Ashvini (अश्विनी, ) is the first

nakshatra Nakshatra () is the term for Lunar mansion in Hindu astrology and Buddhist astrology. A nakshatra is one of 27 (sometimes also 28) sectors along the ecliptic. Their names are related to a prominent star or asterisms in or near the respective s ...

(

lunar mansion Often called lunar mansion, a lunar station or lunar house is a segment of the ecliptic through which the Moon passes in orbit of the Moon, its orbit around the Earth. The concept was used by several ancient cultures as part of their calendrical ...

) in

Indian astronomy Astronomy has a long history in the Indian subcontinent, stretching from History of India, pre-historic to History of India (1947–present), modern times. Some of the earliest roots of Indian astronomy can be dated to the period of Indus Valle ...

having a spread from 0°-0'-0" to 13°-20', corresponding to the head of Aries, including the stars β and γ Arietis. The name ''aśvinī'' is used by Varahamihira (6th century). The older name of the asterism, found in the

Atharvaveda The Atharvaveda or Atharva Veda (, , from ''wikt:अथर्वन्, अथर्वन्'', "priest" and ''wikt:वेद, वेद'', "knowledge") or is the "knowledge storehouse of ''wikt:अथर्वन्, atharvans'', the proced ...

(AVS 19.7; in the dual) and in Panini (4.3.36), was ''aśvayúja'', "harnessing horses". This nakshatra belongs to Mesha Rasi. Notable personalities born in this nakshatra are

Sania Mirza Sania Mirza (; born 15 November 1986) is an Indian former professional tennis player. A former doubles world No. 1, she won six major titles – three in women's doubles and three in mixed doubles. From 2003 until her retirement from singles ...

, Bhimsen Joshi, Yukta Mookhey.

Astrology

Ashvini is ruled by Ketu, the descending lunar node. In

electional astrology Electional astrology, also known as ''event'' astrology, is a branch found in most traditions of astrology according to which a practitioner decides the most appropriate time for an event based on the astrological auspiciousness of that time. It ...

, Ashvini is classified as a small constellation, meaning that it is believed to be advantageous to begin works of a precise or delicate nature while the moon is in Ashvini. Ashvini is ruled by the Ashvinas, the heavenly twin brother gods who served as physicians to the gods and goddesses. Ashvini is represented by the

bee hive A beehive is an enclosed structure which houses honey bees, subgenus '' Apis.'' Honey bees live in the beehive, raising their young and producing honey as part of their seasonal cycle. Though the word ''beehive'' is used to describe the nest of ...

. Traditional Indian names are determined by which pada (quarter) of a nakshatra the Ascendant was in at the time of birth. In the case of Ashvini, the given name would begin with the following syllables: Chu, Che, Cho, La.

References

{{Jyotish Vidya Nakshatra

Astrology

See also

References