Hasta Nakshatra हस्त

Symbol and meaning of Hasta

Hasta is symbolised by hand / palm. The open hand symbolises skill, craft, healing and the power to grasp what is sought. This symbol captures the essence of the nakshatra and shapes the temperament of those born under it.

Presiding deity: Savitr (Sun)

Its deity Savitr (a form of the Sun), the divine inspirer, blesses skilled work and manifestation. Invoking Savitr (Sun) is central to the rituals and remedies associated with Hasta.

Ruling planet: Moon

Ruled by the Moon, it is dexterous, clever and service-minded. The dasha (planetary period) of Moon tends to activate the themes of Hasta most strongly in a person's life.

Gana, nadi and yoni

Hasta belongs to the Deva gana — the divine, gentle temperament — with the Vata (Aadi) nadi and the Buffalo yoni (animal symbol). These three classifications are used in Vedic compatibility matching (guna milan): gana measures temperament, nadi relates to health and progeny, and yoni to instinctive compatibility.

Personality and traits

People strongly influenced by Hasta are traditionally described as people described as skilful, witty, hardworking and helpful, with a gift for handcraft and healing. As with all nakshatras, the exact expression depends on the pada, the rashi and the wider birth chart.

Career and profession

Hasta is traditionally associated with success in crafts, healing, trade, astrology, therapy and skilled labour. The drive of Moon combined with the qualities of Savitr (Sun) points toward these vocations, though a full chart reading refines the picture.

Strengths and challenges

Strengths: dexterity, cleverness, service and practicality. Challenges: anxiety, over-criticism and restlessness. Awareness of both helps a person work with the energy of Hasta rather than against it, leaning on its gifts while consciously managing its weaker tendencies.

Marriage compatibility (yoni) of Hasta

In Vedic matchmaking (guna milan), Hasta carries the Buffalo yoni — the animal symbol used to gauge instinctive and physical compatibility between partners (the yoni koota). Same or friendly yonis score well, while the Buffalo is traditionally most at odds with the Horse yoni, so such a match is examined more carefully. Yoni is only one of the eight kootas; the full guna milan also weighs gana (temperament), nadi (health), varna and more, and a strong overall score matters more than any single factor.

The four padas of Hasta

Each nakshatra is divided into four padas (quarters) of 3°20′, and each pada falls in a different navamsa (D9) sign that subtly shades its nature and, in namkaran, gives the child's naming syllable. Use the birth nakshatra calculator to find the exact pada from a birth date, time and place.

Favourable activities

When the Moon is in Hasta, the day is traditionally considered favourable for skilled handwork, crafts and healing. Combine the nakshatra with a good choghadiya and an auspicious tithi, avoiding Rahu Kaal, when choosing a muhurat.

Gemstone, mantra & remedies for Hasta

Because Hasta is ruled by Moon, its remedies work chiefly through that planet. Traditional supportive practices include worship of Savitr/Surya and Hanuman; Moon remedies such as offering milk and charity of white items.

Gemstones (jyotish ratna) are traditionally worn only after consulting a qualified astrologer — a wrong or over-strong stone can be counter-productive. Chanting the beej mantra and worshipping the deity are safe for everyone.

Using Hasta in the panchang

The Moon spends roughly one day in Hasta. The nakshatra prevailing at sunrise is the one shown in each city's daily panchang and used for muhurat. Because it tracks the Moon, the ruling nakshatra changes daily and slightly by location. See all 27 nakshatras, learn about tithis and the weekdays, or read the complete panchang guide.