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Line 23: − + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + − === ऋग्वेदसाहित्ये ॥ In the Rgvedic Literature ===+ − Prof K. S. Shukla in his paper 'Astronomy in ancient and medieval India' mentions that the Rgveda divides the Sun's yearly path into 12 and 360 divisions. Similarly, the moon's path was divided into 27 parts and each part was called a nakshatra. The stars lying near the moon's path were also divided into 27 (or sometimes 28) groups and each of them was called a nakshatra (asterism). The names of some of these nakshatras namely, Tishya (Pushya), Agha (Magha), Arjuni (Phalguni), Chitra and Revati are mentioned in the Rgveda.<ref name=":5" /> − Rgveda 5.54.13; 10.64.8; 10.85.13; 4.51.2; 4.51.4<ref name=":6">Kolachana, Aditya & Mahesh, Kaluva & Ramasubramanian, K.. (2019). Main characteristics and achievements of ancient Indian astronomy in historical perspective. 10.1007/978-981-13-7326-8_24. </ref>+ − In the sense of ‘star’ - passages in which Nakṣatra occurs in the Rigveda. 7) See i. 50, 2; vii. 86, 1; x. 68, 11; 111, 7;+ − Meaning the sun itself, vi. 67, 6 (as masculine); vii. 81, 2; x. 88, 13. + − 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 grahas (ग्रहाः), 27 Nakṣatras); x. 55, 3 (34 lights). + + + + − + − the sun and the Nakṣatras are mentioned together in Vājasaneyi Saṃhitā, xxiii. 43; Taittirīya Āraṇyaka, iv. 10, 12.+ + + + − the sun, the moon, and the Nakṣatras in Taittirīya Saṃhitā, i. 8, 13, 3; Vājasaneyi Saṃhitā, xxii. 29, etc.+ − + − the Nakṣatras alone; 11) Taittirīya Saṃhitā, i. 2, 2, 2; ii 6, 2, 6, etc; Vājasaneyi Saṃhitā, xxx. 21 etc.; Kāṭhaka Saṃhitā, Aśvamedha, v. 5,+ + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + Line 79:
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Nakshatras (नक्षत्राणि) (view source)
Revision as of 22:07, 9 December 2021
, 22:07, 9 December 2021→यजुर्वेदसाहित्ये ॥ In the Yajurvedic Literature: Editing and adding references and transliteration
{{ToBeEdited}}Nakshatras (Samskrit: नक्षत्राणि) refer to asterisms in the moon's path or lunar mansion, of which twenty-eight, distinct in name, figure, and number of stars, are enumerated. The Puranic and popular enumeration of these constellations is twenty-seven. Abhijit, the twenty-eighth, being considered as formed of portions of the two contiguous asterisms, and not distinct from them both.<ref name=":1">Kulapati Jibananda Vidyasagara (1900), Shabda Sagara, First Edition, Entry: [https://archive.org/details/in.ernet.dli.2015.195943/page/n375/mode/2up Nakshatra.]</ref>
{{ToBeEdited}}Nakshatras (Samskrit: नक्षत्राणि) refer to asterisms in the moon's path or lunar mansion, of which twenty-eight, distinct in name, figure, and number of stars, are enumerated. The Puranic and popular enumeration of these constellations is twenty-seven. Abhijit, the twenty-eighth, being considered as formed of portions of the two contiguous asterisms, and not distinct from them both.<ref name=":1">Kulapati Jibananda Vidyasagara (1900), Shabda Sagara, First Edition, Entry: [https://archive.org/details/in.ernet.dli.2015.195943/page/n375/mode/2up Nakshatra.]</ref>
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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 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" />
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 Nakshatra 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>
== व्युत्पत्तिः ॥ Etymology ==
== व्युत्पत्तिः ॥ Etymology ==
Shabda Sagara gives the etymology of the word nakshatra as न क्षीयते क्षरते वा । ''na kṣīyate kṣarate vā ।''<ref name=":1" />
Shabda Sagara gives the etymology of the word nakshatra as न क्षीयते क्षरते वा । ''na kṣīyate kṣarate vā ।''<ref name=":1" />
