Nakshatra Mantras: Vedic Mantra for All 27 Nakshatras with Meaning

Every nakshatra has its own Vedic mantra. These verses come from the Nakshatra Suktam of the Taittiriya Brahmana, a text of the Krishna Yajurveda. Each verse makes an offering to the deity of one nakshatra and asks for protection and prosperity.

This page gives the mantra for all 27 nakshatras and Abhijit, with the Sanskrit text, transliteration, and meaning in simple English. Find your birth nakshatra in the table and go to its verse.

Nakshatra Mantras and Their Deities

What Is the Nakshatra Suktam?

The Nakshatra Suktam is a set of verses in the Taittiriya Brahmana, in the third book, first chapter. It was recited at the nakshatra sacrifice, where each nakshatra and its deity received an offering.

Each verse has 8 short lines. The first half names the deity and the nakshatra together. The second half repeats the request in new words.

The deities here are the Vedic ones. Agni, Soma, Rudra, Aditi and the other gods of the Veda appear with their stars. Later jyotish books follow the same list with a few changes, noted under each verse.

How to Recite Your Nakshatra Mantra

1. Find your birth nakshatra, the nakshatra of the Moon at your birth. Your birth chart shows it.

2. Recite its verse once or 3 times each day, or on the day each month when the Moon returns to that nakshatra.

3. Sit facing east after a bath. Read the meaning once before you begin.

4. Recite slowly and clearly. The Vedic text is chanted with accents, so learning it from a teacher or a recording helps.

5. Some families recite the verse of the day's nakshatra every morning, going through all 27 in a month.

The 27 Nakshatra Mantras with Meaning

The verses are given here in the usual jyotish order, from Ashvini to Revati, with Abhijit after Uttara Ashadha. The Taittiriya Brahmana itself starts with Krittika.

Ashvini Nakshatra Mantra

Deity: The Ashvins. The Vedic text calls this nakshatra Ashvayuj. Read more about Ashvini nakshatra.

तदश्विनावश्वयुजोपयाताम् ।
शुभङ्गमिष्ठौ सुयमेभिरश्वैः ।
स्वं नक्षत्रग्ं हविषा यजन्तौ ।
मध्वा सम्पृक्तौ यजुषा समक्तौ ।
यौ देवानां भिषजौ हव्यवाहौ ।
विश्वस्य दूतावमृतस्य गोपौ ।
तौ नक्षत्रं जुजुषाणोपयाताम् ।
नमोऽश्विभ्यां कृणुमोऽश्वयुग्भ्याम् ॥

Tadashvinavashvayujopayatam |
shubhangamishthau suyamebhirashvaih |
svam nakshatragum havisha yajantau |
madhva sampriktau yajusha samaktau |
yau devanam bhishajau havyavahau |
vishvasya dutavamritasya gopau |
tau nakshatram jujushanopayatam |
namo'shvibhyam krinumo'shvayugbhyam ||

Meaning: May the Ashvins come here with the Ashvayuj stars, the 2 who travel fastest to good, with well-trained horses. They honour their own nakshatra with offerings, mixed with honey and anointed with the sacred formula.

They are the 2 healers of the gods who carry the offerings, messengers of all and guardians of the deathless. May they come, pleased with their nakshatra. We bow to the Ashvins and to the Ashvayuj stars.

Bharani Nakshatra Mantra

Deity: Yama. The Vedic text calls this nakshatra Apabharani. Read more about Bharani nakshatra.

अप पाप्मानं भरणीर्भरन्तु ।
तद्यमो राजा भगवान् विचष्टाम् ।
लोकस्य राजा महतो महान् हि ।
सुगं नः पन्थामभयं कृणोतु ।
यस्मिन्नक्षत्रे यम एति राजा ।
यस्मिन्नेनमभ्यषिञ्चन्त देवाः ।
तदस्य चित्रग्ं हविषा यजाम ।
अप पाप्मानं भरणीर्भरन्तु ॥

Apa papmanam Bharanirbharantu |
tadyamo raja bhagavan vichashtam |
lokasya raja mahato mahan hi |
sugam nah panthamabhayam krinotu |
yasminnakshatre Yama eti raja |
yasminnenamabhyashinchanta devah |
tadasya chitragum havisha yajama |
apa papmanam Bharanirbharantu ||

Meaning: May the Bharanis carry away our wrongdoing. May King Yama, the blessed one, watch over this. He is the great king of the great world. May he make our path easy and free of fear.

King Yama goes in this nakshatra. In it the gods crowned him. We honour that bright place of his with offerings. May the Bharanis carry away our wrongdoing.

Krittika Nakshatra Mantra

Deity: Agni. Read more about Krittika nakshatra.

