Nakshatra 18 of 27

Jyeshtha Nakshatra

The elder's star: protection, seniority and power.

Jyeshtha is the eldest sibling: protective, responsible and powerful, sometimes burdened by that position. Natives are intelligent, resourceful and courageous. Mercury as lord gives sharp intellect, and Scorpio adds intensity and hidden strength.

SeniorityProtectionPower

Span: Scorpio 16°40′ – Sagittarius 0°00′
Ruling planet: Mercury
Deity: Indra
Symbol: Earring
Gana: Rakshasa
Yoni: Deer (male)

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What is your nakshatra?

Find your Janma Nakshatra

Your birth star is the nakshatra the Moon occupied when you were born. It sets your first Dasha, your naming syllable and much of Kundli matching.

Calculated with the sidereal zodiac and the Lahiri ayanamsa.

Today's nakshatra (at sunrise, New Delhi) is Purva Ashadha. See today's Panchang →

At a glance

Jyeshtha nakshatra facts

Meaning of the name	The eldest
Zodiac span	Scorpio 16°40′ to Sagittarius 0°00′ (sidereal)
Sign	Scorpio
Ruling planet (Vimshottari lord)	Mercury · Mahadasha of 17 years
Presiding deity	Indra
Symbol	Earring
Gana (temperament)	Rakshasa
Yoni (animal)	Deer, male
Nadi	Adi (Vata)
Nature (for muhurta)	Tikshna (sharp): good for severing ties, research, exorcism and difficult or sharp tasks
Naming syllables	No, Ya, Yi, Yu

Indra, king of the gods, presides; the symbol is a round earring or talisman, a sign of status and protection.

Personality

Jyeshtha traits

Strengths

Protective of family and team
Resourceful and clever
Courageous
Commands respect

Challenges

Arrogance or control
Secrecy and mistrust
Feeling isolated by responsibility

Careers that suit Jyeshtha

Management and administrationMilitary and policeInvestigation and securityPoliticsEngineeringOccult and research

Four quarters

The four padas of Jyeshtha

Pada 1

Syllable “No”

Scorpio 16°40′ – Scorpio 20°00′ · Navamsa Sagittarius (lord Jupiter)

Sagittarius navamsa (Jupiter): principled and generous; protective teachers.

Pada 2

Syllable “Ya”

Scorpio 20°00′ – Scorpio 23°20′ · Navamsa Capricorn (lord Saturn)

Capricorn navamsa (Saturn): ambitious and authoritative; strong executives.

Pada 3

Syllable “Yi”

Scorpio 23°20′ – Scorpio 26°40′ · Navamsa Aquarius (lord Saturn)

Aquarius navamsa (Saturn): unconventional and scientific; protective of groups.

Pada 4

Syllable “Yu”

Scorpio 26°40′ – Sagittarius 0°00′ · Navamsa Pisces (lord Jupiter)

Pisces navamsa (Jupiter): spiritual and emotional; protects through compassion.

Love and marriage

Jyeshtha in relationships

Protective partners who take on responsibility for the family. Control and jealousy need watching.

Gana

Rakshasa

Temperament match (6 points)

Yoni

Deer

Same yoni: Anuradha

Nadi

Adi (Vata)

Same nadi (Nadi dosha): Ashwini, Ardra, Punarvasu, Uttara Phalguni…

Check full 36-guna compatibility with a partner →

Wellbeing and practice

Health and spiritual practice

Health

Reproductive health, colon and nerves; stress from carrying responsibility.

Traditional practice

Worship of Lord Indra and of Lord Vishnu, and humility in authority, are recommended.

Traditional associations, not medical advice.

Common questions

Jyeshtha FAQs

Which planet rules Jyeshtha nakshatra?

Mercury. People born with the Moon in Jyeshtha begin life in Mercury Mahadasha, which lasts 17 years in full; the balance at birth depends on how far the Moon had travelled through the star.

What are the naming syllables for Jyeshtha?

No (pada 1), Ya (pada 2), Yi (pada 3), Yu (pada 4). Traditionally a child's name begins with the syllable of the Moon's pada at birth.

Which zodiac sign is Jyeshtha in?

Jyeshtha lies wholly in Scorpio, from Scorpio 16°40′ to Sagittarius 0°00′.

What is the gana, yoni and nadi of Jyeshtha?

Gana: Rakshasa. Yoni: male deer. Nadi: Adi (Vata). These are three of the eight factors (kootas) in Ashtakoota Kundli matching.

Is Jyeshtha a good nakshatra?

Every nakshatra has strengths and challenges. Jyeshtha is a Tikshna nakshatra, traditionally suited to severing ties, research, exorcism and difficult or sharp tasks. A person's results depend on the whole birth chart, not the birth star alone.