Shatabhisha Nakshatra
Ruled by Rahu · Aquarius · Rakshasa gana
Shatabhisha is the 24th of the 27 nakshatras (lunar mansions). It spans 6°40′ Aquarius to 20°00′ Aquarius of the sidereal zodiac, which places it in Aquarius. Its ruling planet is Rahu, its deity is Varuna, the lord of the cosmic waters, and its symbol is an empty circle (the "hundred healers").
Shatabhisha nakshatra: personality and nature
Shatabhisha is private, independent and healing-oriented, associated with research, secrets and unconventional thinking.
Love and relationships
Reserved but loyal once trust is built; needs personal space.
Career and work
Medicine, research, technology, astrology and the occult sciences, aviation and space.
What to watch for
Aloofness and secrecy. As with any placement, the Moon's sign and house, the planets aspecting it and the running dasha change how Shatabhisha shows up in a particular chart.
The four padas of Shatabhisha
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: 6°40′ Aquarius to 10°00′ Aquarius, Sagittarius navamsa.
- Pada 2: 10°00′ Aquarius to 13°20′ Aquarius, Capricorn navamsa.
- Pada 3: 13°20′ Aquarius to 16°40′ Aquarius, Aquarius navamsa.
- Pada 4: 16°40′ Aquarius to 20°00′ Aquarius, Pisces navamsa.
Shatabhisha and the Vimshottari dasha
A person whose Moon is in Shatabhisha begins life in the Rahu Mahadasha, the full length of which is 18 years. How much of it remains at birth depends on how far the Moon has travelled through Shatabhisha. The Jupiter 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, Shatabhisha counts as Rakshasa gana, Horse yoni (female) 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.
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Shatabhisha nakshatra: common questions
Rahu rules Shatabhisha. A Moon here starts the 18-year Rahu Mahadasha in the Vimshottari system.
Shatabhisha spans 6°40′ Aquarius to 20°00′ Aquarius of the sidereal zodiac, so it lies in Aquarius.
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.
Shatabhisha is Rakshasa gana, Horse yoni (female) 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.