Nakshatra, Nakṣatra, Nākṣatra: 37 definitions

Introduction:

Nakshatra means something in Buddhism, Pali, Hinduism, Sanskrit, Jainism, Prakrit, the history of ancient India, Marathi, Hindi. If you want to know the exact meaning, history, etymology or English translation of this term then check out the descriptions on this page. Add your comment or reference to a book if you want to contribute to this summary article.

The Sanskrit terms Nakṣatra and Nākṣatra can be transliterated into English as Naksatra or Nakshatra, using the IAST transliteration scheme (?).

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In Hinduism

Jyotisha (astronomy and astrology)

[«previous next»] — Nakshatra in Jyotisha glossary
Source: Wisdom Library: Jyotiṣa

Nakṣatra (नक्षत्र) refers to “lunar mansion”. The term is used throughout Jyotiṣa literature.

Source: Wisdom Library: Brihat Samhita by Varahamihira

Nākṣatra (नाक्षत्र) refers to the “siderial months”, according to the Bṛhatsaṃhitā (chapter 2), an encyclopedic Sanskrit work written by Varāhamihira mainly focusing on the science of ancient Indian astronomy astronomy (Jyotiṣa).—Accordingly, “We shall now proceed to give a brief description of (the qualifications of) a jyotiṣaka. [...] He must have a clear knowledge of the causes of Solar, Savana, Siderial [i.e., nākṣatra] and Lunar months as well as of intercalary lunations and intercalary days. He must have a knowledge of the beginning and end of Śaṣṭyābda (a cycle of 60 years) [Ṣaṣṭyabda?], a Yuga (5 years), Varṣa (a year), Māsa (a month), Thina (a day) and Horā (an hour) and of their lords”.

Source: Google Books: Studies in the History of the Exact Sciences (Astronomy)

Nakṣatra (नक्षत्र) refers to “lunar mansions”, according to the Ghaṭikāyantraghaṭanāvidhi, an unpublished manuscript describing the ritual connected with the setting up of the water clock and its invocation.—Accordingly, “[Now the pala-verses]: [...] May the Sun [i.e., mārtāṇḍa], the Moon [i.e., tārānātha], Mars [i.e., kṣoṇīsūnu], Mercury [i.e., indusūnu], Jupiter [i.e., vāgīśa], Venus [i.e., daityācārya], Saturn [i.e., chāyāputra], Rāhu and Ketu, all these, together with the lunar mansions [i.e., nakṣatra] beginning with Aśvinī, and all these stars, produce auspiciousness, constant good health, prosperity, and longevity [for the couple]”.

Source: Wikibooks (hi): Sanskrit Technical Terms

Nakṣatra (नक्षत्र).—1. One of the twenty-seven or twenty-eight constellations that lie in the orbital path of the Moon. 2. An arc of the ecliptic with length 13° 20' , associated with one of the above mentioned lunar constellations. 3. An interval of time during which the Moon traverses an arc of 13° 20'. 4. Asterism. Note: Nakṣatra is a Sanskrit technical term used in ancient Indian sciences such as Astronomy, Mathematics and Geometry.

Jyotisha book cover
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Jyotisha (ज्योतिष, jyotiṣa or jyotish) refers to ‘astronomy’ or “Vedic astrology” and represents the fifth of the six Vedangas (additional sciences to be studied along with the Vedas). Jyotisha concerns itself with the study and prediction of the movements of celestial bodies, in order to calculate the auspicious time for rituals and ceremonies.

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Purana and Itihasa (epic history)

[«previous next»] — Nakshatra in Purana glossary
Source: archive.org: Shiva Purana - English Translation

Nakṣatra (नक्षत्र) refers to the “constellations”, according to the Śivapurāṇa 2.3.49 (“The delusion of Brahmā”).—Accordingly, as the Gods eulogised Śiva: “[...] The seven oceans are your clothes. The quarters are your long arms. The firmament is your head, O all-pervasive. The sky is your navel. The wind is your nose. O lord, the fire, the sun and the moon are your eyes. The clouds are your hair. The [+, nakṣatra ?] planets and the stars are your ornaments. O lord of gods, how shall I eulogise you? O supreme lord, you are beyond description. O Śiva, you are incomprehensible to the mind. [...]”.

Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: The Purana Index

1) Nakṣatra (नक्षत्र).—Stars as sons of Dākṣāyaṇī1 do not shine in Ilāvṛta;2 living by them (astrology) leads one to hell;3 the maṇḍalam of, 10,000 Yojanas from the moon;4 27 daughters of Dakṣa married to Soma;5 lord of;6 ety.7

  • 1) Brahmāṇḍa-purāṇa II. 24. 91; Matsya-purāṇa 2. 7; Vāyu-purāṇa 1. 101; 7. 16; 24. 77; 30. 146; 107. 45.
  • 2) Brahmāṇḍa-purāṇa II. 17. 10.
  • 3) Ib. IV. 2. 163; Vāyu-purāṇa 101. 161.
  • 4) Vāyu-purāṇa Brahmāṇḍa-purāṇa IV. 2. 130.
  • 5) Matsya-purāṇa 4. 55; 8. 3; 171. 31; Vāyu-purāṇa 66. 37, 53; 90. 21.
  • 6) Ib. 34. 90; 53. 29.
  • 7) Ib. 53. 50.

2) Nākṣatra (नाक्षत्र).—Measurement of time of 625 Kalas.*

  • * Vāyu-purāṇa 100. 223.
Purana book cover
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The Purana (पुराण, purāṇas) refers to Sanskrit literature preserving ancient India’s vast cultural history, including historical legends, religious ceremonies, various arts and sciences. The eighteen mahapuranas total over 400,000 shlokas (metrical couplets) and date to at least several centuries BCE.

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Vastushastra (architecture)

Source: McGill: The architectural theory of the Mānasāra

Nakṣatra (नक्षत्र, “planet”) refers to the third of āyādiṣaḍvarga, six principles that constitute the “horoscope” of an architectural or iconographic object, according to the Mānasāra (IX, 63-73). Their application is intended to “verify” the measurements of the architectural and iconographic object against the dictates of astrology that lay out the conditions of auspiciousness.

Nakṣatra and ṛkṣa, sometimes used interchangeably as synonyms in the text, however, are different in a strict technical sense. Ṛkṣa is the Plaedis or constellation of seven stars (the Great Bear, Seven Sages), while nakṣatra literally means a star, asterism (that is, a constellation of heavenly bodies), 27 number.

They are in order as follows:

  1. Aśvinī;
  2. Bharaṇī;
  3. Kārttikā;
  4. Rohiṇī or Brāhmī;
  5. Mṛgaśiras;
  6. Ārdrā;
  7. Punarvāsū or Yāmakau;
  8. Puṣya or Siddhya;
  9. Āśleṣā;
  10. Māghā;
  11. Pūrva-phālguṇī;
  12. Uttara-phālguṇī;
  13. Hasta;
  14. Citrā;
  15. Svāti;
  16. Viśākhā;
  17. Anurādhā;
  18. Jyeṣṭha;
  19. Mūla;
  20. Pūrvāṣāḍhā;
  21. Uttarāṣāḍhā;
  22. Abhijit;
  23. Śravaṇa;
  24. Śraviṣṭā;
  25. Śatabhiṣaj;
  26. Bhādrapāda;
  27. Revati.

In the context of village planning and measurement, the text sates that among the stars, the ones that are pūrṇa, odd (literally, “full, complete”), are auspicious and the ones that are karṇa, even (literally, “ear”), inauspicious. In iconographic measurement, however, the role given is that all except the sixth, eighth and ninth nakṣatras are auspicious. In both cases, the janmanakṣatra, birth-star of the patron or of the sthapati, as applies, even if in itself an inauspicious star, is always considered as auspicious for the architectural and iconographic object.

Source: OpenEdition books: Architectural terms contained in Ajitāgama and Rauravāgama

Nakṣatra (नक्षत्र) refers to “n. one of the āyādi formulas § 2.6-7.”.—(For paragraphs cf. Les enseignements architecturaux de l'Ajitāgama et du Rauravāgama by Bruno Dagens)

Vastushastra book cover
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Vastushastra (वास्तुशास्त्र, vāstuśāstra) refers to the ancient Indian science (shastra) of architecture (vastu), dealing with topics such architecture, sculpture, town-building, fort building and various other constructions. Vastu also deals with the philosophy of the architectural relation with the cosmic universe.

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Ganitashastra (Mathematics and Algebra)

Source: archive.org: Hindu Mathematics

Nakṣatra (नक्षत्र) represents the number 27 (twenty-seven) in the “word-numeral system” (bhūtasaṃkhyā), which was used in Sanskrit texts dealing with astronomy, mathematics, metrics, as well as in the dates of inscriptions and manuscripts in ancient Indian literature.—A system of expressing numbers by means of words arranged as in the place-value notation was developed and perfected in India in the early centuries of the Christian era. In this system the numerals [e.g., 27—nakṣatra] are expressed by names of things, beings or concepts, which, naturally or in accordance with the teaching of the Śāstras, connote numbers.

