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Nakshatra
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"Ashlesha" redirects here. For the star, see Epsilon Hydrae.
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For the 2017 film, see Nakshatram (film).
See also: List of Nakshatras

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Nakshatras

 Ashvinī
 Bharanī
 Kṛttikā
 Rohinī
 Mrigashīra
 Ārdrā
 Punarvasu
 Pushya
Ashlesha (nakshatra)
 Maghā
Pūrva Phalgunī (Pubbha)
Uttara Phalgunī (Uttara)
  Hasta
 Chitrā (Spica)
 Svātī (Arcturus)
 Vishākhā
 Anurādhā
 Jyeshtha
 Mūla
 Pūrva Ashādhā
 Uttara Ashādhā
 Shravana
 Dhanistha
 Shatabhisha
 Pūrva Bhādrapadā
 Uttara Bhādrapadā
 Revatī
 Abhijit

 v
 t
 e

Nakshatra (Sanskrit:   , IAST: Nakṣatra) is the term for lunar mansion in Hindu
astrology and Indian Astronomy. A nakshatra is one of 28 (sometimes also 27) sectors along the
ecliptic. Their names are related to a prominent star or asterisms in or near the respective sectors.
The starting point for the nakshatras according to Vedas is "Krittika" (it has been argued because the
Pleiades may have started the year at the time the Vedas were compiled, presumably at the vernal
equinox), but, in more recent compilations, the start of the nakshatras list is the point on the ecliptic
directly opposite to the star Spica called Chitrā in Sanskrit, which would be Ashvinī, an asterism that
is part of the modern constellation Aries, and these compilations therefore may have been compiled
during the centuries when the sun was passing through the area of the constellation Aries at the time
of the vernal equinox. This version may have been called Meshādi or the "start of
Aries".[1][better source needed]
The first astronomical text that lists them is the Vedanga Jyotisha.[2][better source needed]
In classical Hindu scriptures (Mahabharata, Harivamsa), the creation of the nakshatras is attributed
to Daksha. They are personified as daughters of Daksha and as wives of Chandra known as the
Moon God (who reluctantly married the 26 other nakshatra's on Daksha's request even though he
was only interested to marry Rohini), or alternatively the daughters of Kashyapa, the brother of
Daksha.

Contents

 1In the Atharvaveda

 2List of Nakshatras
 3Padas (quarters)
 4See also
 5Notes
 6References
 7External links