Vrddha Garga

Vrddha Garga was the earliest reference to
precession of equinoxes?
"Clearly, both the astronomical markers recorded by Rishi Gargya in Atharva
Veda kaanda 19 sookta 7 would be correct only near about circa 2400 BCE.
This must certainly be incontrovertible proof that Rishi Gargya's Sookta was
composed near 2400 BCE, dating Atharvana Veda to at least 2400 BCE." The
key question is: what is the date of Vrddha Garga? Abhyankar claims it to be
500
BCE. http://www.new1.dli.ernet.in/data1/upload/insa/INSA_1/20005b5f_19.
pdf
Kalyanaraman
http://www.vedicastronomy.net/stars_bharatheeya.htm
NAMES OF STARS FROM THE PERIOD OF THE VEDAS

Bharateeya Nakshatra system
Though the lunar time between two successive full moons is 29.53059 solar days, the
time taken for moon to go round the earth (sidereal month) is 27.32166 days. Moon also
has an oscillatory motion crossing the ecliptic. The moon anomalistic motion and nodal
motion have periods are 27.55545 and 27.21222 days for a revolution around earth.
The reason for time between full moons being higher than sidereal month is because,
the moon has to go around the earth by more than a revolution (nearly 390 degrees) to
keep with earth which moves forward in its trajectory around sun.
The Chandramaana lunar calendar system keeps a natural cyclic count of days using
two Moon based properties described below.
First property is that moon functions as an astronomical day count clock in which Moon
is the pointer and the stars are numerals in the sky pointed to by moon each day of the
lunar month. The astronomers of Vedic period identified this approximate 13 degree
movement of the moon between successive days and named the 27/28 stars pointed to
by moon on a daily basis over a rotation as 27/28 nakshatra's, corresponding to little
less than a lunar month. Thus a Nakshatra shift corresponds to moon traverse over
approximately one solar day.
The second property is the size of fractional moon exposure to sun can indicate a day
count and is defined as a moon day or thiti. Thirty thiti's are defined in a lunar month,
each thiti being smaller than a solar day. Fifteen are identified as Shukla paksha or
ascending fortnight and next fifteen are called krishna paksha or descending fortnight.
This system of day count calendar keeping, is traceable to Veda's. Veda's, which are
perhaps the oldest original documentation of knowledge any where in the world, still in
their original shape and language. A study of theVeda's, Brahmana's, and Aaranyaka's
point exclusive use of a lunar pointer as the primary calendar in
the Vedicperiods. Pournamsya, a time at which earth, sun, moon are aligned is a time of
singularity used for religious purposes and formed the unit of half a month and is used
in Rigveda. The Vedas also refer to solar events such as Aayanas, and Vishuwat-
Sankramana's as solar singular events. Ayana means Solstices when apparent North-
South movement of Sun reverses, usually occurring on June 21 and Dec
22. Vishuwat means equal or the spring and fall equinox’s when daytime is equal to
nighttime, usually occurring on March 21 and Sep 21. There are vedic references to
solar singularities with corresponding solar/lunar pointed star locations.
The six-season definition is unique to vedic system and is not found in any other
recorded culture or system. These seasons are, Vasanta, Geeshma, Varsha, Sharad,
Himavanta and Shishira each season being about two moon cycles. It is in Taittareeya
Samhita (Krishna Yajurveda) and in Atharva samhita 19th kaanda /7th Sootrathat an
explicit first definition and identification of the twenty- seven(28) Nakshatra’s is available
(Refs, 1 and 2). It should be noted that the concept of Zodiac/Raashi is not even hinted
in any vedic texts of the old period.
The table below provides a list of the twenty-seven stars from Taittareeya Samhita and
Krishna Yajurveda 4thKaanda 4th Prashna of Andhra School. Similar list is referred to
in Atharvaveda, 19th kaanda/7th Sookta. It differs from the Yajurveda list in that twenty
eight stars are listed. In 19 th Kaanda/8th sooktha twenty eight(ashtha
vimshaani) nakshatras are declared. The nakshatra not explicitly used in Jyotishya and
in yajurvedais named Abhijit. The taiaareeya brahmana (third Ashtaka) derived
from yajurveda again lists 28 nakshatrasincluding Abhijit. It is referred to in Athrvana
veda. The author or Drashtaara of Atharva veda sookta is Gaargya Rishi.
The confusion about 27/28 Nakshatras can be analyzed as follows. The 27.3 days
taken by moon for visiting the same star can be rounded to either 27 or 28. Each of
these integers represents a nakshatra or a daily star. It is possible that initially
28 nakshatras were proposed and defined to represent every day. This is evident
fromGargya’s Nakshtara sooktha. Subsequently many years later when Jyotishya was
taking a more formal and mathematical shape, 27 integer identities were perhaps found
to be more reasonable and accurate. Hence one of the original 28 nakshatras had to be
deleted. This could not be done easily as the vedas are considered to be ‘apourusheya’
and no liberties were allowed. Hence perhaps Abhijit, was declared to be an
imaginary nakshatrameant only for phala.(ref 10).
The Table below lists names of Nakshatras, the deity to which Nakshatra is dedicated
to, and alternate names.Ashwini and Bharani are listed as last two Nakshatras. Note
that the list starts from Krittika and not fromAshwini as is currently used
in Jyotishya Shaastra (Ref 3). The time at which Rishi Gargya documented the list
of nakshatra's in Atharvana Veda is at least circa 2400 BC, as analyzed in appendix I.
The appendix also dates the Jyotishya Shaastra as having been brought in to the
present form around circa 400 BC.
Nakshatra No. of stars Alternate name Dedicated to
Krittika 6 Agni
Rohini 5 Prajaapati
Mrigasheerisham 3 Soma
Aardharaa 1 Rudra
Punarvasu 2-4 Aditi
Tishya 3 Pushya Brihaspati
Aaslesha 1 Ashresha Sarpa
Maghaa 5 Pitru
Poorva Phalguni 2 Pubba Bhaga
Uttara Phalguni 2 Uttara
Hastaa 3 Savitru
Chitra 1 Chitta Indra
Swati 1 Vaayu
Vishaaka 2 Indraagni
Anooradha 4 Mitra
Jyeshta 3 Indra
Vichruta 11 Moola Pitru
Aashada 2 Purvashada Aapah
Aashada(Abhijit) 3 Uttarashada Vishvedeva
Shrona 3 Shravana Vishnu
Shravishta 4 Dhanishta Vasu
ShathaBhishaja 100 Indra
Proshtapada 2 Purvabhadra
Proshtapada 2 Uttarabhadra Ahirbadhni
Revathi 32 Pausha
Ashwini 3 Ashwini
Bharani 3 Yama
The lunar calendar was in universal and secular use in ancient Bhaarata. Historical
events used lunar calendar for dating all events. It is well known that Gautama Buddha
was born, achieved his enlightenment and died on full moon day with the full moon
pointing to Vishakha Nakshatra. The twelve months were named after the stars at which
full moon occurs and these are Chaitra, Vaishakha, Jyeshta, Ashaada, Sharavna,
Bhadrapda, Ashwija, Kaartika, Margashira, Pushya, Maagha, Phalguna. Typically
alternate stars with some skips refer to month names and hence accommodate 27 stars
corresponding to nearly 360 degrees motion of Sun in a solar year.The first question
that arises is whether a 'Nakshatra' corresponds to one single star entity or a
group of stars in the sky. Bharateeya Jyotishya shaastra states that
each Nakshatra name corresponds to a group of stars called star mansions or
Asterisms. The concept is that Chandra or Moon visits these mansions in his trajectory
around earth. It is very possible that at the inception of daily star concept during the
early vedic period, a Nakshatra may have been a specific single
star. Nakshatra positions may have been rationalized in later days to mansions or
groups of stars for purposes of mathematical averaging to be exactly 13.333 degrees
apart required in Jyotishya. The table above also shows the number of stars, accepted
by Jyotishya shaastra, constituting the specific Nakshatra.
European Influence on the Bharatheeya system:
The European view (originally from Chaldian and Kassarian cultures of Middle East and
from Egypt), propagated by Greek philosophers, of the night sky and the star system
ran in a different direction in ancient times in that Sun was considered as the pointer to
skies. In contrast, the moon is considered to be the primary pointer
fromvedic astronomical point of view. Star groups pointed to by the sun were defined as
Zodiacs representing clusters of stars forming shapes of animals and figures. Zodiacs
were named after animal shapes or Greek mythological figures. The twelve months
were named and represented Zodiac groups, which had an animal form through which
the Sun passes.
If we compare the names of Bhaarateeya Rashis and Zodiacs and Weekdays, are same
but for the language as shown in table below. It is inconceivable that two non-
communicating societies can evolve name systems, which are translations of each
other in a linguistic sense. Clearly, one of the two parties influenced the other.
Ravivar Sunday Sun
Induvasar or Somavar Monday Moon
Bhomyavasar or Mangalvar Tuesday Mars
Sowmyavasara orBudhavar Wednesday Mercury
Brihaspativasara or Guruvar Thursday Jupiter
Bhargava vasara or Shukravar Friday Venus
Sthiravasara or Shanivar Saturday Saturn
Mesha Aries
Vrishabha Taurus
Mithuna Gemini
Karkataka Cancer
Simha Leo
Kanya Virgo
Tula Libra
Vrishchika Scorpio
Dhanu Sagitarrius
Makara Capricorn
Kumbha Aquarius
Meena Pisces
The Vedas and other older texts do not refer to weekdays named after Graha's or
Planets or to Raashis. TheGrahas referred to in Veda's are Surya, Chandra, Brihaspati,
Shukra, Budha, shani, Kuja, Rahu, Ketu. They extensively refer to Nakshatra month
names and moon pointing at different Nakshatra's for various purposes. Therefore it
appears likely that the Bharateeya cosmological system interacted with the European
solar calendar and gradually the Jyotishya shaastra was modified to the present form,
as we know now. Sun based concepts ofRashi, weekdays were invoked in to Jyotishya.
This could have occurred, perhaps through contact with Yavanas (Greek's) as there is
considerable evidence of Greek and Bharateeya interaction during period
before Chandra Gupta. Appendix provides astronomical time markers which confirm the
origins of Jyotishya Shaastra in present form to circa 400 BC. Without acceptance of
this interaction, it is difficult to explain why the twelve Zodiacs of the European star
system are translations of the Nakshatra-Rashi defined in Jyotishya.
It is worth while looking at the some Bharateeya astronomers of a more recent time of
300-500 AD. They areAryabhata, Varaha Mihira, Brahma Gupta. These astronomers
were aware of the vedic astronomy and made new and unique contributions.
Specifically Aryabhata made contributions to Spherical geometry, a part of
understanding the earth as a globe. Varaha Mihira's contributions include pesently
used Soorya Siddhanta, (He refers to nine types of time keeping and calenders) and the
fact that he proposed Prime Meridian through Ujjainin Madhya Pradesh. He knew of
Earth's Precession and called it as ayanaamsha. Brahma Gupta made contributions
to Arcsin in Trigonometry. Aryabhata had estimated the beginning of kaliyuga as 3102
BC. He stated that when he was 26, sixty of the 60-year cycles were completed after
start of kaliyuga. Varahmihiramade an estimate of 2526 before start of Shaka
varsha for Mahabharata's Yudhishtira. Texts from that period likeYavana Jataka,
Romaka Siddahnta provide evidence of understanding of European astronomical works.
The Chandramaana Lunar scale has 27 daily and twelve month name definitions. While
amalgamating the solar calibrations of zodiacs in to Lunar calibrations of Nakshatra's,
the issue of translating 27 Nakshatras in a revolution to 12 Rashis was solved
in Jyotishya Shaastra by treating 1/4 of a Nakshatra as a unit making Nine quarters
of Nakshatra as one Raashi.
Every society in human history has had its own vision and definition of skies. The
precision of Egyptian,(Chaldean/Akkadian) Messapotamian, Mayan, Stonehenge,
Chinese culture are known to us, and certainly there must have been many others
unknown to documented history. The stars in the skies were identified and named as
single stars or groups and their relation to sun movement has been observed (Ref
6,7,8,9).
Chinese have had a long tradition of astronomical observations. They appear to have
used, Sun, Moon and Jupiter as pointers which included zodiac division in to 28
segments as early as 1200 BC. The 28 segmental division is somewhat similar
to vedic system. The starting position of the 28 zodiacs was in Libra
(near Swati orVishakha). That appears to rule out Chinese interaction
with Vedic culture.
The concept of animal shaped zodiac representing 10-12 zodiacs per year is attributed
to Chaldean and Akkadian cultures of Messapotamia. Egyptian Dendera Palnisphere,
presently in France, which has been dated to about 1800 BC shows the twelve zodiacs
(Ref 4). The earliest traceable documentation from European sources is by Ptolemy in
130 AD, who lived in Alexandria in current Egypt. He compiled data from many
centuries of European knowledge before him and he used Hipparchus's astronomical
observations (nearly 300 year older than Ptolemy) for many of his observations. The
observation of Earth's Precession is attributed to Ptolemy and Hipparchus, and is a
major astronomical observational finding. Ptolemy’s works comes down to modern days
via Arab astronomers who called his work `Al magist’. In this Ptolemy, refers to 48
constellations in the skies. He used the Egyptian year and month names, which were
well advanced and similar to Julian system. Interaction of middle eastern/European
astronomical knowledge with Bharateeya knowledge clearly must have happened,
much before Ptolemy when many Greeks were in Bhaarat. Ptolemy's zodiac boundaries
are different from present zodiac boundaries of same name. The Arab astronomers
used Ptolemy's data base and made a thorough study of the skies after Ptolemy and
many individual stars were named by them in post Ptolemy centuries. These names
have been widely accepted and used.
During many centuries after Ptolemy's time, number of changes have occurred in
constellation definitions and boundaries. In 17th century, Bayer systematically named
stars using three parameters, first to give star a serial number in its constellation, and
second to assign a Greek alphabet representative of the brightness and third to refer to
constellation where star is. Therefore  should always be the brightest star of the
constellation followed by , etc. Flamsteed numbers are another catalog of stars from
same era. The presently accepted 88 Zodiac definition was frozen in 1932 by
International Astronomical Union and stars are named by Bayer's system. This came
about because of the meriad constellation names and boundaries that were being
floated at that time.
Since the profound beginnings of modern astronomy by Kepler, Galileo, Newton and
their astonishing advances in recent times by Hubble and others, extensive and detailed
catalogs of all bodies in skies have been made. Optical and other electromagnetic
wavelength telescopes have been used to study all objects in the skies. The modern
astronomers have a very precise understanding of major and minor planetary motion,
binary stars, Messier objects, Comets, and even man made objects in sky. Modern
astronomical science has catalogs all the visible stars. The identification currently
extensively used in modern astronomy is the HD number standing for Henry Draper
Classifications, and SAO number standing for Smithsonian Astronomical Observatory
catalog number. There are star catalogs from Germany, France, and Britain.
Most of the European style analysis of astronomical references in veda's (starting from
German and British writers of 19 and early 20th century) have always suggested that
the vedic text astronomical observations were generally primitive and any non-primitive
elements were some how derived from Messapotamian/Akkadian/Chaldean origins.
These analyses trivialize any significant original observations in theVeda's. This bias
has been brought out be David Frawley succinctly in his work (ref-8).
Star Brightness/rules used for identifying Vedic star equivalence
Star brightness has been numerically expressed since Hipparchus in 150 BC. The scale
presently used to measure brightness of objects is an inverse geometrical scale with
brightness of sun at -26. With such a bright object, flooding atmosphere, other objects in
sky are only visible to normal human eyes during night when sun is not visible. Full
moon has a brightness of -12. Venus at its brightest has a brightness of -3. A change of
brightness by 2.56 refers to a change of brightness by factor of two. The brightest star is
Sirius, which has a brightness of -1.5. On a clear dark night (without moon), the dullest
object that can be seen by healthy human eye is considered to be +6.
The following principles and assumptions can perhaps be used as the basis for
establishing identity ofBharateeya Nakshatras in this article.
*Nakshatra named by people at Vedic time, must have been visible to naked eye and
hence must be brighter than +5, based on brightness definitions.
*Moon is said to visit the Nakshatra or star mansions. Moon traverse plane is inclined to
sun motion plane and hence over a period of time, the moon trajectories form a band.
Let us call it as the moon traverse band. It is typically 5 degrees around ecliptic. Hence
for any star or group of stars to qualify as a Nakshatra, it must be within the moon
traverse band or outside not exceeding a few moon diameters. One Moon diameter is
about 0.6 degree as seen from earth.
* The Nakshatras should be about 13.33 degrees apart or to 1/27 of 360.
* It is also necessary that they belong to the Raashi's or twelve Zodiacs. There are 88
officially identified zodiacs in the sky, moon traverse band passes only through 12. It
should be noted that the Raashi or zodiac boundaries may vary from past definitions of
2400 years ago when possibly the Zodiac concepts were amalgamated in toJyotishya.
*In Bharat, the traditional Panchangas/almanacs provide chandramana details including
the beginning and end of visit of moon to 27 Nakshatras time to within few minutes of
accuracy for every day of the year. Such almanacs are used even today for religious
purposes. This data has to correlate with our identification in that moon must be near
the star.
Implicit in these rules is the assumption that Jyotishya Shaastra experts of circa 400 BC
carried forward the knowledge and identity of the Nakshatras correctly from vedic period
accurately in correlating nakshatra's toRaashi's at that time. It is this interrelation
of Nakshatras and Raashi's that permit us to identify what the vedictime names of stars
were. The effect of natural motion of stars is assumed to be insignificant, but accounting
for precession or Ayanamsha is necessary.
An astronomical computer software, LOADSTAR PRO GS has been used to identify the
traditional Bharateeya Nakshatras and their equivalents based on the rules and
assumptions declared above.
LoadStar Pro GS Astronomical Software
This is a powerful modern computer based astronomical program (ref 5). This software
provides the view of sky from 10000 BC to 10000 AD at any specific location and time
on earth. The accuracy of this software is declared to be as follows.
4000BC-2000BC 2000BC-0AD 0-1900AD 1900AD-2000AD
Sun 24 arcsec 6 arcsec 4 arcsec 2 arcsec
Moon 0.9 deg 0.5deg 6 arcmin 13arcsec
Stars - - - 2 arcsec
Software can track solar system bodies, stars, Messier Objects, Comets and all natural
heavenly bodies given a date and time. This program provides graphic view of the sky
for any coordinate system and can correct for earth's Precession, Proper Motion in the
Milkiway, optical refraction due to air (altitude and temperature) for any day in Gregorian
calendar (16th century AD) or Julian calendar extrapolated back up to 10000 BC.
Further, the location of the observer at any latitude, longitude and altitude is accounted
for. The software is capable of identifying all Henry Draper objects, Smithsonian
Astronomical Objects and others. The various pictures provided in this document are
derived from this software. The software has been cross-correlated to Smithsonian
Astrophysical Observatory's Ephemeris, and Interactive Computer Ephemeris (ICE) of
US Naval Observatory for 20th century.
The night sky picture for various Raashis are presented in approximately 30 degrees
square of night sky. The Moon traverse band is found by finding moon trajectories over
a period of 20 years. This is shown in all the figures as a band of dots. The Sun
trajectory is fixed and bisects the moon band as a line.
The Nakshatras were identified by using the material from Bhaarateeya chandramana
panchangas (Almanacs) for a given day and looking at the moon pointer to see
which Nakshatra was pointed to, over a period of randomly chosen dates covering a
hundred year period. Then the rules laid out above were used to choose the best
candidate for Nakshatra.
Figure 1 shows the picture of Mesha or Aries group of Stars in the sky. Clearly, the
Moon Band does not touch the Mesha Raashi or Aries as presently identified, but is
within about 5 degrees of the band. Figure 1 shows fourNakshatras
viz., Revati from Meena Raashi, Ashwini, Bharani, and Krittika.
Ashwini Nakshatra is defined in Bharateeya Jyotishya as group of three stars. A study

