Mythology of Nakshatras
Nakshatras of ancient Hindu astronomy place very prominent role in supporting development of Hindu mythology and associated deities. The 27 Nakshatras are the signs of a lunar-based zodiac, in compliment to the twelve-sign solar-based zodiac. The Moon travels approximately 27.3 days to complete its orbit around the Earth relative to the “fixed” stars (the Moon’s sidereal period), about 13° 20' per day, hence the 27 Nakshatras, also referred to as “Lunar Mansions”.
In Hindu Puranic scriptures, creator God Daksha had 27 daughters who are referred as 27 Nakshatras in night sky and are married to Moon God (Chandra). These Nakshatras are the 27 divisions of the zodiac based on the moon’s daily motion of 13 degrees and 20 minutes. 27 daughters of Daksha (Creator God) who got married to Moon God form 27 days of a month. The Moon travels the zodiac in 27.3 days spending roughly one day with each of his wife.
In other words, 360-degree rotation is divided in to 27 nakshatra signs 13 degree and 20 minutes each. Padas are 3° 20' extensions of each Nakshatra, which articulate and augment the expression of each Nakshatras overall quality.
Further in Nakshatras, Circumpolar constellations are sacred and they never seem to set and they simply rotate around the pole star that basically supported concept of Heaven/God for people of ancient civilizations. It appeared for them as these circumpolar constellations was controlling the movement of all stars and planets around it . In Hindu mythology, these circumpolar constellations are referred as Shisumara planetary system.
Reference link for SB 5.23.3: purport: https://vedabase.io/en/library/sb/5/23/3/
Below are details of Shishumara Chakra from Sri Adi Shankara.
Below is reference of Shishumara Chakra using Stellarium App ( 2800 BCE). If you notice Egyptian Great pyramid, they too are precisely orientated to North Pole star (Thuban during 3000 till 2400 BCE) . Dhruva(Pole Star) is Polaris and Axis Mundane has changed to Polaris now due to earth’s axial precession with 7 Sages (Big Dipper), the Sun, Moon, planets and constellations paying obeisance while circumambulating the Lord.
Dhruvaloka(Pole Star), the abode of Lord Viṣhṇu within this universe, is situated 1,300,000 yojanas from the seven stars(Big Dipper). In the planetary system of Dhruvaloka are the planets of the fire-god(Agni), Indra, Prajāpati, Kaśyapa and Dharma, all of whom are very respectful to the great devotee Dhruva, who lives on the polestar. Like bulls yoked to a central pivot, all the planetary systems revolve around Dhruvaloka, impelled by eternal time. Those who worship the virāṭ-puruṣa, the universal form of the Lord, conceive of this entire rotating system of planets as an animal known as śhiśhumāra.
Ancient Hindu temples are exact mimic of cosmic night sky. Further, in Hindu rituals, the symbol with arms pointing clockwise (卐) is called swastika. If you try to locate the ancient Ramayana verse on ‘Dhruvam sarve Pradakshinam’ it refers Dhruvam as the pole star and these seven sages (Saptarishis) (Big Dipper), Sun, Moon and all the visible Planets offer Pradakshinam or circumambulation in perfect axis Mundi. Circumambulation (from Latin circum around and ambulātus to walk) or Pradakshinam is the act of moving around a sacred object or idol has origin from this cosmology of Nakshatras. Circumambulation of temples or deity images or stone type structure is an integral part of almost all Human religions as of now.
Reference : https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Circumambulation
NOTE: Two photos above and below are edited for explaining Mandala concept using Iconography of original photos from below site for non-commercial purpose and they have Copyright from Mark Schumacher-https://www.onmarkproductions.com/html/mandala1.shtml
Aditi (Sanskrit: अदिति “limitless”) is mother of the gods (devamata) and all twelve zodiacal spirits from whose cosmic matrix, the heavenly bodies were born. She may be seen as a feminized form of Brahma and associated with the primal substance (mulaprakriti) in Vedanta. She is mentioned nearly 80 times in the Rigveda.
Aditi (Daughter of King Daksha) with sage Kashyapa(Son of Marichi) had 33 sons who are referred as Devas. Twelve are called Aditya including Surya that form 12 months of Hindu calendar.
As per Vedic astrology, the 12 Adityas(Sun Gods) are the energies of the Sun placed in various zodiac signs that forms 12 months of a year.
Sri Vidyashankara temple of Sringeri, India is one such beautiful example on Mandala concept with perfect cosmic plan like any other ancient Hindu temples or Pyramids of Egypt. This temple was built in the year 1338 A.D. As shown in picture below, in the eastern half of the structure is a mandala with twelve pillars (popularly known as rashi stambhas), marked by the twelve signs of the zodiac. The rays of the sun fall on each of them in the order of the twelve solar months similar to any Stonehenge or like World’s First temple of Gobekli Tepe(current Turkey). Sringeri temple has a large circle in floor, marked with converging lines to indicate the direction of the shadows. Deities are placed in garbhagriha that rises with shikhara, Maha padma and Kalasha is placed in Top with alignment of Axis Mundi.
Energies of Sun over Zodiac in respective astrological ages has also supported Avatar concept. As per Hindu mythology, whenever evil prevails, Lord Vishnu is said to descend in form of an avatar to restore cosmic order as per astrological ages(Yugas). More information of Avatars can be found @ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dashavatara.
For example, in one of Vishnu’s Avatar, Varaha (Boar Avatar) is associated with the legend of lifting the Earth (personified as the Earth goddess BU-MA-TE) out of the cosmic ocean. When the demon Hiranyaksha stole the Earth Goddess and hid her in the primordial waters, Vishnu appeared as Varaha (Boar) to rescue her. Varaha slew the demon and retrieved the Earth Goddess from the ocean, lifting it on his tusks, and restored Earth Goddess Bhumate to her place in the universe.
Below is ancient Indian temple carving shown with Lord Vishnu as Boar carrying Earth Goddess on his tusk. In the Babylonian MUL.APIN (c. 10th century BC), part of this Virgo constellation was known as “The Furrow”, representing the goddess Shala and her year of grain. Like Babylonian MUL.APIN, Sita is the Goddess of the earth in the Vedas. She is a fertility deity and is worshipped in the Rig Veda. Rig Veda hymn 4.57.6 mentions her — She is the furrow. She is prayed for bountiful crops. Early Greek astronomy associated the Babylonian Virgo constellation with their Earth goddess of wheat and agriculture, Demeter (DA-MA-TE). In Hindu mythology, Earth Goddess associated with Virgo constellation is (Bhumi or BU-MA-TE). In Ramayana, Sita is associated as daughter of Earth Goddess (BU-MA-TE) and in Greek mythology, constellation Virgo was the spring goddess Persephone, who was daughter of Earth Goddess Demeter (DA-MA-TE). In one of Greek mythology, we learn that Hades kidnaps Persephone who was daughter of Mother Earth Demeter (DA-MA-TE) and in Hindu mythology, we have Ravana kidnapping Sita who was known as daughter of Mother Earth (BU-MA-TE).
The River was the source of life for the ancient civilization or ancient Kingdoms and people believed that it descends from heaven and we currently have various Puranic references. In night sky, the visible Milky Way or Solstice axis was considered as heavenly river. We can find mention of this Cosmic river(Ritual water) in several ancient literature. Milky Way(Solstice Axis) of the sky is the heavenly Soma as per Vedic views. It is also the nectar of immortality and the drink of the Gods or Yajna. I believe people of Indus valley civilization too were masters of astronomy based on location cities which hosted this grand civilization. In several Indus valley seals, we can find these references of star mythology and offering to Gods referring the same solstice axis(Milky Way) that directs towards seat of God. As shown below, in front of the unicorn is a ritual offering stand.
Vishnu Purana I.IV.9 specifically mentions Unicorn as Yajna Varaha(the Sacrificial Boar) — Yajna Purusha, the deity of the sacrifice.
Egyptians identified the North flowing Nile with the Milky Way and in Hindu belief system, it is referred as Akash Ganga(Cosmic River) or localized river in respective kingdoms. If you observe carefully, you will find all the pyramids or temples found on the western side of the river that reflect this cosmology.
If rivers are not nearby, then Temple ponds or pushkarinis or kalyanis support as water reservoirs built as part of the temple complex near Hindu temples or ancient Egyptian temples. Temple ponds are sacred and they are also referred as tirtha.
Egyptians considered constellations as Gods/deities and developed associated mythologies. Each deity had his own barque and during Amun’s annual festival, the barque of Amun’s statue was carried from the Karnak temple downriver to the Luxor temple and later God was brought back again. If you watch out the rituals carefully, you will understand that cosmic night sky(Heavens above earth) is mimicked. We can see several such rituals still followed in several of ancient human religions like Hinduism and this is the reason, having temples near lake or river was mandatory in ancient times.
The Solstice axis or visible Milky Way (cosmic river) or Tirtha was identified as the Path of Souls that acted as cosmic river that flows all the way to Heaven near Circumpolar or afterlife location.
Due to this, any river that is north flowing or changes the direction towards north or north-easterly direction becomes sacred or auspicious. It normally becomes a holy site and people make offerings for the souls of their ancestors. According to Hindu belief, the soul wanders after death until pindadan, or religious service seeking salvation for the dead from the cycle of rebirth, is performed. Pindadan is traditionally offered on the banks of holy river. It is mandatory for Hindu devotees offering pindadan to shave their heads and take a holy dip.
In Hinduism, Tirtha refers divine river and means passage and Sthal means location. When cosmic sky is mimicked in temple plan, then localized river (Tirtha-sthal) act as path for souls to heaven. In Hinduism, when we burn a dead body, we always put the ashes in the Ganga or a nearby river which is associated with this cosmology
As per Joydeep Sen from his book — Astronomy in India(1784–1876), when the vernal equinox was in Orion, that constellation along with the Milky Way and Canis represented the boundary between Devaloka(heaven) and Yamaloka(Hell). So, the river separating heaven and hell was the Milky Way, while the dogs at the gates of hell were Canis Major and Canis Minor.
If you observe ancient temples, on south side of temple representing Southern Night Sky Cosmic plan, Lord Yama is represented from Orion constellation . He was lord of Naraka(Underworld) and his vahana was either Lepus or Taurus(represented as Buffalo or Bull) and his duty was to direct the soul to a Swarga (heaven) or return it to Bhoomi (earth) based on human deeds(God or Bad Karma).If one’s soul were to rise to heaven after death to the Milky Way(path of soul) it had to pass through a gate(via constellations) and again we should note that the position of this gate(constellation) changes based on earth’s axial precession.
When the Sun resides on the gates at an equinox or solstice, it represents a Galactic Alignment and Great Celestial Conjunction. In Greek myth, the Gate of Man corresponds with the crossing of the Milky Way and ecliptic at 5° Gemini/Taurus (sidereal zodiac) while the Gate of God corresponds with the crossing of the Milky Way and ecliptic in 5° Sagittarius/Capricorn (Makara).
For Egyptians, the soul of the dead king before reaching Aaru(afterlife location near North Star), in the Duat, the Egyptian underworld, the hearts of the dead were said to be weighed against single “Feather of Maat”, representing the concept of Maat, in the Hall of Two Truths. Therefore, hearts were left in Egyptian mummies while their other organs were removed, as the heart (called “ib”) was part of the Egyptian soul. If the heart was found to be lighter or equal in weight to the feather of Maat, the deceased had led a virtuous life and would go on to Aaru(afterlife). Osiris (Orion Constellation) came to be the guardian of the gates of Aaru after he became part of the Egyptian pantheon and displaced Anubis (Canis Major) in the Ogdoad tradition. A heart which was unworthy was devoured by the goddess Ammit and its owner condemned to remain in the Duat. Orion’s Belt is one of the easiest star patterns to recognize iconography of Osiris, the god of the underworld.