Ganitashastra book cover
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Ganitashastra (शिल्पशास्त्र, gaṇitaśāstra) refers to the ancient Indian science of mathematics, algebra, number theory, arithmetic, etc. Closely allied with astronomy, both were commonly taught and studied in universities, even since the 1st millennium BCE. Ganita-shastra also includes ritualistic math-books such as the Shulba-sutras.

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Shaivism (Shaiva philosophy)

[«previous next»] — Nakshatra in Shaivism glossary
Source: SOAS University of London: Protective Rites in the Netra Tantra

Nakṣatra (नक्षत्र) refers to “(seeing) constellations” (in a dream), according to the Svacchanda-tantra.—Accordingly, [verse 4.8-13, while describing auspicious dreams]—“[The dreamer] crosses over the ocean and river. Likewise sunrise and indeed blazing fire [are auspicious. Also auspicious is when the dreamer] sees planets, constellations (nakṣatragrahanakṣatratārāṇāṃ ... darśanam), stars and the disk of the moon. [When the dreamer] ascends the palace or a turret of the palace, climbs a mountain top, tree, elephant, young animal, bull, horse, or man. [In auspicious dreams one] sees a chariot and also sees the siddhamantra, obtains the perfected oblation and sees the gods, etc. [...]”

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Shaiva (शैव, śaiva) or Shaivism (śaivism) represents a tradition of Hinduism worshiping Shiva as the supreme being. Closely related to Shaktism, Shaiva literature includes a range of scriptures, including Tantras, while the root of this tradition may be traced back to the ancient Vedas.

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Ayurveda (science of life)

[«previous next»] — Nakshatra in Ayurveda glossary

Toxicology (Study and Treatment of poison)

Source: Shodhganga: Kasyapa Samhita—Text on Visha Chikitsa

Nakṣatra (नक्षत्र) or “stars” (during the time of the snake-bite) which are used in ascertaining the condition of the victim, as taught in the Kāśyapa Saṃhitā: an ancient Sanskrit text from the Pāñcarātra tradition dealing with both Tantra and Viṣacikitsā—an important topic from Āyurveda which deals with the study of Toxicology (Agadatantra or Sarpavidyā).—The malignant asterisms and baneful lunar phases and astral combinations, with reference to snake-bite, are discussed in the tail-end of the fourth Adhyāya. [...] The Kāśyapasaṃhitā mentions the following details regarding the Nakṣatras: The stars of a malignant nature that determine the virulence of the poison of the snake bite are—Kṛttikā, Bharaṇi, Svātī, Mūla, the three Pūrvas (namely Pūrva Phalguni, Pūrvāṣāḍhā and Pūrva Bhādarpada), Aśvinī, Viśākhā, Ãrdrā, Makhā, Ãśleṣā, Citrā, Śravaṇa and Rohiṇī.

Ayurveda book cover
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Āyurveda (आयुर्वेद, ayurveda) is a branch of Indian science dealing with medicine, herbalism, taxology, anatomy, surgery, alchemy and related topics. Traditional practice of Āyurveda in ancient India dates back to at least the first millenium BC. Literature is commonly written in Sanskrit using various poetic metres.

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General definition (in Hinduism)

[«previous next»] — Nakshatra in Hinduism glossary
Source: archive.org: Vedic index of Names and Subjects

Nakṣatra (नक्षत्र) is a word of obscure origin and derivation. The Indian interpreters already show a great divergence of opinion as to its primary meaning. The Śatapatha-brāhmaṇa resolves it into na-kṣatra (‘no power’), explaining it by a legend. The Nirukta refers it to the root nakṣ, ‘obtain’, following the Taittirīya-brāhmaṇa. Aufrecht and Weber derived it from nakta-tra, ‘guardian of night’, and more recently the derivation from nak-kṣatra, ‘having rule over night,’ seems to be gaining acceptance. The generic meaning of the word therefore seems to be ‘star’.

In several passages of the later Saṃhitās the connexion of the moon and the Nakṣatras is conceived of as a marriage union. Thus in the Kāṭhaka and Taittirīya Saṃhitās it is expressly stated that Soma was wedded to the mansions, but dwelt only with Rohiṇī; the others being angry, he had ultimately to undertake to live with them all equally.

Source: WikiPedia: Hinduism

1) Nakshatra is the term for lunar mansion in Hindu astrology. A nakshatra is one of 27 (sometimes also 28) sectors along the ecliptic. Each nakshatra is further subdivided into four quarters (or padas).

