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== परिचयः ॥ Introduction ==

== परिचयः ॥ Introduction ==

Nakshatra is in general, a star.<ref name=":1" /> In the Aitareya brahmana, the apparent path by which the planets, the Moon and the Sun move in the sky on the background of the stars is called a 'Royal Path'. The ancient seers divided this path into 27 divisions called nakshatras because it was observed that the moon came back to the same position in the zodiac once in about 27 days.<ref name=":2">Prabhakar Vyankatesh Holay, Vedic Astronomy, Nagpur: Shri Babasaheb Apte Smarak Samitee, [https://archive.org/details/VedangaJyotisha/page/n27/mode/2up Nakshatras (p.17)].</ref><ref name=":0">K.V.Sarma (1985), [https://archive.org/details/in.ernet.dli.2015.206186/page/n15/mode/2up Vedanga Jyotisa of Lagadha], New Delhi: Indian National Science Academy.</ref> Therefore, here, nakshatra refers to an asterism in the moon's path or lunar mansion.<ref name=":1" /> And each day was marked by the asterism or asterismal group (nakshatra) near which the moon was seen, resulting in calling the asterism as the day's nakshatra, from which the 27 asterismal segments of the zodiac came into use.<ref name=":0" />

Nakshatra is in general, a star.<ref name=":1" /> In the Aitareya brahmana, the apparent path by which the grahas (ग्रहाः | planets), the Moon and the Sun move in the sky on the background of the stars is called a 'Royal Path'. The ancient seers divided this path into 27 divisions called nakshatras because it was observed that the moon came back to the same position in the zodiac once in about 27 days.<ref name=":2">Prabhakar Vyankatesh Holay, Vedic Astronomy, Nagpur: Shri Babasaheb Apte Smarak Samitee, [https://archive.org/details/VedangaJyotisha/page/n27/mode/2up Nakshatras (p.17)].</ref><ref name=":0">K.V.Sarma (1985), [https://archive.org/details/in.ernet.dli.2015.206186/page/n15/mode/2up Vedanga Jyotisa of Lagadha], New Delhi: Indian National Science Academy.</ref> Therefore, here, nakshatra refers to an asterism in the moon's path or lunar mansion.<ref name=":1" /> And each day was marked by the asterism or asterismal group (nakshatra) near which the moon was seen, resulting in calling the asterism as the day's nakshatra, from which the 27 asterismal segments of the zodiac came into use.<ref name=":0" />

