Nakshatras and Sattva, Rajas & Tamas

Nakshatras and Gunas

 

In this article I plan to explain the concept of Nakshatra from the point of view of gunas,

In the Mahabharata-Aswamedha Parva-Sections XXXVI to XXXIX we get the clear explanations of the Gunas.

“Brahma (Prajapati) said, “Darkness, Passion and Goodness – these are called the three qualities.”

Even though this article is not to explain the 3 qualities, which can be read from my previous blogs, yet it is essential to have a basic understanding of the same to have it related to Nakshatras. I would advise readers to go through any good translation of the Mahabharata chapter given above,

Darkness is TAMAS.

Passion is RAJAS

Goodness is SATWA

Of the 3 gunas Tamas is the lowest followed by Rajas and Satwa. Tamas keeps us in a state of ignorance, laziness, inaction, delusion and darkness. Rajas is action to get the desires fulfilled. It is the passion that drives one into action, often not getting the expected results which leads to further action. Satwa is happiness and enjoyment irrespective of the results of our action. Satwa is knowledge, wisdom and the calm and quiet of the mind.

Each and every one of us has a varying combination of the three gunas. At any point of time one particular guna may be predominant which is subject to change. Chapter XIV of Bhagavad Gita also we find a clear explanation of the three gunas.

Now coming to the topic of discussion, since we, human beings are a mixture of the 3 Gunas, it must have a definite relationship with the planets, rasis and Nakshatras. Let us take up what is in store with regard to Nakshatras.

Each Nakshatra has a certain guna which you will find in any basic characteristics of the Nakshatra table. For example Ashwini Nakshatra is Rajas, Bharani is Tamas and Krittika is Satwa. If you deeply look into the Guna table of Nakshatras you will find that these 3 qualities viz. Rajas, Tamas and Satwa repeat in the same order after every three Nakshatras.

Let us find out all the Nakshatras that have Rajas guna:

Ashwini, Rohini, Punarvasu, Magha, Hasta, Vishaka, Moola, Shravana, Purvabhadrapada making a total of 9 Nakshatras.

These Nakshatras coincide with the signs Aries, Taurus, Gemini, Cancer, Leo, Virgo, Libra, Sagittarius, Capricorn and Aquarius.

Note also the nature of the signs – Fiery (Aries), Earthy (Taurus), Airy (Gemini), Watery (Cancer), Fiery (Leo), Earthy (Virgo), Airy (Libra), Fiery (Sagittarius), Earthy (Capricorn) and Airy (Aquarius).

Similarly you can list out the Nakshatras which have Tamas and Satwa Guna and their coincidence with the signs. I leave it for the readers to prepare the same.

The three levels of Nakshatra

First Level:

1. Let us divide the 27 Nakshatras into 3 groups, each group having 9 Nakshatras. The first 9 Nakshatras from Ashwini to Aslesha will be the first group. Incidentally these 9 Nakshatras fall within the first four signs namely, Aries, Taurus, Gemini and Cancer-being the first Fiery, Earthy, Airy and watery signs.
2. When you take the next 9 Nakshatras from Magha to Jyeshta, they will fall in the signs starting from Leo and ending in Scorpio-which will be the second Fiery, Earthy, Airy and watery signs.
3. The last 9 Nakshatras viz., Moola to Revathi will be falling in the signs Sagittarius to Pisces-the last Fiery, Earthy, Airy and watery signs.

Rajas is the most active of the gunas, has motion and stimulation as its characteristics. Then next one is Tamas which is characterized by heaviness and resistance producing disturbances in the process of perception. Finally Satwa comes which is characterized by lightness, consciousness, pleasure and clarity.

Hence we will have this order throughout this article – Rajas, Tamas and Satwa,

Applying this rule to the above the three divisions of 9 Nakshatras each, the first group is of Rajas quality, the second group is of Tamas and the third group is of Satwa quality.

