Vedic Thought on Nakshatra Science

The various references mentioned in Vedic literature reflect the development of astronomy or celestial knowledge of that time. The sages of that era were well aware of the terrestrial effects of celestial bodies, as is evident from the references described in the Rigveda. The Vedic people had a special understanding of the moon’s movements. As a result, nearly all ancient civilizations’ calendars were lunar-based. The study of the moon’s movements led to the observation that its orbit in relation to the bright and easily recognizable stars it encountered took approximately 27 days. These 27 divisions of the moon’s path were called “Nakshatras” in astrology. Although solar-based calculations were predominant during the Vedic period, the post-Vedic era saw the prevalence of nakshatrabased calculations. This implies that during this time, month names like Chaitra began to be used more frequently than names like Madhva. Mr. Tilak, in his work Orion, concluded from comparing references in the Taittiriya Samhita and the Tandya Brahmana that the term “Phalguni Purnima” from the Taittiriya Samhita had evolved to “Phalguni” in the Tandya Brahmana. However, the use of month names like Phalguna, Chaitra, and Vaishakha had not yet started at that time. Nonetheless, references in the later parts of the Shatapatha Brahmana, Kaushitaki Brahmana, Tandya Brahmana, and Panchavimsha Brahmana indicate that the usage of Chaitra and similar names began towards the end of the Brahmana period. Therefore, from the post-Vedic period and the time of Vedanga Jyotisha until the present, nakshatra-based calculations have been predominant in most calendar systems. Keywords: Rigveda, month duration, lunar calendar, nakshatra, Arjuni, Agha, Shadvedanga, Vedanga Jyotisha, star clusters, Mrigashira, nakshatra-based.