All Skies Encyclopaedia - User contributions [en]

Pistol Star

2026-03-09T14:10:05Z

Shylaja: /* Reference */

"Pistol Star" is a modern star name. The name is in [https://simbad.cds.unistra.fr/simbad/sim-basic?Ident=Pistol+Star++&submit=SIMBAD+search SIMBAD] for the blue supergiant with the variable star designation V*4647 Sgr (see VSX) in [[Sagittarius]].

==Concordance, Etymology, History==

* Luminous Blue Variable according to Figer et al. (1995)<ref>Figer+ (1995). Two New Wolf-Rayet Stars and a Luminous Blue Variable Star in the Quintuplet (AFGL 2004) near the Galactic Center, Astrophysical Journal Letters v.447, p.L29

https://ui.adsabs.harvard.edu/abs/1995ApJ...447L..29F/abstract </ref> 1995ApJ...447L..29F

==Mythology==
no mythology

==IAU Working Group on Star Names==
The name has been in SIMBAD for long time and was approved by the IAU WGSN in 202x. As this star is already named ..., the WGSN chose ... (not to apply/ to apply the name to a neighbouring star/ to ...) in the IAU-CSN.

== Weblinks ==

*

== Reference ==
* [[References|References (general)]]
* [[References (Medieval and Early Modern)|References (early modern)]]

[[Category:Single star-asterism‏‎]]
[[Category:Star Name‏‎]]
[[Category:IAU-Star Name‏‎]]
[[Category:Eurasia]]
[[Category:East Asian]]
<references />
2. Shylaja B S (1997), A pistol in the heart of Milky Way, Bulletin of the Astronomical Society of India, vol25, p421<nowiki/>https://adsabs.harvard.edu/full/1997BASI...25..421S

Indian Names (All Terms)

2026-02-05T16:08:56Z

Shylaja: /* Dictionary of Asterisms (Stars and Constellations) */

Authors: {{PAGEAUTHORS}}
----
<div style="float:right; margin:0 0 1em 1em;">
<youtube align=right>https://youtu.be/7k4SG-sw8lo</youtube>
</div>
[[File:India (orthographic projection).svg|thumb|Map of India, part of South Asia (UN region)]]
[[File:Nakshatras in Temple draw+lbl 4ase.jpg|thumb|Display of all 28th nakshatra in a doorway in Tirupperunthurai (Athmanathaswamy temple) near Aranthangi, India, 10th century CE. (SMH 2025).]]

The Indian subcontinent hosts a rich and old traditional astronomy in many different flavours. It grew and was inspired by exchange with neighbouring cultures such as Chinese and Mesopotamian.

=== Solar System Names ===
{| class="wikitable"
!Traditional Terms
!Transliteration
!English
!commentary
|-
|
|Bhānu, Sūrya and many more
|Sun
|There are many more names
|-
|
|Candra, Indu, Sudhaṁśu and many more
|Moon
|There are many more names
|-
|
|Budha
| Mercury
|
|-
|
|<big>ś</big>ukra
|Venus
|Very bright
|-
|
|Kuja, Angāraka
|Mars
|Ku = earth, Kuja = son of earth
Angāra = red hot charcoal
|-
|
|Guru, Bṛhaspati
|Jupiter
|wise person, Teacher / advisor for Gods
|-
|
|<big>ś</big>ani
|Saturn
|slow moving
|-
|
|
|
|
|-
|
|[[Rahu]]
|ascending node
|
|-
|
|[[Ketu]]
|descending node
|
|}

=== Dictionary of Asterisms (Stars and Constellations) ===
{| class="wikitable sortable"
!Naks. Number
!Sanscrit
! colspan="2" |Transliteration
!English Description/ Translation
!Commentary
|-
!
!
!with diacritics
!without ...
!
!
|-
|28
|अभिजित
|[[Abhijit]]
|Abhijit
|Victorius
|Nakshatra in [[Lyra]]
|-
|
|
|
|Adhah Paschimaga
|the one below and west
|possibly Indian Indigenous: bet UMa
|-
|
|
|
|Aditerbha
|
|[[Punarvasu]]
|-
|
|
|
|Agasthya
|
|Canopus
|-
|
|
|
|Agni
|
|[[Krittika]]
|-
|
|
|
|Agnidaiva
|
|[[Krittika]]
|-
|
|
|Āgrahāyaṇī
|Agrahayani
|
|[[Mrigashira]]
|-
|
|
|
|Ahirbudhnya
|
|[[Uttara Bhadrapada]]
|-
|
|
|
|Ahya
|
|[[Ashlesha]]
|-
|
|
|
|Aindra
|
|[[Jyeshtha]]
|-
|
|
|
|Ajaikapada
|
|[[Purva Bhadrapada]]
|-
|
|
|
|Ajanghri
|
|[[Purva Bhadrapada]]
|-
|
|
|
|Anila
|
|[[Svati]]
|-
|17
|अनुराधा
|[[Anuradha]]
|Anuradha
|"following rādhā"
|Nakshatra in [[Scorpius|Sco]]
|-
|
|
|
|Anyomuni
|another sage
|possibly Indian Indigenous: bet UMa
|-
|
|
|[[Apa|Āpa]]
|Apa
|
|ζ Vir (Shylaja and Pai (2019))
|-
|
|
|[[Apamvatsa|Apāṃvatsa]]
|Apamvatsa
|
|74 Vir (Shylaja and Pai (2019))
|-
|
|
|Āptapān
|Aptapan
|??
|α Cas (Shylaja and Pai (2019))
|-
|
|
|
|Apya
|
|[[Purva Ashadha]]
|-
|6
|आर्द्रा
|[[Ardra]]
|Ardra
|wetness,
|Nakshatra ([[Betelgeuse]])
|-
|
|
|
|Arya
|
|[[Uttara Phalguni]]
|-
|
|
|
|Aryamrksha
|
|[[Uttara Phalguni]]
|-
|9
|आश्लेषः
|[[Ashlesha|Āshleshā]]
|Ashlesha
|"the embrace"
|Nakshatra
|-
|
|
|Aśvanābha
|Ashvanabha
|Belly of the horse (from Arabic)
|α And (Shylaja and Pai (2019))
|-
|1
|अश्विनी
|[[Ashvini|Aśvini]]
|Ashvini
|Twin physician of the Gods
|Nakshatra in [[Aries]]
|-
|
|
|
|Bhagya
|
|[[Purva Phalguni]]
|-
|
|
|
|Bhagybha
|
|[[Purva Phalguni]]
|-
|2
|भरणी
|[[Bharani]]
|Bharani
|the bearer, a container
|Nakshatra in [[Aries]]
|-
|
|
|
|Bhujaga shirsha
|
|Sarpa shirsha
|-
|
|
|
|Bhujanga
|
|possibly Indian Indigenous: gam Vel
|-
|
|
|
|Brahmabha
|
|[[Rohini]]
|-
|
|
|
|Brahmahridaya
|
|a Aur all texts or b Aur ??
|-
|
|
|Brāhmī
|Brahmi
|
|[[Rohini]]
|-
|
|
|
|Brahmya
|
|[[Rohini]]
|-
|14
|चित्रा
|[[Chitra|Citrā]]
|Chitra
|"the bright one"
|Nakshatra ([[Spica]])
|-
|
|
|
|Dasra
|
|[[Ashvini|Aśvini]]
|-
|23
|श्रविष्ठा/
धनिष्ठा
|[[Dhanishta|Dhaniṣṭhā]]
|Dhanishta
|"most famous",
also Shravishthā "swiftest"
|Nakshatra in [[Delphinus|Del]]
|-
|
|
|
|Dhanukoti
|part of Dhanu
|from Arabic: alf Ori
|-
|
|
|
|Dvidaivata
|
|[[Vishakha]]
|-
|
|
|Dvitiyabhādra
|Dvitiyabhadra
|
|[[Uttara Bhadrapada]]
|-
|
|
|
|Haribha
|
|[[Shravana]]
|-
|13
|हस्त
|[[Hasta]]
|Hasta
|"the hand"
|Nakshatra in [[Corvus]]
|-
|
|
|
|Hayaamsha
|Body part of horse (from Arabic)
|Shylaja+ (2016)
|-
|
|
|
|Hutabhuk
|
|[[Krittika]]
|-
|
|
|
|Hutabhuk
|Fire, Agni
|β Tau (Shylaja+ (2016))
|-
|
|इल्वल
|[[Ilvala|Ilvala (इल्वल)]]
|Ilvala
|
|possibly Indian Indigenous: ζ, ε, δ Ori (Belt of Orion)
|-
|
|
|
|Jaladaivata
|
|[[Purva Ashadha]]
|-
|
|
|
|Jalarksha
|
|[[Purva Ashadha]]
|-
|
|
|
|Jantupuchcha
|
|from Arabic: bet Cet
|-
|18
|ज्येष्ठा
|[[Jyeshtha|Jyeṣṭha]]
|Jyeshtha
|"the eldest, most excellent"
|Nakshatra in [[Scorpius|Sco]]
|-
|
|
|
|Kakaskandha
|shoulder of crow
|from Arabic: eps Crv
|-
|
|
|
|Kakayukta
|related to crow
|from Arabic: alf Cyg
|-
|
|
|
|Kakudapuchha
|
|kakayukta
|-
|
|
|
|Kalaja
|
|kakayukta
|-
|
|
|
|Kapala
|human skull
|possibly Indian Indigenous: alf Phe
|-
|
|
|
|Kara
|
|[[Hasta]]
|-
|
|
|
|Kartitakara
|??
|β Cas (Shylaja+ (2016))
|-
|3
|कृत्तिका
|[[Krittika|Kṛttika]]
|Krittika
|personified as the nurses of Kārttikeya, a son of Shiva
|Nakshatra ([[Pleiades]])
|-
|
|
|
|Lubdhaka
|
|possibly Indian Indigenous: alf CMa
|-
|
|
|
|Lubdhaka Bandhu
|
|Yamyavasu
|-
|10
|मघा
|[[Magha|Maghā]]
|Magha
|"the bountiful"?
|Nakshatra in [[Leo]]
|-
|
|
|
|Mahendrasuri
|
|Malayendu
|-
|
|
|
|Maitra
|
|[[Anuradha]]
|-
|
|
|Malayendu, Ardralubdhaka, ShaNmukha, Sadaasya
|Malayendu
|
|from Arabic, possibly Indian: tet Cet
|-
|
|
|Mānuṣaśīrṣa
|Manusasirsa, Manusha shirsha
|Head of a person (from Arabic)
|β Per (Shylaja+ (2016))
|-
|
|
|
|Manushahsta
|
|Nrihasta
|-
|
|
|
|Manushyaparshava
|
|possibly Indian Indigenous: alf Per
|-
|
|
|
|Marici
|name of a sage
|possibly Indian Indigenous: eta UMa
|-
|
|
|
|Matsyamukha
|
|from Arabic: alf PsA
|-
|
|
|
|Matsyapuchha
|the tail of a fish
|possibly Indian Indigenous: alf Gru
|-
|
|
|
|Matsyodara
|Belly of the fish (from Arabic)
|β And (Shylaja+ (2016))
|-
|
|
|
|Mithunadakshina, Mithunapadadakshina
|left side of Gemini
|from Arabic: bet Ori
|-
|
|
|
|Mithunapada
|foot of Gemini
|from Arabic: zet Tau
|-
|
|
|
|Mithunavamaskanda
|right side of Gemini
|from Arabic: kap, nu Ori
|-
|5
|मृगशिर
|[[Mrigashira]]
|Mrigashira
|"the deer's head".
|Nakshatra in [[Orion|Ori]]
|-
|19
|मूल
|[[Mula|Mūlā]]
|Mula
|"the root"
|Nakshatra in [[Scorpius|Sco]]
|-
|
|
|
|Muneendra
|great sage
|possibly Indian Indigenous: alf UMa
|-
|
|
|
|Muni
|sage
|possibly Indian Indigenous: eta UMa
|-
|
|
|
|Nadyantaka
|End of the river (from Arabic)
|γ Phe (Shylaja+ (2016))
|-
|
|
|
|Nakrapuchha
|tail of the crocodile
|possibly Indian Indigenous: sig Aqr
|-
|
|
|
|Nirtibha
|
|Mula
|-
|
|
|
|Nrihasta
|man's hand
|from Arabic: tet Aur
|-
|
|
|
|Nripada
|foot of a man
|from Arabic: bet Cen
|-
|
|
|Nṛpārśva
|Nrparsva, Nruparshva
|Side of a person/ part of the face of a man (from Arabic)
|α Per (Shylaja+ (2016))
|-
|
|
|
|Nuramsa
|man's shoulder
|from Arabic: bet Aur
|-
|
|
|
|Paitra
|
|Magha
|-
|
|
|
|Phanibha
|
|Ashlesha
|-
|
|
|Pīṭhamūla
|Pithhamula, Peethamulam
|Base of the seat or chair
|γ Cas (Shylaja+ (2016))
|-
|
|
|
|Pourshna
|
|Revati
|-
|
|
|
|Pragbhadra
|
|Purva Bhadrapada
|-
|
|
|
|Prajapathi
|
|possibly Indian Indigenous: d Aur
|-
|7
|पुनर्वसु (dual)
|[[Punarvasu]]
|Punarvasu
|"the twinrestorers of goods",
yamakau "the two chariots"?
|Nakshatra in [[Gemini|Gem]]
|-
|
|
|
|Purato Muneendra
|next sage
|possibly Indian Indigenous: gam UMa
|-
|20
|पूर्व आषाढा
|[[Purva Ashadha|Purvaṣādha]]
|Purva Ashadha
|"first of the invincible"
|Nakshatra in [[Sagittarius|Sgr]]
|-
|25
|पूर्व भाद्रपदा/
पूर्व प्रोष्ठपदा
|[[Purva Bhadrapada|Purvābhādra]]
|Purva Bhadrapada
|"the first of the blessed feet"?
|Nakshatra in [[Pegasus|Peg]]
|-
|11
|पूर्व फाल्गुनी
|[[Purva Phalguni|Pūrva Phalgunī]]
|Purva Phalguni
|"first reddish one"?
|Nakshatra in [[Leo]]
|-
|8
|पुष्य
|[[Pushya]]
|Pushya
|"the nourisher"
|Nakshatra in [[Cancer|Cnc]]
|-
|
|
|
|Ravibha
|
|[[Hasta]]
|-
|27
|रेवती
|[[Revati]]
|Revati
|"prosperous"?
|Nakshatra in [[Pisces|Psc]]
|-
|4
|रोहिणी
|[[Rohini]]
|Rohini
|"the red one"
|Nakshatra ([[Hyades]])
|-
|
|
|
|Roudra
|
|[[Ardra]]
|-
|
|
|Śakra
|
|
|[[Jyeshtha]]
|-
|
|
|
|Samudra pakshi
|
|from Arabic: i Cet
|-
|
|
|
|Sarpa
|
|[[Ashlesha]]
|-
|
|
|
|Sarpa shirsha
|head of serpent
|from Arabic: alf Ser
|-
|
|
|
|Sarpayukta
|one with serpent
|possibly Indian Indigenous: alf Ara
|-
|
|
|
|Sauroktarudra
|Rudra cited in Soura – may be suryasiddhanta
|possibly Indian Indigenous: alf Ori
|-
|
|
|
|Shakthibha
|
|possibly Indian Indigenous: eta Boo
|-
|24
|शतभिष/
शततारका
|[[Shatabhisha|Śatabhiṣa]]
|Shatabhisha/
Satabhisa
|a hundred physicians"
|Nakshatra in [[Aquarius|Aqr]]
|-
|
|
|
|Shishumaara
|dolphin or fish
|possibly Indian Indigenous: tet Oph
|-
|
|
|
|Shivabha
|
|[[Ardra]]
|-
|22
|श्रवण
|[[Shravana|Śravana]]
|Shravana
|Listening
|Nakshatra in [[Aquila]]
|-
|
|
|
|Sidhya
|
|[[Pushya]]
|-
|
|
|
|Simha PrishTha
|backside of lion
|from Arabic: del Leo
|-
|
|
|
|Simhaguhyam
|male organ of lion
|from Arabic: iot Leo
|-
|
|
|
|Simhasaka
|part of lion
|from Arabic: gam Leo
|-
|
|
|
|Skanda
|(6 headed karitikeya)
|possibly Indian Indigenous: alf Aur
|-
|
|
|
|Somya
|
|[[Mrigashira]]
|-
|
|
|Śraviṣṭhā
|Shravishtha
|
|[[Dhanishta]]
|-
|
|
|Śṛti
|Shirti
|
|[[Shravana]]
|-
|
|
|Supīṭha
|Supithha, Supeetha
|Auspicious seat / chair
|δ Cas (Shylaja+ (2016))
|-
|15
|स्वाति
|[[Svati]]
|Svati
|"Su-Ati - Goodness
|Nakshatra in [[Bootes]]
|-
|
|
|
|Tatpurato Muneendra
|the sage after that
|possibly Indian Indigenous: eps UMa
|-
|
|
|Tiṣya
|Tishya
|
|Pushya
|-
|
|
|
|Torana
|decorative motif on the main door
|possibly Indian Indigenous: alf Ser
|-
|
|
|
|Toya
|
|Purva Ashadha
|-
|
|
|[[Trivikrama]]
|Trivikrama
|three steps /one who put three steps
|possibly Indian Indigenous: ξν, μλ, ικ UMa
|-
|
|
|
|Tulaikasikha
|First star of Tula (Libra)
|an asterism in [[Libra]], perhaps [[Vishakha]] (Shylaja+ (2016))
|-
|
|
|
|Tulanyasikha
|Another star of Tula
|an asterism in [[Libra]] (Shylaja+ (2016))
|-
|
|
|[[Turaganga]]
|Turaganga
|
|
|-
|
|
|
|Turanga
|
|from Arabic: nu Cet
|-
|
|
|
|Turangaasa
|Body part of horse (from Arabic)
|(Shylaja+ (2016))
|-
|
|
|
|Tvarshtra
|
|[[Chitra]]
|-
|
|
|
|Upāntya
|
|[[Uttara Bhadrapada]]
|-
|
|
|
|Urdhva Paschimaga
|the one above and to the west
|possibly Indian Indigenous: alf UMa
|-
|21
|उत्तर आषाढा
|[[Uttara Ashadha|Uttara Āṣāḍhā]]
|Uttara Ashadha
|"Latter invincible"
|Nakshatra in [[Sagittarius|Sgr]]
|-
|26
|उत्तर भाद्रपदा/
उत्तर प्रोष्ठपदा
|[[Uttara Bhadrapada|Uttara Bhādrapada]]
|Uttara Bhadrapada
(U. Bhadra)
|"the second of the blessed feet"?
|Nakshatra in [[Pegasus|Peg]]+[[Andromeda|And]]
|-
|12
|उत्तर फाल्गुनी
|[[Uttara Phalguni|Uttara Phalgunī]]
|Uttara Phalguni
|"second reddish one"?
|Nakshatra in [[Leo]]
|-
|
|
|
|Vaisnava
|
|[[Shravana]]
|-
|
|
|
|Vaiśvadeva
|
|[[Uttara Ashadha]]
|-
|
|
|
|Vajibahu
|
|from Arabic: tet Cet
|-
|
|
|
|Varunarksha
|
|[[Shatabhisha|Satabhisa]]
|-
|
|
|
|Vāsava
|
|[[Dhanishta]]
|-
|
|
|
|VasishTha
|
|possibly Indian Indigenous: zet UMa
|-
|
|
|
|Vasubha
|
|[[Dhanishta]]
|-
|
|
|
|Vatsa
|calf of a cow
|possibly Indian Indigenous: bet Tau
|-
|
|
|
|Vayasa
|
|from Arabic: bet Cyg
|-
|
|
|
|Vidibha
|
|[[Abhijit]]
|-
|
|
|
|Viśākhā
|
|[[Vishakha]]
|-
|16
|विशाखा
|[[Vishakha]]
|Vishakha
|"forked, having many branches"
|Nakshatra in [[Libra]]
|-
|
|
|
|Yama
|May be same as Nadyantaka, South
|α Eri (Shylaja+ (2016))
|-
|
|
|
|Yamyavasu, Lubdhaka Bandhu
|southern vasu
|possibly Indian Indigenous: alf CMi
|-
|
|
|
|Yugala
|
|possibly Indian Indigenous: tet Oph
|-
|
|
|
|Yugasamkaravya
|
|possibly Indian Indigenous: gam Ori
|-
|
|युग्म
|
|[[Yugma]]
|"double" for the middle steps in [[Trivikrama]]
|possibly Indian Indigenous: lam, mu UMa (rarely also for gam+bet Dra)
|-
|
|युग्मक
|
|[[Yugmaka]]
|
|possibly Indian Indigenous: iot+kap UMa
|}

References: Shylaja and Venketeswara Pai, 2018

[[Category:Overviews]]
[[Category:South Asian]]
[[Category:Indian]]
[[Category:Service]]

Punarvasu

2026-02-04T17:00:39Z

Shylaja: /* Transfer and Transformation of the Constellation */

{{DISPLAYTITLE:Punarvasu (पुनर्वसु)}}
Authors: {{PAGEAUTHORS}}
----
[[File:Punarvasu nakshatras in Temple draw+lbl 4ase.jpg|thumb|Punarvasu, in Tirupperunthurai (Athmanathaswamy temple) near Aranthangi, India, 10th century CE. (SMH 2025).]]
[[File:7 Punarvasu stellarium.gif|thumb|Punarvasu, 7th Nakshatra, mapped to the Stellarium star chart.]]