Readers at this stage will get a doubt – Why such specific qualities are to be attributed and is there any basis for this? Correct thinking. We have already seen that each human being is a mixture of all the 3 qualities and hence each Nakshatra also must have all the 3 qualities. Since the original order given by rishis is Rajas, Tamas and Satwa we will also stick to the same principle. All the divisions which we are going to make for each Nakshatra will have the order Rajas-Tamas-Satwa.

We have just seen one quality of the Nakshatra and the other two qualities are also to be fixed for each Nakshatra. So let us proceed to the next level.

SECOND LEVEL:

Now let us take the first group of 9 Nakshatras – viz. from Ashwini to Aslesha. We have already fixed one guna for this group which is Rajas. Now to fix the next guna for each of these Nakshatras, let us divide these 9 Nakshatras into 3 groups of 3 Nakshatras. So this group will be:

 

Ashwini	Rohini	Punarvasu
Bharani	Mrigasirsha	Pushya
Krittika	Ardra	Aslesha

Applying the same rule of fixing the gunas as before the first 3 groups forming the Nakshatras – Ashwini, Bharani and Krittika will have Rajas quality and the next three Nakshatras Rohini, Mrigasirsha and Ardra will have Tamas quality and the last group of Nakshatras Punarvasu, Pushya and Aslesha will have Satwik qualities.

THIRD LEVEL:

This is the original Guna which you will find in any Nakshatra characteristics table which has been explained in the beginning. That is to say that the Rajas, Tamas and Satwa gunas repeat for every 3 Nakshatras starting from Rajas for Ashwini.

The gunas at the three levels:

What we have seen here is a rather complicated system in which a Nakshatra represents certain gunas at certain levels.

I will explain, at the cost of repetition, the various levels for 3 Nakshatras. Readers are advised to compute the same for the rest of the Nakshatras to get a hold on the principle.

Ashwini Nakshatra:

I Level is – Rajas

II Level is – Rajas

III Level is – Rajas

Hence for Ashwini we write Rajas-Rajas-Raja or in short RRR

The first level will be Rajas up to Aslesha Nakshatra and the 2^nd level will be Rajas up to Krittika. But the third level will change for each Nakshatra.

Bharani Nakshatra:

I Level is Rajas

II Level is Rajas

III Level is Tamas

Hence for Bharani we write Rajas-Rajas-Tamas (RRT)

Similarly for Krittika it will be Rajas-Rajas-Satwik.

The second level change happens at Rohini Nakshatra

Rohini Nakshatra:

I Level is Rajas

II Level is Tamas

III Level is Rajas

For Mrigasirsha it will be Rajas-Tamas-Tamas (RTT)

I have constructed a complete table for all the Nakshatra Padas which is appended here: (Abbreviations have been used for Rasi and Rasi lords: Ar-Aries, Ta-Taurus, Ge-Gemini, Cn-Cancer, Le-Leo, Vi-Virgo, Li-Libra, Sc-Scorpio, Sg-Sagittarius, Cp-Capricorn, Aq-Aquarius, Pi-Pisces;

Su-Sun, Mo-Moon, Ma– Mars, Me-Mercury, Ju-Jupiter, Ve-Venus, Sa-Saturn, Ra-Rahu, Ke-Ketu, As.-Lagna)