of the figure 1 suggests that the best candidates for this group are as shown in table
below based on brightness point of view, location with reference to moon traverse band
and distance from previous Nakshatra.
Nakshatra No. SAO HD Bayer Bright Arab/Other
Ashwini 3 75151 12929 13Aries +2.01 Hamal
75102 11636 6 Aries +2.63 -
92680 11502 5-Aries +3.9 -
The month of Ashwija (usually October in the Gregorian System) is named
after Ashwini and at the full moon ofAshwija Moon is near Ashwini Nakshatra. If a single
star has to be identified as representing Ashwini Nakshatra, Best candidate is
13  Aries / SAO-75151/HD-12929/Hamal.
The Bharani Nakshatra is defined as a group of three stars. Brightest can be identified
as HD17573 and SAO75596. The following table provides candidates which qualify as
Bharani Nakshatra from brightness point of view, location with reference to moon
traverse band and distance from previous Nakshatra.
Bharani 3 75596 17573 41-Aries +3.61 -
75578 17361 39-Aries +4.51 -
75532 16908 35-Aries +4.65 -
If a single star has to be identified as representing Bharani Nakshatra, best candidate is
41-Aries/SAO-75596/HD-17573.
Krittika Nakshatra is defined as a set of six stars. Bharateeya tradition has it
that Kaartikeya, is surrounded by five Apsaras. This set of stars is identified by classical
European system as Plaeidis. Brightest amongst them is called Alcyone by Arabs. The
following table provides the candidates of stars for Krittika Nakshatra or Lunar mansion
from brightness point of view, location with reference to moon traverse band and
distance from previousNakshatra.
Krittika 6 76199 23630 25 Aries +2.87 Alcyone
76228 23850 27 +3.63 -
76131 23302 17 +3.70 -
76155 23408 20 +3.88 -
76229 23862 28BU +5.09 -
76140 23338 19 +4.3 -
If a single star has to be identified as representing Krittika Nakshatra, best candidate is
25hAries/SAO-76199/HD-23630/ AlCyone.
Krittika is also the name of the Chandramana month Kaartika. On the full moon day of
Kaartika, the moon is near Krittika Nakshatra. In the Raashi/Nakshatra translation, both
the Ashwini/Bharani belong to Mesha Raashi. The Krittika is considered as 1/4 a part
of Mesha (Aries) and 3/4 a part of Vrishbha (Taurus).
Arundhati Nakshatra (though not a part of the 27 day pointing stars) is near
the Krittitka. It is said to be the eighth star in the cluster Krittika(Ref-2).
The Ashwini/Bharani Nakshatras stars are separated by 50 minutes of time or about
12.5 degrees (E-W), whileBharani and Krittika are separated by about 55 minutes
corresponding to about 13.75 degrees (E-W). Both these gaps are near the ideal 13.33
degrees E-W gap between stars.
Figure 2 shows the night sky covering the Vrishabha Raashi or the Taurus. It
shows Nakshatras, Krittika, Rohini, Mrigashiras. Nakshatra Krittika has already been
discussed in Mesha Raashi, where a quarter of Krittikais said to occur.

Rohini Nakshatra is defined traditionally as a mansion of five stars. In olden days,
Europeans called it as Haydes. The following table provides candidates which qualify
as Rohini Nakshatra from brightness point of view, location with reference to moon
traverse band and distance from previous Nakshatra.
Rohini 5 94027 29139 87 Tau +0.85 Al Debaran
93955 28307 Tau +3.85 -
93868 27371 54 Tau +3.63 -
93897 27697 Tau +3.76 -
93954 28305 75 Tau +3.53 -
Rohini is the brightest of the 27 Stars used for Bharateeya Nakshatra system of names,

with a brightness of 0.85. Rohini is identified as birth star of Sri krishna. The distance
between Krittika and Rohini is about 12.5 degrees (E-W). If a single star has to be
identified as representing Rohini Nakshatra, best candidate is 87Tau/SAO-94027/HD
-29139/ Aldebaran.
Mrigashiras is traditionally defined as a mansion of three stars. The following table
provides candidates which qualify as Mrigashira Nakshatra from brightness point of
view, location with reference to moon traverse band and distance from
previous Nakshatra.

Mrigashiras 3 77168 35479 112 Tau +1.65 El nath
77336 37202 123 Tau +2.98 -
94628 36389 119CE +4.38 -
Mrigashiras Nakshatra is associated with month of Maargashira where, on full moon
day, moon will be nearMrigashira Nakshatra. This approximates to month of December.
The Zodiac name Vrishbha suggests a bull with horns, and Mrigashiras is the head of
the bull. With some imagination, in figure 2 one can imagine springing
bull.Mrigashiras has been named El Nath by Arabs. If a single star has to be identified
as representing Mrigashira Nakshatra, best candidate is 112 Tau /SAO-77168 /HD
-35497/ Elnath.
The distance between Rohini and Mrigashiras is about 50 minutes corresponding to
12.5 degrees (E-W) not too far from 13.33 requirement. All the Vrishbha stars are within
the Moon traverse band.
In the Raashi/Nakshatra translation, 1/4 of Krittika is treated as a part of Mesha and 3/4
of Krittika is treated asVrishbha Raashi. Rohini is considered to be fully
in Vrishbha while 1/2 of Mrigashiras is in Vrishabha and the other 1/2 is in Mithuna.
Figure 3 shows the night sky covering Mithuna Raashi or Gemini Zodiac. The stars in
figure 3 are Aardhra andPunarvasu.
Aardhra is traditionally called as a mansion of single Nakshatra. The following able

provides candidate, which qualify as Aardhra Nakshatra.

