Nakshatra 6 of 27
Ardra Nakshatra
Ardra is governed by Rudra, the storm form of Shiva. It is associated with intense effort, emotional storms and the renewal that follows upheaval.
Zodiac range6°40′ Gemini – 20°00′ Gemini
Ruling planetRahu
DeityRudra
SymbolTeardrop
GanaManushya
RashiGemini
Traditional themes
Ardra is traditionally associated with storms, effort, renewal. Its ruling planet, Rahu, is also the lord of the first Vimshottari Dasha for anyone born with the Moon in Ardra, who begins life in the Rahu Mahadasha (18 years in full, of which only a balance remains at birth).
The Manushya gana places Ardra among the human (balanced, worldly) temperaments used in nakshatra-based compatibility checks.
The four padas of Ardra
| Pada | Range | Navamsa sign | Name syllable |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pada 1 | 6°40′ Gemini – 10°00′ Gemini | Sagittarius | Ku |
| Pada 2 | 10°00′ Gemini – 13°20′ Gemini | Capricorn | Gha |
| Pada 3 | 13°20′ Gemini – 16°40′ Gemini | Aquarius | Ng |
| Pada 4 | 16°40′ Gemini – 20°00′ Gemini | Pisces | Chha |
Name syllables (namakshar) are traditionally used to choose the first sound of a baby’s name: Ku, Gha, Ng, Chha. Find yours.
Is Ardra your birth star? Your Janma Nakshatra depends on the Moon's exact position at birth. Use the Nakshatra calculator to find yours and its pada.