							GUNAS
				Navamsa			I level	II level	III level
			Pada	Pada	Pada		Rajas	Tamas	Satwa
Nakshatra	Degree	Rasi	No	Rasi	Lord
Ashwini	00.00 - 03.20	Ar	1	Ar	Ma		Rajas	Rajas	Rajas
Ashvini	03.20 - 06.40	Ar	2	Ta	Ve		Rajas	Rajas	Rajas
Ashwini	06.40 - 10.00	Ar	3	Ge	Me		Rajas	Rajas	Rajas
Ashwini	10.00 - 13.20	Ar	4	Cn	Mo		Rajas	Rajas	Rajas
Bharani	13.20 - 16.40	Ar	1	Le	Su		Rajas	Rajas	Tamas
Bharani	16.40 - 20.00	Ar	2	Vi	Me		Rajas	Rajas	Tamas
Bharani	20.00 - 23.20	Ar	3	Li	Ve		Rajas	Rajas	Tamas
Bharani	23.20 - 26.40	Ar	4	Sc	Ma		Rajas	Rajas	Tamas
Krittika	26.40 - 30.00	Ar	1	Sg	Ju		Rajas	Rajas	Satwa
Krittika	00.00 - 03.20	Ta	2	Cp	Sa		Rajas	Rajas	Satwa
Krittika	03.20 - 06.40	Ta	3	Aq	Sa		Rajas	Rajas	Satwa
Krittika	06.40 - 10.00	Ta	4	Pi	Ju		Rajas	Rajas	Satwa
Rohini	10.00 - 13.20	Ta	1	Ar	Ma		Rajas	Tamas	Rajas
Rohini	13.20 - 16.40	Ta	2	Ta	Ve		Rajas	Tamas	Rajas
Rohini	16.40 - 20.00	Ta	3	Ge	Me		Rajas	Tamas	Rajas
Rohini	20.00 - 23.20	Ta	4	Cn	Mo		Rajas	Tamas	Rajas
Mrigasirsha	23.20 - 26.40	Ta	1	Le	Su		Rajas	Tamas	Tamas
Mrigasirsha	26.40 - 30.00	Ta	2	Vi	Me		Rajas	Tamas	Tamas
Mrigasirsha	00.00 - 03.20	Ge	3	Li	Ve		Rajas	Tamas	Tamas
Mrigasirsha	03.20 - 06.40	Ge	4	Sc	Me		Rajas	Tamas	Tamas
Ardra	06.40 - 10.00	Ge	1	Sg	Ju		Rajas	Tamas	Satwa
Ardra	10.00 - 13.20	Ge	2	Cp	Sa		Rajas	Tamas	Satwa
Ardra	13.20 - 16.40	Ge	3	Aq	Sa		Rajas	Tamas	Satwa
Ardra	16.40 - 20.00	Ge	4	Pi	Ju		Rajas	Tamas	Satwa
Punarvasu	20.00 - 23.20	Ge	1	Ar	Ma		Rajas	Satwa	Rajas
Punarvasu	23.20 - 26.40	Ge	2	Ta	Ve		Rajas	Satwa	Rajas
Punarvasu	26.40 - 30.00	Ge	3	Ge	Me		Rajas	Satwa	Rajas
Punarvasu	00.00 - 03.20	Cn	4	Cn	Mo		Rajas	Satwa	Rajas
Pushya	03.20 - 06.40	Cn	1	Le	Su		Rajas	Satwa	Tamas
Pushya	06.40 - 10.00	Cn	2	Vi	Me		Rajas	Satwa	Tamas
Pushya	10.00 - 13.20	Cn	3	Li	Ve		Rajas	Satwa	Tamas
Pushya	13.20 - 16.40	Cn	4	Sc	Ma		Rajas	Satwa	Tamas
Aslesha	16.40 - 20.00	Cn	1	Sg	Ju		Rajas	Satwa	Sattva
Aslesha	20.00 - 23.20	Cn	2	Cp	Sa		Rajas	Satwa	Sattva
Aslesha	23.20 - 26.40	Cn	3	Aq	Sa		Rajas	Satwa	Satwa
Aslesha	26.40 - 30.00	Cn	4	Pi	Ju		Rajas	Satwa	Satwa
Magha	00.00 - 03.20	Le	1	Ar	Ma		Tamas	Rajas	Rajas
Magha	03.20 - 06.40	Le	2	Ta	Ve		Tamas	Rajas	Rajas
Magha	06.40 - 10.00	Le	3	Ge	Me		Tamas	Rajas	Rajas
Magha	10.00 - 13.20	Le	4	Cn	Mo		Tamas	Rajas	Rajas
P.Phalugni	13.20 - 16.40	Le	1	Le	Su		Tamas	Rajas	Tamas
P.Phalugni	16.40 - 20.00	Le	2	Vi	Me		Tamas	Rajas	Tamas
P.Phalugni	20.00 - 23.20	Le	3	Li	Ve		Tamas	Rajas	Tamas
P.Phalugni	23.20 - 26.40	Le	4	Sc	Ma		Tamas	Rajas	Tamas
U.Phalguni	26.40 - 30.00	Le	1	Sg	Ju		Tamas	Rajas	Satwa
U.Phalguni	00.00 - 03.20	Vi	2	Cp	Sa		Tamas	Rajas	Satwa
U.Phalguni	03.20 - 06.40	Vi	3	Aq	Sa		Tamas	Rajas	Satwa
U.Phalguni	06.40 - 10.00	Vi	4	Pi	Ju		Tamas	Rajas	Satwa
Hasta	10.00 - 13.20	Vi	1	Ar	Ma		Tamas	Tamas	Rajas
Hasta	13.20 - 16.40	Vi	2	Ta	Ve		Tamas	Tamas	Rajas
Hasta	16.40 - 20.00	Vi	3	Ge	Me		Tamas	Tamas	Rajas
Hasta	20.00 - 23.20	Vi	4	Cn	Mo		Tamas	Tamas	Rajas
Chitra	23.20 - 26.40	Vi	1	Le	Su		Tamas	Tamas	Tamas