The starting point for the nakshatras is the point on the ecliptic directly opposite to the star Spica called Chitrā in Sanskrit. It is called Meshadi or the “start of Aries”. The ecliptic is divided into each of the nakshatras eastwards starting from this point. The number of nakshatras reflects the number of days in a sidereal month (modern value: 27.32 days), the width of a nakshatra traversed by the Moon in about one day.

2) In Vedic Sanskrit, the term naksatra may refer to any heavenly body, or to "the stars" collectively. The classical sense of “lunar mansion” is first found in the Atharvaveda, and becomes the primary meaning of the term in Classical Sanskrit.

Source: Oxford Reference: A Dictionary of Hinduism

The ancient Indian system of constellations or lunar mansions (nakṣatras) was known from Vedic times. By dividing the sky on the basis of the moon’s relation to the fixed stars, a lunar month of initially 27 and then (through correction) 28 days was established by astronomers, the moon passing through a different nakṣatra on each day of its cycle. This information was then used to fix the auspicious dates and times for Vedic sacrifices and to cast horoscopes. See also jyotiṣa.

Source: Hindupedia: Pañcāṅga

Nakṣatra (नक्षत्र, “star” or “constellation”) is actually the lunar mansion. It is the name of part of the path of the moon on round 1 around the earth which comes to 13 degrees of the sky. Though the moon travels through a little less than one nakṣatra everyday, the day can be called as having that nakṣatra for that day. The nakṣatra in its turn is named after a prominent star or constellation nearby. Twenty-seven nakṣatras (nakṣatras from Aśvini to Revatī) have been recognized by the astronomical works and incorporated into the pañcāṅgas also.

In Buddhism

Mahayana (major branch of Buddhism)

[«previous next»] — Nakshatra in Mahayana glossary
Source: Wisdom Library: Maha Prajnaparamita Sastra

Nakṣatra (नक्षत्र) refers to the “stars” according to the 2nd century Mahāprajñāpāramitāśāstra chapter VI. Accordingly, “There are monks who observe the stars (nakṣatra), the sun and the moon (sūryacandramas), the wind and the rain (vāyuvarṣa), the clouds and the clear sky (meghavidyut), the thunder and lightning. Those who follow these impure ways of livelihood ‘eat with their face up in the air’”.

Source: academia.edu: A Study and Translation of the Gaganagañjaparipṛcchā

Nakṣatra (नक्षत्र) refers to a “star”, according to the Gaganagañjaparipṛcchā: the eighth chapter of the Mahāsaṃnipāta (a collection of Mahāyāna Buddhist Sūtras).—Accordingly, as Bodhisattva Gaganagañja explains to Bodhisattva Ratnaśrī what kind of concentration should be purified: “[...] (10) [when the Bodhisattvas attain] the concentration called ‘Making joyous’’ they will be joyfully devoted to the delight of the dharma; (11) [when the Bodhisattvas attain] the concentration called ‘Following the star (nakṣatra-samādhi)’ objects of generosity will be purified; (12) [when the Bodhisattvas attain] the concentration called ‘Strong power’, their mind will never tremble; [...]”.

Mahayana book cover
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Mahayana (महायान, mahāyāna) is a major branch of Buddhism focusing on the path of a Bodhisattva (spiritual aspirants/ enlightened beings). Extant literature is vast and primarely composed in the Sanskrit language. There are many sūtras of which some of the earliest are the various Prajñāpāramitā sūtras.

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Tibetan Buddhism (Vajrayana or tantric Buddhism)

Source: Wisdom Library: Tibetan Buddhism

Nakṣatra (नक्षत्र) is the name of Vidyārāja (i.e., “wisdom king”) mentioned as attending the teachings in the 6th century Mañjuśrīmūlakalpa: one of the largest Kriyā Tantras devoted to Mañjuśrī (the Bodhisattva of wisdom) representing an encyclopedia of knowledge primarily concerned with ritualistic elements in Buddhism. The teachings in this text originate from Mañjuśrī and were taught to and by Buddha Śākyamuni in the presence of a large audience (including Nakṣatra).

Source: archive.org: The Indian Buddhist Iconography

Nakṣatra (नक्षत्र) refers to the 27 or 28 constellations of the zodiac, as commonly depicted in Buddhist Iconography, and mentioned in the 11th-century Niṣpannayogāvalī of Mahāpaṇḍita Abhayākara.—The Zodiac is divided into 27 or 28 constellations or Nakṣatras. These are called the Lunar Mansions. These Lunar Mansions are believed to exercise great influence on human beings and their affairs.They are constantly bringing good or bad effects and are supposed to be great store-houses of power. It is no wonder, therefore, that in Buddhism these Nakṣatras should be deified with colour, faces and hands. The Nakṣatras are described collectively in the dharmadhātuvāgīśvara-maṇḍala of the Niṣpannayogāvalī.

