Overview
Shatabhisha is the twenty-fourth nakshatra, occupying 6°40′ to 20° of Aquarius. Its name means “the hundred physicians” or “requiring a hundred healers,” and its symbol of an empty circle represents the void, cosmic mystery, and the boundary between known and unknown. Ruled by Rahu and presided over by Varuna, the god of cosmic waters and celestial law, Shatabhisha combines Rahu’s unconventional brilliance with Varuna’s cosmic authority. This nakshatra produces individuals who are deeply private, intellectually gifted, and drawn to healing, research, and the exploration of hidden truths. They operate best in solitude, where their penetrating minds can probe the mysteries of existence without distraction. As a Rakshasa (demon) gana nakshatra, Shatabhisha carries an intensity that manifests through fierce independence, secretive behavior, and a refusal to conform to social expectations.
Key Attributes
| Number | 24 |
| Span | 6°40′–20° Aquarius |
| Ruling Planet | Rahu |
| Deity | Varuna (God of Cosmic Waters) |
| Symbol | Circle |
| Gana | Rakshasa (Demon) |
| Element | Ether |
Personality Traits
- Intellectually gifted — Shatabhisha natives possess penetrating analytical minds capable of understanding complex systems, from medicine to technology.
- Healing abilities — True to the nakshatra's name, they have a natural affinity for medicine, alternative healing, and therapeutic practices.
- Fiercely private — They guard their personal lives zealously and prefer working independently rather than in teams or groups.
- Isolated and eccentric — Their extreme independence can lead to loneliness. They may become reclusive or develop unusual habits that alienate others.
Career & Relationships
Shatabhisha natives thrive in medicine, pharmaceutical research, astronomy, technology, and electrical engineering. Their affinity for hidden knowledge suits careers in nuclear science, radiology, and alternative healing modalities like Reiki and acupuncture.
In relationships, Shatabhisha natives are devoted but emotionally guarded partners. Building trust takes time, and they may prefer unconventional relationship structures. They need partners who respect their need for solitude and can gently encourage emotional openness.
Discover if Shatabhisha is your birth Nakshatra
Calculate Your Nakshatra →How Shatabhisha fits in the 27-Nakshatra system
The 27 Nakshatras are the lunar mansions of Vedic astrology — 13°20′ sectors of the zodiac that the Moon traverses in roughly one day each. Together they form the foundation of the Vimshottari Dasha timing system, the eight-fold Ashtakoot Guna Milan for marriage compatibility, and the choice of auspicious moments (Muhurta).
Shatabhisha is Nakshatra 24 of 27 in the sequential order. The rich interpretive layer above is grounded in classical sources like the Brihat Parashara Hora Shastra and Varahamihira's Brihat Samhita, refined by modern Jyotishis through over a millennium of practical observation. To work with your own Nakshatra rather than this generic guide, generate your birth chart using the calculator linked below.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does it mean to be born under Shatabhisha Nakshatra?
Being born under Shatabhisha Nakshatra means the Moon was placed in this specific 13°20′ sector of the zodiac at the moment of your birth. Your Janma Nakshatra shapes your emotional temperament, the rhythm of your dasha periods (the entire Vimshottari Dasha sequence is keyed to it), and many of the foundational tendencies a Vedic astrologer reads from your chart. The traits, career affinities, and relationship patterns described above are the classical signatures associated with Shatabhisha natives.
How does Shatabhisha Nakshatra affect marriage compatibility?
In Kundli matching (Guna Milan), Shatabhisha Nakshatra is one of the eight koota inputs — Yoni, Gana, Nadi, and Tara are all derived from it. Compatibility depends not only on which Nakshatra you and your partner are born under but also on the relationship between the two: same-Nadi pairings (the heaviest koota, worth 8 points) score zero, while complementary Yoni-pair animals score full points. For a complete view, run both birth details through the Kundli matching tool linked below.
What is the Mahadasha sequence triggered by Shatabhisha Nakshatra?
Each Nakshatra has a ruling planet, and that planet's Mahadasha is the FIRST major planetary period a person born under that Nakshatra will run from birth (called the balance of the birth Mahadasha). The full 120-year Vimshottari Dasha cycle then follows in the standard order: Ketu, Venus, Sun, Moon, Mars, Rahu, Jupiter, Saturn, Mercury. Knowing your birth Nakshatra is therefore the unlock for predicting the timing of every major life event in classical Vedic astrology.
Are the traits of Shatabhisha Nakshatra absolute, or modified by the rest of the chart?
Heavily modified. The Nakshatra describes a strong baseline, but the full birth chart — Lagna (ascendant), planetary placements across the 12 houses, divisional charts (especially D9 Navamsha), and the strength of each planet (Shadbala) — refines and sometimes reverses these defaults. A Vedic astrologer reads Shatabhisha as a starting hypothesis, then adjusts based on aspects, conjunctions, and dasha-based timing. For an integrated reading rather than just the Nakshatra signature, consult a verified astrologer.