The weighing of the heart, as typically pictured on papyrus in the Book of the Dead, or in tomb scenes, shows Anubis(Canis Major) overseeing the weighing and Ammit seated awaiting the results to consume those who failed. The image contains a balancing scale with an upright heart standing on one side and the Shu-feather standing on the other. Other traditions hold that Anubis brought the soul before the posthumous Osiris who performed the weighing. While the heart was weighed the deceased recited the 42 Negative Confessions as the Assessors of Maat looked on.
Egyptians were often entombed with funerary texts to be well equipped for the afterlife as mandated by ancient Egyptian funerary practices. These often served to guide the deceased through the afterlife, and the most famous one is the Book of the Dead or Papyrus of Ani (known to the ancient Egyptians as The Book of Coming Forth by Day). The doctrine of Maat is represented in the declarations to Rekhti-merti-f-ent-Maat and the 42 Negative Confessions listed in the Papyrus of Ani.
Other good example that I can find is usage of bells in Temples or Churches which has Egyptian origin, which was later taken in Judaism, Roman religions and finally in Christianity after priesthood of Egypt/knowledge of bells/gongs was adapted in Christianity.
As mentioned earlier, Ra was thought to travel with Sia on the solar barque every night to underground and as per ancient Egyptians, he had fight with Apep (Apep was the ancient Egyptian deity who embodied chaos and was thus the opponent of light). As a sign to protect and keep RA awake, ancient Egyptians started making various sounds and later ringing bells in temples to keep SUN God ‘RA’ awake just before he travels to night(Underground) and by doing this way, they were sure that RA would be awake and can easily win war over Apep every night and come back successfully in next day morning sky.
Similarly, Chariot festivals that happens in most of temples has clear parallels with rituals of ancient Egyptians. In the Hindu calendar, two sidereal solstices are named Makara Sankranti which marks the start of Uttarayana and Karka Sankranti which marks the start of Dakshinayana. As per Hindu calendar (most of them emphasize the lunar cycle), Makara Sankranthi festival normally occurs during 14th January when zodiacal sign corresponds with Capricorn. Makara is the Capricorn zodiac. Sankranthi means change over, transit into. This day marks the Sun moving into Makara Constellation and is celebrated as Makara Sankranthi festival in India which is basically harvest festival. It is during this time, Sun God’s birthday is celebrated, and we find birth of Sun God at same time in almost every culture across the world based on Lunar or Solar calendar followed.
Ratha Saptami is celebrated in Hindu temples as Ravi or Surya Jayanti (the Sun-god’s birthday). Sun God Ravi or Surya turning his Ratha (Chariot) drawn by seven horses (representing seven colors) towards the northern hemisphere, in a north-easterly direction. Rath yatras are held at various temples to mark the movement of sun towards northern hemisphere.
Egyptologist Toby Wilkinson explained the naming as apt metaphor in Egyptian ideology. “Circumpolar stars are a very good metaphor for the afterlife because when viewed, they never seem to set: they simply rotate around the pole star. They are the undying stars, or in Egyptian terminology, the “Indestructibles”, a perfect destination for the soul of the dead king”.
Egyptian pyramids are precisely orientated to North pole star (Thuban during 2800 till 2000 BCE) and the Pyramids were constructed in a way that aligned with the sun’s rising at the exact point of Summer and Winter Solstice. Milky Way represented Nile River and it looks exact mimic of night sky. Deities of ancient Egyptian religion were constellations or as actual stars. This cosmology helped them to identify yearly flooding of the Nile coordinated with the summer solstice, carry out religious rituals associated with respective Gods(Constellations) and further supported them as crucial event for growing crops. Below is East — West view using Stellarium application that gives clear idea on reason behind construction of ancient Pyramids.
Further we have Earth’s axial precession which is a gravity-induced, slow, and continuous change in the orientation of an astronomical body’s rotational axis. It can refer to the gradual shift in the orientation of Earth’s axis of rotation in a cycle of approximately 25,772 years. This is like the precession of a spinning-top, with the axis tracing out a pair of cones joined at their apices. It was same calculation which ancient Vedic astrologers referred as Yugas with cycle of 26000 years that includes two Sandhis or Sandhyās (connecting periods) — Sandhyā (dawn) and Sandhyāṃśa or Sandhyānśa (dusk) — where each Sandhi lasts for 1/10th (10%) of the main period. Dhruva(Pole Star) is Polaris and Axis Mundane has changed to Polaris now due to earth’s axial precession with 7 Sages (Big Dipper), the Sun, Moon, planets and constellations paying obeisance while circumambulating the Lord in Mount Meru(Virtual Mountain).
Mount Meru (Sanskrit/Pali: मेरु), also recognized as Sumeru, Sineru or Mahāmeru, is the sacred five-peaked mountain of Hindu, Jain, and Buddhist cosmology and is considered to be the center of all the physical, metaphysical and spiritual universes. The dimensions attributed to Mount Meru — which all refer to it as a part of the Cosmic Ocean, along with several other statements that describe it in geographically vague terms (e.g., “the Sun along with all the planets circle the mountain”) — make the determination of its location most difficult, according to most scholars.
Some researchers identify Mount Meru or Sumeru with the Pamirs, northwest of Kashmir.
The Suryasiddhanta mentions that Mt. Meru lies in the middle of the Earth (“bhuva-madhya”) in the land of the Jambunad (Jampudvīpa). Narapatijayacharyasvarodaya, a ninth-century text, based on mostly unpublished texts of Yāmal Tantr, mentions:
“Sumeruḥ Prithvī-madhye shrūyate drishyate na tu”
(Su-meru is heard to be in the middle of the Earth, but is not seen there)
Logically in flat earth concept, Sumeru is at the North Pole and Kumeru at the South pole and most of ancient scriptures describe Meru as the Central Pivot of the Universe and the entire cosmos revolves around it. 7 Sages(Big Dipper), the Sun, Moon and Stars paying obeisance while circum-ambulating the Holy Mountain. In Hindu cosmology, above Meru is Brahmalok or the ‘Abode of Brahma’. In Norse mythology, they talk about about a World Tree that connects Heaven, Earth and Hell just like Meru. However every ancient scriptures have localized this mountain to location towards North Star.
Details of all the 27 Nakshatras and its mention in ancient Vedic and Puranic texts are as below:
- Ashvini
Asvaḥ (अव) is the Sanskrit word for a horse, one of the significant animals finding references in the Vedas as well as later Hindu scriptures. The Ashvins are mentioned 376 times in the Rig Veda, with 57 hymns specifically dedicated to them: 1.3, 1.22, 1.34, 1.46–47, 1.112, 1.116–120 , 1.157–158, 1.180–184, 2.20, 3.58, 4.43–45, 5.73–78, 6.62–63, 7.67–74, 8.5, 8.8–10, 8.22, 8.26, 8.35, 8.57, 8.73, 8.85–87, 10.24, 10.39–41, 10.143. Ašvieniai are divine twins in the Lithuanian mythology, identical to Latvian Dieva dēli and the Baltic counterparts of Vedic Ashvins.
Reference as per Rig Veda:
Indra (King of the Gods in Vedas) had knowledge to produce elixir of immortality referred as Soma and he did not want this knowledge to get into the wrong hands and had taught it only to sage Dadichi but laid a curse upon him: “If you teach this to anyone your head must come off. “The Aśvinī twins wanted to learn this secret and being master surgeons, they cut off the sage’s head and the head of a horse and swapped the two. Through “the horse’s mouth” they learned this secret of Vedas and then they swapped the heads back to their original owners.
They are referred as twin Gods of Health and the Prayer of Brahmavadin Gosha can be found in Mandala 10 of Rig-Veda. It is a story of miracle of Ashwini-Kumaras curing Gosha of her skin problem and restoring her beauty.
आ वामगन सुमतिर्वाजिनीवसू नयश्विना हर्त्सु कामायंसत |
अभूतं गोपा मिथुना शुभस पती परियार्यम्णो दुर्यानशीमहि ||Rv. 10.40.12 ||
Explanation: O Ashwinikumaras full of wealth and food. Be pleased with us, be helpful to us in fulfilling our desires, and be graceful to us. Let us decorate the home of husband by becoming his beloved.
There are several such hymns in the Rig Veda in praise of the Ashwini Kumaras and below are few more references:
To he who was blinded, O Asvins, ye gave eyes. Great and weal-giving is your aid, O Asvins, ye made whole the cripple. Ye saved Rebha from tyranny. Ye made the barren cow of Sayu stream refreshing milk, and Vandana was helped with extended life. Doers of marvels, skillful workers, ye restored Vandana, like a vehicle worn out with length of days. From earth ye brought the sage to life in wondrous mode. As charioteers skilled in driving, ye then went to him who mourned in a far distant place, him who was left forlorn by treachery of his sire. Rich with the light of heaven was then the help ye gave, and marvelous your succor when ye stood by him.”
However, in few later Hindu Puranic scriptures (Shiv Purnana), Asvini is one among 27 constellations as the Daughters of Daksha and these Nakshatras were married to Chandra (Moon). Daksha’s 27 daughters are 27 Nakshatras in night sky and these are the 27 divisions of the zodiac based on the moon’s daily motion of 13 degrees and 20 minutes. 27 daughters of Daksha(Creator God) who got married to Moon God form 27 days of a month. The Moon travels the zodiac in 27.3 days spending roughly one day in each Nakshatra.
The ancient Vedic civilization concept of the month was based on lunar cycle which was approximately 28 days based on 28 Nakshatras (28th nakshatra was Abhijit) which as later ignored.The earliest ancient Roman calendars also had months that were 28 or 29 days. Julius Caesar modified the Roman calendar in 46 B.C. to make each month have either 30 or 31 days to sync with Solar cycle in 12 Zodiac, since the lunar cycle is approximately 29.5 days, which does not divide evenly into the 365.25 days that make up a year. The current Gregorian calendar was a modification of the Julian calendar.
2) Bharani
The name Bharaṇī comes from the word bharaṇa, which means, “to maintain, bear”. The vulva is symbol for Bharaṇī because it symbolizes bearing children, which itself summarizes the main characteristic of this star.
Bharani is seen as being under the domain of Yama, the god of death.
Reference in Bhagavad-Gītā (10.29):
पितॄणामर्यमा चास्मि यमः संयमतामहम् ॥ २९॥
“Among enforcers I am Yama.”
In Jyotisha, Bharani is ruled by Shukra (the planet Venus). Also, it is classified as a Cruel or Active nakshatra and under astrological beliefs, works of a harmful or deceptive nature are best conducted while the moon is in Bharani.
Bharani is ruled by Yama, the God of Death. Its basis above is the removal of life from the body. Bharani Nakshatra takes away that which has reached its term of life to a new condition. It shows the movement of the soul away from the body. Yama guides the soul to the astral plane, where it can experience the result of its karma from the present life and prepare for the life to come.
As similar reference from Rig Veda (7.59.12), famous Mahāmrityunjaya Mantra can be effective for dealing with Bharani if one chants it with the intention does not escape one’s difficulties, but to prosper from them.
ॐ त्र्य॑म्बकं यजामहे सु॒गन्धिं॑ पुष्टि॒वर्ध॑नम् ।
उ॒र्वा॒रु॒कमि॑व॒ बन्ध॑नान् मृ॒त्योर्मुक्षीय॒ मा ऽमृता॑त् ।
Explanation : ‘We worship the three-eyed One (Lord Shiva) who is fragrant and who nourishes all beings; may He liberate me from death, for the sake of Immortality, even as the cucumber is severed from its bondage (of the creeper.’
According to a legend, Markandeya was the only one on the earth who knew this mantra. The Moon was once in trouble, when cursed by King Daksha. Markandeya gave the Mahamritryunjaya Mantra to Sati, Daksha’s daughter, for the Moon. This mantra is also called the Rudra mantra, because it is a component of the “life-restoring” practice given to the primordial sage Shukracharya after he had completed an exhausting period of austerity. This mantra is addressed to Shiva for warding off untimely death. It is also chanted while smearing Vibhuti over various parts of the Body and utilized in Japa or Homa (havan) to get desired results.
