sense and own addition is that we can also connect the
energies to key houses and I have added this to my discussion below but it is still work in
progress.

1.

 Janma:  Ruled by Mercury and Ketu  connected to the 1st house.

 Sampat: Ruled by Venus and connected to the 2nd and 11th houses.

 Vipat:  Ruled by the Sun and connected to the 8th and 12th houses.

 Kshema: Ruled by the Moon and connected to the 4th house.

 Prayatak: Ruled by Mars and connected to the 3rd and 6th houses

 Sadhana: Ruled by Rahu and connected to the 11th house.

  Naidhana: Ruled by Jupiter and connected to the 8th house.

 Mitra: Ruled by Saturn and connected to the 7th house.

 Param Mitra: Ruled by Ketu and connected to the 9th and 12th house.

These become very important with larger and slower moving transits through them like Saturn
and Rahu and Ketu and even Jupiter as these planets stay there a longer time.  They also impact
your dasha sequence great but it will take a whole article to discuss this in more detail in Part 3.

Below is a detailed analysis if each position from the birth moon or ascendent for timing fruition
of transits or the power of natal chart positions:

JANMA or BIRTH STAR: (Nakshatras 1, 10, 19) It is ruled by Mercury and it is  the seat of the soul
as your birth star  and governs everything that your mind experiences as the moon is connected
to your mind and like the first house is a more concentrated form of personal intelligence and
the ability to synthesize experience and act on it.  It is ruled by Mercury which governs our  early
birth and protects us in our early years and is connected to early childhood education and our
thought process.

As Andrew Foss notes in his book, Yoga of the Planets, the Janma Nakshatra is connected to
“the fruit or one who grants us the fulfillment of our desires  according to what we
deserve.”  Mercury is ruler as it wants to preserve what we have gained from birth in terms of
our physical existence When Saturn transits this star, it really shakes things up because Saturn is
naturally an enemy with Ketu and Mercury and our health may be challenged to remind us of
our deeper call for liberation in this lifetime.

There is a conflict with Jyotish scholars whether the 1 st position is beneficial or vulnerable. My
sense it is like the 1st house in that it is both.  The birth star like the rising sign  is mostly very
supportive but as Sanjay Rath explains, sometimes for certain rising signs if there is a hidden
badhaka influence or 8th house connection, it can be very challenging and dangerous.  For
example Aries rising has a difficult relationship  with Aquarius know as Badhaka  because
movable signs have a difficult relationship with the 11th house lord and in this case that is case
for Aries. Also Scorpio is 8 houses from Aries and has an Astama or eight house influence.  
While difficult to explain quickly here, if the birth star falls in certain rising sign and is connected
to a badhaka influence or an 8th house influence, then it can cause problems.

Jamna Nakshatras are 1,10 and 19 and are connected to Mercury.  If your moon falls in a
constellation ruled by Mercury at birth then all the other Mercury owned constellations have a
Jamna relationship.  Hence I was born in Jyestha so Revati ( the 10th position) and Ashlesha (the
19th position) are all Jamna or have a birth star influence.

SAMPAT or  WEALTH STAR:  (2, 11 and 20) is ruled by Venus.

The number two in Vedic astrology is always associated with gains, storage and accumulation of
wealth.   In your natal chart, planets placed here bring gains during their dasha periods where as
malefic planets here may make a person feel deprived.  Transits through the 2nd star can bring
gains and hence longer transits of Jupiter through the 2 nd star can seem particularly profitable.
It is connected to acquisition, enjoyment, good fortune, blessings, glory and prosperity. If your
birth star is Swati (Libra 6.40-20.00) then Jupiter is bringing nice gains by transiting through
Vishakha this year.  For example if you were born in Jyestha Nakshatra then the 2 nd nakshatra
from there would be Mula an hence all Ketu stars would bring good fortune when benefics
transited them.

 VIMPAT OR GRAVE DANGERS  (Nakshatras 3, 12 and 21)  is the 3rd constellation from your
natal moon means to strike down or kill or fly away like arrows. It is ruled by the Sun.  As
Andrew Foss in his seminal book, Yoga of the Planets notes,  it has the power of the king to
destroy those who violate dharma and is ruled by the Sun connected to wealth. Hence this
position is critical for acquiring or taking away wealth. Given that Saturn and the Sun are bitter
enemies, it is no wonder that Saturn transiting this position can be so difficult for finances
during Sade Sati. If your natal moon is Jyestha (Scorpio 16.20-29.59) then when Saturn transits
into Purva Ashadha  (Sagittarius 13.20-26.40) March 3, 2018 – June 4, 2018 this year, or later in
the year, and again November 28, 2018 – December 2019 this energy will get triggered.

Vimpat positions create obstacles and can lead to bad decisions and may manifest challenges
during their dashas or when you have major transits like Rahu or Ketu or Saturn going through
this position.  It seems most connected to the 12th house which often takes away wealth to point
us toward moksha.

