FOMALHAUT

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Dear Charles

 

you

<<You have made an extremely intriguing and valid observation. I am curious

about the Royal Star Fomalhaut (alpha Piscis Austrinus) and why it is difficult

to assign a Nakshastra to it. >>

 

me

In my view, the star Regulus rules the constellation Magha.

 

Regulus (Alpha Leonis) is at 5°58'24" Leo in the constellation 10 and rules

constellation 10. And the constellation 23 (Dhanistha) ends at 6°40 Aquarius,

or almost at the opposition to Regulus.

 

However, in Vedic astrology, the next prominent star in consideration alpha

Aquarii or Satabisha, which rules the constellation 24 (Satabisha), but this

star is at 17°43 Aquarius. Or far away from the opposition to Regulus.

 

Folmahaut on the other hand is the nearest star opposite to Regulus, or at 9° 59

Aquarius, but still far from the opposition which should be at around 5°58.

 

We can understand that Aldebaran (Rohini in Vedic) by being at 15°55'55 of

Taurus is one of the corners of the sky. And opposite to it we have Antares

(Jyestha) at 15°54'19", or within 2' of arc opposition.

 

When we find out that the disc of the Sun or the disc of the Moon has an arc of

28' of diameter, we can see the 2' of arc is minimal.

 

Then we have Regulus or another corner of the sky, which is at 5°58'25 of Leo,

but in opposition we cannot find any relevant bright star worth to take into

consideration for astronomical observations.

 

Fomalhaut is therefore the nearest star to the opposition of Regulus. According

to Vivien Robson in her excellent book, The Fixed Stars In Astrology, Fomahault

was one of the 4 Royal stars among the Persas (around 3,000 BC) and used to

indicate the winter solstice.

 

And according to Ptolemy, the father of western (tropical) astrology, Fomalhaut

has the nature of Mercury and Venus.

 

When we are told that Kali Yuga started on 3,102, we can feel that the Persas

like the Egyptians, had an astronomical knowledge interacted with Vedic

astronomy.

 

Among the Arabs we have a very important star called Al Sad Al Ahbiyah, which is

at 11°45 Aquarius. According to Robson, this name means The Lucky Star of

Hidden things or Hidden Places.

 

Regarding your doubt about why is so difficult to assign a naksatra to

Fomahault, i can say that the rishis (wise men) of Vedic times had their

reasons.

 

you

<<Fomalhaut, as you know, is the only Royal Star which lies far away from the

ecliptic, at 30 degrees South latitude.>>

 

me

I did not know that.

 

you

<<Any comments?>>

 

me

I hope that my comments are useful.

 

Best wishes

Natabara Das