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A nakshatra (Devanagari: नक्षत्र) or lunar mansion is one of the 27 or 28 divisions of the sky, identified by the prominent star(s) in them, that the Moon passes through during its monthly cycle, as used in Hindu astronomy and astrology. Therefore, each represents a division of the ecliptic similar to the zodiac. The mansion associated with a given date corresponds to the constellation which the Moon is passing through at that time. Nakshatra computation appears to have been well known at the time of the Rig Veda (2nd millennium BC). In RV 10.55.3., 34 lights are described, probably the 27 nakshatras and seven Grahas (sun, moon and five planets).^[1] The Taittiriya Samhita says that they are connected with the path of the moon.^[2] Image File history File links Example. ... The Brahmic family is a family of abugidas (writing systems) used in South Asia, Southeast Asia, Tibet, Mongolia, Manchuria. ... Rigveda manuscript in Devanagari (early 19th century) DevanāgarÄ« (देवनागरी — in English pronounced ) (ISCII – IS13194:1991) [1] is an abugida alphabet used to write several Indian languages, including Sanskrit, Hindi, Marathi, Kashmiri, Sindhi, Bihari, Bhili, Konkani, Bhojpuri and Nepali from Nepal. ... Apparent magnitude: up to -12. ... Look up Month in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. ... Hindu Astronomy is one of the ancient astronomical systems of the world. ... Jyotisha (, in Hindi and English usage Jyotish) is the Hindu system of astrology, one of the six disciplines of Vedanga, and regarded as one of the oldest schools of ancient astrology to have had an independent origin, affecting all other schools in and around India. ... The plane of the ecliptic is well seen in this picture from the 1994 lunar prospecting Clementine spacecraft. ... It has been suggested that this article be split into multiple articles. ... The Rigveda (Sanskrit: , a tatpurusha compound of praise, verse and knowledge) is a collection of Vedic Sanskrit hymns dedicated to the gods. ... The tenth Mandala of the Rigveda has 191 hymns, to Agni and other gods. ... Graha is a “cosmic influencer” on the living beings of mother Bhumidevi (earth). ...

The starting point for this division is the point on the ecliptic directly opposite to the star Spica called Chitrā in Sanskrit. (Other slightly-different definitions exist.) It is called Meshādi or the "start of Aries". The ecliptic is divided into the nakshatras eastwards starting from this point. Spica (α Vir / α Virginis / Alpha Virginis) is the brightest star in the constellation Virgo, and one of the brightest stars in the nighttime sky. ... The Sanskrit language ( , for short ) is an old Indo-Aryan language from the Indian Subcontinent, the classical literary language of the Hindus of India[1], a liturgical language of Hinduism, Buddhism, and Jainism, and one of the 23 official languages of India. ... Symbol of Aries Aries is an astrological sign that is associated with the constellation Aries. ...

The 27 Nakshatras cover 13°20’ of the ecliptic each. Each Nakshatra is divided into quarters or padas of 3°20’. The nakshatras with their corresponding regions of sky are given below, following [Basham]'s Appendix: Astronomy. The plane of the ecliptic is well seen in this picture from the 1994 lunar prospecting Clementine spacecraft. ...