While the Shatapatha brahmana explains the etymology of the word nakshatra with an anecdote in the context of discussing the right time for Agnyadhana. It says, the stars shone just like the Sun or the moon. However, the Sun, even as he was rising destroyed their power, virility and lustre. And hence, the deities said, "These are not powers any more." That is the powerlessness (nakshatratva) of the stars. <blockquote>तेजः प्रलुलोप तद्धैषामादधे ते ह देवा उचुर्न वा इमानि क्षत्राण्यभूवन्निति तन्नक्षत्राणां नक्षत्रत्वमा... ॥१२॥<ref>C. R. Swaminathan (1994), Kanvasatapathabrahmanam, [http://ignca.nic.in/eBooks/KANVASATAPATHABRAHMAAAM_Vol_I.pdf Volume I], New Delhi: Indira Gandhi National Centre For The Arts and Motilal Banarsidass Publishers Pvt. Ltd.</ref></blockquote><blockquote>''tejaḥ pralulopa taddhaiṣāmādadhe te ha devā ucurna vā imāni kṣatrāṇyabhūvanniti tannakṣatrāṇāṁ nakṣatratvamā... ॥12॥'' </blockquote>Nirukta mentions Rksha and Strbhi as synonyms of nakshatra. And further states that Nakshatra (star) is derived from the root naksh, meaning 'to go'.<ref>Lakshman Sarup (1967), [http://shastradeepika.org/Resources/Vyakarana/Nighantu_Nirukta_Yaska.pdf The Nighantu and The Nirukta], Motilal Banarsidass. </ref> <blockquote>ऋक्षाः स्तृभिः इति नक्षत्राणाम् । इति अपि निगमौ भवतः । नक्षत्राणि नक्षतेः गतिकर्मणः । इति अपि निगमः भवति । ३.२० ।<ref>Nirukta, [https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%A8%E0%A4%BF%E0%A4%B0%E0%A5%81%E0%A4%95%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%A4%E0%A4%B6%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%B8%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%A4%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%AE%E0%A5%8D/%E0%A4%A4%E0%A5%83%E0%A4%A4%E0%A5%80%E0%A4%AF%E0%A5%8B%E0%A4%A7%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%83 Adhyaya 3].</ref></blockquote><blockquote>''r̥kṣāḥ str̥bhiḥ iti nakṣatrāṇām । iti api nigamau bhavataḥ । nakṣatrāṇi nakṣateḥ gatikarmaṇaḥ । iti api nigamaḥ bhavati । 3.20 ।''</blockquote>While the Taittiriya brahmana says, <blockquote>अमुꣳ स लोकं नक्षते । तन्नक्षत्राणां नक्षत्रत्वम् ५<ref>Taittiriya brahmana, Kanda 1, [https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%A4%E0%A5%88%E0%A4%A4%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%A4%E0%A4%BF%E0%A4%B0%E0%A5%80%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%AC%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%B9%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AE%E0%A4%A3%E0%A4%AE%E0%A5%8D_(%E0%A4%B5%E0%A4%BF%E0%A4%B8%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B5%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%AA%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%A0%E0%A4%83)/%E0%A4%95%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%A3%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%A1%E0%A4%83_%E0%A5%A7/%E0%A4%AA%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%AA%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%A0%E0%A4%95%E0%A4%83_%E0%A5%A6%E0%A5%AB Prapathaka 5].</ref> ''amuꣳ sa lokaṁ nakṣate । tannakṣatrāṇāṁ nakṣatratvam 5''</blockquote>According to Amarakosha, there are 6 words for a star -Nakshatra, Rksha, Bha, Tara, Taraka and Udu. While, the word Dakshayani is always used in plural as suggestive collectively of the 27 stars namely, Ashvini and others.<ref name=":7">Manna Lal Abhimanyu (1994), [https://archive.org/details/AmaraKosha/page/n27/mode/2up The Amara-kosha of Shri Amara Sinha], Benaras: Master Khelarilal & Sons.</ref><blockquote>नक्षत्रमृक्षं भं तारा तारकाप्युडु वा स्त्रियाम् दाक्षायिण्योऽश्विनीत्यादि तारा ... (Digvarga)<ref name=":8">Amarakosha, [https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%85%E0%A4%AE%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%95%E0%A5%8B%E0%A4%B6%E0%A4%83/%E0%A4%AA%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%A5%E0%A4%AE%E0%A4%95%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%A3%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%A1%E0%A4%AE%E0%A5%8D Kanda 1].</ref> </blockquote><blockquote>''nakṣatramr̥kṣaṁ bhaṁ tārā tārakāpyuḍu vā striyām dākṣāyiṇyo'śvinītyādi tārā ...''</blockquote>In fact, the Amarakosha also enlists the alternative names for a few nakshatras as follows<ref name=":7" />:
