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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" /> − + − 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, the moon, and the Nakṣatras in Taittirīya Saṃhitā, i. 8, 13, 3; Vājasaneyi Saṃhitā, xxii. 29, etc.+ − the moon and the Nakṣatras, Taittirīya Saṃhitā, iii. 4, 5, 1; Kāṭhaka Saṃhitā, xxxv. 15; xxxvii. 12; Vājasaneyi Saṃhitā, xxx. 21; xxxix. 2, etc.+ − + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + Line 84:
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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>
{{#evu:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jPJVDYprKcI&feature=youtu.be
{{#evu:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jPJVDYprKcI&feature=youtu.be
<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>
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>
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 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 sun and the Nakṣatras are mentioned together in Vājasaneyi Saṃhitā, xxiii. 43; Taittirīya Āraṇyaka, iv. 10, 12.
* 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 Nakṣatras alone; 11) Taittirīya Saṃhitā, i. 2, 2, 2; ii 6, 2, 6, etc; Vājasaneyi Saṃhitā, xxx. 21 etc.; Kāṭhaka Saṃhitā, Aśvamedha, v. 5,
* 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