#	Name	Lord	Western equivalent	Map	Location
1	Ashvinī (अश्विनि)	MSN (Ketu)	β and γ Arietis		00AR00-13AR20
2	Bharanī (भरणी)	Venus (Shukra)	35, 39, and 41 Arietis		13AR20-26AR40
3	Krittikā (क्रृत्तिका)	Sun (Ravi)	Pleiades		26AR40-10TA00
4	Rohini (रोहिणी)	Moon (Chandra)	Aldebaran		10TA00-23TA20
5	Mrigashīrsha (म्रृगशीर्षा)	Mars(Mangal)	λ, φ Orionis		23TA40-06GE40
6	Ārdrā (आर्द्रा)	MNN (Rahu)	Betelgeuse		06GE40-20GE00
7	Punarvasu (पुनर्वसु)	Jupiter (Guru)	Castor and Pollux		20GE00-03CA20
8	Pushya (पुष्य)	Saturn (Shani)	γ, δ and θ Cancri		03CA20-16CA40
9	Āshleshā (आश्लेषा)	Mercury (Budh)	δ, ε, η, ρ, and σ Hydrae		16CA40-30CA500
10	Maghā (मघा)	MSN (Ketu)	Regulus		00LE00-13LE20
11	Pūrva or Pūrva Phalgunī (पूर्व फाल्गुनी)	Venus (Shukra)	δ and θ Leonis		13LE20-26LE40
12	Uttara or Uttara Phalgunī (उत्तर फाल्गुनी)	Sun (Surya)	Denebola		26LE40-10VI00
13	Hasta (हस्त)	Moon (Chandra)	α, β, γ, δ and ε Corvi		10VI00-23VI20
14	Chitrā (चित्रा)	Mars (Mangal)	Spica		23VI20-06LI40
15	Svātī (स्वाति)	MNN (Rahu)	Arcturus		06LI40-20LI00
16	Vishākhā (विशाखा)	Jupiter (Guru)	α, β, γ and ι Librae		20LI00-03SC20
17	Anurādhā (अनुराधा)	Saturn (Shani)	β, δ and π Scorpionis		03SC20-16SC40
18	Jyeshtha (ज्येष्ठा)	Mercury (Budh)	α, σ, and τ Scorpionis		16SC40-30SC00
19	Mūla (मूल)	MSN (Ketu)	ε, ζ, η, θ, ι, κ, λ, μ and ν Scorpionis		00SG00-13SG20
20	Pūrva Ashādhā (पूर्वाषाढ़ा)	Venus (Shukra)	δ and ε Sagittarii		13SG20-26SG40
21	Uttara Ashādhā (उत्तराषाढ़ा)	Sun (Surya)	ζ and σ Sagittarii		26SG40-10CP00
22	Shravana (श्रवण)	Moon (Chandra)	α, β and γ Aquilae		10CP00-23CP20
23	Shravishthā (श्रविष्ठा) or Dhanistā	Mars (Mangal)	α to δ Delphinus		23CP20-06AQ40
24	Shatabhishā (शतभिषा)or Shatataraka	MNN (Rahu)	γ Aquarii		06AQ40-20AQ00
25	Pūrva Bhādrapadā (पूर्वभाद्रपदा)	Jupiter (Guru)	α and β Pegasi		20AQ00-03PI20
26	Uttara Bhādrapadā (उत्तरभाद्रपदा)	Saturn (Shani)	γ Pegasi and α Andromedae		03PI20-16PI40
27	Revatī (रेवती)	Mercury (Budh)	ζ Piscium		16PI40-30PI00

