Ashlesha Nakshatra
Lunar mansion 9 of 27 — ruled by Mercury
Ashlesha is the 9th of the 27 nakshatras (lunar mansions) in Vedic astrology, spanning 106.667° to 120° sidereal. It is ruled by Mercury, presided over by the deity Nagas / Serpents, and its power symbol is the coiled serpent.
Ashlesha nakshatra characteristics
People born with the Moon in Ashlesha tend to reflect the nature of its ruling planet, Mercury — quick intellect, communication skill and adaptability. Its Rakshasa gana gives a intense, self-willed and powerful ("demonic" only in the sense of forceful) disposition, while its Tamasic guna colours how that energy expresses in daily life. The core life aim (purushartha) of Ashlesha is Dharma — purpose, duty and right living.
| Ruling planet | Mercury |
|---|---|
| Deity | Nagas / Serpents |
| Symbol | Coiled Serpent |
| Gana (temperament) | Rakshasa |
| Guna (nature) | Tamasic |
| Animal (yoni) | Male Serpent |
| Life aim (purushartha) | Dharma |
| Direction | West |
| Degrees (sidereal) | 106.667° to 120° sidereal |
The four padas of Ashlesha
Each nakshatra is divided into four quarters (padas) of 3°20′ each, mapping onto the Navamsa (D9) chart. In Ashlesha, the padas carry these emphases:
- Pada 1 — Dharma emphasis, a Mercury-ruled quarter of Ashlesha.
- Pada 2 — Artha emphasis, a Mercury-ruled quarter of Ashlesha.
- Pada 3 — Kama emphasis, a Mercury-ruled quarter of Ashlesha.
- Pada 4 — Moksha emphasis, a Mercury-ruled quarter of Ashlesha.
Ashlesha in your chart
Your birth (Janam) nakshatra is set by the Moon's exact sidereal position at birth, so knowing your Ashlesha placement means knowing your Moon's degree. Navagraha computes this precisely with the Swiss Ephemeris and explains what Ashlesha means for your temperament, relationships, career timing and Vimshottari dasha — because the nakshatra lord (Mercury) also opens your dasha sequence.
Frequently asked questions
Who is the ruling planet of Ashlesha nakshatra?
Ashlesha nakshatra is ruled by Mercury. This planet also begins the Vimshottari dasha sequence for anyone born under Ashlesha.
Which deity rules Ashlesha nakshatra?
The presiding deity of Ashlesha is Nagas / Serpents, and its power symbol is the coiled serpent.
What are the degrees of Ashlesha nakshatra?
Ashlesha spans 106.667° to 120° sidereal, the 9th of the 27 nakshatras.
Is Ashlesha a good nakshatra?
Every nakshatra has strengths and challenges — Ashlesha carries a Rakshasa gana and a life aim of Dharma. What matters most is how its lord Mercury is placed in your full birth chart, which Navagraha reads for you.
Get your own reading in minutes — free, no download.
Open Navagraha →Navagraha provides Vedic astrology for informational and reflective purposes only; it is not a substitute for professional advice.