Their distinctive colour is as follows:

  1. Aśvinī: white;
  2. Bharaṇī: green;
  3. Kṛttikā: green;
  4. Rohiṇī: reddish-white;
  5. Mṛgaśirā: blue;
  6. Ārdrā: yellow;
  7. Punarvasu: yellow;
  8. Puṣyā: green;
  9. Āśleśā: white;
  10. Maghā: yellow;
  11. Pūrvāphālgunī: green;
  12. Uttarāphālgunī: green as priyaṅgu;
  13. Hastā: white;
  14. Citrā: green;
  15. Svātī: yellow;
  16. Viśākhā: blue;
  17. Anurādhā: green;
  18. Jyeṣṭhā: yellow;
  19. Mūlā: yellow;
  20. Pūrvāṣādhā: blue;
  21. Uttarāṣādhā: white;
  22. Śravaṇā: white;
  23. Dhaniṣṭhā: blue;
  24. Śatabhiṣā: yellow;
  25. Pūrvabhādrapadā: green;
  26. Uttarābhādrapadā: yellow;
  27. Revatī: white;
  28. Abhijit: green;
Source: OSU Press: Cakrasamvara Samadhi

Nakṣatra (नक्षत्र) refers to a “lunar mansion” [i.e., nakṣatre amuka], according to the Guru Mandala Worship (maṇḍalārcana) ritual often performed in combination with the Cakrasaṃvara Samādhi, which refers to the primary pūjā and sādhanā practice of Newah Mahāyāna-Vajrayāna Buddhists in Nepal.

Tibetan Buddhism book cover
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Tibetan Buddhism includes schools such as Nyingma, Kadampa, Kagyu and Gelug. Their primary canon of literature is divided in two broad categories: The Kangyur, which consists of Buddha’s words, and the Tengyur, which includes commentaries from various sources. Esotericism and tantra techniques (vajrayāna) are collected indepently.

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General definition (in Buddhism)

[«previous next»] — Nakshatra in Buddhism glossary
Source: Flower Ornament Depository: Buddhism

In ancient India the lunar stations were and still are called nakṣatra. In early Vedic times nakṣatra originally just meant star and later came to refer to constellations constituting lunar stations along the ecliptic. A complete list of 28 nakṣatra's is first provided in the Atharva Veda.

The following lists the Chinese xiu, Sanskrit nakṣatra, (Sanskrit month name), and associated deity plus variant in the Xiuyao jing if applicable. The associated deities are originally listed in the Nakṣatrakalpa of the Atharvavedapariśiṣṭā. It is unclear the reason behind the variant deities.

  1. 昴宿 Kṛttikā (Kārttika) – Agni.
  2. 畢宿 Rohiṇī – Prajāpati.
  3. 觜宿 Mṛgaśīrṣa (Mārgaśīra) – Soma.
  4. 參宿 Ārdrā – Rudra.
  5. 井宿 Punarvasū – Aditi.
  6. 鬼宿 Puṣya (Pauṣa) – Bṛhaspati.
  7. 柳宿 Aślesā – Sarpa (Śeṣa)
  8. 星宿 Maghā (Māgha) – Pitaras (Bhaga).
  9. 張宿 Pūrvaphālgunī – Bhaga (Vasu).
  10. 翼宿 Uttaraphālgunī (Phālguna) – Aryaman.
  11. 軫宿 Hasta – Āditya (Savitṛ)
  12. 角宿 Citrā (Caitra) – Tvaṣṭṛ.
  13. 亢宿 Svāti – Vāyu.
  14. 氐宿 Viśākhā (Vaiśākha) – Indrāgnī.
  15. 房宿 Anurādhā – Mitra.
  16. 心宿 Jyeṣṭha (Jyaiṣṭha) – Indra.
  17. 尾宿 Mūla – Nirṛti.
  18. 箕宿 Pūrvāṣāḍhā (Āṣāḍha) – Toya (Āpas)
  19. 斗宿 Uttarāṣāḍhā – Viśvadeva.
  20. 牛宿Abhijit – Brahmā.
  21. 女宿 Śravaṇa (Śrāvaṇa) – Viṣṇu.
  22. 虚宿 Dhaniṣṭhā – Vasu.
  23. 危宿 Śatabhiṣaj – Varuṇa.
  24. 室宿 Pūrvabhādrapadā (Bhādraphada) – Ajapāda.
  25. 壁宿 Uttarabhādrapadā – Ahirbudhnya.
  26. 奎宿 Revatī – Pūṣan.
  27. 婁宿 Aśvinī (Āśvina) – Aśvin (Gandharva)
  28. 胃宿 Bharaṇī – Yama.