An additional 28th intercalary nakshatra, Abhijit (अभिजित)(α, ε and ζ Lyrae - Vega - between Uttarasharha and Sravana), is required to compensate for the sidereal month being eight hours more than 27 days. Unlike the 13°20' range of the 27 proper nakshatras, Abhijit spans 4°14' to reflect the extra span of 7¾ hours. Ashvini () is the name of a Hindu constellation (the head of Aries, or the first of the 28 Nakshatras). ... Bharani (devanagari: भरणी) is the second nakshatra in Hindu astronomy, corresponding to 35, 39, and 41 Arietis. ... Krittika nakshatra corresponds to the open star cluster Pleiades in Indian astronomy and Indian astrology. ... Rohini may refer to any of the following - Rohini as in Rohini Nakshatram (see also Nakshatra), in Hindu mythology a daughter of Daksha and a consort of the moon-God Chandra; symbolised as the star Rohini. ... MrigashÄ«rsha/Mrigashira (Devanagari: मृगशिरा) the 5th nakshatra or lunar mansion as used in Hindu astronomy and astrology is the constellation Orion. ... In Hindu mythology, Ardra is the goddess of good luck and fortune. ... Punarvasu is a Nakshatra in Hindu astronomy, that refers to the two brightest stars in the constellation of Gemini: Castor and Pollux. ... Pausha is the tenth month of the Hindu calendar also know as Poush or Pushya. ... Ashlesha is the name of a daughter of Prajapati Daksha; she is one of the wives of Chandra. ... Magha might be a transliteration for The Hindu month Magha (माघ) The nakshatra Magha (मघा) Kalinga Magha a king of Sri lanka Categories: | | ... The Spanish language has a range of prepositions that are comparable to those of English. ... Chitra (चित्र) is a nakshatra. ... Jyestha (Hindi: जेठ jeá¹­ or ज्येष्ठ jyeṣṭ) is a month of the Hindu calendar, also known as Jeth or Iethe. ... Shraavana (Hindi: सावन saavan or श्रावण shraavan) is a month of the Hindu calendar, also known as Sawan. ... Uttarabhadra (Devanagari: उत्तराभाद्रा) is the 26th nakshatra (Devanagari: नक्षत्र) or lunar mansion as used in Hindu astronomy and astrology. ... Ashvini () is the name of a Hindu constellation (the head of Aries, or the first of the 28 Nakshatras). ... Sharatan also known as Beta Arietis or 6 Arietis is a star in the constellation Aries, it is the second Rams horn. ... Gamma Arietis (γ Ari / γ Arietis) is a star in constellation Aries. ... Aries (IPA: , Latin: , symbol , ) is one of the constellations of the zodiac. ... This is a celestial map of the constellation Aries, the Ram Copyright © 2003 Torsten Bronger. ... Bharani (devanagari: भरणी) is the second nakshatra in Hindu astronomy, corresponding to 35, 39, and 41 Arietis. ... 35 Arietis is a star in the constellation Aries. ... 39 Arietis is a star in the constellation Aries. ... 41 Arietis is a star in the constellation Aries. ... Aries (IPA: , Latin: , symbol , ) is one of the constellations of the zodiac. ... This is a celestial map of the constellation Aries, the Ram Copyright © 2003 Torsten Bronger. ... Krittika nakshatra corresponds to the open star cluster Pleiades in Indian astronomy and Indian astrology. ... The Pleiades are an open cluster dominated by hot blue stars surrounded by reflection nebulosity A shorter exposure shows less nebulosity. ... This file has been listed on Wikipedia:Images and media for deletion. ... Rohini may refer to any of the following - Rohini as in Rohini Nakshatram (see also Nakshatra), in Hindu mythology a daughter of Daksha and a consort of the moon-God Chandra; symbolised as the star Rohini. ... Aldebaran, (α Tau / α Tauri / Alpha Tauri), is the brightest star in the constellation Taurus and one of the brightest stars in the nighttime sky. ... This file has been listed on Wikipedia:Images and media for deletion. ... MrigashÄ«rsha/Mrigashira (Devanagari: मृगशिरा) the 5th nakshatra or lunar mansion as used in Hindu astronomy and astrology is the constellation Orion. ... Lambda Orionis (λ Ori / λ Orionis) is a star in the constellation Orion. ... Orion (IPA: ), a constellation often referred to as The Hunter, is a prominent constellation, perhaps the best-known and most conspicuous in the sky. ... This is a celestial map of the constellation Orion the Hunter. ... In Hindu mythology, Ardra is the goddess of good luck and fortune. ... Betelgeuse (Alpha (α) Orionis) (also written Betelguese and Betelgeux) is a semiregular variable star located 427 light-years away [1]. It is the second brightest star in the constellation Orion, and the ninth brightest star in the night sky. ... This is a celestial map of the constellation Orion the Hunter. ... Punarvasu is a Nakshatra in Hindu