Aardhara 1 95912 47105 24 Gem +193 Al Hena
24  Gem/SAO-95912/HD47105/Arab 'Alhena' is the best candidate for Aardhra. It is 68
minutes or 17 degrees (E-W) away from Mrigashiras. It is 2 diameters out of moon
traverse band.
Punarvasu Nakshatra is considered traditionally to be a mansion of four stars. The
following table provides candidates which qualify as Punarvasu Nakshatra from
brightness point of view, location with reference to moon traverse band and distance
from previous Nakshatra.

Punarvasu 4 79666 62509 78 Gem +1.15 Pollux
0 60179 66 Gem +1.59 Castor
79653 62345 77 Gem +3.56 -
79374 58207 60 Gem +3.72 -
If a single star has to be identified as Punarvasu, then 78  Gem/SAO-79666/HD-
62509/'Pollux' is the best candidate for Punarvasu. It is a very bright star of +1.15
brightness. It is about one to two-moon diameter outside of moon band. Punarvasu is
60 minutes or 15 degrees (E-W) away from Aardhra.
In Raashi/Nakshatra translation 1/2 of Mrigashiras, Full Aardhra and 3/4 of
Punarvasu are considered to be part of Mithuna.
Figure 4 shows the night sky covering the stars in the Karkataka Raashi.
The Nakshatras in this Raashi arePushya (or Tishya) and Aaslesha.
Pushya Nakshatra is considered to have three stars traditionally. The following table
provides a list of stars, which qualify as Pushya from brightness point of view, location
with reference to moon traverse band and distance from previous Nakshatra.
Pushya 3 116569 69267 17 cnc +3.52 Al Tarf
27BP-
97819 71250 cnc +5.5 -
97881 72094 31 cnc +5.35 -

If a single star has to be identified as Pushya (Tishya), then 17 Cnc/SAO-116569/HD-
69267/ is the best candidate. The brightness of this star is 3.52. Pushya is 40 minutes
or 11 degrees (E-W) away from Punarvasu. There are no alternate choices of star
for Pushya in this Raashi. Pushya is also nearly 6 to 8 moon diameters away from the
moon-traversing band. Pushya is 40 minutes or 10 degrees (E-W) away
from Punarvasu. Arab name is Al Tarf.
Aaslesha Nakshatra is considered to have two stars. The following table provides a list
of two stars, which can qualify as Aaslesha from a brightness point of view, location with
reference to moon traverse band, and distance from previous Nakshatra.
Asselus
Aaslesha 2 98267 76756 65 cnc +4.23 Australis
98087 74442 cnc +3.93 -
If a single star has to be identified as Aaslesha, then 65  Cnc/SAO 98267/HD 76756 is
the best candidate.Aaslesha is 45 minutes or 11 degrees (E-W) away from Pushya.
This star is also called by Latin name Asseleus Australis. Chinese astronomers also had
a name for this star translated as Second Minister.
In Raashi/Nakshatra translation 1/4 of Punarvasu, whole of Pushya, Aaslesha are
considered to be part ofKarkataka.
Figure 5 shows Nakshatras of Simha. For the imaginative, a lion with a high tail is
visible in figure 5. TheNakshatras shown are, Maghaa, and Pubba/ Poorva Phalguni.
There are a number of bright stars in the Raashi.
Maghaa Nakshatra is considered to have two stars. The following table provides a list of
two stars, which can qualify as Maghaa from a brightness point of view, location with
Maghaa 5 98967 87901 Leo +1.35 Regulus
98955 87737 30 Leo +3.53 -
41 1
81298 89484 +2.61 Algieba
Leo
81265 89025 36 Leo +3.42 -
98078 83808 14 Leo +3.52 -
If a single star has to be identified as Maagha, then the best candidate is
32 Leo/SAO 98967/HD 87901/Regulus. Its is located 70 minutes or 17 degrees (E-
W) away from Aaslesha. Regulus is an old European name for Maghaa known to
Ptolemy.
Poorva Phalguni / Pubba Nakshatra is considered to be a lunar mansion of 2 stars. The
following table provides a list of two stars, which can qualify as Poorva Phalguni from a
brightness point of view, location with reference to moon traverse band, and distance
from previous Nakshatra.
Poorva Phalguni 2 99512 97633 70 Leo +3.34 Chort
81727 97603 68 Leo +2.56 -
If a single star has to be identified as Poorva Phalguni, then SAO 99512/HD 97633 is
the best candidate, and it is located at 65 minutes or 16 degrees (E-W)from Maagha.
Poorva Phalguni is also called Chort by Arabs.
In Raashi/Nakshatra translation, whole of Maghaa and whole of Poorva Phalguni are
considered to be part ofSimha Raashi. 1/4 of the Uttara Phalguni is also considered as
Simha Raashi.
Figure 6 shows 35 degrees containing four Nakshatras in Kanya Raashi called Uttara
Phalguni, Hastaa, Chitra, and Swati.
Though Uttara is a part of Virgo/Kanya in the zodiac, in Bharateeya measure it is

considered as a part of Tula. All the Kanyaa Nakshatras are in the Moon Band and are
the brighter stars of the Raashi. Uttara Phalguni orUttara is onsidered to be a lunar
mansion of 2 stars. The following table provides a list of two stars, which can qualify
as Uttara Phalguni from a brightness point of view, location with reference to moon
traverse band, and distance from previous Nakshatra.

Uttara Phalguni 2 99809 102647 94 Leo +2.14 Denebola
119076 102870 5 Vir +3.61 Zavijava
Both the stars are at same time distance from Poorva Phalguni. If a single star has to be
identified as Uttara Phalguni, then 94  Leo/SAO 119076 / HD 102870 is the best candidate,
despite Denebola being brighter. Reason is that Denebola is about 5 diameters out of Moon
traverse band while Zavijava is in the moon traverse band. Uttara Phalguni, is also called
Zavijava by Arabs.
Hastaa is considered to be a lunar mansion of 3 stars. The following table provides, a
list of three stars which can qualify as Hastaa from a brightness point of view, location
with reference to moon traverse band, and distance from
previous Nakshatra. Hastaa has also been called Porrima, probably an Arab name.
Hastaa 3 0 110380 29 Vir +3.68/2.68 Porrima
119674 113380 43 Vir +3.38 -
100384 113226 47 Vir +2.83 -
If a single star has to be identified as Hastaa, then star 29 g Virgo identified as HD-
110380, (It has no SA0 identification) is best candidate for Hastaa Nakshatra. Its
brightness has been declared as +2.8 in some references and +3.6 in some. Hastaa is
55 minutes or 14 degrees (E-W) away from Uttara Phalguni Nakshatra. It also carries
the Arab name Porrima.
Chitra is considered to be a lunar mansion of single star. The following table provides
the stars which qualifies asChitra from a brightness point of view, location with
reference to moon traverse band, and distance from previousNakshatra.
Chitra 1 157923 116923 67 Vir +0.98 Spica
Chitra is 50 minutes or 13.3 degrees (E-W) away from 'Hastaa'. There can be no doubt
about the identity ofChitra. It also stands for the name of the first month
in Chandramaana calender. The Bhrateeya Chandramaana Ugadi (new Year day) is on
the new moon day of this month, and this day is very near the Spring Equinox day.
In Raashi/Nakshatra translation, 1/4 of Uttara-Phalguni is considered as belonging
to Karkataka. 3/4 of Uttara-Phalguni, whole of Hastaa and 1/2 of Chitra are considered
to belong to Kanyaa Rashi. The other half of Chitra is shown as Tula Raashi.
This star which is very near the ecliptic was scientifically studied by Hipparchus in 150
BC and by Ptolemy in 150 AD, and they noticed the property of earth's precession using
observations on Spica.
Figure 7 shows the 30 degrees square of Tula Raashi and shows, Swati, Vishaaka in
Tula, and Anooradha, Jyeshta Nakshatras of Vrishchika. Tula or the Libra Zodiac is a
very small one. Swati is a difficult Nakshatra to identify, because 10-20 degrees (E-W)
away from Chitra there are no bright stars.
The following table provides the stars which qualifies as Swati from a brightness point of
view, location with reference to moon traverse band, and distance from previous
Nakshatra.
Swati 1 139824 124850 99 Vir +4.08 Symra
There are some scholars who have argued that Arcturus is Swati. Arcturus is located in
'Bootes' constellation and is identified as SAO-10094/HD-124893/16-Bootes of
brightness +1.24. However, Arcturus is at 19 N degrees where as northern limit of moon
traverse (8 S to 18 S) band is -8 degrees. Hence the star
Arcturus is located 27 to 37 degrees away, north from moon traverse band, hence can
not be seriously considered, as being pointed to by Moon. This 27 degrees is the
distance between two Nakshtra's and too large an error. If we accept moon visits the
Arcturus mansion, all our identifications become questionable. The Arcturus mansion
located in Bootes constellation is nowhere near Tula (Libra) or Vrishchika. Even 5000
years ago, the location of that constellation was far away from moon traverse band.
Hence SAO-139824/HD 124850 /99i Vir, also called Syrma by Arabs is the best
candidate for Hastaa. This Nakshatra is 45 minutes or about 12 degrees (E-W) away
from Chitra. It is bright enough to have been given a name by Arab astronomers.
Vishaaka is considered to be a lunar mansion of 2 stars. The following table lists likely
candidate stars in Tula from a brightness point of view, location with respect to moon
traverse band, and distance from previous Nakshatra.
9 2 Zubenelgenubi
Vishaka 2 158840 130841 +2.75
Lib
140340 135742 27 Lib +2.61 Zubeneschemele
If one star has to be chosen as Vishaaka in Tula Raashi, it is 92a2Libra, identified as
SAO 158840 or HD 130481. The brightness is +2.75. It has been called, Zubenelgenubi
by Arabs. Vishaaka pair is 45 minutes or 11(E-W) degrees away from Swati. Though
Zubeneschemele is a little brighter, it is a little away from moon traverse band. Vishaaka
is right in the middle of the moon traverse band. Guatama Buddha was born, received
enlightenment, and died on the full moon day of Vishaka when full moon was on this
nakshatra.
In the Raashi/Nakshatra translation, whole of 1/2 of Chitra, whole of Swaati and 3/4 of
Vishaaka is considered to be in Tula Raashi.
Figure 8 shows the 30 degree square of Vrishchika Raashi in

which Anooraadha, Jyeshta and Moola Nakshatra choices are to be made. Anooradha is
considered to be a mansion of four stars
The following table lists the stars, which qualify as Anooradha

Nakshatra from brightness point of view, location with reference
to moon traverse band, and distance from previous Nakshatra.
Anooradha 4 84014 143275 7 Sco +2.3 Dschubba
159862 144217 8Sco +2.63 -
183987 143018 6 Sco +2.9 -
8 1
184123 144470 +3.97 -
Sco
If a single star has to be identified as Anooraadha then the best candidate is 7-
Sco/SAO 184014/HD 143275.Anooraadha is 1 hour 10 minutes or 17 degrees (E-W)
away from Vishaaka. Anooradha is also called Dschubbaby Arabs.
Jyeshta is considered to be a lunar mansion of 3 stars. The following table lists the
stars, which qualify asJyeshta Nakshatra from brightness point of view, location with
Jyeshta 3 184415 148478 21 Sco +1.08 Antares
184336 147165 20 Sco +2.88 -
184481 149438 23 Sco +2.83 -
If a single star has to be identified as Jyeshta, then the best candidate is 21  Sco/SAO
184415/HD 148478.Jyeshta is 30 minutes or 8 degrees (E-W) away from Anooraadha.
The brightness of Jyeshta is a high +1.08.
In the Raashi Nakshatra translation, 1/4 of Vishaaka, whole of Anooraadha and whole
of Jyeshta are considered as Vrishchika.
Figure 9 shows 30 degrees square area around Dhanu Raashi. The Nakshatras in this
figure are Vichruta/Moola, and Poorvaashada. Both the stars are in the moon traverse
band. For the imaginative, a stretched bow can be seen in the Dhanu
Raashi. Vichruta or Moola Nakshatras considered to be a star mansion with eleven
stars.
The following table presents candidate stars, which qualify as Moola based on

brightness, location with reference to moon traverse band, and distance from
previous Nakshatra.
Moola 11 185320 157056 42 OPH +3.28 -
185296 156897 40 SAG +4.4 -
185401 157792 44-SAG +4.17 -
185412 157919 45-SAG +4.29 -
160332 155125 35 OPH +2.43 Sabik
185470 158643 51-SAG +4.8 -
160700 159876 55 SAG +3.54 -
160479 156928 53 SAG +4.33 -
185155 161592 3 SAG +4.54 -
185198 155886 36-OPH +5.29 -
185327 156350 39-OPH +6.8 -
If one star is to be identified as Moola, then the best candidate for Moola or Vichruta

