Nakshatra (Sanskrit: ???????, IAST: Nak?

atra) is the term for lunar mansion in

Hindu astrology and Indian Astronomy. A nakshatra is one of 28 (sometimes also 27)
sectors along the ecliptic. Their names are related to the most prominent asterisms
in the respective sectors.

The starting point for the nakshatras according to Vedas is "Krittika" (it has been
argued because the Pleiades may have started the year at the time the Vedas were
compiled, presumably at the vernal equinox), but, in more recent compilations, the
start of the nakshatras list is the point on the ecliptic directly opposite to the
star Spica called Chitra in Sanskrit, which would be Ashvini, an asterism that is
part of the modern constellation Aries, and these compilations therefore may have
been compiled during the centuries when the sun was passing through the area of the
constellation Aries at the time of the vernal equinox. This version may have been
called Meshadi or the "start of Aries".[1][better source needed]

The first astronomical text that lists them is the Vedanga Jyotisha.[2][better
source needed]

In classical Hindu scriptures (Mahabharata, Harivamsa), the creation of the

nakshatras is attributed to Daksha. They are personified as daughters of Daksha and
as wives of Chandra known as the Moon God (who reluctantly married the 26 other
nakshatra's on Daksha's request even though he was only interested to marry
Rohini), or alternatively the daughters of Kashyapa, the brother of Daksha.