astronomy, that refers to the two brightest stars in the constellation of Gemini: Castor and Pollux. ... Castor (α Gem / α Geminorum / Alpha Geminorum) is the second brightest star in the constellation Gemini and one of the brightest stars in the nighttime sky. ... Pollux (β Gem / β Geminorum / Beta Geminorum) is one of the brightest star in the constellation Gemini and one of the brightest stars in the nighttime sky. ... This is a celestial map of the constellation Gemnini, the Twins. ... Pausha is the tenth month of the Hindu calendar also know as Poush or Pushya. ... Asellus Borealis (lat. ... Asellus Australis (lat. ... Theta Cancri (abbr. ... Cancer (IPA: , Latin: , symbol , ) is one of the thirteen constellations of the zodiac. ... This is a celestial map of the constellation Cancer, the Crab Copyright © 2003 Torsten Bronger. ... Ashlesha is the name of a daughter of Prajapati Daksha; she is one of the wives of Chandra. ... Minchir is the designation of the star sigma Hydrae. ... Hydra (IPA: ) is the largest of the 88 modern constellations, and was also one of the 48 constellations listed by Ptolemy. ... This is a celestial map of the constellation Hydra. ... Magha might be a transliteration for The Hindu month Magha (माघ) The nakshatra Magha (मघा) Kalinga Magha a king of Sri lanka Categories: | | ... Regulus (α Leo / α Leonis / Alpha Leonis) is the brightest star in the constellation Leo and one of the brightest stars in the nighttime sky. ... This file has been listed on Wikipedia:Images and media for deletion. ... Duhr (also Dhur) is the name of the star delta Leonis in the constellation lion. ... Chertan (two small ribs) is the name of the star Theta Leonis in the constellation Leo. ... Leo (IPA: , Latin: , symbol , ) is a constellation of the zodiac. ... This file has been listed on Wikipedia:Images and media for deletion. ... Uttara in Hindu mythology is the name of the son of King Virata who went into battle with Arjuna, in disguise, as his charioteer. ... Denebola (β Leo / β Leonis / Beta Leonis) is the second brightest star in the constellation Leo. ... This file has been listed on Wikipedia:Images and media for deletion. ... The Spanish language has a range of prepositions that are comparable to those of English. ... Alpha Corvi (α Crv / α Corvi) is a star in the constellation Corvus. ... Kraz is the name for the star Beta Corvi. ... Gamma Corvi (γ Crv / γ Corvi) is a star in the constellation Corvus. ... Algorab (arab. ... Minkar (bill) is the name of the star Epsilon Corvi. ... Corvus (Latin for Raven/Crow) is a small southern constellation with only 11 stars visible to the naked eye (brighter than magnitude 5. ... This is a celestial map of the constellation Corvus the Raven. ... Chitra (चित्र) is a nakshatra. ... Spica (α Vir / α Virginis / Alpha Virginis) is the brightest star in the constellation Virgo, and one of the brightest stars in the nighttime sky. ... Hey look. ... Arcturus (α Boo / α Boötis / Alpha Boötis) (IPA: ) is the brightest star in the constellation Boötes, and the third brightest star in the night sky, with a visual magnitude of −0. ... File links The following pages link to this file: Arcturus Boötes Category:Bootes constellation Categories: GFDL images | Maps of the constellations ... Alpha Librae (α Lib / α Librae) is the second brightest star in the constellation Libra (despite its Bayer designation as alpha). It also has the traditional name Zubenelgenubi. ... Beta Librae (β Lib / β Librae) is the brightest star in the constellation Libra. ... Zuben-el-Akrab (arab. ... Libra (, and Latin for balance) is a constellation of the zodiac. ... This is a celestial map of the constellation Libra, the Scales. ... Beta Scorpii (β Sco / β Scorpii) is a star system in the constellation Scorpius. ... Delta Scorpii (δ Sco / δ Scorpii) is a star in the constellation Scorpius. ... Pi Scorpii is a triple star system in the constellation Scorpius. ... Scorpius (, and Latin for scorpion) is one of the constellations of the zodiac. ... This is a celestial map of the constellation Scorpius, the Scorpion. ... Jyestha (Hindi: जेठ jeá¹­ or ज्येष्ठ jyeṣṭ) is a month of the Hindu calendar, also known as Jeth or Iethe. ... Antares (α Scorpii) is a star. ... Al Niyat is the name of the star sigma Scorpii in the constellation scorpio. ... Tau Scorpii is a star in the constellation Scorpius. ... Scorpius (, and Latin for scorpion) is one of the constellations of the zodiac. ... This is a celestial map of the constellation Scorpius, the Scorpion. ... Wei (魏) refers to: Northern Wei Dynasty, archaeologically the most famous of