--- title: "Learn Vedic astrology: grahas, rashis, nakshatras" url: "https://abhisheksoni.in/learn" language: "en" updated: "2026-09-30" description: "The 9 grahas, 12 rashis, 27 nakshatras and 12 bhavas explained in plain language, with the classical facts behind each one. Free, no account needed." --- # Learn The classical vocabulary of a chart: the grahas, the rashis, the nakshatras, the bhavas and the ways a chart is drawn. ## Graha - **Sun (Surya)** soul, father, authority, vitality, government, bone structure - **Moon (Chandra)** mind, mother, emotion, fluids, public, memory - **Mars (Mangala)** energy, siblings, land, courage, conflict, surgery - **Mercury (Budha)** speech, logic, trade, skin, maternal uncle, writing - **Jupiter (Guru / Brihaspati)** wisdom, children, wealth, dharma, teacher, liver - **Venus (Shukra)** spouse, beauty, art, luxury, vehicles, reproduction - **Saturn (Shani)** longevity, discipline, labour, delay, sorrow, nerves - **Rahu (North Node) (Rahu)** obsession, foreign, illusion, technology, sudden rise, taboo - **Ketu (South Node) (Ketu)** detachment, moksha, past life, occult, loss, healing ## Rashi - **Aries (Mesha)** Movable fire sign of initiative; the head of Kalapurusha. - **Taurus (Vrishabha)** Fixed earth sign of accumulation, value and the senses. - **Gemini (Mithuna)** Dual air sign of exchange, duality and communication. - **Cancer (Karka)** Movable water sign of nurture, memory and shelter. - **Leo (Simha)** Fixed fire sign of sovereignty, will and self-expression. - **Virgo (Kanya)** Dual earth sign of analysis, service and discrimination. - **Libra (Tula)** Movable air sign of balance, trade and relationship. - **Scorpio (Vrishchika)** Fixed water sign of depth, secrecy and transformation. - **Sagittarius (Dhanu)** Dual fire sign of dharma, philosophy and the long aim. - **Capricorn (Makara)** Movable earth sign of structure, duty and slow ascent. - **Aquarius (Kumbha)** Fixed air sign of system, collective and detachment. - **Pisces (Meena)** Dual water sign of dissolution, compassion and moksha. ## Nakshatra - **Ashwini** Ashwini spans 0°00'-13°20' of the zodiac, ruled by Ketu, presided by Ashwini Kumaras. Symbol: Horse's head. Gana deva, yoni horse, nadi vata. - **Bharani** Bharani spans 13°20'-26°40' of the zodiac, ruled by Shukra, presided by Yama. Symbol: Yoni / womb. Gana manushya, yoni elephant, nadi pitta. - **Krittika** Krittika spans 26°40'-40°00' of the zodiac, ruled by Surya, presided by Agni. Symbol: Razor / flame. Gana rakshasa, yoni sheep, nadi kapha. - **Rohini** Rohini spans 40°00'-53°20' of the zodiac, ruled by Chandra, presided by Brahma / Prajapati. Symbol: Cart / chariot. Gana manushya, yoni serpent, nadi kapha. - **Mrigashira** Mrigashira spans 53°20'-66°40' of the zodiac, ruled by Mangala, presided by Soma. Symbol: Deer's head. Gana deva, yoni serpent, nadi pitta. - **Ardra** Ardra spans 66°40'-80°00' of the zodiac, ruled by Rahu, presided by Rudra. Symbol: Teardrop / diamond. Gana manushya, yoni dog, nadi vata. - **Punarvasu** Punarvasu spans 80°00'-93°20' of the zodiac, ruled by Guru, presided by Aditi. Symbol: Quiver of arrows. Gana deva, yoni cat, nadi vata. - **Pushya** Pushya spans 93°20'-106°40' of the zodiac, ruled by Shani, presided by Brihaspati. Symbol: Cow's udder / lotus. Gana deva, yoni sheep, nadi pitta. - **Ashlesha** Ashlesha spans 106°40'-120°00' of the zodiac, ruled by Budha, presided by Nagas. Symbol: Coiled serpent. Gana rakshasa, yoni cat, nadi kapha. - **Magha** Magha spans 120°00'-133°20' of the zodiac, ruled by Ketu, presided by Pitris. Symbol: Royal throne. Gana rakshasa, yoni rat, nadi kapha. - **Purva Phalguni** Purva Phalguni spans 133°20'-146°40' of the zodiac, ruled by Shukra, presided by Bhaga. Symbol: Front legs of a bed. Gana manushya, yoni rat, nadi