Nakshatra or star means lunar mansion in Hindu astrology. A nakshatra is one of 27 (sometimes also 28) sectors along the ecliptic. The names of the stars are related to the most prominent asterisms in the respective sectors.
According to Hindu Astrology, the classical list comprises of 27 nakshatras. The list is first found in the Vedanga Jyotisha, a text dated to the final centuries BCE. Hindu astrology says that through various ways the number of nakshatras is enumerated. There are 28 days to a sidereal month. However, by custom only 27 days are used. The last 28th day is considered unlucky. The nakshatras which gives the corresponding regions of sky, following Basham include Ashvini, Bharani, Krittika, Rohini, Mrigashirsha, Ardra, Punarvasu, Pushya, Ashlesha, Magha, Purva Phalguni, Uttara Phalguni, Hasta, Chitra, Swati, Vishakha, Anuradha, Jyeshtha, Mula, Purva Ashadha, Uttara Ashadha, Abhijit, Sravana, Dhanishta, Shatabhisha, Purva Bhadrapada, Uttara Bhadrapada and Revati. But Abhijit Nakshatra is not considered while counting 27 Nakshatras.
Nakshatra in Astrology
The use of Nakshatra in astrology is vast and it starts from the birth of a child. Hindu astrologers say that when a child is born, he should be given an auspicious first name which will correspond to his Nakshatra. It is done to see which nakshatra the Moon is in at the moment of birth. The nakshtra in which the child"s moon is placed at the time of his birth is called Janma nakshatra or Birth Star.
In India, marriages are also conducted depending upon nakshatra. It is believed that marriages conducted following Nakshatras bestow bride and bridegroom with sons, grandsons, wealth and happiness. Rohini, Mrigashirsha, Magha, Uttara Phalguni, Hasta, Swati, Anuradha, Mula, Uttara Ashadha, Uttara Bhadrapadaand Revati are considered auspicious for marriage.
Nakshatra in Puranas
As described in the Puranas, the Nakshatra or the star was very curious thing. In the Hindu theology, it was believed that the stars are human beings who have been dignified to that honour. But the human being will only retain control of it for a time proportioned to the amount of their merits or good things done while on earth. When this collection of merits or good doing is completed then they are again descended to earth. Thus, it is believed that the occurrences of shooting stars are the beings whose merits are exhausted and back to earth in the form of a shooting star.
