Moon travels across the sky and around the earth through this pathway. Each constellation covers 13 degrees, 20 minutes. The concept of Nakshatra is exclusive only to Vedic astrology and is known to give much more accurate results. Nakshatras are the backbone of astrology and were taken into account even before Sign system was considered. Nakshatras are considered throughout the astrological analysis. They also define characteristics and influence of the planets placed in them. Janmanakshatra is the Nakshatra in which the moon is placed at the time of birth. It plays a major role in shaping our thinking patterns, inherent capabilities and destiny. Because of being the pathway of Moon, Nakshatras are also known as lunar mansions. Moon travels through one Nakshatra in a day. Each Nakshatra is divided in four sections called Padas or charan. Consideration of Pada is also very important during chart analysis as each Pada of Nakshatra gives a different result. Each zodiac covers nine Padas in total. Hence any zodiac covers more than two Nakshatra. The calculation begin by Ashwini Nakshatra which covers from 0 degrees of Aries, and ends in 30 degrees of Pisces covered by last Nakshatra of Revati.
According to Hindu mythology, Moon had married all the 27 daughters of king Dakshan, who are the star constellations (27 Nakshatras) in the sky. But he loved to spend time with only his beloved queen Rohini. Other wives complained the matter to their father. Inspite of king Dakshan`s repeated interference, Moon did not rectify his habit. Dakshan finally lost his mind and cursed moon, causing it to wane in size. Moon started diminishing in size, and feeling the ill consequences of it, all the gods intervened and requested the king to revoke the curse. King then assured that only if Moon visits all his wives, he would regain his strength for half a month. That is the reason why Moon visits the entire 27 constellations during the month, constantly waxing and waning in size.
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