In simple words
Think of the sky as a clock face. Vedic astrology uses three hands on that clock:
- Rashis are the 12 signs, like Western signs but measured from the stars, so yours may be one sign earlier.
- Nakshatras are 27 smaller star groups. The one your Moon was in describes your inner nature in detail.
- Dashas are long life chapters, each ruled by one planet. They show the theme of the years you are living now.
Your own rashi, nakshatra and dasha are on your chart page in Vedic mode.
The 12 rashis
The 27 nakshatras
1 Ashvini2 Bharani3 Krittika4 Rohini5 Mrigashira6 Ardra7 Punarvasu8 Pushya9 Ashlesha10 Magha11 Purva Phalguni12 Uttara Phalguni13 Hasta14 Chitra15 Swati16 Vishakha17 Anuradha18 Jyeshtha19 Mula20 Purva Ashadha21 Uttara Ashadha22 Shravana23 Dhanishta24 Shatabhisha25 Purva Bhadrapada26 Uttara Bhadrapada27 Revati