Chitra	26.40 - 30.00	Vi	2	Vi	Me		Tamas	Tamas	Tamas
Chitra	00.00 - 03.20	Li	3	Li	Ve		Tamas	Tamas	Tamas
Chitra	03.20 - 06.40	Li	4	Sc	Ma		Tamas	Tamas	Tamas
Swati	06.40 - 10.00	Li	1	Sg	Ju		Tamas	Tamas	Satwa
Swati	10.00 - 13.20	Li	2	Cp	Sa		Tamas	Tamas	Satwa
Swati	13.20 - 16.40	Li	3	Aq	Sa		Tamas	Tamas	Satwa
Swati	16.40 - 20.00	Li	4	Pi	Ju		Tamas	Tamas	Satwa
Vishaka	20.00 - 23.20	Li	1	Ar	Ma		Tamas	Satwa	Rajas
Vishaka	23.20 - 26.40	Li	2	Ta	Ve		Tamas	Satwa	Rajas
Vishaka	26.40 - 30.00	Li	3	Ge	Me		Tamas	Satwa	Rajas
Vishaka	00.00 - 03.20	Sc	4	Cn	Mo		Tamas	Satwa	Rajas
Anuradha	03.20 - 06.40	Sc	1	Le	Su		Tamas	Satwa	Tamas
Anuradha	06.40 - 10.00	Sc	2	Vi	Me		Tamas	Satwa	Tamas
Anuradha	10.00 - 13.20	Sc	3	Li	Ve		Tamas	Satwa	Tamas
Anuradha	13.20 - 16.40	Sc	4	Sc	Ma		Tamas	Sattva	Tamas
Jyeshta	16.40 - 20.00	Sc	1	Sg	Ju		Tamas	Satwa	Satwa
Jyeshta	20.00 - 23.20	Sc	2	Cp	Sa		Tamas	Satwa	Satwa
Jyeshta	23.20 - 26.40	Sc	3	Aq	Sa		Tamas	Satwa	Satwa
Jyeshta	26.40 - 30.00	Sc	4	Pi	Ju		Tamas	Satwa	Satwa
Mula	00.00 - 03.20	Sg	1	Ar	Ma		Satwa	Rajas	Rajas
Mula	03.20 - 06.40	Sg	2	Ta	Ve		Satwa	Rajas	Rajas
Mula	06.40 - 10.00	Sg	3	Ge	Me		Satwa	Rajas	Rajas
Mula	10.00 - 13.20	Sg	4	Cn	Mo		Satwa	Rajas	Rajas
Purvashada	13.20 - 16.40	Sg	1	Le	Su		Satwa	Rajas	Tamas
Purvashada	16.40 - 20.00	Sg	2	Vi	Me		Satwa	Rajas	Tamas
Purvashada	20.00 - 23.20	Sg	3	Li	Ve		Satwa	Rajas	Tamas
Purvashada	23.20 - 26.40	Sg	4	Sc	Ma		Satwa	Rajas	Tamas
Uthirashada	26.40 - 30.00	Sg	1	Sg	Ju		Satwa	Rajas	Satwa
Uthirashada	00.00 - 03.20	Cp	2	Cp	Sa		Satwa	Rajas	Satwa
Uthirashada	03.20 - 06.40	Cp	3	Aq	Sa		Satwa	Rajas	Satwa
Uthirashada	06.40 - 10.00	Cp	4	Pi	Ju		Satwa	Rajas	Satwa
Sharavana	10.00 - 13.20	Cp	1	Ar	Ma		Satwa	Tamas	Rajas
Sharavana	13.20 - 16.40	Cp	2	Ta	Ve		Satwa	Tamas	Rajas
Sharavana	16.40 - 20.00	Cp	3	Ge	Me		Satwa	Tamas	Rajas
Sharavana	20.00 - 23.20	Cp	4	Cn	Mo		Satwa	Tamas	Rajas
Dhanishta	23.20 - 26.40	Cp	1	Le	Su		Satwa	Tamas	Tamas
Dhanishta	26.40 - 30.00	Cp	2	Vi	Me		Satwa	Tamas	Tamas
Dhanishta	00.00 - 03.20	Aq	3	Li	Ve		Satwa	Tamas	Tamas
Dhanishta	03.20 - 06.40	Aq	4	Sc	Ma		Satwa	Tamas	Tamas
Satabishak	06.40 - 10.00	Aq	1	Sg	Ju		Satwa	Tamas	Satwa
Satabishak	10.00 - 13.20	Aq	2	Cp	Sa		Satwa	Tamas	Satwa
Satabishak	13.20 - 16.40	Aq	3	Aq	Sa		Satwa	Tamas	Satwa
Satabishak	16.40 - 20.00	Aq	4	Pi	Ju		Satwa	Tamas	Satwa
P.Bhadrapada	20.00 - 23.20	Aq	1	Ar	Ma		Satwa	Satwa	Rajas
P.Bhadrapada	23.20 - 26.40	Aq	2	Ta	Ve		Satwa	Satwa	Rajas
P.Bhadrapada	26.40 - 30.00	Aq	3	Ge	Me		Satwa	Satwa	Rajas
P.Bhadrapada	00.00 - 03.20	Pi	4	Cn	Mo		Satwa	Satwa	Rajas
U.Bhadrapada	03.20 - 06.40	Pi	1	Le	Su		Satwa	Satwa	Tamas
U.Bhadrapada	06.40 - 10.00	Pi	2	Vi	Me		Satwa	Satwa	Tamas
U.Bhadrapada	10.00 - 13.20	Pi	3	Li	Ve		Satwa	Satwa	Tamas
U.Bhadrapada	13.20 - 16.40	Pi	4	Sc	Ma		Satwa	Satwa	Tamas
Revati	16.40 - 20.00	Pi	1	Sg	Ju		Satwa	Satwa	Satwa
Revati	20.00 - 23.20	Pi	2	Cp	Sa		Satwa	Satwa	Satwa
Revati	23.20 - 26.40	Pi	3	Aq	Sa		Satwa	Satwa	Satwa
Revati	26.40 - 30.00	Pi	4	Pi	Ju		Satwa	Satwa	Satwa

