Shatabhisha Nakshatra शतभिषा
Shatabhisha, ruled by Rahu and Varuna god of cosmic waters, is healing, secrecy and the veil. It gives a scientific, mystical mind, healing power and a fiercely independent, private nature.
What is Shatabhisha nakshatra?
Shatabhisha (शतभिषा) is the 24th of the 27 nakshatras (lunar mansions), spanning 6°40' Aquarius – 20°00' Aquarius in the sidereal zodiac. Its ruling planet is Rahu and its presiding deity is Varuna; its symbol, the empty circle / 100 healers, captures its essence — the hundred healers. In Vedic astrology the nakshatra your Moon occupies at birth (your Janma nakshatra) shapes your instincts far more precisely than the twelve rashis alone.
Symbol, deity and meaning
The empty circle / 100 healers and the deity Varuna give Shatabhisha its character: It gives a scientific, mystical mind, healing power and a fiercely independent, private nature. As a Rakshasa (temperament class) and a Tamas-guna star, it leans toward raw power and intensity.
The four padas of Shatabhisha
Each nakshatra divides into four padas (quarters) of 3°20′, and each pada carries a different navamsa (D9) flavour — which is why two people in the same nakshatra can differ. Shatabhisha’s padas:
Shatabhisha personality and temperament
Strengths: Healing, insight, independence. Challenges: Isolation, secrecy, stubbornness. At its best Shatabhisha expresses the hundred healers with force; under stress the same energy can tip into the shadow side above.
Career and vocation
Shatabhisha energy suits: Medicine, research, astrology, technology, aviation. These fields let the Rahu-ruled, Varuna-blessed nature of the star do its best work.
Remedies and spiritual note
To strengthen Shatabhisha, tradition points to honouring its lord Rahu and its deity Varuna — through the relevant mantra, day and charity, and by keeping or offering its auspicious items (hessonite (gomed), a water offering, healing herbs, blue flowers, coconut, black cloth). Because these remedies work best when matched to your whole chart (which houses Rahu rules for you, its dignity, your running dasha), treat this as a starting point, not a prescription.
Name syllables (Nama akshara)
Babies born under Shatabhisha are traditionally named with a starting sound from one of its four padas — Go, Sa, Si, Su. Each pada maps to one syllable, so the exact sound follows the pada your Moon occupied at birth. It is a naming custom, not a rule; many families use it as a gentle guide.
Mitra & Param Mitra — Shatabhisha’s friendly stars
In the Tara Bala cycle — the nine-fold rhythm that measures how one nakshatra sits with another — a few stars fall as Mitra (friend) and Param Mitra (best friend, also called Ati Mitra) to Shatabhisha. These are its most supportive, harmonious nakshatras: gentle allies whose energy tends to help rather than hinder.
Items: Hessonite (gomed), a water offering, healing herbs, blue flowers, coconut, black cloth
Param Mitra — best-friend stars
Items: Red coral, copper, camphor, red flowers, musk, jasmine
Items: Red coral, a bright gemstone, copper, artisan tools, colourful cloth, red flowers
Items: Red coral, copper, a small drum or flute, red flowers, jaggery, gold
Mitra — friend stars
Rohini, Hasta, Shravana — friendly, easy-going stars for Shatabhisha, a step below the param-mitra bond.
How to draw on your param-mitra tara
A traditional, supportive practice: keep, wear or offer the items and symbols tied to your param-mitra nakshatras, and favour their themes for gentle or important activities on days the Moon transits them. The idea is to surround yourself with harmonious, friendly energy — a small ritual of intention. Treat it as a calming, time-honoured custom, not a guaranteed outcome; the real weight always sits with your full chart and running dasha.
Frequently asked questions
Which planet rules Shatabhisha nakshatra?
Shatabhisha is ruled by Rahu (its Vimshottari dasha lord), with Varuna as its presiding deity. Its symbol is the empty circle / 100 healers.
Which rashi does Shatabhisha fall in?
Shatabhisha spans 6°40' Aquarius – 20°00' Aquarius — that is Aquarius. Its four padas can fall across Aquarius depending on the exact degree.
What are the traits of Shatabhisha natives?
Shatabhisha, ruled by Rahu and Varuna god of cosmic waters, is healing, secrecy and the veil. It gives a scientific, mystical mind, healing power and a fiercely independent, private nature. It is a Rakshasa gana, Tamas-guna star of Vata temperament. Strengths: healing, insight, independence. Watch-outs: isolation, secrecy, stubbornness.
Is my Moon in Shatabhisha nakshatra?
Your birth (Janma) nakshatra is the nakshatra your Moon occupied at birth — it needs your date, time and place. Cast a free Vedic chart to find your Moon's nakshatra and pada exactly.
Is your Moon in Shatabhisha? Your birth nakshatra and pada shape your mind and instincts — find yours and read the full picture.