1. From www.Astrosage.com
~~ Nakshatra or birth star ( which is called
constellation) ~~ in English plays a very important role
in Hindu astrology. They are divided into 27 nakshatras
depending on various important aspects. Read on to know
more and also find out which is your nakshatra.
Nakshatra or janma nakshatra plays a very important role in hindu
astrology. With the help of ones janma nakshatra, one can predict the
natives life pattern, character and personality. According to Indian
astrology the zodiac is an imaginary belt of 360 degrees. It is this 360
belt which is divided into 27 parts or 27 nakshatras which play a major
role in Astrological nakshatra calculations. There is also a 28th star
called Abhijith, but many astrologers prefer using only the first 27
nakshatras for their calculations.
When the 360 degree constellation belt is divided into 27 parts, each
nakshatra is of 13 degree 20 minutes. These 27 parts are further divided
into four parts called padas, which is quarters of 3
degrees and
27 minutes. Further, each one of these nakshatras are further divided
into four quarters or in astrological terms, four padas. So, now we can
say that…one rashi = 9 padas.

2. For example, lets take the first rashi Mesha (Aries) which has 30 degrees
= four padas of first nakshatra ashwini + four padas of second nakshatra
Bharani + one pada of the third nakshatra Krittika.
Now, apart for calculative classification, these Nakshatras are broadly
classified into three groups Deva(divine), Nara(human),
Rakshasa(demonic). They are further divided into gender (male or
female) and Varna (cast). Each nakshatra is ruled by its respective planet
and also has its respective deity.
The study of stars in astrology is called “Stellar astrology”, some
examples for stellar astrology are KP system and Dhruva Nadi.
Here is the table consisting the 27 nakshatras its respective deity and its
ruling planet.
The 27 Nakshatras
Nakshatra Diety Ruling Planet
Ashwini Ashwini brothers Ketu
Bharani Yama Venus
Krittika Agni Sun
Rohini Brahma Moon
Mrigasira Chandra Mars
Ardra Rudra Rahu
Punarvasu Adity Jupiter
Pushyami Brihaspathi Saturn
Aslesha Nagas Mercury
Magha Pithras Ketu
Purvaphalguni Bhaga Venus
Uttara Phalguni Aryaman Sun

3. Hasta Aditya Moon
Chitra Tvashtav Mars
Swati Vayu Rahu
Vishakha Indra-Agni Jupiter
Anuradha Mitra Saturn
Jyeshta Indra Mercury
Moola Nirrti Ketu
Purva Shadha Jal Venus
UttaraShadha Vishwa deva Sun
Sravana Vishnu Moon
Dhanishta Ashta vasav Mars
Satabishak Varuna Rahu
Purva Bhadra Ajaikapat Jupiter
Uttara Bhadra Ahir Budhanya Saturn
Revati Pooshvav Mercury