While the Shatapatha brahmana explains the etymology of the word nakshatra with an anecdote in the context of discussing the right time for Agnyadhana. It says, the stars shone just like the Sun or the moon. However, the Sun, even as he was rising destroyed their power, virility and lustre. And hence, the deities said, "These are not powers any more." That is the powerlessness (nakshatratva) of the stars. <blockquote>तेजः प्रलुलोप तद्धैषामादधे ते ह देवा उचुर्न वा इमानि क्षत्राण्यभूवन्निति तन्नक्षत्राणां नक्षत्रत्वमा... ॥१२॥<ref>C. R. Swaminathan (1994), Kanvasatapathabrahmanam, [http://ignca.nic.in/eBooks/KANVASATAPATHABRAHMAAAM_Vol_I.pdf Volume I], New Delhi: Indira Gandhi National Centre For The Arts and Motilal Banarsidass Publishers Pvt. Ltd.</ref></blockquote><blockquote>''tejaḥ pralulopa taddhaiṣāmādadhe te ha devā ucurna vā imāni kṣatrāṇyabhūvanniti tannakṣatrāṇāṁ nakṣatratvamā... ॥12॥'' </blockquote>Nirukta mentions Rksha and Strbhi as synonyms of nakshatra. And further states that Nakshatra (star) is derived from the root naksh, meaning 'to go'.<ref>Lakshman Sarup (1967), [http://shastradeepika.org/Resources/Vyakarana/Nighantu_Nirukta_Yaska.pdf The Nighantu and The Nirukta], Motilal Banarsidass. </ref> <blockquote>ऋक्षाः स्तृभिः इति नक्षत्राणाम् । इति अपि निगमौ भवतः । नक्षत्राणि नक्षतेः गतिकर्मणः । इति अपि निगमः भवति । ३.२० ।<ref>Nirukta, [https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%A8%E0%A4%BF%E0%A4%B0%E0%A5%81%E0%A4%95%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%A4%E0%A4%B6%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%B8%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%A4%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%AE%E0%A5%8D/%E0%A4%A4%E0%A5%83%E0%A4%A4%E0%A5%80%E0%A4%AF%E0%A5%8B%E0%A4%A7%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%83 Adhyaya 3].</ref></blockquote><blockquote>''r̥kṣāḥ str̥bhiḥ iti nakṣatrāṇām । iti api nigamau bhavataḥ । nakṣatrāṇi nakṣateḥ gatikarmaṇaḥ । iti api nigamaḥ bhavati । 3.20 ।''</blockquote>While the Taittiriya brahmana says, <blockquote>अमुꣳ स लोकं नक्षते । तन्नक्षत्राणां नक्षत्रत्वम् ५<ref>Taittiriya brahmana, Kanda 1, [https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%A4%E0%A5%88%E0%A4%A4%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%A4%E0%A4%BF%E0%A4%B0%E0%A5%80%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%AC%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%B9%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AE%E0%A4%A3%E0%A4%AE%E0%A5%8D_(%E0%A4%B5%E0%A4%BF%E0%A4%B8%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B5%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%AA%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%A0%E0%A4%83)/%E0%A4%95%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%A3%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%A1%E0%A4%83_%E0%A5%A7/%E0%A4%AA%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%AA%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%A0%E0%A4%95%E0%A4%83_%E0%A5%A6%E0%A5%AB Prapathaka 5].</ref> ''amuꣳ sa lokaṁ nakṣate । tannakṣatrāṇāṁ nakṣatratvam 5''</blockquote>According to Amarakosha, there are 6 words for a star - Nakshatra, Rksha, Bha, Tara, Taraka and Udu. While, the word Dakshayani is always used in plural as suggestive collectively of the 27 stars namely, Ashvini and others.<ref name=":7">Manna Lal Abhimanyu (1994), [https://archive.org/details/AmaraKosha/page/n27/mode/2up The Amara-kosha of Shri Amara Sinha], Benaras: Master Khelarilal & Sons.</ref><blockquote>नक्षत्रमृक्षं भं तारा तारकाप्युडु वा स्त्रियाम् दाक्षायिण्योऽश्विनीत्यादि तारा ... (Digvarga)<ref name=":8">Amarakosha, [https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%85%E0%A4%AE%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%95%E0%A5%8B%E0%A4%B6%E0%A4%83/%E0%A4%AA%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%A5%E0%A4%AE%E0%A4%95%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%A3%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%A1%E0%A4%AE%E0%A5%8D Kanda 1].</ref> </blockquote><blockquote>''nakṣatramr̥kṣaṁ bhaṁ tārā tārakāpyuḍu vā striyām dākṣāyiṇyo'śvinītyādi tārā ...''</blockquote>In fact, the Amarakosha also enlists the alternative names for a few nakshatras as follows<ref name=":7" />:
* Ashvini is also called Ashvayuk
* Ashvini is also called Ashvayuk
* Vishakha is also called Radha
* Vishakha is also called Radha
