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Shatabhisha Nakshatra in Vedic Astrology: Meaning, Personality, Pada, Compatibility

Shatabhisha ("the hundred healers") is the 24th of the 27 nakshatras, ruled by Rahu, presided over by Varuna, spanning 6°40 – 20°00 Aquarius.

Updated 10 May 2026 8 min read 1,500 words

Shatabhisha at a glance

Shatabhisha ("the hundred healers") is the 24th nakshatra of the 27-fold lunar zodiac in Vedic astrology. It spans 6°40 – 20°00 Aquarius of the sidereal zodiac.

The presiding deity is Varuna. The classical symbol is the empty circle, 100 stars. The planetary lord — both for Vimshottari Dasha purposes and for general signification — is Rahu.

Classification:

  • **Gana:** Rakshasa — rakshasa; intense, transformative temperament
  • **Nadi:** Vata — Ayurvedic constitution; air/space dominant — quick, mobile, dry
  • **Guna:** Tamas — stability, depth, inertia
  • **Sign coverage:** Aquarius

Personality if your Moon is in Shatabhisha

Vedic astrology gives the natal Moon-nakshatra (janma nakshatra) the most personal weight in nakshatra reading. People with the Moon in Shatabhisha carry the imprint of Varuna as a deity-influence on the inner life.

Inner experience: the tamas guna and vata nadi together produce a deep, slow, transformative mind that processes through layers.

Outer presentation: the rakshasa gana shapes how others read the native — as intense, magnetic, sometimes guarded — capable of breakthroughs others cannot reach.

Rahu's position in the natal chart is the modulator. A strong, well-aspected Rahu amplifies Shatabhisha's gifts; a weak Rahu distorts them through its own difficulties.

Strengths

Shatabhisha natives reliably bring:

  • the Varuna-themed strength (the deity's archetypal medicine)
  • Rahu-themed expression — illusion runs cleanly when Rahu is well-placed
  • tamas-guna mental work — sustained depth as a default capacity
  • pada-specific gifts (see below) — each of the 4 padas of Shatabhisha adds a distinct flavour mapped to a navamsa sub-sign

Challenges

Common pain points:

  • intensity that others find demanding; periodic withdrawal needed to recover
  • Vata-nadi imbalance — health concerns when this dosha is aggravated by lifestyle (cold, dry, irregular conditions)
  • Rahu-related setbacks during the Rahu mahadasha if the natal Rahu is afflicted
  • pada-specific shadows — see the four-pada breakdown below

The four padas of Shatabhisha

Each nakshatra is divided into 4 padas (quarters) of 3°20 each. The padas of Shatabhisha are mapped to specific navamsa sub-signs:

  • **Pada 1** — first 3°20 of Shatabhisha. Naming syllable: Go.
  • **Pada 2** — second 3°20 of Shatabhisha. Naming syllable: Sa.
  • **Pada 3** — third 3°20 of Shatabhisha. Naming syllable: Si.
  • **Pada 4** — fourth 3°20 of Shatabhisha. Naming syllable: Su.

Pada determines the navamsa (D9) sign of any planet placed within Shatabhisha — and through that, the planet's deeper karmic dignity. Jyothish AI labels the pada for every natal planet automatically.

Career and dharma

Shatabhisha is associated with vocations carrying the Varuna-archetype: the archetypal vocation indicated by the deity.

Beyond the deity layer, Rahu-themed careers (technology, foreign trade, politics) suit Shatabhisha natives, especially when the natal Rahu is in a friendly or own-sign placement.

Compatibility and marriage timing

Shatabhisha matches well with nakshatras of compatible gana, yoni, and nadi. The classical Ashtakoot Guna Milan checks all of these. As a quick reference:

  • **Gana match.** Rakshasa-Rakshasa pairs score full points; mixed pairs need cancellation rules
  • **Nadi match.** Shatabhisha is Vata-nadi. Avoid same-nadi marriage unless the rare cancellation rules apply (same Moon sign or specific pada-nakshatra alignment).
  • **Yoni.** Nakshatra-specific animal yoni; check Jyothish AI compatibility tab for the exact scoring

Marriage timing is most reliable when transit Jupiter activates the 7th from natal Moon and the running daśā cycles a benefic that aspects the 7th lord.

Remedies for Shatabhisha-related concerns

If life events suggest Shatabhisha's themes are unsettled (during Rahu daśā for example), the classical remedies are:

**Worship.** Varuna as the primary deity-anchor

**Mantra.** Rahu beej mantra (Om Raam) on Saturday

**Charity.** Mustard seeds, Black blanket, and Coconut to flowing water on Saturday

**Lifestyle.** warm, oily, regular meals; oil massage; predictable routine

Frequently asked questions

What does Shatabhisha nakshatra mean?

Shatabhisha translates to "the hundred healers". Symbol: empty circle, 100 stars. Presiding deity: Varuna. Planetary lord: Rahu. Spans 6°40 – 20°00 Aquarius.

Which planet rules Shatabhisha?

Rahu rules Shatabhisha. This ruling — used in Vimshottari Dasha — means natives born when the Moon was in Shatabhisha begin their dasha sequence with Rahu mahadasha (length: 18 years).

Is Shatabhisha a good nakshatra?

Vedic astrology does not rank nakshatras as "good" or "bad" in isolation. Shatabhisha's gifts are clearest when the natal Rahu is well-placed and the Moon is unafflicted. Every nakshatra has produced extraordinary lives and difficult ones; chart context decides the result.

What is the gana of Shatabhisha?

Rakshasa gana — rakshasa, intense, transformative. Used in Ashtakoot Guna Milan compatibility scoring.

What is the nadi of Shatabhisha?

Vata nadi (air-space-dominant Ayurvedic constitution). Avoid marrying same-nadi partners unless classical cancellation rules apply.

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