3) Krittika
Krittika Nakshatra is the 3rd star in the Zodiac. It extends from 26.4 deg Aries to 10 deg of Taurus. The star is named after the Lord Karthikeya, Son of Lord Shiva. Lord Karthikeya is also the commander of the God.
In Hindu Puranic reference and when the demon Taraka was destroying the world and creating tremendous problems for all creatures and the gods. To defeat demon Taraka, all the gods united and got a seed from Lord Shiva and Shakti, the seed was thus cast in fire and protected by blue water. The Krittika (six nurses of Karthikeya) were requested to nourish it in their womb. Since six women came to feed him, he split (“Krittika”) into six forms to nurse from each mother simultaneously. He is known as Karthikeya because he was nursed by the Krittika. Karthikeya was thereby born and on the seventh day after his birth killed the mighty demon Taraka and thereby relieved the gods from the demons.
This star is also the name of its goddess-personification, who is a daughter of Daksha and Panchajani, and thus a half-sister to Khyati. Spouse of Krittika is Chandra (“moon”).
In few of Hindu scriptures, the seven stars of the Big Dipper represent the seven sages. The six main stars of the Pleiades are their six divorced wives — unfortunate goddesses. The seventh wife, Arundhati remains near her husband Vashistha as the star Alcor very close to Mizar.
Krittika is also known as the “Star of Fire” and is related to a commander, fighter, foster mother and glow of power, physical and creative force. Krittika being a female nakshatra suggests passivity, indicating that Krittika needs outer energy or life circumstance to activate their power.
In ancient Mesopotamia they were simply known in Sumerian as MUL.MUL (𒀯𒀯) and people of Mexico knew them as “Seed Stars”. In ancient Persian religions, the Pleiades is primarily known as Parvin pronounced Parveen. It too is a common given name of Iranians, Afghanis and some Pakistanis.
In Greek mythology, the stars of Pleiades represented the Seven Sisters. Several of the most prominent male Olympian gods (including Zeus, Poseidon, and Ares) engaged in affairs with the seven heavenly sisters. These relationships resulted in the birth of their children.
Interesting fact is Vedic astronomers calculated that Pleiades was rising star at the horizon around 2950 BCE that helps to give date during the Satapata Brahmana.
However, this is also true in three below cases: The Shatapatha Brahmana mentions that the Krittika (the Pleiades) “do not swerve from the east”. This would have been the case with precision at 2950 BCE and was true also about 2000 BCE but was still true to within 8–13 degrees (viz., East by north) around the 8th to 6th centuries BCE, the assumed date of the text’s composition.
4) Rohini
Rohini (रोहिणी) is a goddess in Hinduism and the favorite consort of Chandra, the moon god. She is a daughter of Daksha and sister of the 26 other Nakshatras.
As per Shiva Purana, when Daksha gave away his 27 daughters, he got an undertaking that Chandra would not show favoritism towards any of his wives. However, Moon God (Chandra) is drawn to Rohini. Daksha comes to know of Chandra Deva spending more time with Rohini gets cursed by Daksha. However, Moon God (Chandra) prays to Shiva and gets a boon with a compromise. During Krishnapaksha Chandra would wane and during Shuklapaksha, the bright part of the lunar fortnight, Chandra would wax. This explains the waning and waxing moon.
Moon is exactly exalted at 3 degree Krittika and it is considered in exaltation sign throughout Taurus but it is Rohini nakshatra where Moon is happiest. In Vedic theology the moon is considered a manifestation of the mind of God.
Krishna Janmashtami is celebrated as birth of Lord Krishna when Sun is in own sign and Moon in Rohini Nakshatra.
In most of ancient Hindu Puranas, we have this famous word ‘Rohini Sakata Bhedanam’. This phenomenon was observed during the times of Ramayana when Ravana abducts Sita and also during Mahabharata War. Great wars and destruction happened every time this peculiar phenomenon appeared in the sky.
In 46th chapter in Aranya Kanda of Valmiki Ramayana, Rohini is mentioned as dear wife of the moon and compared with Sita. Here bad planet would be Saturn when he abducts Sita.
Taam apashyat tato baalaam raaja putriim yashasviniim || 3–46–5
rohiNiim shashinaa hiinaam grahavat bhR^isha daaruNaH |
Explanation: Rohini is the principle star and dear wife of the Moon will be in lunar asterism of the same name, and when she comes in the view of planets like Saturn and Mars astrology predicts earthly havocs. Hence, Ravana is compared with such a planet and Sita with Rohini.
In the Hindu epic Mahabharata, King Dhritarashtra is the King of the Kuru Kingdom and we can find similar comparison In Bhīṣmaparva 2, Vyāsa informs King Dhritarashtra on bad omens that happened during Mahabharata war and explains about Saturn in Rohini.
Rohiṇīṃ pīḍayanneṣa sthito rājañśanaiścaraḥ
vyāvṛttaṃ lakṣma somasya bhaviṣyati mahadbhayam
Explanation: Saturn stands tormenting Rohini, O king. The (hare) sign of the Moon has disappeared. There will be great danger/fear.
5) Mrigashirsha
Sanskrit mṛgaśiraṣa (popularly spelled Mārgaśīrṣa/Mṛgaśira) (Devanagari: मृगशीर्ष) (Tamil: மிருகசீரிடம்) (Sinhalese: Muwasirasa) (Kannada: ಮೃಗಶಿರ) the 5th nakshatra or lunar mansion as used in Hindu astronomy and astrology is the constellation Orion. The term Mṛgaśira (मृगशिर) a composite of two Sanskrit words, mṛga (मृग) meaning animal/beast and śira (शिर) meaning head or precisely, the top of the head. Thus Mṛgaśira (मृगशिर) is the correct name of the star, while Mārgaśīrṣa (मार्गशीर्ष) is the name of the month related to Mṛgaśira, i.e., the month in which moon will be in conjuncture with the Mṛgaśira nakshatra. In Malayalam it is called Makayeeram.
Mahabharata (Vana.221.15) tells us that Soma’s brother is Agni, and his sister is Rohini. The two brothers, Soma and Agni stand on both sides of their sister. To one side of Rohini is Soma’s star, Mṛgaśīrṣā. To the other side is Agni’s star, Krittika.
B G Tilak in his ‘Orion and antiquity of Vedas’ mentions on Bhagvad Gita with Lord Krishna saying: ‘Among Nakshatras I am Mrigashirsha’ (Among the asterisms on ecliptic, I am the Orion). In Vedic thought the two stars Rohini and Mrigashirsha are thought to be the most sacred region in space and are described as the head of Prajapati.
In Vedic tradition, soma (Sanskrit: सोम) is a ritual drink] of importance among the early Vedic Indians. In both the ancient religions of Historical Vedic religion and Zoroastrianism, the name of the drink and the plant are the same. The Rigveda mentions it particularly in the Soma Mandala. Several section of Ṛig Veda (9) is dedicated to Soma as giver of immortality (Amrita). Rig Veda 9.42 goes refers Soma the “immortality of the immortals” and the “godhood within the gods.” Elixir made from the Soma plant is known for giving legendary power for several Rig Vedic Gods to fight against evils.
6) Ardra
Ardra is the name of a nakshatra in Hindu astrology, the sixth depending on numbering scheme used. The Sanskrit name Ārdrā translates to “green” or “the moist one”. It is associated with the star Betelgeuse (α Ori). The presiding deity is Rudra, its symbol is a teardrop, and the ruling planet is Rahu. In Tamil and Malayalam, Ardra is referred to as Tiruvātirai and Tiruvātira respectively.
Thiruvathira or Thiruvathirai or Arudhra Darisanam is a Hindu festival celebrated in the Indian states of Tamil Nadu and Kerala. In Thillai Chidambaram 10-day Festival is held during Thiruvathirai. On the 9th day night Maha Abhishekam will be done to Lord Nataraja. It takes place on the full moon night in the Tamil month of Margazhi (December–January) and this is also the longest night in a year. If you observe the moon and its Nakshatras crossing one by one, we understand the significant days of these festival and uncover new layers of meaning. It starts with Rohini‑Hyades on the 8th day, and of Mriga‑shiras‑Labda Orionis on the 9th day and finally during the night after the 9th day we see the full moon in Arudra-Betelgeuse.
Winter Chariot Festival is Margari Tiruvadirai that happens in the holy Ardra in the month of Margari. Margari being the month of the middle of December till the middle of January. It is same time during Winter Solstice, even Christmas is celebrated, and this is also the longest night in a year.
Most of the temples around the world with Lord Nataraja and Shiva as deity perform the Arudhra Darshan during this day.
Arudra or cosmic dance of Nataraja represents five activities — Creation, Protection, Destruction, Embodiment and Release. It is essentially a Shaivite festival and celebrates the cosmic dance of Lord Shiva, which is represented by the Nataraja form. Arudhra (Thiruvathirai in Tamil) signifies the golden red flame and Shiva performs the dance in the form this red-flamed light. Lord Shiva is supposed to be incarnated in the form of Lord Nataraja during the Arudra Darshan day.
Thiruvathira is the nakshatra or “star” of Lord Shiva as per the Malayalam calendar. It is believed that on this day, the Goddess Parvathi finally met Lord Shiva after her long penance and Lord Shiva took her as a saha-dharma chaarini (equal partner). Both Parvathi and Shiva present this ideal to devotees in the form of Ardhanarishvara (half male, half female form).
The Skanda Purana also mentions that Brahmā once had an argument with Rudra, during which Rudra decapitated one of Brahma’s heads (originally, he had five). Rudra threw the head into space, and it became the stars of Mṛgaśīrṣā, the nakshatra which comes after Brahma’s Rohini. Searching (mṛga) for the head (śira), Rudra came to reside in the nakshatra next to Mṛgaśīrṣā, Ārdrā.
7) Punarvasu
Punarvasu is a Nakshatra in Hindu astrology, which refers to the two brightest stars in the constellation of Gemini: Castor and Pollux. The stars Castor and Pollux (or in Greek, Polydeukes) were twin half-brothers in Greek and Roman mythology, known together as the Dioscuri. In Latin the twins are also known as the Gemini (literally “twins”)
The word Punarvasu is derived from Puna+ Vasu, which means return, renewal, restoration or repetition. The goddess of Punarvasu is Aditi (Mother of all Sun Gods)
As per Mahabharata (Śānti.34.96–98), Budha (Mercury God) came to Aditi’s home for food and not getting served when he was hungry, he curses her to take re-birth again and again. She was mother for Vivasvān second time. Yima was son of Vivasvan.
If you observe correctly, Sanskrit Yama is also interpreted as “the twin,” perhaps reflecting an Indo-Iranian belief in a primordial Yama and Yami pair. We can locate parallels between Avestan Yima and Sanskrit Yama, for instance, Yima was the son of Vivaŋhat, who in turn corresponds to the Vedic Vivasvat, “he who shines out”, a divinity of the Sun.
The Gods, the children of Aditi, are basically and essentially are different from children of Diti, who are demons. This nakshatra is all about getting things back to it.
This is the birth nakshatra of Lord Rama as captured in Valmiki Ramayana.
“On completion of the ritual six seasons have passed by and then in the twelfth month, on the ninth day of Chaitra month [April–May,] when the presiding deity of ruling star of the day is Aditi, where the ruling star of day is Punarvasu (Nakshatra), the asterism is in the ascendant, and when five of the nine planets viz., Sun, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, and Venus are at their highest position, when Jupiter with Moon is ascendant in Cancer, and when day is advancing, then Queen Kausalya gave birth to a son with all the divine attributes like lotus-red eyes, lengthy arms, roseate lips, voice like drumbeat, and who took birth to delight the Ikshwaku dynasty, who is adored by all the worlds, and who is the greatly blessed epitome of Vishnu, namely Rama.”
