Nakshatras-Gandanta-Vishnu Purana

[Guest guest]

Om Gurave Namah

 

Namaste Guruji,

 

While trying to understand " nakshatras " , I stumbled across the

following information from Vishnu Purana., Part-II. It states that

near Agasthya padam, there are 3 nakshatra sthanas called as

Airavatha, Jaaradgava and Vaiswaanara. Their directions are

respectively North, South and middle.I have given below a table of

constellations contained within these sthanas. It is said that the

names of veedhis are based upon the physical description of the

nakshatras they contain.

 

Nakshatra Veedhi Sthana

Ashwini, Bharani, Krittika Naaga (snake) Airavatha

Rohini, Mrigasira, Aardra Gaja (elephant) Do

Punarvasu, Pushyami, Aslesha Airaavatha Do

Makha, P.phalguni , U.phalguni Vrishabha (Ox) Jaaradgava

Hasta, Chitra, Swati Go (Cow) Do

Visakha, Anuradha, Jyestha Jaradgava(vulture) Do

Moola, P.ashadha, U.ashadha Aja (goat/unborn) Vaiswaanara

Sravana,Dhanishta,Satabhisham Mriga (deer) Do

P.bhadra, U.bhadra, Revathi Vaiswaanara(Fire) Do

 

While these names themselves carry a lot of amazing connotations, it

is also interesting to see that the three gandanta points define the

end of one nakshatra sthana and beginning of another. It is also seen

that there is a change of direction as well occurring at these

points. Could it be that this is the basis of concept of gandantas,

which, in fact represent that vacuum (nabhi) between one nakshatra

sthana and the other? The directions also seem to indicate

birth(north-Rahu), death(south-Ketu) and the Holy Fire which digests

our karmas and throws up the resulting energies(papa/punya) to fuel

next birth?

 

If imaginary lines are drawn connecting these three nakshatra sthanas,

I have a feeling that a trikona/triangle is formed… Guruji, isn't this

similar to the trikona of Sri charka and the nakshatra sthanas are the

tri-kootas?

 

I am really confused and humbly request your corrections/guidance.

 

Regards,

Lakshmi

 

P.S: the column " meaning " is my understanding and might need correction.