Punarvasu (पुनर्वसु), "the twin-restorers of goods", is an Indian name, used by the Indian Vedic tradition. Most of these names are roughly 3000 years old. They pre-date Hinduism but were taken over by it. It is an asterism consisting of four stars, the brightest ones being alpha and beta Geminorum.
==Etymology and History==
'''Name Variants'''

* Punarvasu (the two restorers),
* Yamakau ("the two chariots")
* Aditerbha

=== Origin of Constellation ===
The name of the constellations is grammatically a dual, so it points to two similar stars/ asterisms. This way, it equals the idea of the Greco-Roman and Mesopotamian Twin-constellation where two bright stars head two similar, parallel chains of stars.

4 stars: α, β Geminorum are certain; the other two might be ε, ζ Gem

====Stars within the Constellation Area====
{| class="wikitable sortable mw-collapsible"
|+
|-
!id
!Label
!IAU design.
! description
!Vmag
|-
|1
|Pollux
| HIP 37826
|Constellation lines (Vertex)
|1.14
|-
|2
|Castor
|HIP 36850
|Constellation lines (Vertex)
|1.58
|-
|3
|Wasat
|HIP 35550
| Constellation lines (Vertex)
|3.53
|-
|4
|κ Geminorum
|HIP 37740
|Constellation lines (Vertex)
|3.57
|-
|5
|Mekbuda
|HIP 34088
| Constellation lines (Vertex)
| 3.79
|-
|6
|ι Geminorum
|HIP 36046
|Inside the hull
|3.79
|-
|7
|υ Geminorum
|HIP 36962
|Inside the hull
|4.06
|-
|8
|65 Gem
| HIP 36429
| Inside the hull
|5.01
|-
|9
| 57 Gem
|HIP 35846
|Inside the hull
|5.022
|-
|10
|64 Gem
|HIP 36393
|Inside the hull
|5.064
|-
|11
|76 Gem
|HIP 37704
|Inside the hull
| 5.289
|-
|12
| -
|HIP 36896
|Inside the hull
|5.347
|-
|13
|59 Gem
|HIP 35941
| Inside the hull
|5.759
|-
|14
|58 Gem
| HIP 35842
|Inside the hull
|6.17
|-
|15
| -
|HIP 37269
|Inside the hull
|6.18
|-
|16
| -
|HIP 36325
|Inside the hull
|6.36
|-
|17
| -
|HIP 37165
| Inside the hull
|6.37
|-
|18
| -
|HIP 34608
|Inside the hull
| 6.42
|}
=== Transfer and Transformation of the Constellation ===
[[File:Punarvasu.jpg|thumb|The pattern on the temple engraving is superposed on Castor and Pollux (Shylaja, 2026)]]
<gallery>
File:Punarvasu nakshatras in Temple draw+lbl 4ase.jpg|Punarvasu, 10th century CE
File:Nakshatra temple magDraw lbl.jpg|Display of all 28th nakshatras in silver arch with candles in Tirupperunthurai (Athmanathaswamy temple) near Aranthangi, India, 10th century CE. (SMH 2025).
File:Nakshatras in Temple draw+lbl 4ase.jpg|Display of all 28th nakshatras in a door frame in Tirupperunthurai (Athmanathaswamy temple) near Aranthangi, India, 10th century CE. (SMH 2025).
File:Tibet nakshatra 05.png|Punarvasu, Tibetean
File:井宿（仏像図彙）.png|Punarvasu, Chinese
File:चरकसंहिता of चरक. (IA dli.granth.16014).pdf
File:7 Punarvasu draw.png|Punarvasu as reconstructed by Jones (1720).
</gallery>

== Mythology ==
mnemonic tales and cultural significance

== Weblinks ==

* {{NAMESPACE}}

== References ==

* [[References]] (general)

[[Category:Indian]] [[Category:Asterism]] [[Category:Constellation]][[Category:Eurasia]][[Category:South Asian]]
[[Category:Zodiac]]

Punarvasu

2026-02-04T16:59:45Z

Shylaja: /* Transfer and Transformation of the Constellation */

{{DISPLAYTITLE:Punarvasu (पुनर्वसु)}}
Authors: {{PAGEAUTHORS}}
----
[[File:Punarvasu nakshatras in Temple draw+lbl 4ase.jpg|thumb|Punarvasu, in Tirupperunthurai (Athmanathaswamy temple) near Aranthangi, India, 10th century CE. (SMH 2025).]]
[[File:7 Punarvasu stellarium.gif|thumb|Punarvasu, 7th Nakshatra, mapped to the Stellarium star chart.]]

Punarvasu (पुनर्वसु), "the twin-restorers of goods", is an Indian name, used by the Indian Vedic tradition. Most of these names are roughly 3000 years old. They pre-date Hinduism but were taken over by it. It is an asterism consisting of four stars, the brightest ones being alpha and beta Geminorum.
==Etymology and History==
'''Name Variants'''

* Punarvasu (the two restorers),
* Yamakau ("the two chariots")
* Aditerbha

=== Origin of Constellation ===
The name of the constellations is grammatically a dual, so it points to two similar stars/ asterisms. This way, it equals the idea of the Greco-Roman and Mesopotamian Twin-constellation where two bright stars head two similar, parallel chains of stars.

4 stars: α, β Geminorum are certain; the other two might be ε, ζ Gem

====Stars within the Constellation Area====
{| class="wikitable sortable mw-collapsible"
|+
|-
!id
!Label
!IAU design.
! description
!Vmag
|-
|1
|Pollux
| HIP 37826
|Constellation lines (Vertex)
|1.14
|-
|2
|Castor
|HIP 36850
|Constellation lines (Vertex)
|1.58
|-
|3
|Wasat
|HIP 35550
| Constellation lines (Vertex)
|3.53
|-
|4
|κ Geminorum
|HIP 37740
|Constellation lines (Vertex)
|3.57
|-
|5
|Mekbuda
|HIP 34088
| Constellation lines (Vertex)
| 3.79
|-
|6
|ι Geminorum
|HIP 36046
|Inside the hull
|3.79
|-
|7
|υ Geminorum
|HIP 36962
|Inside the hull
|4.06
|-
|8
|65 Gem
| HIP 36429
| Inside the hull
|5.01
|-
|9
| 57 Gem
|HIP 35846
|Inside the hull
|5.022
|-
|10
|64 Gem
|HIP 36393
|Inside the hull
|5.064
|-
|11
|76 Gem
|HIP 37704
|Inside the hull
| 5.289
|-
|12
| -
|HIP 36896
|Inside the hull
|5.347
|-
|13
|59 Gem
|HIP 35941
| Inside the hull
|5.759
|-
|14
|58 Gem
| HIP 35842
|Inside the hull
|6.17
|-
|15
| -
|HIP 37269
|Inside the hull
|6.18
|-
|16
| -
|HIP 36325
|Inside the hull
|6.36
|-
|17
| -
|HIP 37165
| Inside the hull
|6.37
|-
|18
| -
|HIP 34608
|Inside the hull
| 6.42
|}
=== Transfer and Transformation of the Constellation ===
[[File:Punarvasu.jpg|thumb|The pattern on the temple engraving is superposed on Castor and Pollux]]
<gallery>
File:Punarvasu nakshatras in Temple draw+lbl 4ase.jpg|Punarvasu, 10th century CE
File:Nakshatra temple magDraw lbl.jpg|Display of all 28th nakshatras in silver arch with candles in Tirupperunthurai (Athmanathaswamy temple) near Aranthangi, India, 10th century CE. (SMH 2025).
File:Nakshatras in Temple draw+lbl 4ase.jpg|Display of all 28th nakshatras in a door frame in Tirupperunthurai (Athmanathaswamy temple) near Aranthangi, India, 10th century CE. (SMH 2025).
File:Tibet nakshatra 05.png|Punarvasu, Tibetean
File:井宿（仏像図彙）.png|Punarvasu, Chinese
File:चरकसंहिता of चरक. (IA dli.granth.16014).pdf
File:7 Punarvasu draw.png|Punarvasu as reconstructed by Jones (1720).
</gallery>

== Mythology ==
mnemonic tales and cultural significance

== Weblinks ==

* {{NAMESPACE}}

== References ==

* [[References]] (general)

[[Category:Indian]] [[Category:Asterism]] [[Category:Constellation]][[Category:Eurasia]][[Category:South Asian]]
[[Category:Zodiac]]

File:Punarvasu.jpg

2026-02-04T16:37:52Z

Shylaja:

Indian Names (All Terms)

2026-02-04T16:18:06Z

Shylaja:

Authors: {{PAGEAUTHORS}}
----
<div style="float:right; margin:0 0 1em 1em;">
<youtube align=right>https://youtu.be/7k4SG-sw8lo</youtube>
</div>
[[File:India (orthographic projection).svg|thumb|Map of India, part of South Asia (UN region)]]
[[File:Nakshatras in Temple draw+lbl 4ase.jpg|thumb|Display of all 28th nakshatra in a doorway in Tirupperunthurai (Athmanathaswamy temple) near Aranthangi, India, 10th century CE. (SMH 2025).]]

The Indian subcontinent hosts a rich and old traditional astronomy in many different flavours. It grew and was inspired by exchange with neighbouring cultures such as Chinese and Mesopotamian.

=== Solar System Names ===
{| class="wikitable"
!Traditional Terms
!Transliteration
!English
!commentary
|-
|
|Bhānu, Sūrya and many more
|Sun
|There are many more names
|-
|
|Candra, Indu, Sudhaṁśu and many more
|Moon
|There are many more names
|-
|
|Budha
| Mercury
|
|-
|
|<big>ś</big>ukra
|Venus
|Very bright
|-
|
|Kuja, Angāraka
|Mars
|Ku = earth, Kuja = son of earth
Angāra = red hot charcoal
|-
|
|Guru, Bṛhaspati
|Jupiter
|wise person, Teacher / advisor for Gods
|-
|
|<big>ś</big>ani
|Saturn
|slow moving
|-
|
|
|
|
|-
|
|[[Rahu]]
|ascending node
|
|-
|
|[[Ketu]]
|descending node
|
|}