The meaning of the number 27 is easily explained when it is remembered that a periodic month occupies something between 27 and 28 days, more nearly the former number. Such a month as consisting of 27 days, 12 months making a year of 324 days, a Nakṣatra year, or with an intercalary month, a year of 351 days is recognized in the Latyayana Shrauta Sutras and Nidana Sutras.<blockquote>स षट्त्रिंशदूनो नाक्षत्रः सप्तविंशिनो हि मासाः ॥४॥ (Laty. Shra. Sutr. 4.8.4)<ref name=":4">Ananda Chandra Vedantavagisa (1872), Srautasutra of Latyayana with the commentary of Agniswami, Munshiram Manoharlal Publishers Pvt. Ltd., [https://archive.org/details/in.ernet.dli.2015.284148/page/n451/mode/2up 4th Prapathaka, 8th Kandika.]</ref></blockquote><blockquote>''sa ṣaṭtriṁśadūno nākṣatraḥ saptaviṁśino hi māsāḥ ॥4॥'' </blockquote>Commenting upon this Latyayana sutra, Shri Anandaswami says,<blockquote>स एवं क्रियमाणः संवत्सरः सावनात् संवत्सरात् षट् त्रिंशताहोभिः ऊनो भवति नाक्षत्रः नक्षत्रसम्मितः सप्तविंशिनो मासा भवन्ति तत्र सप्तविंशतिर्नक्षत्राणीति ॥४॥(Laty. Shra. Sutr. 4.8.4)<ref name=":4" /></blockquote><blockquote>''sa evaṁ kriyamāṇaḥ saṁvatsaraḥ sāvanāt saṁvatsarāt ṣaṭ triṁśatāhobhiḥ ūno bhavati nākṣatraḥ nakṣatrasammitaḥ saptaviṁśino māsā bhavanti tatra saptaviṁśatirnakṣatrāṇīti ॥4॥''</blockquote>The Nidana sutra (Prapathaka 5) describes the one-year yajna of the Sun and the one year yajna of the constellation. And while discussing the period for performing each constellation, it mentions that there are 27 constellations.<blockquote>तेषां नक्षत्रः प्रथमः, तस्य सप्तविंशिनो मासाः, सप्तविंशतिर्नक्षत्राणीति |<ref>K. N. Bhatnagar (1971), [https://archive.org/details/in.ernet.dli.2015.408135/page/n65/mode/2up Nidana-Sutra of Patanjali], Delhi: Meharchand Lachhmandas Oriental & Foreign Booksellers.</ref> (Prapathaka 5, Patala 5)</blockquote><blockquote>''teṣāṁ nakṣatraḥ prathamaḥ, tasya saptaviṁśino māsāḥ, saptaviṁśatirnakṣatrāṇīti |''  </blockquote>Also, this nakshatra system consisting of 27 nakshatras (or 28 including Abhijit), used to indicate days, was evolved long back. It is pointed out that Agrahayana, an old name for mrgashira nakshatra, meaning 'beginning of the year' suggests that the sun used to be in that asterism at the vernal equinox. While, the Rohini legends in the Rgveda point to a time in the late Rgveda period when the vernal equinox shifted to the Rohini asterism (from Mrgashira).<ref name=":3">S.Balachandra Rao (2000), Ancient Indian Astronomy, Delhi: B.R.Publishing Corporation.</ref> Therefore, the 27 nakshatras were utilised in the study of the position of the Sun and the Moon.<ref name=":5">K. S. Shukla, [https://www.insa.nic.in/writereaddata/UpLoadedFiles/IJHS/Vol04_1And2_11_KSShukla.pdf Astronomy in ancient and medieval India], Indian Journal of History of Science, Vol.4, Nos. 1-2 (1969), pp.99-106.</ref>

The meaning of the number 27 is easily explained when it is remembered that a periodic month occupies something between 27 and 28 days, more nearly the former number. Such a month as consisting of 27 days, 12 months making a year of 324 days, a Nakṣatra year, or with an intercalary month, a year of 351 days is recognized in the Latyayana Shrauta Sutras and Nidana Sutras.<blockquote>स षट्त्रिंशदूनो नाक्षत्रः सप्तविंशिनो हि मासाः ॥४॥ (Laty. Shra. Sutr. 4.8.4)<ref name=":4">Ananda Chandra Vedantavagisa (1872), Srautasutra of Latyayana with the commentary of Agniswami, Munshiram Manoharlal Publishers Pvt. Ltd., [https://archive.org/details/in.ernet.dli.2015.284148/page/n451/mode/2up 4th Prapathaka, 8th Kandika.]</ref></blockquote><blockquote>''sa ṣaṭtriṁśadūno nākṣatraḥ saptaviṁśino hi māsāḥ ॥4॥'' </blockquote>Commenting upon this Latyayana sutra, Shri Anandaswami says,<blockquote>स एवं क्रियमाणः संवत्सरः सावनात् संवत्सरात् षट् त्रिंशताहोभिः ऊनो भवति नाक्षत्रः नक्षत्रसम्मितः सप्तविंशिनो मासा भवन्ति तत्र सप्तविंशतिर्नक्षत्राणीति ॥४॥(Laty. Shra. Sutr. 4.8.4)<ref name=":4" /></blockquote><blockquote>''sa evaṁ kriyamāṇaḥ saṁvatsaraḥ sāvanāt saṁvatsarāt ṣaṭ triṁśatāhobhiḥ ūno bhavati nākṣatraḥ nakṣatrasammitaḥ saptaviṁśino māsā bhavanti tatra saptaviṁśatirnakṣatrāṇīti ॥4॥''</blockquote>The Nidana sutra (Prapathaka 5) describes the one-year yajna of the Sun and the one year yajna of the constellation. And while discussing the period for performing each constellation, it mentions that there are 27 constellations.<blockquote>तेषां नक्षत्रः प्रथमः, तस्य सप्तविंशिनो मासाः, सप्तविंशतिर्नक्षत्राणीति |<ref>K. N. Bhatnagar (1971), [https://archive.org/details/in.ernet.dli.2015.408135/page/n65/mode/2up Nidana-Sutra of Patanjali], Delhi: Meharchand Lachhmandas Oriental & Foreign Booksellers.</ref> (Prapathaka 5, Patala 5)</blockquote><blockquote>''teṣāṁ nakṣatraḥ prathamaḥ, tasya saptaviṁśino māsāḥ, saptaviṁśatirnakṣatrāṇīti |''  </blockquote>Also, this nakshatra system consisting of 27 nakshatras (or 28 including Abhijit), used to indicate days, was evolved long back. It is pointed out that Agrahayana, an old name for mrgashira nakshatra, meaning 'beginning of the year' suggests that the sun used to be in that asterism at the vernal equinox. While, the Rohini legends in the Rgveda point to a time in the late Rgveda period when the vernal equinox shifted to the Rohini asterism (from Mrgashira).<ref name=":3">S.Balachandra Rao (2000), Ancient Indian Astronomy, Delhi: B.R.Publishing Corporation.</ref> Therefore, the 27 nakshatras were utilised in the study of the position of the Sun and the Moon.<ref name=":5">K. S. Shukla, [https://www.insa.nic.in/writereaddata/UpLoadedFiles/IJHS/Vol04_1And2_11_KSShukla.pdf Astronomy in ancient and medieval India], Indian Journal of History of Science, Vol.4, Nos. 1-2 (1969), pp.99-106.</ref>