The nakṣatra-s themselves are also regarded as deities in various esoteric Buddhist works. The respective deities are also represented in art.

In Jainism

General definition (in Jainism)

[«previous next»] — Nakshatra in Jainism glossary
Source: Encyclopedia of Jainism: Tattvartha Sutra 4: The celestial beings (deva)

Nakṣatra (नक्षत्र, “constellations”) refers to a class of “stellar celestial beings” (jyotiṣī), itself a category of devas (celestial beings), according to the 2nd-century Tattvārthasūtra 4.10. What is the duration of existence of planet Jupiter (guru)? It is one pit-measured-period. Where do constellations reside? They reside four yojana above moon. What is the maximum span of time of constellations and scattered stars? It is one quarter of pit-measured-period (palya).

Stellar celestial beings (e.g., Nakṣatra) are named after their vehicle which is endowed with shining light. These are called by the significant general name luminaries or stellar.

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Jainism is an Indian religion of Dharma whose doctrine revolves around harmlessness (ahimsa) towards every living being. The two major branches (Digambara and Svetambara) of Jainism stimulate self-control (or, shramana, ‘self-reliance’) and spiritual development through a path of peace for the soul to progess to the ultimate goal.

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India history and geography

Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Indian Epigraphical Glossary

Nakṣatra.—(CII 3), a lunar mansion. (IE 7-1-2), ‘twentyseven’. Note: nakṣatra is defined in the “Indian epigraphical glossary” as it can be found on ancient inscriptions commonly written in Sanskrit, Prakrit or Dravidian languages.

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The history of India traces the identification of countries, villages, towns and other regions of India, as well as mythology, zoology, royal dynasties, rulers, tribes, local festivities and traditions and regional languages. Ancient India enjoyed religious freedom and encourages the path of Dharma, a concept common to Buddhism, Hinduism, and Jainism.

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Languages of India and abroad

Marathi-English dictionary

[«previous next»] — Nakshatra in Marathi glossary
Source: DDSA: The Molesworth Marathi and English Dictionary

nakṣatra (नक्षत्र).—n (S) A star. 2 An asterism in the moon's path; a lunar mansion. Twenty-seven are enumerated; viz. aśvinī, bharaṇī, kṛttikā, rōhiṇī, mṛga or mṛgaśīrṣa, ārdrā, punarvasu, puṣya, āślēṣā (or asāḷakā), maghā, pūrvā, uttarā, hasta, citrā, svātī, viśākhā, anurādhā, jyēṣṭhā, mūla, pūrvāṣāḍhā, uttarāṣāḍhā, śravaṇa, dhaniṣṭhā, śatatārakā, pūrvābhādrapadā, uttarābhādrapadā, rēvatī, abhijit. na0 paḍaṇēṃ (hātāvara) To have itching hands; to be addicted to thieving: (pāyāvara) To be ever gadding about: (tōṇḍāvara) To have a tongue ever running and clacking. nakṣatrāsārakhā Brilliant or beautiful as a constellation or star.

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nākṣatra (नाक्षत्र).—a S Relating to the nakṣatra or lunar asterisms. 2 Stellar, sidereal, astral.

Source: DDSA: The Aryabhusan school dictionary, Marathi-English

nakṣatra (नक्षत्र).—n Star. An asterism in the moon's path; a lunar mansion. nakṣatra paḍaṇēṃ (hātā- vara To have itching hands; to be addicted to thieving: (pāyāvara) To be ever gadding about: (tōṇḍāvara) To have a tongue overrunning and clacking. nakṣatrāsārakhā Brilliant or beautiful as a constellation or star.

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nākṣatra (नाक्षत्र).—a Relating to the nakṣatra or lunar asterisms. Stellar, sidereal, astral.

context information

Marathi is an Indo-European language having over 70 million native speakers people in (predominantly) Maharashtra India. Marathi, like many other Indo-Aryan languages, evolved from early forms of Prakrit, which itself is a subset of Sanskrit, one of the most ancient languages of the world.

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Sanskrit dictionary

[«previous next»] — Nakshatra in Sanskrit glossary
Source: DDSA: The practical Sanskrit-English dictionary

Nakṣatra (नक्षत्र).—[na kṣarati; cf. Uṇādi-sūtra 3.15 also]

1) A star in general.