=== Dictionary of Asterisms (Stars and Constellations) ===
{| class="wikitable sortable"
!Naks. Number
!Sanscrit
! colspan="2" |Transliteration
!English Description/ Translation
!Commentary
|-
!
!
!with diacritics
!without ...
!
!
|-
|28
|अभिजित
|[[Abhijit]]
|Abhijit
|Victorius
|Nakshatra in [[Lyra]]
|-
|
|
|
|Adhah Paschimaga
|the one below and west
|possibly Indian Indigenous: bet UMa
|-
|
|
|
|Aditerbha
|
|[[Punarvasu]]
|-
|
|
|
|Agasthya
|
|
|-
|
|
|
|Agni
|
|[[Krittika]]
|-
|
|
|
|Agnidaiva
|
|[[Krittika]]
|-
|
|
|Āgrahāyaṇī
|Agrahayani
|
|[[Mrigashira]]
|-
|
|
|
|Ahirbudhnya
|
|[[Uttara Bhadrapada]]
|-
|
|
|
|Ahya
|
|[[Ashlesha]]
|-
|
|
|
|Aindra
|
|[[Jyeshtha]]
|-
|
|
|
|Ajaikapada
|
|[[Purva Bhadrapada]]
|-
|
|
|
|Ajanghri
|
|[[Purva Bhadrapada]]
|-
|
|
|
|Anila
|
|[[Svati]]
|-
|17
|अनुराधा
|[[Anuradha]]
|Anuradha
|"following rādhā"
|Nakshatra in [[Scorpius|Sco]]
|-
|
|
|
|Anyomuni
|another sage
|possibly Indian Indigenous: bet UMa
|-
|
|
|[[Apa|Āpa]]
|Apa
|
|ζ Vir (Shylaja and Pai (2019))
|-
|
|
|[[Apamvatsa|Apāṃvatsa]]
|Apamvatsa
|
|74 Vir (Shylaja and Pai (2019))
|-
|
|
|Āptapān
|Aptapan
|??
|α Cas (Shylaja and Pai (2019))
|-
|
|
|
|Apya
|
|[[Purva Ashadha]]
|-
|6
|आर्द्रा
|[[Ardra]]
|Ardra
|wetness,
|Nakshatra ([[Betelgeuse]])
|-
|
|
|
|Arya
|
|[[Uttara Phalguni]]
|-
|
|
|
|Aryamrksha
|
|[[Uttara Phalguni]]
|-
|9
|आश्लेषः
|[[Ashlesha|Āshleshā]]
|Ashlesha
|"the embrace"
|Nakshatra
|-
|
|
|Aśvanābha
|Ashvanabha
|Belly of the horse (from Arabic)
|α And (Shylaja and Pai (2019))
|-
|1
|अश्विनी
|[[Ashvini|Aśvini]]
|Ashvini
|Twin physician of the Gods
|Nakshatra in [[Aries]]
|-
|
|
|
|Bhagya
|
|[[Purva Phalguni]]
|-
|
|
|
|Bhagybha
|
|[[Purva Phalguni]]
|-
|2
|भरणी
|[[Bharani]]
|Bharani
|the bearer, a container
|Nakshatra in [[Aries]]
|-
|
|
|
|Bhujaga shirsha
|
|Sarpa shirsha
|-
|
|
|
|Bhujanga
|
|possibly Indian Indigenous: gam Vel
|-
|
|
|
|Brahmabha
|
|[[Rohini]]
|-
|
|
|
|Brahmahridaya
|
|a Aur all texts or b Aur ??
|-
|
|
|Brāhmī
|Brahmi
|
|[[Rohini]]
|-
|
|
|
|Brahmya
|
|[[Rohini]]
|-
|14
|चित्रा
|[[Chitra|Citrā]]
|Chitra
|"the bright one"
|Nakshatra ([[Spica]])
|-
|
|
|
|Dasra
|
|[[Ashvini|Aśvini]]
|-
|23
|श्रविष्ठा/
धनिष्ठा
|[[Dhanishta|Dhaniṣṭhā]]
|Dhanishta
|"most famous",
also Shravishthā "swiftest"
|Nakshatra in [[Delphinus|Del]]
|-
|
|
|
|Dhanukoti
|part of Dhanu
|from Arabic: alf Ori
|-
|
|
|
|Dvidaivata
|
|[[Vishakha]]
|-
|
|
|Dvitiyabhādra
|Dvitiyabhadra
|
|[[Uttara Bhadrapada]]
|-
|
|
|
|Haribha
|
|[[Shravana]]
|-
|13
|हस्त
|[[Hasta]]
|Hasta
|"the hand"
|Nakshatra in [[Corvus]]
|-
|
|
|
|Hayaamsha
|Body part of horse (from Arabic)
|Shylaja+ (2016)
|-
|
|
|
|Hutabhuk
|
|[[Krittika]]
|-
|
|
|
|Hutabhuk
|Fire, Agni
|β Tau (Shylaja+ (2016))
|-
|
|इल्वल
|[[Ilvala|Ilvala (इल्वल)]]
|Ilvala
|
|possibly Indian Indigenous: ζ, ε, δ Ori (Belt of Orion)
|-
|
|
|
|Jaladaivata
|
|[[Purva Ashadha]]
|-
|
|
|
|Jalarksha
|
|[[Purva Ashadha]]
|-
|
|
|
|Jantupuchcha
|
|from Arabic: bet Cet
|-
|18
|ज्येष्ठा
|[[Jyeshtha|Jyeṣṭha]]
|Jyeshtha
|"the eldest, most excellent"
|Nakshatra in [[Scorpius|Sco]]
|-
|
|
|
|Kakaskandha
|shoulder of crow
|from Arabic: eps Crv
|-
|
|
|
|Kakayukta
|related to crow
|from Arabic: alf Cyg
|-
|
|
|
|Kakudapuchha
|
|kakayukta
|-
|
|
|
|Kalaja
|
|kakayukta
|-
|
|
|
|Kapala
|human skull
|possibly Indian Indigenous: alf Phe
|-
|
|
|
|Kara
|
|[[Hasta]]
|-
|
|
|
|Kartitakara
|??
|β Cas (Shylaja+ (2016))
|-
|3
|कृत्तिका
|[[Krittika|Kṛttika]]
|Krittika
|personified as the nurses of Kārttikeya, a son of Shiva
|Nakshatra ([[Pleiades]])
|-
|
|
|
|Lubdhaka
|
|possibly Indian Indigenous: alf CMa
|-
|
|
|
|Lubdhaka Bandhu
|
|Yamyavasu
|-
|10
|मघा
|[[Magha|Maghā]]
|Magha
|"the bountiful"?
|Nakshatra in [[Leo]]
|-
|
|
|
|Mahendrasuri
|
|Malayendu
|-
|
|
|
|Maitra
|
|[[Anuradha]]
|-
|
|
|Malayendu, Ardralubdhaka, ShaNmukha, Sadaasya
|Malayendu
|
|from Arabic, possibly Indian: tet Cet
|-
|
|
|Mānuṣaśīrṣa
|Manusasirsa, Manusha shirsha
|Head of a person (from Arabic)
|β Per (Shylaja+ (2016))
|-
|
|
|
|Manushahsta
|
|Nrihasta
|-
|
|
|
|Manushyaparshava
|
|possibly Indian Indigenous: alf Per
|-
|
|
|
|Marici
|name of a sage
|possibly Indian Indigenous: eta UMa
|-
|
|
|
|Matsyamukha
|
|from Arabic: alf PsA
|-
|
|
|
|Matsyapuchha
|the tail of a fish
|possibly Indian Indigenous: alf Gru
|-
|
|
|
|Matsyodara
|Belly of the fish (from Arabic)
|β And (Shylaja+ (2016))
|-
|
|
|
|Mithunadakshina, Mithunapadadakshina
|left side of Gemini
|from Arabic: bet Ori
|-
|
|
|
|Mithunapada
|foot of Gemini
|from Arabic: zet Tau
|-
|
|
|
|Mithunavamaskanda
|right side of Gemini
|from Arabic: kap, nu Ori
|-
|5
|मृगशिर
|[[Mrigashira]]
|Mrigashira
|"the deer's head".
|Nakshatra in [[Orion|Ori]]
|-
|19
|मूल
|[[Mula|Mūlā]]
|Mula
|"the root"
|Nakshatra in [[Scorpius|Sco]]
|-
|
|
|
|Muneendra
|great sage
|possibly Indian Indigenous: alf UMa
|-
|
|
|
|Muni
|sage
|possibly Indian Indigenous: eta UMa
|-
|
|
|
|Nadyantaka
|End of the river (from Arabic)
|γ Phe (Shylaja+ (2016))
|-
|
|
|
|Nakrapuchha
|tail of the crocodile
|possibly Indian Indigenous: sig Aqr
|-
|
|
|
|Nirtibha
|
|Mula
|-
|
|
|
|Nrihasta
|man's hand
|from Arabic: tet Aur
|-
|
|
|
|Nripada
|foot of a man
|from Arabic: bet Cen
|-
|
|
|Nṛpārśva
|Nrparsva, Nruparshva
|Side of a person/ part of the face of a man (from Arabic)
|α Per (Shylaja+ (2016))
|-
|
|
|
|Nuramsa
|man's shoulder
|from Arabic: bet Aur
|-
|
|
|
|Paitra
|
|Magha
|-
|
|
|
|Phanibha
|
|Ashlesha
|-
|
|
|Pīṭhamūla
|Pithhamula, Peethamulam
|Base of the seat or chair
|γ Cas (Shylaja+ (2016))
|-
|
|
|
|Pourshna
|
|Revati
|-
|
|
|
|Pragbhadra
|
|Purva Bhadrapada
|-
|
|
|
|Prajapathi
|
|possibly Indian Indigenous: d Aur
|-
|7
|पुनर्वसु (dual)
|[[Punarvasu]]
|Punarvasu
|"the twinrestorers of goods",
yamakau "the two chariots"?
|Nakshatra in [[Gemini|Gem]]
|-
|
|
|
|Purato Muneendra
|next sage
|possibly Indian Indigenous: gam UMa
|-
|20
|पूर्व आषाढा
|[[Purva Ashadha|Purvaṣādha]]
|Purva Ashadha
|"first of the invincible"
|Nakshatra in [[Sagittarius|Sgr]]
|-
|25
|पूर्व भाद्रपदा/
पूर्व प्रोष्ठपदा
|[[Purva Bhadrapada|Purvābhādra]]
|Purva Bhadrapada
|"the first of the blessed feet"?
|Nakshatra in [[Pegasus|Peg]]
|-
|11
|पूर्व फाल्गुनी
|[[Purva Phalguni|Pūrva Phalgunī]]
|Purva Phalguni
|"first reddish one"?
|Nakshatra in [[Leo]]
|-
|8
|पुष्य
|[[Pushya]]
|Pushya
|"the nourisher"
|Nakshatra in [[Cancer|Cnc]]
|-
|
|
|
|Ravibha
|
|[[Hasta]]
|-
|27
|रेवती
|[[Revati]]
|Revati
|"prosperous"?
|Nakshatra in [[Pisces|Psc]]
|-
|4
|रोहिणी
|[[Rohini]]
|Rohini
|"the red one"
|Nakshatra ([[Hyades]])
|-
|
|
|
|Roudra
|
|[[Ardra]]
|-
|
|
|Śakra
|
|
|[[Jyeshtha]]
|-
|
|
|
|Samudra pakshi
|
|from Arabic: i Cet
|-
|
|
|
|Sarpa
|
|[[Ashlesha]]
|-
|
|
|
|Sarpa shirsha
|head of serpent
|from Arabic: alf Ser
|-
|
|
|
|Sarpayukta
|one with serpent
|possibly Indian Indigenous: alf Ara
|-
|
|
|
|Sauroktarudra
|Rudra cited in Soura – may be suryasiddhanta
|possibly Indian Indigenous: alf Ori
|-
|
|
|
|Shakthibha
|
|possibly Indian Indigenous: eta Boo
|-
|24
|शतभिष/
शततारका
|[[Shatabhisha|Śatabhiṣa]]
|Shatabhisha/
Satabhisa
|a hundred physicians"
|Nakshatra in [[Aquarius|Aqr]]
|-
|
|
|
|Shishumaara
|dolphin or fish
|possibly Indian Indigenous: tet Oph
|-
|
|
|
|Shivabha
|
|[[Ardra]]
|-
|22
|श्रवण
|[[Shravana|Śravana]]
|Shravana
|Listening
|Nakshatra in [[Aquila]]
|-
|
|
|
|Sidhya
|
|[[Pushya]]
|-
|
|
|
|Simha PrishTha
|backside of lion
|from Arabic: del Leo
|-
|
|
|
|Simhaguhyam
|male organ of lion
|from Arabic: iot Leo
|-
|
|
|
|Simhasaka
|part of lion
|from Arabic: gam Leo
|-
|
|
|
|Skanda
|(6 headed karitikeya)
|possibly Indian Indigenous: alf Aur
|-
|
|
|
|Somya
|
|[[Mrigashira]]
|-
|
|
|Śraviṣṭhā
|Shravishtha
|
|[[Dhanishta]]
|-
|
|
|Śṛti
|Shirti
|
|[[Shravana]]
|-
|
|
|Supīṭha
|Supithha, Supeetha
|Auspicious seat / chair
|δ Cas (Shylaja+ (2016))
|-
|15
|स्वाति
|[[Svati]]
|Svati
|"Su-Ati - Goodness
|Nakshatra in [[Bootes]]
|-
|
|
|
|Tatpurato Muneendra
|the sage after that
|possibly Indian Indigenous: eps UMa
|-
|
|
|Tiṣya
|Tishya
|
|Pushya
|-
|
|
|
|Torana
|decorative motif on the main door
|possibly Indian Indigenous: alf Ser
|-
|
|
|
|Toya
|
|Purva Ashadha
|-
|
|
|[[Trivikrama]]
|Trivikrama
|three steps /one who put three steps
|possibly Indian Indigenous: ξν, μλ, ικ UMa
|-
|
|
|
|Tulaikasikha
|First star of Tula (Libra)
|an asterism in [[Libra]], perhaps [[Vishakha]] (Shylaja+ (2016))
|-
|
|
|
|Tulanyasikha
|Another star of Tula
|an asterism in [[Libra]] (Shylaja+ (2016))
|-
|
|
|[[Turaganga]]
|Turaganga
|
|
|-
|
|
|
|Turanga
|
|from Arabic: nu Cet
|-
|
|
|
|Turangaasa
|Body part of horse (from Arabic)
|(Shylaja+ (2016))
|-
|
|
|
|Tvarshtra
|
|[[Chitra]]
|-
|
|
|
|Upāntya
|
|[[Uttara Bhadrapada]]
|-
|
|
|
|Urdhva Paschimaga
|the one above and to the west
|possibly Indian Indigenous: alf UMa
|-
|21
|उत्तर आषाढा
|[[Uttara Ashadha|Uttara Āṣāḍhā]]
|Uttara Ashadha
|"Latter invincible"
|Nakshatra in [[Sagittarius|Sgr]]
|-
|26
|उत्तर भाद्रपदा/
उत्तर प्रोष्ठपदा
|[[Uttara Bhadrapada|Uttara Bhādrapada]]
|Uttara Bhadrapada
(U. Bhadra)
|"the second of the blessed feet"?
|Nakshatra in [[Pegasus|Peg]]+[[Andromeda|And]]
|-
|12
|उत्तर फाल्गुनी
|[[Uttara Phalguni|Uttara Phalgunī]]
|Uttara Phalguni
|"second reddish one"?
|Nakshatra in [[Leo]]
|-
|
|
|
|Vaisnava
|
|[[Shravana]]
|-
|
|
|
|Vaiśvadeva
|
|[[Uttara Ashadha]]
|-
|
|
|
|Vajibahu
|
|from Arabic: tet Cet
|-
|
|
|
|Varunarksha
|
|[[Shatabhisha|Satabhisa]]
|-
|
|
|
|Vāsava
|
|[[Dhanishta]]
|-
|
|
|
|VasishTha
|
|possibly Indian Indigenous: zet UMa
|-
|
|
|
|Vasubha
|
|[[Dhanishta]]
|-
|
|
|
|Vatsa
|calf of a cow
|possibly Indian Indigenous: bet Tau
|-
|
|
|
|Vayasa
|
|from Arabic: bet Cyg
|-
|
|
|
|Vidibha
|
|[[Abhijit]]
|-
|
|
|
|Viśākhā
|
|[[Vishakha]]
|-
|16
|विशाखा
|[[Vishakha]]
|Vishakha
|"forked, having many branches"
|Nakshatra in [[Libra]]
|-
|
|
|
|Yama
|May be same as Nadyantaka, South
|α Eri (Shylaja+ (2016))
|-
|
|
|
|Yamyavasu, Lubdhaka Bandhu
|southern vasu
|possibly Indian Indigenous: alf CMi
|-
|
|
|
|Yugala
|
|possibly Indian Indigenous: tet Oph
|-
|
|
|
|Yugasamkaravya
|
|possibly Indian Indigenous: gam Ori
|-
|
|युग्म
|
|[[Yugma]]
|"double" for the middle steps in [[Trivikrama]]
|possibly Indian Indigenous: lam, mu UMa (rarely also for gam+bet Dra)
|-
|
|युग्मक
|
|[[Yugmaka]]
|
|possibly Indian Indigenous: iot+kap UMa
|}

References: Shylaja and Venketeswara Pai, 2018

[[Category:Overviews]]
[[Category:South Asian]]
[[Category:Indian]]
[[Category:Service]]

Abhijit

2026-02-04T08:12:16Z

Shylaja:

{{DISPLAYTITLE:Abhijit (अभिजित)}}
Authors: {{PAGEAUTHORS}}
----
[[File:28 Abhijit draw.png|thumb|Abhijit, the 28th nakshatra, as depicted in the drawing by Jones (1794)]]
[[File:28 Nakshatra Abhijit stellarium.gif|thumb|The 28th nakshatra is typically identified with the area around Vega; here mapped to the Stellarium star chart (SMH for WGSN 2025;Shylaja, 2026). ]]
[[File:Abhijit nakshatras in Temple draw+lbl 4ase.jpg|thumb|Abhijit nakshatra in Tirupperunthurai (Athmanathaswamy temple) near Aranthangi, India, 10th century CE. (SMH 2025). There is no image drawn but the lettres in the old language Tamil spell out the name of the constellation.]]
''Abhijit'' (अभिजित), Victorious, is an Indian name, used by the Indian Vedic tradition. Most of these names are roughly 3000 years old. They pre-date Hinduism but were taken over by it.

==Etymology and History==
'''Name Variants'''

* ''Abhijit''
* ''Vidibha''

=== Origin of Constellation ===
''Abhijit'' means "The Victorious One". The depiction in temples typically shows a group of three stars, one of them is interpreted as [[Vega]] (α Lyrae) itself. As this is the fifth brightest star in the night sky, the other stars most be much fainter; perhaps it is associated with the two stars η, θ Lyrae that are typically referred to as "double star" in ancient time (not in the modern sense of the term) and β and γ Lyrae. Generally the name is associated with the lone star Vega, confirmed by the coordinates in star catalogues (Venketeswara R Pai and Shylaja, 2016)

In our animated GIF to display the position of ''Abhijit'', the nakshatras ''<big>ś</big>ravaṇa'' and ''Dhaniṣṭhā'' happen to be at the edge of the map. This way, it becomes obvious that ''Abhijit'' is really far north, away from the line of the other asterisms.

The pictorial representation based on the drawing prepared / presented by Jones (1794) does not provide a clear picture of the scale.

Among the two temple engravings, the stone lintel has only 27 stars. There is an incomplete drawing between the last (''Revatī'') and the first (''Aśvinī'') which may be for ''Abhijit,'' although it does not fit into the sequence. The drawing presented here is barely readable with only the letter ''ji'' identifiable. The silver arch has a pattern similar to the drawing represented in Jones (1794), again not fitting in to the sequence.

Most of the texts list the 28 lunar mansions to include ''Abhijit''. However, around 1500 BCE it was dropped from the list for astronomical calculations to fix the ''nakṣatra'' of the day (Abhyankar, 1991). This was a consequence of realization that the orbital period of the moon is 27 days and a small fraction (and not 28).

====Stars within the Constellation Area====
{| class="wikitable sortable mw-collapsible"
|+
|-
!id
!Label
!IAU design.
!description
!Vmag
|-
|1
|Vega
| HIP 91262
|Inside the hull
| 0.03
|-
| 2
|Sulafat
|HIP 93194
|Inside the hull
|3.25
|-
|3
|Sheliak
|HIP 92420
|Inside the hull
|3.42
|-
|4
|NAME del Lyr Cluster
|NAME del Lyr Cluster
|Inside the hull
|3.8
|-
|5
|δ 2 Lyrae
|HIP 92791
| Inside the hull
|4.3
|-
|6
|κ Lyrae
| HIP 89826
| Inside the hull
|4.34
|-
|7
|ζ 1 Lyrae
|HIP 91971
|Inside the hull
|4.36
|-
|8
|θ Lyrae
|HIP 94713
| Constellation lines (Vertex)
| 4.38
|-
|9
|Aladfar
|HIP 94481
|Inside the hull
|4.398
|-
|10
|λ Lyrae
|HIP 93279
|Constellation lines (Vertex)
|4.93
|-
|11
| * eps01 Lyr A
|HIP 91919
|Inside the hull
|4.991
|-
|12
|ν 2 Lyrae
|HIP 92405
|Inside the hull
|5.226
|-
|13
|* eps02 Lyr A
|HIP 91926
| Inside the hull
|5.23
|-
|14
|ι Lyrae
| HIP 93903
|Inside the hull
|5.253
|-
|15
| -
|HR 7162
|Inside the hull
| 5.277
|-
|16
|* eps02 Lyr B
|HIP 91926
| Inside the hull
| 5.35
|-
|17
| -
|HIP 91235
|Inside the hull
|5.41
|-
|18
|δ 1 Lyrae
|HIP 92728
|Inside the hull
|5.573
|-
| 19
|ζ 2 Lyrae
|HIP 91973
|Inside the hull
|5.585
|-
|20
|V542 Lyr
|HIP 93104
| Inside the hull
|5.883
|-
|21
|ν 1 Lyrae
|HIP 92398
|Inside the hull
|5.91
|-
|22
| -
|HIP 89156
|Constellation lines (Vertex)
|5.97
|-
| 23
| -
|HIP 92833
|Inside the hull
|6.03
|-
|24
|Xihe
|HIP 91852
|Inside the hull
|6.037
|-
|25
| -
|HIP 93354
|Inside the hull
|6.038
|-
|26
|XY Lyr
|HIP 91373
|Inside the hull
|6.05
|-
|27
|* eps01 Lyr B
|HIP 91919
|Inside the hull
|6.062
|-
|28
| -
|HIP 92551
| Inside the hull
|6.082
|-
|29
| -
|HIP 91119
|Inside the hull
|6.088
|-
|30
| -
|HIP 93437
|Inside the hull
|6.381
|-
|31
| -
|HIP 93210
|Inside the hull
|6.403
|-
|32
| -
|HIP 91820
|Inside the hull
|6.44
|-
|33
| -
|HIP 91707
|Inside the hull
|6.473
|-
|34
| -
|HIP 91552
|Inside the hull
|6.489
|-
|35
| -
|HIP 95056
|Constellation lines (Vertex)
|6.8
|-
|36
| -
|HIP 90720
|Constellation lines (Vertex)
|6.99
|}
===Transfer and Transformation of the Constellation ===
<gallery>
File:Abhijit nakshatras in Temple draw+lbl 4ase.jpg|''Abhijit'' ''nakṣatra'' in Tirupperunthurai (Athmanathaswamy temple) near Aranthangi, India, 10th century CE. (SMH 2025). There is no image drawn but one letter (ji) in the old language Tamil spell out the name of the constellation.
File:28 Abhijit draw.png|Abhijit as reconstructed by Jones (1794)
</gallery>

==Mythology==
mnemonic tales and cultural significance

==Weblinks==

*{{NAMESPACE}}

==References==

*[[References]] (general)
*Abhyankar, K D, 1991, Misidentification of Some ''nakṣatra''s, Indian Journal of the History of Science, vol 26, p1
*https://insa.nic.in/(S(bsi2o0qzbhb5twodd2ir5e04))/writereaddata/UpLoadedFiles/IJHS/Vol26_1_1_KDAbhyankar.pdf
*Jones
*Shylaja, B S, 2026, ''Nakṣatras'' – names, patterns and identification, (submitted to IJHS)
*Venketeswara R Pai and Shylaja B S, 2016, Measurement of coordinates of ''nakṣatra''s in Indian Astronomy, Current Science, Vol 111, no 9, p1551

[[Category:Indian]]
[[Category:Asterism]]
[[Category:Constellation]]
[[Category:Eurasia]]
[[Category:South Asian]]
[[Category:Zodiac]]

Abhijit

2026-02-03T16:12:00Z

Shylaja:

{{DISPLAYTITLE:Abhijit (अभिजित)}}
Authors: {{PAGEAUTHORS}}
----
[[File:28 Abhijit draw.png|thumb|Abhijit, the 28th nakshatra, as depicted in the drawing by Jones (1794)]]
[[File:28 Nakshatra Abhijit stellarium.gif|thumb|The 28th nakshatra is typically identified with the area around Vega; here mapped to the Stellarium star chart (SMH for WGSN 2025;Shylaja, 2026). ]]
[[File:Abhijit nakshatras in Temple draw+lbl 4ase.jpg|thumb|Abhijit nakshatra in Tirupperunthurai (Athmanathaswamy temple) near Aranthangi, India, 10th century CE. (SMH 2025).]]
''Abhijit'' (अभिजित), Victorious, is an Indian name, used by the Indian Vedic tradition. Most of these names are roughly 3000 years old. They pre-date Hinduism but were taken over by it.

