Rohini (nakshatra)
| Rohini | |
|---|---|
A Nakshatra Goddess The Personification of Aldebaran | |
Chandra and Rohini | |
| Affiliation | Devi |
| Abode | Chandraloka |
| Genealogy | |
| Parents | |
| Consort | Chandra |
| Children | Varchas |
Rohini is the goddess of stars in Hinduism[1] and the favorite consort of Chandra, the moon god. She is one of the 27 daughters of the prajapati Daksha and his wife Asikni. As "the red goddess" (also known as Rohini Devi), she is the personification of the orange-red star Aldebaran, the brightest star in the Taurus constellation.[2]
In Hinduism
In Hindu, 27 daughters of Daksha and Asikni were married to Chandra.
Chandra spent most of his time with Rohini, which enraged his other wives, who subsequently complained about this to their father. Seeing his daughters unhappy, Daksha cursed Chandra with leprosy and proclaimed that the Moon would wax and wane each month.[3]
Rohini, along with her sisters Kṛttikā and Revati, are often described as deified beings and "mothers".[4]
In Indian astronomy
In Indian astronomy, the fourth of the 27 nakshatras (lunar stations) is named Rohini. It is an asterism of six stars corresponding to the Hyades, with the brightest star being Aldebaran. Rohini literally means "red", referring specifically to the reddish star Aldebaran.[5] The lunar station Rohini spans from 10° 0' to 23° 20' in Vṛṣabha constellation (Taurus).
In Indian astrology
In Indian astrology, also known as Jyotisha, Rohini is the fourth lunar station or nakshatra of the zodiac, ruled by the Moon. Lord Krishna's birth star is Rohini and it is believed there exists a significance in his choice to be born under the influence of this star.[6]
Beyond the Indian subcontinent and Hinduism
Rohini is known as Gorakak Devi (Khmer: គោរាគៈទេវី) in Cambodia; she is the wife of Chandra in Hinduism, a tradition passed down from the Khmer Empire, and the protective goddess of Monday. She is worshipped during the Cambodian New Year if the first day of the year falls on a Monday according to the Cambodian calendar (Khmer: ពិធីផ្ទេរតំណែងទេវតាឆ្នាំថ្មី), as she is believed to descend from heaven to care for the people of this land for one year until the following New Year.
Gorakak Devi's appearance is influenced by Cambodian culture, including local Buddhist imagery. Her vāhana (mount) is a tiger. She has only two hands, carries a Khanda and Royal Staff, and her clothes are yellow.[7][8]
References
- ^ Agrawala, Prithvi Kumar (1983). Goddesses in Ancient India. Abhinav Publications. ISBN 978-81-7017-184-3. Archived from the original on 2023-02-02. Retrieved 2020-10-03.
- ^ Shah, Saket (2019-10-19). Understanding The Nakshatras: Soul of Astrology is Nakshatras. Saket Shah. Archived from the original on 2023-02-02. Retrieved 2020-10-08.
- ^ Coulter, Charles Russell; Turner, Patricia (2021-12-06). Encyclopedia of Ancient Deities. McFarland. p. 437. ISBN 978-0-7864-9179-7.
- ^ Jessalyn, Blossom Meghan (2012). Rohini (Nakshatra). Sess Press. ISBN 978-613-8-62464-6. Archived from the original on 2023-02-02. Retrieved 2020-10-03.
- ^ "Rohiṇī (रोहिणी)". All Skies Encyclopaedia. IAU Working Group on Star Names. Retrieved 18 December 2025.
- ^ "The Divine Influences of Rohini Nakshatra and Lord Krishna".
- ^ Min Saes (Braḥ Mahā.) (1942) Brahma Chariyakathā, Bibliothèque Royale, Publisher: Royal Library of Cambodia p.185
- ^ Astrologer Nhim Pen (1947) Cambodia Calendar, Contributor: William J. Gedney, Publisher: Association Sutharot, Original from the University of Michigan p.118