अग्निर्नः पातु कृत्तिकाः ।
नक्षत्रं देवमिन्द्रियम् ।
इदमासां विचक्षणम् ।
हविरासं जुहोतन ।
यस्य भान्ति रश्मयो यस्य केतवः ।
यस्येमा विश्वा भुवनानि सर्वा ।
स कृत्तिकाभिरभिसंवसानः ।
अग्निर्नो देवः सुविते दधातु ॥

Agnirnah patu Krittikah |
nakshatram devamindriyam |
idamasam vichakshanam |
havirasam juhotana |
yasya bhanti rashmayo yasya ketavah |
yasyema vishva bhuvanani sarva |
sa Krittikabhirabhisamvasanah |
Agnirno devah suvite dadhatu ||

Meaning: May Agni and the Krittikas protect us. This nakshatra is a god and a source of strength. This offering is for them, the far-seeing ones. Pour the oblation into their mouth, the fire.

His rays and banners shine, and all these worlds belong to him. He lives together with the Krittikas. May the god Agni place us in well-being.

Rohini Nakshatra Mantra

Deity: Prajapati. Read more about Rohini nakshatra.

प्रजापते रोहिणी वेतु पत्नी ।
विश्वरूपा बृहती चित्रभानुः ।
सा नो यज्ञस्य सुविते दधातु ।
यथा जीवेम शरदः सवीराः ।
रोहिणी देव्युदगात्पुरस्तात् ।
विश्वा रूपाणि प्रतिमोदमाना ।
प्रजापतिग्ं हविषा वर्धयन्ती ।
प्रिया देवानामुपयातु यज्ञम् ॥

Prajapate Rohini vetu patni |
vishvarupa brihati chitrabhanuh |
sa no yagyasya suvite dadhatu |
yatha jivema sharadah savirah |
Rohini devyudagatpurastat |
vishva rupani pratimodamana |
Prajapatigum havisha vardhayanti |
priya devanamupayatu yagyam ||

Meaning: O Prajapati, may Rohini, your wife, come to this rite, she who takes every form, great and brightly shining. May she set our sacrifice on a good path, so that we may live many autumns with strong sons.

The goddess Rohini has risen in the east, taking delight in every form. Making Prajapati grow strong with the offering, may she, dear to the gods, come to our sacrifice.

Mrigashira Nakshatra Mantra

Deity: Soma. Read more about Mrigashira nakshatra.

सोमो राजा मृगशीर्षेण आगन्न् ।
शिवं नक्षत्रं प्रियमस्य धाम ।
आप्यायमानो बहुधा जनेषु ।
रेतः प्रजां यजमाने दधातु ।
यत्ते नक्षत्रं मृगशीर्षमस्ति ।
प्रियग्ं राजन् प्रियतमं प्रियाणाम् ।
तस्मै ते सोम हविषा विधेम ।
शं न एधि द्विपदे शं चतुष्पदे ॥

Somo raja Mrigashirshena agann |
shivam nakshatram priyamasya dhama |
apyayamano bahudha janeshu |
retah prajam yajamane dadhatu |
yatte nakshatram Mrigashirshamasti |
priyagum rajan priyatamam priyanam |
tasmai te Soma havisha vidhema |
sham na edhi dvipade sham chatushpade ||

Meaning: King Soma has come with Mrigashirsha, a kind nakshatra, his beloved home. Growing full in many ways among the people, may he give seed and children to the one who offers.

Your nakshatra, Mrigashirsha, is dear, O king, the dearest of all dear things. To you, Soma, we offer this oblation. Be a blessing to our people and to our animals.

Ardra Nakshatra Mantra

Deity: Rudra. The verse is addressed to Rudra, the Vedic form of Shiva. Read more about Ardra nakshatra.

आर्द्रया रुद्रः प्रथमान एति ।
श्रेष्ठो देवानां पतिरघ्नियानाम् ।
नक्षत्रमस्य हविषा विधेम ।
मा नः प्रजाग्ं रीरिषन्मोत वीरान् ।
हेती रुद्रस्य परि णो वृणक्तु ।
आर्द्रा नक्षत्रं जुषताग्ं हविर्नः ।
प्रमुञ्चमानौ दुरितानि विश्वा ।
अपाघशग्ंसं नुदतामरातिम् ॥

Ardraya Rudrah prathamana eti |
shreshtho devanam patiraghniyanam |
nakshatramasya havisha vidhema |
ma nah prajagum ririshanmota viran |
heti Rudrasya pari no vrinaktu |
Ardra nakshatram jushatagum havirnah |
pramunchamanau duritani vishva |
apaghashagumsam nudatamaratim ||

Meaning: Rudra comes with Ardra, spreading wide, the best of the gods and lord of the cattle. We honour his nakshatra with this offering. May he harm neither our children nor our men.

May the weapon of Rudra pass us by. May the nakshatra Ardra accept our offering. Setting us free from every wrong, may they drive away the one who wishes us harm, and every enemy.

Punarvasu Nakshatra Mantra

Deity: Aditi. Read more about Punarvasu nakshatra.