Nakshatra is 42 q OPH from Ophichius zodiac of the European system. It falls in the
star band and is 50 minutes or 13 degrees (E-W) away from Jyeshta. Its brightness is
+3.28. Arab Sabik is another strong candidate for Moola with +2.43 brightness and is
also 13 degrees from Jyeshta.
Moola or Vichruta has been extensively referred to in Atharveda Kaanda 2,Kaanda 3
and kaanda 6 (Ref 2).Vichruta, stands for darkness and Moola carries an
adjective Arishta. This word has two meanings, one standing for sweet and second
associated with bad associated with death. Astronomically, Moola is in line
with Milkiwaygalactic center. Did some astronomical event appear 5000 years ago near
the center of Milkiway galaxy, which could explain why Moola is considered as bad? In
modern astronomy, there have been conjectures of a black hole at the center of
our Milkiway. This area of sky is visually dark because large amount of matter is
presumed to exist around the center of the Galaxy. Did vedic period astronomers know
of the center of the galaxy or did they see some astronomical event justifying the bad
omen associated with Moola?.
Poorvaashaada Nakshatra is considered to be a star mansion of two stars. The
following table presents candidate stars, which qualify as Poorvashaada based on
previous Nakshatra.
Poorva Aashaada 2 187448 175191 34 SAG +2.06 Nunki
187600 176687 38 SAG +2.6 -
If one star is to be identified as Poorvaashadha, it is 34 Sag, which has an Arab name Nunki.
Its brightness is +2.06. There are other stars nearby and one which has a brightness of 1.8. But it
is far away from the moon traverse band, and hence is not a good candidate for Poorvaashada.
Poorvaasaahda is 80 minutes or 20 (E-W) degrees away from Moola.
Uttarashaada is considered to be a star mansion of two stars. It is shown in figure 10.
The following table presents candidate stars, which qualify as Uttarashaada based on
previous Nakshatra.
Uttara Aashaada 2 163481 193495 3 Cap +3.07 -
62-
163427 192947 +3.56 Geidi
Cap
If one star is to be identified for Uttaraashada, it is the twin star 5a/6a2 both in Capricorn
Zodiac. They are of brightness 4.24 and 3.56.Together the pair appear as one star. The
SAO identities are SAO-163422/163427 or HD -192876/192947. There is a large gap
between Poorvaashada and Uttaraashaada of nearly 22 degrees (E-W). There are no
likely candidate stars for Uttaraashaada in the 22 degrees in the moon traverse band or
near by. Arabs call this as Geidi associated with slaughter of sheep.
In Raashi/Nakshatra translation, whole of Moola and whole of Poorvaashaada are
treated as Dhanu Raashi, while 1/4 of Uttaraashaada is a part of Makara Raashi.
Figure 10 shows some of the the stars in Makara raashi which
are Uttaraashadha and Shravana.
We have already discussed Uttarashadha nakshatra and its identification. The

original nakshatra from vedicperiod, Abhijit, would be a star
between Uttarashaadha and Shravana.
Shravana Nakshatra is considered to be a star mansion of three stars. The following
table presents candidate stars, which qualify as Shravana based on brightness, location
with reference to moon traverse band, and distance from previous Nakshatra.
Shravana 3 164644 207098 49 cap +2.83 Deneb Al Geidi
163427 206088 40 Cap +3.66 -
190341 204075 34 cap +3.74 -
If one star is to be identified as representing Shravana, it is clearly 49-cap of

brightness+2.83 identified as SAO-164644 and HD-207098. It is 30 minutes or 8
degrees (E-W) away from Uttarashada, which is a part of Makara Raashi. Arabs also
call Shravana as Deneb Al Geidi.
Since half of Dhanishta is considered to be part of Kumbha raashi Figure 11
shows Dhanishta Nakshatra is considered to be a star mansion of four stars. The
following table presents candidate stars which qualify asDhanishta based on brightness,
location with reference to moon traverse band, and distance from previousNakshatra.
Dhanishta 4 146107 213051 55Aqr +3.66 -
146044 212051 Aqr +3.84 -
12750 212571 Aqr +4.66 -
146181 213998 62Aqr +4.02 -
If one star is to be identified as representing Dhanishta, it is clearly 55 of brightness
+3.66 identified as SAO-146107 and HD-213051. From a distance point of view this star
is 45 minutes or about 12 degrees (E-W) away from Shravana. The Moon trajectory is
within a few diameters of Dhanishta.
In terms of Nakshatra-Raashi translation, 3/4 of Uttaraashaada, whole of shravana and
1/2 of Dhansihta are defined as belonging to Makara Raashi.
Figure 11 Shows the sky with about 30 degrees square of
the Makara and Kumbha Raashi, in which Shravana, Dhansihta and Shatabhisha are to
be found.
Shatabhishaja Nakshatra is defined to be a star mansion of 100 stars. Shata is undred
and bhishaja stands for medical doctor. The significance of later is not apparent. The
following table presents one candidate star, which qualifies as Shatabhishaja based on
brightness, location with reference to moon traverse band, and distance from previous
Nakshatra.
Shatabishta 100 146585 219215 90 Aqr +4.22 -
and 99 others whose identity has not been proposed -
There is great dilemma about star for Shatabhishaja because one hundred stars of
brightness <+5 brightness are not visible. Did one hundred bright objects exist in this
part of sky 5000 years ago? One bright star near ecliptic is 90 Aqr, and best qualifies
as single star identity of Shatabhishaja. The other identities are SAO-146595/SAO-
146620, or HD-219449/HD219688. This star pair is 50 minutes or 13 degrees (E-W)
away fromDhanishta, which is an ideal location.
Since half of Poorvabahdra is a part of Meena Raashi, figure 12 shows Poorvabhaadra
(Proshtapada) Nakshatra,which is defined to be a star mansion of two stars. The
following table presents candidate stars, which qualify asPoorvabhaadra based on
previousNakshatra.
Poorva Bhadra 2 128513 224617 28 Psc +4.02 -
128336 222603 18 Psc +4.5 -
If a single star is to be found to represent Poorvabhaadra, the best choice is
SAO128513/HD224617 /28 Psc. Star Poorvabhaadra really is in Meena Raashi. The
brightness is +4.02.
In the Nakshatra/Raashi translation, 1/2 of Dhanishta, whole of Shatabhisha and 3/4
of Poorvaabhaadra are considered as belonging to Kumbha Raashi.
Figure 12 shows the Nakshatras of Meena Raashi, which contains the Nakshatras
Poorvabhaadra, Uttarabhaadra, Revati and Ashwini of Mesha Raashi. All the stars in
this Meena Raashi are very low in brightness. Modern astronomers always use this
area to identify new Sun's minor planets because of less interference from low
brightness stars.
Uttarabhaadra is considered to be a Nakshatra with two stars. The following table lists
likely candidate stars forUttarabhaadra from a brightness point of view, location with
Uttara Bhadra 2 109474 4656 63 Psc +4.43 -
109267 6186 71 Psc +4.27 -
If a single star is to be found to represent Uttara Bhaadra, then the best candidate is
63 Psc, SAO-189474/HD-4656. It is in the moon band and is located about 12-14
degrees (E-W) away from Poorvabhaadra. But 71e is only 7 degrees away from Revati,
while 63 is midway between Poorvabhaadra and Revati. Hence, the best choice is 63.
The Poorva and Uttara Bhaadra Nakshatras represent Bhadrapada month, usually
September of Gregorian calender.
Revati Nakshatra is considered to be a star mansion with 36 stars. There are a number
of stars in figure 12. The following table presents one candidate star which qualifies
as Shatabhishaja based on brightness, location with reference to moon traverse band,
and distance from previous Nakshatra.
Revathi 36 92484 9270 99 Psc +3.62 -
and 35 others whose identity has not been proposed.
If one star has to be identified for Revati, it is 99 Psc, which is the brightest star
of Meena Raashi. Its identities are SAO-92484 or HD-9270.The brightness is +3.62. It is
45 minutes or about 12 degrees (E-W) away fromUttarabhaadra.
In the Raashi/Nakshatra translation, 1/4 of Poorvabhaadra, whole of Uttarabhaadra and
whole of Revati are parts o the Meena Raashi.
The table below provide a summary of the work on equivalence
of Bhaarateeya Nakshatras with other star names used by different cultures and
modern day star tables. In this article, effort has been made to identify single star to
represent a Nakshatra. However, the Jyotishya definition is that the Nakshatras stand
for group of stars. Hence the stars identified below belong to that group and are the
brightest of the Nakshatra group.
Deg
Smithson
Henry Bayer Light from
Nakshatra Astro Bright Other Names
Draper Identity Years Spring
Obser
Equinox
Ashwini 75151 12929 13 Aries +2.01 Hamal 75 31
Bharani 75596 17573 41 Aries +3.61 - 42
Krittika 76199 23630 25 Tau +2.87 Alcyone 400 57
Rohini 94027 29139 87 Tau +0.85 Aldebaran 70 69
Mrigashira 77168 35497 112Tau +1.65 Alnath 200 82
Aardhra 95912 47105 24 Gem +1.93 Alhena 100 98
Punarvasu 79666 62509 78 Gem +1.15 Pollux 35 115
Pushya 116569 69267 17 Cnc +3.52 Al Tarf 124
Aashlesha 98267 74442 47 Cnc +3.93 AsselusAustralis 135
Maghaa 98967 87901 32 Leo +1.35 Regulus 85 152
Pubba 99512 97633 70 Leo +3.34 Chort 168
Uttara 119076 102870 5 Vir +3.61 Zavijava 177
Hastaa 0 110380 29 Vir +2.8/3.6 Porrima 33 190
Chitra 157923 116658 67 Vir +0.98 Spica 250 203
Swati 139824 124850 99 Vir +4.08 Syrma 214
Vishaka 158840 130481 92Lib +2.75 Zubenelgenubi 65 224
Anooradha 184014 143275 7 Sco +2.3 Dschubba 600 240
Jyeshta 184415 148478 21 Sco +1.08 Antares 400 248
Moola 185320 157056 42 OPH +3.28 - 260
Poorvashada 187448 175191 34SGR +2.06 Nunki 250 282
UttaraShada 163422 192876 5 Capr +4.24 Giedi 95 303
Shravana 164644 207098 49Capr +2.83 Deneb Algeidi 37 325
Dhanishta 146107 213051 Aqr +3.60 - 335
Shatabhisha 146585 219215 91Aqr +4.22 - 343
Poorva
128513 224617 28 Psci +4.00 - 0
Bhadra
Uttara
109474 4656 63 Psci +4.43 - 12.5
Bhadra
Revathi 92484 9270 99 Psci +3.62 - 22.5
A study of the star latitudes along the ecliptic reveals that while average gap
between Nakshtra's is 13.33 degrees the maximum is 22 degrees (E-W) and minimum
is 8 degrees (E-W).
In summary, the uniquely Bharateeya star proper name system with their probable
equivalents in the modern sense, and the probable time of their naming has been
detailed. The time at which these names were given has been identified as at least
2500BC, suggesting that the last of the veda's was probably composed at that time.
These should help in negating the stereotype statements that all the vedas were
composed about 1000 BC.
Astronomical time marks in Atharva Samhita & Jyotishya shaastra.
When was Atharvana Samhita composed?
Though we consider that the Star system to be basically stationary with reference to
Solar system, there is an earth wobble occurring at rate of 26000 years per revolution
which makes the star system appear to move slowly with reference to Sun. This has
been called Earth's Precession and was first identified nearly 2000 years ago by
Ptolemy and Hipparchus.
The position of Chitra (Spica), which is very near the ecliptic, was recorded by
Hipparchus (circa 150 BC) on the autumnal Equinox day with reference to Sun. It was
studied again by Ptolemy (circa 150 AD) nearly 300 years later on same autumnal
Equinox day. Ptolemy found that Chitra appeared to have moved about 3 degrees
toward Sun (Ref 4). Ptolemy decided that Sun was moving one degree for 100 years in
reference to stars. This observation made nearly 2000 years ago, was probably the first
documented recording of Earth's Precession. Today we know that Ptolemy was correct
and that Earth's Precession rate is about 1.36 degrees for 100 years.
This 2000-year old observation, confirms the uniformity of Earth's Precession validating
the geocentric mathematical models that exist for motion of objects in the sky. It allows
us to extrapolate backward and forward in time, positions of objects in sky using
computer software like Load Star pro. Thus, any past Sun position records, on
Equinox/Solstice days referring Sun position to stars, carries the astronomical time mark
of the period (Ref-8).
There are two possible definitions of a year as observed from Earth.
A Sidereal year is time taken for Sun to move from one star, and then come back to
same star. This is full 360 degrees movement of Earth around the Sun.
A Solar year is the time taken by Sun in its passage from one equinoctical point back to
same point.
One would expect these two years to be same, but Solar year is shorter than Sidereal
year by about 19 minutes and 50 seconds and is said to be caused by inertial effects. It
is called Earth's Precession.
First let us get a contemporary picture of the location of our solar system in the Milkiway
galaxy. This is illustrated in figure below. Our solar system is located at the edge of the
Milkiway disk of stars. The Milkiway is estimated to be about 50000 light years in its
diameter. It consists of a large number of stars and other matter. The stars visible to our
naked eye are generally within a few hundred light years around us. Some giant stars
are located nearly 1000 light years are also visible to naked eye. Thus most of the
10000 stars visible to us are very near our solar system.
In the illustration below, the center of Milkiway Galaxy is in the direction of Moola
nakshatra. Thus bulk of the Milkiway matter is concentrated, as seen from earth, near
stars Jyeshtha, Moola, Poorva/Uttarashadha.
Because of Earth's Precession, the angle of earth's motion to come back exactly to
same latitude (Solar year) is only 359.864 degrees around the sun. Solar year is the
classical definition of a year, as the 23.5 degrees earth's tilt controls the weather,
seasons and the position of Sun in its north-south traverse. A notional 360 degrees
Sidereal year is irrelevant to us.
But the 359.864 degrees Solar year is relevant because of repeating weather and
seasons and hence Solar year is a natural year. That means every solar year, the Sun
position drops back by about 0.0136 degrees with respect to stars. Also, it may be
noted that the earth’s spin polar axis also shifts by same angle of 0.0136 degrees per
year in a coning motion. Most popular books on Stars illustrate this spinning top like
coning motion property of Earth's Precession, but do not illustrate the apparent ecliptic
plane motion of stars. The diagram below illustrates the star shift in the ecliptic due to
Precession on spring equinox day. The diagram shows the 27 nakshatra's in a circle of
diameter of the order of few hundred light years with sun at the center.
The diagram below shows the effect of Earth's Precession on Sun/Star/Earth's position
exactly at the time of Spring Equinox. In this diagram, the Sun is always on equator and
the day time equals night. Diagram shows Earth's position from 2400 BC to 2000 AD.
Every year, the Earth's seasons start occurring 0.0136 degrees (or roughly 0.0136
days) earlier. The diagram also shows twenty-seven Bharateeya nakshatra's in the
infinite distance in the ecliptic plane. It should be noted that the Precession does not
change the Equator position or the Earth's tilt of 23.5 degrees. It only changes the
direction of polar axis.
The Bhaarateeya Veda's have left some astronomical time marks in the texts. Amongst
the Veda's, Atharvana Vedais considered to be chronologically the last. Based on the
identification of the twenty-seven Baharateeya Nakshatra's, and using the astronomical
time markers in Atharvana veda's 19th kaanda/ 7th sooktha. it is possible to to identify
when the last of the veda's, Atharvana Veda was composed. The Atharva veda 19th
kaanda/7th Sooktha reads,
Atharvana Veda Kaanda 19 / Sooktam 7
Gargya Rishi! Nakshatrani Devata! Trishtup-Bhurik Chandaha!
Chitrani sakam divi rochanani sarisrupani bhuvanejavani
turmisham sumatimichaamaano ahaani geerbhi saparyami nakam!1!
suhavamagne krittika rohini chaastu bhadram mrigashirah Sham aardhrah !
punarvasu soonruta chaaru pushyo Bhaanur aslesha ayanam magha mey !2!
punyam poorva Phalguni chottra hasta schittra shiva swaati sukho mey astu!
raadhe vishaakhe suhav anooradha jyeshta sunakshatramarishta moolam !3!
annam poorva raasataam aashadha oorja devy uttaraa aavahantu!
abhijinma raasataam punyameva shravanah shravishtaah kurvatam supushtim!4!
Aa mey maha chatabhishagam vareeya Aa mey dvaya proshtapadaa susharma!
Aa reyvato chashvayujow bhagam ma Aa mey rayim Bharanya aavahantu!5!
This Sookta dedicated to Nakshatra's was recorded (Drashtaara) by Gargya
Rishi. The Sookta describes both astronomical and astrological elements. Twenty
eight Nakshatras are identified starting with Krittika and reference is made
to Ayanam occurring in Maghaa. A nakshatra Abhijit is shown
between Uttarashadha and Shravana. Its use has been discontinued in
the Jyotishya with only twenty seven identified currently. The authenticity of
the Athrarvanatexts is well accepted, by the very reverence shown towards precise
learning. Hundreds of generations ofShrotreeya's have carried veda's down to us in its
original language using oral traditions of Krama, Pada, Jatha, andGhana Paatha so that
distortions are nonexistent. Two major astronomical time markers are evident and
implicit in the Sooktha. They are,
1. Rishi Gargya starts the list of twenty seven nakshatra's starting with Krittika. Choice
of Krittika as the first of twenty-seven is very significant. In contrast Jyotishya
Shaastra uses Ashwini as the first star. The choice of firstNakshatra must correspond to
a logically first day of a solar year, which dictates the weather cycles. Which is the
year’s first day? Astronomically speaking, the spring Equinox day in Northern
Hemisphere temperate zone is a logical one. It heralds the arrival of the spring, in
temperate zone of northern hemisphere of the earth. Vasantha ritu, the spring has
always been considered as beginning of a year from Rig-vedic times. Hence, the first
observation implicit in Rishi Gargya's sooktha is that on spring Equinox day, Sun was
at Krittika Nakshatra. Figure 13 shows Sun location on March 21, 2400 BC from Load
Star Pro. The Sun is on equator and is pointing to Krittika nakshatra.
Compare this to Figure 14 which shows Sun 4400 years later, on March 21,2000 at
same equator but Sun is onPoorva Bhadrapada. Thus Sun has Precessed by about 57
degrees in 4400 years since Rishi Gargya's Sooktha.

