Ashwini lunar mansion: intervals, Padas and starting period

Lunar mansion positions and ranges

Ashwini is the 1st mansion, spanning 0°00′ to 13°20′ 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

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

Mansion ruler Ketu and the first major period

Vimshottari uses the natal Moon's lunar mansion to determine the starting planetary ruler. With the Moon in Ashwini, the sequence begins with Ketu's major period, whose full duration is 7 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 6°40′, half remains, corresponding to 3.5 dasha years. Actual Gregorian dates are then calculated using the birth time and the chosen year length.

The Moon, mansion lord and natal conditions

Ketu is the descending node, opposite Rahu. It often concerns detachment, discernment and dissatisfaction with established experience; specific themes depend on its life area, sign ruler and the chart as a whole.

The natal Moon’s house, condition and influences describe personal feelings and life circumstances; the natal position and responsibilities of the mansion lord Ketu 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.