pitta. - **Uttara Phalguni** Uttara Phalguni spans 146°40'-160°00' of the zodiac, ruled by Surya, presided by Aryaman. Symbol: Back legs of a bed. Gana manushya, yoni cow, nadi vata. - **Hasta** Hasta spans 160°00'-173°20' of the zodiac, ruled by Chandra, presided by Savitr. Symbol: Open palm. Gana deva, yoni buffalo, nadi vata. - **Chitra** Chitra spans 173°20'-186°40' of the zodiac, ruled by Mangala, presided by Tvashtar / Vishvakarma. Symbol: Bright jewel / pearl. Gana rakshasa, yoni tiger, nadi pitta. - **Swati** Swati spans 186°40'-200°00' of the zodiac, ruled by Rahu, presided by Vayu. Symbol: Young shoot in wind / coral. Gana deva, yoni buffalo, nadi kapha. - **Vishakha** Vishakha spans 200°00'-213°20' of the zodiac, ruled by Guru, presided by Indra-Agni. Symbol: Triumphal archway. Gana rakshasa, yoni tiger, nadi kapha. - **Anuradha** Anuradha spans 213°20'-226°40' of the zodiac, ruled by Shani, presided by Mitra. Symbol: Lotus / staff. Gana deva, yoni deer, nadi pitta. - **Jyeshtha** Jyeshtha spans 226°40'-240°00' of the zodiac, ruled by Budha, presided by Indra. Symbol: Circular amulet / earring. Gana rakshasa, yoni deer, nadi vata. - **Mula** Mula spans 240°00'-253°20' of the zodiac, ruled by Ketu, presided by Nirriti. Symbol: Bunch of tied roots. Gana rakshasa, yoni dog, nadi vata. - **Purva Ashadha** Purva Ashadha spans 253°20'-266°40' of the zodiac, ruled by Shukra, presided by Apas. Symbol: Winnowing basket / fan. Gana manushya, yoni monkey, nadi pitta. - **Uttara Ashadha** Uttara Ashadha spans 266°40'-280°00' of the zodiac, ruled by Surya, presided by Vishvadevas. Symbol: Elephant tusk. Gana manushya, yoni mongoose, nadi kapha. - **Shravana** Shravana spans 280°00'-293°20' of the zodiac, ruled by Chandra, presided by Vishnu. Symbol: Ear / three footprints. Gana deva, yoni monkey, nadi kapha. - **Dhanishta** Dhanishta spans 293°20'-306°40' of the zodiac, ruled by Mangala, presided by Vasus. Symbol: Drum / flute. Gana rakshasa, yoni lion, nadi pitta. - **Shatabhisha** Shatabhisha spans 306°40'-320°00' of the zodiac, ruled by Rahu, presided by Varuna. Symbol: Empty circle / 100 stars. Gana rakshasa, yoni horse, nadi vata. - **Purva Bhadrapada** Purva Bhadrapada spans 320°00'-333°20' of the zodiac, ruled by Guru, presided by Aja Ekapada. Symbol: Sword / front of funeral cot. Gana manushya, yoni lion, nadi vata. - **Uttara Bhadrapada** Uttara Bhadrapada spans 333°20'-346°40' of the zodiac, ruled by Shani, presided by Ahir Budhnya. Symbol: Back of funeral cot / twins. Gana manushya, yoni cow, nadi pitta. - **Revati** Revati spans 346°40'-360°00' of the zodiac, ruled by Budha, presided by Pushan. Symbol: Fish / drum. Gana deva, yoni elephant, nadi kapha. ## Bhava - **1. House of Self (Tanu)** body, appearance, temperament, vitality, the head - **2. House of Wealth (Dhana)** accumulated wealth, family, speech, food, right eye - **3. House of Courage (Sahaja)** younger siblings, courage, short travel, hands, communication - **4. House of Happiness (Sukha)** mother, home, land, vehicles, education, chest - **5. House of Progeny (Putra)** children, intellect, purva punya, mantra, speculation - **6. House of Adversity (Ari)** enemies, disease, debt, litigation, service, maternal kin - **7. House of Union (Yuvati)** spouse, partnership, trade, public dealings, desire - **8. House of Transformation (Randhra)** longevity, sudden events, occult, inheritance, chronic ailment - **9. House of Fortune (Dharma)** father, guru, dharma, pilgrimage, higher learning, luck - **10. House of Action (Karma)** career, status, authority, public standing, action in the world - **11. House of Gains (Labha)** income, gains, elder siblings, networks, fulfilment of desire - **12. House of Loss (Vyaya)** expenditure, foreign lands, isolation, moksha, bed pleasures, left eye