Rohini Nakshatra — Meaning, Deity, Traits & Padas

Rohiṇī means 'the red one' or 'the growing one', from ruh, 'to grow', and rohita, 'red'. It refers to the reddish star Aldebaran and to fertility, growth and abundance.

About Rohini

Rohini is the fourth nakshatra, spanning Vrishabha 10°00′ to 23°20′ entirely within Taurus, the sign in which the Moon is exalted. Its principal star is Aldebaran (Alpha Tauri), a red giant, together with the V-shaped Hyades cluster. The Moon is its Vimshottari lord, which makes Rohini one of the most favoured nakshatras for the Moon's placement in a horoscope.

Rohini is a dhruva (fixed) nakshatra, considered excellent for undertakings meant to last: laying foundations, planting trees, house-warming, marriage and coronations. Krishna is traditionally said to have been born when the Moon was in Rohini, which is why Krishna Janmashtami is linked with the combination of Ashtami tithi and Rohini nakshatra. The Rohini Shakata Bheda, the Moon or a planet crossing south of Rohini's 'cart', was considered an ominous sign in classical texts.

Traditional characteristics

Rohini natives are described as attractive, truthful, sweet-spoken, steady in mind and fond of comfort, beauty and the good things of life. They are said to have a strong aesthetic sense and an affinity with agriculture, food, fashion and the arts. Possessiveness and stubbornness are mentioned as weaknesses. Rohini is traditionally considered one of the most fertile and prosperous nakshatras.

These descriptions reflect traditional beliefs recorded in Jyotisha literature. Astrologers read the birth nakshatra together with the whole horoscope, and these attributes are not scientific findings.

Deity and mythology

The deity is Brahma (Prajapati), the creator. A well-known myth tells that the Moon, married to the 27 daughters of Daksha, favoured Rohini above the others. When the neglected sisters complained, Daksha cursed the Moon to waste away; the curse was softened so that the Moon waxes and wanes, explaining the lunar phases. Rohini also appears as the mother of Balarama in the Bhagavata Purana.

The four padas of Rohini

Each pada spans 3°20′ and corresponds to one navamsa (D9) sign. Rohini holds padas 13 to 16 of the 108 in the zodiac.

1. Pada 1: Mesha (Aries) navamsa — Vrishabha 10°00′ – 13°20′; navamsa lord Mars, emphasising initiative, courage and a pioneering, self-starting drive. Name syllable: O.
2. Pada 2: Vrishabha (Taurus) navamsa — Vrishabha 13°20′ – 16°40′; navamsa lord Venus, emphasising steadiness, comfort, material security and an eye for beauty. Name syllable: Va. This pada is vargottama (rashi and navamsa coincide), traditionally considered a strengthening placement.
3. Pada 3: Mithuna (Gemini) navamsa — Vrishabha 16°40′ – 20°00′; navamsa lord Mercury, emphasising curiosity, communication, adaptability and quick learning. Name syllable: Vi.
4. Pada 4: Karka (Cancer) navamsa — Vrishabha 20°00′ – 23°20′; navamsa lord the Moon, emphasising nurturing, emotional sensitivity and attachment to home and family. Name syllable: Vu.