<blockquote>अश्वयुगश्विनी ।। १.३.२१८ ।। राधाविशाखा पुष्ये तु सिध्यतिष्यौ श्रविष्ठया ।। १.३.२१९ ।। समा धनिष्ठाः स्युः प्रोष्ठपदा भाद्रपदाः स्त्रियः ।। १.३.२२० ।। मृगशीर्षं मृगशिरस्तस्मिन्नेवाग्रहायणी ।। १.३.२२१ ।। इल्वलास्तच्छिरोदेशे तारका निवसन्ति याः ।। १.३.२२२ ।।<ref name=":8" /></blockquote><blockquote>''aśvayugaśvinī ।। 1.3.218 ।। rādhāviśākhā puṣye tu sidhyatiṣyau śraviṣṭhayā ।। 1.3.219 ।। samā dhaniṣṭhāḥ syuḥ proṣṭhapadā bhādrapadāḥ striyaḥ ।। 1.3.220 ।। mr̥gaśīrṣaṁ mr̥gaśirastasminnevāgrahāyaṇī ।। 1.3.221 ।। ilvalāstacchirodeśe tārakā nivasanti yāḥ ।। 1.3.222 ।।''</blockquote>
<blockquote>अश्वयुगश्विनी ।। १.३.२१८ ।। राधाविशाखा पुष्ये तु सिध्यतिष्यौ श्रविष्ठया ।। १.३.२१९ ।। समा धनिष्ठाः स्युः प्रोष्ठपदा भाद्रपदाः स्त्रियः ।। १.३.२२० ।। मृगशीर्षं मृगशिरस्तस्मिन्नेवाग्रहायणी ।। १.३.२२१ ।। इल्वलास्तच्छिरोदेशे तारका निवसन्ति याः ।। १.३.२२२ ।।<ref name=":8" /></blockquote><blockquote>''aśvayugaśvinī ।। 1.3.218 ।। rādhāviśākhā puṣye tu sidhyatiṣyau śraviṣṭhayā ।। 1.3.219 ।। samā dhaniṣṭhāḥ syuḥ proṣṭhapadā bhādrapadāḥ striyaḥ ।। 1.3.220 ।। mr̥gaśīrṣaṁ mr̥gaśirastasminnevāgrahāyaṇī ।। 1.3.221 ।। ilvalāstacchirodeśe tārakā nivasanti yāḥ ।। 1.3.222 ।।''</blockquote>
== वेदवाङ्मये नक्षत्रम् ॥ Nakshatra in the Vedic Literature ==
== वेदवाङ्मये नक्षत्रम् ॥ Nakshatra in Vedic Literature ==
=== ऋग्वेदसाहित्ये ॥ In Rgvedic Literature ===
The term 'nakshatra' occurs in the Rgveda in various contexts. For example, in the following mantras, it occurs in the sense of a star. <blockquote>धीरा त्वस्य महिना जनूंषि वि यस्तस्तम्भ रोदसी चिदुर्वी । प्र नाकमृष्वं नुनुदे बृहन्तं द्विता नक्षत्रं पप्रथच्च भूम ॥१॥<ref>Rigveda, Mandala 7, [https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%8B%E0%A4%97%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B5%E0%A5%87%E0%A4%A6%E0%A4%83_%E0%A4%B8%E0%A5%82%E0%A4%95%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%A4%E0%A4%82_%E0%A5%AD.%E0%A5%AE%E0%A5%AC Sukta 86]</ref>
dhīrā tvasya mahinā janūṁṣi vi yastastambha rodasī cidurvī ।
pra nākamr̥ṣvaṁ nunude br̥hantaṁ dvitā nakṣatraṁ paprathacca bhūma ॥1॥</blockquote>Meaning: Varuna inspires Surya and the nakshatras at appropriate times (ie. during the day and night respectively).<ref>Sripad Damodar Satavlekar (1985), Rigved ka Subodh Bhashya (Vol.3), Pardi: Svadhyaya Mandal. See: [https://vedicheritage.gov.in/flipbook/Rigveda_Subodh_Bhasya_Vol_III/#book/411 Mantra 7.86.1] </ref> <blockquote>अभि श्यावं न कृशनेभिरश्वं नक्षत्रेभिः पितरो द्यामपिंशन् ... ॥११॥<ref>Rigveda, Mandala 10, [https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%8B%E0%A4%97%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B5%E0%A5%87%E0%A4%A6%E0%A4%83_%E0%A4%B8%E0%A5%82%E0%A4%95%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%A4%E0%A4%82_%E0%A5%A7%E0%A5%A6.%E0%A5%AC%E0%A5%AE Sukta 68]</ref> abhi śyāvaṁ na kr̥śanebhiraśvaṁ nakṣatrebhiḥ pitaro dyāmapiṁśan ... ॥11॥</blockquote>Meaning: Deities adorn dyuloka with nakshatras.<ref>Sripad Damodar Satavlekar (1985), Rigved ka Subodh Bhashya (Vol.4), Pardi: Svadhyaya Mandal. See: Mantra [https://vedicheritage.gov.in/flipbook/Rigveda_Subodh_Bhasya_Vol_IV/#book/403 10.68.11]</ref>
The Rgveda also mentions that Vaishvanara Agni (established in the sky 10.88.11) ie. Surya has been making the nakshatras ineffectual by his own power (teja).<ref>Sripad Damodar Satavlekar (1985), Rigved ka Subodh Bhashya (Vol.4), Pardi: Svadhyaya Mandal. See: [https://vedicheritage.gov.in/flipbook/Rigveda_Subodh_Bhasya_Vol_IV/#book/451 Mantra 10.88.13]</ref><blockquote>वैश्वानरं कवयो यज्ञियासोऽग्निं देवा अजनयन्नजुर्यम् । नक्षत्रं प्रत्नममिनच्चरिष्णु यक्षस्याध्यक्षं तविषं बृहन्तम् ॥१३॥<ref>Rigveda, Mandala 10, [https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%8B%E0%A4%97%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B5%E0%A5%87%E0%A4%A6%E0%A4%83_%E0%A4%B8%E0%A5%82%E0%A4%95%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%A4%E0%A4%82_%E0%A5%A7%E0%A5%A6.%E0%A5%AE%E0%A5%AE Sukta 88]</ref>