2. Rishi Gargya refers to Ayana occurring in Maghaa during his time. Ayana refers to
apparent direction of Sun's North-South motion. The day of direction reversal is called
an Ayana day (Uttara and Dakshina Ayana). When Rishi Gargya refers to Ayana he is
clearly referring to a Solstice day and that Ayana occurred when Sun is at Maghaa.
It could be either Dakshina Ayana(Summer Solstice ) or Uttara Ayana(Winter Solstice).
Let us look at Load Star pictures of Sun at Daskhina Ayana (Summer Solstice) 4400
years ago. Figure 15 shows the Sun at +23.5 degrees on June 21, 2400 BC. This is the
day of Dakshina Ayana. Sun is clearly at Maghaa Nakshatra.
Rishi Gargya's Ayana could also be Uttara Ayana, (Winter Solstice), but it fails because
the first nakshatra would then have to be Hasta or Chitra and the date would be 22000
BC. The Soothra indicates Krittika as the first.
The diagram below shows the picture of Earth's position over past 4500 years on
Summer Solstice day when Sun reaches the peak northern position of +23.5 degrees
and starts his southern movement (Dakshina Ayana). The Sun position as observed
from earth in 2400 BC on this day would be at Maghaa. In circa 400 BC, Sun would be
in Pushya. Today, Sun is between Mrigashira and Aardhra.
Hence Rishi Gargya's Atharvana Veda 19 Kaanda and Sooktha 7, clearly has two
astronomical time markers and provide a clue as to when it was composed. It is easy
dismiss that the starting of Nakshatra list with Krittika as an accident, but recording of
star locations which are true for both Equinox and Solstice in same sookta can not be
accidental. It suggests a well understood contemporary knowledge of motion of Sun,
Moon and Stars in the skies. While such knowledge may have been more thoroughly
documented in other texts, only a brief poetic indication of that knowledge appears to
have been made in the veda's.
Clearly, both the astronomical markers recorded by Rishi Gargya in Atharva
Veda kaanda 19 sookta 7 would be correct only near about circa 2400 BC. This must
certainly be incontrovertible proof that Rishi Gargya's Sookta was composed near 2400
BC, dating Atharvana Veda to at least 2400 BC.
When was Jyotishya Shaastra brought to presently used form?
As previously observed, the Earth's Precession makes the Sun move back one degree
along the ecliptic in about 76 years with reference to star system. All Sun position
references in past with reference to stars on days of Sun singularity, thus carry the
astronomical time mark. Bhaarateeya Jyotishya shaastra probably was brought to the
presently used form, at a time when old vedic chandramana and all other data was
integrated with Raashi or Zodiac based concepts. The time at which this was done can
be identified using following.
1. Jyotishya Shaastra starts the lists of Nakshatras with Ashwini, suggesting that Sun
was at Ashwini on Spring Equinox day in that period.
2. Jyotishya states that Uttara Ayana starts exactly when sun
enters Makara (Capricorn) suggesting that Sun was near Uttaraashadha on Winter
Solstice day (Gregorian Dec 21).
Sic'Yasmin Kshane sooryam gachati Makaram; tatah prabhruti shanmasa udagayanam.
from Rudra Skanda Bashya(10th century AD) of Khadhira Grihya Sutra (4 century BC).
Use of Load Star Pro and scan of Sun position over past few thousand years yields
following results. Figure 16 shows the position of Sun on Spring Equinox day of 400BC
(March 21).
The sun is on equator and is clearly at Ashwini Nakshatra. This explains as to

why Jyotsihya Shaastra starts thenakshatra list from Ashwini. The figure showing the
position of Earth, Sun on Spring Equinox Day in previous section also confirms the fact
that Sun would at Ashwini. As already illustrated now sun is at Poorva Bhadrapada.
Nakshatralisting today must start from Poorva Bhadrapada.
Figure 17 shows the position of sun on Gregorian December 21(winter Solstice),the
start of Uttara Ayana in 400 BC. Clearly the sun is at +23.5 degrees and near Uttara
Aashadha near Makara Raashi. This supports the Jyotishyastatement that Uttara
Ayana occurred when Sun entered Makara near about 400 BC.
Compare this to figure 18, which shows the position of sun on December 21, 1998.
Thus sun is clearly at Dhanu Raashi and not at Makara.
Thus the twin observations of Jyotishya Shaastra, (of the Spring Equinox and Winter
Solstice) are valid only near 400 BC and hence that is the period when it probably took
the present form. It is clear that Bharateeya astronomers who knew of the astronomical
information carried down from vedic culture, looked at Western Zodiac based system
and then merged the two to form present Jyotishya Shaastra. Hence Jyotishya uses
both the 27 Nakshatra's and 12raashi's.
It should be noted that the Western Zodiac system appears to have been frozen at
same time period. It uses Aries as the starting Zodiac in recognition of Spring Equinox
occurring at time of entry of Sun to Aries.
Astronomical identity of Saptha Rishi's, Dhruva & Arundhathi
On the night of the marriage, Bhaaratheeya brides are shown a star called 'Arundhathi'

in the night sky. Arundhathi is the wife of sage vasishtha. This couple is revered as a
loving and ideal couple worthy of emulation, because of their devotion to each other and
harmony.
Vasishtha is one of the seven rishis. The seven stars in the northern sky was named
'saptha rishi mandala', and it is more popularly known as 'Ursa major' constellation. It is
also called 'Great bear' or 'Big Dipper'. The astronomical identity of these stars is very
easy to establish due to explicit definitions given by Varaha Mihira in his Brihat Samhita
(circa 550 AD).
There are two sets of definitions as to who the saptha Rishi's are. The vedic tradition is
'Gautama, Vishwamithra, Jamahagni, Bharadwaaja, Kashyapa, Vasishtha and Athri' are
the saptha rishis. However, the saptha Muni's according to Varahamihira are' Marichi,
Vasishtha, Angirasa, Athri, Pulasthya, Pulaaha, and Kruthu'. V.S.Apte in his famous
Sanskrit-English dictionary (circa 1800) also concurs with later
definition. Vasishtha and Athri figure in both the lists. However, V.S.Apte refers
to Arundhathi being a star in the pleiades group or Krittika of our vedic tradition.
Pleiades is far away from Ursa major. Clearly Apte's definition deviates from Varaaha
Mihira's identity of Arundhathi.The later is more logical in that Arundhathi must
accompany Vasishtha.
Varaaha Mihira explicitly identifies the Ursa Major and provides the proper names of
seven dominant stars, and attributes the origin of these names to sage 'Vruddha Garga'.
In all probability 'Vriddha garga' is same as 'Gargya Rishi' of Athrvana veda 19 kaanda
6-7 sooktha whose time was approximately 2400 BC. He is referred to in Mahabharatha
as the person who named Krishna, and is considered as Achaarya of vedic astronomy.
Varaaha Mihira in his Brihat Samhitha, dedicates 13 kaanda to Saptha Rishis. The first
six verses provide following descriptions translated as:
 We have on Vriddha Garga's authority that in the Northern Sky, the Saptha

