Mrigashira Nakshatra
Lunar mansion 5 of 27 — ruled by Mars
Mrigashira is the 5th of the 27 nakshatras (lunar mansions) in Vedic astrology, spanning 53.333° to 66.667° sidereal. It is ruled by Mars, presided over by the deity Soma / Chandra, and its power symbol is the deer head.
Mrigashira nakshatra characteristics
People born with the Moon in Mrigashira tend to reflect the nature of its ruling planet, Mars — drive, courage and a direct, action-first temperament. Its Deva gana gives a gentle, refined and benevolent ("divine" temperament) disposition, while its Sattvic guna colours how that energy expresses in daily life. The core life aim (purushartha) of Mrigashira is Moksha — liberation, detachment and the inner life.
| Ruling planet | Mars |
|---|---|
| Deity | Soma / Chandra |
| Symbol | Deer Head |
| Gana (temperament) | Deva |
| Guna (nature) | Sattvic |
| Animal (yoni) | Female Deer |
| Life aim (purushartha) | Moksha |
| Direction | North |
| Degrees (sidereal) | 53.333° to 66.667° sidereal |
The four padas of Mrigashira
Each nakshatra is divided into four quarters (padas) of 3°20′ each, mapping onto the Navamsa (D9) chart. In Mrigashira, the padas carry these emphases:
- Pada 1 — Dharma emphasis, a Mars-ruled quarter of Mrigashira.
- Pada 2 — Artha emphasis, a Mars-ruled quarter of Mrigashira.
- Pada 3 — Kama emphasis, a Mars-ruled quarter of Mrigashira.
- Pada 4 — Moksha emphasis, a Mars-ruled quarter of Mrigashira.
Mrigashira in your chart
Your birth (Janam) nakshatra is set by the Moon's exact sidereal position at birth, so knowing your Mrigashira placement means knowing your Moon's degree. Navagraha computes this precisely with the Swiss Ephemeris and explains what Mrigashira means for your temperament, relationships, career timing and Vimshottari dasha — because the nakshatra lord (Mars) also opens your dasha sequence.
Frequently asked questions
Who is the ruling planet of Mrigashira nakshatra?
Mrigashira nakshatra is ruled by Mars. This planet also begins the Vimshottari dasha sequence for anyone born under Mrigashira.
Which deity rules Mrigashira nakshatra?
The presiding deity of Mrigashira is Soma / Chandra, and its power symbol is the deer head.
What are the degrees of Mrigashira nakshatra?
Mrigashira spans 53.333° to 66.667° sidereal, the 5th of the 27 nakshatras.
Is Mrigashira a good nakshatra?
Every nakshatra has strengths and challenges — Mrigashira carries a Deva gana and a life aim of Moksha. What matters most is how its lord Mars is placed in your full birth chart, which Navagraha reads for you.
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