vaiśvānaraṁ kavayo yajñiyāso'gniṁ devā ajanayannajuryam । nakṣatraṁ pratnamaminaccariṣṇu yakṣasyādhyakṣaṁ taviṣaṁ br̥hantam ॥13॥</blockquote>Further more, in Mandala 6 of the Rgveda it is said that deities Mitra and Varuna secured the placement of the nakshatras.<ref>Sripad Damodar Satavlekar (1985), Rigved ka Subodh Bhashya (Vol.3), Pardi: Svadhyaya Mandal. See: [https://vedicheritage.gov.in/flipbook/Rigveda_Subodh_Bhasya_Vol_III/#book/189 Mantra 6.67.6]</ref> <blockquote>दृळ्हो नक्षत्र ... ॥६॥<ref>Rigveda, Mandala 6, [https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%8B%E0%A4%97%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B5%E0%A5%87%E0%A4%A6%E0%A4%83_%E0%A4%B8%E0%A5%82%E0%A4%95%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%A4%E0%A4%82_%E0%A5%AC.%E0%A5%AC%E0%A5%AD Sukta 67]</ref> dr̥lho nakṣatra ... ॥6॥</blockquote>It is interesting to note that the Rgveda divides the Sun's yearly path into 12 and 360 divisions. Similarly, the moon's path was divided into 27 parts and each part was called a nakshatra. The stars lying near the moon's path were also divided into 27 (or sometimes 28) groups and each of them was called a nakshatra (asterism). And the names of some of these nakshatras are seen mentioned in the Rgveda.<ref name=":5" /> For example,<ref name=":6">Kolachana, Aditya & Mahesh, Kaluva & Ramasubramanian, K.. (2019). Main characteristics and achievements of ancient Indian astronomy in historical perspective. 10.1007/978-981-13-7326-8_24. </ref>
* Tishya (Pushya) is mentioned in the following mantra
<blockquote>न यो युच्छति '''तिष्यो''' यथा दिवोऽस्मे रारन्त मरुतः सहस्रिणम् ॥१३॥<ref>Rigveda, Mandala 5, [https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%8B%E0%A4%97%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B5%E0%A5%87%E0%A4%A6%E0%A4%83_%E0%A4%B8%E0%A5%82%E0%A4%95%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%A4%E0%A4%82_%E0%A5%AB.%E0%A5%AB%E0%A5%AA Sukta 54]</ref>
कृशानुमस्तॄ'''न्तिष्यं''' सधस्थ आ रुद्रं रुद्रेषु रुद्रियं हवामहे ॥८॥<ref>Rigveda, Mandala 10, [https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%8B%E0%A4%97%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B5%E0%A5%87%E0%A4%A6%E0%A4%83_%E0%A4%B8%E0%A5%82%E0%A4%95%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%A4%E0%A4%82_%E0%A5%A7%E0%A5%A6.%E0%A5%AC%E0%A5%AA Sukta 64]</ref>
na yo yucchati tiṣyo yathā divo'sme rāranta marutaḥ sahasriṇam ॥13॥
kr̥śānumastr̥̄ntiṣyaṁ sadhastha ā rudraṁ rudreṣu rudriyaṁ havāmahe ॥8॥</blockquote>
* Agha (Magha) and Arjuni (Phalguni) are mentioned in the following mantra
<blockquote>'''अघासु''' हन्यन्ते गावो'''ऽर्जुन्योः''' पर्युह्यते ॥१३॥<ref>Rigveda, Mandala 10, [https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%8B%E0%A4%97%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B5%E0%A5%87%E0%A4%A6%E0%A4%83_%E0%A4%B8%E0%A5%82%E0%A4%95%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%A4%E0%A4%82_%E0%A5%A7%E0%A5%A6.%E0%A5%AE%E0%A5%AB Sukta 85]</ref> aghāsu hanyante gāvo'rjunyoḥ paryuhyate ॥13॥</blockquote>
* Chitra is mentioned in the following mantra
<blockquote>अस्थुरु '''चित्रा''' उषसः पुरस्तान्मिता इव स्वरवोऽध्वरेषु ... ॥२॥<ref name=":10">Rigveda, Mandala 4, [https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%8B%E0%A4%97%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B5%E0%A5%87%E0%A4%A6%E0%A4%83_%E0%A4%B8%E0%A5%82%E0%A4%95%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%A4%E0%A4%82_%E0%A5%AA.%E0%A5%AB%E0%A5%A7 Sukta 51]</ref> asthuru citrā uṣasaḥ purastānmitā iva svaravo'dhvareṣu ... ॥2॥</blockquote>
* Revati is mentioned in the following mantra
<blockquote>येना नवग्वे अङ्गिरे दशग्वे सप्तास्ये '''रेवती''' रेवदूष ॥४॥<ref name=":10" /> yenā navagve aṅgire daśagve saptāsye revatī revadūṣa ॥4॥</blockquote>
=== यजुर्वेदसाहित्ये ॥ In the Yajurvedic Literature ===
=== यजुर्वेदसाहित्ये ॥ In the Yajurvedic Literature ===
The Taittiriya Samhita of the Krishna Yajurveda mentions the names of the 27 nakshatras.<ref name=":5" />
The term nakshatra finds mention across the Yajurvedic literature including
# Shukla Yajurveda Samhita
# Taittiriya Samhita
# Kathaka Samhita
# Taittiriya Aranyaka
A few instances are enlisted below wherein it occurs as part of
the moon and the Nakṣatras, Taittirīya Saṃhitā, iii. 4, 5, 1; Kāṭhaka Saṃhitā, xxxv. 15; xxxvii. 12; Vājasaneyi Saṃhitā, xxx. 21; xxxix. 2, etc.