Rishi's revolve around Dhruva Nayaka like a necklace.
 From east to west the Saptha Muni's Marichi, Vasishtha, Angirasa, Athri,
Pulasthya, Pulaaha,, and Krathu sit. Chaste Arundhathi accompanies sage
Vasishtha.
These descriptions provide us with adequate information about the explicit astronomical
identity of the nine stars, called as Dhruva, Arundhathi & saptha Rishis's. Figure 19, 20
and 21 illustrate Load Star Pro views of the 'Ursa major', with zoom in to 'Vasishta-
Arundhati' pair. This constellation is known in Northern Hemisphere as rotating around
the pole star Polaris.
Thus 'Dhruva' clearly is Polaris. The saptha Rishi's are the seven major stars of Ursa
major. We can easily identify from figure 19, that 'Marichi' stands for Alkaid, 'Vasishta'
stands for Mizar, 'Angirasa' stands for Alioth, 'Athri' stands for Megrez, 'Pulasthya'
stands for Phecda, 'Pulaaha' stands for' Merak and 'Krathu' stands for DuBhe. The
companion star for Mizar is Alcor. Hence 'Arundhathi' stands for Alcor. In figure
19, Vasishta and Arudhathi (Mizar-Alcor) can not be seen separate.
As we zoom in, illustrated by figures 20 and 21, the separation

between Vasishtha and Arundhathi become evident.
The star Arundhathi is difficult to separate from Vasishta for people with poor
eyesight. Arundhathi's brightness is 4 and is within 0.2 degrees of Vasishtha whose
brightness is 2.2. This makes it difficult to separate them.
Nakshatra Other name Bayer Identity Henry Draper SAO Brightness
Marichi Alkaid 85 UMa HD 120315 44752 1.86
Vasishtha Mizar 79  UMa HD 116656 28737 2.27
Angirasa Alioth 77  UMa HD 112185 28553 1.77
Athri Megrez 69  UMa HD 106591 28315 3.31

Pulasthya Phecda 64UMa HD 103287 28179 2.44
Pulaaha Merak 48  UMa HD 95418 27876 2.37
Krathu DuBhe 50  UMa HD 95689 15384 1.79
Arundhathi Alcor 80 UMa HD 116842 308 4.01
Dhruva Polaris 1  UMa HD 8890 28751 2.02
The table above provides the modern astronomical identity of the nine stars from vedic
period which are not in the ecliptic. Dhruva is not illustrated in any of the figures, as its
identity is very well known in the sky.
In Bhaaratheeya culture, anecdotally people who are approaching death can not
separate Arundhathi from Vasishtaand hence can not see Arundhathi. The gap
between Vasishtha -Arundhathi is said to be widening due to proper motion and it is
now a days relatively easier to see them seperately, while few thousand years ago it
was more difficult. In other cultures of the world also, historically in ancient times,
keenness of eyesight was measured by the ability to distinguish the two
stars Vasishtha-Arundhathi (Mizar-Alcor).
Astronomical identity of Vedic star Agasthya
While the 27/28 daily stars Krittika to Bharani are in the ecliptic plane, the Saptha

Rishis in the extreme north near the Dhruva/Polaris, only one star in the southern sky
has been named during vedic period. It is Agasthya (canopus).Agasthya Rishi crossed
vindhya mountains southwards and it is a major event in the vedic chrononlogy. He is
held in great reverence in the south and associated with Lopamudhra his wife. Thus it is
not surprising that a star in southern extreme is named after Agasthya.
The astronomical identity of Agasthya can be determined based on Varaaha
Mihira's work Brihat Samhita(Ref 12). He has dedicated the whole of 12th kaanda
(chapter) to Agasthya Rishi. Varaaha Mihira(550 AD) again refers to the authority of
Rishi Vriddha Garga (2400 BC ) in identifying Agasthya. This identity is not as explicit as
the Saptha Rishi's, but he gives the season in which Agasthya is visible. That means
the star was not visible during nearly 4-5 months near summer at Ujjain where Varaaha
Mihira was located. Based on this, it is very easy to identify the star as Canopus in
constellation Carina as Agasthya. Canopus is 53 degrees south, and in summer when
earth tilts 23.5 degrees north, people north of Tropic of Cancer can not see Canopus,
because of daylight and being down in horizon. The figure 22 shows the
star Agasthya Rishi.
Agasthya is so far south that people in Northern Hemisphere, like New York, Athens etc
can never see Agasthya.Agasthya and Constellation Carina are not even shown in
popular star charts and books sold in USA. Agasthya is best visible in the winter months
near winter solstice for people living south of 25-30 degree latitude as the dark period
increases in Northern Hemisphere. People living in Australia, can easily see Agasthya
most of the time. The brightness of this star is very high at -0.72. Amongst the 37 stars
(including daily stars Krittika to Bharani, Saptha Rishi's, Arundhathi,
Dhruva and Agasthya), Agasthya is the brightest of them all. Following table provides
the formal astronomical identity of Agasthya.
Agasthya Canopus 1  CAR HD 45348 234480 -0.72
References
Yajurveda Samhita - in three volumes (Sanskrit in Kannada script), Ramakrishna

Ashrama Publication, Mysore, 1984
Athrva Bhasha Bhashyam (Sanskrit in Nagari script), Kshemakarana Das Trivedi,
Dayanand Samsthan., New Delhi, 1912
Bodhayana, Aapasthambha, Ashwalayana, Khadira, Grihya Sootras (Sanskrit
in Nagari script), Government Oriental Library Series, Mysore, 1904
Great Books of Western World (English), -Book 16- Ptolemy, Copernicus,
Kepler, Edited by R M Hutchins, University of Chicago, 1952
Load Star Pro (English), Wayne Annala, Zephyr Services, Pittsburg, 1994
What Star is that? (English), P L Brown, Viking Press, 1971
History of Astronomy (English translation of Italian text), Giorgio Abetti, Henri
Schumann, 1952.
David Frawley (English), Gods, Sages and kings, Passage Press Publication 1988
E C Krupp (English), Echoes of Ancient Skies-The Astronomy of Lost
Civilizations, Harper & Row Publishers, 1983
Ramashesha Shastri, Kannada Bhagavatha Mahapuraana,1-12 skandas in 8
volumes(private publication),1912-193
Taittareeya Brahmana (Sanskrit in kannada Lipi), Ramakrishn aashrama Publication
1996, Bangalore
http://www.vedicastronomy.net/stars_references.htm
Posted 7th May 2014 by Srinivasan Kalyanaraman
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A homage to Hindu civilization.