I give below the Guna Table summary also:

Guna Table-Summary
No	Nakshatra	I level	II level	III level
1	Ashvini	Rajas	Rajas	Rajas
2	Bharani	Rajas	Rajas	Tamas
3	Krittika	Rajas	Rajas	Satwa
4	Rohini	Rajas	Tamas	Rajas
5	Mrigasirsha	Rajas	Tamas	Tamas
6	Ardra	Rajas	Tamas	Satwa
7	Punarvasu	Rajas	Satwa	Rajas
8	Pushya	Rajas	Satwa	Tamas
9	Aslesha	Rajas	Satwa	Satwa
10	Magha	Tamas	Rajas	Rajas
11	P.Phalugni	Tamas	Rajas	Tamas
12	U.Phalguni	Tamas	Rajas	Satwa
13	Hasta	Tamas	Tamas	Rajas
14	Chitra	Tamas	Tamas	Tamas
15	Swati	Tamas	Tamas	Satwa
16	Vishaka	Tamas	Satwa	Rajas
17	Anuradha	Tamas	Satwa	Tamas
18	Jyeshta	Tamas	Satwa	Satwa
19	Mula	Satwa	Rajas	Rajas
20	Purvashada	Satwa	Rajas	Tamas
21	Uthirashada	Satwa	Rajas	Satwa
22	Sharavana	Satwa	Tamas	Rajas
23	Dhanishta	Satwa	Tamas	Tamas
24	Satabishak	Satwa	Tamas	Satwa
25	P.Bhadrapada	Satwa	Satwa	Rajas
26	U.Bhadrapada	Satwa	Satwa	Tamas
27	Revati	Satwa	Satwa	Satwa