* The mantras of Ashvamedha Yajna in the Shukla Yajurveda Samhita.
<blockquote>सूयस् ते नक्षत्रैः सह लोकं कृणोतु साधुया ॥२३.४३<ref>Shukla Yajurveda, [https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%B6%E0%A5%81%E0%A4%95%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B2%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%9C%E0%A5%81%E0%A4%B0%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B5%E0%A5%87%E0%A4%A6%E0%A4%83/%E0%A4%85%E0%A4%A7%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%83_%E0%A5%A8%E0%A5%A9 Adhyaya 23]</ref> sūyas te nakṣatraiḥ saha lokaṁ kr̥ṇotu sādhuyā ॥23.43
पृथिव्यै स्वाहान्तरिक्षाय स्वाहा दिवे स्वाहा सूर्याय स्वाहा चन्द्राय स्वाहा नक्षत्रेभ्यः स्वाहा ... ॥२२.२९<ref>Shukla Yajurveda, [https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%B6%E0%A5%81%E0%A4%95%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B2%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%9C%E0%A5%81%E0%A4%B0%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B5%E0%A5%87%E0%A4%A6%E0%A4%83/%E0%A4%85%E0%A4%A7%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%83_%E0%A5%A8%E0%A5%A8 Adhyaya 22]</ref>
pr̥thivyai svāhāntarikṣāya svāhā dive svāhā sūryāya svāhā candrāya svāhā nakṣatrebhyaḥ svāhā ... ॥22.29</blockquote>
* The mantras related to Pravargya ritual in the Shukla Yajurveda Samhita and the Taittiriya Aranyaka.
<blockquote>दिग्भ्यः स्वाहा । चन्द्राय स्वाहा । नक्षत्रेभ्यः स्वाहा ।३९.२<ref>Shukla Yajurveda, [https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%B6%E0%A5%81%E0%A4%95%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B2%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%9C%E0%A5%81%E0%A4%B0%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B5%E0%A5%87%E0%A4%A6%E0%A4%83/%E0%A4%85%E0%A4%A7%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%83_%E0%A5%A9%E0%A5%AF Adhyaya 39]</ref> digbhyaḥ svāhā । candrāya svāhā । nakṣatrebhyaḥ svāhā ।39.2
स्वाहा त्वा सूर्यस्य रश्मिभ्यः । स्वाहा त्वा नक्षत्रेभ्यः ४.१०.१२<ref>Taittiriya Aranyaka, [https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%A4%E0%A5%88%E0%A4%A4%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%A4%E0%A4%BF%E0%A4%B0%E0%A5%80%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%A3%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%95%E0%A4%AE%E0%A5%8D(%E0%A4%B5%E0%A4%BF%E0%A4%B8%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B5%E0%A4%B0)/%E0%A4%AA%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%AA%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%A0%E0%A4%95%E0%A4%83_%E0%A5%AA Prapathaka 4]</ref> svāhā tvā sūryasya raśmibhyaḥ । svāhā tvā nakṣatrebhyaḥ 4.10.12</blockquote>
* The mantras related to the Rajasuya Yajna in the Taittiriya Samhita which is very similar to the mantra occuring in Shukla Yajurveda in the context of the Ashvamedha Yajna mentioned previously.
<blockquote>अग्नये स्वाहा ... दिवे स्वाहा सूर्याय स्वाहा चन्द्रमसे स्वाहा नक्षत्रेभ्यः स्वाहा ... १.८.१३.३<ref>Taittiriya Samhita, Kanda 1, [https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%A4%E0%A5%88%E0%A4%A4%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%A4%E0%A4%BF%E0%A4%B0%E0%A5%80%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%B8%E0%A4%82%E0%A4%B9%E0%A4%BF%E0%A4%A4%E0%A4%BE(%E0%A4%B5%E0%A4%BF%E0%A4%B8%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B5%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%83)/%E0%A4%95%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%A3%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%A1%E0%A4%AE%E0%A5%8D_%E0%A5%A7/%E0%A4%AA%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%AA%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%A0%E0%A4%95%E0%A4%83_%E0%A5%AE Prapathaka 8]</ref>
agnaye svāhā ... dive svāhā sūryāya svāhā candramase svāhā nakṣatrebhyaḥ svāhā ... 1.8.13.3</blockquote>
* The mantras related to the Purushamedha Yajna in the Shukla Yajurveda Samhita.