— Book I: Bala Kanda, Ramayana by Valmiki, Chapter (Sarga) 18, Verse 8, 9, 10 and 11
8) Pushya
Pushya nakshatra (Cancri) is the 8th of the 27 Nakshatras. Puṣya’s primary symbol is a lotus.
The Presiding of this nakshatra is Brihaspati Planet Jupiter himself. He is the Guru of the Gods (has been guru of Ganesh and Karthikeya himself etc.), main priest of the gods court, lord Shiva had made Brihaspati into Planet Jupiter. Therefore, Jupiter is exalted in Pushya Nakshatra.
Rig Veda (4.40.1) mentions Brihaspati as the son of Angiras
As per ancient Hindu Puranic reference, Brihaspati (Jupiter), the Guru of the Gods had a very beautiful wife named Tara. One day when she was moving in sky near Chandra’s (the Moon’s) house, Moon God (Chandra) fell in love with her immediately, and she also fell in love with him. Brihaspati started to miss Tara and started looking for her. When he found out that she was with Moon God (Chandra), he sent his disciple to bring Tara back. But Tara would not come. Finally, Brihaspati decided to go himself could not persuade Tara to come back to him. This made Brihaspati to become very angry and finally Indra and other deities persuaded Moon God Chandra to return Tara. However, upon Tara’s return to her husband, Brihaspati discovered that she was pregnant who gave birth to Buddha (Mercury Planet). Budha’s son was Pururavas who established the Chandravanshi Dynasty (Lunar Dynasty) in Hindu mythology as shown below.
9) Ashlesha
Ashlesha (Sanskrit: आश्लेषा or Āśleṣā) is the 9th of the 27 Nakshatras in Hindu astrology. Ashlesha is also known as the Clinging Star or Nāga. It is known as the Hydra
Śrīmad Bhāgavatam (10.16) mentions story of Powerful Naga named Kāliya. As per mythology, Kāliya had made his near Vrindavan (Krishna’s place) fearing Garuda. However, his toxicity made the lake poisonous killing several animals nearby. Hence Lord Krishna challenged Kāliya and evicted him. Greek myths have similar parallels with Hercules and Draco Constellation.
The Greek constellation of Hydra is an adaptation of a Babylonian constellation: the MUL.APIN includes a “serpent” constellation (MUL.DINGIR.MUŠ) that loosely corresponds to Hydra. It is one of two Babylonian “serpent” constellations (the other being the origin of the Greek Serpens), a mythological hybrid of serpent, lion and bird.
In Chinese astronomy, the stars that correspond to Hydra are located within the Vermilion Bird and the Azure Dragon.
10) Magha
Magha Nakshatra is 10th out of 27 Nakshatras in Vedic Astrology.
The symbol of Maghā, a throne, is an image of inherited power. Indra, the king of the gods, seated on the throne of paradise is known as Maghavan.
Deity of Magha are Pitrs tells about the forefathers, departed ancestors. The Manu-Smṛti’s third chapter tells us that Pitṛ are divine beings who are the “forefathers” of us all. As per Hindu scriptures, at the beginning Lord Brahma manifested 10 sons, called the Prajapatis to create and operate the world. They are the original Pitris as all creation originated from them.
In Hindu astrology, when the Moon transits Magha Nakshatra it is extremely auspicious and important to remember and honor our ancestors and express our gratitude to them.
Brihat Jataka of VārāhaMihira mentions that one born in Magha will enjoy great wealth, enjoyments, respecter of elders
Taittiriya Brahmana an ancient Vedic text says Magha is ruled by the Ancestors.
In the Hindu epic Mahabharata, King Dhritarashtra is the King of the Kuru Kingdom and Bhishma Parva talks about all these astronomical movements to King Dhritarashtra particularly mentioning all astronomical bad omens during Mahabharata War. This below shloka particularly mentions Magha Nakshatra and Planet Mars.
Senayoraśivaṃ ghoraṃ kariṣyati mahāgrahaḥ
Maghāsvaṅgārako vakraḥ śravaṇe ca bṛhaspatiḥ (6.3.13)
Explanation: This great planet will cause frightful mischief to both the armies. Mars wheeleth towards Magha and Brihaspati (Jupiter) towards Sravana
11) Purva Phalguni
Purva phalguni nakshatra is the 11th nakshatra out of the total 27 nakshatras. In Leo sun sign this nakshatra extends from 13-degree 20 minute to 26-degree 40 minute. The deity God of this nakshatra is ‘Aryaman’, who is one of the 12 sons of Sun’s mother Aditi.
Aryaman is one of the early Vedic Hindu deities. His name signifies “Life-Partner”, “close friend”, “Partner”, “play-fellow” or “companion”. He is the third son of Aditi, the mother of the Adityas and is depicted as the mid-morning sun disk.
Aryaman is commonly invoked together with Varuna-Mitra, Bhaga, Bṛhaspati, and other Adityas and Asuras. According to Griffith, the Rigveda also suggests that Aryaman is a supreme deity alongside Mitra and Varuna. According to the Rig Veda, Indra who is traditionally considered the most important deity in the Rig Veda is asked to obtain boons and gifts from Aryaman. Hindu marriage oaths are administered with an invocation to Aryaman being the witness to the event.
Purva Phalguni in the Vedic order is ruled by Aryaman, the God of contracts and unions. It gives the power of procreation (prajanana shakti). Its basis above is the wife or the female partner. Its basis below is the male or masculine partner. These together bring about the creation of the fetus
As per ancient reference in Hindu scriptures, the deities of Purva Phalguni (Aryaman) and Uttara Phalguni (Bhaga) and both are closely linked. Both are intimately connected with marriage and its associated rewards and responsibilities. Aryaman upholds societal traditions and contracts made between two people, such as the wedding ceremony.
In the Avesta, Airyaman (or airiiaman) is both an Avestan language common noun as well as the proper name of a Zoroastrian divinity. Divinity Airyaman, who is the yazata of health and healing. The third Yasht, which is nominally a hymn to Asha Vahishta is for the greater part a praise of the airyaman ishyo, which in Zoroastrian tradition is an invocation of the divinity Airyaman.
The common meaning of airyaman/aryaman as “member of community” is preserved in both Avestan and Vedic sources.
In Indian Hindu wedding rituals, the wedding fire is referred to as the Aryaman fire. In any Hindu marriage rituals, you can find that newly wedded couples hold hands by circumambulating the Aryaman fire with seven steps and together they pledge each other “With these seven steps you have become my life partner. May I deserve your love and support and make you one with me.”
12) Uttara Phalguni
Uttara phalguni nakshatra is the 12th nakshatra out of the total 27 nakshatras. The deity God of this nakshatra is ‘Bhaga’, who is one of the 12 sons of Sun’s mother Aditi.
Bhaga is the God of happiness. This god is also referred as chayani shakti, power is the giving of prosperity (through marriage or union). Its basis above is the wealth gained from one’s own family or from one’s partner. These together bring about the accumulation of wealth.
In the Rigveda, the personification of Lord Bhaga is attested primarily in RV 7.41, which is devoted to the praise of the Bhaga and of the deities closest to him, and in which the Bhaga is invoked about 60 times, together with Agni, Indra, the dual Mitra-Varuna, two Ashvins, Pusan, Soma and Rudra.
The 5th/6th-century BCE Nirukta (Nir. 12.13) describes Bhaga as the god of the morning. In the Rigveda, the Bhaga is named as one of the Adityas, the seven (or eight) celestial sons of Aditi, the Rigvedic mother of the gods. In the medieval Bhagavata Purana, the Bhaga reappears with the Puranic Adityas, which are by then twelve solar gods.
Bhaga God is referred Sauptika Parva of Mahabharata in which Rudra by anger plucks Bhaga’s eye when surplus shares of sacrifices were not shared correctly by Gods like Savitur, Pusha. Rudra cut of Savitur hands and he took the teeth of the God Pushan
13) Hasta
Hasta Nakshatra is the 13th Nakshatra as per Hindu astrology. The Hasta Nakshatra ranges from degrees 10–23:20 and falls in the Virgo sign.
The presiding deity of Hasta Nakshatra is Savitur — the Sun God. It is said and believed that this God helps in imparting transforming and creative energy. Sun God is also believed to be the inspiration giver
He is sometimes associated with Surya or at other times distinguished from Surya, “the Sun”. When considered distinct from the Sun proper, he is conceived of as the divine influence or vivifying power of the Sun. The Sun before sunrise is called Savitur, and after sunrise until sunset it is called Sūrya. Savitur is celebrated in eleven whole hymns of the Rig Veda and in parts of many others, his name being mentioned about 170 times in aggregate.
Savitur disappeared as an independent deity from the Hindu pantheon after the end of the Vedic period, but in modern Hinduism his name occurs in the well-known Gayatri mantra (taken from book three of the Rigveda; RV 3.62.10), which is therefore also known as the Sāvitur. The Gāyatrī mantra is dedicated to Savituṛ, a Vedic Sun deity.
oṃ bhūr bhuvaḥ svaḥ
tat savitur vareṇyaṃ
bhargo devasya dhīmahi
dhiyo yo naḥ prachodayāt
– Rigveda 3.62.10
Explanation: May we attain that excellent glory of Savitur the god: So, may he stimulate our prayers
According to Yaska, Sanskrit scholar of the 5th century BCE, who made various attempts to interpret difficult Vedic mythologies in his work Nirukta (Etymology) (12, 12), the time of Savitr’s appearance is when darkness has been removed. Sayanacharya (on Rig Veda) remarks that before his rising the sun is called Savitr, but from his rising to his setting, Surya.
Savitr has golden arms and is broad-handed or beautiful-handed. He has a golden chariot with a golden axle, which is omni-form, just as he himself can assume all forms. Savitr has been attributed to as upholding the movables and immovable, which signifies the maintenance of Ṛta (Cosmic Order). Savitr is a beneficent god who acts as protector of all beings, who are provident and guard the world of spirits. Being an Aditya, Savitr is true to the Eternal Order and act as the score exacter.
14) Chitra
Chitra Nakshatra is the 14th Nakshatra as per Hindu astrology.
Chitra is ruled by Tvastar, the Cosmic craftsman. Vishwakarma is the divine draftsman of the whole universe and the official builder of all the gods’ palaces. Below are some of his contributions as per Hindu mythological scriptures.
· Indra’s Palace: After Indra became the king of the devas, he requested Vishwakarma to make palace for him. After Indra killed Vritra, Indra had Vishwakarma redo the palace and make it more grand multitudinous times.
· Palace for Kubera: This palace near Alakapuri is said to be most beautiful gardens in the universe. These were created by Vishwakarma.
· On an invitation of Lord Krishna, He also built the city “Indraprastha” for Pandavas.
· Lankapuri: This city, made entirely of gold, was originally created by Vishwakarma and as per mythology, demons like Sumali and his brothers seized the city from Vishwakarma and later, Ravana took over and started ruling. After Ravana’s death in the Ramayana, Vibhishana, his righteous brother, ruled for a very long time.
· Dwaraka: When Jarasandha kept attacking the Yadavas at Mathura, Krishna and the Yadavas moved to an island near Saurashtra. There, Krishna invoked Vishwakarma to build a beautiful city.
· Yamapuri: Vishwakarma also created Yamapuri for God Yama and his other advisors and ministers.
· Shraddhavati: This is the city of Varuna. It was built by Vishwakarma in the ocean.
In the Yajurveda, Purusha Sukta and the tenth mandala of the Rigveda, his character and attributes are merged with the concept of Hiranyagharbha/Prajapathy or Brahma. Tvastar is mentioned 65 times in the Ṛgveda and is the former of the bodies of men and animals,’ and invoked when desiring offspring, called garbha-pati or the lord of the womb.
