Rajju Porutham Basics
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Rajju Porutham Basics
Rajju Porutham is a traditional Nakshatra-based compatibility classification used in Vedic astrology. In this system, the Nakshatras are divided into five Rajju groups, each corresponding to a different part of the body: Pada (Foot), Uru (Thigh), Udara (Stomach), Kanda (Neck), and Shiro (Head).
The following classification provides the Nakshatra groups associated with each Rajju.
Rajju Nakshatra Classification
| Pada Rajju (Foot) | Uru Rajju (Thigh) | Udara Rajju (Stomach) | Kanda Rajju (Neck) | Shiro Rajju (Head) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Ashwini | 1. Bharani | 1. Krittika | 1. Rohini | 1. Mrigashirsha |
| 2. Ashlesha | 2. Pushya | 2. Punarvasu | 2. Ardra | 2. Chitra |
| 3. Magha | 3. Purva Phalguni | 3. Uttara Phalguni | 3. Hasta | 3. Dhanishta |
| 4. Jyeshtha | 4. Anuradha | 4. Vishakha | 4. Swati | |
| 5. Moola | 5. Purva Ashadha | 5. Uttara Ashadha | 5. Shravana | |
| 6. Revati | 6. Uttara Bhadrapada | 6. Purva Bhadrapada | 6. Shatabhisha |
The Five Rajju Groups
In the traditional classification, the 27 Nakshatras are arranged into five Rajju groups:
- Pada Rajju (Foot) - Ashwini, Ashlesha, Magha, Jyeshtha, Moola and Revati
- Uru Rajju (Thigh) - Bharani, Pushya, Purva Phalguni, Anuradha, Purva Ashadha and Uttara Bhadrapada
- Udara Rajju (Stomach) - Krittika, Punarvasu, Uttara Phalguni, Vishakha, Uttara Ashadha and Purva Bhadrapada
- Kanda Rajju (Neck) - Rohini, Ardra, Hasta, Swati, Shravana and Shatabhisha
- Shiro Rajju (Head) - Mrigashirsha, Chitra and Dhanishta
How to Identify the Rajju
To identify the Rajju associated with a Nakshatra, locate the Nakshatra in the table above. The corresponding column indicates its Rajju classification.
For example, Ashwini belongs to Pada Rajju (Foot), while Bharani belongs to Uru Rajju (Thigh). Krittika is classified under Udara Rajju (Stomach), while Rohini belongs to Kanda Rajju (Neck).
Mrigashirsha, Chitra, and Dhanishta are the only three Nakshatras in Shiro Rajju (Head). The other four groups have six Nakshatras each, making 27 in all.
Rajju Porutham
In traditional astrology, Rajju Porutham is considered as one of the factors in marriage compatibility analysis. The Rajju associated with the Janma Nakshatra of each individual is identified before applying the relevant traditional rules.
The classification above provides the basic reference for determining the Rajju of a Nakshatra.
How Rajju Porutham Is Judged
Within each Rajju (except Shiro), the Nakshatras are also divided into ascending (Aroha) and descending (Avaroha) stars:
- Ascending: Ashwini, Bharani, Krittika, Rohini, Magha, Purva Phalguni, Uttara Phalguni, Hasta, Moola, Purva Ashadha, Uttara Ashadha, Shravana
- Descending: Ardra, Punarvasu, Pushya, Ashlesha, Swati, Vishakha, Anuradha, Jyeshtha, Shatabhisha, Purva Bhadrapada, Uttara Bhadrapada, Revati
- No direction: Mrigashirsha, Chitra, Dhanishta (Shiro Rajju)
The usual rule, which is also how the Sithars Astrology match reports grade it, is:
| Bride's and groom's stars | Result |
|---|---|
| In different Rajjus | Rajju porutham present (Uthamam, good) |
| Same Rajju, one ascending and one descending | Partly present (Mathimam, middling) |
| Same Rajju and same direction, or both in Shiro Rajju | Rajju porutham absent |
Examples. Bride Rohini (Kanda) and groom Bharani (Uru): different Rajjus, so the porutham is present. Bride Ashwini and groom Revati: both Pada Rajju, but Ashwini is ascending and Revati descending, so it is middling. Bride Ashwini and groom Magha: both Pada Rajju and both ascending, so Rajju porutham is absent.