<blockquote>अग्नये पीवानं पृथिव्यै पीठसर्पिणं वायवे चाण्डालम् अन्तरिक्षाय वꣳशनर्तिनं दिवे खलतिꣳ सूर्याय हर्यक्षं नक्षत्रेभ्यः किर्मिरं चन्द्रमसे किलासम् ... ॥३०.२१<ref>Shukla Yajurveda, [https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%B6%E0%A5%81%E0%A4%95%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B2%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%9C%E0%A5%81%E0%A4%B0%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B5%E0%A5%87%E0%A4%A6%E0%A4%83/%E0%A4%85%E0%A4%A7%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%83_%E0%A5%A9%E0%A5%A6 Adhyaya 30]</ref>
agnaye pīvānaṁ pr̥thivyai pīṭhasarpiṇaṁ vāyave cāṇḍālam antarikṣāya vaꣳśanartinaṁ dive khalatiꣳ sūryāya haryakṣaṁ nakṣatrebhyaḥ kirmiraṁ candramase kilāsam ... ॥30.21</blockquote>
* The mantras related to the Abhyatana Ahuti in the Taittiriya Samhita
<blockquote>अग्निर् भूतानाम् अधिपतिः स माऽवत्व् इन्द्रो ज्येष्ठानां यमः पृथिव्या वायुर् अन्तरिक्षस्य सूर्यो दिवश् चन्द्रमा नक्षत्राणाम् ... ।३.४.५.१<ref>Taittiriya Samhita, Kanda 3, [https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%A4%E0%A5%88%E0%A4%A4%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%A4%E0%A4%BF%E0%A4%B0%E0%A5%80%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%B8%E0%A4%82%E0%A4%B9%E0%A4%BF%E0%A4%A4%E0%A4%BE(%E0%A4%B5%E0%A4%BF%E0%A4%B8%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B5%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%83)/%E0%A4%95%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%A3%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%A1%E0%A4%AE%E0%A5%8D_%E0%A5%A9/%E0%A4%AA%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%AA%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%A0%E0%A4%95%E0%A4%83_%E0%A5%AA Prapathaka 4]</ref>
agnir bhūtānām adhipatiḥ sa mā'vatv indro jyeṣṭhānāṁ yamaḥ pr̥thivyā vāyur antarikṣasya sūryo divaś candramā nakṣatrāṇām ... ।3.4.5.1</blockquote>It is interesting to note here that the nakshatras are often mentioned in close proximity to Surya and more so to Chandra.
=== सामवेदसाहित्ये ॥ In the Samavedic Literature ===
=== सामवेदसाहित्ये ॥ In the Samavedic Literature ===
== नक्षत्रनामावलिः ॥ Names of the Nakshatras ==
== नक्षत्रनामावलिः ॥ Names of the Nakshatras ==
The Taittiriya Samhita of the Krishna Yajurveda mentions the names of the 27 nakshatras.<ref name=":5" />
With reference to possible times for the ceremony of the Agnyādhāna, or ‘laying of the sacred fires,’ the Kāṭhaka Saṃhitā, 38) viii. 1. the Maitrāyaṇī Saṃhitā, 39) i. 6, 9. and the Taittirīya Brāhmaṇa 40) i. 1, 2, 1-6. mention the Nakṣatras called Kṛttikās, Rohiṇī, Phalgunyas, Hasta;
With reference to possible times for the ceremony of the Agnyādhāna, or ‘laying of the sacred fires,’ the Kāṭhaka Saṃhitā, 38) viii. 1. the Maitrāyaṇī Saṃhitā, 39) i. 6, 9. and the Taittirīya Brāhmaṇa 40) i. 1, 2, 1-6. mention the Nakṣatras called Kṛttikās, Rohiṇī, Phalgunyas, Hasta;
The names of these with their presiding deities are enumerated in the Yajurveda, beginning with Krttika, where the spring equinox was situated at that period. The thirteen and a half nakshatras ending with Vishakha, situated in the northern hemisphere, were called devanakshatras, while the thirteen and a half others ending with Bharani were called yamanakshatras as seen in the following passage of the Taittiriya brahmana (1.5.2.7)<ref name=":0" /><blockquote>कृत्तिकाः प्रथमम् । विशाखे उत्तमम् । तानि देवनक्षत्राणि । अनूराधाः प्रथमम् । अपभरणीरुत्तमम् । तानि यमनक्षत्राणि ।<ref>Taittiriya Brahmana, Book 1, [http://www.sanskritweb.net/yajurveda/tb-1-05.pdf Chapter 5].</ref></blockquote><blockquote>''kr̥ttikāḥ prathamam । viśākhe uttamam । tāni devanakṣatrāṇi । anūrādhāḥ prathamam । apabharaṇīruttamam । tāni yamanakṣatrāṇi ।''</blockquote>The presiding deities of the asterisms (beginning from krttika) are, respectively: Agni, Prajapati, Soma, Rudra, Aditi, Brhaspati, Serpents, Pitrs (Manes), Bhaga, Aryaman, Savita, Tvasta, Vayu, Indragni, Mitra, Indra, Nirrti, Waters, Vishvedevas, Vishnu, Vasus, Varuna, Ajaekapada, Ahirbudhnya, Pushan, Ashvinas and Yama. (R-VJ 25-28; Y-VY 32-35)<blockquote>अग्निः प्रजापतिः सोमो रुद्रोऽदितिर्बृहस्पतिः । सर्पाश्च पितरश्चैव भगश्चैवार्यमापि च ॥२५॥</blockquote><blockquote>सविता त्वष्टाथ वायुश्चेन्द्राग्नी मित्र एव च । इन्द्रो निरॄतिरापो वै विश्वेदेवास्तथैव च ॥२६॥</blockquote><blockquote>विष्णुर्वसवो वरुणोऽज एकपात् तथैव च । अहिर्बुध्न्यस्तथा पूषा अश्विनौ यम एव च ॥२७॥<ref name=":0" /></blockquote><blockquote>''agniḥ prajāpatiḥ somo rudro'ditirbr̥haspatiḥ । sarpāśca pitaraścaiva bhagaścaivāryamāpi ca ॥25॥''</blockquote><blockquote>''savitā tvaṣṭātha vāyuścendrāgnī mitra eva ca । indro nirr̥̄tirāpo vai viśvedevāstathaiva ca ॥26॥''</blockquote><blockquote>''viṣṇurvasavo varuṇo'ja ekapāt tathaiva ca । ahirbudhnyastathā pūṣā aśvinau yama eva ca ॥27॥''</blockquote>The Taittiriya Samhita (4.4.10.1-3) and the Taittiriya brahmana (1.5.1; 3.1.1-2; 3.1.4-5) give the names of the 28 nakshatras along with those of the deities supposed to preside over them.
