Bharani is the 2nd of the 27 nakshatras, the lunar mansions of Indian astronomy. It spans 13°20′ Mesha to 26°40′ Mesha of the sidereal zodiac. Its name means "the bearer", its presiding deity is Yama, the first mortal, ruler of the dead and of dharma, and its planetary lord in the Vimśottarī system is Venus.

The span is calculated with the Lahiri ayanamsa. The name, deity, lord and junction star are traditional and cited below; they describe a cultural system, not a measured influence.

Nakshatra 2 of 27 · Mesha (Aries)

Bharani भरणी

The bearer

Presided over by Yama, the first mortal, ruler of the dead and of dharma, and ruled by Venus.

At a glance

TRADITION
Position
2nd of 27
Sidereal span
13°20′ Mesha – 26°40′ Mesha
Sign
Mesha (Aries)
Planetary lord
Venus
Presiding deity
Yama
Junction star
41 Arietis

When the Moon is next in Bharani

Times in UTC · Lahiri ayanamsa · to the nearest minute

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The four padas

Each pada is a quarter of 3°20′. The 108 padas of the zodiac cycle through the twelve signs in order, giving each pada its navamsa (D9) sign.

Pada 1

13°20′ Mesha – 16°40′ Mesha

Navamsa: Simha

Pada 2

16°40′ Mesha – 20°00′ Mesha

Navamsa: Kanya

Pada 3

20°00′ Mesha – 23°20′ Mesha

Navamsa: Tula

Pada 4

23°20′ Mesha – 26°40′ Mesha

Navamsa: Vrischika

The other Venus mansions

The nine lords repeat three times around the zodiac, so each lord rules three mansions, 120° apart.

Sources

  • Taittirīya Saṃhitā 4.4.10 — the Vedic list of nakshatras with their presiding deities. Keith, A. B. (Trans.). (1914). The Veda of the Black Yajus School entitled Taittiriya Sanhita (Part 2). Harvard University Press. Read the translation
  • Sūrya Siddhānta, chapter 8 — the asterisms and their junction stars. Burgess, E. (Trans.). (1858–1860). Translation of the Sûrya-Siddhânta, a text-book of Hindu astronomy. Journal of the American Oriental Society, 6. Read the translation
  • Bṛhat Parāśara Horā Śāstra, Vimśottarī daśā chapter — the nine planetary lords in nakshatra order. Santhanam, R. (Trans.). (1984). Brihat Parasara Hora Sastra (Vol. 2). Ranjan Publications.

Junction-star identifications differ between texts and commentators. English meanings are approximate renderings of the Sanskrit name.