The 27 Nakshatras

Ardra, Swati & Shatabhisha

The three nakshatras ruled by Rahu — the sixth stop on the Vimshottari lord cycle.

Ruled by Rahu, Rudra's tear

Ardra sits in Gemini. Its deity is Rudra, the storm god, and its symbol is a teardrop — intense, sudden, and cleansing upheaval.

Manushya gana, transformation through storm

Ardra belongs to the manushya gana. Its theme is destruction that transforms — a storm that clears the ground before something new can grow.

Ruled by Rahu, carried by Vayu

Swati sits in Libra. Its deity is Vayu, the wind god, and its symbol is a young shoot bending in the wind — flexible, independent movement.

Deva gana, restless independence

Swati belongs to the deva gana. Its theme is independence and flexibility — bending without breaking, moving freely with the wind.

Ruled by Rahu, Varuna's waters

Shatabhisha sits in Aquarius. Its deity is Varuna, god of the cosmic waters, and its symbol is an empty circle — vast, hidden depth.

Rakshasa gana, secretive healing

Shatabhisha belongs to the rakshasa gana. Its theme is healing and secrecy — solitary depth, and mending things that need quiet, private attention.

The Rahu thread

Ardra storms, Swati bends, Shatabhisha heals in silence — Rahu's group moves from sudden upheaval to flexible independence to hidden repair.

Terms introduced here

Ardra

Ruled by Rahu; deity Rudra (the storm god); symbol a teardrop; manushya gana. Theme: storms, intense transformation through destruction.

Swati

Ruled by Rahu; deity Vayu (the wind god); symbol a young shoot blown by wind; deva gana. Theme: independence, flexibility, movement.

Shatabhisha

Ruled by Rahu; deity Varuna (god of cosmic waters); symbol an empty circle; rakshasa gana. Theme: healing, secrecy, solitary depth.