पुनर्नो देव्यदितिः स्पृणोतु ।
पुनर्वसू नः पुनरेतां यज्ञम् ।
पुनर्नो देवा अभियन्तु सर्वे ।
पुनः पुनर्वो हविषा यजामः ।
एवा न देव्यदितिरनर्वा ।
विश्वस्य भर्त्री जगतः प्रतिष्ठा ।
पुनर्वसू हविषा वर्धयन्ती ।
प्रियं देवानामप्येतु पाथः ॥

Punarno devyaditih sprinotu |
Punarvasu nah punaretam yagyam |
punarno deva abhiyantu sarve |
punah punarvo havisha yajamah |
eva na devyaditiranarva |
vishvasya bhartri jagatah pratishtha |
Punarvasu havisha vardhayanti |
priyam devanamapyetu pathah ||

Meaning: May the goddess Aditi protect us again. May the 2 Punarvasu stars come again to our sacrifice. May all the gods come to us again. Again and again we worship you with offerings.

The goddess Aditi cannot be stopped. She supports all and is the ground of the world. Making the Punarvasu stars grow with the offering, may she reach the place that the gods love.

Pushya Nakshatra Mantra

Deity: Brihaspati. The Vedic text calls this nakshatra Tishya. Read more about Pushya nakshatra.

बृहस्पतिः प्रथमं जायमानः ।
तिष्यं नक्षत्रमभिसम्बभूव ।
श्रेष्ठो देवानां पृतनासु जिष्णुः ।
दिशोऽनु सर्वा अभयं नो अस्तु ।
तिष्यः पुरस्तादुत मध्यतो नः ।
बृहस्पतिर्नः परिपातु पश्चात् ।
बाधेतां द्वेषो अभयं कृणुताम् ।
सुवीर्यस्य पतयः स्याम ॥

Brihaspatih prathamam jayamanah |
Tishyam nakshatramabhisambabhuva |
shreshtho devanam pritanasu jishnuh |
disho'nu sarva abhayam no astu |
Tishyah purastaduta madhyato nah |
Brihaspatirnah paripatu pashchat |
badhetam dvesho abhayam krinutam |
suviryasya patayah syama ||

Meaning: Brihaspati, as soon as he was born, became one with the nakshatra Tishya. He is the best of the gods and wins in battle. May we be free from fear in every direction.

May Tishya guard us in front and in the middle, and may Brihaspati guard us from behind. May the 2 of them push back hatred and give us safety. May we be masters of great strength.

Ashlesha Nakshatra Mantra

Deity: The Sarpas (serpents). Read more about Ashlesha nakshatra.

इदग्ं सर्पेभ्यो हविरस्तु जुष्टम् ।
आश्रेषा येषामनुयन्ति चेतः ।
ये अन्तरिक्षं पृथिवीं क्षियन्ति ।
ते नः सर्पासो हवमागमिष्ठाः ।
ये रोचने सूर्यस्यापि सर्पाः ।
ये दिवं देवीमनु सञ्चरन्ति ।
येषामाश्रेषा अनुयन्ति कामम् ।
तेभ्यः सर्पेभ्यो मधुमज्जुहोमि ॥

Idagum sarpebhyo havirastu jushtam |
Ashresha yeshamanuyanti chetah |
ye antariksham prithivim kshiyanti |
te nah sarpaso havamagamishthah |
ye rochane suryasyapi sarpah |
ye divam devimanu sancharanti |
yeshamashresha anuyanti kamam |
tebhyah sarpebhyo madhumajjuhomi ||

Meaning: May this offering please the serpents, whose will the Ashlesha stars follow. Some live in the sky and on the earth. May those serpents come quickly to our call.

Some serpents live in the light of the sun and move along the shining heaven. The Ashlesha stars follow their wish. To those serpents I offer this sweet oblation.

Magha Nakshatra Mantra

Deity: The Pitris (ancestors). Read more about Magha nakshatra.

उपहूताः पितरो ये मघासु ।
मनोजवसः सुकृतः सुकृत्याः ।
ते नो नक्षत्रे हवमागमिष्ठाः ।
स्वधाभिर्यज्ञं प्रयतं जुषन्ताम् ।
ये अग्निदग्धा येऽनग्निदग्धाः ।
येऽमुं लोकं पितरः क्षियन्ति ।
याग्ंश्च विद्म याग्ं उ च न प्रविद्म ।
मघासु यज्ञग्ं सुकृतं जुषन्ताम् ॥

Upahutah pitaro ye Maghasu |
manojavasah sukritah sukrityah |
te no nakshatre havamagamishthah |
svadhabhiryagyam prayatam jushantam |
ye agnidagdha ye'nagnidagdhah |
ye'mum lokam pitarah kshiyanti |
yagumshcha vidma yagum u cha na pravidma |
Maghasu yagyagum sukritam jushantam ||

Meaning: The ancestors who live in Magha are invited, swift as thought, doers of good, worthy of good deeds. May they come quickly to our call in this nakshatra and accept the prepared rite with their svadha offerings.

Some were burned by fire and some were not. They are the ancestors who live in that other world. Some we know and some we do not know. May they accept this well-made rite in Magha.

Purva Phalguni Nakshatra Mantra

Deity: Aryaman. In the Vedic Nakshatra Suktam this nakshatra's verse is addressed to Aryaman; later jyotish books give Bhaga.