The names of these with their presiding deities are enumerated in the Yajurveda, beginning with Krttika, where the spring equinox was situated at that period. The thirteen and a half nakshatras ending with Vishakha, situated in the northern hemisphere, were called devanakshatras, while the thirteen and a half others ending with Bharani were called yamanakshatras as seen in the following passage of the Taittiriya brahmana (1.5.2.7)<ref name=":0" /><blockquote>कृत्तिकाः प्रथमम् । विशाखे उत्तमम् । तानि देवनक्षत्राणि । अनूराधाः प्रथमम् । अपभरणीरुत्तमम् । तानि यमनक्षत्राणि ।<ref>Taittiriya Brahmana, Book 1, [http://www.sanskritweb.net/yajurveda/tb-1-05.pdf Chapter 5].</ref></blockquote><blockquote>''kr̥ttikāḥ prathamam । viśākhe uttamam । tāni devanakṣatrāṇi । anūrādhāḥ prathamam । apabharaṇīruttamam । tāni yamanakṣatrāṇi ।''</blockquote>The presiding deities of the asterisms (beginning from krttika) are, respectively: Agni, Prajapati, Soma, Rudra, Aditi, Brhaspati, Serpents, Pitrs (Manes), Bhaga, Aryaman, Savita, Tvasta, Vayu, Indragni, Mitra, Indra, Nirrti, Waters, Vishvedevas, Vishnu, Vasus, Varuna, Ajaekapada, Ahirbudhnya, Pushan, Ashvinas and Yama. (R-VJ 25-28; Y-VY 32-35)<blockquote>अग्निः प्रजापतिः सोमो रुद्रोऽदितिर्बृहस्पतिः । सर्पाश्च पितरश्चैव भगश्चैवार्यमापि च ॥२५॥</blockquote><blockquote>सविता त्वष्टाथ वायुश्चेन्द्राग्नी मित्र एव च । इन्द्रो निरॄतिरापो वै विश्वेदेवास्तथैव च ॥२६॥</blockquote><blockquote>विष्णुर्वसवो वरुणोऽज एकपात् तथैव च । अहिर्बुध्न्यस्तथा पूषा अश्विनौ यम एव च ॥२७॥<ref name=":0" /></blockquote><blockquote>''agniḥ prajāpatiḥ somo rudro'ditirbr̥haspatiḥ । sarpāśca pitaraścaiva bhagaścaivāryamāpi ca ॥25॥''</blockquote><blockquote>''savitā tvaṣṭātha vāyuścendrāgnī mitra eva ca । indro nirr̥̄tirāpo vai viśvedevāstathaiva ca ॥26॥''</blockquote><blockquote>''viṣṇurvasavo varuṇo'ja ekapāt tathaiva ca । ahirbudhnyastathā pūṣā aśvinau yama eva ca ॥27॥''</blockquote>The Taittiriya Samhita (4.4.10.1-3) and the Taittiriya brahmana (1.5.1; 3.1.1-2; 3.1.4-5) give the names of the 28 nakshatras along with those of the deities supposed to preside over them.
Also see, Atharva-samhita 19.7.2-5; Kathaka-samhita 39.13; Maitrayani-samhita 2.13.20<ref>Kolachana, Aditya & Mahesh, Kaluva & Ramasubramanian, K.. (2019). Main characteristics and achievements of ancient Indian astronomy in historical perspective. 10.1007/978-981-13-7326-8_24. </ref>
Also see, Atharva-samhita 19.7.2-5; Kathaka-samhita 39.13; Maitrayani-samhita 2.13.20<ref>Kolachana, Aditya & Mahesh, Kaluva & Ramasubramanian, K.. (2019). Main characteristics and achievements of ancient Indian astronomy in historical perspective. 10.1007/978-981-13-7326-8_24. </ref>
== Constellations other than Nakshatras ==
== Constellations other than Nakshatras ==
Apart from the 28 nakshatras, some other constellations have also been noted in the Vedic literature. The Rgveda (1.24.10; 10.14.11; 10.63.10) mentions
Apart from the 28 nakshatras, some other constellations have also been noted in the Vedic literature. The Rgveda (1.24.10; 10.14.11; 10.63.10) mentions