The sun is allied with them, iii. 54, 19.  

The sun is allied with them, iii. 54, 19.  

other references to the Nakṣatras as 27 in the Rigveda, 17) i. 162, 18 (the 34 ribs of the horse = moon, sun, 5 planets, 27 Nakṣatras); x. 55, 3 (34 lights).  

other references to the Nakṣatras as 27 in the Rigveda, 17) i. 162, 18 (the 34 ribs of the horse = moon, sun, 5 grahas (ग्रहाः), 27 Nakṣatras); x. 55, 3 (34 lights).  

=== यजुर्वेदसाहित्ये ॥ In the Yajurvedic Literature ===

=== यजुर्वेदसाहित्ये ॥ In the Yajurvedic Literature ===

== Nakshatras - An Introduction<ref name=":9">Subhash Kak (2000), [http://www.ece.lsu.edu/kak/ast.pdf Astonomy and its Role in Vedic Culture], Chapter 23 in Science and Civilization in India, Vol.1, The Dawn of Indian Civilization, Part 1, edited by G. P. Pande, Delhi: ICPR/Munshiram Manoharlal, pp. 507-524.</ref> ==

== Nakshatras - An Introduction<ref name=":9">Subhash Kak (2000), [http://www.ece.lsu.edu/kak/ast.pdf Astonomy and its Role in Vedic Culture], Chapter 23 in Science and Civilization in India, Vol.1, The Dawn of Indian Civilization, Part 1, edited by G. P. Pande, Delhi: ICPR/Munshiram Manoharlal, pp. 507-524.</ref> ==

The Rgveda describes the universe to be infinite. Of the five planets, it mentions Brhaspati (Jupiter) and Vena (Venus) by name (16). The moon's path was divided into 27 equal parts, although the moon takes about 27 1/3 days to complete it. Each of these parts was called a nakshatra. Specific stars or asterisms were also termed nakshatras. Shatapatha Brahmana relates a story (17) about the nakshatras being as powerful as the sun in earlier times but that they have lost this power to the sun. In view of this the etymology na + kshatra, `no power,' is proposed. A favored modern etymology is nak-kshatra, `ruler over night.' One ancient name of astronomer is nakshatra-darsha.

The Rgveda describes the universe to be infinite. Of the five grahas (ग्रहाः), it mentions Brhaspati (Jupiter) and Vena (Venus) by name (16). The moon's path was divided into 27 equal parts, although the moon takes about 27 1/3 days to complete it. Each of these parts was called a nakshatra. Specific stars or asterisms were also termed nakshatras. Shatapatha Brahmana relates a story (17) about the nakshatras being as powerful as the sun in earlier times but that they have lost this power to the sun. In view of this the etymology na + kshatra, `no power,' is proposed. A favored modern etymology is nak-kshatra, `ruler over night.' One ancient name of astronomer is nakshatra-darsha.