गवां पतिः फल्गुनीनामसि त्वम् ।
तदर्यमन् वरुण मित्र चारु ।
तं त्वा वयग्ं सनितारग्ं सनीनाम् ।
जीवा जीवन्तमुप संविशेम ।
येनेमा विश्वा भुवनानि सञ्जिता ।
यस्य देवा अनुसंयन्ति चेतः ।
अर्यमा राजाऽजरस्तु विष्मान् ।
फल्गुनीनामृषभो रोरवीति ॥

Gavam patih Phalguninamasi tvam |
tadaryaman Varuna Mitra charu |
tam tva vayagum sanitaragum saninam |
jiva jivantamupa samvishema |
yenema vishva bhuvanani sanjita |
yasya deva anusamyanti chetah |
Aryama raja'jarastu vishman |
Phalguninamrishabho roraviti ||

Meaning: You are the lord of cattle and of the Phalgunis. That is your fair place, Aryaman, Varuna and Mitra. You are the giver of gifts. May we, the living, rest close to you, the living one.

All these worlds are won by him, and the gods follow his will together. King Aryaman, ageless and all-pervading, roars like a bull among the Phalgunis.

Uttara Phalguni Nakshatra Mantra

Deity: Bhaga. In the Vedic Nakshatra Suktam this nakshatra's verse is addressed to Bhaga; later jyotish books give Aryaman.

श्रेष्ठो देवानां भगवो भगासि ।
तत्त्वा विदुः फल्गुनीस्तस्य वित्तात् ।
अस्मभ्यं क्षत्रमजरग्ं सुवीर्यम् ।
गोमदश्ववदुपसन्नुदेह ।
भगो ह दाता भग इत्प्रदाता ।
भगो देवीः फल्गुनीराविवेश ।
भगस्येत्तं प्रसवं गमेम ।
यत्र देवैः सधमादं मदेम ॥

Shreshtho devanam Bhagavo Bhagasi |
tattva viduh Phalgunistasya vittat |
asmabhyam kshatramajaragum suviryam |
gomadashvavadupasannudeha |
Bhago ha data Bhaga itpradata |
Bhago devih Phalguniravivesha |
Bhagasyettam prasavam gamema |
yatra devaih sadhamadam madema ||

Meaning: O Bhaga, giver of good fortune, you are the best of the gods. The Phalgunis know you this way; may they know it well. Give us power that does not age and great strength, rich in cattle and horses; bring it here to us.

Bhaga is the giver; Bhaga is the one who gives freely. Bhaga has entered the divine Phalgunis. May we come under the blessing of Bhaga, where we may rejoice together with the gods.

Hasta Nakshatra Mantra

Deity: Savitr. Read more about Hasta nakshatra.

आयातु देवः सविता उपयातु ।
हिरण्ययेन सुवृता रथेन ।
वहन् हस्तग्ं सुभगं विद्मनापसम् ।
प्रयच्छन्तं पपुरिं पुण्यमच्छ ।
हस्तः प्रयच्छत्वमृतं वसीयः ।
दक्षिणेन प्रतिगृभ्णीम एनत् ।
दातारमद्य सविता विदेय ।
यो नो हस्ताय प्रसुवाति यज्ञम् ॥

Ayatu devah Savita upayatu |
hiranyayena suvrita rathena |
vahan Hastagum subhagam vidmanapasam |
prayachchhantam papurim punyamachchha |
Hastah prayachchhatvamritam vasiyah |
dakshinena pratigribhnima enat |
dataramadya Savita videya |
yo no hastaya prasuvati yagyam ||

Meaning: May the god Savitr come near on his golden chariot that rolls well. May he bring Hasta, the lucky hand skilled in its work, which gives, fills and brings merit.

May Hasta give us the deathless and the better thing. We receive it with our right hand. Today may I find Savitr, the giver, who sends our sacrifice forward to Hasta.

Chitra Nakshatra Mantra

Deity: Tvashtr. Read more about Chitra nakshatra.

त्वष्टा नक्षत्रमभ्येति चित्राम् ।
सुभग्ंससं युवतिग्ं रोचमानाम् ।
निवेशयन्नमृतान्मर्त्याग्ंश्च ।
रूपाणि पिग्ंशन् भुवनानि विश्वा ।
तन्नस्त्वष्टा तदु चित्रा विचष्टाम् ।
तन्नक्षत्रं भूरिदा अस्तु मह्यम् ।
तन्नः प्रजां वीरवतीग्ं सनोतु ।
गोभिर्नो अश्वैः समनक्तु यज्ञम् ॥

Tvashta nakshatramabhyeti Chitram |
subhagumsasam yuvatigum rochamanam |
niveshayannamritanmartyagumshcha |
rupani pigumshan bhuvanani vishva |
tannastvashta tadu Chitra vichashtam |
tannakshatram bhurida astu mahyam |
tannah prajam viravatigum sanotu |
gobhirno ashvaih samanaktu yagyam ||

Meaning: Tvashtr goes to his nakshatra, Chitra, the beautiful and shining young woman. He settles the gods and the mortals in their places and shapes the forms of all the worlds.