Rajju is traditionally weighed more heavily than most of the other poruthams, so families usually look at it first. Even so, it is one factor among many; astrologers also compare the two full horoscopes. Our guides to Vedhai porutham and the Yoni porutham chart cover two other important checks, and the guide to compatibility beyond porutham explains what to check in the charts themselves.
Nakshatras That Can Cause Arishtam (Afflictions)
The following tables are a separate traditional topic, not part of Rajju porutham. The traditional reference also contains a list of Nakshatras and their Padas (quarters) associated with traditional Arishtam or affliction considerations. The columns indicate the person to whom the Arishtam is traditionally associated.
| Nakshatra Name | Padas (Quarters) - To Whom Arishtam Occurs | Note | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Father | Mother | Child | Maternal Uncle | ||
| Pushya | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Jyeshtha 4th Pada causes affliction to the child's mother; Magha 1st, Hasta 1st, and Chitra 1st cause affliction to the father; also applies to others. |
| Magha | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | |
| Hasta | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | |
| Chitra | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | |
| Purva Ashadha | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | |
| Revati | 1 | 2 | |||
| Moola | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | |
| Uttara Phalguni | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | |
Additional Nakshatras and Padas
The following Nakshatras and Padas are additionally listed in the traditional reference in connection with Arishtam considerations.
| Nakshatra Name | Pada | Result of Birth | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Revati | 4 | Traditionally, a birth in any of these Padas is said to call for a shanti (remedial prayer) for the mother, father or child. The same text also says such a child can have royal yogas. | According to Jathaka Parijathakam |
| Ashwini | 1 | ||
| Ashlesha | 4 | ||
| Magha | 1 | ||
| Jyeshtha | 4 | ||
| Moola | 1 |
Understanding the Arishtam Tables
In the first Arishtam table, the numbers 1, 2, 3, and 4 correspond to the four Padas (quarters) of a Nakshatra. The columns indicate the person to whom the Arishtam is traditionally associated: Father, Mother, Child, and Maternal Uncle.
The additional table separately lists specific Nakshatra-Pada combinations and the traditional statement associated with them. The traditional reference attributes the stated result to Jathaka Parijathakam.
These statements represent traditional astrological interpretations and should be understood within the context of the source tradition. They are not statements of medical, scientific, or deterministic outcomes.
Rajju Porutham classifies Nakshatras into five Rajju groups: Pada (Foot), Uru (Thigh), Udara (Stomach), Kanda (Neck), and Shiro (Head). These classifications form the basic reference for applying traditional Rajju Porutham rules.
The associated Arishtam references provide additional traditional Nakshatra-Pada considerations concerning the father, mother, child, and maternal uncle. Such interpretations should be understood as part of the traditional astrological framework in which they originated.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is Rajju porutham?
Rajju porutham is one of the ten traditional star-matching checks for marriage. The 27 nakshatras are grouped into five Rajjus named after parts of the body (foot, thigh, stomach, neck and head), and the bride's and groom's stars are compared.
Is it bad if both stars are in the same Rajju?
Traditionally Rajju porutham is absent when both stars are in the same Rajju and the same direction (both ascending or both descending), or both in Shiro Rajju. If one is ascending and the other descending, it is treated as middling.
Which nakshatras are in Shiro Rajju?
Only three: Mrigashirsha, Chitra and Dhanishta. Each of the other four Rajjus has six nakshatras.
Can a marriage go ahead without Rajju porutham?
Families and astrologers differ. Many look at the whole horoscopes of both partners, the other poruthams and the balance of doshas before deciding, rather than rejecting a match on one factor alone.
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