==Etymology and History==
'''Name Variants'''

* ''Abhijit''
* ''Vidibha''

=== Origin of Constellation ===
''Abhijit'' means "The Victorious One". The depiction in temples typically shows a group of three stars, one of them is interpreted as [[Vega]] (α Lyrae). As this is the fifth brightest star in the night sky, the other stars most be much fainter; perhaps it is associated with the two stars η, θ Lyrae that are typically referred to as "double star" in ancient time (not in the modern sense of the term) and β and γ Lyrae.

In our animated GIF to display the position of ''Abhijit'', the nakshatras ''<big>ś</big>ravaṇa'' and ''Dhaniṣṭhā'' happen to be at the edge of the map. This way, it becomes obvious that ''Abhijit'' is really far north, away from the line of the other asterisms.

The pictorial representation based on the drawing prepared / presented by Jones does not provide a clear picture of the scale. The temple engraving has only27 stars

and omits ''Abhijit.'' The unidentified drawing presented here is barely readable with only the letter ''ji'' recognised.

====Stars within the Constellation Area====
{| class="wikitable sortable mw-collapsible"
|+
|-
!id
!Label
!IAU design.
!description
!Vmag
|-
|1
|Vega
| HIP 91262
|Inside the hull
| 0.03
|-
| 2
|Sulafat
|HIP 93194
|Inside the hull
|3.25
|-
|3
|Sheliak
|HIP 92420
|Inside the hull
|3.42
|-
|4
|NAME del Lyr Cluster
|NAME del Lyr Cluster
|Inside the hull
|3.8
|-
|5
|δ 2 Lyrae
|HIP 92791
| Inside the hull
|4.3
|-
|6
|κ Lyrae
| HIP 89826
| Inside the hull
|4.34
|-
|7
|ζ 1 Lyrae
|HIP 91971
|Inside the hull
|4.36
|-
|8
|θ Lyrae
|HIP 94713
| Constellation lines (Vertex)
| 4.38
|-
|9
|Aladfar
|HIP 94481
|Inside the hull
|4.398
|-
|10
|λ Lyrae
|HIP 93279
|Constellation lines (Vertex)
|4.93
|-
|11
| * eps01 Lyr A
|HIP 91919
|Inside the hull
|4.991
|-
|12
|ν 2 Lyrae
|HIP 92405
|Inside the hull
|5.226
|-
|13
|* eps02 Lyr A
|HIP 91926
| Inside the hull
|5.23
|-
|14
|ι Lyrae
| HIP 93903
|Inside the hull
|5.253
|-
|15
| -
|HR 7162
|Inside the hull
| 5.277
|-
|16
|* eps02 Lyr B
|HIP 91926
| Inside the hull
| 5.35
|-
|17
| -
|HIP 91235
|Inside the hull
|5.41
|-
|18
|δ 1 Lyrae
|HIP 92728
|Inside the hull
|5.573
|-
| 19
|ζ 2 Lyrae
|HIP 91973
|Inside the hull
|5.585
|-
|20
|V542 Lyr
|HIP 93104
| Inside the hull
|5.883
|-
|21
|ν 1 Lyrae
|HIP 92398
|Inside the hull
|5.91
|-
|22
| -
|HIP 89156
|Constellation lines (Vertex)
|5.97
|-
| 23
| -
|HIP 92833
|Inside the hull
|6.03
|-
|24
|Xihe
|HIP 91852
|Inside the hull
|6.037
|-
|25
| -
|HIP 93354
|Inside the hull
|6.038
|-
|26
|XY Lyr
|HIP 91373
|Inside the hull
|6.05
|-
|27
|* eps01 Lyr B
|HIP 91919
|Inside the hull
|6.062
|-
|28
| -
|HIP 92551
| Inside the hull
|6.082
|-
|29
| -
|HIP 91119
|Inside the hull
|6.088
|-
|30
| -
|HIP 93437
|Inside the hull
|6.381
|-
|31
| -
|HIP 93210
|Inside the hull
|6.403
|-
|32
| -
|HIP 91820
|Inside the hull
|6.44
|-
|33
| -
|HIP 91707
|Inside the hull
|6.473
|-
|34
| -
|HIP 91552
|Inside the hull
|6.489
|-
|35
| -
|HIP 95056
|Constellation lines (Vertex)
|6.8
|-
|36
| -
|HIP 90720
|Constellation lines (Vertex)
|6.99
|}
===Transfer and Transformation of the Constellation ===
<gallery>
File:Abhijit nakshatras in Temple draw+lbl 4ase.jpg|Abhijit nakshatra in Tirupperunthurai (Athmanathaswamy temple) near Aranthangi, India, 10th century CE. (SMH 2025).
File:28 Abhijit draw.png|Abhijit as reconstructed by Jones (1720)
</gallery>

==Mythology==
mnemonic tales and cultural significance

==Weblinks==

*{{NAMESPACE}}

==References==

*[[References]] (general) Shylaja, B S, 2026, ''Nakṣatras'' – names, patterns and identification, (submitted to IJHS)

[[Category:Indian]]
[[Category:Asterism]]
[[Category:Constellation]]
[[Category:Eurasia]]
[[Category:South Asian]]
[[Category:Zodiac]]

Abhijit

2026-02-03T16:10:15Z

Shylaja: /* Origin of Constellation */

{{DISPLAYTITLE:Abhijit (अभिजित)}}
Authors: {{PAGEAUTHORS}}
----
[[File:28 Abhijit draw.png|thumb|Abhijit, the 28th nakshatra, as depicted in temples.]]
[[File:28 Nakshatra Abhijit stellarium.gif|thumb|The 28th nakshatra is typically identified with the area around Vega; here mapped to the Stellarium star chart (SMH for WGSN 2025;Shylaja, 2026). ]]
[[File:Abhijit nakshatras in Temple draw+lbl 4ase.jpg|thumb|Abhijit nakshatra in Tirupperunthurai (Athmanathaswamy temple) near Aranthangi, India, 10th century CE. (SMH 2025).]]
''Abhijit'' (अभिजित), Victorious, is an Indian name, used by the Indian Vedic tradition. Most of these names are roughly 3000 years old. They pre-date Hinduism but were taken over by it.

==Etymology and History==
'''Name Variants'''

* ''Abhijit''
* ''Vidibha''

=== Origin of Constellation ===
''Abhijit'' means "The Victorious One". The depiction in temples typically shows a group of three stars, one of them is interpreted as [[Vega]] (α Lyrae). As this is the fifth brightest star in the night sky, the other stars most be much fainter; perhaps it is associated with the two stars η, θ Lyrae that are typically referred to as "double star" in ancient time (not in the modern sense of the term) and β and γ Lyrae.

In our animated GIF to display the position of ''Abhijit'', the nakshatras ''<big>ś</big>ravaṇa'' and ''Dhaniṣṭhā'' happen to be at the edge of the map. This way, it becomes obvious that ''Abhijit'' is really far north, away from the line of the other asterisms.

The pictorial representation based on the drawing prepared / presented by Jones does not provide a clear picture of the scale. The temple engraving has only27 stars

and omits ''Abhijit.'' The unidentified drawing presented here is barely readable with only the letter ''ji'' recognised.

====Stars within the Constellation Area====
{| class="wikitable sortable mw-collapsible"
|+
|-
!id
!Label
!IAU design.
!description
!Vmag
|-
|1
|Vega
| HIP 91262
|Inside the hull
| 0.03
|-
| 2
|Sulafat
|HIP 93194
|Inside the hull
|3.25
|-
|3
|Sheliak
|HIP 92420
|Inside the hull
|3.42
|-
|4
|NAME del Lyr Cluster
|NAME del Lyr Cluster
|Inside the hull
|3.8
|-
|5
|δ 2 Lyrae
|HIP 92791
| Inside the hull
|4.3
|-
|6
|κ Lyrae
| HIP 89826
| Inside the hull
|4.34
|-
|7
|ζ 1 Lyrae
|HIP 91971
|Inside the hull
|4.36
|-
|8
|θ Lyrae
|HIP 94713
| Constellation lines (Vertex)
| 4.38
|-
|9
|Aladfar
|HIP 94481
|Inside the hull
|4.398
|-
|10
|λ Lyrae
|HIP 93279
|Constellation lines (Vertex)
|4.93
|-
|11
| * eps01 Lyr A
|HIP 91919
|Inside the hull
|4.991
|-
|12
|ν 2 Lyrae
|HIP 92405
|Inside the hull
|5.226
|-
|13
|* eps02 Lyr A
|HIP 91926
| Inside the hull
|5.23
|-
|14
|ι Lyrae
| HIP 93903
|Inside the hull
|5.253
|-
|15
| -
|HR 7162
|Inside the hull
| 5.277
|-
|16
|* eps02 Lyr B
|HIP 91926
| Inside the hull
| 5.35
|-
|17
| -
|HIP 91235
|Inside the hull
|5.41
|-
|18
|δ 1 Lyrae
|HIP 92728
|Inside the hull
|5.573
|-
| 19
|ζ 2 Lyrae
|HIP 91973
|Inside the hull
|5.585
|-
|20
|V542 Lyr
|HIP 93104
| Inside the hull
|5.883
|-
|21
|ν 1 Lyrae
|HIP 92398
|Inside the hull
|5.91
|-
|22
| -
|HIP 89156
|Constellation lines (Vertex)
|5.97
|-
| 23
| -
|HIP 92833
|Inside the hull
|6.03
|-
|24
|Xihe
|HIP 91852
|Inside the hull
|6.037
|-
|25
| -
|HIP 93354
|Inside the hull
|6.038
|-
|26
|XY Lyr
|HIP 91373
|Inside the hull
|6.05
|-
|27
|* eps01 Lyr B
|HIP 91919
|Inside the hull
|6.062
|-
|28
| -
|HIP 92551
| Inside the hull
|6.082
|-
|29
| -
|HIP 91119
|Inside the hull
|6.088
|-
|30
| -
|HIP 93437
|Inside the hull
|6.381
|-
|31
| -
|HIP 93210
|Inside the hull
|6.403
|-
|32
| -
|HIP 91820
|Inside the hull
|6.44
|-
|33
| -
|HIP 91707
|Inside the hull
|6.473
|-
|34
| -
|HIP 91552
|Inside the hull
|6.489
|-
|35
| -
|HIP 95056
|Constellation lines (Vertex)
|6.8
|-
|36
| -
|HIP 90720
|Constellation lines (Vertex)
|6.99
|}
===Transfer and Transformation of the Constellation ===
<gallery>
File:Abhijit nakshatras in Temple draw+lbl 4ase.jpg|Abhijit nakshatra in Tirupperunthurai (Athmanathaswamy temple) near Aranthangi, India, 10th century CE. (SMH 2025).
File:28 Abhijit draw.png|Abhijit as reconstructed by Jones (1720)
</gallery>

==Mythology==
mnemonic tales and cultural significance

==Weblinks==

*{{NAMESPACE}}

==References==

*[[References]] (general) Shylaja, B S, 2026, ''Nakṣatras'' – names, patterns and identification, (submitted to IJHS)

[[Category:Indian]]
[[Category:Asterism]]
[[Category:Constellation]]
[[Category:Eurasia]]
[[Category:South Asian]]
[[Category:Zodiac]]

Indian Names (All Terms)

2026-02-03T15:55:46Z

Shylaja: /* Dictionary of Asterisms (Stars and Constellations) */

Authors: {{PAGEAUTHORS}}
----
<div style="float:right; margin:0 0 1em 1em;">
<youtube align=right>https://youtu.be/7k4SG-sw8lo</youtube>
</div>
[[File:India (orthographic projection).svg|thumb|Map of India, part of South Asia (UN region)]]
[[File:Nakshatras in Temple draw+lbl 4ase.jpg|thumb|Display of all 28th nakshatra in a doorway in Tirupperunthurai (Athmanathaswamy temple) near Aranthangi, India, 10th century CE. (SMH 2025).]]

The Indian subcontinent hosts a rich and old traditional astronomy in many different flavours. It grew and was inspired by exchange with neighbouring cultures such as Chinese and Mesopotamian.

=== Solar System Names ===
{| class="wikitable"
!Traditional Terms
!Transliteration
!English
!commentary
|-
|
|
|Sun
|
|-
|
|
|Moon
|
|-
|
|
| Mercury
|
|-
|
|
|Venus
|
|-
|
|
|Mars
|
|-
|
|
|Jupiter
|
|-
|
|
|Saturn
|
|}