May Tvashtr and Chitra look on this for us. May that nakshatra give me plenty. May it give us children with brave sons, and fill our sacrifice with cattle and horses.

Swati Nakshatra Mantra

Deity: Vayu. The Vedic text calls this nakshatra Nishtya. Read more about Swati nakshatra.

वायुर्नक्षत्रमभ्येति निष्ट्याम् ।
तिग्मशृङ्गो वृषभो रोरुवाणः ।
समीरयन् भुवना मातरिश्वा ।
अप द्वेषाग्ंसि नुदतामरातीः ।
तन्नो वायुस्तदु निष्ट्या शृणोतु ।
तन्नक्षत्रं भूरिदा अस्तु मह्यम् ।
तन्नो देवासो अनुजानन्तु कामम् ।
यथा तरेम दुरितानि विश्वा ॥

Vayurnakshatramabhyeti Nishtyam |
tigmashringo vrishabho roruvanah |
samirayan bhuvana Matarishva |
apa dveshagumsi nudatamaratih |
tanno Vayustadu Nishtya shrinotu |
tannakshatram bhurida astu mahyam |
tanno devaso anujanantu kamam |
yatha tarema duritani vishva ||

Meaning: Vayu goes to his nakshatra, Nishtya (Swati), a bull with sharp horns, roaring loudly. Matarishvan, the wind, sets the worlds in motion. May he drive away hatred and enemies.

May Vayu and Nishtya hear this from us. May that nakshatra give me plenty. May the gods grant us our wish, so that we may cross over every difficulty.

Vishakha Nakshatra Mantra

Deity: Indragni (Indra and Agni). Read more about Vishakha nakshatra.

दूरमस्मच्छत्रवो यन्तु भीताः ।
तदिन्द्राग्नी कृणुतां तद्विशाखे ।
तन्नो देवा अनुमदन्तु यज्ञम् ।
पश्चात् पुरस्तादभयं नो अस्तु ।
नक्षत्राणामधिपत्नी विशाखे ।
श्रेष्ठाविन्द्राग्नी भुवनस्य गोपौ ।
विषूचः शत्रूनपबाधमानौ ।
अप क्षुधं नुदतामरातिम् ॥

Duramasmachchhatravo yantu bhitah |
tadindragni krinutam tadvishakhe |
tanno deva anumadantu yagyam |
pashchat purastadabhayam no astu |
nakshatranamadhipatni Vishakhe |
shreshthavindragni bhuvanasya gopau |
vishuchah shatrunapabadhamanau |
apa kshudham nudatamaratim ||

Meaning: May our enemies run far from us in fear. May Indra and Agni make it so, and the 2 Vishakha stars. May the gods be glad at our sacrifice. May we be safe behind and in front.

Vishakha is the queen of the nakshatras, and Indra and Agni are the best, the guardians of the world. Scattering the enemies in all directions, may they drive away hunger and the enemy.

Anuradha Nakshatra Mantra

Deity: Mitra. Read more about Anuradha nakshatra.

ऋध्यास्म हव्यैर्नमसोपसद्य ।
मित्रं देवं मित्रधेयं नो अस्तु ।
अनूराधान् हविषा वर्धयन्तः ।
शतं जीवेम शरदः सवीराः ।
चित्रं नक्षत्रमुदगात्पुरस्तात् ।
अनूराधास इति यद्वदन्ति ।
तन्मित्र एति पथिभिर्देवयानैः ।
हिरण्मयैर्विततैरन्तरिक्षे ॥

Ridhyasma havyairnamasopasadya |
Mitram devam mitradheyam no astu |
Anuradhan havisha vardhayantah |
shatam jivema sharadah savirah |
chitram nakshatramudagatpurastat |
Anuradhasa iti yadvadanti |
tanmitra eti pathibhirdevayanaih |
hiranmayairvitatairantarikshe ||

Meaning: May we prosper, coming near with offerings and bowing. May the god Mitra give us his friendship. Making the Anuradha stars grow with our offering, may we live 100 autumns with strong sons.

A bright nakshatra has risen in the east, the one they call Anuradha. Mitra goes there by the paths the gods travel, golden paths stretched across the sky.

Jyeshtha Nakshatra Mantra

Deity: Indra. Read more about Jyeshtha nakshatra.

इन्द्रो ज्येष्ठामनु नक्षत्रमेति ।
यस्मिन् वृत्रं वृत्रतूर्ये ततार ।
तस्मिन् वयममृतं दुहानाः ।
क्षुधं तरेम दुरितिं दुरिष्टिम् ।
पुरन्दराय वृषभाय धृष्णवे ।
अषाढाय सहमानाय मीढुषे ।
इन्द्राय ज्येष्ठा मधुमद्दुहाना ।
उरुं कृणोतु यजमानाय लोकम् ॥

Indro Jyeshthamanu nakshatrameti |
yasmin Vritram Vritraturye tatara |
tasmin vayamamritam duhanah |
kshudham tarema duritim durishtim |
Purandaraya vrishabhaya dhrishnave |
ashadhaya sahamanaya midhushe |
Indraya Jyeshtha madhumadduhana |
urum krinotu yajamanaya lokam ||

Meaning: Indra follows the nakshatra Jyeshtha, in which he overcame Vritra in the battle with Vritra. In it may we, drawing out the deathless drink, cross over hunger, misfortune and failed rites.

