Paushna

Pouṣṇa पौष्ण

The possible identification of the five stars of Revati from the temple engraving. They are e d z89 and 96

The position is indicated by the blue symbol between zeta and epsilon Psc

Authors: ASE Tech Team, Shylaja, Susanne M Hoffmann

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Pouṣṇa (पौष्ण) is another name for Revati, (रेवती), the 27th star

Etymology and History

Name Variants

• Revati
• Pouṣṇa (पौष्ण)

Pouṣṇa (पौष्ण) is also the name of the 27th nakshatra and specifically its yogatara (main star) Revati is assigned ζ Psc. This has the presiding deity as Pūṣan, the Sun. The word Pouṣṇa is derived from Pūṣan.

Identification and Main Star

Revati's shape in temple illustrations shows a group of five stars epsilon, delta, ζ, 89 and 96 Psc . It matches a characteristic arch pattern including its determinative star (ζ Psc) in the Pisces/Andromeda area. We arrive at the identification with Z Psc as determined from the coordinates of Sūryasiddhānta.

In the catalogue of stars provided by Nityananda of 17th century the entry corresponds to the name Pouṣṇa, the ecliptic longitude if 359 degrees and the latitude zero. This position is midway between ζ Psc and epislon Psc. Hence we propose the name Pouṣṇa for epsilon Psc.

Transfer and Transformation

• 
  Revati 10th century
• 
  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).
• 
  Revati, Tibetean
• 
  Revati, Chinese
• 
  Revati Hindu
• 
• 
  Lord Revati
• 
  Revati as reconstructed by Jones (1720)

Reference

• References (general)