Nakshatra Gana List: Deva, Manushya, and Rakshasa Gana and Gana Porutham

Nakshatra Gana or Nakshatra Ganam or Gana Porutham in Vedic Astrology for Kundli Milan or Horoscope Matchmaking

⚡ KEY INSIGHTS: Nakshatra Gana and Gana Porutham

Nakshatra Gana is the temperament a person takes from the nakshatra the Moon occupies at birth. Vedic astrology divides the 27 nakshatras into three Ganas of nine each: Deva (divine), Manushya (human) and Rakshasa (demonic). In Kundli Milan, Gana Milan, called Gana Porutham in South India, is one of the eight kootas and carries 6 of the 36 points, after Nadi (8) and Bhakoot (7). The same Gana is the best match, and the groom’s Gana carries the weight: a Deva groom can marry a Deva or Manushya bride, a Manushya groom a Deva or Manushya bride but not a Rakshasa bride, and a Rakshasa groom a Rakshasa or Manushya bride. A score of 0 creates Gana Dosha, which Nakshatra Shanti Puja can offset. Gana is only one factor, and the whole horoscope must be judged.

Key Terms Used in This Article

Term Meaning
Gaṇa Temperament group, set by the birth nakshatra
Deva Gaṇa The divine temperament: gentle, generous, traditional
Manuṣya Gaṇa The human temperament: mixed, religious, creative
Rākṣasa Gaṇa The demonic temperament: stubborn, intuitive, fearless
Aṣṭakūṭa The eight matching factors, worth 36 points in all
Gaṇa Porutham The South Indian name for Gana matching
Gaṇa Doṣa The flaw when Gana matching scores 0
Nakṣatra Śānti Pūjā A remedial ritual to offset Gana Dosha

Every individual born has a distinctive temperamental characteristic. In Hindu Astrology, Gana or Nakshatra Gana represents that temperamental trait. Each person’s Gana comes from the lunar mansion (nakṣatra) the Moon occupies at birth. Many astrologers consider Nakshatra Gana, especially during horoscope matchmaking or Kundli Milan. In southern India, Nakshatra Gana is known as Gana Porutham.

There are three types of Ganas: Deva (Gods), Manushya (Men), and Rakshasa (Demons), which correspond to Swarg Lok (Heaven), Prithvi or Mrityu Lok (Earth) and Patal Lok (Netherworld or Hell), respectively. As per Hindu scriptures, Swarg Lok is where the Gods live. As a result, the Devas are living in Swarg Lok. Prithvi or Mrityu Lok is where mortals (human beings) live. That is where we all (human beings) are inhabiting. Patal or Patal Lok is where Demons live.

Nakshatra Gana List for All 27 Nakshatras

The 27 nakshatras fall into three groups of nine. Find the nakshatra your Moon occupied at birth in the table below, and the column heading gives your Gana.

Deva GanaManushya GanaRakshasha Gana
AshwiniBharaniKrittika
MrigashiraRohiniAshlesha
PunarvasuArdraMagha
PushyaPoorvaphalguniChitra
SwatiUttaraphalguniVishakha
HastaPoorvashadhaJyestha
AnuradhaUttarashadhaMoola
ShravanaPoorvabhadrapadaDhanishta
RevatiUttarabhadrapadaShatabisha

Deva Gana Nakshatra List

Nine nakshatras belong to Deva Gana: Ashwini, Mrigashira, Punarvasu, Pushya, Hasta, Swati, Anuradha, Shravana, and Revati. If your Moon was in any of these at birth, you are born in Deva Gana.

Gana of Bharani, Rohini, Magha, and Dhanishta

  • Bharani: Manushya Gana, not Deva Gana.
  • Rohini: Manushya Gana.
  • Magha: Rakshasa Gana.
  • Dhanishta: Rakshasa Gana.

Significance of Nakshatra Gana Milan in Vedic Astrology

In Hindu Astrology for Horoscope Matchmaking Compatibility or Kundli Milan, Gana Milan (Matching of Nakshatra Ganas) is one of the eight significant attributes (ashtakoot). It is crucial because out of 36 points, Gana Milan or Gana Porutham has 6 points. It is the third most important factor after Bhakoot Milan and Nadi Milan. Bhakoot and Nadi Milan get 7 and 8 points, respectively. In Vedic Astrology, there are remedial measures to balance Bhakoot Dosha and Nadi Dosha. Hindu astrology divides the 27 nakshatras into three equal groups of nine, one for each Gana: Deva, Manushya, and Rakshasa. The table at the top of this article lists them.

