Home › Mantras › Nakshatra Suktam

Mantra · Taittiriya verses for 28 stars and their gods, Krittika to Bharani

Nakshatra Suktam

अग्निर्नः पातु कृत्तिकाः । नक्षत्रं देवमिन्द्रियम् । इदमासां विचक्षणम् । हविरासं जुहोतन । यस्य भान्ति रश्मयो यस्य केतवः । यस्येमा विश्वा भुवनानि सर्वा । स कृत्तिकाभिरभिसंवसानः । अग्निर्नो देवस्सुविते दधातु ॥

Also known as Agnir Nah Patu Krittikah

In Devanagari, Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, Malayalam and English — with the meaning of every word, and the one syllable most people pronounce wrongly.

A reading of your birth chartBook →

What the Nakshatra Suktam is

The Nakshatra Suktam is the run of verses in the Taittiriya Brahmana of the Krishna Yajurveda (3.1.1-3.1.2) that greets each lunar mansion together with its presiding deity. The verses were composed for the Nakshatreshti, a series of rites in which every star received its own oblation. The sequence opens with Agni and the Krittikas, first in the old Vedic order, moves through Rohini under Prajapati, Mrigashira under Soma and Ardra under Rudra, and ends with Bharani under Yama. It counts twenty-eight stars, Abhijit under Brahma among them, and places a verse to the full moon after Vishakha, where the Brahmana's stars of the gods give way to its stars of Yama. Each group of eight lines names the star, praises its god and asks that the offering be received. Two closing verses address the night before the new moon and the new moon itself. The text is printed here without accent marks; chanting it with the svaras is learned from a teacher.

A wish for every god, won through a star

The verses tell no tale; the Brahmana prose that follows them (3.1.4-6) supplies one for nearly every star, always in the same pattern: a god desired something, made an offering to his star, and obtained it. Agni desired to become the eater of food among the gods and offered a cake on eight potsherds to himself and the Krittikas. Prajapati saw the creatures he had made turn away from him; he set his mind on Rohini, offered her a pot of cooked rice, and she came back to him. Brihaspati wished for the radiance of sacred learning and offered wild rice cooked in milk to Tishya. Tvashtr wanted manifold offspring and won them through Chitra; Vayu wanted to range the worlds at will and won it through Nishtya, the star later called Swati. Indra wished to be eldest among the gods and offered to Jyeshtha, the eldest. Vishnu asked for good fame with no evil report following him, and offered a cake on three potsherds to Shrona. Indra, wanting a heart that would not slacken, offered black rice to Varuna, to Shatabhishak and to the healing powers. Once, the Brahmana says, gods and asuras were at war, and the gods led the enemy away by offering barley gruel to the Serpents and the Ashleshas. Each account closes by saying the same comes to one who offers and knows this.

The mantra, in six scripts

DevanagariSanskrit & Hindiअग्निर्नः पातु कृत्तिकाः । नक्षत्रं देवमिन्द्रियम् । इदमासां विचक्षणम् । हविरासं जुहोतन । यस्य भान्ति रश्मयो यस्य केतवः । यस्येमा विश्वा भुवनानि सर्वा । स कृत्तिकाभिरभिसंवसानः । अग्निर्नो देवस्सुविते दधातु ॥

Tamilஅக்நிர்நஃ பாது க்ருத்திகாஃ । நக்ஷத்ரம் தேவமிந்த்ரியம் । இதமாஸாம் விசக்ஷணம் । ஹவிராஸம் ஜுஹோதந । யஸ்ய பாந்தி ரஶ்மயோ யஸ்ய கேதவஃ । யஸ்யேமா விஶ்வா புவநாநி ஸர்வா । ஸ க்ருத்திகாபிரபிஸம்வஸாநஃ । அக்நிர்நோ தேவஸ்ஸுவிதே ததாது ॥

Teluguఅగ్నిర్నః పాతు కృత్తికాః । నక్షత్రం దేవమిన్ద్రియమ్ । ఇదమాసాం విచక్షణమ్ । హవిరాసం జుహోతన । యస్య భాన్తి రశ్మయో యస్య కేతవః । యస్యేమా విశ్వా భువనాని సర్వా । స కృత్తికాభిరభిసంవసానః । అగ్నిర్నో దేవస్సువితే దధాతు ॥

