Nakshatra Meaning
The Ancient Hindu Sages divided the zodiac into 27 Nakshatras or lunar constellations. Each constellation covers 13 degrees, 20 minutes. The calculation of Nakshatras begin with Ashwini Nakshatra 0 degrees of Aries and ends on 30 degrees of Pisces covered by Revati Nakshatra. Abhijit is 28th Nakshatra. The use of Nakshatra is very important in Vedic astrology. The Vimshottari Dasha, a 120-year-long planetary cycle is based upon the birth Nakshatra. Each Nakshatra is divided in four sections called Padas. Nakshatras also define the characteristics of the planets placed in them. Knowing Janma Nakshatra is very important as per vedic astrology. Janmanakshatra is the Nakshatra in which the Moon was placed at the time of birth. The Moon travels through a Nakshatra in a day.
Nakshatra or Stars in Astrology
These celestial luminaries make all the difference in astrological calculations. Initially, the zodiac was grouped in 12 Rashis for convenience, however the ancient seers have farther subdivided the heavens into 27 Nakshatras or star constellations for the call of precession. These constellations or the Nakshatras emerged as one of the most important components in Astrology. Vedic astrology identifies each constellation with a star. The 360 degree division of the sky is therefore further divided into 27 subdivision of 13.20 degrees identified with 27 stars. Each of these Nakshatras are farther subdivided into four Padas or quarters of 3 degrees and 20 minutes. Therefore the first Rashi, Mesha, which has 30 degrees, contains the entire 4 Padas (13:20′) of the 1st star constellation Ashwini, the entire 4 Padas (13:20′) of the 2nd star constellation Bharani and the 1st Pada (3:20′) of the third star constellation Krittika. In this manner, each Rashi comprises of 9 Padas. Some schools of astrology also consider 28 divisions with an additional star called Abhijit. However, for all practical purposes only 27 stars starting from Ashwini are considered. (Ref: the chart).
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