As per the Ṛgveda, Tvastar, also known as Rathakāra, belongs to the clan of the Bhṛgus. Similarly, as mentioned in the epic Mahabharata, Tvastar or the Rathakāra is Śukrācārya’s son, Śukrācārya (the mentor of the asuras) is Bhṛgu’s grandson and Vāruṇibhṛgu’s son. He is the father of Saranyu, who twice bears twins to Vivasvat (RV 8.26.21), including Yama and Yami, also identified as the first humans. Tvastar is a solar deity in the Mahabharata and the Harivaṃśa. He is mentioned as the son of Kāśyapa and Aditi and is said to have made the three worlds with pieces of the Surya.
15) Swati
Swati Nakshatra is the 15th Nakshatra as per Hindu astrology in Bootes constellation.
Swati is ruled by Vayu, the God of the Wind. The word for air (Vayu) or wind (Pavana) is one of the classical elements in Hinduism.
Pavan is also a common Hindu name. Pavana played an important role in Anjana’s begetting Hanuman as her child so Hanuman is also called Pavanaputra “son of Pavana” and Vāyuputra.
In the hymns, Vayu is “described as having ‘exceptional beauty’ and moving noisily in his shining coach, driven by two or forty-nine or one-thousand white and purple horses. A white banner is his main attribute.” Like the other atmospheric deities, he is a “fighter and destroyer”, “powerful and heroic.”
“Vayu, in his aspect of up lifter of oblation. This elevation of the heart is also worship, and thus the devas come near to faith, inspired by Vayu.”
Rig Veda 10, 151
Vāyu-Vāta is the Avestan language name of a dual-natured Zoroastrian divinity of the wind (Vayu) and of the atmosphere (Vata). The names are also used independently of one another, with ‘Vayu’ occurring more frequently than ‘Vata’, but even when used independently still representing the other aspect.
Both the words Vāta and Vāyu have almost identical meanings in Sanskrit or Vedic traditions. Although there is no god representing Vata in Vedic religion, there is the god Vayu representing air as mentioned above. The word Vata is still used today in many Indian languages to denote atmosphere. Atmosphere in Hindi, Marathi etc., is called Vatavaran.
In East Asian Buddhism, Vāyu is a Dharmapala and often classed as one of the Twelve Devas grouped together as directional guardians. He presides over the northwest direction.
In Japan, he is called “Fūten”. He is included with the other eleven devas, which include Taishakuten (Śakra/Indra), Katen (Agni), Enmaten (Yama), Rasetsuten (Nirṛti/Rākṣasa), Ishanaten (Īśāna), Bishamonten (Vaiśravaṇa/Kubera), Suiten (Varuna) Bonten (Brahmā), Jiten (Pṛthivī), Nitten (Sūrya/Āditya), and Gatten (Candra).
16) Vishakha
Vishakha Nakshatra is the 16th Nakshatra as per Hindu astrology in Librae constellation.
Vishakha is ruled by Indra and Agni, who represent the powers of heat and lightning in the atmosphere.
Indrāṇī is considered, “Queen of the Gods.” Among the Navagraha, she is associated with Śūkra (Venus) as his overruler. She is the consort of Indra and daughter of the Asura.
She is called the goddess of anger, wrath, and jealousy. She is also named Sachi/Shachi (Śakti), as well as Aindri, Vajri, Mahendri, Pulomaja, and Poulomi. A hymn in the Rigveda describes her jealousy of rivals. Being the goddess of jealousy, she is believed to help in destroying jealousy.
According to ancient Vedas, she was a female shadow of Indra, but other Vedic literature suggests that she actually developed the idea of Śakti (what a fantastic “shadow”) and became the role model for all Devi in the later period. Unlike most other devi, Shachi/Indrāṇī is an independent force. In fact, rather than Indrāṇī being named after Indra, it’s Indra who was named after Indrāṇī.
Indrāṇī rides/is associated with lions and elephants and, like Indra, rides a charging white elephant. She is the essence of beauty and was referred to as “The Endless Beauty” in Hindu epics and very beautiful in the Rigveda, with exceptionally beautiful eyes (one thousand of them). According to the Taittiriya Brahman, Indra desires Indrāṇī as his wife above all others [simply] because of her captivating, voluptuous features. She’s dark-skinned, with two, four, or six arms and is armed with the Vajra (thunderbolt), goad, noose and lotus stalk. Adorned with variety of ornaments, she wears the kiriṭa mukuṭa.
Indrāṇī’s consort, Indra, killed her own father, Puloman, as he was an Asura. Indrāṇī and Indra were parents to Jayanta, Jayanti, Midhusa, Nilambara, Rbhus, Rsabha, and Chitragupta.
17) Anuradha
Anuradha Nakshatra is the 17th Nakshatra as per Hindu astrology in Scorpionis constellation.
Anuradha is ruled by Rig Vedic God Mitra, the Divine Friend. Mitra is a divinity of Rig Vedic culture, whose function changed with time. In the Mitanni inscription of ancient Babylonian kingdom, Mitra is invoked as one of the protectors of treaties as captured below:
In the Rigveda, Mitra appears primarily in the dvandva compound Mitra-Varuna, which has essentially the same attributes as Varuna alone. In the late Vedic texts and the Brahmanas, Mitra is increasingly associated with the light of dawn and the morning sun (while Varuna becomes associated with the evening, and ultimately the night). In the post-Vedic texts — in which Mitra practically disappears — Mitra evolved into the patron divinity of friendship, and because he is “friend”, abhors all violence, even when sacred.
índram mitráṃ váruṇam agním āhur / átho divyáḥ sá suparṇó garútmān
ékaṃ sád víprā bahudhâ vadanty / agníṃ yamám mātaríśvānam āhuḥ
“They call him Indra, Mitra, Varuna, Agni / and he is heavenly nobly-winged Garutman.”
“To what is One, sages give many a title / they call it Agni, Yama, Matarisvan.” (trans. Griffith)
– Rigveda 1.164.46
In the Atharvaveda, Mitra is associated with sunrise, and accordingly, Mitra is worshiped in the sunrise prayers of the Hindus. The morning upasthaana prayer, recited to the risen sun after contemplation on the sacred Gayatri mantra, is a collection of Vedic verses addressing Mitra.
Mitra is also the name of an Indo-Iranian divinity from which the names and some characteristics of Rigvedic Mitrá and Avestan Mithra derive. The name Mithra was adopted by the Greeks and Romans as Mithras, chief figure in the mystery religion of Mithraism. He is generally interpreted as Perseus constellation with edge of Scorpio constellation and Orion as torch bearer as shown below.
Reference : https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mithraism
18) Jyeshtha
Jyeshtha Nakshatra is the 18th Nakshatra as per Hindu astrology in Scorpionis constellation.
Jyeshta is ruled by Indra, the ruler of the Gods. Indra is praised as the highest god in 250 hymns of the Rigveda
इन्द्रस्य नु वीर्याणि प्र वोचं यानि चकार प्रथमानि वज्री ।
अहन्नहिमन्वपस्ततर्द प्र वक्षणा अभिनत्पर्वतानाम् ॥१।।
अहन्नहिं पर्वते शिश्रियाणं त्वष्टास्मै वज्रं स्वर्यं ततक्ष ।
वाश्रा इव धेनवः स्यन्दमाना अञ्जः समुद्रमव जग्मुरापः ॥२।।
1. Now I shall proclaim the heroic deeds of Indra, those foremost deeds that the mace-wielder performed:
He smashed the serpent. He bowed out the waters. He split the bellies of the mountains.
2. He smashed the serpent resting on the mountain — for him Tvaṣṭar had fashioned the resounding [sunlike] mace.
Like bellowing milk-cows, streaming out, the waters went straight down to the sea.
— Rigveda, 1.32.1–2
In the Brahmavaivarta Purana, Indra defeats Vritra and releases the waters. In post-Vedic texts, Indra’s importance declines, and he evolves into a minor deity in comparison to others in the Hindu pantheon, such as Shiva, Vishnu, or Devi. In Puranic mention, he becomes a source of nuisance rains sent out of anger with an intent to hurt mankind and Krishna as an avatar of Vishnu, comes to the rescue by lifting Mount Govardhana on his fingertip, and letting mankind shelter under the mountain till Indra exhausts his anger and relents. In the post-Vedic period, he rides a large, four-tusked white elephant called Airavata. The Sangam literature also describes Indhira Vizha (festival for Indra), the festival for want of rain, celebrated for one full month starting from the full moon in Chitrai and aspects of Indra as a deity are cognate to other Indo-European gods; they are thunder gods such as Thor, Perun, and Zeus who share parts of his heroic mythologies, act as king of gods, and all are linked to “rain and thunder”.
19) Mula
Mula Nakshatra is the 19th Nakshatra as per Hindu astrology in Scorpionis constellation. The Mula constellation is at the center of the Milky Way Galaxy (Galactic Center). Mula (or Moola) Nakshatra is the Vedic constellation which translates as “the root.” It is that this location during winter solstice (Dec 23rd, 24th and 25th), the sun rises to its lowest point for people of northern hemisphere and appears as reborn from the darkness, symbolizing rebirth and the renewal of life. Ancient Egyptians believed that the Sun God (RA) dies and is reborn during this time of winter solstice.
In Hindu mythology, Mula is ruled by Nirriti, the Goddess of destruction. It has the power to ruin or destroy. Nirriti is the Hindu goddess of deathly hidden realms and sorrows, one of the dikpāla (“guardians of the directions”), representing the southwest. The name Nirriti has the meaning of “absence of ṛta”, meaning ‘disorder’, or ‘lawlessness’, specifically the absence of divine or cosmic order.
Nirṛtī is a Ketu-ruled nakshatra in the Vedic astrology, strongly associated with Kali in the form of Dhumavati. Nirṛtī is mentioned in a few hymns of the Rigveda, mostly to seek protection from her or imploring for her during a possible departure. In one hymn (X.59), she is mentioned several times. This hymn, after summing up her nature, also asks for her in departure from the sacrificial site.
In the Atharvaveda (V.7.9), she is described as having golden locks.
In the Taittiriya Brahmana (I.6.1.4), Nirṛtī is described as dark, dressed in dark clothes and her sacrificial shares are dark husks.
In the sacred Shatapatha Brahmana (X.1.2.9), she is associated with the southwest quarter as her region. In the Vedas, Nirṛti represented the lightless realm of disorder that was held at bay by ṛta and the Vedic rituals. In later Hindu thought, this realm of non-existence was replaced with various hell realms, and Nirṛti was re-conceptualized as a deity- the daughter of Adharma (the embodiment of non-dharmic behavior) and mother of Naraka, a personification of the hell realms.
In Puranic story, Nirṛtī is known as Alakshmi and below is Srisukta mantra.
kṣhutpipāsāmalāṁ jyeṣṭhām alakṣmīṁ nāśayāmyaham,
abhūtimasamṛddhiṁ cha sarvāṁ nirṇuda me gṛihāt.
I shall venerate the elder sister of Lakshmi, Alakshmi, the embodiment of inauspiciousness and such evil as hunger, thirst, and the like for extinguishing such qualities from me. O Lakshmi! Drive out from my abode all misfortune and poverty.
20) Purva Ashadha
Purva Ashadha Nakshatra is the 20th Nakshatra as per Hindu astrology in Sagittarius constellation.
Purvashadha is ruled by the Waters (Apas). Ap (áp-) is the Vedic Sanskrit term for “water.
Apas is also the Avestan language term for “the waters” and Āb (plural Ābān) is the Middle Persian-language form. The ape zaothra ceremony — the culminating rite of the Yasna service (which is in turn the principal act of worship) — is literally for the “strengthening of the waters. The Indo-Iranian word also survives as the Persian word for water, āb, e.g. in Punjab (from panj-āb “five waters”). In Tamil, Ap means water, and has references in poetry.