Kannadaಅಗ್ನಿರ್ನಃ ಪಾತು ಕೃತ್ತಿಕಾಃ । ನಕ್ಷತ್ರಂ ದೇವಮಿನ್ದ್ರಿಯಮ್ । ಇದಮಾಸಾಂ ವಿಚಕ್ಷಣಮ್ । ಹವಿರಾಸಂ ಜುಹೋತನ । ಯಸ್ಯ ಭಾನ್ತಿ ರಶ್ಮಯೋ ಯಸ್ಯ ಕೇತವಃ । ಯಸ್ಯೇಮಾ ವಿಶ್ವಾ ಭುವನಾನಿ ಸರ್ವಾ । ಸ ಕೃತ್ತಿಕಾಭಿರಭಿಸಂವಸಾನಃ । ಅಗ್ನಿರ್ನೋ ದೇವಸ್ಸುವಿತೇ ದಧಾತು ॥

Malayalamഅഗ്നിര്നഃ പാതു കൃത്തികാഃ । നക്ഷത്രം ദേവമിന്ദ്രിയമ് । ഇദമാസാം വിചക്ഷണമ് । ഹവിരാസം ജുഹോതന । യസ്യ ഭാന്തി രശ്മയോ യസ്യ കേതവഃ । യസ്യേമാ വിശ്വാ ഭുവനാനി സര്വാ । സ കൃത്തികാഭിരഭിസംവസാനഃ । അഗ്നിര്നോ ദേവസ്സുവിതേ ദധാതു ॥

EnglishRoman transliterationagnirnaḥ pātu kṛttikāḥ | nakṣatraṃ devamindriyam | idamāsāṃ vicakṣaṇam | havirāsaṃ juhotana | yasya bhānti raśmayo yasya ketavaḥ | yasyemā viśvā bhuvanāni sarvā | sa kṛttikābhirabhisaṃvasānaḥ | agnirno devassuvite dadhātu ||

“Krittika (deity Agni): May Agni guard us with the Krittikas; this is the bright, powerful star of the gods. Offer into the fire this oblation that is fitting for them. May Agni, whose rays and banners shine and to whom all these worlds belong, dwelling together with the Krittikas, place us in well-being.”

अग्निर्नः: agnirnaḥ — Agni, us
पातु: pātu — may he guard
कृत्तिकाः: kṛttikāḥ — the Krittikas
नक्षत्रं: nakṣatraṃ — the star
देवमिन्द्रियम्: devamindriyam — divine, potent
इदमासां: idamāsāṃ — this, of them
विचक्षणम्: vicakṣaṇam — bright, far-seeing
हविरासं: havirāsaṃ — the oblation for them
जुहोतन: juhotana — offer into the fire
यस्य: yasya — whose
भान्ति: bhānti — shine
रश्मयो: raśmayo — rays
यस्य: yasya — whose
केतवः: ketavaḥ — banners
यस्येमा: yasyemā — whose are these
विश्वा: viśvā — all
भुवनानि: bhuvanāni — worlds
सर्वा: sarvā — entire
स: sa — he
कृत्तिकाभिरभिसंवसानः: kṛttikābhirabhisaṃvasānaḥ — dwelling with the Krittikas
अग्निर्नो: agnirno — Agni, us
देवस्सुविते: devassuvite — the god, in well-being
दधातु: dadhātu — may he place

Nakshatra Suktam lyrics in full

Twenty-eight stars from Krittika to Bharani with the full-moon verse among them, followed by the verses for the eve of the new moon and the new moon, printed without accent marks.

All 31 verses, in Sanskrit, Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, Malayalam and English, each with its meaning. Choose a script:

Download the Nakshatra Suktam PDFAll 31 verses with their meanings, in Sanskrit. Free to print and keep.

Download PDF

Verse 1

अग्निर्नः पातु कृत्तिकाः ।
नक्षत्रं देवमिन्द्रियम् ।
इदमासां विचक्षणम् ।
हविरासं जुहोतन ।
यस्य भान्ति रश्मयो यस्य केतवः ।
यस्येमा विश्वा भुवनानि सर्वा ।
स कृत्तिकाभिरभिसंवसानः ।
अग्निर्नो देवस्सुविते दधातु ॥

Krittika (deity Agni): May Agni guard us with the Krittikas; this is the bright, powerful star of the gods. Offer into the fire this oblation that is fitting for them. May Agni, whose rays and banners shine and to whom all these worlds belong, dwelling together with the Krittikas, place us in well-being.

