People born in Ashwini nakshatra

Ashwini, the first nakshatra, is traditionally the star of beginnings, quick help and healing, watched over by the twin physicians of the gods.

The story in the sky

The story goes that the Sun's wife, Sanjna (Saranyu), once went away to rest in the form of a mare, and the Sun followed her as a horse. Their twin sons were the Ashwini Kumaras, who became the physicians of the gods. In a much-loved tale they made the aged sage Chyavana young again for his devoted wife Sukanya, and in gratitude he won the twins their place among the gods at the sacrifice. Tradition hears that story in the people of this star: first to arrive when someone is unwell, quick to mend what is broken, and happiest when they are on the move.

What the name holds

Ashwini means 'she who has horses', and its symbol is a horse's head, the sign of speed and of the twins who come riding to help. Tradition gives each quarter (pada) of the nakshatra its own syllable for beginning a child's name, and the quarter the Moon stood in at birth chooses it: चू (chu), चे (che), चो (cho) or ला (la).

Nature

People born with the Moon in Ashwini are said to be quick, bright and eager to begin. Its ruling planet is Ketu, which lends a simple, unfussy manner and little patience for show.

Strengths

They are helpful by instinct, often the first to arrive when someone needs a hand, and many have a healing touch, whether in medicine or in nursing someone unwell at home. They learn fast, act without delay and bring an honest, youthful energy to whatever they take up. Their courage in starting something new often gets a stalled family matter moving again.

In family and marriage

In the family they are lively and protective, and they keep the house moving. They are open-hearted and say what they feel rather than letting it simmer. Their quickness can turn into impatience, so a slower pace at home is something they may need to grow into gently; long, drawn-out discussions test them more than hard work does.

The partner who suits them

A partner who enjoys an active life and gives them room to start new things tends to suit them well, especially one whose steadiness and patience balance their speed. Respect for their independence, and warmth shown simply rather than through ceremony, mean a great deal to them. In return they offer loyalty, energy and a readiness to help that does not wait to be asked.

In kundali matching

Ashwini is Deva gana and Adi nadi, and its yoni animal is the horse. In a match these are set against the partner's nakshatra: a partner who is also Adi nadi brings Nadi dosha; a partner of Rakshasa gana brings Gana dosha; and Yoni compares the two animals. Other features of the two kundalis can cancel a dosha, so no nakshatra makes a match good or bad on its own. How kundali matching works explains the whole reading.

Ashwini is one of the six Gand Mool nakshatras, which sit at the three knots (gand) where a rashi and a nakshatra end together. By the common reckoning only the pada at the knot counts - for Ashwini, its first pada - though some families count the whole nakshatra, so the family pandit decides from the exact birth time. Tradition holds that a birth at the knot can bring difficulties for the child's family, the parents most of all. It belongs to the birth rather than to matching, and does not enter the 36 gunas.

Related guides

• How kundali matching worksWhere the gunas and Manglik come from, and how to read the result
• How many gunas should match?The 18-guna mark, what a total means, and the four answers the Gun Milan app gives
• Manglik doshaWhat being Manglik means, and which pairings suit
• Nadi doshaHealth and children: the heaviest koota, and when its dosha is cancelled
• The 27 nakshatrasThe nature and story of the people of each birth star, and the partner they suit
• The 12 rashisWhat the people of each Moon sign are like, at home and in marriage