Magha Nakshatra
Lunar mansion 10 of 27 — ruled by Ketu
Magha is the 10th of the 27 nakshatras (lunar mansions) in Vedic astrology, spanning 120° to 133.333° sidereal. It is ruled by Ketu, presided over by the deity Pitris / Ancestors, and its power symbol is the royal throne.
Magha nakshatra characteristics
People born with the Moon in Magha tend to reflect the nature of its ruling planet, Ketu — detachment, intuition and a spiritual, inward pull. 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 Magha is Artha — wealth, security and worldly achievement.
| Ruling planet | Ketu |
|---|---|
| Deity | Pitris / Ancestors |
| Symbol | Royal Throne |
| Gana (temperament) | Rakshasa |
| Guna (nature) | Tamasic |
| Animal (yoni) | Male Rat |
| Life aim (purushartha) | Artha |
| Direction | West |
| Degrees (sidereal) | 120° to 133.333° sidereal |
The four padas of Magha
Each nakshatra is divided into four quarters (padas) of 3°20′ each, mapping onto the Navamsa (D9) chart. In Magha, the padas carry these emphases:
- Pada 1 — Dharma emphasis, a Ketu-ruled quarter of Magha.
- Pada 2 — Artha emphasis, a Ketu-ruled quarter of Magha.
- Pada 3 — Kama emphasis, a Ketu-ruled quarter of Magha.
- Pada 4 — Moksha emphasis, a Ketu-ruled quarter of Magha.
Magha in your chart
Your birth (Janam) nakshatra is set by the Moon's exact sidereal position at birth, so knowing your Magha placement means knowing your Moon's degree. Navagraha computes this precisely with the Swiss Ephemeris and explains what Magha means for your temperament, relationships, career timing and Vimshottari dasha — because the nakshatra lord (Ketu) also opens your dasha sequence.
Frequently asked questions
Who is the ruling planet of Magha nakshatra?
Magha nakshatra is ruled by Ketu. This planet also begins the Vimshottari dasha sequence for anyone born under Magha.
Which deity rules Magha nakshatra?
The presiding deity of Magha is Pitris / Ancestors, and its power symbol is the royal throne.
What are the degrees of Magha nakshatra?
Magha spans 120° to 133.333° sidereal, the 10th of the 27 nakshatras.
Is Magha a good nakshatra?
Every nakshatra has strengths and challenges — Magha carries a Rakshasa gana and a life aim of Artha. What matters most is how its lord Ketu is placed in your full birth chart, which Navagraha reads for you.
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