What is the use of this rather arduous and complicated system? We know already that any individual has all the three qualities within him. The qualities are also subject to changes. To know which gunas are predominant in a chart you can use this table. You look at the Nakshatra in which the Lagna and the grahas are placed. Look at the gunas of these Nakshatras. Assign one point for each guna. For example if Lagna is in Ashwini Nakshatra which has Rajas-Rajas-Rajas quality then the count is Rajas = 3. Like that you have to compute for all the planets taking the Nakshatra in which they are placed.

Let me explain it with an Example:

One important point readers to remember - this system is helpful, in evaluating the guna of a person, but to really evaluate a chart we should always look at the chart as a whole and not just at the gunas the planets and the ascendant are in.

Let us take an Example:-

Chart 01:

Planets	Nakshatra	Gunas	Rajas	Tamas	Satwa
Lagna	Anuradha	TST		2	1
Sun	Anuradha	TST		2	1
Moon	Arudra	RTS	1	1	1
Mars	Ashwini	RRR	3
Mercury	Anuradha	TST		2	1
Jupiter	Dhanishta	STT		2	1
Venus	Anuradha	TST		2	1
Saturn	Anuradha	TST		2	1
Rahu	Arudra	RTS	1	1	1
Ketu	PShada	SRT	1	1	1

Total: Rajas – 6;    Tamas – 15;     Satwa – 9. Hence Tamas is the most important character of the chart followed by Satwa and Rajas.

Chart 02: 

 

Planets	Nakshatra	Gunas	Rajas	Tamas	Satwa
Lagna	Ushada	SRS	1		2
Sun	Punarvasu	RSR	2		1
Moon	Dhanishta	STT		2	1
Mars	Chitra	TTT		3
Mercury	Ardra	RTS	1	1	1
Jupiter	Visakha	TSR	1	1	1
Venus	PPhalguni	TRT	1	2
Saturn	Satabhishak	STS		1	2
Rahu	UShada	SRS	1		2
Ketu	Punarvasu	RSR	2		1

Total: Rajas – 9;    Tamas – 10;     Satwa – 11 Hence Satwa is the most important character of the chart followed by Tamas and Rajas.

As mentioned earlier for evaluating the full characteristics of a person, analyse the horoscope as a whole and consider the above system also and then come to a conclusion.

Nakshatra Lords and gunas:

We all know that each Nakshatra has a planet as its Lord. In fact it is the lord of the Nakshatra in which Moon is placed at birth decides the first Dasa in the life of the person under Vimsottari Dasa.

Let us try to examine the Nakshatra Lords and the gunas of Nakshatras. Let us find out whether any relationship exists.

