Shatabhisha Nakshatra
Lunar mansion 24 of 27 — ruled by Rahu
Shatabhisha is the 24th of the 27 nakshatras (lunar mansions) in Vedic astrology, spanning 306.667° to 320° sidereal. It is ruled by Rahu, presided over by the deity Varuna, and its power symbol is the empty circle.
Shatabhisha nakshatra characteristics
People born with the Moon in Shatabhisha tend to reflect the nature of its ruling planet, Rahu — intense ambition, unconventional thinking and hunger for experience. 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 Shatabhisha is Dharma — purpose, duty and right living.
| Ruling planet | Rahu |
|---|---|
| Deity | Varuna |
| Symbol | Empty Circle |
| Gana (temperament) | Rakshasa |
| Guna (nature) | Tamasic |
| Animal (yoni) | Female Horse |
| Life aim (purushartha) | Dharma |
| Direction | West |
| Degrees (sidereal) | 306.667° to 320° sidereal |
The four padas of Shatabhisha
Each nakshatra is divided into four quarters (padas) of 3°20′ each, mapping onto the Navamsa (D9) chart. In Shatabhisha, the padas carry these emphases:
- Pada 1 — Dharma emphasis, a Rahu-ruled quarter of Shatabhisha.
- Pada 2 — Artha emphasis, a Rahu-ruled quarter of Shatabhisha.
- Pada 3 — Kama emphasis, a Rahu-ruled quarter of Shatabhisha.
- Pada 4 — Moksha emphasis, a Rahu-ruled quarter of Shatabhisha.
Shatabhisha in your chart
Your birth (Janam) nakshatra is set by the Moon's exact sidereal position at birth, so knowing your Shatabhisha placement means knowing your Moon's degree. Navagraha computes this precisely with the Swiss Ephemeris and explains what Shatabhisha 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 Shatabhisha nakshatra?
Shatabhisha nakshatra is ruled by Rahu. This planet also begins the Vimshottari dasha sequence for anyone born under Shatabhisha.
Which deity rules Shatabhisha nakshatra?
The presiding deity of Shatabhisha is Varuna, and its power symbol is the empty circle.
What are the degrees of Shatabhisha nakshatra?
Shatabhisha spans 306.667° to 320° sidereal, the 24th of the 27 nakshatras.
Is Shatabhisha a good nakshatra?
Every nakshatra has strengths and challenges — Shatabhisha carries a Rakshasa gana and a life aim of Dharma. What matters most is how its lord Rahu is placed in your full birth chart, which Navagraha reads for you.
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