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Indus Script seal of Baror (near Binjor) on Sarasvati River Basin signifies mint, mineral, smithy
for shipment
Aug 4th
Export processing zone of Sarasvati civilization, metal workshops at Binjor 4MSR and Indus
Script Corpora
Aug 3rd
Barkha falls deeper -- Ravinar
Aug 3rd
NaMo, solve Northeast Brahmaputra recurring flood problem, implement Jogighopa-Tista-
Farakka link on fast-track, create National Water Grid
NaMo, solve Northeast Brahmaputra recurring flood problem, implement Jogighopa-Tista-
Farakka link on fast-track, create National Water Grid
Aug 3rd
Guru Tattva -- Arun Kumar Upadhyay's brilliant excursus on Vidyā, a cosmic आध्यात्मिका
inquiry
Guru Tattva -- Arun Kumar Upadhyay's brilliant excursus on Vidyā, a cosmic आध्यात्मिका
inquiry
Aug 3rd
Hulas (Ganga-Yamuna doab) Indus Script hypertext signifies cargo of tin for smithy, repeats on
over 80 inscriptions of the Corpora
Aug 2nd
NaMo, creat swachch Bharat, 24X7 water for every farm, home; take Brahmaputra flood waters
thru interlinked rivers.
NaMo, creat swachch Bharat, 24X7 water for every farm, home; take Brahmaputra flood waters
thru interlinked rivers.
Aug 2nd
Recycling an Indus Script anthropomorph of 2nd millennium BCE to inscribe a land grant
recorded in 1483 CE Keonjhar, Orissa
Aug 2nd
Culture, religion and temple in Sarasvati civilization evidenced by Indus Script Corpora
Aug 1st
Flight MH370 was flown into water, says crash expert
Flight MH370 was flown into water, says crash expert
Aug 1st
Paki, China, NPT
Paki, China, NPT
Aug 1st
All stamp seals, some cylinder seals of Dilmun with Sumerian motifs and Indus Script are
deciphered metalwork catalogues
Jul 31st
Sealed failaka jar and 14 Ancient Near East artifacts (including seals) with Indus Script
hieroglyphs signify iron (metal) smelting work of Bronze Age
Jul 29th
Magadha and Mahabharata : Archaeological indications from Rajgir Area -- B.R. Mani (2012)
Jul 29th 2
All four types of anthropomorphs of Copper Hoard Culture are dharma saṁjñā 'metalwork
signifiers of responsibilities in guild or professional calling cards'
Jul 29th
Anthropomorphs with Indus Script hieroglyphs (as orthographic forms) are dharma saṁjñā,
signifiers of corporate metalwork responsibilities of boatmen, the holders of the metal tokens
Jul 28th
Indus Script Gonur Tepe seal, hypertexts on anthropomorphs deciphered, Sarasvati-Ganga Doab
Bronze Age Revolution & spread of Copper Hoard Culture into Bactria
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Somnath India's pilgrimage to freedom, full text of 1951 letter of KM Munshi, "a sea shell
thrown up by the mighty flood of Indian renaissance"
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Homo erectus in India 1.8 million years ago: Mystery ancient human ancestor found in
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Pralaya narrative and Matsya metaphor of victory over शङ्खासुर, rescue from pralaya by Manu's
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paṭṭamara, koṭiya, sangaDa, bagala types of 'seafaring dhow' signified on Indus Script
inscriptions
Jul 24th
शम ् नो वरुणः Seafaring Bharatam Janam of Vedic times, sewn boats of 19th cent BCE of Ain
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Jul 23rd 1
Cosmic आध्यात्मिका inquiry in Skambha Suktam (AV X.7, 8),अष्टाश्रि yupa inscriptions of
Binjor (ca. 2500 BCE) & 19 octagonal yupa inscriptions (historical periods, from Rajasthan to
East Borneo)
Jul 22nd
Hypertexts on select Indus script inscriptions deciphered
Jul 22nd
Duryodhana-Bhima गदा युद्धं Prasat Chen_Koh Ker Bhima victorious
Jul 21st
Bhimastava by FDK Bosch. Bhima signified as smith in Indus Script
Jul 21st
Sculptures in hypertexts of Candi Sukuh Java, Bhima Swarga iconographic metaphors of Bali
compare with Indus Script metalwork heritage
Jul 21st
Jaganata kitung 'divine dance', Jagannatha, the metaphor of dārubrahma 'wood divine' that floats
evil away. Balarama in mint metalwork traditions
Jul 21st
Vishnu, Krishna, Gitacharya metaphors of Hindu Samskriti on sculptures and epigraphs Soma
yaga traced to Indus Script seals of Dwaraka, Binjor
Jul 20th
The government’s economists must represent India. NaMo,don't recruit NRIs for high-profile
bureaucrat.jobs.
The government’s economists must represent India. NaMo,don't recruit NRIs for high-profile
bureaucrat.jobs.
Jul 20th
रामो विग्रहवान ् धर्मः Rama personifiedf dharma Evidences for abiding memory across space and
time of Ramayana on sculptures, inscriptions
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Varaha Veda purusha knowledge of creation in breathtaking hypertext metaphors Indus Script
tradition on 60 sculptures
Jul 19th
Human phylogeography and diversity -- Alexander H. Harcourt
Human phylogeography and diversity -- Alexander H. Harcourt
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Mohenjodaro & Dr. W Mint brazier & smelter of native metal kuṇṭha munda mẽṛhẽt iron and
kaṉ copper signified on two Harappa Indus Script tablets
Jul 19th
Mohenjo-daro and Dr. W. I say "Indus Script is a knowledge system". I look forward to Dr. W's
rebuttal.
Mohenjo-daro and Dr. W. I say "Indus Script is a knowledge system". I look forward to Dr. W's
rebuttal.
Jul 18th 9
Bhita, UP: Rhino seal, an Indus Script hieroglyph of Mauryan times
Jul 18th
Cong-DMK bonhomie 'kills' Raja's book. Dr. Swamy should expose the distribution of 2G
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kaalaadhan.
Jul 18th
A defining discovery of Binjor agnikunda सोमः-संस्था on Sarasvati River basin
Jul 18th
Three Indian sites make it to UNESCO’s World Heritage List
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Indus script hieroglyphs śambūka 'bivalve shell' kōḍiya 'young bull' rebus śambūka, kōṭiya
'dhow, seafaring vessel'
Jul 17th
Prima donna National Herald ghotala: Swamy will file fresh application for documents
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Franco-Tunisian terror truck in Nice kills more than 80 on Bastille day
Franco-Tunisian terror truck in Nice kills more than 80 on Bastille day
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Study of 2000+ archaeological sites on Sarasvati River Basin: Multi-disciplinary focus
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Migrant sex attacks will spark confrontation with Islam in Europe – intelligence chief
Migrant sex attacks will spark confrontation with Islam in Europe – intelligence chief
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Rein ring on Ur and Mari standards is valgā, bāg-ḍora 'bridle' rebus bagalā 'seafaring dhow'
Jul 14th
UNCLOS tribunal calls out China for flagrant violation of international law in South China Sea
-- Brahma Chellaney. Indian Ocean Community should stay together to counter expansionism
UNCLOS tribunal calls out China for flagrant violation of international law in South China Sea
-- Brahma Chellaney. Indian Ocean Community should stay together to counter expansionism
Jul 14th
'Endless knot' hieroglyph on Indus Script mēḍhā 'twist' rebus med 'iron' med 'copper' (Slavic)
medhā 'dhana, yajna'
Jul 13th
ḍhāu 'red minerals' cargo on dāwa dhows and sãgaḍa (double-canoe, catamaran) of ancient
Bharatam Janam on Indus Script hieroglyphs
Jul 13th
A giant quake may lurk under Bangladesh and beyond -- Nature Geoscience
A giant quake may lurk under Bangladesh and beyond -- Nature Geoscience
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China has ‘no historic rights’ in South China Sea: Hague tribunal
China has ‘no historic rights’ in South China Sea: Hague tribunal
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Mysterious posters urge COAS to take over put up across country -- DAWN
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Dr Subramanian Swamy Speech at IIC, Rajiv Malhotra's new book Academic Hinduphobia
launch
Jul 12th
Mohenjo Daro | Official Trailer | Hrithik Roshan & Pooja Hegde | In Cinemas Aug 12, 2016.
Aha, Indus Script is shown on the trailer :)--
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NAMES OF STARS FROM THE PERIOD OF THE VEDAS
<< Appendix >>
Astronomical time marks in Atharva Samhita & Jyotishya shaastra.
When was Atharvana Samhita composed?
Though we consider that the Star system to be basically stationary with reference to Solar system, there is an earth
wobble occurring at rate of 26000 years per revolution which makes the star system appear to move slowly with
reference to Sun. This has been called Earth's Precession and was first identified nearly 2000 years ago by Ptolemy
and Hipparchus.
The position of Chitra (Spica), which is very near the ecliptic, was recorded by Hipparchus (circa 150 BC) on the
autumnal Equinox day with reference to Sun. It was studied again by Ptolemy (circa 150 AD) nearly 300 years later
on same autumnal Equinox day. Ptolemy found that Chitra appeared to have moved about 3 degrees toward Sun
(Ref 4). Ptolemy decided that Sun was moving one degree for 100 years in reference to stars. This observation made
nearly 2000 years ago, was probably the first documented recording of Earth's Precession. Today we know that
Ptolemy was correct and that Earth's Precession rate is about 1.36 degrees for 100 years.
This 2000-year old observation, confirms the uniformity of Earth's Precession validating the geocentric
mathematical models that exist for motion of objects in the sky. It allows us to extrapolate backward and forward in
time, positions of objects in sky using computer software like Load Star pro. Thus, any past Sun position records, on
Equinox/Solstice days referring Sun position to stars, carries the astronomical time mark of the period (Ref-8).
There are two possible definitions of a year as observed from Earth.
A Sidereal year is time taken for Sun to move from one star, and then come back to same star. This is full 360
degrees movement of Earth around the Sun.
A Solar year is the time taken by Sun in its passage from one equinoctical point back to same point.
One would expect these two years to be same, but Solar year is shorter than Sidereal year by about 19 minutes and
50 seconds and is said to be caused by inertial effects. It is called Earth's Precession.
First let us get a contemporary picture of the location of our solar system in the Milkiway galaxy. This is illustrated
in figure below. Our solar system is located at the edge of the Milkiway disk of stars. The Milkiway is estimated to
be about 50000 light years in its diameter. It consists of a large number of stars and other matter. The stars visible to
our naked eye are generally within a few hundred light years around us. Some giant stars are located nearly 1000
light years are also visible to naked eye. Thus most of the 10000 stars visible to us are very near our solar system.
In the illustration below, the center of Milkiway Galaxy is in the direction of Moola nakshatra. Thus bulk of the
Milkiway matter is concentrated, as seen from earth, near stars Jyeshtha, Moola, Poorva/Uttarashadha.
Because of Earth's Precession, the angle of earth's motion to come back exactly to same latitude (Solar year) is only
359.864 degrees around the sun. Solar year is the classical definition of a year, as the 23.5 degrees earth's tilt
controls the weather, seasons and the position of Sun in its north-south traverse. A notional 360 degrees Sidereal
year is irrelevant to us.
But the 359.864 degrees Solar year is relevant because of repeating weather and seasons and hence Solar year is a
natural year. That means every solar year, the Sun position drops back by about 0.0136 degrees with respect to stars.
Also, it may be noted that the earth’s spin polar axis also shifts by same angle of 0.0136 degrees per year in a coning
motion. Most popular books on Stars illustrate this spinning top like coning motion property of Earth's Precession,
but do not illustrate the apparent ecliptic plane motion of stars. The diagram below illustrates the star shift in the
ecliptic due to Precession on spring equinox day. The diagram shows the 27 nakshatra's in a circle of diameter of the
order of few hundred light years with sun at the center.
The diagram below shows the effect of Earth's Precession on Sun/Star/Earth's position exactly at the time of Spring
Equinox. In this diagram, the Sun is always on equator and the day time equals night. Diagram shows Earth's
position from 2400 BC to 2000 AD. Every year, the Earth's seasons start occurring 0.0136 degrees (or roughly
0.0136 days) earlier. The diagram also shows twenty-seven Bharateeya nakshatra's in the infinite distance in the
ecliptic plane. It should be noted that the Precession does not change the Equator position or the Earth's tilt of 23.5
degrees. It only changes the direction of polar axis.
The Bhaarateeya Veda's have left some astronomical time marks in the texts. Amongst the Veda's, Atharvana Veda
is considered to be chronologically the last. Based on the identification of the twenty-seven Baharateeya
Nakshatra's, and using the astronomical time markers in Atharvana veda's 19th kaanda/ 7th sooktha. it is possible to
to identify when the last of the veda's, Atharvana Veda was composed. The Atharva veda 19th kaanda/7th Sooktha
reads,
Atharvana Veda Kaanda 19 / Sooktam 7

Gargya Rishi! Nakshatrani Devata! Trishtup-Bhurik Chandaha!
Chitrani sakam divi rochanani sarisrupani bhuvanejavani
turmisham sumatimichaamaano ahaani geerbhi saparyami nakam!1!
suhavamagne krittika rohini chaastu bhadram mrigashirah Sham aardhrah !
punarvasu soonruta chaaru pushyo Bhaanur aslesha ayanam magha mey !2!
punyam poorva Phalguni chottra hasta schittra shiva swaati sukho mey astu!
raadhe vishaakhe suhav anooradha jyeshta sunakshatramarishta moolam !3!
annam poorva raasataam aashadha oorja devy uttaraa aavahantu!
abhijinma raasataam punyameva shravanah shravishtaah kurvatam supushtim!4!
Aa mey maha chatabhishagam vareeya Aa mey dvaya proshtapadaa susharma!
Aa reyvato chashvayujow bhagam ma Aa mey rayim Bharanya aavahantu!5!
This Sookta dedicated to Nakshatra's was recorded (Drashtaara) by Gargya Rishi. The Sookta describes both
astronomical and astrological elements. Twenty eight Nakshatras are identified starting with Krittika and reference
is made to Ayanam occurring in Maghaa. A nakshatra Abhijit is shown between Uttarashadha and Shravana. Its
use has been discontinued in the Jyotishya with only twenty seven identified currently. The authenticity of the
Athrarvana texts is well accepted, by the very reverence shown towards precise learning. Hundreds of generations
of Shrotreeya's have carried veda's down to us in its original language using oral traditions of Krama, Pada, Jatha,
and Ghana Paatha so that distortions are nonexistent. Two major astronomical time markers are evident and implicit
in the Sooktha. They are,
1. Rishi Gargya starts the list of twenty seven nakshatra's starting with Krittika. Choice of Krittika as the first of
twenty-seven is very significant. In contrast Jyotishya Shaastra uses Ashwini as the first star. The choice of first
Nakshatra must correspond to a logically first day of a solar year, which dictates the weather cycles. Which is the
year’s first day? Astronomically speaking, the spring Equinox day in Northern Hemisphere temperate zone is a
logical one. It heralds the arrival of the spring, in temperate zone of northern hemisphere of the earth. Vasantha ritu,
the spring has always been considered as beginning of a year from Rig-vedic times. Hence, the first observation
implicit in Rishi Gargya's sooktha is that on spring Equinox day, Sun was at Krittika Nakshatra. Figure 13 shows
Sun location on March 21, 2400 BC from Load Star Pro. The Sun is on equator and is pointing to Krittika
nakshatra.
Compare this to Figure 14 which shows Sun 4400 years later, on March 21,2000 at same equator but Sun is on
Poorva Bhadrapada. Thus Sun has Precessed by about 57 degrees in 4400 years since Rishi Gargya's Sooktha.
2. Rishi Gargya refers to Ayana occurring in Maghaa during his time. Ayana refers to apparent direction of Sun's
North-South motion. The day of direction reversal is called an Ayana day (Uttara and Dakshina Ayana). When
Rishi Gargya refers to Ayana he is clearly referring to a Solstice day and that Ayana occurred when Sun is at
Maghaa.
It could be either Dakshina Ayana(Summer Solstice ) or Uttara Ayana(Winter Solstice). Let us look at Load Star
pictures of Sun at Daskhina Ayana (Summer Solstice) 4400 years ago. Figure 15 shows the Sun at +23.5 degrees on
June 21, 2400 BC. This is the day of Dakshina Ayana. Sun is clearly at Maghaa Nakshatra.
Rishi Gargya's Ayana could also be Uttara Ayana, (Winter Solstice), but it fails because the first nakshatra would
then have to be Hasta or Chitra and the date would be 22000 BC. The Soothra indicates Krittika as the first.
The diagram below shows the picture of Earth's position over past 4500 years on Summer Solstice day when Sun
reaches the peak northern position of +23.5 degrees and starts his southern movement (Dakshina Ayana). The Sun
position as observed from earth in 2400 BC on this day would be at Maghaa. In circa 400 BC, Sun would be in
Pushya. Today, Sun is between Mrigashira and Aardhra.
Hence Rishi Gargya's Atharvana Veda 19 Kaanda and Sooktha 7, clearly has two astronomical time markers and
provide a clue as to when it was composed. It is easy dismiss that the starting of Nakshatra list with Krittika as an
accident, but recording of star locations which are true for both Equinox and Solstice in same sookta can not be
accidental. It suggests a well understood contemporary knowledge of motion of Sun, Moon and Stars in the skies.
While such knowledge may have been more thoroughly documented in other texts, only a brief poetic indication of
that knowledge appears to have been made in the veda's.
Clearly, both the astronomical markers recorded by Rishi Gargya in Atharva Veda kaanda 19 sookta 7 would be
correct only near about circa 2400 BC. This must certainly be incontrovertible proof that Rishi Gargya's Sookta was
composed near 2400 BC, dating Atharvana Veda to at least 2400 BC.
When was Jyotishya Shaastra brought to presently used form?

