NAMES OF STARS FROM THE PERIOD OF THE VEDAS

Figure 11 Shows the sky with about 30 degrees square of the Makara and Kumbha Raashi, in which Shravana, Dhansihta and Shatabhisha are to be found.

Shatabhishaja Nakshatra is defined to be a star mansion of 100 stars. Shata is undred and bhishaja stands for medical doctor. The significance of later is not apparent. The following table presents one candidate star, which qualifies as Shatabhishaja based on brightness, location with reference to moon traverse band, and distance from previous Nakshatra.

and 99 others whose identity has not been proposed -

There is great dilemma about star for Shatabhishaja because one hundred stars of brightness <+5 brightness are not visible. Did one hundred bright objects exist in this part of sky 5000 years ago? One bright star near ecliptic is 90f Aqr, and best qualifies as single star identity of Shatabhishaja. The other identities are SAO-146595/SAO-146620, or HD-219449/HD219688. This star pair is 50 minutes or 13 degrees (E-W) away from Dhanishta, which is an ideal location.

Since half of Poorvabahdra is a part of Meena Raashi, figure 12 shows Poorvabhaadra (Proshtapada) Nakshatra, which is defined to be a star mansion of two stars. The following table presents candidate stars, which qualify as Poorvabhaadra based on brightness, location with reference to moon traverse band, and distance from previous Nakshatra.

If a single star is to be found to represent Poorvabhaadra, the best choice is SAO128513/HD224617 /28w Psc. Star Poorvabhaadra really is in Meena Raashi. The brightness is +4.02.

In the Nakshatra/Raashi translation, 1/2 of Dhanishta, whole of Shatabhisha and 3/4 of Poorvaabhaadra are considered as belonging to Kumbha Raashi.