=== Dictionary of Asterisms (Stars and Constellations) ===
{| class="wikitable sortable"
!Naks. Number
!Sanscrit
! colspan="2" |Transliteration
!English Description/ Translation
!Commentary
|-
!
!
!with diacritics
!without ...
!
!
|-
|28
|अभिजित
|[[Abhijit]]
|Abhijit
|Victorius
|Nakshatra in [[Lyra]]
|-
|
|
|
|Adhah Paschimaga
|the one below and west
|possibly Indian Indigenous: bet UMa
|-
|
|
|
|Aditerbha
|
|[[Punarvasu]]
|-
|
|
|
|Agasthya
|
|
|-
|
|
|
|Agni
|
|[[Krittika]]
|-
|
|
|
|Agnidaiva
|
|[[Krittika]]
|-
|
|
|Āgrahāyaṇī
|Agrahayani
|
|[[Mrigashira]]
|-
|
|
|
|Ahirbudhnya
|
|[[Uttara Bhadrapada]]
|-
|
|
|
|Ahya
|
|[[Ashlesha]]
|-
|
|
|
|Aindra
|
|[[Jyeshtha]]
|-
|
|
|
|Ajaikapada
|
|[[Purva Bhadrapada]]
|-
|
|
|
|Ajanghri
|
|[[Purva Bhadrapada]]
|-
|
|
|
|Anila
|
|[[Svati]]
|-
|17
|अनुराधा
|[[Anuradha]]
|Anuradha
|"following rādhā"
|Nakshatra in [[Scorpius|Sco]]
|-
|
|
|
|Anyomuni
|another sage
|possibly Indian Indigenous: bet UMa
|-
|
|
|[[Apa|Āpa]]
|Apa
|
|ζ Vir (Shylaja and Pai (2019))
|-
|
|
|[[Apamvatsa|Apāṃvatsa]]
|Apamvatsa
|
|74 Vir (Shylaja and Pai (2019))
|-
|
|
|Āptapān
|Aptapan
|??
|α Cas (Shylaja and Pai (2019))
|-
|
|
|
|Apya
|
|[[Purva Ashadha]]
|-
|6
|आर्द्रा
|[[Ardra]]
|Ardra
|wetness,
|Nakshatra ([[Betelgeuse]])
|-
|
|
|
|Arya
|
|[[Uttara Phalguni]]
|-
|
|
|
|Aryamrksha
|
|[[Uttara Phalguni]]
|-
|9
|आश्लेषः
|[[Ashlesha|Āshleshā]]
|Ashlesha
|"the embrace"
|Nakshatra
|-
|
|
|Aśvanābha
|Ashvanabha
|Belly of the horse (from Arabic)
|α And (Shylaja and Pai (2019))
|-
|1
|अश्विनी
|[[Ashvini|Aśvini]]
|Ashvini
|Twin physician of the Gods
|Nakshatra in [[Aries]]
|-
|
|
|
|Bhagya
|
|[[Purva Phalguni]]
|-
|
|
|
|Bhagybha
|
|[[Purva Phalguni]]
|-
|2
|भरणी
|[[Bharani]]
|Bharani
|the bearer, a container
|Nakshatra in [[Aries]]
|-
|
|
|
|Bhujaga shirsha
|
|Sarpa shirsha
|-
|
|
|
|Bhujanga
|
|possibly Indian Indigenous: gam Vel
|-
|
|
|
|Brahmabha
|
|[[Rohini]]
|-
|
|
|
|Brahmahridaya
|
|a Aur all texts or b Aur ??
|-
|
|
|Brāhmī
|Brahmi
|
|[[Rohini]]
|-
|
|
|
|Brahmya
|
|[[Rohini]]
|-
|14
|चित्रा
|[[Chitra|Citrā]]
|Chitra
|"the bright one"
|Nakshatra ([[Spica]])
|-
|
|
|
|Dasra
|
|[[Ashvini|Aśvini]]
|-
|23
|श्रविष्ठा/
धनिष्ठा
|[[Dhanishta|Dhaniṣṭhā]]
|Dhanishta
|"most famous",
also Shravishthā "swiftest"
|Nakshatra in [[Delphinus|Del]]
|-
|
|
|
|Dhanukoti
|part of Dhanu
|from Arabic: alf Ori
|-
|
|
|
|Dvidaivata
|
|[[Vishakha]]
|-
|
|
|Dvitiyabhādra
|Dvitiyabhadra
|
|[[Uttara Bhadrapada]]
|-
|
|
|
|Haribha
|
|[[Shravana]]
|-
|13
|हस्त
|[[Hasta]]
|Hasta
|"the hand"
|Nakshatra in [[Corvus]]
|-
|
|
|
|Hayaamsha
|Body part of horse (from Arabic)
|Shylaja+ (2016)
|-
|
|
|
|Hutabhuk
|
|[[Krittika]]
|-
|
|
|
|Hutabhuk
|Fire, Agni
|β Tau (Shylaja+ (2016))
|-
|
|इल्वल
|[[Ilvala|Ilvala (इल्वल)]]
|Ilvala
|
|possibly Indian Indigenous: ζ, ε, δ Ori (Belt of Orion)
|-
|
|
|
|Jaladaivata
|
|[[Purva Ashadha]]
|-
|
|
|
|Jalarksha
|
|[[Purva Ashadha]]
|-
|
|
|
|Jantupuchcha
|
|from Arabic: bet Cet
|-
|18
|ज्येष्ठा
|[[Jyeshtha|Jyeṣṭha]]
|Jyeshtha
|"the eldest, most excellent"
|Nakshatra in [[Scorpius|Sco]]
|-
|
|
|
|Kakaskandha
|shoulder of crow
|from Arabic: eps Crv
|-
|
|
|
|Kakayukta
|related to crow
|from Arabic: alf Cyg
|-
|
|
|
|Kakudapuchha
|
|kakayukta
|-
|
|
|
|Kalaja
|
|kakayukta
|-
|
|
|
|Kapala
|human skull
|possibly Indian Indigenous: alf Phe
|-
|
|
|
|Kara
|
|[[Hasta]]
|-
|
|
|
|Kartitakara
|??
|β Cas (Shylaja+ (2016))
|-
|3
|कृत्तिका
|[[Krittika|Kṛttika]]
|Krittika
|personified as the nurses of Kārttikeya, a son of Shiva
|Nakshatra ([[Pleiades]])
|-
|
|
|
|Lubdhaka
|
|possibly Indian Indigenous: alf CMa
|-
|
|
|
|Lubdhaka Bandhu
|
|Yamyavasu
|-
|10
|मघा
|[[Magha|Maghā]]
|Magha
|"the bountiful"?
|Nakshatra in [[Leo]]
|-
|
|
|
|Mahendrasuri
|
|Malayendu
|-
|
|
|
|Maitra
|
|[[Anuradha]]
|-
|
|
|Malayendu, Ardralubdhaka, ShaNmukha, Sadaasya
|Malayendu
|
|from Arabic, possibly Indian: tet Cet
|-
|
|
|Mānuṣaśīrṣa
|Manusasirsa, Manusha shirsha
|Head of a person (from Arabic)
|β Per (Shylaja+ (2016))
|-
|
|
|
|Manushahsta
|
|Nrihasta
|-
|
|
|
|Manushyaparshava
|
|possibly Indian Indigenous: alf Per
|-
|
|
|
|Marici
|name of a sage
|possibly Indian Indigenous: eta UMa
|-
|
|
|
|Matsyamukha
|
|from Arabic: alf PsA
|-
|
|
|
|Matsyapuchha
|the tail of a fish
|possibly Indian Indigenous: alf Gru
|-
|
|
|
|Matsyodara
|Belly of the fish (from Arabic)
|β And (Shylaja+ (2016))
|-
|
|
|
|Mithunadakshina, Mithunapadadakshina
|left side of Gemini
|from Arabic: bet Ori
|-
|
|
|
|Mithunapada
|foot of Gemini
|from Arabic: zet Tau
|-
|
|
|
|Mithunavamaskanda
|right side of Gemini
|from Arabic: kap, nu Ori
|-
|5
|मृगशिर
|[[Mrigashira]]
|Mrigashira
|"the deer's head".
|Nakshatra in [[Orion|Ori]]
|-
|19
|मूल
|[[Mula|Mūlā]]
|Mula
|"the root"
|Nakshatra in [[Scorpius|Sco]]
|-
|
|
|
|Muneendra
|great sage
|possibly Indian Indigenous: alf UMa
|-
|
|
|
|Muni
|sage
|possibly Indian Indigenous: eta UMa
|-
|
|
|
|Nadyantaka
|End of the river (from Arabic)
|γ Phe (Shylaja+ (2016))
|-
|
|
|
|Nakrapuchha
|tail of the crocodile
|possibly Indian Indigenous: sig Aqr
|-
|
|
|
|Nirtibha
|
|Mula
|-
|
|
|
|Nrihasta
|man's hand
|from Arabic: tet Aur
|-
|
|
|
|Nripada
|foot of a man
|from Arabic: bet Cen
|-
|
|
|Nṛpārśva
|Nrparsva, Nruparshva
|Side of a person/ part of the face of a man (from Arabic)
|α Per (Shylaja+ (2016))
|-
|
|
|
|Nuramsa
|man's shoulder
|from Arabic: bet Aur
|-
|
|
|
|Paitra
|
|Magha
|-
|
|
|
|Phanibha
|
|Ashlesha
|-
|
|
|Pīṭhamūla
|Pithhamula, Peethamulam
|Base of the seat or chair
|γ Cas (Shylaja+ (2016))
|-
|
|
|
|Pourshna
|
|Revati
|-
|
|
|
|Pragbhadra
|
|Purva Bhadrapada
|-
|
|
|
|Prajapathi
|
|possibly Indian Indigenous: d Aur
|-
|7
|पुनर्वसु (dual)
|[[Punarvasu]]
|Punarvasu
|"the twinrestorers of goods",
yamakau "the two chariots"?
|Nakshatra in [[Gemini|Gem]]
|-
|
|
|
|Purato Muneendra
|next sage
|possibly Indian Indigenous: gam UMa
|-
|20
|पूर्व आषाढा
|[[Purva Ashadha|Purvaṣādha]]
|Purva Ashadha
|"first of the invincible"
|Nakshatra in [[Sagittarius|Sgr]]
|-
|25
|पूर्व भाद्रपदा/
पूर्व प्रोष्ठपदा
|[[Purva Bhadrapada|Purvābhādra]]
|Purva Bhadrapada
|"the first of the blessed feet"?
|Nakshatra in [[Pegasus|Peg]]
|-
|11
|पूर्व फाल्गुनी
|[[Purva Phalguni|Pūrva Phalgunī]]
|Purva Phalguni
|"first reddish one"?
|Nakshatra in [[Leo]]
|-
|8
|पुष्य
|[[Pushya]]
|Pushya
|"the nourisher"
|Nakshatra in [[Cancer|Cnc]]
|-
|
|
|
|Ravibha
|
|[[Hasta]]
|-
|27
|रेवती
|[[Revati]]
|Revati
|"prosperous"?
|Nakshatra in [[Pisces|Psc]]
|-
|4
|रोहिणी
|[[Rohini]]
|Rohini
|"the red one"
|Nakshatra ([[Hyades]])
|-
|
|
|
|Roudra
|
|[[Ardra]]
|-
|
|
|Śakra
|
|
|[[Jyeshtha]]
|-
|
|
|
|Samudra pakshi
|
|from Arabic: i Cet
|-
|
|
|
|Sarpa
|
|[[Ashlesha]]
|-
|
|
|
|Sarpa shirsha
|head of serpent
|from Arabic: alf Ser
|-
|
|
|
|Sarpayukta
|one with serpent
|possibly Indian Indigenous: alf Ara
|-
|
|
|
|Sauroktarudra
|Rudra cited in Soura – may be suryasiddhanta
|possibly Indian Indigenous: alf Ori
|-
|
|
|
|Shakthibha
|
|possibly Indian Indigenous: eta Boo
|-
|24
|शतभिष/
शततारका
|[[Shatabhisha|Śatabhiṣa]]
|Shatabhisha/
Satabhisa
|a hundred physicians"
|Nakshatra in [[Aquarius|Aqr]]
|-
|
|
|
|Shishumaara
|dolphin or fish
|possibly Indian Indigenous: tet Oph
|-
|
|
|
|Shivabha
|
|[[Ardra]]
|-
|22
|श्रवण
|[[Shravana|Śravana]]
|Shravana
|Listening
|Nakshatra in [[Aquila]]
|-
|
|
|
|Sidhya
|
|[[Pushya]]
|-
|
|
|
|Simha PrishTha
|backside of lion
|from Arabic: del Leo
|-
|
|
|
|Simhaguhyam
|male organ of lion
|from Arabic: iot Leo
|-
|
|
|
|Simhasaka
|part of lion
|from Arabic: gam Leo
|-
|
|
|
|Skanda
|(6 headed karitikeya)
|possibly Indian Indigenous: alf Aur
|-
|
|
|
|Somya
|
|[[Mrigashira]]
|-
|
|
|Śraviṣṭhā
|Shravishtha
|
|[[Dhanishta]]
|-
|
|
|Śṛti
|Shirti
|
|[[Shravana]]
|-
|
|
|Supīṭha
|Supithha, Supeetha
|Auspicious seat / chair
|δ Cas (Shylaja+ (2016))
|-
|15
|स्वाति
|[[Svati]]
|Svati
|"Su-Ati - Goodness
|Nakshatra in [[Bootes]]
|-
|
|
|
|Tatpurato Muneendra
|the sage after that
|possibly Indian Indigenous: eps UMa
|-
|
|
|Tiṣya
|Tishya
|
|Pushya
|-
|
|
|
|Torana
|decorative motif on the main door
|possibly Indian Indigenous: alf Ser
|-
|
|
|
|Toya
|
|Purva Ashadha
|-
|
|
|[[Trivikrama]]
|Trivikrama
|three steps /one who put three steps
|possibly Indian Indigenous: ξν, μλ, ικ UMa
|-
|
|
|
|Tulaikasikha
|First star of Tula (Libra)
|an asterism in [[Libra]], perhaps [[Vishakha]] (Shylaja+ (2016))
|-
|
|
|
|Tulanyasikha
|Another star of Tula
|an asterism in [[Libra]] (Shylaja+ (2016))
|-
|
|
|[[Turaganga]]
|Turaganga
|
|
|-
|
|
|
|Turanga
|
|from Arabic: nu Cet
|-
|
|
|
|Turangaasa
|Body part of horse (from Arabic)
|(Shylaja+ (2016))
|-
|
|
|
|Tvarshtra
|
|[[Chitra]]
|-
|
|
|
|Upāntya
|
|[[Uttara Bhadrapada]]
|-
|
|
|
|Urdhva Paschimaga
|the one above and to the west
|possibly Indian Indigenous: alf UMa
|-
|21
|उत्तर आषाढा
|[[Uttara Ashadha|Uttara Āṣāḍhā]]
|Uttara Ashadha
|"Latter invincible"
|Nakshatra in [[Sagittarius|Sgr]]
|-
|26
|उत्तर भाद्रपदा/
उत्तर प्रोष्ठपदा
|[[Uttara Bhadrapada|Uttara Bhādrapada]]
|Uttara Bhadrapada
(U. Bhadra)
|"the second of the blessed feet"?
|Nakshatra in [[Pegasus|Peg]]+[[Andromeda|And]]
|-
|12
|उत्तर फाल्गुनी
|[[Uttara Phalguni|Uttara Phalgunī]]
|Uttara Phalguni
|"second reddish one"?
|Nakshatra in [[Leo]]
|-
|
|
|
|Vaisnava
|
|[[Shravana]]
|-
|
|
|
|Vaiśvadeva
|
|[[Uttara Ashadha]]
|-
|
|
|
|Vajibahu
|
|from Arabic: tet Cet
|-
|
|
|
|Varunarksha
|
|[[Shatabhisha|Satabhisa]]
|-
|
|
|
|Vāsava
|
|[[Dhanishta]]
|-
|
|
|
|VasishTha
|
|possibly Indian Indigenous: zet UMa
|-
|
|
|
|Vasubha
|
|[[Dhanishta]]
|-
|
|
|
|Vatsa
|calf of a cow
|possibly Indian Indigenous: bet Tau
|-
|
|
|
|Vayasa
|
|from Arabic: bet Cyg
|-
|
|
|
|Vidibha
|
|[[Abhijit]]
|-
|
|
|
|Viśākhā
|
|[[Vishakha]]
|-
|16
|विशाखा
|[[Vishakha]]
|Vishakha
|"forked, having many branches"
|Nakshatra in [[Libra]]
|-
|
|
|
|Yama
|May be same as Nadyantaka, South
|α Eri (Shylaja+ (2016))
|-
|
|
|
|Yamyavasu, Lubdhaka Bandhu
|southern vasu
|possibly Indian Indigenous: alf CMi
|-
|
|
|
|Yugala
|
|possibly Indian Indigenous: tet Oph
|-
|
|
|
|Yugasamkaravya
|
|possibly Indian Indigenous: gam Ori
|-
|
|युग्म
|
|[[Yugma]]
|"double" for the middle steps in [[Trivikrama]]
|possibly Indian Indigenous: lam, mu UMa (rarely also for gam+bet Dra)
|-
|
|युग्मक
|
|[[Yugmaka]]
|
|possibly Indian Indigenous: iot+kap UMa
|}

References: Shylaja and Venketeswara Pai, 2018

[[Category:Overviews]]
[[Category:South Asian]]
[[Category:Indian]]
[[Category:Service]]

Indian Names (All Terms)

2026-02-03T15:54:10Z

Shylaja: /* Dictionary of Asterisms (Stars and Constellations) */

Authors: {{PAGEAUTHORS}}
----
<div style="float:right; margin:0 0 1em 1em;">
<youtube align=right>https://youtu.be/7k4SG-sw8lo</youtube>
</div>
[[File:India (orthographic projection).svg|thumb|Map of India, part of South Asia (UN region)]]
[[File:Nakshatras in Temple draw+lbl 4ase.jpg|thumb|Display of all 28th nakshatra in a doorway in Tirupperunthurai (Athmanathaswamy temple) near Aranthangi, India, 10th century CE. (SMH 2025; Shylaja and Venketeswara Pai, 2018).]]

The Indian subcontinent hosts a rich and old traditional astronomy in many different flavours. It grew and was inspired by exchange with neighbouring cultures such as Chinese and Mesopotamian.

=== Solar System Names ===
{| class="wikitable"
!Traditional Terms
!Transliteration
!English
!commentary
|-
|
|
|Sun
|
|-
|
|
|Moon
|
|-
|
|
| Mercury
|
|-
|
|
|Venus
|
|-
|
|
|Mars
|
|-
|
|
|Jupiter
|
|-
|
|
|Saturn
|
|}