What are the characteristics of Gana in Hindu or Vedic astrology?

Deva Gana

If a person is born in a nakshatra that signifies Deva Gana, their nature or personality would be soft, kind-hearted, and generous with a good temperament. They would be someone who would never speak ill of others. Hatred and jealousy is something they would never reflect in their behaviour as their motto is to love and care about everyone. They would be more inclined toward following traditional values and having firm faith in their culture. Such people always love to appreciate anyone with good qualities and moral values. They also try and avoid ugly situations such as unnecessary disputes and quarrels.

Manushya Gana

If someone is born in a nakshatra that signifies Manushya Gana, they will have a more human nature or personality as this gana gives mixed qualities. Sometimes these people may show a kinder side of their personality, and sometimes they may act cruelly. However, by and large, they are religious and creative. They also reflect an inclination to challenge orthodox traditions and customs of their society. They always appreciate kindness and generally have a good temperament. But as nothing is for granted, they can also adopt unorthodox means to get things done in their favour.

Rakshasa Gana

A person born in a nakshatra that signifies Rakshasa Gana will have a nature or personality that resembles the dark side of human behaviour. Stubbornness and going against the customs of their society can be reflected in such individuals behaviour. Such people tend to get into nasty arguments, pick fights over petty issues, and get angry very often. Their behaviour reflects the trait of an egoistic attitude. They are also self-centric rather than showing concern about others or people around them. In addition to this, people born with Rakshasa Gana possess highly intuitive powers. They are never afraid of the situation and can make good friends/partners. They always stand as strong support besides those who are close to them.

Important note: Given above are general traits of people born with different Nakshatra Ganas, and it does not necessarily mean that they are good or bad as a person. Hindu or Vedic Astrology is a vast ocean of knowledge. Therefore, just looking merely at the Gana Porutham or Nakshatra Gana qualities cannot do justice to any individual. Hence, it is always important to look for the horoscope(s) in its entirety, where PACE (Position, Aspect, Conjunction and Exchange) of planets plays a large and significant role.

Gana Matching for Marriage

Many astrologers reject a match outright when the bride and groom belong to different Ganas. That is too hasty. Gana is one of eight factors in Kundli Milan, and a sound judgement weighs both charts in full. If you have questions about Gana compatibility, speak to an experienced astrologer near you, or book a 15 minute phone consultation with AstroShala. You can also order a horoscope matchmaking report.

Knowing about Gana Porutham or Gana compatibility can help anyone understand the mutual love and respect between a couple. However, this is only one of the many parameters one should look for while matching horoscopes. During horoscope matchmaking or Kundli Milan, if a couple scores 0 points, it causes Gana Dosha. Traditionally, astrologers recommend a Nakshatra Shanti Puja for Gana Dosha. Treat it as a traditional remedy, not a guaranteed result; the full matching of both charts still decides the outcome.

For horoscope matchmaking or mutual compatibility analysis, Hindu or Vedic astrology states:

A union of bride and groom will be perfect if they both have the same ganas. That is because it signifies that their personality or nature is similar. As a result, they will have a cordial relationship (only in terms of gana compatibility).

Kundli Milan Gana Compatibility

In Gana matching, the groom’s Gana carries the weight.

  • A groom born with Deva Gana can marry a bride of Deva Gana or Manushya Gana
  • A groom born with Manushya Gana can marry a bride of Deva Gana or Manushya Gana, but not a bride of Rakshasa Gana
  • A groom born with Rakshasa Gana can marry a bride of Rakshasa Gana or Manushya Gana
Gana Matching Score Table
Bridegroom →
Bride ↓
DevaManushyaRakshasha
Deva651
Manushya660
Rakshasha006

Author

  • Astrologer Ekant Sharma
    Founder, Chief Editor & Astrology Consultant

    I began studying Vedic astrology in 2001 and have spent more than two decades deepening my understanding of this ancient discipline. After years of dedicated learning, I began offering professional consultations over a decade ago and founded this platform to make authentic astrological knowledge more accessible. Through my articles and consultations, I help people gain clarity on career, relationships, finances, and life's major transitions using traditional astrological principles. Explore my latest articles or book a personal consultation for personalised guidance based on your birth chart.

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