In the Rigveda, several hymns are dedicated to “the waters” (āpas): 7.49, 10.9, 10.30, 10.47. In the oldest of these, 7.49, the waters relate to the drought of Indra. Agni, the god of fire, has a close association with water and is often referred to as Apām Napāt “offspring of the waters”. In Vedic astrology, the female deity Apah is the presiding deity of the Purva Ashadha asterism, meaning “first of the aṣāḍhā”, with aṣāḍhā “the invincible one” being the name of the greater constellation.
In the most celebrated hymn of creation — Nasadiya Sutktha which occurs in the Tenth Book of Rig Veda, as also in the Vak Suktha (RV.10.8.125) and in the Hiranya-garbha Suktha (RV. 10.121 ) the terms Salila and Apah represent Great Waters or the primeval waters or the primeval matter of creation. They stand for the manifest as also for the un-manifest primeval matter: Prakrti or Vak or Aditi or Viraj.
The Śatapatha Brāhmaṇa, refers to water as the first creation. In the be-ginning there was only a creator from whom the water formed, from it, the foam was formed- Prajāpatirvā idamagra āsīt / tasmāt puruṣāttaptāpo jāyante, apāṁ taptānāṁ pheno jāyate (VI-1.3)
Apam Napat is a deity in the Indo-Iranian pantheon associated with water. In Yasht 19 of the Zoroastrian Avesta Apąm Napāt appears as the creator of mankind. However, since in Zoroastrianism Ahura Mazdā is venerated as supreme creator, this function of Apąm Napāt has become reduced.
The Abzu or Apsu is the name for fresh water deity in Sumerian and Akkadian mythology. Abzu (apsû) is also depicted as a deity in the Babylonian creation epic.
Certain tanks of holy water in Babylonian and Assyrian temple courtyards were also called abzu (apsû). Typical in religious washing, these tanks were like Judaism’s mikvot, the washing pools of Islamic mosques, or the baptismal font in Christian churches.
21) Uttara Ashadha
Uttara Ashadha Nakshatra is the 21st Nakshatra as per Hindu astrology in Sagittarius constellation.
Uttarashadha is ruled by the Universal Gods (Vishvedevas).
The Visvedevas are the various Vedic gods taken together as a whole. In the Rigveda a number of hymns are addressed to them, including (according to Griffith) 1.89, 3.54–56, 4.55, 5.41–51, 6.49–52, 7.34–37, 39, 40, 42, 43, 8.27–30, 58, 83 10.31, 35, 36, 56, 57, 61–66, 92, 93, 100, 101, 109, 114, 126, 128, 137, 141, 157, 165, 181.
RV 3.54.17 addresses them as headed by Indra: This is, ye Wise, your great and glorious title, that all ye Deities abide in Indra. (trans. Griffith)
Though many devas are named in the Rig Veda only 33 devas are counted, eleven each of earth, space and heaven. In later Hindu scriptures, they form one of the nine ganadevatas (along with the Adityas, Vasus, Tushitas, Abhasvaras, Anilas, Maharajikas, Sadhyas, and Rudras). According to the Vishnu Purana, they were the sons of Vishvā, a daughter of Daksha, enumerated as follows: 1. Vasu 2. Satya 3. Kratu 4. Daksha, 5. Kala 6. Kama 7. Dhrti 8. Kuru 9. Pururavas 10. Madravas, with two others added by some, 11. Rocaka or Locana, 12. Dhvani Dhuri
Sometimes it is unclear whether a reference to Vishve-devas refers to all Devas collectively, as in the Rigveda, or to the specific group as enumerated in the Puranas.
According to Manu (iii, 90, 121), offerings should be made daily to the Visvedevas. These privileges were bestowed on them by Brahma and the Pitri as a reward for severe austerities they had performed on the Himalaya.
The Viswadevas incarnated on Earth due to the curse of sage Vishwamitra, as the 5 sons of Draupadi with the Pandavas — the Upapandavas. They returned to their original form after being killed by Ashwatthama at night.
22) Sravana
Sravana Nakshatra is the 22nd Nakshatra as per Hindu astrology in Aquilae constellation.
Sravana is ruled by Vishnu, the preserver among the great trinity of Hindu deities.
Shravana or Śravaṇa (Sanskrit: श्रवण) is derived from the root श्रवः (hearing or the ear), and means — ‘the ear’, ‘the hypotenuse of a triangle’, ‘the act of hearing’, ‘study’, ‘fame’, ‘glory’, ‘that which is heard or revealed’.
In Hindu philosophy and rituals, the hearing of the secrets of the Upanishads from the Guru is called Shravana which secrets are meant to be reflected upon to gain intellectual conviction. One learns by hearing, it is the first stage of learning, the initiation when the traditional Vedic doctrines are passed on by the teachers.
Shravana star has several references in Hindu mythology also related to Onam festival and these three stars are pictured as the 3 footprints of Vamana in His gigantic Trivikrama form.
We also have mythology of Shravan Kumar whose parents were old and blind, and he would carry them in two baskets hanging on either side from a rod on his shoulders like a weighing scale that almost resembles Aquila formation. Shravan Kumar, even today, is remembered for his dedication towards his parents. Altair in the Aquila constellation, in the sky has been named after Shravan.
We also have Kanwar Yatra festivals that run during the monsoon month Shravan (July — August). Kanwar Yatra is named after the kānvar (कांवड़), a single pole (usually made of bamboo) with two roughly equal loads fastened or dangling from opposite ends. This practice of carrying Kavad as a part of religious pilgrimage, especially by devotees of Lord Shiva and is widely followed throughout India. This ritual is related to the churning of the ocean of milk in the Hindu Puranas in which Lord Shiva consumes poison that came out before Amrita to save the world. Holy water of Ganga is carried using Kavad and then poured on Shiva’s temple thus releasing Shiva from the negative energy of the poison.
23) Dhanishta
Dhanishta Nakshatra is the 23d Nakshatra as per Hindu astrology.
Dhanishta is ruled by the eight Vasus, the Gods of abundance that rule the earthly sphere. Aditi (Daughter of King Daksha) with sage Kashyapa (Son of Marichi) had 33 sons who are referred as Devas. Twelve are called Aditya including Surya that form 12 months of Hindu calendar, eleven are called Rudras and eight are called Vasus. Aditi (Sanskrit: अदिति “limitless”) is mother of the gods (devamata) and all twelve zodiacal spirits from whose cosmic matrix, the heavenly bodies were born. She may be seen as a feminized form of Brahma and associated with the primal substance (mulaprakriti) in Vedanta. She is mentioned nearly 80 times in the Rigveda.
The deities which preside over Dhanishta are the eight Vedic devas known as the Vasus, personifications of the cosmic energies: Agni, Prithvi, Vāyu, Antariksha, Āditya, Dyaus, Chandramas, and Nakṣatrani. Vasu translates as “good,” “superb,” or “beneficent,” as well as “wealthy” or “possessing property,” and so all these things, as well as valuable naturally occurring materials, are associated with Dhaniṣṭha. The Vasus are assigned to Dhaniṣṭha in their role of energy sources. For example, charity and a capacity to control or command are also innate features of the Vayus and impart appropriate characteristics on Dhaniṣṭha.
Each Vasu is a star (sun) and each has a special domain on the different realms of existence. None of them can exist along with materialism. They are the very antithesis of matter. Dhaniṣṭha, therefore completely yet gradually eliminates material attachments from the individual and enables the soul to express itself freely and directly.
24) Shatabhisha
Shatabhishak Nakshatra is the 24th Nakshatra as per Hindu astrology.
Shatabhishak is ruled by Varuna, the God of the cosmic waters. Varuna is a Vedic deity associated initially with the sky, later also with the seas as well as Ṛta (justice) and Satya (truth). He is found in the oldest layer of Vedic literature of Hinduism, such as hymn 7.86 of the Rigveda. He is also mentioned in the Tamil grammar work Tolkāppiyam, as the god of sea and rain. He is said to be the son of Kashyapa (one of the seven ancient sages)
In the Hindu Puranas, Varuna is the god of oceans, his vehicle is a Makara (crocodile) and his weapon is a Pasha (noose, rope loop). He is the guardian deity of the western direction. In some texts, he is the father of the Vedic sage Vasishtha.
Varuna is found in Japanese Buddhist mythology as Suiten. He is also found in Jainism
In the earliest layer of the Rigveda, Varuna is the guardian of moral law, one who punishes those who sin without remorse, and who forgives those who err with remorse. He is mentioned in many Rigvedic hymns, such as 7.86–88, 1.25, 2.27–30, 8.8, 9.73 and others. His relationship with waters, rivers and oceans is mentioned in the Vedas.]Vedic poets describe him as an aspect and one of the plural perspectives of the Agni, one of the Primary deity. For example, hymn 5.3 of the Rigveda states:
You at your birth are Varuna, O Agni.
When you are kindled, you are Mitra.
In you, O son of strength, all gods are centered.
You are Indra to the mortal who brings oblation.
You are Aryaman, when you are regarded as having
the mysterious names of maidens, O Self-sustainer.
— Rigveda 5.3.1–2
25) Purva Bhadrapada
Purva Bhadrapada Nakshatra is the 25th Nakshatra as per Hindu astrology.
Purva Bhadra is ruled by Aja Ekapad, the one-footed serpent or goat. Ajaikapada Bhairava Temple is dedicated to Ekapada Bhairava — an aspect of Shiva
Aja Ekapada is also worshiped as a form of Lord Shiva and a transport vehicle of Agni, the god of fire. It gives the fire to raise a spiritual person up in life (yajamana vdyamana shakti). Aja Ekapada represents the unborn, transcendent cosmic energy. The goat is a simple, harmless milk-producing animal which requires almost nothing for its sustenance. However, in the Vedas this deity has been extolled to great heights. He is considered as infinity, an entity without emotion or speech. As Aja, the unborn, he is worshipped as a form of Śiva and is a vehicle of Agni (fire).
The Agama text Amsumadbhedagama mentions that Ekapada-Trimurti is like the Ekanetra and Ekarudra aspects of Shiva and is one of the Vidyeshvara aspects. He wears a jata-mukuta (a headdress formed of piled, matted hair) and white silken garments. He has three eyes and a pacific appearance. He holds a trishula (trident) and a tanka (small hammer) in two of his four arms and gestures in varada mudra (the boon-giving gesture) and abhaya mudra (the gesture of reassurance.
Another Agama text, the Uttara-Karanagama, also describes Ekapada-Trimurti as one of the Vidyeshvaras. He stands erect (the samabhanga posture) on his one leg on a lotus pedestal (padma pitha). He has three eyes and four arms and is clear as crystal in color. His back hands carry a trisula or mriga (deer) and a tanka and his four hands gesture in varada mudra and abhaya mudra. He wears ordinary kundala earrings or pearl ones and the jata-mukuta. From the right and left of his body emerge Brahma and Vishnu respectively.
The Linga Purana describes Shiva as “the lord who has one foot, four arms, three eyes and a trident and who is stationed after creating Vishnu from his left side and four-headed Brahma from his right side.
Ekapada icons are found in most of the important Shiva temples in South India.
In Orissa, Ekapada-Bhairava is essentially a Tantric deity. Tantric texts explicitly associate him with the Vedic Aja Ekapada, fire/Agni, sacrifice, the cosmic pillar of the universe, and the Yogini goddesses, who are also linked to the Saptamatrikas.
26) Uttara Bhadrapada
Uttara Bhadrapada Nakshatra is the 26th Nakshatra as per Hindu astrology.
Uttara Bhadra is ruled by Ahir Budhnya, the serpent of the depths of the atmosphere.
Ahira-Budhnaya is also called Ohi-bridna or Uro-boros. He is the king of the Nagas. Originating in ancient Egyptian iconography, the ouroboros entered Western tradition via Greek magical tradition and was adopted as a symbol in Gnosticism and Hermeticism and most notably in alchemy.
