Swati Nakshatra
Swati is the fifteenth of the 27 nakshatras and spans 6°40′–20°00′ Tula (Libra) in the sidereal zodiac. Its planetary lord is Rahu, so when the Moon is here at birth the Vimshottari dasha sequence opens with Rahu, a period of 18 years in full. It is presided over by Vayu and symbolised by a young shoot swaying in the wind, and its four padas carry the naming syllables Ru, Re, Ro, Ta.
Reference data for Swati Nakshatra
- Sanskrit name
- स्वाति
- Position
- 15 of 27
- Sidereal span
- 6°40′–20°00′ Tula (Libra)
- Rashi
- Tula (Libra)
- Planetary lord (Vimshottari)
- Rahu — 18-year dasha
- Presiding deity
- Vayu
- Symbol
- A young shoot swaying in the wind
- Gana
- Deva
- Yoni
- Buffalo (male)
- Nadi
- Antya (Kapha)
- Muhurta class
- Chara (movable)
- Name syllables
- Ru, Re, Ro, Ta
The four padas
| Pada | Span | Navamsha | Syllable |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 6°40′–10°00′ Tula (Libra) | Dhanu (Sagittarius) | Ru (रू) |
| 2 | 10°00′–13°20′ Tula (Libra) | Makara (Capricorn) | Re (रे) |
| 3 | 13°20′–16°40′ Tula (Libra) | Kumbha (Aquarius) | Ro (रो) |
| 4 | 16°40′–20°00′ Tula (Libra) | Meena (Pisces) | Ta (ता) |
Spans follow the standard 27-fold sidereal division (13°20′ per nakshatra, 3°20′ per pada). Lords follow the Vimshottari sequence; gana, yoni, nadi and name syllables follow the common Avakahada table. Regional Panchangs sometimes differ on symbols and syllable spellings.
Deity, symbol and meaning of Swati
Swati, ‘the independent one’, is the star Arcturus, and its deity is Vayu, the wind. Its symbol is a young shoot swaying in the breeze — flexible, yet hard to uproot. Tradition reads Swati through independence, adaptability, diplomacy, trade and movement; it is closely associated with merchants and with finding balance by bending rather than breaking.
Swati in a birth chart
When the Moon occupies Swati at birth, this is your Janma Nakshatra — the birth star used for naming, for the Vimshottari dasha sequence and for Kundli matching. Swati is ruled by Rahu and lies in Tula (Libra), so a reading weighs Rahu together with the sign lord (Venus). If the Ascendant or another planet sits in Swati it takes on the same symbolism, but the result depends on that planet’s own strength, house and aspects: a nakshatra refines a placement, it does not override it.
Muhurta: what Swati is traditionally chosen for
In muhurta texts this is a chara (movable) nakshatra, suited to travel, buying vehicles and anything meant to move or change. It is on the traditional wedding list and a favourite for business openings. A full muhurta still checks tithi, weekday, local sunrise and the individual chart, so the nakshatra alone never decides a date.
Gana, yoni and nadi in Kundli matching
Swati belongs to the Deva gana, its yoni (animal) is the buffalo (male) and its nadi is Antya (Kapha). In Ashtakoot Guna Milan these feed Gana Koota (6 points), Yoni Koota (4 points) and Nadi Koota (8 points) — together 18 of the 36 points. They compare the two partners’ birth stars, so none of them describes a person on its own, and a low score in one koota is weighed against the whole chart rather than read as a verdict.
What this means in your chart
A general description of Swati cannot tell you which planet sits there in your chart, which house it rules or which dasha is running. Generate your free Kundli to see where Swati falls for you, then ask the AI astrologer about that specific placement rather than treating this page as a personal prediction.
Frequently asked questions
Who is the lord of Swati nakshatra?+
Swati is ruled by Rahu in the Vimshottari system. If your Moon is in Swati, your dasha sequence begins with Rahu, whose full period is 18 years; the balance remaining at birth depends on how far the Moon had travelled through the nakshatra.
What are the name letters for Swati nakshatra?+
The four padas carry the syllables Ru, Re, Ro, Ta, one per pada in that order. The pada is fixed by the Moon’s exact degree at birth, so the birth time decides which syllable applies; many families treat all four as available.
Which rashi is Swati nakshatra in?+
Swati spans 6°40′–20°00′ Tula (Libra). All four padas lie in the same sign, so a Moon anywhere in it gives the same Moon sign.
Is Swati a good or bad nakshatra?+
No nakshatra is good or bad in itself. Muhurta texts class Swati as a chara (movable) nakshatra, which describes the kind of activity it traditionally suits, not the worth of a person born under it. How it plays out depends on the planet placed there, its house and the running dasha.
Related pages
General reference only; the AI astrologer reads your calculated chart before answering.
Ask about Swati in my chartAstrology guidance is for spiritual reflection and self-awareness only. It should not be treated as guaranteed future prediction.