Indra breaks forts; he is the bold bull, unconquered, victorious and generous. For him, may Jyeshtha yield what is sweet and make a wide world for the one who offers.

Mula Nakshatra Mantra

Deity: Nirriti. The verse names Nirriti, the goddess of ruin, and asks her to go away; some sources label this verse Prajapati. Read more about Mula nakshatra.

मूलं प्रजां वीरवतीं विदेय ।
पराच्येतु निरृतिः पराचा ।
गोभिर्नक्षत्रं पशुभिः समक्तम् ।
अहर्भूयाद्यजमानाय मह्यम् ।
अहर्नो अद्य सुविते दधातु ।
मूलं नक्षत्रमिति यद्वदन्ति ।
पराचीं वाचा निरृतिं नुदामि ।
शिवं प्रजायै शिवमस्तु मह्यम् ॥

Mulam prajam viravatim videya |
parachyetu Nirritih paracha |
gobhirnakshatram pashubhih samaktam |
aharbhuyadyajamanaya mahyam |
aharno adya suvite dadhatu |
Mulam nakshatramiti yadvadanti |
parachim vacha Nirritim nudami |
shivam prajayai shivamastu mahyam ||

Meaning: Through Mula may I gain children with brave sons. May Nirriti, the goddess of ruin, turn away and go far. May the nakshatra be rich with cattle and animals. May the day be good for me, the one who offers.

May this day place us in well-being. They call it the nakshatra Mula. With my words I push Nirriti away. May it be good for my children, and good for me.

Purva Ashadha Nakshatra Mantra

Deity: Apah (the waters).

या दिव्या आपः पयसा सम्बभूवुः ।
या अन्तरिक्ष उत पार्थिवीर्याः ।
यासामषाढा अनुयन्ति कामम् ।
ता न आपः शग्ं स्योना भवन्तु ।
याश्च कूप्या याश्च नाद्याः समुद्रियाः ।
याश्च वैशन्तीरुत प्रासचीर्याः ।
यासामषाढा मधु भक्षयन्ति ।
ता न आपः शग्ं स्योना भवन्तु ॥

Ya divya apah payasa sambabhuvuh |
ya antariksha uta parthiviryah |
yasamashadha anuyanti kamam |
ta na apah shagum syona bhavantu |
yashcha kupya yashcha nadyah samudriyah |
yashcha vaishantiruta prasachiryah |
yasamashadha madhu bhakshayanti |
ta na apah shagum syona bhavantu ||

Meaning: Some heavenly waters were born with milk. Some belong to the sky and some to the earth. The Ashadha stars follow their wish. May those waters be kind and pleasant to us.

There are waters of wells, of rivers and of the sea, and waters of ponds and of flowing streams. The Ashadha stars enjoy their sweetness. May those waters be kind and pleasant to us.

Uttara Ashadha Nakshatra Mantra

Deity: The Vishvedevas (all the gods).

तन्नो विश्वे उप शृण्वन्तु देवाः ।
तदषाढा अभिसंयन्तु यज्ञम् ।
तन्नक्षत्रं प्रथतां पशुभ्यः ।
कृषिर्वृष्टिर्यजमानाय कल्पताम् ।
शुभ्राः कन्या युवतयः सुपेशसः ।
कर्मकृतः सुकृतो वीर्यावतीः ।
विश्वान् देवान् हविषा वर्धयन्तीः ।
अषाढाः काममुपायन्तु यज्ञम् ॥

Tanno Vishve upa shrinvantu devah |
tadashadha abhisamyantu yagyam |
tannakshatram prathatam pashubhyah |
krishirvrishtiryajamanaya kalpatam |
shubhrah kanya yuvatayah supeshasah |
karmakritah sukrito viryavatih |
vishvan devan havisha vardhayantih |
Ashadhah kamamupayantu yagyam ||

Meaning: May all the gods listen to this from us. May the Ashadha stars come together to the sacrifice. May that nakshatra spread wide for our animals. May farming and rain go well for the one who offers.

They are bright maidens, young and lovely, who do their work well and are full of strength. Making all the gods grow with the offering, may the Ashadhas come to the sacrifice as we wish.

Abhijit Nakshatra Mantra

Deity: Brahma. Read more about Abhijit nakshatra.

