Jyeshtha Nakshatra
Ruled by Mercury · Scorpio · Rakshasa gana
Jyeshtha is the 18th of the 27 nakshatras (lunar mansions). It spans 16°40′ Scorpio to 0°00′ Sagittarius of the sidereal zodiac, which places it in Scorpio. Its ruling planet is Mercury, its deity is Indra, the king of the gods, and its symbol is a circular amulet (or an earring).
Jyeshtha nakshatra: personality and nature
Jyeshtha means "the eldest". It is associated with authority, protectiveness and a strong sense of responsibility.
Love and relationships
Protective, though sometimes domineering or reserved.
Career and work
Management, security, administration, politics and protective or military roles.
What to watch for
Pride, and isolation at the top. As with any placement, the Moon's sign and house, the planets aspecting it and the running dasha change how Jyeshtha shows up in a particular chart.
The four padas of Jyeshtha
Each nakshatra is divided into four padas of 3°20′, and each pada falls in one navamsa (D9) sign, which colours how the nakshatra expresses and matters for marriage reading.
- Pada 1: 16°40′ Scorpio to 20°00′ Scorpio, Sagittarius navamsa.
- Pada 2: 20°00′ Scorpio to 23°20′ Scorpio, Capricorn navamsa.
- Pada 3: 23°20′ Scorpio to 26°40′ Scorpio, Aquarius navamsa.
- Pada 4: 26°40′ Scorpio to 0°00′ Sagittarius, Pisces navamsa.
Jyeshtha and the Vimshottari dasha
A person whose Moon is in Jyeshtha begins life in the Mercury Mahadasha, the full length of which is 17 years. How much of it remains at birth depends on how far the Moon has travelled through Jyeshtha. The Ketu Mahadasha follows. The Vimshottari dasha system derives from the Moon's nakshatra, so this is why the nakshatra matters for timing.
Compatibility: gana, yoni and nadi
In Ashtakoota (Guna Milan) matching, Jyeshtha counts as Rakshasa gana, Deer yoni (male) and Adi nadi. Gana and yoni describe temperament and instinctive compatibility. Nadi carries the most weight, 8 of the 36 points, and scores zero when both partners share the same nadi. Note that Rakshasa is a temperament label in this system, not a moral judgement. These are read from each partner's Moon nakshatra, so the full pair of charts should be considered together.
For informational and self-reflection purposes only. Not financial, medical, legal, or professional advice.
Is your Moon in Jyeshtha?
Your free Kundli shows your Moon's nakshatra, pada and dasha in under a minute.
Jyeshtha nakshatra: common questions
Mercury rules Jyeshtha. A Moon here starts the 17-year Mercury Mahadasha in the Vimshottari system.
Jyeshtha spans 16°40′ Scorpio to 0°00′ Sagittarius of the sidereal zodiac, so it lies in Scorpio.
Pada 1 falls in the Sagittarius navamsa; Pada 2 falls in the Capricorn navamsa; Pada 3 falls in the Aquarius navamsa; Pada 4 falls in the Pisces navamsa.
Jyeshtha is Rakshasa gana, Deer yoni (male) and Adi nadi.
It depends on your date, exact time and place of birth, because the Moon moves through a nakshatra in about a day. Generate a free Kundli to see your Moon's nakshatra and pada.