You can find the Lords of each Nakshatra by referring to any Nakshatra table characteristics. However, for immediate reference I am giving below the Nakshatra Lords:

1.    Ketu – Ashwini, Magha, Moola

2.    Venus – Bharani, PPhalguni, PShada

3.    Sun – Krittika, UPhalguni, UShada

4.    Moon – Rohini, Hasta, Shravana

5.    Mars – Mrigasirsha, Chitra, Dhanishta

6.    Rahu – Ardra, Swati, Satabhishak

7.    Jupiter – Punarvasu, Visakha, PBhadrapada

8.    Saturn – Pushya, Anuradha, UBhadrapada

9.    Mercury – Aslesha, Jyeshta, Ravti

Let us first examine the basic guna as available in any of the Nakshatra Characteristics table which is the same as the 3^rd level characteristic explained above.

Rajas quality Nakshatras at the 3^rd level or basic quality -

1.    Ashwini, Magha, Mula (Lord is Ketu)

2.    Rohini, Hasta, Shravana (Lord is Moon)

3.    Punarvasu, Visakha, PBhadrapada (Lord is Jupiter)

Tamas quality Nakshatras at the 3^rd level or basic quality -

1.    Bharani, PPhalguni, PShada (Lord is Venus)

2.    Mrigasirsha, Chitra, Dhansihta (Lord is Mars)

3.    Pushya, Anuradha, UBhadrapada (Lord is Saturn)

Satwa quality Nakshatras at the 3^rd level or basic quality -

1.    Krittika, UPhalguni, UShada (Lord is Sun)

2.    Ardra, Swati, Satabhishak (Lord is Rahu)

3.    Aslesha, Jyeshta, Revati (Lord is Mercury

Before arriving at any conclusion, let us examine the secondary level gunas also:

1.    Ashwini, Magha, Mula (Lord is Ketu)

2.    Bharani, PPHalguni, PShada (Lord is Venus)

3.    Krittika, UPhalguni, UShada (Lord is Sun)

Have Rajas guna at the second level.

1.    Rahini, Hasta, Sravana (Lord is Moon)

2.    Mrigasirsha, Chitra, Dhanishta (lord is Mars)

3.    Ardra, Swati, Satabhishak (Lord is Rahu)

Have Tamas guna at the second level.

1.    Punarvasu, Visakha, PBhadrapada (Lord is Rahu)

2.    Pushya, Anuradha, UBhadrapada (Lord is Satrun)

3.    Aslesha, Jyeshta, Revati (Lord is Mercury)

Have Satwa guna at the second level

Let us tabulate the above two findings taking the second level first and the third level as the second:

Planet	2nd Level	3rd Level
Ketu	Rajas	Rajas
Venus	Rajas	Tamas
Sun	Rajas	Satwa
Moon	Tamas	Rajas
Mars	Tamas	Tamas
Rahu	Tamas	Satwa
Jupiter	Satwa	Rajas
Saturn	Satwa	Tamas
Mercury	Satwa	Satwa

What does this table denote? Can we draw some conclusion out of this?

I will give my view points below. Readers and learned scholars can contribute more on this.

Sun is a fiery planet (Rajas). But it represents the soul and hence Satwa characteristics.

Venus is for love, lust and passion (Rajas). In order to attain these we go deeper into material life (Tamas)

Jupiter too is a fiery planet (Rajas), but again has Satwa characteristics because he is Guru and rules wisdom.

Saturn is a spiritual planet, because it is the planet of Sannyas (renouncing the world). Nevertheless, as we all know Saturn represents material things and hence Tamas.

Rahu has the same energies as Saturn only in a different order. It brings us deep into material life (Tamas). However, it only is doing this so we are able to outlive everything that this earth has to offer and then liberate ourselves (Satwa).

It may come as a surprise to some people that Mercury turns out to be the most spiritual planet. However, one thing that distinguishes us from animals is our capacity to think and evaluate ourselves. Mercury as an airy planet can liberate us from this earth. It is not a planet of materiality (Tamas) and neither does it like hard work and action (Rajas). It thinks about Tamas and Rajas instead of going into it.

After these examples, it will probably not be too hard to meditate about the character of Ketu, Mars and the Moon.

CONCLUSION

In this article I have mentioned the connection of the gunas to the Nakshatras and hence the Nakshatra Lords. I am well aware that there are other systems, which give information about the gunas and the planets.