=== Dictionary of Asterisms (Stars and Constellations) ===
{| class="wikitable sortable"
!Naks. Number
!Sanscrit
! colspan="2" |Transliteration
!English Description/ Translation
!Commentary
|-
!
!
!with diacritics
!without ...
!
!
|-
|28
|अभिजित
|[[Abhijit]]
|Abhijit
|Victorius
|Nakshatra in [[Lyra]]
|-
|
|
|
|Adhah Paschimaga
|the one below and west
|possibly Indian Indigenous: bet UMa
|-
|
|
|
|Aditerbha
|
|[[Punarvasu]]
|-
|
|
|
|Agasthya
|
|
|-
|
|
|
|Agni
|
|[[Krittika]]
|-
|
|
|
|Agnidaiva
|
|[[Krittika]]
|-
|
|
|Āgrahāyaṇī
|Agrahayani
|
|[[Mrigashira]]
|-
|
|
|
|Ahirbudhnya
|
|[[Uttara Bhadrapada]]
|-
|
|
|
|Ahya
|
|[[Ashlesha]]
|-
|
|
|
|Aindra
|
|[[Jyeshtha]]
|-
|
|
|
|Ajaikapada
|
|[[Purva Bhadrapada]]
|-
|
|
|
|Ajanghri
|
|[[Purva Bhadrapada]]
|-
|
|
|
|Anila
|
|[[Svati]]
|-
|17
|अनुराधा
|[[Anuradha]]
|Anuradha
|"following rādhā"
|Nakshatra in [[Scorpius|Sco]]
|-
|
|
|
|Anyomuni
|another sage
|possibly Indian Indigenous: bet UMa
|-
|
|
|[[Apa|Āpa]]
|Apa
|
|ζ Vir (Shylaja and Pai (2019))
|-
|
|
|[[Apamvatsa|Apāṃvatsa]]
|Apamvatsa
|
|74 Vir (Shylaja and Pai (2019))
|-
|
|
|Āptapān
|Aptapan
|??
|α Cas (Shylaja and Pai (2019))
|-
|
|
|
|Apya
|
|[[Purva Ashadha]]
|-
|6
|आर्द्रा
|[[Ardra]]
|Ardra
|wetness,
|Nakshatra ([[Betelgeuse]])
|-
|
|
|
|Arya
|
|[[Uttara Phalguni]]
|-
|
|
|
|Aryamrksha
|
|[[Uttara Phalguni]]
|-
|9
|आश्लेषः
|[[Ashlesha|Āshleshā]]
|Ashlesha
|"the embrace"
|Nakshatra
|-
|
|
|Aśvanābha
|Ashvanabha
|Belly of the horse (from Arabic)
|α And (Shylaja and Pai (2019))
|-
|1
|अश्विनी
|[[Ashvini|Aśvini]]
|Ashvini
|Twin physician of the Gods
|Nakshatra in [[Aries]]
|-
|
|
|
|Bhagya
|
|[[Purva Phalguni]]
|-
|
|
|
|Bhagybha
|
|[[Purva Phalguni]]
|-
|2
|भरणी
|[[Bharani]]
|Bharani
|the bearer, a container
|Nakshatra in [[Aries]]
|-
|
|
|
|Bhujaga shirsha
|
|Sarpa shirsha
|-
|
|
|
|Bhujanga
|
|possibly Indian Indigenous: gam Vel
|-
|
|
|
|Brahmabha
|
|[[Rohini]]
|-
|
|
|
|Brahmahridaya
|
|a Aur all texts or b Aur ??
|-
|
|
|Brāhmī
|Brahmi
|
|[[Rohini]]
|-
|
|
|
|Brahmya
|
|[[Rohini]]
|-
|14
|चित्रा
|[[Chitra|Citrā]]
|Chitra
|"the bright one"
|Nakshatra ([[Spica]])
|-
|
|
|
|Dasra
|
|[[Ashvini|Aśvini]]
|-
|23
|श्रविष्ठा/
धनिष्ठा
|[[Dhanishta|Dhaniṣṭhā]]
|Dhanishta
|"most famous",
also Shravishthā "swiftest"
|Nakshatra in [[Delphinus|Del]]
|-
|
|
|
|Dhanukoti
|part of Dhanu
|from Arabic: alf Ori
|-
|
|
|
|Dvidaivata
|
|[[Vishakha]]
|-
|
|
|Dvitiyabhādra
|Dvitiyabhadra
|
|[[Uttara Bhadrapada]]
|-
|
|
|
|Haribha
|
|[[Shravana]]
|-
|13
|हस्त
|[[Hasta]]
|Hasta
|"the hand"
|Nakshatra in [[Corvus]]
|-
|
|
|
|Hayaamsha
|Body part of horse (from Arabic)
|Shylaja+ (2016)
|-
|
|
|
|Hutabhuk
|
|[[Krittika]]
|-
|
|
|
|Hutabhuk
|Fire, Agni
|β Tau (Shylaja+ (2016))
|-
|
|इल्वल
|[[Ilvala|Ilvala (इल्वल)]]
|Ilvala
|
|possibly Indian Indigenous: ζ, ε, δ Ori (Belt of Orion)
|-
|
|
|
|Jaladaivata
|
|[[Purva Ashadha]]
|-
|
|
|
|Jalarksha
|
|[[Purva Ashadha]]
|-
|
|
|
|Jantupuchcha
|
|from Arabic: bet Cet
|-
|18
|ज्येष्ठा
|[[Jyeshtha|Jyeṣṭha]]
|Jyeshtha
|"the eldest, most excellent"
|Nakshatra in [[Scorpius|Sco]]
|-
|
|
|
|Kakaskandha
|shoulder of crow
|from Arabic: eps Crv
|-
|
|
|
|Kakayukta
|related to crow
|from Arabic: alf Cyg
|-
|
|
|
|Kakudapuchha
|
|kakayukta
|-
|
|
|
|Kalaja
|
|kakayukta
|-
|
|
|
|Kapala
|human skull
|possibly Indian Indigenous: alf Phe
|-
|
|
|
|Kara
|
|[[Hasta]]
|-
|
|
|
|Kartitakara
|??
|β Cas (Shylaja+ (2016))
|-
|3
|कृत्तिका
|[[Krittika|Kṛttika]]
|Krittika
|personified as the nurses of Kārttikeya, a son of Shiva
|Nakshatra ([[Pleiades]])
|-
|
|
|
|Lubdhaka
|
|possibly Indian Indigenous: alf CMa
|-
|
|
|
|Lubdhaka Bandhu
|
|Yamyavasu
|-
|10
|मघा
|[[Magha|Maghā]]
|Magha
|"the bountiful"?
|Nakshatra in [[Leo]]
|-
|
|
|
|Mahendrasuri
|
|Malayendu
|-
|
|
|
|Maitra
|
|[[Anuradha]]
|-
|
|
|Malayendu, Ardralubdhaka, ShaNmukha, Sadaasya
|Malayendu
|
|from Arabic, possibly Indian: tet Cet
|-
|
|
|Mānuṣaśīrṣa
|Manusasirsa, Manusha shirsha
|Head of a person (from Arabic)
|β Per (Shylaja+ (2016))
|-
|
|
|
|Manushahsta
|
|Nrihasta
|-
|
|
|
|Manushyaparshava
|
|possibly Indian Indigenous: alf Per
|-
|
|
|
|Marici
|name of a sage
|possibly Indian Indigenous: eta UMa
|-
|
|
|
|Matsyamukha
|
|from Arabic: alf PsA
|-
|
|
|
|Matsyapuchha
|the tail of a fish
|possibly Indian Indigenous: alf Gru
|-
|
|
|
|Matsyodara
|Belly of the fish (from Arabic)
|β And (Shylaja+ (2016))
|-
|
|
|
|Mithunadakshina, Mithunapadadakshina
|left side of Gemini
|from Arabic: bet Ori
|-
|
|
|
|Mithunapada
|foot of Gemini
|from Arabic: zet Tau
|-
|
|
|
|Mithunavamaskanda
|right side of Gemini
|from Arabic: kap, nu Ori
|-
|5
|मृगशिर
|[[Mrigashira]]
|Mrigashira
|"the deer's head".
|Nakshatra in [[Orion|Ori]]
|-
|19
|मूल
|[[Mula|Mūlā]]
|Mula
|"the root"
|Nakshatra in [[Scorpius|Sco]]
|-
|
|
|
|Muneendra
|great sage
|possibly Indian Indigenous: alf UMa
|-
|
|
|
|Muni
|sage
|possibly Indian Indigenous: eta UMa
|-
|
|
|
|Nadyantaka
|End of the river (from Arabic)
|γ Phe (Shylaja+ (2016))
|-
|
|
|
|Nakrapuchha
|tail of the crocodile
|possibly Indian Indigenous: sig Aqr
|-
|
|
|
|Nirtibha
|
|Mula
|-
|
|
|
|Nrihasta
|man's hand
|from Arabic: tet Aur
|-
|
|
|
|Nripada
|foot of a man
|from Arabic: bet Cen
|-
|
|
|Nṛpārśva
|Nrparsva, Nruparshva
|Side of a person/ part of the face of a man (from Arabic)
|α Per (Shylaja+ (2016))
|-
|
|
|
|Nuramsa
|man's shoulder
|from Arabic: bet Aur
|-
|
|
|
|Paitra
|
|Magha
|-
|
|
|
|Phanibha
|
|Ashlesha
|-
|
|
|Pīṭhamūla
|Pithhamula, Peethamulam
|Base of the seat or chair
|γ Cas (Shylaja+ (2016))
|-
|
|
|
|Pourshna
|
|Revati
|-
|
|
|
|Pragbhadra
|
|Purva Bhadrapada
|-
|
|
|
|Prajapathi
|
|possibly Indian Indigenous: d Aur
|-
|7
|पुनर्वसु (dual)
|[[Punarvasu]]
|Punarvasu
|"the twinrestorers of goods",
yamakau "the two chariots"?
|Nakshatra in [[Gemini|Gem]]
|-
|
|
|
|Purato Muneendra
|next sage
|possibly Indian Indigenous: gam UMa
|-
|20
|पूर्व आषाढा
|[[Purva Ashadha|Purvaṣādha]]
|Purva Ashadha
|"first of the invincible"
|Nakshatra in [[Sagittarius|Sgr]]
|-
|25
|पूर्व भाद्रपदा/
पूर्व प्रोष्ठपदा
|[[Purva Bhadrapada|Purvābhādra]]
|Purva Bhadrapada
|"the first of the blessed feet"?
|Nakshatra in [[Pegasus|Peg]]
|-
|11
|पूर्व फाल्गुनी
|[[Purva Phalguni|Pūrva Phalgunī]]
|Purva Phalguni
|"first reddish one"?
|Nakshatra in [[Leo]]
|-
|8
|पुष्य
|[[Pushya]]
|Pushya
|"the nourisher"
|Nakshatra in [[Cancer|Cnc]]
|-
|
|
|
|Ravibha
|
|[[Hasta]]
|-
|27
|रेवती
|[[Revati]]
|Revati
|"prosperous"?
|Nakshatra in [[Pisces|Psc]]
|-
|4
|रोहिणी
|[[Rohini]]
|Rohini
|"the red one"
|Nakshatra ([[Hyades]])
|-
|
|
|
|Roudra
|
|[[Ardra]]
|-
|
|
|Śakra
|
|
|[[Jyeshtha]]
|-
|
|
|
|Samudra pakshi
|
|from Arabic: i Cet
|-
|
|
|
|Sarpa
|
|[[Ashlesha]]
|-
|
|
|
|Sarpa shirsha
|head of serpent
|from Arabic: alf Ser
|-
|
|
|
|Sarpayukta
|one with serpent
|possibly Indian Indigenous: alf Ara
|-
|
|
|
|Sauroktarudra
|Rudra cited in Soura – may be suryasiddhanta
|possibly Indian Indigenous: alf Ori
|-
|
|
|
|Shakthibha
|
|possibly Indian Indigenous: eta Boo
|-
|24
|शतभिष/
शततारका
|[[Shatabhisha|Śatabhiṣa]]
|Shatabhisha/
Satabhisa
|a hundred physicians"
|Nakshatra in [[Aquarius|Aqr]]
|-
|
|
|
|Shishumaara
|dolphin or fish
|possibly Indian Indigenous: tet Oph
|-
|
|
|
|Shivabha
|
|[[Ardra]]
|-
|22
|श्रवण
|[[Shravana|Śravana]]
|Shravana
|Listening
|Nakshatra in [[Aquila]]
|-
|
|
|
|Sidhya
|
|[[Pushya]]
|-
|
|
|
|Simha PrishTha
|backside of lion
|from Arabic: del Leo
|-
|
|
|
|Simhaguhyam
|male organ of lion
|from Arabic: iot Leo
|-
|
|
|
|Simhasaka
|part of lion
|from Arabic: gam Leo
|-
|
|
|
|Skanda
|(6 headed karitikeya)
|possibly Indian Indigenous: alf Aur
|-
|
|
|
|Somya
|
|[[Mrigashira]]
|-
|
|
|Śraviṣṭhā
|Shravishtha
|
|[[Dhanishta]]
|-
|
|
|Śṛti
|Shirti
|
|[[Shravana]]
|-
|
|
|Supīṭha
|Supithha, Supeetha
|Auspicious seat / chair
|δ Cas (Shylaja+ (2016))
|-
|15
|स्वाति
|[[Svati]]
|Svati
|"Su-Ati - Goodness
|Nakshatra in [[Bootes]]
|-
|
|
|
|Tatpurato Muneendra
|the sage after that
|possibly Indian Indigenous: eps UMa
|-
|
|
|Tiṣya
|Tishya
|
|Pushya
|-
|
|
|
|Torana
|decorative motif on the main door
|possibly Indian Indigenous: alf Ser
|-
|
|
|
|Toya
|
|Purva Ashadha
|-
|
|
|[[Trivikrama]]
|Trivikrama
|three steps /one who put three steps
|possibly Indian Indigenous: ξν, μλ, ικ UMa
|-
|
|
|
|Tulaikasikha
|First star of Tula (Libra)
|an asterism in [[Libra]], perhaps [[Vishakha]] (Shylaja+ (2016))
|-
|
|
|
|Tulanyasikha
|Another star of Tula
|an asterism in [[Libra]] (Shylaja+ (2016))
|-
|
|
|[[Turaganga]]
|Turaganga
|
|
|-
|
|
|
|Turanga
|
|from Arabic: nu Cet
|-
|
|
|
|Turangaasa
|Body part of horse (from Arabic)
|(Shylaja+ (2016))
|-
|
|
|
|Tvarshtra
|
|[[Chitra]]
|-
|
|
|
|Upāntya
|
|[[Uttara Bhadrapada]]
|-
|
|
|
|Urdhva Paschimaga
|the one above and to the west
|possibly Indian Indigenous: alf UMa
|-
|21
|उत्तर आषाढा
|[[Uttara Ashadha|Uttara Āṣāḍhā]]
|Uttara Ashadha
|"Latter invincible"
|Nakshatra in [[Sagittarius|Sgr]]
|-
|26
|उत्तर भाद्रपदा/
उत्तर प्रोष्ठपदा
|[[Uttara Bhadrapada|Uttara Bhādrapada]]
|Uttara Bhadrapada
(U. Bhadra)
|"the second of the blessed feet"?
|Nakshatra in [[Pegasus|Peg]]+[[Andromeda|And]]
|-
|12
|उत्तर फाल्गुनी
|[[Uttara Phalguni|Uttara Phalgunī]]
|Uttara Phalguni
|"second reddish one"?
|Nakshatra in [[Leo]]
|-
|
|
|
|Vaisnava
|
|[[Shravana]]
|-
|
|
|
|Vaiśvadeva
|
|[[Uttara Ashadha]]
|-
|
|
|
|Vajibahu
|
|from Arabic: tet Cet
|-
|
|
|
|Varunarksha
|
|[[Shatabhisha|Satabhisa]]
|-
|
|
|
|Vāsava
|
|[[Dhanishta]]
|-
|
|
|
|VasishTha
|
|possibly Indian Indigenous: zet UMa
|-
|
|
|
|Vasubha
|
|[[Dhanishta]]
|-
|
|
|
|Vatsa
|calf of a cow
|possibly Indian Indigenous: bet Tau
|-
|
|
|
|Vayasa
|
|from Arabic: bet Cyg
|-
|
|
|
|Vidibha
|
|[[Abhijit]]
|-
|
|
|
|Viśākhā
|
|[[Vishakha]]
|-
|16
|विशाखा
|[[Vishakha]]
|Vishakha
|"forked, having many branches"
|Nakshatra in [[Libra]]
|-
|
|
|
|Yama
|May be same as Nadyantaka, South
|α Eri (Shylaja+ (2016))
|-
|
|
|
|Yamyavasu, Lubdhaka Bandhu
|southern vasu
|possibly Indian Indigenous: alf CMi
|-
|
|
|
|Yugala
|
|possibly Indian Indigenous: tet Oph
|-
|
|
|
|Yugasamkaravya
|
|possibly Indian Indigenous: gam Ori
|-
|
|युग्म
|
|[[Yugma]]
|"double" for the middle steps in [[Trivikrama]]
|possibly Indian Indigenous: lam, mu UMa (rarely also for gam+bet Dra)
|-
|
|युग्मक
|
|[[Yugmaka]]
|
|possibly Indian Indigenous: iot+kap UMa
|}

References

[[Category:Overviews]]
[[Category:South Asian]]
[[Category:Indian]]
[[Category:Service]]

Turaganga

2025-11-10T06:40:37Z

Shylaja: /* Spelling Variants */

{{DISPLAYTITLE:Turagānga}}
[[File:IdentTuraganga.png|thumb|map for the identification of Turaganga (CC BY B.S. Shylaja).]]
Turagānga (तुरगान्ग) is an Indian name that occurs in a 17th century star catalog. Most likely, it refers to a body part of the ancient Greek constellation of [[Pegasus]].

==Concordance, Etymology, History==
Turgānga means a body part (anga, अन्ग) of the horse (turaga, तुरग).

===Spelling Variants===
* Turagānga
* Turangaamsa

===Origin of Constellation===
The name is listed in a 17th century star catalogue by Nityānanda in the work ''Siddhāntarāja'' (1639 CE).<ref>Pai and Shylaja, 2021, JOAA, vol 42, 113</ref>

The verse provides the coordinates with numbers coded as ''sārdhadvaya'' (two and a half) and ''gobhūmi'' (19) <blockquote>Half of a degree added to two degrees 2|30 [is one of the coordinates of] the star Turagānga

which shines with second order brightness along the north [latitude] as nineteen degrees 19|0.</blockquote>It is mentioned in the twelfth Rāśi (राशिः), Mina (Pisces).

Since the Greek period in the fourth century CE, Indian astral science used not only the older (Vedic) division of the observable "path of the moon" into 27 nakṣatras, but adopted also the Graeco-Roman division into twelve equal sections called Rāśi (राशिः), equaling the traditional zodiacal signs. A rāśi (राशिः) or zodiacal sign is a section of 30° alongside the ecliptic. Since (Greek) antiquity, ecliptic longitudes are typically not counted from one to 359, but are given as "zodiacal sign ''xy''" or "rāśi ''xy''", where 0 ≤ ''xy'' ≤ 30.

Therefore, the statement "Mina 2|30" equalling 2.5° of the twelfth Rāśi, means we need to add 11x30=330 and 2.5° to obtain the ecliptic longitude ''λ''=332.5° or ''dhruvaka''=332|30. This is not corrected for precession.

For the ''vikṣepa'' (polar latitude measured along the hour circle) is 19|0 N.
[[File:TetPsc+alfPeg stellarium.jpg|thumb|Stellarium map of the region in question with tet Psc in the centre and naksatra and rasi displayed (SMH 2025).]]
If 19.0 is the ecliptic latitude, the star α Peg would have the correct latitude and the longitude of 332.5° would point to a date of measurement in 488/ 489 CE (1200 years prior to Nityānanda' star catalogue). If 19.0 is measured along the hour circle, only zeta Peg would have the correct latitude, but the longitude of 341° in 1639 CE would point to a date of the measurement of 1019 CE.
{| class="wikitable"
|+
! rowspan="2" |name
!ecliptic longitude λ
!ecliptic latitude β
! rowspan="2" |source
!Indian Name
|-
!''dhruvaka''
!''viksepa''
!
|-
|Turaganga
|332.5°
|19°
|Nityānanda
|
|-
|
|
|
|
|
|-
|α Peg
|348.5
|19.5
|Stellarium (1639)
|Ajapāda
|-
|θ Psc
|350.2
|9°
|Stellarium (1639)
|
|-
|ζ Peg
|341°
|17.75°
|Stellarium (1639)
|
|-
|γ Peg
|
|
|
|Ahirbudhnya
|}

===Transfer and Transformation of the Constellation===

==Religion/ Tales/ Mythology==
mnemonic tales and cultural significance

==Weblinks==
*

==References==
*[[References]] (general)

[[Category:Indian]] [[Category:Asterism]] [[Category:Constellation]][[Category:Eurasia]][[Category:South Asian]]

Turaganga

2025-11-10T06:39:58Z

Shylaja: introduced devnagari

{{DISPLAYTITLE:Turagānga}}
[[File:IdentTuraganga.png|thumb|map for the identification of Turaganga (CC BY B.S. Shylaja).]]
Turagānga (तुरगान्ग) is an Indian name that occurs in a 17th century star catalog. Most likely, it refers to a body part of the ancient Greek constellation of [[Pegasus]].

==Concordance, Etymology, History==
Turgānga means a body part (anga, अन्ग) of the horse (turaga, तुरग).

===Spelling Variants===
* Turagānga
* Turangaasa

===Origin of Constellation===
The name is listed in a 17th century star catalogue by Nityānanda in the work ''Siddhāntarāja'' (1639 CE).<ref>Pai and Shylaja, 2021, JOAA, vol 42, 113</ref>

The verse provides the coordinates with numbers coded as ''sārdhadvaya'' (two and a half) and ''gobhūmi'' (19) <blockquote>Half of a degree added to two degrees 2|30 [is one of the coordinates of] the star Turagānga

which shines with second order brightness along the north [latitude] as nineteen degrees 19|0.</blockquote>It is mentioned in the twelfth Rāśi (राशिः), Mina (Pisces).

Since the Greek period in the fourth century CE, Indian astral science used not only the older (Vedic) division of the observable "path of the moon" into 27 nakṣatras, but adopted also the Graeco-Roman division into twelve equal sections called Rāśi (राशिः), equaling the traditional zodiacal signs. A rāśi (राशिः) or zodiacal sign is a section of 30° alongside the ecliptic. Since (Greek) antiquity, ecliptic longitudes are typically not counted from one to 359, but are given as "zodiacal sign ''xy''" or "rāśi ''xy''", where 0 ≤ ''xy'' ≤ 30.

Therefore, the statement "Mina 2|30" equalling 2.5° of the twelfth Rāśi, means we need to add 11x30=330 and 2.5° to obtain the ecliptic longitude ''λ''=332.5° or ''dhruvaka''=332|30. This is not corrected for precession.

For the ''vikṣepa'' (polar latitude measured along the hour circle) is 19|0 N.
[[File:TetPsc+alfPeg stellarium.jpg|thumb|Stellarium map of the region in question with tet Psc in the centre and naksatra and rasi displayed (SMH 2025).]]
If 19.0 is the ecliptic latitude, the star α Peg would have the correct latitude and the longitude of 332.5° would point to a date of measurement in 488/ 489 CE (1200 years prior to Nityānanda' star catalogue). If 19.0 is measured along the hour circle, only zeta Peg would have the correct latitude, but the longitude of 341° in 1639 CE would point to a date of the measurement of 1019 CE.
{| class="wikitable"
|+
! rowspan="2" |name
!ecliptic longitude λ
!ecliptic latitude β
! rowspan="2" |source
!Indian Name
|-
!''dhruvaka''
!''viksepa''
!
|-
|Turaganga
|332.5°
|19°
|Nityānanda
|
|-
|
|
|
|
|
|-
|α Peg
|348.5
|19.5
|Stellarium (1639)
|Ajapāda
|-
|θ Psc
|350.2
|9°
|Stellarium (1639)
|
|-
|ζ Peg
|341°
|17.75°
|Stellarium (1639)
|
|-
|γ Peg
|
|
|
|Ahirbudhnya
|}

===Transfer and Transformation of the Constellation===

==Religion/ Tales/ Mythology==
mnemonic tales and cultural significance

==Weblinks==
*

==References==
*[[References]] (general)

[[Category:Indian]] [[Category:Asterism]] [[Category:Constellation]][[Category:Eurasia]][[Category:South Asian]]

Apamvatsa

2025-10-02T14:35:14Z

Shylaja: /* Origin of Name */ Table completed

{{DISPLAYTITLE:Āpaṃvatsa ()}}

[[File:0048 apa and apavatsapaperVII Fig2.jpeg|thumb|The stars identified by Shylaja and Pai (2019), their Table 2, are marked with red circles on the map of Virgo. The two arrows correspond to Apamvatsa and Apa. The original chart by IAU and Sky & Telescope magazine (Roger Sinnott & Rick Fienberg) is from Creative Commons.]]Apāṃvatsa (अपऻऺवत्स) is an Indian star name attested throughout the last millennium. The only indication of the position is Apamvatsa is 5° to the north of [[Chitra]] ([[Spica]]) in [[Virgo]]. No information on magnitudes is preserved.<ref>B. S. Shylaja and Venketeswara Pai (2019). Āpa and Apāṃvatsa – enigmatic stars catalogued in Sūryasiddhānta, J. Astrophys. Astr. (2019) 40:48, Indian Academy of Sciences</ref> Shylaja and Pai (2019) identify 74 Vir ([https://simbad.cds.unistra.fr/simbad/sim-basic?Ident=74+Vir&submit=SIMBAD+search SIMBAD], [https://vsx.aavso.org/index.php?view=detail.top&oid=44921 VSX]), a red giant of roughly one solar mass and apparent brightness of ''V''~4.69 mag. Red giants vary in brightness due to pulsation, but the VSX gives only an interval of 0.07 mag in V.

==Concordance, Etymology, History==

Translation:

Spelling Variants:

Identification Variants: Shylaja and Pai (2019) also discussed the Mira-variable S Vir that reaches V~6.3 mag in peaks, but find it unlikely. Yet, they conclude that the identification with 74 Vir is debatable.