Ahir Budhnya, the benefic serpent of the depths of the Atmosphere, symbolizes fertility, kundalini energy, and need for seclusion that is experienced in this nakshatra. It brings the power of rain and stability and connects us with the creative powers at the foundations of the world. There can be tremendous psychic ability and a snake-like quality that allows Uttara Bhādrapadā people to explore all the nooks and crannies of life. This serpent of the primeval depths, which can also refer to the depths of the sky, suggets both movement and seclusion (or maybe even movement in seclusion or secrecy), as well as an implication of solitude and retirement. Like Ajaikapada, Ahirbudhnya can reference the power that the Tantrikas call the Kundalini Shakti, an energy which once activated initiates a process of spiritual evolution which climaxes in supreme wisdom, knowledge, enlightenment, and sometimes extraordinary abilities or awareness.
The Ahirbudhnya Saṃhitā belongs to the Pancharatra religion, is a Vaishnava tantrika composition, and was composed possibly over several centuries within the 1st millennium of the Common Era, after 300 CE. Ahirbudhnya-Saṃhitā literally means a compendium (Samhita) of the serpent-from-the-depths (from ahi for serpent and budhna for bottom / root). In the Ahirbudhnya Samhita, Vishnu emanated in 39 different forms. The Samhita is characteristic for its concept of Sudarshana. It provides mantras for Shakti and Sudarshana and details the method of worship of the multi-armed Sudarshana. Its chapters include explanations on the origin of astras (weapons), anga (mantras), Vyuhas, sounds, and diseases, how to make Sudarshana Purusha appear, how to resist divine weapons and black magic, and provides method for making and worshipping the Sudarshana Yantra
The Ahirbudhnya recognizes one of the eleven Rudras; that is Shiva himself in his Satvik form, in the form of a teacher. In the Veda ahi budhna (serpent of the bottom) is an atmospheric god who Schrader says merged with Rudra-Siva (Pashupati); with Ahi Budhanya in later Vedic texts connected to Agni Grahapatya, suggesting this was a benevolent being and not the malevolent Ahi Vritra. Ahirbudhnya and Aja-Ekapada had their share of allocated ghriya (Grihyasutra) rituals. In later puranic literature, Ahirbudhnaya becomes one of the 11 Rudras.
27) Revati
Revati Nakshatra is the 27th Nakshatra as per Hindu astrology.
Revati is governed by Pushan, the nourishing form of the Sun God, sometimes identified with the power of seeing. It has the power of nourishment symbolized by milk (kshiradyapani shakti). Its basis above is the cows. Its basis below is the calves. These three bring about the nourishment of the entire world.
Pushan, “the nurturer,” is one of the 12 Ādityas and regarded as the protector of flocks and herds and invoked in the Vedas for safe travel. He also helps to recover lost items and animals. Therefore, this is a good nakshatra for the Moon to be residing in when one is beginning a search for starting a long journey. Pushan is associated with fertility, rapid growth, abundance and providing shelter. He is the keeper of the sacred cows of the gods and provides nourishment and protection to all animals. Thus, a love of animals can be experienced in Revati.
Pushan, who is also associated with finding lost creatures and articles, is the keeper of the cows of the gods, and his nurturing signifies breeding and foster care.
Ten hymns in the Rigveda are dedicated to Pūṣan (including one jointly to Soma and Pūṣan and another to Indra and Pūṣan). Some of these hymns appeal to him to guard livestock and find lost livestock. His chariot is pulled by goats. Sometimes he is described as driving the Sun in its course across the sky. He seems to represent the sun as a guardian of flocks and herds. Pushan is also regarded as Kavi, who in turn became an epiphet of several gods and further a title signifying “king”.
According to a narrative found in the Taittiriya Samhita, Rudra was excluded from the Daksha yajna, an important sacrifice in honor of various deities. He, in anger, pierced the sacrifice with an arrow and Pushan broke his teeth as he attempted to eat a part of the oblation. The later versions of this narrative are found in the Ramayana, Mahabharata, and the Puranas. In these versions, Rudra (or Shiva) was angry because his father-in-law, Daksha, the sacrifice, did not invite him. Shiva, in anger, kicked Pushan and knocked out his teeth as he was eating the oblation. In the Puranic versions, Virabhadra, created by Shiva from a lock of his matted hair, knocked out Pushan’s teeth.
Details of Navagrahas (9 Planets)
Navagrahas are nine heavenly bodies (as well as deities) that influence human life on Earth in Hinduism and Hindu astrology. The term is derived from Nava (Sanskrit: नव “nine”) and Grahas (Sanskrit: ग्रह “planet, seizing, laying hold of, holding”.
Navagrahas in Hindu temples are devoted to Navagrahas — the nine (Nava) major celestial bodies (Grahas) of Hindu astronomy. These temples are made of stones and are very beautiful. These celestial bodies are named Surya (Sun), Chandra (Moon), Mangala (Mars), Budha (Mercury), Brihaspati (Jupiter), Shukra (Venus), Shani (Saturn), Rahu (North Lunar Node) and Ketu (South Lunar Node). Many temples in South India contain a shrine dedicated to the Navagrahas.
Out of those nine planets, seven are named after the planets in the Solar System and the other two (Rahu and Ketu) are demons in Hindu mythology.
Ancient people believed that each hour of the day was governed by one of the deities associated with the celestial bodies. Hindu texts used the lunar cycle for setting months and days, but the solar cycle to set the complete year. As per Hindu astrology Rahu and Ketu have an orbital cycle of 18 years and are always 180 degrees from each other orbital. If you remove these two lunar nodes (Rahu and Ketu), you can arrive at 7 days week as represented below:
Order of weekdays was done with speed at which these planets crossed the sky and concluded that the fastest object must have the shortest distance to the Earth, while the slowest object was believed to be farthest away. These details are captured in Surya Siddhanta.
Details of 12 Sun Gods:
In ancient Indian astronomy, the constellation of the Big Dipper (Ursa Major) is called Saptarishi, with the seven stars representing seven rishis, namely “Vashistha”, “Marichi”, “Pulastya”, “Pulaha”, “Atri”, “Angiras” and “Kratu”.
In Hindu rituals, the symbol with arms pointing clockwise (卐) is called swastika. If you try to locate the ancient Ramayana verse on ‘Dhruvam sarve Pradakshinam’ it refers Dhruvam as the pole star and these seven sages (Saptarishis) (Big Dipper) offer Pradakshinam or circumambulation. The word swastika is derived from the Sanskrit root swasti, which is composed of — Su (सु) — good and Asti (अस्ति) — to be or there is
Most of Hindu rituals in which devotees doing Pradakshinam or circumambulation around God, holy hills, Pradakshinam around Agni God (Fire) during Hindu marriage rituals have been associated with this cosmology. Circumambulation is the act of moving around a sacred object or idol. Circumambulation of temples or deity images is an integral part of Hindu and Buddhist devotional practice (known in Sanskrit as Pradakshinam) and is present in every human cultures and religions.
Aditi (Daughter of King Daksha) with sage Kashyapa (Son of Marichi) had 33 sons who are referred as Devas. Twelve are called Aditya including Surya that form 12 months of Hindu calendar, eleven are called Rudras and eight are called Vasus. Aditi (Sanskrit: अदिति “limitless”) is mother of the gods (devamata) and all twelve zodiacal spirits from whose cosmic matrix, the heavenly bodies were born. She may be a feminized form of Brahma and associated with the primal substance (mulaprakriti) in Vedanta. She is mentioned nearly 80 times in the Rigveda.
Diti (Other Daughter of King Daksha) with the sage Kashyapa gave birth to the Daityas (Sanskrit: दैत्य). These are a clan or race of Asura . They are referred as Danavas. Below are notable Daityas or race of Asuras.
Hiranyakashipu — eldest son of Kashyap and Diti, Hiranyaksha — second son of Kashyapa and Diti, Holika — daughter of Kashyapa and Diti
Asuras were evil and as per Hindu mythology, whenever evil prevails, Lord Vishnu is said to descend in form of an avatar to restore cosmic order.
Shukra (Venus Planet) is the name of a son of Sage Bhrigu (one of the Saptarishis (Big Dipper constellation)). He was the guru of Daityas / Asuras and is also referred to as Shukracharya or Asuracharya in various Hindu texts. When Shukra was young, Shukra (Venus Planet) and Brihaspati (Jupiter Planet) studied under the same guru, Sage Angirasa, who was Brihaspati’s father. Shukra was known to be more knowledgeable than Brihaspati, but he was disturbed by Angirasa’s favoritism for his son Brihaspati.
During this period Brihaspati (Jupiter) became the Guru of the Devas. Due to the hatred Shukracharya (Venus) became the Guru of Asuras. He helped them achieve victory over the Devas and used his knowledge to revive the dead and wounded among them. The planets Mercury and Saturn are considered friendly to Shukra, the Sun, the Moon and Jupiter are hostile, and the rest are considered neutral. Lunar nodes like Rahu and Ketu are also referred as bad planets (Asuras).
A rich section of the Milky Way runs through Cassiopeia, stretching from Perseus towards Cygnus. According to Michael Witzel, it is related to Avestan kasiiapa, Sogdian kyšph, New Persian kašaf, kaš(a)p which mean “tortoise”. The Kassites (/ˈkæsaɪts/) were also people of the ancient middle east Asia, who controlled Babylonia after the fall of the Old Babylonian Empire c. 1531 BC and until c. 1155 BC (short chronology). The endonym of the Kassites was probably Galzu, although they have also been referred to by the names Kaššu, Kassi, Kasi or Kashi. Similar to Mitanni dynasty, Kassi dynasty deities closely resemble deities of ancient Vedic civilization.
With reference to Samudra mantan (churning the Ocean of Milk for elixir of immortality) particular, Lord Hari(Vishnu Avatar) decided to mix up a the elixir of immortality with Gods on one side and Demons on other side. The gods were to drink the elixir to become immortal, however, the gods needed help from the demons to stir up the oceans to produce the elixir. As per this mythological story and during churning oceans, Hari took charge of distributing the freshly made soma to the gods but while it was being passed out the demons started battling with the gods for a taste of the elixir and in the confusion one of the demons, Rahu, disguised himself as a god and drank some of the elixir. When Hari (Vishnu Avatar) noticed this, he sliced off Rahu’s head with a sword, however elixir had already passed Rahu’s throat and made him immortal. Demon Rahu is enemy of Sun and Moon and the head Rahu chases the Sun and Moon across the sky and tries to eat them causing eclipse.
If we bring science in picture, the place where the path of the Moon crosses the ecliptic moving northward is called the ascending node (becomes Rahu) and the place where the path of the Moon crosses the ecliptic moving south is called the descending node (becomes Ketu). Thus, the Moon crosses the ecliptic at the ascending node, roughly 14 days later crosses the ecliptic again at the descending node, and roughly 14 days later it is back to the ascending node crossing.
Origin of Kumbha Mela Festival:
Kumbha is a Sanskrit word for pitcher and is also referred to as the kalasha. Kumbh as also a zodiac sign for Aquarius in Indian astrology. Mela means a gathering or a meet or simply a fair.
According to ancient mythology and during Samudra Manthan, the 4 locations(Haridwar, Prayag, Trimbakeshwar and Ujjain) were the places where the 4 drops of immortal nectar(Amrit) spilled or fell in the rivers from the pot Kumbh when Jayanta(Son of Indra) kept on running for 12 days to avoid Amrit kalasha to fall in the hands of demons. Finally, the nectar pot was saved from the demons by God Brihaspati(Jupiter Planet) with the help of Sun.
As per divine counting one day of Gods is equal to the one year of mortal beings considering Axis Mundi(Top of Meru) in north Pole where Gods reside and we have 6 months day and 6 months night in Arctic that equals 1 day and 1 night for Gods.
