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.