The span of life of a person is determined from the pādas (Aṁśas) of the nakshatra at the time of the birth or query and the years allotted to the 9 signs (rāśis) commencing from it. Some learneds are of the view that the person will enjoy full span of life if his birth be at the commencement of the pādas; he will have middle span of life (madhya) if the birth be in the middle of the pādas; and short span of life (alpa) or will face death-like sufferings if the birth be at the end of the pāda of the nakshatra.