List of Nakshatras

In Ancient Indian astronomy, there are 27 nakshatras , or sectors along the ecliptic. A list of them is first found in the Vedanga Jyotisha, a text dated to the final centuries BCE. The Nakṣatra system predates the influence of Hellenistic astronomy on Vedic tradition, which became prevalent from about the 2nd century CE. There are various systems of enumerating the Nakṣatra-s; although there are 27-28 days to a sidereal month, by custom only 27 days are used. The following list gives the corresponding regions of sky. Months in the modern Indian national calendar -- despite still carrying names that derive from the nakshatras -- do not signify any material correlation. It stands to reason that during the original naming of these months -- whenever that happened -- they were indeed based on the nakshatiras that coincided with them in some manner. The modern Indian national calendar is a solar calendar, much like the Gregorian calendar wherein solstices and equinoxes fall on the same date(s) every year.

Padas (quarters)

The 27 Nakshatras cover 13°20’ of the ecliptic each. Each Nakshatra is also divided into quarters or padas of 3°20’, and the below table lists the appropriate starting sound to name the child. The 27 nakshatras, each with 4 padas, give 108, which is the number of beads in a Japa mala, indicating all the elements (ansh) of Vishnu:

Names in Indian and Asian languages

The names of nakshatras in other languages are adapted from the Sanskrit variation (apabhramsa) through Pali or Prakrit. The variations evolved for easier pronunciation in popular usage.

References

1. Nakshatra
2. Ashlesha (nakshatra)
3. Ardra Nakshatra
4. Lists of constellations
5. Abhijit (nakshatra)
6. Svati
7. Phalguni
8. Punarvasu
9. Bharani
10. Kṛttikā
11. Ashvini
12. Mrigashīrsha
13. Adityas
14. Lunar station
15. Panchangam
16. Vasu
17. Dhanishta
18. Nakshathra Nagesh
19. Nakshatra (film)
20. Budha