=== Origin of Name ===
The text Sūryasiddhānta is considered as an authority from the 8th to the 19th century CE, but the author(s) remain unknown. Its date is estimated to the 4th or 5th century. It contains a chapter with lists of coordinates and names of stars, which allows for identifications.
{| class="wikitable"
|+
!Author
!Date (CE)
!Source/ Reference
! colspan="2" |Coordinates
|-
!
!
!
!Dh
!Vi
|-
|Aryabhaṭa
|5th century
|(not listed)
|
|
|-
|Lalla
|5th– 9th century
|Śiṣyadhīvṛddhidatantra of Lalla, ed. and tr. by Bina Chatterjee, vol II, INSA, New Delhi, 1981. (not listed)
|
|
|-
|Vaṭeśvara
|10th century
|Vaṭeśvarasiddhānta of Vaṭeśvara, critically edited with English translation and commentary, by Shukla K. S., INSA, New Delhi, 1985. (not listed)
|
|
|-
|Śrīpati
|12th century
|Siddhāntaśekhara, ed. and tr. by Sripada Bhat (INSA Report, unpublished) (not listed)
|
|
|-
|Sūryasiddhānta
|?
|Wilkinson and Bapudeva Sastri, 1861, online digital versions Google books
| colspan="2" |5° North of Citrā
|-
|Parameśvara
|13th century
|Commentary on SS (Not listed)
|
|
|-
|Padmanābha Manuscript B number 45892
|1423
|Yantrarāja-Adhikāra Chapter 1, Yantrakiraṇāvali, Ohashi Y., IJHS, 32.3 (1997) 199–295.
|<nowiki>185|9</nowiki>
|<nowiki>2|53</nowiki>
|-
|Padmanābha Manuscript A 45888
|1576 (or earlier)
|Yantrarāja-Adhikāra Chapter 1, Yantrakiraṇāvali, Ohashi Y., IJHS, 32.3 (1997) 199–295.
|<nowiki>185|9</nowiki>
|<nowiki>2|53</nowiki>
|-
|Ganeśa Daivajña
|
|Grahalāghava, ed. and tr. by Balachandra Rao S. and Uma S. K., 2008.
|183
|3
|-
|Munīśvara,
|1646
|Siddhāntasārvabhauma of Munīśvara, edited by Pt. Mīthālāla Ojhā, Saṃpurṇānand Sanskrit Vishvavidyalaya, Varanasi, 1978.
| colspan="2" |5° North of Citrā
|-
|Ketkar
|1855
|Ketakīya Grahagaṇitam
|
|
|-
|Candraśekhara Sāmanta
|1864
|Siddhāntadarpaṇa.
| colspan="2" |5° North of Citrā
|}

=== Transfer and Transformation ===

== Religion/ Tales/ Mythology ==
mnemonic tales and cultural significance

== Weblinks ==

* {{NAMESPACE}}

== References ==

* [[References]] (general)

[[Category:Indian]] [[Category:Asterism]] [[Category:Star Name]][[Category:Eurasia]][[Category:South Asian]][[Category:Vir]]

Apamvatsa

2025-10-02T10:28:37Z

Shylaja: inserted Devnagari fonts

{{DISPLAYTITLE:Āpaṃvatsa ()}}

[[File:0048 apa and apavatsapaperVII Fig2.jpeg|thumb|The stars identified by Shylaja and Pai (2019), their Table 2, are marked with red circles on the map of Virgo. The two arrows correspond to Apamvatsa and Apa. The original chart by IAU and Sky & Telescope magazine (Roger Sinnott & Rick Fienberg) is from Creative Commons.]]Apāṃvatsa (अपऻऺवत्स) is an Indian star name attested throughout the last millennium. The only indication of the position is Apamvatsa is 5° to the north of [[Chitra]] ([[Spica]]) in [[Virgo]]. No information on magnitudes is preserved.<ref>B. S. Shylaja and Venketeswara Pai (2019). Āpa and Apāṃvatsa – enigmatic stars catalogued in Sūryasiddhānta, J. Astrophys. Astr. (2019) 40:48, Indian Academy of Sciences</ref> Shylaja and Pai (2019) identify 74 Vir ([https://simbad.cds.unistra.fr/simbad/sim-basic?Ident=74+Vir&submit=SIMBAD+search SIMBAD], [https://vsx.aavso.org/index.php?view=detail.top&oid=44921 VSX]), a red giant of roughly one solar mass and apparent brightness of ''V''~4.69 mag. Red giants vary in brightness due to pulsation, but the VSX gives only an interval of 0.07 mag in V.

==Concordance, Etymology, History==

Translation:

Spelling Variants:

Identification Variants: Shylaja and Pai (2019) also discussed the Mira-variable S Vir that reaches V~6.3 mag in peaks, but find it unlikely. Yet, they conclude that the identification with 74 Vir is debatable.

=== Origin of Name ===
The text Sūryasiddhānta is considered as an authority from the 8th to the 19th century CE, but the author(s) remain unknown. Its date is estimated to the 4th or 5th century. It contains a chapter with lists of coordinates and names of stars, which allows for identifications.
{| class="wikitable"
|+
!Author
!Date (CE)
!Source/ Reference
! colspan="2" |Coordinates
|-
!
!
!
!Dh
!Vi
|-
|Aryabhaṭa
|5th century
|
|
|
|-
|Lalla
|5th– 9th century
|Śiṣyadhīvṛddhidatantra of Lalla, ed. and tr. by Bina Chatterjee, vol II, INSA, New Delhi, 1981.
|
|
|-
|Vaṭeśvara
|10th century
|Vaṭeśvarasiddhānta of Vaṭeśvara, critically edited with English translation and commentary, by Shukla K. S., INSA, New Delhi, 1985.
|
|
|-
|Śrīpati
|12th century
|Siddhāntaśekhara, ed. and tr. by Sripada Bhat (INSA Report, unpublished)
|
|
|-
|Sūryasiddhānta
|?
|Wilkinson and Bapudeva Sastri, 1861, online digital versions Google books
| colspan="2" |5° North of Citrā
|-
|Parameśvara
|13th century
|Commentary on SS
|
|
|-
|Padmanābha Manuscript B number 45892
|1423
|Yantrarāja-Adhikāra Chapter 1, Yantrakiraṇāvali, Ohashi Y., IJHS, 32.3 (1997) 199–295.
|<nowiki>185|9</nowiki>
|<nowiki>2|53</nowiki>
|-
|Padmanābha Manuscript A 45888
|1576 (or earlier)
|Yantrarāja-Adhikāra Chapter 1, Yantrakiraṇāvali, Ohashi Y., IJHS, 32.3 (1997) 199–295.
|<nowiki>185|9</nowiki>
|<nowiki>2|53</nowiki>
|-
|Ganeśa Daivajña
|
|Grahalāghava, ed. and tr. by Balachandra Rao S. and Uma S. K., 2008.
|183
|3
|-
|Munīśvara,
|1646
|Siddhāntasārvabhauma of Munīśvara, edited by Pt. Mīthālāla Ojhā, Saṃpurṇānand Sanskrit Vishvavidyalaya, Varanasi, 1978.
| colspan="2" |5° North of Citrā
|-
|Ketkar
|1855
|Ketakīya Grahagaṇitam
|
|
|-
|Candraśekhara Sāmanta
|1864
|Siddhāntadarpaṇa.
| colspan="2" |5° North of Citrā
|}

=== Transfer and Transformation ===

== Religion/ Tales/ Mythology ==
mnemonic tales and cultural significance

== Weblinks ==

* {{NAMESPACE}}

== References ==

* [[References]] (general)

[[Category:Indian]] [[Category:Asterism]] [[Category:Star Name]][[Category:Eurasia]][[Category:South Asian]][[Category:Vir]]

Apa

2025-10-01T16:42:03Z

Shylaja: The description itself has been cleared

{{DISPLAYTITLE:Āpa ()}}
[[File:0048 apa and apavatsapaperVII Fig2.jpeg|thumb|The stars identified by Shylaja and Pai (2019), their Table 2, are marked with red circles on the map of Virgo. The two arrows correspond to Apamvatsa and Apa. The original chart by IAU and Sky & Telescope magazine (Roger Sinnott & Rick Fienberg) is from Creative Commons.]]
Āpa, always named along with Apavatsa, is an Indian star name in Early Modern times. The only indication of the position is [[Apamvatsa]] is 5° to the north of [[Chitra]] ([[Spica]]) and Apa is further 6° to the north, so Apa is 11° north of Spica. No information on magnitudes is preserved.<ref>B. S. Shylaja and Venketeswara Pai (2019). Āpa and Apāṃvatsa – enigmatic stars catalogued in Sūryasiddhānta, J. Astrophys. Astr. (2019) 40:48, Indian Academy of Sciences</ref> The coordinates agree fairly well with Zeta Virginis.

==Concordance, Etymology, History==
Āpa means water. It is always listed with the other star Apamvatsa, meaning the 'offspring of Apa', as seen in many texts , the earliest being Suryasiddhanata. Candraśekhara (19th century) lists these two terms a single phrase, confusing that Apa is identified with its offspring.

===Origin of Constellation ===
The text Sūryasiddhānta is considered as an authority from the 8th to the 19th century CE, but the author(s) remain unknown. Its date is estimated to the 4th or 5th century. It contains a chapter with lists of coordinates and names of stars, which allows for identifications.

===Transfer and Transformation of the Constellation===

==Religion/ Tales/ Mythology==
mnemonic tales and cultural significance: No mythological stories are associated with this star

==Weblinks==

*{{NAMESPACE}}

==References==

*[[References]] (general)

[[Category:Indian]]
[[Category:Asterism]]
[[Category:Star Name]]
[[Category:Eurasia]]
[[Category:South Asian]]
[[Category:Vir]]

<references />

Apamvatsa

2025-10-01T16:23:27Z

Shylaja: spelling

{{DISPLAYTITLE:Āpaṃvatsa ()}}

[[File:0048 apa and apavatsapaperVII Fig2.jpeg|thumb|The stars identified by Shylaja and Pai (2019), their Table 2, are marked with red circles on the map of Virgo. The two arrows correspond to Apamvatsa and Apa. The original chart by IAU and Sky & Telescope magazine (Roger Sinnott & Rick Fienberg) is from Creative Commons.]]Apāṃvatsa is an Indian star name attested throughout the last millennium. The only indication of the position is Apamvatsa is 5° to the north of [[Chitra]] ([[Spica]]) in [[Virgo]]. No information on magnitudes is preserved.<ref>B. S. Shylaja and Venketeswara Pai (2019). Āpa and Apāṃvatsa – enigmatic stars catalogued in Sūryasiddhānta, J. Astrophys. Astr. (2019) 40:48, Indian Academy of Sciences</ref> Shylaja and Pai (2019) identify 74 Vir ([https://simbad.cds.unistra.fr/simbad/sim-basic?Ident=74+Vir&submit=SIMBAD+search SIMBAD], [https://vsx.aavso.org/index.php?view=detail.top&oid=44921 VSX]), a red giant of roughly one solar mass and apparent brightness of ''V''~4.69 mag. Red giants vary in brightness due to pulsation, but the VSX gives only an interval of 0.07 mag in V.

==Concordance, Etymology, History==

Translation:

Spelling Variants:

Identification Variants: Shylaja and Pai (2019) also discussed the Mira-variable S Vir that reaches V~6.3 mag in peaks, but find it unlikely. Yet, they conclude that the identification with 74 Vir is debatable.

=== Origin of Name ===
The text Sūryasiddhānta is considered as an authority from the 8th to the 19th century CE, but the author(s) remain unknown. Its date is estimated to the 4th or 5th century. It contains a chapter with lists of coordinates and names of stars, which allows for identifications.
{| class="wikitable"
|+
!Author
!Date (CE)
!Source/ Reference
! colspan="2" |Coordinates
|-
!
!
!
!Dh
!Vi
|-
|Aryabhaṭa
|5th century
|
|
|
|-
|Lalla
|5th– 9th century
|Śiṣyadhīvṛddhidatantra of Lalla, ed. and tr. by Bina Chatterjee, vol II, INSA, New Delhi, 1981.
|
|
|-
|Vaṭeśvara
|10th century
|Vaṭeśvarasiddhānta of Vaṭeśvara, critically edited with English translation and commentary, by Shukla K. S., INSA, New Delhi, 1985.
|
|
|-
|Śrīpati
|12th century
|Siddhāntaśekhara, ed. and tr. by Sripada Bhat (INSA Report, unpublished)
|
|
|-
|Sūryasiddhānta
|?
|Wilkinson and Bapudeva Sastri, 1861, online digital versions Google books
| colspan="2" |5° North of Citrā
|-
|Parameśvara
|13th century
|Commentary on SS
|
|
|-
|Padmanābha Manuscript B number 45892
|1423
|Yantrarāja-Adhikāra Chapter 1, Yantrakiraṇāvali, Ohashi Y., IJHS, 32.3 (1997) 199–295.
|<nowiki>185|9</nowiki>
|<nowiki>2|53</nowiki>
|-
|Padmanābha Manuscript A 45888
|1576 (or earlier)
|Yantrarāja-Adhikāra Chapter 1, Yantrakiraṇāvali, Ohashi Y., IJHS, 32.3 (1997) 199–295.
|<nowiki>185|9</nowiki>
|<nowiki>2|53</nowiki>
|-
|Ganeśa Daivajña
|
|Grahalāghava, ed. and tr. by Balachandra Rao S. and Uma S. K., 2008.
|183
|3
|-
|Munīśvara,
|1646
|Siddhāntasārvabhauma of Munīśvara, edited by Pt. Mīthālāla Ojhā, Saṃpurṇānand Sanskrit Vishvavidyalaya, Varanasi, 1978.
| colspan="2" |5° North of Citrā
|-
|Ketkar
|1855
|Ketakīya Grahagaṇitam
|
|
|-
|Candraśekhara Sāmanta
|1864
|Siddhāntadarpaṇa.
| colspan="2" |5° North of Citrā
|}

=== Transfer and Transformation ===

== Religion/ Tales/ Mythology ==
mnemonic tales and cultural significance

== Weblinks ==

* {{NAMESPACE}}

== References ==

* [[References]] (general)

[[Category:Indian]] [[Category:Asterism]] [[Category:Star Name]][[Category:Eurasia]][[Category:South Asian]][[Category:Vir]]

Apamvatsa

2025-10-01T16:16:26Z

Shylaja: /* Concordance, Etymology, History */

{{DISPLAYTITLE:Āpaṃvatsa ()}}

[[File:0048 apa and apavatsapaperVII Fig2.jpeg|thumb|The stars identified by Shylaja and Pai (2019), their Table 2, are marked with red circles on the map of Virgo. The two arrows correspond to Apamvatsa and Apa. The original chart by IAU and Sky & Telescope magazine (Roger Sinnott & Rick Fienberg) is from Creative Commons.]]Āpaṃvatsa is an Indian star name attested throughout the last millennium. The only indication of the position is Apamvatsa is 5° to the north of [[Chitra]] ([[Spica]]) in [[Virgo]]. No information on magnitudes is preserved.<ref>B. S. Shylaja and Venketeswara Pai (2019). Āpa and Apāṃvatsa – enigmatic stars catalogued in Sūryasiddhānta, J. Astrophys. Astr. (2019) 40:48, Indian Academy of Sciences</ref> Shylaja and Pai (2019) identify 74 Vir ([https://simbad.cds.unistra.fr/simbad/sim-basic?Ident=74+Vir&submit=SIMBAD+search SIMBAD], [https://vsx.aavso.org/index.php?view=detail.top&oid=44921 VSX]), a red giant of roughly one solar mass and apparent brightness of ''V''~4.69 mag. Red giants vary in brightness due to pulsation, but the VSX gives only an interval of 0.07 mag in V.

==Concordance, Etymology, History==

Translation:

Spelling Variants:

Identification Variants: Shylaja and Pai (2019) also discussed the Mira-variable S Vir that reaches V~6.3 mag in peaks, but find it unlikely. Yet, they conclude that the identification with 74 Vir is debatable.

=== Origin of Name ===
The text Sūryasiddhānta is considered as an authority from the 8th to the 19th century CE, but the author(s) remain unknown. Its date is estimated to the 4th or 5th century. It contains a chapter with lists of coordinates and names of stars, which allows for identifications.
{| class="wikitable"
|+
!Author
!Date (CE)
!Source/ Reference
! colspan="2" |Coordinates
|-
!
!
!
!Dh
!Vi
|-
|Aryabhaṭa
|5th century
|
|
|
|-
|Lalla
|5th– 9th century
|Śiṣyadhīvṛddhidatantra of Lalla, ed. and tr. by Bina Chatterjee, vol II, INSA, New Delhi, 1981.
|
|
|-
|Vaṭeśvara
|10th century
|Vaṭeśvarasiddhānta of Vaṭeśvara, critically edited with English translation and commentary, by Shukla K. S., INSA, New Delhi, 1985.
|
|
|-
|Śrīpati
|12th century
|Siddhāntaśekhara, ed. and tr. by Sripada Bhat (INSA Report, unpublished)
|
|
|-
|Sūryasiddhānta
|?
|Wilkinson and Bapudeva Sastri, 1861, online digital versions Google books
| colspan="2" |5° North of Citrā
|-
|Parameśvara
|13th century
|Commentary on SS
|
|
|-
|Padmanābha Manuscript B number 45892
|1423
|Yantrarāja-Adhikāra Chapter 1, Yantrakiraṇāvali, Ohashi Y., IJHS, 32.3 (1997) 199–295.
|<nowiki>185|9</nowiki>
|<nowiki>2|53</nowiki>
|-
|Padmanābha Manuscript A 45888
|1576 (or earlier)
|Yantrarāja-Adhikāra Chapter 1, Yantrakiraṇāvali, Ohashi Y., IJHS, 32.3 (1997) 199–295.
|<nowiki>185|9</nowiki>
|<nowiki>2|53</nowiki>
|-
|Ganeśa Daivajña
|
|Grahalāghava, ed. and tr. by Balachandra Rao S. and Uma S. K., 2008.
|183
|3
|-
|Munīśvara,
|1646
|Siddhāntasārvabhauma of Munīśvara, edited by Pt. Mīthālāla Ojhā, Saṃpurṇānand Sanskrit Vishvavidyalaya, Varanasi, 1978.
| colspan="2" |5° North of Citrā
|-
|Ketkar
|1855
|Ketakīya Grahagaṇitam
|
|
|-
|Candraśekhara Sāmanta
|1864
|Siddhāntadarpaṇa.
| colspan="2" |5° North of Citrā
|}

=== Transfer and Transformation ===

== Religion/ Tales/ Mythology ==
mnemonic tales and cultural significance

== Weblinks ==

* {{NAMESPACE}}

== References ==

* [[References]] (general)

[[Category:Indian]] [[Category:Asterism]] [[Category:Star Name]][[Category:Eurasia]][[Category:South Asian]][[Category:Vir]]

Shatabhisha

2025-08-20T10:47:02Z

Shylaja: inserted a reference

[[File:24 Shatabhisa draw.png|thumb|Shatabhisha is literally depicted with 100 stars in temples. ]]
[[File:24 naks Shatabhisha stellarium.gif|thumb|The Shatabhisa asterism covers an area in Aqr with countless faint stars. ]]
शतभिषक्/शततारका (Sanscrit for Satabhisa) is the 24th of the 27 Nakshatras. Spelling variants are Śatabhiṣa, (Śatabhiṣaj; Śatabhiṣak).

