Nakshatra pada (quarter)
A pada is one quarter of a nakshatra, a 3°20′ slice of the zodiac. The 27 nakshatras hold 108 padas; each matches one Navamsa sign and carries a traditional syllable used when naming a baby.
Also known as: Charan, Charana, Paadam, Nakshatra charan, Star quarter
Every nakshatra spans 13°20′, so splitting it into four gives padas of 3°20′ each. Each zodiac sign holds exactly nine padas, making 108 in all. The Moon’s pada at birth is written alongside the nakshatra, as in ‘Rohini, pada 2’, and the same is done for the ascendant and every planet. The daily Panchang lists the Moon’s pada too, with the time each one ends.
Each pada corresponds to one sign of the Navamsa (D-9) chart. The sequence starts with Aries for Ashwini’s first pada and runs through the signs in order, so every three nakshatras complete the twelve signs once. That is why knowing a planet’s pada tells you its Navamsa sign at a glance.
Each pada also carries a syllable (akshar): Ashwini’s four give Chu, Che, Cho and La. Traditionally this sound begins the ‘nakshatra name’ used in rituals. Many people believe the everyday name must start with it too; in practice families treat it as a guide, or keep the nakshatra name just for ceremonies.