As previously observed, the Earth's Precession makes the Sun move back one degree along the ecliptic in about 76
years with reference to star system. All Sun position references in past with reference to stars on days of Sun
singularity, thus carry the astronomical time mark. Bhaarateeya Jyotishya shaastra probably was brought to the
presently used form, at a time when old vedic chandramana and all other data was integrated with Raashi or Zodiac
based concepts. The time at which this was done can be identified using following.
1. Jyotishya Shaastra starts the lists of Nakshatras with Ashwini, suggesting that Sun was at Ashwini on Spring
Equinox day in that period.
2. Jyotishya states that Uttara Ayana starts exactly when sun enters Makara (Capricorn) suggesting that Sun was
near Uttaraashadha on Winter Solstice day (Gregorian Dec 21).
Sic'Yasmin Kshane sooryam gachati Makaram; tatah prabhruti shanmasa udagayanam. from Rudra Skanda Bashya
(10th century AD) of Khadhira Grihya Sutra (4 century BC).
Use of Load Star Pro and scan of Sun position over past few thousand years yields following results. Figure 16
shows the position of Sun on Spring Equinox day of 400BC (March 21).
The sun is on equator and is clearly at Ashwini Nakshatra. This explains as to why Jyotsihya Shaastra starts the
nakshatra list from Ashwini. The figure showing the position of Earth, Sun on Spring Equinox Day in previous
section also confirms the fact that Sun would at Ashwini. As already illustrated now sun is at Poorva Bhadrapada.
Nakshatra listing today must start from Poorva Bhadrapada.
Figure 17 shows the position of sun on Gregorian December 21(winter Solstice),the start of Uttara Ayana in 400
BC. Clearly the sun is at +23.5 degrees and near Uttara Aashadha near Makara Raashi. This supports the Jyotishya
statement that Uttara Ayana occurred when Sun entered Makara near about 400 BC.
Compare this to figure 18, which shows the position of sun on December 21, 1998. Thus sun is clearly at Dhanu
Raashi and not at Makara.
Thus the twin observations of Jyotishya Shaastra, (of the Spring Equinox and Winter Solstice) are valid only near
400 BC and hence that is the period when it probably took the present form. It is clear that Bharateeya astronomers
who knew of the astronomical information carried down from vedic culture, looked at Western Zodiac based system
and then merged the two to form present Jyotishya Shaastra. Hence Jyotishya uses both the 27 Nakshatra's and 12
raashi's.
It should be noted that the Western Zodiac system appears to have been frozen at same time period. It uses Aries as
the starting Zodiac in recognition of Spring Equinox occurring at time of entry of Sun to Aries.
Astronomical identity of Saptha Rishi's, Dhruva & Arundhathi

On the night of the marriage, Bhaaratheeya brides are shown a star called 'Arundhathi' in the night sky. Arundhathi
is the wife of sage vasishtha. This couple is revered as a loving and ideal couple worthy of emulation, because of
their devotion to each other and harmony.
Vasishtha is one of the seven rishis. The seven stars in the northern sky was named 'saptha rishi mandala', and it is
more popularly known as 'Ursa major' constellation. It is also called 'Great bear' or 'Big Dipper'. The astronomical
identity of these stars is very easy to establish due to explicit definitions given by Varaha Mihira in his Brihat
Samhita (circa 550 AD).
There are two sets of definitions as to who the saptha Rishi's are. The vedic tradition is 'Gautama, Vishwamithra,
Jamahagni, Bharadwaaja, Kashyapa, Vasishtha and Athri' are the saptha rishis. However, the saptha Muni's
according to Varahamihira are' Marichi, Vasishtha, Angirasa, Athri, Pulasthya, Pulaaha, and Kruthu'. V.S.Apte in
his famous Sanskrit-English dictionary (circa 1800) also concurs with later definition. Vasishtha and Athri figure in
both the lists. However, V.S.Apte refers to Arundhathi being a star in the pleiades group or Krittika of our vedic
tradition. Pleiades is far away from Ursa major. Clearly Apte's definition deviates from Varaaha Mihira's identity of
Arundhathi. The later is more logical in that Arundhathi must accompany Vasishtha.
Varaaha Mihira explicitly identifies the Ursa Major and provides the proper names of seven dominant stars, and
attributes the origin of these names to sage 'Vruddha Garga'. In all probability 'Vriddha garga' is same as 'Gargya
Rishi' of Athrvana veda 19 kaanda 6-7 sooktha whose time was approximately 2400 BC. He is referred to in
Mahabharatha as the person who named Krishna, and is considered as Achaarya of vedic astronomy.
Varaaha Mihira in his Brihat Samhitha, dedicates 13 kaanda to Saptha Rishis. The first six verses provide following
descriptions translated as:
 We have on Vriddha Garga's authority that in the Northern Sky, the Saptha Rishi's revolve around Dhruva
Nayaka like a necklace.
 From east to west the Saptha Muni's Marichi, Vasishtha, Angirasa, Athri, Pulasthya, Pulaaha,, and Krathu
sit. Chaste Arundhathi accompanies sage Vasishtha.
These descriptions provide us with adequate information about the explicit astronomical identity of the nine stars,
called as Dhruva, Arundhathi & saptha Rishis's. Figure 19, 20 and 21 illustrate Load Star Pro views of the 'Ursa
major', with zoom in to 'Vasishta-Arundhati' pair. This constellation is known in Northern Hemisphere as rotating
around the pole star Polaris.
Thus 'Dhruva' clearly is Polaris. The saptha Rishi's are the seven major stars of Ursa major. We can easily identify
from figure 19, that 'Marichi' stands for Alkaid, 'Vasishta' stands for Mizar, 'Angirasa' stands for Alioth, 'Athri'
stands for Megrez, 'Pulasthya' stands for Phecda, 'Pulaaha' stands for' Merak and 'Krathu' stands for DuBhe. The
companion star for Mizar is Alcor. Hence 'Arundhathi' stands for Alcor. In figure 19, Vasishta and Arudhathi
(Mizar-Alcor) can not be seen separate.
As we zoom in, illustrated by figures 20 and 21, the separation between Vasishtha and Arundhathi become evident.
The star Arundhathi is difficult to separate from Vasishta for people with poor eyesight. Arundhathi's brightness is 4
and is within 0.2 degrees of Vasishtha whose brightness is 2.2. This makes it difficult to separate them.

Marichi Alkaid 85 UMa HD 120315 44752 1.86
Vasishtha Mizar 79  UMa HD 116656 28737 2.27
Angirasa Alioth 77  UMa HD 112185 28553 1.77
Athri Megrez 69  UMa HD 106591 28315 3.31

Pulasthya Phecda 64UMa HD 103287 28179 2.44
Pulaaha Merak 48  UMa HD 95418 27876 2.37
Krathu DuBhe 50  UMa HD 95689 15384 1.79
Arundhathi Alcor 80 UMa HD 116842 308 4.01
Dhruva Polaris 1  UMa HD 8890 28751 2.02
The table above provides the modern astronomical identity of the nine stars from vedic period which are not in the
ecliptic. Dhruva is not illustrated in any of the figures, as its identity is very well known in the sky.
In Bhaaratheeya culture, anecdotally people who are approaching death can not separate Arundhathi from Vasishta
and hence can not see Arundhathi. The gap between Vasishtha -Arundhathi is said to be widening due to proper
motion and it is now a days relatively easier to see them seperately, while few thousand years ago it was more
difficult. In other cultures of the world also, historically in ancient times, keenness of eyesight was measured by the
ability to distinguish the two stars Vasishtha-Arundhathi (Mizar-Alcor).
Astronomical identity of Vedic star Agasthya
While the 27/28 daily stars Krittika to Bharani are in the ecliptic plane, the Saptha Rishis in the extreme north near
the Dhruva/Polaris, only one star in the southern sky has been named during vedic period. It is Agasthya (canopus).
Agasthya Rishi crossed vindhya mountains southwards and it is a major event in the vedic chrononlogy. He is held
in great reverence in the south and associated with Lopamudhra his wife. Thus it is not surprising that a star in
southern extreme is named after Agasthya.
The astronomical identity of Agasthya can be determined based on Varaaha Mihira's work Brihat Samhita(Ref 12).
He has dedicated the whole of 12th kaanda (chapter) to Agasthya Rishi. Varaaha Mihira(550 AD) again refers to the
authority of Rishi Vriddha Garga (2400 BC ) in identifying Agasthya. This identity is not as explicit as the Saptha
Rishi's, but he gives the season in which Agasthya is visible. That means the star was not visible during nearly 4-5
months near summer at Ujjain where Varaaha Mihira was located. Based on this, it is very easy to identify the star
as Canopus in constellation Carina as Agasthya. Canopus is 53 degrees south, and in summer when earth tilts 23.5
degrees north, people north of Tropic of Cancer can not see Canopus, because of daylight and being down in
horizon. The figure 22 shows the star Agasthya Rishi.
Agasthya is so far south that people in Northern Hemisphere, like New York, Athens etc can never see Agasthya.
Agasthya and Constellation Carina are not even shown in popular star charts and books sold in USA. Agasthya is
best visible in the winter months near winter solstice for people living south of 25-30 degree latitude as the dark
period increases in Northern Hemisphere. People living in Australia, can easily see Agasthya most of the time. The
brightness of this star is very high at -0.72. Amongst the 37 stars (including daily stars Krittika to Bharani, Saptha
Rishi's, Arundhathi, Dhruva and Agasthya), Agasthya is the brightest of them all. Following table provides the
formal astronomical identity of Agasthya.

Agasthya Canopus 1  CAR HD 45348 234480 -0.72

Vrddha Garga

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Vrddha Garga was the earliest reference to

NAMES OF STARS FROM THE PERIOD OF THE VEDAS

European Influence on the Bharatheeya system:

Ashwini Nakshatra is defined in Bharateeya Jyotishya as group of three stars. A study

Rohini is the brightest of the 27 Stars used for Bharateeya Nakshatra system of names,

Nakshatra No. SAO HD Bayer Bright Arab/Other

Aardhra is traditionally called as a mansion of single Nakshatra. The following able

Nakshatra No. SAO HD Bayer Bright Arab/Other

Nakshatra No. SAO HD Bayer Bright Arab/Other

97881 72094 31 cnc +5.35 -

Though Uttara is a part of Virgo/Kanya in the zodiac, in Bharateeya measure it is

Nakshatra No. SAO HD Bayer Bright Arab/Other

Figure 8 shows the 30 degree square of Vrishchika Raashi in

The following table lists the stars, which qualify as Anooradha

The following table presents candidate stars, which qualify as Moola based on

If one star is to be identified as Moola, then the best candidate for Moola or Vichruta

We have already discussed Uttarashadha nakshatra and its identification. The

If one star is to be identified as representing Shravana, it is clearly 49-cap of

When was Jyotishya Shaastra brought to presently used form?

The sun is on equator and is clearly at Ashwini Nakshatra. This explains as to

Astronomical identity of Saptha Rishi's, Dhruva & Arundhathi

On the night of the marriage, Bhaaratheeya brides are shown a star called 'Arundhathi'

 We have on Vriddha Garga's authority that in the Northern Sky, the Saptha

As we zoom in, illustrated by figures 20 and 21, the separation

Athri Megrez 69  UMa HD 106591 28315 3.31

Astronomical identity of Vedic star Agasthya

While the 27/28 daily stars Krittika to Bharani are in the ecliptic plane, the Saptha

Yajurveda Samhita - in three volumes (Sanskrit in Kannada script), Ramakrishna

A homage to Hindu civilization.

<< Appendix >>

Astronomical time marks in Atharva Samhita & Jyotishya shaastra.

When was Atharvana Samhita composed?

There are two possible definitions of a year as observed from Earth.

Atharvana Veda Kaanda 19 / Sooktam 7

Chitrani sakam divi rochanani sarisrupani bhuvanejavani

turmisham sumatimichaamaano ahaani geerbhi saparyami nakam!1!

suhavamagne krittika rohini chaastu bhadram mrigashirah Sham aardhrah !

raadhe vishaakhe suhav anooradha jyeshta sunakshatramarishta moolam !3!

annam poorva raasataam aashadha oorja devy uttaraa aavahantu!

abhijinma raasataam punyameva shravanah shravishtaah kurvatam supushtim!4!

Aa mey maha chatabhishagam vareeya Aa mey dvaya proshtapadaa susharma!

Aa reyvato chashvayujow bhagam ma Aa mey rayim Bharanya aavahantu!5!

When was Jyotishya Shaastra brought to presently used form?

Astronomical identity of Saptha Rishi's, Dhruva & Arundhathi

Nakshatra Other name Bayer Identity Henry Draper SAO Brightness

Athri Megrez 69  UMa HD 106591 28315 3.31

Nakshatra Other name Bayer Identity Henry Draper SAO Brightness

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