KSEMA OR HAPPINESS (Nakshatra Numbers 4, 13, 22) .  The 4th Nakshatra is ruled by the Moon
and associated with being at ease, comfort and free from disease and is connected to security
and  feeling  protected. Like the the 4th house of happiness and security where moon and Venus
are at home, the 4th Nakshatra can bring contentment and feeling safe.  Dashas of the 4th 
nakshatra are usually good and transits of benefics like Jupiter and Venus may feel particularly
happy while malefics like Ketu may feel particularly disruptive.

PRAYATAK  (Nakshatra Numbers 5, 14, 23) is ruled by Mars and is connected to enemies and
obstacles and is connected to the enemy that can inflict fear of being destroyed.   Mars is
worried about you violating your dharma. As Andrew Foss notes, “it represents obstacles
because no one wants to face an angry warrior waving weapons in the air.”  The transit of
Saturn here is natural enemies with Mars and creates frustration and indecision if we hesitate to
do battle. The key to the 5th position transit is fight or competes for what is right.

If your moon is in Vishakha Nakshatra (Libra 20.00-Scorpio 3.20) then Saturn in now transiting
into  Purva Shadha (March 3-June 4, 2018) and while you may think your Sade Sati is over
because it is 3 signs away it is not and it will ask you to rise up and fight new Dharmic battles. F

SADHANA (Nakshatra Numbers 6, 15, 24) is ruled by Rahu and is connected to

accomplishments, bringing fruits and having supporters and assistants.   Planets placed in you’re
your natal chart here bring realization of desires. To me this seems most connected to the
11th house. Dashas of planets placed here usually do well. Benefic transits here bear fruits while
malefic transits here may create struggle and block opportunities.  Because this Nakshatra is
connected to Rahu, it may achieve its desires through devious or unethical ways.  If your birth
star is Chitra (Virgo 23.20-Libra 6.40) then Saturn now transiting into Purva Shadha is a
6th position transit and if your birth star is ruled by Venus and particularly Purva Phalguni (Leo
13.20-26.40) then Jupiter transiting through Vishakha (Libra 20-Scorpio 3.20) this year is
providing a particularly supportive transit and realization of your desires within the context of
your dasha period.   This nakshatra is also connected to spiritual practice.

NAIDHANA OR VADHA (Nakshatras 7, 16 and 25) is ruled by Jupiter and means vanquisher or

destroyer. It is often connected to death and destruction and transits by malefics here like
Saturn or Rahu or Ketu seem particularly challenging. These type of experiences are  linked to
8th house experience where sudden accidents, acute illnesses or divorces come out of the blue
but like 8th house experiences they teach us to transcend and search for the meaning of life. 
Andrew Foss in his book, Yoga of the Planets explains the unusual ruler of this Nakshatra as it is
Jupiter is Jiva or spirit and the only wise one who can decide whether we are fit to live our
dharma or whether we need to be shaken up so that we can transform our life. ( Yoga of the
Planets, page 512).  With Saturn moving into Purva Shadha (March 3-June 6th) then if your birth
moon is Chitra  (Virgo 23.20-Libra 6.40), then Saturn has just moved into the 7 th position.

MRITA  (Nakshatras 8, 17, 26) is ruled by Saturn  and all natal chart planets placed here are
friendly and help bring progress to the chart and transits through the 8 th Nakshatra position are
considered good.  Andrew Foss explains that Saturn is the unusual ruler here as the fulfillment
of desire as after a long wait, “by the time something comes, we may have forgotten that we
have asked for.” (Yoga of the Planets, page 513).  My take on it is that  Saturn is our good friend
as it is through hard work, patience and responsibility that the fruits our desires manifest. 
Saturn is so often maligned because if we are lazy we do not want hard work or responsibility
but that is what Saturn teaches in order to bring fulfillment of desires.  Sanjay Rath connects this
constellation to marriage vows and the completion of contracts and agreements.    This to me
connects it to the 7th house.

 PARAM MITRA (Nakshatra 9, 18, 27) SPIRITUAL COMPLETION: All planets are supportive here
as in 9th house, good luck and good fortune where the grace of God and Guru shine and where
spiritual bonding happens.  Andrew Foss notes that the 9th Nakshatra is connected to Ketu
where final liberation and the total fruits of our journey are completed. It is a place of peak
achievements.  If you are your birth star is Pushya nakshatra, then Jupiter transiting  through
Vishakha (Libra 20-Scorpio 3.20) is bringing these fruits this year.

In Part 3 we will discuss Nakshatras and Dashas and the connection of the Navatara to
understanding the quality of your dasha.

DISCLAIMER:  Charts are very individual and transits are always contextual to dashas.  Always
consult a professional astrologer to understand your unique situation.)

All gratitude to Komilla Sutton, Sanjay Rath and Andrew Foss for their great insights on this
material.  I encourage you to buy their books and I am always grateful to them for their wisdom
and knowledge.

Bibliography:
Komilla Sutton: The Nakshatras . Wessex Astrologer, 2014.
Andrew Foss.   Yoga of the Planets.  Shri Source Publications, 2016.
Sanjay Rath.   Brhat Nakshatra. Sagittarius Publications 2013.