Verse 2

प्रजापते रोहिणीवेतु पत्नी ।
विश्वरूपा बृहती चित्रभानुः ।
सा नो यज्ञस्य सुविते दधातु ।
यथा जीवेम शरदस्सवीराः ।
रोहिणी देव्युदगात्पुरस्तात् ।
विश्वा रूपाणि प्रतिमोदमाना ।
प्रजापतिं हविषा वर्धयन्ती ।
प्रिया देवानामुपयातु यज्ञम् ॥

Rohini (deity Prajapati): May Rohini, the consort, come to Prajapati: all-formed, great and bright with many lights; may she set our sacrifice in well-being, so that we may live many autumns with strong offspring. Rohini the goddess has risen in the east, delighting in all forms; strengthening Prajapati with the offering, may she, dear to the gods, come to the sacrifice.

Verse 3

सोमो राजा मृगशीर्षेण आगन्न् ।
शिवं नक्षत्रं प्रियमस्य धाम ।
आप्यायमानो बहुधा जनेषु ।
रेतः प्रजां यजमाने दधातु ।
यत्ते नक्षत्रं मृगशीर्षमस्ति ।
प्रियं राजन् प्रियतमं प्रियाणाम् ।
तस्मै ते सोम हविषा विधेम ।
शन्न एधि द्विपदे शं चतुष्पदे ॥

Mrigashira (deity Soma): King Soma has come with Mrigashira, his auspicious star and beloved home; growing full in many ways among the people, may he give seed and offspring to the one who sacrifices. O King Soma, your star Mrigashira is the dearest of all things dear; we worship you with this offering. Be a blessing to our two-footed and four-footed ones.

Verse 4

आर्द्रया रुद्रः प्रथमा न एति ।
श्रेष्ठो देवानां पतिरघ्नियानाम् ।
नक्षत्रमस्य हविषा विधेम ।
मा नः प्रजां रीरिषन्मोत वीरान् ।
हेती रुद्रस्य परिणो वृणक्तु ।
आर्द्रा नक्षत्रं जुषतां हविर्नः ।
प्रमुञ्चमानौ दुरितानि विश्वा ।
अपाघशंसन्नुदतामरातिम् ॥

Ardra (deity Rudra): With Ardra comes Rudra first to us, the foremost of the gods and lord of the cattle; we worship his star with this offering, may he not harm our children or our men. May the weapon of Rudra pass us by, and may Ardra accept our offering. May the two, releasing us from all wrongs, drive away the evil-speaker and the foe.

Verse 5

पुनर्नो देव्यदितिस्पृणोतु ।
पुनर्वसूनः पुनरेतां यज्ञम् ।
पुनर्नो देवा अभियन्तु सर्वे ।
पुनः पुनर्वो हविषा यजामः ।
एवा न देव्यदितिरनर्वा ।
विश्वस्य भर्त्री जगतः प्रतिष्ठा ।
पुनर्वसू हविषा वर्धयन्ती ।
प्रियं देवानामप्येतु पाथः ॥

Punarvasu (deity Aditi): May the goddess Aditi bring us fulfilment again, and may the Punarvasus come back again to this sacrifice; may all the gods come to us again, and again and again we worship you with offerings. So may the goddess Aditi, unassailable, the sustainer of all and the support of the world, together with the Punarvasus strengthened by the offering, reach the place dear to the gods.

Verse 6

बृहस्पतिः प्रथमं जायमानः ।
तिष्यं नक्षत्रमभि संबभूव ।
श्रेष्ठो देवानां पृतनासु जिष्णुः ।
दिशोऽनु सर्वा अभयन्नो अस्तु ।
तिष्यः पुरस्तादुत मध्यतो नः ।
बृहस्पतिर्नः परिपातु पश्चात् ।
बाधेतान्द्वेषो अभयं कृणुताम् ।
सुवीर्यस्य पतयस्याम ॥

Pushya / Tishya (deity Brihaspati): Brihaspati, born first, came into being as the star Tishya; foremost of the gods and victorious in battles, may he grant us safety in every direction. May Tishya guard us in front and in the middle, and Brihaspati protect us from behind; may they drive off hatred and give us safety, and may we be masters of great strength.

