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विशाखा
NAKSHATRA #16 OF 27viśākhā · Tula 20°00' – Vrishchika 3°20'
Goal-oriented, determined, focused. The 'forked' nakshatra (two paths). Strong at choosing and achieving. Sometimes dual-natured.
Ruling Planet
Jupiter (Brihaspati)
Deity
Indra-Agni
Symbol
Triumphal arch / potter's wheel
Gaṇa
Rakshasa
Yoni
Vyaghra (tiger) — male
Nāḍī
Antya
Varṇa
Mleccha
Tattva
Air
Body Part
Arms, breasts
Tree
Vikankata
Bird
Wolf
Naming Syllables
Ti, Tu, Te, To
ॐ इन्द्राग्निभ्यां नमः
Navāṃśa: Mesha
Determined pioneer.
Navāṃśa: Vrishabha
Stable goal-setter.
Navāṃśa: Mithuna
Mentally agile achiever.
Navāṃśa: Karka
Emotionally focused (gandanta nakshatra ends in last pada).
In Vedic astrology the Moon’s nakshatra at birth (the janma-nakṣatra) is the foundation of personal interpretation. Vishakha as a janma-nakshatra suggests the temperament and life-themes summarised above; the four padas refine this further by indicating which rāśi-section (the navāṃśa) the Moon occupied at birth.
The nakshatra is also the basis for the Vimśottarī Mahādaśā — the 120-year planetary period system unique to Vedic astrology. The dasha you are born into is determined by which planet rules your janma-nakshatra. Vishakha’s ruling planet is Jupiter (Brihaspati) — meaning births in this nakshatra typically begin their lives in the Jupiter mahādaśā.
The naming syllables (Ti, Tu, Te, To) are the traditional Sanskrit-Hindi syllables used to choose a name for a child born in this nakshatra, especially during the Nāmakaraṇa (naming-ceremony) sanskara. Many Hindu families still consult their kuldevta-pandit and the janma-nakshatra before settling on a name.
Vishakha is a Rākṣasa-gaṇa nakshatra — the fierce class. Rākṣasa-gaṇa natives often carry intense, transformative energy. The classical guidance prefers Rākṣasa-with-Rākṣasa marriages; mixing across gaṇas requires careful chart analysis and often a śānti puja.
Sources: Bṛhat Parāśara Horā Śāstra · Bṛhat Saṃhitā · Atharva Veda 19.7. Awaiting scholar verification.