यस्मिन् ब्रह्माभ्यजयत्सर्वमेतत् ।
अमुं च लोकमिदमू च सर्वम् ।
तन्नो नक्षत्रमभिजिद्विजित्य ।
श्रियं दधात्वहृणीयमानम् ।
उभौ लोकौ ब्रह्मणा सञ्जितेमौ ।
तन्नो नक्षत्रमभिजिद्विचष्टाम् ।
तस्मिन् वयं पृतनाः सञ्जयेम ।
तन्नो देवासो अनुजानन्तु कामम् ॥

Yasmin Brahmabhyajayatsarvametat |
amum cha lokamidamu cha sarvam |
tanno nakshatramabhijidvijitya |
shriyam dadhatvahriniyamanam |
ubhau lokau Brahmana sanjitemau |
tanno nakshatramabhijidvichashtam |
tasmin vayam pritanah sanjayema |
tanno devaso anujanantu kamam ||

Meaning: In it Brahma won all of this, that world and this whole world. May that nakshatra, Abhijit, the victorious, give us prosperity without anger.

Both these worlds are won by Brahma. May that nakshatra Abhijit look on this for us. In it may we win our battles. May the gods grant us our wish.

Shravana Nakshatra Mantra

Deity: Vishnu. The Vedic text calls this nakshatra Shrona.

शृण्वन्ति श्रोणाममृतस्य गोपाम् ।
पुण्यामस्या उपशृणोमि वाचम् ।
महीं देवीं विष्णुपत्नीमजूर्याम् ।
प्रतीचीमेनाग्ं हविषा यजामः ।
त्रेधा विष्णुरुरुगायो विचक्रमे ।
महीं दिवं पृथिवीमन्तरिक्षम् ।
तच्छ्रोणैति श्रव इच्छमाना ।
पुण्यग्ं श्लोकं यजमानाय कृण्वती ॥

Shrinvanti Shronamamritasya gopam |
punyamasya upashrinomi vacham |
mahim devim Vishnupatnimajuryam |
pratichimenagum havisha yajamah |
tredha Vishnururugayo vichakrame |
mahim divam prithivimantariksham |
tachchhronaiti shrava ichchhamana |
punyagum shlokam yajamanaya krinvati ||

Meaning: They listen to Shrona, the guardian of the deathless. I listen closely to her holy voice. The great goddess, wife of Vishnu, never ages. We worship her, facing us, with this offering.

Vishnu, who strides far, took 3 steps across the wide heaven, the earth and the sky. Shrona goes there, seeking fame, and makes a good name for the one who offers.

Dhanishta Nakshatra Mantra

Deity: The Vasus. The Vedic text calls this nakshatra Shravishtha. Read more about Dhanishta nakshatra.

अष्टौ देवा वसवः सोम्यासः ।
चतस्रो देवीरजराः श्रविष्ठाः ।
ते यज्ञं पान्तु रजसः पुरस्तात् ।
संवत्सरीणममृतग्ं स्वस्ति ।
यज्ञं नः पान्तु वसवः पुरस्तात् ।
दक्षिणतोऽभियन्तु श्रविष्ठाः ।
पुण्यं नक्षत्रमभि संविशाम ।
मा नो अरातिरघशग्ंसाऽगन्न् ॥

Ashtau deva Vasavah somyasah |
chatasro devirajarah Shravishthah |
te yagyam pantu rajasah purastat |
samvatsarinamamritagum svasti |
yagyam nah pantu Vasavah purastat |
dakshinato'bhiyantu Shravishthah |
punyam nakshatramabhi samvishama |
ma no aratiraghashagumsa'gann ||

Meaning: There are 8 gods, the Vasus, who love Soma, and 4 ageless goddesses, the Shravishthas. May they guard the sacrifice from the front, from the mists, and give well-being and deathless life for the whole year.

May the Vasus guard our sacrifice in front, and may the Shravishthas come from the south. May we enter the holy nakshatra. May no enemy who wishes us harm come near.

Shatabhisha Nakshatra Mantra

Deity: Varuna. Read more about Shatabhisha nakshatra.

क्षत्रस्य राजा वरुणोऽधिराजः ।
नक्षत्राणाग्ं शतभिषग्वसिष्ठः ।
तौ देवेभ्यः कृणुतो दीर्घमायुः ।
शतग्ं सहस्रा भेषजानि धत्तः ।
यज्ञं नो राजा वरुण उपयातु ।
तन्नो विश्वे अभि संयन्तु देवाः ।
तन्नो नक्षत्रग्ं शतभिषग्जुषाणम् ।
दीर्घमायुः प्रतिरद्भेषजानि ॥

Kshatrasya raja Varuno'dhirajah |
nakshatranagum Shatabhishagvasishthah |
tau devebhyah krinuto dirghamayuh |
shatagum sahasra bheshajani dhattah |
yagyam no raja Varuna upayatu |
tanno Vishve abhi samyantu devah |
tanno nakshatragum Shatabhishagjushanam |
dirghamayuh pratiradbheshajani ||

Meaning: Varuna is king of power and the highest ruler. Shatabhishak is the finest of the nakshatras. The 2 of them give long life to the gods and hold 100 and 1,000 remedies.

May King Varuna come to our sacrifice. May all the gods gather for us there. May the nakshatra Shatabhishak, pleased, extend our long life and its remedies.