2) A constellation, an asterism in the moon's path, lunar mansion; नक्षत्राणामहं शशी (nakṣatrāṇāmahaṃ śaśī) Bhagavadgītā (Bombay) 1.21. नक्षत्र- ताराग्रहसंकुलापि (nakṣatra- tārāgrahasaṃkulāpi) R.6.22; (they are twenty-seven).

3) A pearl.

4) A necklace of 27 pearls.

Derivable forms: nakṣatram (नक्षत्रम्).

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Nākṣatra (नाक्षत्र).—a. (-trī f.) [नक्षत्राणामिदम्-अण् (nakṣatrāṇāmidam-aṇ)] Starry, sidereal.

-traḥ an astronomer or astrologer; आह्वायका देवलका नाक्षत्रा ग्रामयाजकाः । एते ब्राह्मणचाण्डाला महापथिकपञ्चमाः (āhvāyakā devalakā nākṣatrā grāmayājakāḥ | ete brāhmaṇacāṇḍālā mahāpathikapañcamāḥ) || Mahābhārata (Bombay) 12.76.6.

-tram A month computed by the moon's passage through the 27 lunar mansions, a month of 3 days of six Ghaṭīs each; नाडीषष्ठ्या तु नाक्षत्रमहोरात्रं प्रकीर्तितम् (nāḍīṣaṣṭhyā tu nākṣatramahorātraṃ prakīrtitam) Sūrya Ś.

Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Edgerton Buddhist Hybrid Sanskrit Dictionary

Nakṣatra (नक्षत्र).—m. (= Sanskrit nt., once m. in Rig Veda), star, con- stellation (recorded only as nt. nakkhatta, ṇa°, in Pali and AMg., [Ardha-Māgadhī Dictionary], but according to [Paia-sadda-mahaṇṇavo] also m. in Prakrit): ete sapta nakṣatrā (best ms. °trāḥ) lokapālā…(n. pl.) Lalitavistara 388.1 (verse), repeated 21, 389.19.

Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Shabda-Sagara Sanskrit-English Dictionary

Nakṣatra (नक्षत्र).—n. (-tra) 1. A star in general. 2. An asterism in the moon’s path or lunar mansion, of which twenty-eight, distinct in name, figure, and number of stars, are enumerated; the Pouranic and popular enumeration of those constellations is twenty-seven; Abhijit, the twenty-eighth, being considered as formed of portions of the two contiguous asterisms, and not distinct from them 2. A pearl. E. nakṣ to go, Unadi, affix atran or kṣada Sautra root, to injure, or kṣar to drop, or kṣī to waste or decay, with the negative prefix, and ṣṭran affix; deriv. irr. na kṣīyate kṣarate vā .

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Nākṣatra (नाक्षत्र).—mfn.

(-traḥ-trī-traṃ) Relating or belonging to the luner asterisms. n.

(-traṃ) A month, one computed by the moon’s passage through the twenty-seven mansions, or of thirty days of sixty Gharis each. E. nakṣatra, and aṇ aff.

Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Benfey Sanskrit-English Dictionary

Nakṣatra (नक्षत्र).—n. 1. A star, [Mānavadharmaśāstra] 1, 24. 2. An asterism in the moon’s path or lunar mansion; they are regarded as wives of the moon and daughters of Dakṣa, [Harivaṃśa, (ed. Calc.)] 104; Mahābhārata 13, 3256.

Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Cappeller Sanskrit-English Dictionary

Nakṣatra (नक्षत्र).—[neuter] a star or constellation (sgl. also coll.); [especially] a lunar mansion (27, later 28; [often] personif. as the daughters of Dakṣa and wives of the moon).

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Nākṣatra (नाक्षत्र).—([feminine] ī) belonging to the stars, sidereal.

Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Monier-Williams Sanskrit-English Dictionary

1) Nakṣatra (नक्षत्र):—[from nakṣ] n. (m. only, [Ṛg-veda vi, 67, 6]; [probably] [from] √nakṣ cf. nakṣ dyām, [i, 33, 14 etc.]) a star or any heavenly body

2) [v.s. ...] also applied to the sun

3) [v.s. ...] n. sg. sometimes collectively ‘the stars’ e.g. [vii. 86, 1; Ṛg-veda] etc. etc.

