Nakshatras

Dhanishta nakshatra

Dhanishta is the 23rd nakshatra: from 23°20′ Capricorn to 6°40′ Aquarius. It is ruled by Mars and its deities are the eight Vasus. “The wealthiest”: a nakshatra of rhythm, music and abundance.

Updated 2026-10-17

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Number	23 / 27
Span (sidereal)	Capricorn 23°20′ – Aquarius 6°40′
Ruler	Mars (Mangala)
Deity	the eight Vasus, gods of the elements
Symbol	a drum (mridanga)
Gana (temperament)	Rakshasa (fierce)
Yoni (animal)	Lion
Nadi	Madhya (Pitta)

The nature of Dhanishta

Dhanishta's symbol is a drum, hollow inside and therefore resonant. The eight Vasus are gods of the elements and of plenty. It is the nakshatra of rhythm, music, dance, teamwork and the sharing of resources. Mars gives energy and courage.

The Moon in Dhanishta

People with the Moon in Dhanishta are energetic, generous and have a sense of rhythm — in music, sport or business. They work well in groups and often become well known. The first padas in Capricorn are more practical, the last in Aquarius more social. The weak spot is the “empty drum”: life needs to be filled with meaning, not only activity.

The dasha sequence begins with Mars (7 years).

Emotionally, Dhanishta needs rhythm and company; it thrives in groups and celebrations. It can feel empty in silence. What helps: music, sport or dance, a steady routine, and quiet time with one close person as well as with the crowd. These are traditional tendencies, not a verdict; the full chart matters.

The four padas

Each pada is 3°20′ and falls in its own navamsha (D9) sign. The syllable is the traditional first sound of a name for a child born with the Moon in that pada.
Pada	Span (sidereal)	Navamsha sign	Name syllable
1	Capricorn 23°20′ – 26°40′	Leo (Simha)	Ga
2	Capricorn 26°40′ – 30°00′	Virgo (Kanya)	Gi
3	Aquarius 0°00′ – 3°20′	Libra (Tula)	Gu
4	Aquarius 3°20′ – 6°40′	Scorpio (Vrishchika)	Ge

Pada 1 (Leo navamsha, syllable Ga) in Capricorn: confident and ambitious. Pada 2 (Virgo, Gi) in Capricorn: practical and precise. Pada 3 (Libra, Gu) in Aquarius: social and artistic, fond of music. Pada 4 (Scorpio, Ge) in Aquarius: intense and determined.

The first half lies in Capricorn, where Mars, the nakshatra's ruler, is exalted; the second in Aquarius. Saturn rules both signs.

Dhanishta in the classical texts

The Taittiriya Brahmana gives Dhanishta (also Shravishtha) to the eight Vasus, the gods of the elements and of plenty. Later authors read its gift (shakti) as the power to give abundance and fame. Brihat Samhita (chapter 98) counts Dhanishta among the movable (chara) nakshatras. In Vimshottari it belongs to Mars, so a Dhanishta Moon begins life in a seven-year Mars period.

Vedanga Jyotisha’s calendrical scheme associates the winter solstice with Shravishtha. This is the text’s historical framework, not a statement about the present-day solstice.

Dhanishta in relationships

In relationships Dhanishta is sociable, generous and lively; it enjoys shared activities and celebrations. It can be busy and distracted. Partners who join its rhythm and keep personal time for the two of them suit it best.

For matching, Dhanishta is rakshasa gana, lion yoni and Madhya nadi. Its yoni twin is Purva Bhadrapada; the elephant (Bharani, Revati) is the lion's classical enemy. Two Madhya nadi charts lose the nadi points. The compatibility calculator gives any pair.

Work and strengths

Strengths: rhythm, teamwork, energy and persistence. Good fields: music and performing arts, sport, real estate, engineering, finance, event management, team leadership.

Mars gives drive; Saturn, the sign lord, gives patience. Dhanishta is traditionally associated with steady effort; setting aside part of one’s income may help with planning.

What Dhanishta is good for

Dhanishta is a “movable” (chara) nakshatra: for travel, music, buying a vehicle and anything connected with movement.

The ascendant and planets in Dhanishta

An ascendant in Dhanishta gives rhythm, energy and a sociable manner. Mars in Dhanishta's Capricorn padas is exalted in sign, and its deepest point, 28° Capricorn, lies here: courage and organised effort. Saturn here, in its own signs Capricorn and Aquarius, is traditionally associated with patient planning around resources. Venus in Dhanishta favours music and dance. The Moon here loves company and celebration.

During Mars's dasha Dhanishta themes of rhythm, teamwork and earned wealth come forward.

Remedies and practice

Dhanishta's practice is sharing abundance. Tradition suggests honouring the Vasus with a name mantra such as “Om Vasubhyo namah”, singing or playing music in worship, and giving to musicians and teams in need. For the ruling graha, Mars, the classical mantra is on our mantras page; Tuesdays are traditional for it. Generosity with what one earns keeps Dhanishta's wealth flowing. The days of the Moon's passage through Dhanishta suit travel and music. A gemstone is a classical upaya too: the tradition chooses it from the whole chart (functional benefics, the running dasha), with mantra and charity as the foundation; practices are optional and do not guarantee outcomes. For context, see remedies (upayas).

Dhanishta: compatibility with every nakshatra

Ashtakuta (36 gunas) for the Moon nakshatras of the couple, out of 36. A range means the score depends on the pada; 18 and above is the classical minimum for marriage. A real match also weighs Mangal dosha and both full charts.
Name	If you are the woman	If you are the man
Ashwini	20.5–21	18.5–19
Bharani	10.5–11	9.5–10
Krittika	23.5–30	23.5–29
Rohini	20–26.5	20–25.5
Mrigashira	10–19.5	10–17.5
Ardra	16–19	17–19
Punarvasu	13–22	11–20
Pushya	5–14	3–12
Ashlesha	18–27	17–26
Magha	20.5–25.5	19.5–24.5
Purva Phalguni	6.5–11.5	5.5–10.5
Uttara Phalguni	13.5–18.5	12.5–17.5
Hasta	18–20	17–18
Chitra	15–22	15–23
Swati	21–25	20–25
Vishakha	24.5–28.5	24–29.5
Anuradha	12–14	10–11
Jyeshtha	25–27	24–25
Mula	20.5–29.5	19.5–28.5
Purva Ashadha	8.5–15	7.5–14
Uttara Ashadha	16.5–25.5	15.5–25.5
Shravana	20–29	18–28
Dhanishta	18–28	18–28
Shatabhisha	23–33	24–33
Purva Bhadrapada	17.5–28.5	16.5–28.5
Uttara Bhadrapada	6.5–15.5	5.5–14.5
Revati	14.5–23.5	12.5–21.5

Questions

What is Dhanishta's gana?

Rakshasa. Yoni the lion (female), nadi Madhya.

Which sign is Dhanishta in?

Padas 1–2 are in Capricorn (23°20′–30°), padas 3–4 in Aquarius (0°–6°40′).

What is Dhanishta panchaka?

The five nakshatras from the second half of Dhanishta to Revati, in which by tradition certain works (such as roofing a house) are not begun.

Is Mars exalted in Dhanishta?

Yes in its first two padas: Mars's deepest exaltation, 28° Capricorn, lies in Dhanishta.

Who are the Vasus?

The eight gods of the elements and of plenty, Dhanishta's deities.

Is your Moon in Dhanishta? Check it in your chart

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