Nakshatra 16 of 27 · 20°00' Libra - 3°20' Scorpio
Vishakha Nakshatra
Viśākhā
Vishakha is the sixteenth nakshatra, straddling Libra and Scorpio from 20°00' Libra to 3°20' Scorpio. Its presiding deities are Indra and Agni together (Indragni), the king of the gods and the fire-god in tandem, and its ruling planet is Jupiter. The name Vishakha means "two-branched" or "forked." The asterism is associated with goal achievement, victory after effort, and the triumphal moment.
- Ruling planet
- Jupiter
- Deity
- Indragni (Indra and Agni together)
- Symbol
- A triumphal arch; a forked branch
- Rashi
- Libra-Scorpio
- Gana / Yoni / Nadi
- Rakshasa · Tiger · Adi
- Caste (varna)
- Mlechha
Symbolism
The triumphal arch symbolises the victory parade after a long campaign. The forked branch symbolises the choice-point: two paths that demand commitment. Vishakha natives are characteristically ambitious, focused, and willing to sacrifice short-term comfort for long-term achievement.
Personality of Vishakha natives
Personality of Vishakha natives: ambitious, focused, determined, sometimes impatient, often successful through unusual persistence. The Jupiter rulership gives them dharmic ambition; the Indragni dual-deity gives them the warrior's fire combined with the king's authority. They are often late bloomers who peak after sustained effort.
The four padas
The four padas of Vishakha fall in Libra-Aries (1st pada, Mars navamsa, the most warrior-like), Libra-Taurus (2nd, Venus, more sensual), Libra-Gemini (3rd, Mercury, articulate and persuasive), and Scorpio-Cancer (4th, Moon, the most emotional and intense).
Career inclinations
Career inclinations: politics and public office (Indra is the king of gods), military leadership, sports at the championship level, large-scale entrepreneurship, judiciary, religious leadership, and any vocation where sustained ambition over long horizons is the deliverable. Many late-blooming achievers have Vishakha prominent.
Marriage compatibility
Marriage compatibility: Vishakha's gana is Rakshasa, yoni is tiger (same as Chitra), nadi is Adi, varna is Mlechha. Tiger-yoni mate is Chitra. Vishakha marriages tend to be ambitious in their own way: both partners often have strong careers and shared long-term goals.
Compatibility hints follow standard ashtakoot (yoni, gana, nadi, dina). For a full match score, use the kundali matching tool.
Health themes
Health themes: kidney issues (Libra portion), reproductive system (Scorpio portion), liver (Jupiter rulership), tendency to overwork to depletion, and pitta-related conditions. Vishakha natives often need to be reminded to rest.
Spiritual orientation
Spiritually, Vishakha teaches focused devotion. Lord Buddha is traditionally said to have been born under Vishakha. The teaching of the asterism is that the long campaign of awakening is a single-pointed effort sustained over many lives.
Classical sources
BPHS assigns Jupiter as Vishakha's dasha lord. Phaladeepika emphasises Vishakha's ambition and goal-achievement. Brihat Samhita lists Vishakha among the misra (mixed) nakshatras with both fierce and dharmic qualities.
The dasha lord Jupiter starts every Vishakha native's Vimshottari sequence. Read the Jupiter Mahadasha effects page for what this Mahadasha brings.
Frequently asked questions about Vishakha Nakshatra
What is the ruling planet of Vishakha Nakshatra?+
Jupiter rules Vishakha. The deities are Indra and Agni together (Indragni), the king of the gods and the fire-god.
What does Vishakha Nakshatra mean?+
Viśākhā means "two-branched" or "forked." The asterism is associated with goal achievement, victory after effort, and the choice-point that demands commitment.
Is Vishakha good for marriage?+
Vishakha marriages tend to involve ambitious partners with shared long-term goals. Tiger-yoni mate is Chitra. Both partners often have strong careers.
What career suits a Vishakha native?+
Politics and public office, military leadership, championship sports, large-scale entrepreneurship, judiciary, religious leadership, and any vocation where sustained ambition over long horizons is the deliverable.
When is Vishakha Mahadasha?+
Vishakha natives begin life with the Jupiter Mahadasha (the asterism's ruling planet). The Jupiter Mahadasha lasts 16 years.
Find your nakshatra
Free Lahiri-sidereal kundali shows your Moon nakshatra, pada, and Vimshottari dasha. No card needed.
Generate my chart