Verse 7

इदं सर्पेभ्यो हविरस्तु जुष्टम् ।
आश्रेषा येषामनुयन्ति चेतः ।
ये अन्तरिक्षं पृथिवीं क्षियन्ति ।
ते नस्सर्पासो हवमागमिष्ठाः ।
ये रोचने सूर्यस्यापि सर्पाः ।
ये दिवं देवीमनुसञ्चरन्ति ।
येषामाश्रेषा अनुयन्ति कामम् ।
तेभ्यस्सर्पेभ्यो मधुमज्जुहोमि ॥

Ashlesha (deity the Serpents): May this offering be pleasing to the Serpents, whose minds Ashlesha follows: to those who dwell in the mid-air and on the earth, may those serpents come to our call. To the serpents in the light of the sun, who move along the bright heaven, whose wish Ashlesha follows, to those serpents I offer this sweet oblation.

Verse 8

उपहूताः पितरो ये मघासु ।
मनोजवसस्सुकृतस्सुकृत्याः ।
ते नो नक्षत्रे हवमागमिष्ठाः ।
स्वधाभिर्यज्ञं प्रयतं जुषन्ताम् ।
ये अग्निदग्धा येऽनग्निदग्धाः ।
येऽमुं लोकं पितरः क्षियन्ति ।
यांश्च विद्मयां उ च न प्रविद्म ।
मघासु यज्ञं सुकृतम् जुषन्ताम् ॥

Magha (deity the Pitrs, the ancestors): The ancestors who dwell in Magha are invited, swift as thought, doers of good and worthy of good; may they come to our call at this star and accept, with the svadha offerings, the sacrifice set before them. Those burnt by fire and those not burnt by fire, the ancestors who live in the other world, those we know and those we do not know - may they accept the well-made sacrifice in Magha.

Verse 9

गवां पतिः फल्गुनीनामसि त्वम् ।
तदर्यमन्वरुणमित्र चारु ।
तं त्वा वयं सनितारं सनीनाम् ।
जीवा जीवन्तमुप संविशेम ।
येनेमा विश्वा भुवनानि सञ्जिता ।
यस्य देवा अनुसंयन्ति चेतः ।
अर्यमा राजाऽजरस्तु विष्मान् ।
फल्गुनीनामृषभो रोरवीति ॥

Purva Phalguni (deity Aryaman): You are the lord of cattle of the Phalgunis, O Aryaman; that is your fair form, O Varuna and Mitra. Living, may we draw near to you, the living one, the winner of all gains. Aryaman, by whom all these worlds are won and whose mind the gods follow, is a king unaging and strong; the bull of the Phalgunis roars.

Verse 10

श्रेष्ठो देवानां भगवो भगासि ।
तत्त्वा विदुः फल्गुनीस्तस्य वित्तात् ।
अस्मभ्यं क्षत्रमजरं सुवीर्यम् ।
गोमदश्ववदुपसन्नुदेह ।
भगोह दाता भग इत्प्रदाता ।
भगो देवीः फल्गुनीराविवेश ।
भगस्येत्तं प्रसवं गमेम ।
यत्र देवैस्सधमादं मदेम ॥

Uttara Phalguni (deity Bhaga): O Bhaga, you are the foremost of the gods; the Phalgunis know you, so know them too. Grant us here lasting power and strength, rich in cows and horses. Bhaga is the giver and Bhaga is the bestower; Bhaga has entered the divine Phalgunis. May we reach his blessing, where we may rejoice together with the gods.

Verse 11

आयातु देवस्सवितोपयातु ।
हिरण्ययेन सुवृता रथेन ।
वहन् हस्तं सुभगं विद्मनापसम् ।
प्रयच्छन्तं पपुरिं पुण्यमच्छ ।
हस्तः प्रयच्छ त्वमृतं वसीयः ।
दक्षिणेन प्रतिगृभ्णीम एनत् ।
दातारमद्य सविता विदेय ।
यो नो हस्ताय प्रसुवाति यज्ञम् ॥

Hasta (deity Savitr): May the god Savitr come to us on his golden, well-turning chariot, bringing Hasta, fortunate and skilled, who gives generously and brings what is good. O Hasta, give us the immortal and the better; we receive it with the right hand. May I find Savitr as the giver today, who sends the sacrifice forth to Hasta.

