What Nakshatra Pada Means
Nakshatra Pada (नक्षत्र पाद) means "quarter of a Nakshatra" each of the 27 Nakshatras divides into 4 Padas of 3°20' each, totaling 108 Padas across the 360-degree zodiac. Each Pada corresponds to a Navamsha sign and carries unique qualities. A planet or the Moon in a specific Pada expresses the Nakshatra's energy through that Navamsha sign's lens. Pada is also the basis for first syllables of traditional Vedic names.
Padas and Name Syllables (Ashwini Example)
| Pada | Degrees | Navamsha | Name Syllable |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1st Pada | 0°–3°20' Aries | Aries | Chu |
| 2nd Pada | 3°20'–6°40' Aries | Taurus | Che |
| 3rd Pada | 6°40'–10° Aries | Gemini | Cho |
| 4th Pada | 10°–13°20' Aries | Cancer | La |
Using Pada in Practice
Your Moon's Pada determines the first syllable of your traditional Vedic name many families still follow this practice. It also specifies which Navamsha sign the Moon occupies, affecting the Navamsha chart reading. The Vargottama status depends on Pada: a planet in the 1st Pada of a movable sign, 5th Pada of a fixed sign, or 9th Pada of a dual sign is Vargottama. Gandanta occurs at the junctions between water and fire Nakshatras at specific Pada boundaries.