The Jupiter carrying Amrit takes 12 years to transit, to go through all of the 12 zodiac signs. Therefore, the main Maha Kumbh Mela happens after 12 years x 12 = 144 years. However, the normal Kumbh Mela happens every 3 years in any one of the 4 locations. Ardha Kumbh Mela happens in Haridwar or Prayag every 6 years, Purna Kumbh Mela happens every 12 years, and the Maha Kumbh Mela happens every 144 years as per above calculation.
- When Jupiter enters in Aquarius and Sun and Moon in Aries and Sagittarius respectively ,Kumbh is held at Haridwar.
- When the Jupiter is in Taurus and the Sun and Moon are in Capricorn or Makara, the kumbha is held at Prayag.
- When the Jupiter enters in Leo and the Sun and Moon in Cancer, the Kumbha is held at Nashik and Trimbakeshwar.
- When Jupiter is in Leo and the Sun and Moon in Aries, the Kumbha is held at Ujjain.
The seekers believe that bathing in these rivers is a means to prāyaścitta (atonement, penance) for past mistakes, and that it cleanses them of their sins. The festival of Kumbha Mela is one of the largest peaceful gatherings in the world and considered as the “world’s largest congregation of religious pilgrims”
Coming back to deities, Chhaya is the Hindu personification or goddess of shadow, and the consort of Surya (Sun God). She is the shadow-image or reflection of Saranyu (Sangya), the first wife of Surya. Chhaya was born from the shadow of Saranyu and replaced Saranyu in her house, after the latter temporarily left unable to bear Surya’s fierce splendor.
Chhaya is usually described as the mother of Shani, the god of the planet Saturn.
Haéusōs has been reconstructed as the Proto-Indo-European goddess of the dawn and Twenty-one hymns in the Rigveda are dedicated to the dawn goddess Uṣás (Ushas).
Saranyu and her sister Chhaya (Shadow Goddess) are the wives of Lord Surya (Sun god). Children of Surya (Sun God) by Saranyu are Yama/Yamani/Ashwin’s and Manu (Creator of Mankind). If we study Proto-Indo-European mythology and look at Vedic Ashvins, the Lithuanian Ašvieniai and almost all other Vedic Deities of Hinduism, we can see a Proto-Indo-European origin.
As per Vedic astrology, the 12 Adityas (Sun Gods) are the energies of the Sun placed in various zodiac signs that forms 12 months of a year and starts from Aries (Mesha) and below is reference of Rig Veda.
“Dhatar, the great Creator, then formed in due order Sun and Moon.
He formed in order Heaven and Earth, the regions of the air, and light.”
The Age of Aries commenced around 2000 B.C and it was during this time the Ram became sacred to Amon, the solar deity of Egypt and same goes with Hindu calendars too. If you notice Hindu rituals, Mesha Sankranti (also called Mesha Sankramana or Hindu New Year) refers to the first day of the solar cycle year that is the solar New Year in the Hindu luni-solar calendar. Mesha Sankranti falls on 13 April usually, sometimes 14 April. This day is the basis for major Hindu, Sikh and Buddhist festivals, of which Vaisakhi and Vesak are the most well-known. In the Egyptian book of the Underworld called Amduat there are twelve divisions indicating the zones of the zodiac through which the soul, as sun, must journey on its way back to its sacred seat. Sun God with RAM head (Aries) is shown travelling in a boat.
Ancient Egyptian deities have almost complete similarities in terms of stories, usage of lotus, vahanas with that of Hindu Deities based on star constellations. Daksha with RAM head(Aries) is creator God in Hindu mythology and his counter part in Egypt is the creator god Khnum(shown with RAM head as below).
Below is star iconography of 5 headed serpent — Ahirbudhnya(Ouroboros) behind Lord Hari and we can see similar parallels with ancient Egyptian mythology.
Orion is a prominent constellation located on the celestial equator and visible throughout the world. Ancient civilizations including Egyptians, Sumerians, Indus valley, Persians, Greeks, Romans etc. paid tribute to the gods formed by Orion constellation and started constructing monuments/temples by placing them in specific locations on Earth mimicking the sky and supported in development of mythologies.
Distinctive pattern of constellations along with zodiac path( Sun Transit) along with planets doing circumpolar movements around pole star have supported in development of mythological stories as per astrological ages and you can find several such similar examples in Greek and Roman mythologies too. Below is one such iconography of Orion over Ages.
In Age of Aries, Ram-ses II was most powerful Egyptian Pharaoh. The Indian Prabhu (Sanskrit “ruler, master, lord”), is equivalent to the Egyptian Paraa or “Pharaoh.”
In same parallels, the Lullubi or Lulubi were a group of tribes during the 3rd millennium BC, from a region known as Lulubum, now the Sharazor plain of the Zagros Mountains of modern Iraqi Kurdistan. We can see several victory steles commemorating the victory of the Kings and associated with iconography of Orion standing over dwarf (Lepus constellation). Below is one such example:
Almost all ancient mythologies and great epics are based on these ancient astrological allegories considering geo-centric model. Indian Scholar R. Shamasastry explains an astrological basis for the story of Ramayana. Rudrapatna Shamasastry FRAS (1868–1944) was a Sanskrit scholar and librarian at the Oriental Research Institute Mysore. As librarian, Shamasastry examined these fragile manuscripts daily to determine and catalogue their contents. He re-discovered and published the Arthashastra, an ancient Indian treatise on statecraft, economic policy, and military strategy.
Ramayana simply means journey of Rama and according to R. Shamasastry, Lord Rama represents the sun and his brother Lakshmana represent the Jupiter Planet, Bharata the Venus, and Satrughna the Planet Mercury. When Sun is in Orion, he gives example of Rama’s pursuit after a deer implies the sun’s march to the asterism Mṛgaśira (Taurus) indicating the time of the urge of Sita the Ploughshare. He further explains the fight between Vali and Sugriva as a Grahayuddha (fight between Planets personified as humans). He mentions Vali as Saturn and we can see this iconography of Vali with gold chain round his neck.
In almost all ancient mythologies, river is an allegory to the Milky way(Solstice Axis), referred as Akash Ganga/Cosmic River which passes near constellation of Scorpius and mythology of bending the “Bow of Shiva” is an allegory for the Taurus constellation (Bull) in which Orion is referred as Rama and Taurus as Bow. We find almost similar parallels in Greek mythology too.
Scorpio constellation sometimes act as multiheaded demon who normally gets killed by Sun God during this part of transit and later followed by victorious celebration rituals.
The Egyptians revered hamadryas baboons as the embodiment of Tehuti, a god of wisdom, and also connected the primates with Amun-Ra, the great Sun god. The Greeks related Tehuti to their God Hermes due to his similar attributes and functions. In Hindu Mythology, Maruti or Hanuman is God of Wisdom who has iconography similar to Baboon(Monkey). Even in later iconography of Hindu belief system, Lord Hanuman is present in war chariots driven by Lords.
Thoth/Tehuti of ancient Egyptians was originally a Moon god and always found with Sun RA who provided light at night for Sun God RA’s voyage. He was thus said to be the secretary and counselor of the sun god Ra, and with Ma’at (truth/order) stood next to Ra on the nightly voyage across the sky.
However, the Greek Hermes God was associated with Mercury Planet. In Babylonian myths, he was known as Nebo (Nebu) who was the son of Marduk. Iconography of Marduk is similar to Vedic Maruts.
The Monkey king/God — Sun Wukong as shown in above picture of Chinese myths have similar attributes of Greek Hermes and Hindu God Hanuman. From Chinese literary characters, Monkey King has immense strength, and is able to support the weight of two celestial mountains on his shoulders. From attributes of Mercury planet, Sun Wukong is extremely fast, able to travel 54,000 km, 34,000 mi in one somersault and these features are also similar to Hindu God Hanuman.
Epics of Ramayana and Mahabharata of Hindu Mythology is similar to epics of Iliad and Odysseus of Greek Mythology. It is almost same.
Greek Epics Reference : https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Odysseus
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iliad
Below is one such quick comparison:
In Ramayana, Ravana abducts Sita who was wife of Lord Ram. Lord Ram accompanied with Laxmana along with Hanuman attacks Lanka and the city of Lanka gets burned. In Iliad, it is Paris who abducts Helen who was wife of a king. Achilles is accompanied by Patrcoculus and Troy(City) is attacked and burnt. In both cases, the war ended by overthrowing bad king(Paris or Ravana) with Sita or Helen returning home. If you note, both of these wars are fought on sea shore. In Ramayana, Lakshmana is injured badly and almost dies till rescued by Hanuman and same goes with Iliad in which Patroculus is injured badly to death.
The word Sita means “furrow” in Sanskrit, that is, the line created on the farm when it is ploughed. She is believed to be the daughter of Bhūmi (Mother Earth) in many legends.
There is a story about Sita’s birth in Hindu mythology. Her father Janaka was ploughing the land and a furrow was formed. From that furrow a baby girl came out. Janaka took the girl as his daughter and named her Sita. In one of Greek mythology, we learn that Hades kidnaps Persephone who was daughter of Mother Earth (Demeter) and in Hindu mythology, we have Ravana kidnapping Sita who was known as daughter of Mother Earth. It appears that all ancient cultures were same.
Similarly, we learn the Twelve Labours of Heracles which are a series of episodes concerning a penance carried out by Heracles, the greatest of the Greek heroes, whose name was later romanised as Hercules. The episodes were later connected by a continuous narrative. We have almost similar parallels in Mahabharata episode/narrative with reference to Lord Hari-Krishna.
In similar lines, Lyman E Stowe (Book: 1907) explains the story of Jesus as an astrological allegory for the sun passing through the zodiac each year which is an interesting read.
In Geo-centric model with Heaven near North star as referred by almost every ancient civilization, astrology counts 1 divine day as 1 human year.
Below is comparison provided by Stowe with reference to the Bible:
- Considering energy of Sun as Jesus, Sun God is re-born every year during Winter Solstice in the stable between the constellations of the horse and goat (Sagittarius and Capricornus)
- Thirty years after Jesus Christ birth, he was baptized. If you note the above star map, thirty days after the Sun is born, he enters the Zodiac sign Aquarius, the water bearer which shows the symbol of Baptism.
NOTE : In astrology with geo-centric model, 1 divine day is 1 Human year.
- After Baptism, he took his disciples from fishermen. Check the star map and you find that it is during this time, Sun enters the sign Pisces and story goes on as it transits remaining constellations/Zodiac.
- Christ later is referred as Good shepherd and star map here points Sun in Aries during this time.
- Next cycle in star map is time of Vernal Equinox and time of salvation, we can find Christ went out to the salvation of men.
- Next cycle is of Taurus (bull) refers time of vegetation and then Sun God moves to Gemini (Twins). When Sun enters the sign of Cancer, we see it is symbolized as crab and when Sun enters Leo, Christ here became the lion of the twelve tribes of Judah. Next ritual would be sup to the vestal virgin and this is when we have Sun in Zodiac sign Virgo.
- Judgement day as referred in Bible happens when Sun is in Libra Zodiac which is basically symbolized by the balance in almost every ancient civilization.
- Finally, Sun God is crucified between the two heavenly thieves which are Scorpio and Sagittarius. It is time of winter solstice, the sun rises to its lowest point in the norther hemisphere sky and stands still for three days which symbolizes death and then after midwinter, the sun is reborn from the darkness, symbolizing rebirth and the renewal of life.
References and Acknowledgements:
Star Mythology reference : https://ancientstarmyths.blogspot.com/
Image credit for all 27 Nakshatras goes to Torsten Bronger (Thank you so much Torsten)
Credit for all Night Sky Planetarium images: (Stellarium — https://stellarium.org/ )
Reference for ancient Vedas and Puranas: https://www.wisdomlib.org/hinduism
Mahabharata Sacred Texts : https://www.sacred-texts.com/hin/m06/index.htm