Verse 12

त्वष्टा नक्षत्रमभ्येति चित्राम् ।
सुभं ससंयुवतिं रोचमानाम् ।
निवेशयन्नमृतान्मर्त्यांश्च ।
रूपाणि पिंशन्भुवनानि विश्वा ।
तन्नस्त्वष्टा तदु चित्रा विचष्टाम् ।
तन्नक्षत्रं भूरिदा अस्तु मह्यम् ।
तन्नः प्रजां वीरवतीं सनोतु ।
गोभिर्नो अश्वैस्समनक्तु यज्ञम् ॥

Chitra (deity Tvashtr): Tvashtr comes to his star Chitra, a radiant young maiden, settling the immortals and the mortals and shaping all forms and all worlds. May Tvashtr and Chitra look upon that for us; may that star give me plenty; may it grant us offspring with strong sons, and anoint our sacrifice with cows and horses.

Verse 13

वायुर्नक्षत्रमभ्येति निष्ट्याम् ।
तिग्मशृङ्गो वृषभो रोरुवाणः ।
समीरयन्भुवना मातरिश्वा ।
अप द्वेषांसि नुदतामरातीः ।
तन्नो वायुस्तदु निष्ट्या शृणोतु ।
तन्नक्षत्रं भूरिदा अस्तु मह्यम् ।
तन्नो देवासो अनुजानन्तु कामम् ।
यथा तरेम दुरितानि विश्वा ॥

Swati / Nishtya (deity Vayu): Vayu comes to his star Nishtya, a sharp-horned bull that bellows; as Matarishvan, setting the worlds in motion, may he drive away hatred and enemies. May Vayu and Nishtya hear us; may that star give me plenty; may the gods grant our wish, so that we may cross over all wrongs.

Verse 14

दूरमस्मच्छत्रवो यन्तु भीताः ।
तदिन्द्राग्नी कृणुतां तद्विशाखे ।
तन्नो देवा अनुमदन्तु यज्ञम् ।
पश्चात् पुरस्तादभयन्नो अस्तु ।
नक्षत्राणामधिपत्नी विशाखे ।
श्रेष्ठाविन्द्राग्नी भुवनस्य गोपौ ।
विषूचश्शत्रूनपबाधमानौ ।
अपक्षुधन्नुदतामरातिम् ॥

Vishakha (deity Indra-Agni): May our enemies flee far away in fear; may Indra and Agni do this, and Vishakha do this. May the gods rejoice in our sacrifice, and may there be safety for us behind and in front. O Vishakha, queen of the stars, with Indra and Agni the foremost guardians of the world, driving off foes on every side, may they drive away hunger and enmity.

Verse 15

पूर्णा पश्चादुत पूर्णा पुरस्तात् ।
उन्मध्यतः पौर्णमासी जिगाय ।
तस्यां देवा अधिसंवसन्तः ।
उत्तमे नाक इह मादयन्ताम् ।
पृथ्वी सुवर्चा युवतिः सजोषाः ।
पौर्णमास्युदगाच्छोभमाना ।
आप्याययन्ती दुरितानि विश्वा ।
उरुं दुहां यजमानाय यज्ञम् ॥

Paurnamasi (the full moon): Full behind and full in front, the full moon has risen victorious in the middle; may the gods who dwell in her rejoice here as in the highest heaven. The earth, bright, youthful and loving, the full moon has risen shining; making all wrongs swell away, may she yield a wide sacrifice for the one who offers.

Verse 16

ऋद्ध्यास्म हव्यैर्नमसोपसद्य ।
मित्रं देवं मित्रधेयं नो अस्तु ।
अनूराधान् हविषा वर्धयन्तः ।
शतं जीवेम शरदः सवीराः ।
चित्रं नक्षत्रमुदगात्पुरस्तात् ।
अनूराधा स इति यद्वदन्ति ।
तन्मित्र एति पथिभिर्देवयानैः ।
हिरण्ययैर्विततैरन्तरिक्षे ॥

Anuradha (deity Mitra): May we prosper, approaching Mitra with offerings and reverence; may the god Mitra be our friend. Strengthening the Anuradhas with the offering, may we live a hundred autumns with strong offspring. A bright star has risen in the east, which they call Anuradha; Mitra travels along the paths of the gods, golden and spread across the mid-air.