Nakshatras are mentioned in the Rgveda and Taittiriya Samhita specifically mentions that they are linked to the moon's path. The Rgvedic reference to 34 lights apparently means the sun, the moon, the five planets, and the 27 nakshatras. In later literature the list of nakshatras was increased to 28. Constellations other than the nakshatras were also known; these include the Rkshas (the Bears), the two divine Dogs (Canis Major and Canis Minor), and the Boat (Argo Navis). Aitreya Brahmana speaks of Mrga (Orion) and Mrgavyadha (Sirius). The moon is called surya rashmi, one that shines by sunlight.

Nakshatras are mentioned in the Rgveda and Taittiriya Samhita specifically mentions that they are linked to the moon's path. The Rgvedic reference to 34 lights apparently means the sun, the moon, the five grahas (ग्रहाः), and the 27 nakshatras. In later literature the list of nakshatras was increased to 28. Constellations other than the nakshatras were also known; these include the Rkshas (the Bears), the two divine Dogs (Canis Major and Canis Minor), and the Boat (Argo Navis). Aitreya Brahmana speaks of Mrga (Orion) and Mrgavyadha (Sirius). The moon is called surya rashmi, one that shines by sunlight.

Shatapatha Brahmana provides an overview of the broad aspects of Vedic astronomy. The sixth chapter (kanda) of the book provides significant clues. Speaking of creation under the aegis of the Prajapati (reference either to a star or to abstract time) mention is made of the emergence of Ashva, Rasabha, Aja and Kurma before the emergence of the earth. It has been argued that these refer to stars or constellations. Vishvanatha Vidyalankara (18) suggests that these should be identified as the sun (Asva), Gemini (Rasabha), Aja (Capricorn) and Kurma (Cassiopeia). This identication is supported by etymological considerations. RV 1.164.2 and Nirukta 4.4.27 define Asva as the sun. Rasabha which literally means the twin asses are defined in Nighantu 1.15 as Asvinau which later usage suggests are Castor and Pollux in Gemini. In Western astronomy the twin asses are to be found in the next constellation of Cancer as Asellus Borealis and Asellus Australis. Aja (goat) is defined by Nighantu 1.15 as a sun and owing to the continuity that we see in the Vedic and later European names for constellations (as in the case of the Great Bear) it is reasonable to identify it as the constellation Capricorn (caper goat + cornu horn). Kurma is a synonym of Kashyapa (tortoise) which is linguistically close to Cassiopeia (from Greek Kassiopeia). Etymologically Kashyapiya, slow like a tortoise, seems appropriate for Cassiopeia (from Greek Kassiopeia) since it is near the pole. This last name may point to an epoch when this constellation was even closer to the north pole.

Shatapatha Brahmana provides an overview of the broad aspects of Vedic astronomy. The sixth chapter (kanda) of the book provides significant clues. Speaking of creation under the aegis of the Prajapati (reference either to a star or to abstract time) mention is made of the emergence of Ashva, Rasabha, Aja and Kurma before the emergence of the earth. It has been argued that these refer to stars or constellations. Vishvanatha Vidyalankara (18) suggests that these should be identified as the sun (Asva), Gemini (Rasabha), Aja (Capricorn) and Kurma (Cassiopeia). This identication is supported by etymological considerations. RV 1.164.2 and Nirukta 4.4.27 define Asva as the sun. Rasabha which literally means the twin asses are defined in Nighantu 1.15 as Asvinau which later usage suggests are Castor and Pollux in Gemini. In Western astronomy the twin asses are to be found in the next constellation of Cancer as Asellus Borealis and Asellus Australis. Aja (goat) is defined by Nighantu 1.15 as a sun and owing to the continuity that we see in the Vedic and later European names for constellations (as in the case of the Great Bear) it is reasonable to identify it as the constellation Capricorn (caper goat + cornu horn). Kurma is a synonym of Kashyapa (tortoise) which is linguistically close to Cassiopeia (from Greek Kassiopeia). Etymologically Kashyapiya, slow like a tortoise, seems appropriate for Cassiopeia (from Greek Kassiopeia) since it is near the pole. This last name may point to an epoch when this constellation was even closer to the north pole.