Hasta

Authors: Susanne M Hoffmann

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Hasta , the 13th nakshatra, in Tirupperunthurai (Athmanathaswamy temple) near Aranthangi, India, 10th century CE. (SMH 2025).

Nakshatras 13 and 14, Hasta and Citra, marked on the Stellarium map (WGSN 2025).

Hasta (हस्त) 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

• Hasta
• Kara,
• Ravibha

The term "Hasta" means "hand". Temple depictions show it with five stars, and it is identified with the five stars (β, α, ε, γ, and δ Corvi) of modern Corvus that form a remarkable and easily recognizable pattern in the night sky.

Origin of Constellation

Stars within the Constellation Area

id	Label	IAU design.	description	Vmag
1	Gienah	HIP 59803	Constellation lines (Vertex)	2.58
2	Kraz	HIP 61359	Constellation lines (Vertex)	2.64
3	Algorab	HIP 60965	Constellation lines	2.94
4	ϵ Corvi	HIP 59316	Constellation lines (Vertex)	2.98
5	Alchiba	HIP 59199	Constellation lines (Vertex)	4.01
6	η Corvi	HIP 61174	Constellation lines (Vertex)	4.294
7	ζ Corvi	HIP 60189	Inside the hull	5.21
8	3 Crv	HIP 59394	Inside the hull	5.47
9	-	HIP 59728	Inside the hull	5.807
10	-	HIP 60157	Inside the hull	5.97
11	-	HIP 60809	Inside the hull	6.294
12	-	HIP 61208	Inside the hull	6.39

Transfer and Transformation of the Constellation

• 
  Hasta 10th century CE
• 
  Display of all 28th nakshatras in silver arch with candles in Tirupperunthurai (Athmanathaswamy temple) near Aranthangi, India, 10th century CE. (SMH 2025).
• 
  Display of all 28th nakshatras in a door frame in Tirupperunthurai (Athmanathaswamy temple) near Aranthangi, India, 10th century CE. (SMH 2025).
• Hasta Chinese
  Hasta Chinese
• 
  Hasta as reconstructed by Jones (1720)

Mythology

mnemonic tales and cultural significance

References

• References (general)