What Is My Birth Star? Free Janma Nakshatra Calculator
Created with 
Pt. Vikram Rao
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What is a Nakshatra?
In Vedic astrology, the sky is divided into 27 Nakshatras, also called birth stars. Each Nakshatra is like a zone of the sky through which the Moon passes. At the exact moment you were born, the Moon was sitting in one of these 27 Nakshatras.
That Nakshatra becomes your Janma Nakshatra (birth star), and it reveals a great deal about your personality, emotions, and the way you interact with others. It works almost like a “sub-sign” that gives more detail than your zodiac sign.
How is Your Nakshatra Calculated?
Your Nakshatra is found by looking at the exact position of the Moon at your birth.
The zodiac has 12 signs (Aries to Pisces).
Each sign is further broken down into Nakshatras.
Every Nakshatra spans about 13 degrees of the zodiac, so they are much more specific.
Use Vaya's free Nakshatra Calculator now to find your birth star. See your Janma Nakshatra, learn its meaning, and understand how it shapes your personality, life timing, and relationships.
Why is Knowing Your Nakshatra Important?
Your Nakshatra is one of the most important parts of your birth chart. Here’s why:
It shows your personality and emotions, like how you naturally feel and react.
It decides the starting point of your Vimshottari Dasha cycle (life periods in astrology).
It is the key factor in Kundli matching for marriage compatibility.
Many festivals and auspicious timings are set based on the Nakshatra of the day.
Traditionally, parents choose a baby’s name from the syllable linked with the Nakshatra.
How is Janma Nakshatra used in Kundli matching?
In Kundli matching, the total score is 36 points. Out of the eight kooṭas, four are directly based on Nakshatras
Tara (3 pts): longevity and luck harmony between the two birth stars.
Yoni (4 pts): instinctive chemistry and intimacy patterns from Nakshatra pairs.
Gana (6 pts): temperament match (Deva/Manuṣya/Rakṣasa) from birth stars.
Nadi (8 pts): physiological/heritage compatibility from Nakshatra groups.
Book a 1:1 consultation call with a Vaya Astrologer to get a full-chart analysis and better understand your marriage compatibility.
The 27 Nakshatras and Their Order
Here is the list of the 27 Nakshatras in sequence with their starting zodiac degrees:
Ashwini (0° Aries)- ruled by Ketu
Bharani (13°20′ Aries)- ruled by Venus
Krittika (26°40′ Aries - Taurus)- ruled by Sun
Rohini (10° Taurus)- ruled by Moon
Mrigashira (23°20′ Taurus - Gemini)- ruled by Mars
Ardra (6°40′ Gemini)- ruled by Rahu
Punarvasu (20° Gemini - Cancer)- ruled by Jupiter
Pushya (3°20′ Cancer)- ruled by Saturn
Ashlesha (16°40′ Cancer)- ruled by Mercury
Magha (0° Leo)- ruled by Ketu
Purva Phalguni (13°20′ Leo)- ruled by Venus
Uttara Phalguni (26°40′ Leo - Virgo)- ruled by Sun
Hasta (10° Virgo)- ruled by Moon
Chitra (23°20′ Virgo - Libra)- ruled by Mars
Swati (6°40′ Libra)- ruled by Rahu
Vishakha (20° Libra - Scorpio)- ruled by Jupiter
Anuradha (3°20′ Scorpio)- ruled by Saturn
Jyeshtha (16°40′ Scorpio)- ruled by Mercury
Mula (0° Sagittarius)- ruled by Ketu
Purva Ashadha (13°20′ Sagittarius)- ruled by Venus
Uttara Ashadha (26°40′ Sagittarius - Capricorn)- ruled by Sun
Shravana (10° Capricorn)- ruled by Moon
Dhanishta (23°20′ Capricorn - Aquarius)- ruled by Mars
Shatabhisha (6°40′ Aquarius)- ruled by Rahu
Purva Bhadrapada (20° Aquarius - Pisces)- ruled by Jupiter
Uttara Bhadrapada (3°20′ Pisces)- ruled by Saturn
Revati (16°40′ Pisces)- ruled by Mercury
Nakshatras and the Zodiac Signs
Every zodiac sign covers two full Nakshatras and part of a third. This is why your Moon sign and your Nakshatra always work together. The sign shows your broad nature, and the Nakshatra adds fine detail about your mind and emotions.