4) [v.s. ...] an asterism or constellation through which the moon passes, a lunar mansion, [Atharva-veda] etc. etc. (27, later 28, viz. Śraviṣṭhā or Dhaniṣṭhā, Śata-bhiṣaj, Pūrva-bhadrapadā, Uttara-bh°, Revatī, Aśvinī, Bharaṇī, Kṛttikā, Rohiṇī or Brāhmī, Mṛga-śiras or Āgrahāyaṇī, Ārdrā, Punarvasū or Yāmakau, Puṣya or Sidhya, Āśleṣā, Maghā, Pūrva-phalgunī, Uttara-ph°, Hasta, Citrā, Svātī, Viśākhā or Rādhā, Anurādhā, Jyeṣṭha, Mūla, Pūrvāṣāḍhā, Uttarāṣ°, Abhijit, Śravaṇa; according to, [Varāha-mihira’s Bṛhat-saṃhitā] Revatī, Uttara-phalgunī, Uttara-bhādrapadā and Uttarāṣāḍhā are called dhruvāṇi, fixed; in the Vedas the Nakṣatras are considered as abodes of the gods or of pious persons after death, [Sāyaṇa on Ṛg-veda i, 50, 2]; later as wives of the moon and daughters of Dakṣa, [Mahābhārata; Harivaṃśa] etc.; according to Jainas the sun, moon, Grahas, Nakṣatras and Tārās form the Jyotiṣkas)

5) [v.s. ...] a pearl, [cf. Lexicographers, esp. such as amarasiṃha, halāyudha, hemacandra, etc.]

6) Nākṣatra (नाक्षत्र):—mf(ī)n. relating to the Nakṣatras, starry, sidereal, [Lāṭyāyana; Varāha-mihira] etc.

7) m. astronomer, astrologer, [Mahābhārata]

8) n. a month computed by the moon’s passage through the 27 mansions, or of 30 days of 60 Ghaṭīs each, [Horace H. Wilson]

Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Yates Sanskrit-English Dictionary

1) Nakṣatra (नक्षत्र):—(traṃ) 1. n. A star; an asterism in the lunar mansion; a pearl.

2) Nākṣatra (नाक्षत्र):—[(traḥ-trī-traṃ) a.] Relating to the lunar asterisms. m. Lunar month.

Source: DDSA: Paia-sadda-mahannavo; a comprehensive Prakrit Hindi dictionary (S)

Nakṣatra (नक्षत्र) in the Sanskrit language is related to the Prakrit word: Ṇakkhatta.

[Sanskrit to German]

Nakshatra in German

context information

Sanskrit, also spelled संस्कृतम् (saṃskṛtam), is an ancient language of India commonly seen as the grandmother of the Indo-European language family (even English!). Closely allied with Prakrit and Pali, Sanskrit is more exhaustive in both grammar and terms and has the most extensive collection of literature in the world, greatly surpassing its sister-languages Greek and Latin.

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Hindi dictionary

[«previous next»] — Nakshatra in Hindi glossary
Source: DDSA: A practical Hindi-English dictionary

1) Nakṣatra (नक्षत्र):—(nm) a star; a constellation, an asterism in the moon’s path comprised of 27 or 28 stars; ~[dhārī] born under a lucky star, destined to rise high; ~[loka] the sky; ~[vāna] lucky, fortunate; ~[vida] an astrologist; ~[vidyā] Astrology.

2) Nākṣatra (नाक्षत्र):—(a) pertaining to or related with [nakṣatra] (see).

context information

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Kannada-English dictionary

[«previous next»] — Nakshatra in Kannada glossary
Source: Alar: Kannada-English corpus

Nakṣatra (ನಕ್ಷತ್ರ):—

1) [noun] any of the heavenly bodies, except the moon, appearing as fixed luminous points in the sky at night; a star.

2) [noun] (astrol.) any of the supposed twenty seven stars a) that was ruling the moment of one’s birth, believed to determine the destiny through out his or her life or b) that brings rain.

3) [noun] (arith.) a symbol for the number twenty-seven.

4) [noun] (Jain.) a class of gods.

5) [noun] a conventionalized flat figure having (usu. five or six) symmetrical projecting points, regarded as a representation of a star of the sky; a star.

6) [noun] any mark, shape, emblem or the like resembling such a figure, often used as an award, symbol of rank or authority, etc.; a star.

7) [noun] a star-like sign (*) used in printing to indicate footnote references, omissions, etc.; an asterisk.

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Nakṣatra (ನಕ್ಷತ್ರ):—[noun] = ನಕ್ಷತ್ರಕ [nakshatraka].

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Nākṣatra (ನಾಕ್ಷತ್ರ):—

1) [adjective] of or pertaining to the stars; sidereal.

2) [adjective] expressed in reference to the stars; sidereal.

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Nākṣatra (ನಾಕ್ಷತ್ರ):—[noun] = ನಾಕ್ಷತ್ರಮಾನ [nakshatramana].

context information

Kannada is a Dravidian language (as opposed to the Indo-European language family) mainly spoken in the southwestern region of India.

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