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Introduction Bharateeya Nakshatra system History of star names Loadstar software Mesha or Aries Vrishba or Taurus Mithuna or Gemini Karkataka or Cancer Simha or Leo Kanyaa or Virgo Tula or Libra Vrischika or Scorpio Dhanu or Sagitarius Makara or Capricorn Kumbha or Aquarius Meena or Pisces Conclusion Appendix References
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Figure 7 shows the 30 degrees square of Tula Raashi and shows, Swati, Vishaaka in Tula, and Anooradha, Jyeshta Nakshatras of Vrishchika. Tula or the Libra Zodiac is a very small one. Swati is a difficult Nakshatra to identify, because 10-20 degrees (E-W) away from Chitra there are no bright stars.
The following table provides the stars which qualifies as Swati from a brightness point of view, location with reference to moon traverse band, and distance from previous Nakshatra.
There are some scholars who have argued that Arcturus is Swati. Arcturus is located in 'Bootes' constellation and is identified as SAO-10094/HD-124893/16-Bootes of brightness +1.24. However, Arcturus is at 19 N degrees where as northern limit of moon traverse (8 S to 18 S) band is -8 degrees. Hence the star Arcturus is located 27 to 37 degrees away, north from moon traverse band, hence can not be seriously considered, as being pointed to by Moon. This 27 degrees is the distance between two Nakshtra's and too large an error. If we accept moon visits the Arcturus mansion, all our identifications become questionable. The Arcturus mansion located in Bootes constellation is nowhere near Tula (Libra) or Vrishchika. Even 5000 years ago, the location of that constellation was far away from moon traverse band. Hence SAO-139824/HD 124850 /99i Vir, also called Syrma by Arabs is the best candidate for Hastaa. This Nakshatra is 45 minutes or about 12 degrees (E-W) away from Chitra. It is bright enough to have been given a name by Arab astronomers. Vishaaka is considered to be a lunar mansion of 2 stars. The following table lists likely candidate stars in Tula from a brightness point of view, location with respect to moon traverse band, and distance from previous Nakshatra.
If one star has to be chosen as Vishaaka in Tula Raashi, it is 92a2Libra, identified as SAO 158840 or HD 130481. The brightness is +2.75. It has been called, Zubenelgenubi by Arabs. Vishaaka pair is 45 minutes or 11(E-W) degrees away from Swati. Though Zubeneschemele is a little brighter, it is a little away from moon traverse band. Vishaaka is right in the middle of the moon traverse band. Guatama Buddha was born, received enlightenment, and died on the full moon day of Vishaka when full moon was on this nakshatra. In the Raashi/Nakshatra translation, whole of 1/2 of Chitra, whole of Swaati and 3/4 of Vishaaka is considered to be in Tula Raashi.
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