Here’s the mapping of signs and their Nakshatras:
Aries (Mesha): Ashwini, Bharani, part of Krittika
Taurus (Vrishabha): Krittika, Rohini, part of Mrigashira
Gemini (Mithuna): Mrigashira, Ardra, part of Punarvasu
Cancer (Karka): Punarvasu, Pushya, Ashlesha
Leo (Simha): Magha, Purva Phalguni, part of Uttara Phalguni
Virgo (Kanya): Uttara Phalguni, Hasta, part of Chitra
Libra (Tula): Chitra, Swati, part of Vishakha
Scorpio (Vrishchika): Vishakha, Anuradha, Jyeshtha
Sagittarius (Dhanu): Mula, Purva Ashadha, part of Uttara Ashadha
Capricorn (Makara): Uttara Ashadha, Shravana, part of Dhanishta
Aquarius (Kumbha): Dhanishta, Shatabhisha, part of Purva Bhadrapada
Pisces (Meena): Purva Bhadrapada, Uttara Bhadrapada, Revati
Two people may both have Cancer Moon, but if one is in Pushya Nakshatra and the other in Ashlesha, their personalities will feel very different.
Nakshatras and the Four Padas
Each Nakshatra is divided into four Padas (quarters), each covering 3°20′. These are very fine divisions that make readings more personal.
Your Pada shows:
The tone of your personality (how you express the Nakshatra’s qualities).
The direction of your life focus (whether towards action, resources, learning, or emotions).
The starting syllable is often used in the traditional naming of children.
Here’s what each Pada broadly represents:
Pada 1 (Dharma / Action-oriented)
Brings initiative, energy, and a pioneering spirit. People with a first Pada placement tend to start things quickly and focus on self-growth, goals, and purpose.Pada 2 (Artha / Material-oriented)
Practical and resource-driven. This Pada emphasizes stability, finances, and creating something lasting. People with this Pada often work steadily and value security.Pada 3 (Kama / Desire-oriented)
Linked to communication, curiosity, and relationships. It reflects a desire to connect, exchange ideas, and learn. People with this Pada usually seek knowledge and social harmony.Pada 4 (Moksha / Emotion-oriented)
Deeply emotional and nurturing. This Pada is connected with sensitivity, family bonds, and inner growth. It reflects the desire for peace, release, and spiritual connection.
Final Thoughts
Nakshatras are like the fine print of your astrological identity. While zodiac signs give you the big picture, it’s your Nakshatra that explains why you feel, think, and connect the way you do. From guiding your personality and Dasha cycles to playing a central role in marriage compatibility and auspicious timings, Nakshatras remain one of the most practical tools in Vedic astrology.
Understanding your Janma Nakshatra is the first step toward understanding yourself more deeply, and once you know it, you’ll start to notice how its influence quietly shapes many areas of your life.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many Nakshatras are there in Vedic astrology?
There are 27 primary Nakshatras, each covering 13°20′ of the zodiac. Some traditions mention a 28th, called Abhijit, but most horoscope calculations are based on 27. Each Nakshatra has its symbol, ruling planet, and unique qualities that shape personality and life path.
Which is more important - my zodiac sign or my Nakshatra?
Both play a role, but they work at different levels. Your zodiac sign (Rashi) shows your general nature, while your Nakshatra is more personal because it’s based on the Moon’s exact position at birth. This makes Nakshatras a finer tool for understanding emotions, instincts, and subtle traits that the zodiac sign alone cannot explain.
Why are Nakshatras used in marriage compatibility?
Nakshatras reveal the emotional wavelength of a person. While zodiac signs may match on a broad level, Nakshatra matching examines deeper aspects such as affection, communication style, and inner harmony. That’s why Vedic astrology places so much importance on Nakshatras for predicting long-term compatibility in marriage.
Can two people with the same zodiac sign have different Nakshatras?
Yes, and this often explains why two people with the same sign can feel so different. For example, two Cancer Moons could belong to Punarvasu, Pushya, or Ashlesha Nakshatra, each giving distinct personality qualities. So even if the zodiac sign is the same, their emotional expression, strengths, and challenges may differ greatly.