the Wei dynasties The State of Wei during the Spring and Autumn Period and the Warring States Period The Kingdom of Wei during the Three Kingdoms Period The Kingdom of Wei founded by Ran Min during the Period... Eta Scorpii (η Sco/η Scorpii) is a star in the constellation Scorpius. ... Theta Scorpii (θ Sco / θ Scorpii) is a binary star in the constellation Scorpius. ... Girtab is the name of Kappa Scorpii. ... Lambda Scorpii (λ Sco / λ Scorpii) is the second brightest star system in the constellation Scorpius, and one of the brightest stars in the nighttime sky. ... The Bayer designation Mu Scorpii (μ Sco / μ Scorpii) is shared by two star systems, μ¹ Scorpii and μ² Scorpii, in the constellation Scorpius. ... Nu Scorpii (ν Sco / ν Scorpii) is a star system in the constellation Scorpius. ... Scorpius (, and Latin for scorpion) is one of the constellations of the zodiac. ... This is a celestial map of the constellation Scorpius, the Scorpion. ... Delta Sagittarii (δ Sgr / δ Sagittarii) is a star in the constellation Sagittarius. ... Epsilon Sagittarii (ε Sgr / ε Sagittarii) is a binary star in the constellation Sagittarius. ... For other uses, see Sagittarius. ... This is a celestial map of the constellation Sagittarius, the Archer. ... Zeta Sagittarii (ζ Sgr / ζ Sagittarii) is the third brightest star system in the constellation Sagittarius. ... Nunki is the σ star in the constellation of Sagittarius Sigma Sagitarii (σ Sgr / σ Sagittarii) is the second brightest star system in the constellation Sagittarius. ... For other uses, see Sagittarius. ... This is a celestial map of the constellation Sagittarius, the Archer. ... Shraavana (Hindi: सावन saavan or श्रावण shraavan) is a month of the Hindu calendar, also known as Sawan. ... For other uses, see Altair (disambiguation). ... The star Alshain (Scientific Name Beta Aquilae) is located at right ascension 19h 55. ... TARAZED (Gamma Aquilae). ... Aquila (IPA: , Latin: ; sometimes named the Vulture), is one of the 48 constellations listed by Ptolemy, also mentioned by Eudoxus (4th cent. ... This is a celestial map of the constellation Aquila the Eagle. ... Sualocin (α Delphini) and Rotanev (β Delphini) are names of stars, the result of an enduring practical joke played by the Italian astronomer Nicolò Cacciatore, assistant to Giuseppe Piazzi, who reversed the letters in the Latin version of his own name (Nicolaus Venator). The two mysterious names Sualocin and Rotanev simply appeared... Delphinus, being Latin for Dolphin, is a rather small (ranked 69th) northern constellation very close to the celestial equator. ... This is a celestial map of the constellation Delphinus, the Dolphin. ... Gamma Aquarii (γ Aqr / γ Aquarii) is a star in the constellation Aquarius. ... Aquarii is a name given to the Christians who substituted water for wine in the Eucharist. ... This is a celestial map of the constellation Aquarius, the Water Carrier. ... Template:Starox begin |- ! style=background-color: #FFFFC0; colspan=2 | Observation data Equinox J2000 |- | Constellation | Pegasus |- | Right ascension | 23h 04m 45. ... Beta Pegasi (β Peg / β Pegasi) is a star in the constellation Pegasus. ... Pegasus (IPA: ) is a northern constellation, named after the mythological Pegasus, named for the winged horse. ... This is a celestial map of the constellation Pegasus. ... Uttarabhadra (Devanagari: उत्तराभाद्रा) is the 26th nakshatra (Devanagari: नक्षत्र) or lunar mansion as used in Hindu astronomy and astrology. ... Gamma Pegasi (γ Peg / γ Pegasi) is a star in the constellation of Pegasus. ... Pegasus (IPA: ) is a northern constellation, named after the mythological Pegasus, named for the winged horse. ... Alpha Andromedae (α And / α Andromedae) is the brightest star in the Andromeda constellation, which is located immediately northwest of Pegasus. ... Andromeda (IPA: ) is a constellation named for the princess Andromeda (which is Greek for Ruler over men), a character in Greek mythology. ... This is a celestial map of the constellation Andromeda. ... For other uses, see Pisces. ... Image File history File links Pisces_constellation_map. ... This article is about Vega, the star. ... Epsilon Lyrae (ε Lyr / ε Lyrae) is a binary star in the constellation Lyra. ... The constellation Lyra (Latin for Lyre) already formed part of Ptolemys list of 48 constellations and is also one of the 88 modern constellations approved by the IAU. Lyra is not very big but still easy to find because its principal star, Vega, is also a vertex of the... Vega (α Lyr / α Lyrae / Alpha Lyrae) is a white main sequence star approximately 25. ...

