Glossary
Pada: meaning in astrology
A pada is a quarter of a nakshatra, 3 degrees 20 minutes wide. With 27 nakshatras of four padas each, there are 108 padas in the zodiac. Each pada corresponds to one navamsa sign, which is how Vedic astrologers link a birth nakshatra to the D9 chart.
In some families the pada of the birth Moon is used to suggest the first syllable of a child's name.
Where does "Pada" come up on this site?
34 guides use the term. The ones that use it most:
- Ashlesha nakshatra: the serpents, Mercury and padas
- Krittika nakshatra: Agni, the Sun and two signs
- Nakshatra list: all 27 lunar mansions, lords and deities
- Punarvasu nakshatra: Aditi, Jupiter and return
- Uttara Ashadha nakshatra: Viśve Devas and the Sun
- Purva Bhadrapada nakshatra: Aja Ekapād and Jupiter
- Revati nakshatra: Pūṣan, Mercury and the last step
- Uttara Phalguni nakshatra: Aryaman and the Sun
How we calculate
Is astrology a guarantee of what will happen?
No. These calculations locate celestial bodies; astrology is a reflection and timing tradition, not evidence of guaranteed health, financial or relationship outcomes.
How are these results calculated?
Positions come from Astronomy Engine, an open-source astronomy library, and are checked against Swiss Ephemeris in our methodology tests. Western readings use the tropical zodiac; Vedic readings subtract the Lahiri ayanamsa. Terms are defined in the glossary.
Next: compare your birth chart, see today's sky, or make a private vision board.