==Etymology and History==
The system of nakshatras for marking the path of the moon (and the sun) has been prevalent for almost 5000 years since the epics and older texts on astronomy mention the 27 asterisms with their determinative stars.

=== Etymology of the name ===
This nakshatra consists of four stars but the name consisting of the term "sata" for "100" led to the misinterpretation that there were one hundred stars. The earliest identification of the name getting associated with 100 stars by Varahamihira of 7th century has been carried forward.<ref name=":0">Shankar Balkrishna Dixit (1981). Indian Astronomy History (Bharatiya Jyotish Sastra 2). Orig. Sanscrit, translated to English by R. V. Vaidya, Delhi
</ref> The works prior to that refer to it as one to four star(s), <ref name=":0" /> see table on p. 344. Because of this misinterpretation, the asterism is sometimes referred to as '''śatatārā''' (also meaning 100 stars).

The word's literal meaning is ‘100 physicians’ (p. 346) – the origin for the number 100 remains unknown.<ref name=":0" />

=== Identifications ===
The asterism is in temples depicted as a geometrically perfect formation of 100 small stars in circles and lines. This suggests that the term "Shatabhisa" originally was used to describe the area with countless faint stars that do not form any recognizable pattern (and that was interpreted as the water in the outlet of a [[Aquarius]] Water-pourer in ancient Greece).

Vedic nakshatras were typically characterized (e.g. on astrolabes in Early Modern time or in historical star lists/ catalogues) by their main star. The main star (''yogatara'') of this asterism was λ Aquarii.

=== Main Star (Yogatara) ===
The star λ Aquarii is considered the determinative star of the nakshatra.<ref name=":0" /> Alternatively, in particular in mantic circles, alternatively γ Aqr is used (probably a reading or writing error). The identification with λ Aqr with Śatabhiṣa can be traced to the early works of Colebrook, Bentley, Whitney and Burgess, corroborated by Indian authors who were well versed with Siddhanta and European astronomy; they include Keropant, Bapudeva Sastry, V B Ketkar and S B Dikshit (all scholars of 19th century). We<ref>R. Venketeswara Pai and B. S. Shylaja , 2016, Measurement of coordinates of Nakśatras in Indian astronomy, Current Science, vol 111, issue 9, 1551-8</ref> checked the coordinates from the catalogue of Nityananda (15th century) and they match: There are no star maps with the names written down. The only chart that is available in Jaipur collection was prepared by Madho Singh (son of Sawai Jai Singh, who built the famous masonry instruments). It is a chart (T006, online catalogue of Sarma, 2023<ref>Sarma, S.R., 2023. A descriptive catalogue of Indian Astronomical Instruments MS https://srsarma.in/catalogue.php</ref>) for identifying the time of meridian transits of stars. The red pointers give the transit time; the black ones provide rise and times. From the chart we can read 56:32 ''ghaṭi'' for Śatabhiṣa. We need to understand this in the Indian system, which has a day is divided into 60 ghaṭi. On this scale for example, the meridian transit of Antares (Jyeṣṭha) occurs at 40:34 as per the Table. The difference 15:58 ''ghaṭi'' gets converted to 6<sup>h</sup> 23<sup>min</sup> (with 1 ''ghaṭi'' = 24 minutes). This is exactly the difference in their Right Ascensions, 22:52 - 16:29 = 6:23 (from stellarium).

In India, "nakshatras" are used to mark the movement of the moon. The path of the moon is visible in the sky as the moon occasionally covers stars in this rage of 5° around the ecliptic. λ Aquarii is directly at the ecliptic and therefore cannot only be covered by the moon but also by the planets which makes the star's position particularly interesting.

=== Modern India ===
In modern Indian planetariums and popular astronomy, the name Satabhisa is used for the star λ Aquarii (that stands pars pro toto for the nakshatra).

==Mythology==
There is a mantic meaning of all nakshatras. Each of them is ruled by a planet and a deity. The "Lord" of Satabhisa is the north lunar node (Rahu), the deity is Varuna, the god of cosmic waters, sky and Earth. The nakshatra covers the section of the zodiac 13° 46 to 27°06 Pisces (which now lays in the constellation of Aquarius due to precession).

==IAU Working Group Star Names==
The name was discussed and approved by the IAU WGSN in 2024. As this star is already named ..., the WGSN chose ... (not to apply/ to apply the name to a neighbouring star/ to ...) in the IAU-CSN.

*

== Reference ==

* https://archive.org/details/BharatiyaJyotishSastra2
* Sarma, S.R., 2023. A descriptive catalogue of Indian Astronomical Instruments MS https://srsarma.in/catalogue.php

[[Category:Single star-asterism‏‎]]
[[Category:Star Name‏‎]]
[[Category:Eurasia]]
[[Category:South Asian]]
[[Category:Indian]]
[[Category:Aqr]]

Shatabhisha

2025-08-20T10:42:24Z

Shylaja: a few more words added

[[File:24 Shatabhisa draw.png|thumb|Shatabhisha is literally depicted with 100 stars in temples. ]]
[[File:24 naks Shatabhisha stellarium.gif|thumb|The Shatabhisa asterism covers an area in Aqr with countless faint stars. ]]
शतभिषक्/शततारका (Sanscrit for Satabhisa) is the 24th of the 27 Nakshatras. Spelling variants are Śatabhiṣa, (Śatabhiṣaj; Śatabhiṣak).

==Etymology and History==
The system of nakshatras for marking the path of the moon (and the sun) has been prevalent for almost 5000 years since the epics and older texts on astronomy mention the 27 asterisms with their determinative stars.

=== Etymology of the name ===
This nakshatra consists of four stars but the name consisting of the term "sata" for "100" led to the misinterpretation that there were one hundred stars. The earliest identification of the name getting associated with 100 stars by Varahamihira of 7th century has been carried forward.<ref name=":0">Shankar Balkrishna Dixit (1981). Indian Astronomy History (Bharatiya Jyotish Sastra 2). Orig. Sanscrit, translated to English by R. V. Vaidya, Delhi
</ref> The works prior to that refer to it as one to four star(s), <ref name=":0" /> see table on p. 344. Because of this misinterpretation, the asterism is sometimes referred to as '''śatatārā''' (also meaning 100 stars).

The word's literal meaning is ‘100 physicians’ (p. 346) – the origin for the number 100 remains unknown.<ref name=":0" />

=== Identifications ===
The asterism is in temples depicted as a geometrically perfect formation of 100 small stars in circles and lines. This suggests that the term "Shatabhisa" originally was used to describe the area with countless faint stars that do not form any recognizable pattern (and that was interpreted as the water in the outlet of a [[Aquarius]] Water-pourer in ancient Greece).

Vedic nakshatras were typically characterized (e.g. on astrolabes in Early Modern time or in historical star lists/ catalogues) by their main star. The main star (''yogatara'') of this asterism was λ Aquarii.

=== Main Star (Yogatara) ===
The star λ Aquarii is considered the determinative star of the nakshatra.<ref name=":0" /> Alternatively, in particular in mantic circles, alternatively γ Aqr is used (probably a reading or writing error). The identification with λ Aqr with Śatabhiṣa can be traced to the early works of Colebrook, Bentley, Whitney and Burgess, corroborated by Indian authors who were well versed with Siddhanta and European astronomy; they include Keropant, Bapudeva Sastry, V B Ketkar and S B Dikshit (all scholars of 19th century). We checked the coordinates from the catalogue of Nityananda (15th century) and they match: There are no star maps with the names written down. The only chart that is available in Jaipur collection was prepared by Madho Singh (son of Sawai Jai Singh, who built the famous masonry instruments). It is a chart (T006, online catalogue of Sarma, 2023<ref>Sarma, S.R., 2023. A descriptive catalogue of Indian Astronomical Instruments MS https://srsarma.in/catalogue.php</ref>) for identifying the time of meridian transits of stars. The red pointers give the transit time; the black ones provide rise and times. From the chart we can read 56:32 ''ghaṭi'' for Śatabhiṣa. We need to understand this in the Indian system, which has a day is divided into 60 ghaṭi. On this scale for example, the meridian transit of Antares (Jyeṣṭha) occurs at 40:34 as per the Table. The difference 15:58 ''ghaṭi'' gets converted to 6<sup>h</sup> 23<sup>min</sup> (with 1 ''ghaṭi'' = 24 minutes). This is exactly the difference in their Right Ascensions, 22:52 - 16:29 = 6:23 (from stellarium).

In India, "nakshatras" are used to mark the movement of the moon. The path of the moon is visible in the sky as the moon occasionally covers stars in this rage of 5° around the ecliptic. λ Aquarii is directly at the ecliptic and therefore cannot only be covered by the moon but also by the planets which makes the star's position particularly interesting.

=== Modern India ===
In modern Indian planetariums and popular astronomy, the name Satabhisa is used for the star λ Aquarii (that stands pars pro toto for the nakshatra).

==Mythology==
There is a mantic meaning of all nakshatras. Each of them is ruled by a planet and a deity. The "Lord" of Satabhisa is the north lunar node (Rahu), the deity is Varuna, the god of cosmic waters, sky and Earth. The nakshatra covers the section of the zodiac 13° 46 to 27°06 Pisces (which now lays in the constellation of Aquarius due to precession).

==IAU Working Group Star Names==
The name was discussed and approved by the IAU WGSN in 2024. As this star is already named ..., the WGSN chose ... (not to apply/ to apply the name to a neighbouring star/ to ...) in the IAU-CSN.

*

== Reference ==

* https://archive.org/details/BharatiyaJyotishSastra2
* Sarma, S.R., 2023. A descriptive catalogue of Indian Astronomical Instruments MS https://srsarma.in/catalogue.php

[[Category:Single star-asterism‏‎]]
[[Category:Star Name‏‎]]
[[Category:Eurasia]]
[[Category:South Asian]]
[[Category:Indian]]
[[Category:Aqr]]

Ilvala

2025-08-12T10:35:24Z

Shylaja: translieration for Sanskrit words

{{DISPLAYTITLE:Ilvala (इल्वल)}}

Ilvala is an Indian name of a constellation. It is described in the Amarakosa, the authentic dictionary which has been orally transmitted over millenia, as comprising of the three stars near Mṛgaśira. As one of the 27 stars Mṛgaśira is identified with Lambda Orionis and the three stars of Ilvala constitute the belt of Orion<ref>B S Shylaja and Venketeswara R Pai, 2024, Journal of Astronomical History and Heritage, Vol 27, Issue1, p127-134</ref>.
[[File:Ilvala.jpg|thumb|This is the drawing extracted from the book "Orion" by Bal Gangadhar Tilak showing the region of the sky surrounding Orion. The name Ilvala corresponding the belt of Orion has been shown in red circle]]

The astronomical reference to this name appears in a book dated 1896 by Bal Gangādhar Tilak<ref>Tilak, B.G., 1893. The Orion or the Antiquity of the Vedas. Bombay, Mrs. Rádhábái Átmárám Sagoon https://www.researchgate.net/deref/https%3A%2F%2Farchive.org%2Fdetails%2Forionortheantiqu021979mbp?_tp=eyJjb250ZXh0Ijp7ImZpcnN0UGFnZSI6Il9kaXJlY3QiLCJwYWdlIjoicHVibGljYXRpb24iLCJwb3NpdGlvbiI6InBhZ2VDb250ZW50In19</ref>. The other reference available in a contemporary source<ref>P C Naik and L Satpathy, 1998, Bulletin of the Astronomical Society of India, Vol 26 p33</ref> is by Sāmanta Chandrashekhar Pathani (1835-1904), the last traditional astronomer. He includes this in his star list in the treatise Siddhānta darpana.

==Concordance, Etymology, History==
Ilvala as a star name seems to have been forgotten as it is not listed in any other astronomical text. The namesake is a demon with a popular story narrated in the epic Mahabharata. He plotted to kill sages with the help of his brother - the scheme was to convert the brother Vatāpi into a lamb and cook him to be served to hungry people. Once they are through he would call out for his brother who would emerge tearing open the stomach of those who ate him. The muders went unabated till sage Agasthya also was offered this lunch. Agasthya ate and ordered, ' Vatāpi, get digested'. Thus, the plot did not work.

This story cannot be related to the three stars in any way.

=== Origin of Constellation ===

=== Transfer and Transformation of the Constellation ===

== Mythology ==
mnemonic tales and cultural significance

== Weblinks ==

* {{NAMESPACE}}

== References ==

* [[References]] (general)

[[Category:Indian]] [[Category:Asterism]] [[Category:Constellation]][[Category:Eurasia]][[Category:South Asian]]

Ilvala

2025-08-12T10:31:23Z

Shylaja: image inserted

{{DISPLAYTITLE:Ilvala (इल्वल)}}

Ilvala is an Indian name of a constellation. It is described in the Amarakosa, the authentic dictionary which has been orally transmitted over millenia, as comprising of the three stars near Mṛgaśira. As one of the 27 stars Mṛgaśira is identified with Lambda Orionis and the three stars of Ilvala constitute the belt of Orion<ref>B S Shylaja and Venketeswara R Pai, 2024, Journal of Astronomical History and Heritage, Vol 27, Issue1, p127-134</ref>.
[[File:Ilvala.jpg|thumb|This is the drawing extracted from the book "Orion" by Bal Gangadhar Tilak showing the region of the sky surrounding Orion. The name Ilvala corresponding the belt of Orion has been shown in red circle]]

The astronomical reference to this name appears in a book dated 1896 by Bal Gangadhar Tilak<ref>Tilak, B.G., 1893. The Orion or the Antiquity of the Vedas. Bombay, Mrs. Rádhábái Átmárám Sagoon https://www.researchgate.net/deref/https%3A%2F%2Farchive.org%2Fdetails%2Forionortheantiqu021979mbp?_tp=eyJjb250ZXh0Ijp7ImZpcnN0UGFnZSI6Il9kaXJlY3QiLCJwYWdlIjoicHVibGljYXRpb24iLCJwb3NpdGlvbiI6InBhZ2VDb250ZW50In19</ref>. The other reference available in a contemporary source<ref>P C Naik and L Satpathy, 1998, Bulletin of the Astronomical Society of India, Vol 26 p33</ref> is by Samanta Chandrashekhar Pathani (1835-1904), the last traditional astronomer. He includes this in his star list in the treatise Siddhanta darpana.

==Concordance, Etymology, History==
Ilvala as a star name seems to have been forgotten as it is not listed in any other astronomical text. The namesake is a demon with a popular story narrated in the epic Mahabharata. He plotted to kill sages with the help of his brother - the scheme was to convert the brother Vatapi into a lamb and cook him to be served to hungry people. Once they are through he would call out for his brother who would emerge tearing open the stomach of those who ate him. The muders went unabated till sage Agasthya also was offered this lunch. Agasthya ate and ordered, ' Vatapi, get digested'. Thus, the plot did not work.

This story cannot be related to the three stars in any way.

=== Origin of Constellation ===

=== Transfer and Transformation of the Constellation ===

== Mythology ==
mnemonic tales and cultural significance

== Weblinks ==

* {{NAMESPACE}}

== References ==

* [[References]] (general)

[[Category:Indian]] [[Category:Asterism]] [[Category:Constellation]][[Category:Eurasia]][[Category:South Asian]]

File:Ilvala.jpg

2025-08-12T10:28:53Z

Shylaja:

The extract from the book Orion by Bal Gangadhar Tilak from internet archives - the name Ilvala has been circled in red

Ilvala

2025-08-12T10:18:48Z

Shylaja: text has been added

{{DISPLAYTITLE:Ilvala (इल्वल)}}

Ilvala is an Indian name of a constellation. It is described in the Amarakosa, the authentic dictionary which has been orally transmitted over millenia, as comprising of the three stars near Mṛgaśira. As one of the 27 stars Mṛgaśira is identified with Lambda Orionis and the three stars of Ilvala constitute the belt of Orion<ref>B S Shylaja and Venketeswara R Pai, 2024, Journal of Astronomical History and Heritage, Vol 27, Issue1, p127-134</ref>.

The astronomical reference to this name appears in a book dated 1896 by Bal Gangadhar Tilak<ref>Tilak, B.G., 1893. The Orion or the Antiquity of the Vedas. Bombay, Mrs. Rádhábái Átmárám Sagoon https://www.researchgate.net/deref/https%3A%2F%2Farchive.org%2Fdetails%2Forionortheantiqu021979mbp?_tp=eyJjb250ZXh0Ijp7ImZpcnN0UGFnZSI6Il9kaXJlY3QiLCJwYWdlIjoicHVibGljYXRpb24iLCJwb3NpdGlvbiI6InBhZ2VDb250ZW50In19</ref>. The other reference available in a contemporary source<ref>P C Naik and L Satpathy, 1998, Bulletin of the Astronomical Society of India, Vol 26 p33</ref> is by Samanta Chandrashekhar Pathani (1835-1904), the last traditional astronomer. He includes this in his star list in the treatise Siddhanta darpana.

==Concordance, Etymology, History==
Ilvala as a star name seems to have been forgotten as it is not listed in any other astronomical text. The namesake is a demon with a popular story narrated in the epic Mahabharata. He plotted to kill sages with the help of his brother - the scheme was to convert the brother Vatapi into a lamb and cook him to be served to hungry people. Once they are through he would call out for his brother who would emerge tearing open the stomach of those who ate him. The muders went unabated till sage Agasthya also was offered this lunch. Agasthya ate and ordered, ' Vatapi, get digested'. Thus, the plot did not work.

This story cannot be related to the three stars in any way.

=== Origin of Constellation ===

=== Transfer and Transformation of the Constellation ===

== Mythology ==
mnemonic tales and cultural significance

== Weblinks ==

* {{NAMESPACE}}

== References ==

* [[References]] (general)

[[Category:Indian]] [[Category:Asterism]] [[Category:Constellation]][[Category:Eurasia]][[Category:South Asian]]

Shylaja: /* IAU Working Group Star Names */

Shatabhisha

2024-11-06T07:13:36Z

Shylaja: /* Mythology */

A brief information (language, culture of origin)

==Etymology and History==
This is Lambda Aquraius, identified with Śatabhiṣa, (Śatabhiṣaj; Śatabhiṣak) the 24th star among the 27 identified to mark the movement of the moon. This system of marking the path of the moon (and the sun) has been prevalent for almost 5000 years since the epics and older texts on astronomy mention the 27 stars.

==Mythology==
The literal meaning of the word is ‘100 physicians’ – the origin is not known. Dikshit, 1981, p346 (https://archive.org/details/BharatiyaJyotishSastra2, p347) notes that the word śata was misunderstood as 100 and so the asterism was jotted down as consisting of 100 stars. The earliest identification of 100 stars by Varahamihira of 7th century has been carried forward. The works prior to that refer to it as a single star as per the table in p344. Because of this misidentification it is sometimes referred to as śatatārā, (meaning 100 stars) also.

==IAU Working Group Star Names==
The name was discussed and approved by the IAU WGSN in 202x. As this star is already named ..., the WGSN chose ... (not to apply/ to apply the name to a neighbouring star/ to ...) in the IAU-CSN.

== Weblinks ==

*

== Reference ==

[[Category:Single star-asterism‏‎]]
[[Category:Star Name‏‎]]
[[Category:Eurasia]]
[[Category:South Asian]]
[[Category:Indian]]

Shatabhisha

2024-11-06T07:11:09Z

Shylaja: /* Etymology and History */