The list of Nakshatras is found in the Vedic texts (AV 19.7; Taittiriya Samhita) and also in the Shatapatha Brahmana. The first astronomy text that lists them is the Vedanga Jyotisha of Lagadha. Veda redirects here. ... The Yajurveda (Sanskrit , a tatpurusha compound of sacrifice + veda knowledge) is one of the four Hindu Vedas. ... Shatapatha Brahmana (Brahmana of one-hundred paths) is one of the prose texts describing the Vedic ritual. ... A giant Hubble mosaic of the Crab Nebula, a supernova remnant. ... The Vedanga Jyotisha, is an Indian text on Vedic astronomy, written by Lagadha (लगध), and which has been dated to 1350 BCE. The text describes rules for tracking the motions of the sun and the moon. ... Lagadha (लगध) is the author of Vedanga Jyotisha, the text on Vedic astronomy that has been dated to 1350 BC. This text describes rules for tracking the motions of the sun and the moon. ...

Traditional Hindu Names

Hindu astrologers (see Jyotisha) teach that when a Hindu child is born, they should be given an auspicious first name which will correspond to the child's Nakshatra. Each birthstar has corresponding Sanskrit sounds which would belong at the beginning of such a name. These are available under each Nakshatra, listed above. Jyotisha (, in Hindi and English usage Jyotish) is the Hindu system of astrology, one of the six disciplines of Vedanga, and regarded as one of the oldest schools of ancient astrology to have had an independent origin, affecting all other schools in and around India. ...

Notes

1. ^ Subhash Kak. Astronomical Code of the Rigveda. 1994:15
2. ^ Subhash Kak. Astronomical Code of the Rigveda. 1994:15

Some authors who have written books on the Nakshatras include:

• Dennis Harness
• Camilla Sutton
• Valerie Roebuck
• Bepin Behari
• K.T. Shubhakaran
• Bill Levacy
• Jim Kelleher

External links

• Free Online Nakshatra Finder (Malayalam), Panchangam
• http://www.maharishi-jyotish.com/English/27_nakshatras_English.htm
• http://indigocoatl.tripod.com/nakshatras.html
• http://www.renaissanceastrology.com/mansionsmoon.html
• http://galacticcenter.org/nakshatras.htm
• Astrojasta - Find out your nakshatra

See also

• Jyotisha
• Chinese constellation
• Twenty-eight mansions
• Navagraha