Ardra lunar mansion: intervals, Padas and starting period

Lunar mansion positions and ranges

Ardra is the 6th mansion, spanning 66°40′ to 80°00′ in Dhruva equatorial degrees. Each mansion spans 13°20′. The starting point belongs to this mansion; reaching the endpoint enters the next.

Here, Dhruva degrees use planetary right ascension and the Galactic Center as references. Signs and divisional charts use tropical ecliptic longitude. Use the corresponding values when consulting tables.

Four Padas

Ardra is divided into four Padas of 3°20′ each. The table below lists their corresponding Dhruva equatorial intervals.

Mansion ruler Rahu and the first major period

Vimshottari uses the natal Moon's lunar mansion to determine the starting planetary ruler. With the Moon in Ardra, the sequence begins with Rahu's major period, whose full duration is 18 years. The balance remaining at birth depends on the proportion of the mansion the Moon has already traversed.

For example, when the Moon is at this mansion’s midpoint of 73°20′, half remains, corresponding to 9 dasha years. Actual Gregorian dates are then calculated using the birth time and the chosen year length.

The Moon, mansion lord and natal conditions

Rahu is the ascending intersection of the Moon's orbit with the ecliptic. Readings consider its sign ruler, house and relevant connections to explore the unfamiliar territory being entered.

The natal Moon’s house, condition and influences describe personal feelings and life circumstances; the natal position and responsibilities of the mansion lord Rahu add to the themes of the first major period.

When the Moon is near a boundary, differences in birth time and lunar mansion coordinates have a greater effect on the fraction elapsed within the mansion, and may even change the starting dasha lord. When comparing timelines, also check the initial balance and year-length setting.