Ardra Nakshatra
Lunar mansion 6 of 27 — ruled by Rahu
Ardra is the 6th of the 27 nakshatras (lunar mansions) in Vedic astrology, spanning 66.667° to 80° sidereal. It is ruled by Rahu, presided over by the deity Rudra / Shiva, and its power symbol is the teardrop / diamond.
Ardra nakshatra characteristics
People born with the Moon in Ardra tend to reflect the nature of its ruling planet, Rahu — intense ambition, unconventional thinking and hunger for experience. Its Manushya gana gives a balanced and human — a mix of material drive and higher aims disposition, while its Tamasic guna colours how that energy expresses in daily life. The core life aim (purushartha) of Ardra is Kama — desire, pleasure and relationship.
| Ruling planet | Rahu |
|---|---|
| Deity | Rudra / Shiva |
| Symbol | Teardrop / Diamond |
| Gana (temperament) | Manushya |
| Guna (nature) | Tamasic |
| Animal (yoni) | Female Dog |
| Life aim (purushartha) | Kama |
| Direction | North |
| Degrees (sidereal) | 66.667° to 80° sidereal |
The four padas of Ardra
Each nakshatra is divided into four quarters (padas) of 3°20′ each, mapping onto the Navamsa (D9) chart. In Ardra, the padas carry these emphases:
- Pada 1 — Dharma emphasis, a Rahu-ruled quarter of Ardra.
- Pada 2 — Artha emphasis, a Rahu-ruled quarter of Ardra.
- Pada 3 — Kama emphasis, a Rahu-ruled quarter of Ardra.
- Pada 4 — Moksha emphasis, a Rahu-ruled quarter of Ardra.
Ardra in your chart
Your birth (Janam) nakshatra is set by the Moon's exact sidereal position at birth, so knowing your Ardra placement means knowing your Moon's degree. Navagraha computes this precisely with the Swiss Ephemeris and explains what Ardra means for your temperament, relationships, career timing and Vimshottari dasha — because the nakshatra lord (Rahu) also opens your dasha sequence.
Frequently asked questions
Who is the ruling planet of Ardra nakshatra?
Ardra nakshatra is ruled by Rahu. This planet also begins the Vimshottari dasha sequence for anyone born under Ardra.
Which deity rules Ardra nakshatra?
The presiding deity of Ardra is Rudra / Shiva, and its power symbol is the teardrop / diamond.
What are the degrees of Ardra nakshatra?
Ardra spans 66.667° to 80° sidereal, the 6th of the 27 nakshatras.
Is Ardra a good nakshatra?
Every nakshatra has strengths and challenges — Ardra carries a Manushya gana and a life aim of Kama. What matters most is how its lord Rahu is placed in your full birth chart, which Navagraha reads for you.
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