The hand — skill, craft and the power to grasp and create.
| Ruling planet (dasha lord) | Moon |
| Presiding deity | Savitar (the radiant Sun, inspirer) |
| Symbol | Hand / open palm |
| Gana (temperament) | Deva |
| Naming syllables (pada 1–4) | Pu, Sha, Na, Tha |
| Position in zodiac | Nakshatra 13 of 27 |
Hasta means 'the hand'. Ruled by Savitar, the inspiring solar deity, it embodies skill, dexterity and the power to bring things into being through one's own hands. Tradition associates Hasta with craftsmanship, cleverness, healing touch, practical intelligence, wit and the ability to seize opportunity and shape it into something useful.
If a child is born under Hasta nakshatra, tradition suggests a name beginning with one of these syllables, chosen by the Moon's pada (quarter) at birth: Pu, Sha, Na, Tha — one syllable for each of the four padas.