Purva Bhadrapada Nakshatra Mantra

Deity: Aja Ekapad. The Vedic text calls this nakshatra Proshthapada. Read more about Purva Bhadrapada nakshatra.

अज एकपादुदगात्पुरस्तात् ।
विश्वा भूतानि प्रति मोदमानः ।
तस्य देवाः प्रसवं यन्ति सर्वे ।
प्रोष्ठपदासो अमृतस्य गोपाः ।
विभ्राजमानः समिधान उग्रः ।
आऽन्तरिक्षमरुहदगन्द्याम् ।
तग्ं सूर्यं देवमजमेकपादम् ।
प्रोष्ठपदासो अनुयन्ति सर्वे ॥

Aja Ekapadudagatpurastat |
vishva bhutani prati modamanah |
tasya devah prasavam yanti sarve |
Proshthapadaso amritasya gopah |
vibhrajamanah samidhana ugrah |
a'ntarikshamaruhadagandyam |
tagum suryam devamajamekapadam |
Proshthapadaso anuyanti sarve ||

Meaning: Aja Ekapad, the one-footed unborn, has risen in the east, taking delight in all beings. All the gods follow his lead. The Proshthapada stars are guardians of the deathless.

Shining, blazing and fierce, he has climbed the sky and reached heaven. That god, the sun, Aja Ekapad, is followed by all the Proshthapada stars.

Uttara Bhadrapada Nakshatra Mantra

Deity: Ahirbudhnya. The Vedic text calls this nakshatra Proshthapada, the second of the pair. Read more about Uttara Bhadrapada nakshatra.

अहिर्बुध्नियः प्रथमान एति ।
श्रेष्ठो देवानामुत मानुषाणाम् ।
तं ब्राह्मणाः सोमपाः सोम्यासः ।
प्रोष्ठपदासो अभिरक्षन्ति सर्वे ।
चत्वार एकमभि कर्म देवाः ।
प्रोष्ठपदास इति यान् वदन्ति ।
ते बुध्नियं परिषद्यग्ं स्तुवन्तः ।
अहिग्ं रक्षन्ति नमसोपसद्य ॥

Ahirbudhniyah prathamana eti |
shreshtho devanamuta manushanam |
tam brahmanah somapah somyasah |
Proshthapadaso abhirakshanti sarve |
chatvara ekamabhi karma devah |
Proshthapadasa iti yan vadanti |
te budhniyam parishadyagum stuvantah |
ahigum rakshanti namasopasadya ||

Meaning: Ahirbudhnya, the serpent of the deep, comes spreading wide, the best of gods and of men. The brahmins who drink Soma and love Soma, and all the Proshthapada stars protect him.

4 gods work together for the one. They are the ones called the Proshthapadas. Praising Budhnya, who sits in the assembly, they come near with bows and protect the serpent.

Revati Nakshatra Mantra

Deity: Pushan. Read more about Revati nakshatra.

पूषा रेवत्यन्वेति पन्थाम् ।
पुष्टिपती पशुपा वाजबस्त्यौ ।
इमानि हव्या प्रयता जुषाणा ।
सुगैर्नो यानैरुपयातां यज्ञम् ।
क्षुद्रान् पशून् रक्षतु रेवती नः ।
गावो नो अश्वाग्ं अन्वेतु पूषा ।
अन्नग्ं रक्षन्तौ बहुधा विरूपम् ।
वाजग्ं सनुतां यजमानाय यज्ञम् ॥

Pusha Revatyanveti pantham |
pushtipati pashupa vajabastyau |
imani havya prayata jushana |
sugairno yanairupayatam yagyam |
kshudran pashun rakshatu Revati nah |
gavo no ashvagum anvetu Pusha |
annagum rakshantau bahudha virupam |
vajagum sanutam yajamanaya yagyam ||

Meaning: Pushan follows the path with Revati, the 2 lords of growth, guardians of cattle, rich in food. Accepting these prepared offerings, may they come to our sacrifice on easy paths.

May Revati guard our small animals. May Pushan follow our cows and horses. Guarding our food of many kinds, may they give strength and the sacrifice to the one who offers.

Source: Taittiriya Brahmana 3.1, the Nakshatra Suktam. The text is shown without Vedic accent signs. The transliteration and English meaning are by Vedicmarga.

Why Some Deities Differ from Jyotish Books

For most nakshatras the Vedic deity and the jyotish deity are the same. 3 cases need a note.

In the Veda, Purva Phalguni belongs to Aryaman and Uttara Phalguni to Bhaga. Many jyotish books reverse the pair. Mula's verse names Nirriti, the goddess of ruin, and asks her to leave; some lists give Prajapati for this nakshatra.

This page follows the Vedic text, since the mantras come from it. The 27 nakshatras guide gives the symbols and other details for each one.

Summary

The nakshatra mantras are the verses of the Nakshatra Suktam in the Taittiriya Brahmana, one for each of the 27 nakshatras and Abhijit. Each verse honours the deity of that nakshatra and asks for its protection and blessings. Recite the verse of your birth nakshatra daily or on its monthly day. Read the meaning first, so you know what you ask for.