Verse 17

इन्द्रो ज्येष्ठामनु नक्षत्रमेति ।
यस्मिन् वृत्रं वृत्र तूर्ये ततार ।
तस्मिन्वयममृतं दुहानाः ।
क्षुधन्तरेम दुरितिं दुरिष्टिम् ।
पुरन्दराय वृषभाय धृष्णवे ।
अषाढाय सहमानाय मीढुषे ।
इन्द्राय ज्येष्ठा मधुमद्दुहाना ।
उरुं कृणोतु यजमानाय लोकम् ॥

Jyeshtha (deity Indra): Indra goes along his star Jyeshtha, in which he, the slayer of Vritra, overcame Vritra; in it, drawing out immortality, may we cross over hunger, misfortune and ill-will. For Indra, the breaker of forts, the bull, the bold, the unconquered, the victorious, the bountiful, may Jyeshtha yield sweetness and make a wide world for the one who offers.

Verse 18

मूलं प्रजां वीरवतीं विदेय ।
पराच्येतु निरृतिः पराचा ।
गोभिर्नक्षत्रं पशुभिस्समक्तम् ।
अहर्भूयाद्यजमानाय मह्यम् ।
अहर्नो अद्य सुविते ददातु ।
मूलं नक्षत्रमिति यद्वदन्ति ।
पराचीं वाचा निरृतिं नुदामि ।
शिवं प्रजायै शिवमस्तु मह्यम् ॥

Mula (deity Nirriti): May I find through Mula offspring rich in strong sons; may Nirriti, misfortune, go away far off. May the star, anointed with cows and cattle, become a good day for me, the one who offers; may it set our day in well-being. It is called the star Mula; with my words I drive Nirriti away. May there be good for my family, and good for me.

Verse 19

या दिव्या आपः पयसा सम्बभूवुः ।
या अन्तरिक्ष उत पार्थिवीर्याः ।
यासामषाढा अनुयन्ति कामम् ।
ता न आपश्शं स्योना भवन्तु ।
याश्च कूप्या याश्च नाद्यास्समुद्रियाः ।
याश्च वैशन्तीरुत प्रासचीर्याः ।
यासामषाढा मधु भक्षयन्ति ।
ता न आपश्शं स्योना भवन्तु ॥

Purva Ashadha (deity Apah, the Waters): The heavenly waters that came into being with milk, those of the mid-air and those of the earth, whose wish Ashadha follows - may those waters be kind and gentle to us. The waters of wells, of rivers and of the sea, of ponds and of springs, whose sweetness Ashadha enjoys - may those waters be kind and gentle to us.

Verse 20

तन्नो विश्वे उप शृण्वन्तु देवाः ।
तदषाढा अभिसंयन्तु यज्ञम् ।
तन्नक्षत्रं प्रथतां पशुभ्यः ।
कृषिर्वृष्टिर्यजमानाय कल्पताम् ।
शुभ्राः कन्या युवतयस्सुपेशसः ।
कर्मकृतस्सुकृतो वीर्यावतीः ।
विश्वान् देवान् हविषा वर्धयन्तीः ।
अषाढाः काममुपयान्तु यज्ञम् ॥

Uttara Ashadha (deity the Vishvedevas): May all the gods listen to us; may the Ashadhas come to the sacrifice; may that star spread for the cattle, and may farming and rain prosper for the one who offers. Bright young maidens, beautiful, skilled in work, doing good and full of strength, strengthening all the gods with the offering - may the Ashadhas come to the sacrifice as wished.

Verse 21

यस्मिन् ब्रह्माभ्यजयत्सर्वमेतत् ।
अमुञ्च लोकमिदमूच सर्वम् ।
तन्नो नक्षत्रमभिजिद्विजित्य ।
श्रियं दधात्वहृणीयमानम् ।
उभौ लोकौ ब्रह्मणा सञ्जितेमौ ।
तन्नो नक्षत्रमभिजिद्विचष्टाम् ।
तस्मिन्वयं पृतनास्सञ्जयेम ।
तन्नो देवासो अनुजानन्तु कामम् ॥

Abhijit (deity Brahma): In it Brahma won all this, this world and that, and spoke all of it; may that star Abhijit, having conquered, give us fortune that does not fade. Both worlds are won by Brahma; may the star Abhijit look upon us; in it may we win our battles, and may the gods grant our wish.

Verse 22

शृण्वन्ति श्रोणाममृतस्य गोपाम् ।
पुण्यामस्या उपशृणोमि वाचम् ।
महीं देवीं विष्णुपत्नीमजूर्याम् ।
प्रतीची मेनां हविषा यजामः ।
त्रेधा विष्णुरुरुगायो विचक्रमे ।
महीं दिवं पृथिवीमन्तरिक्षम् ।
तच्छ्रोणैतिश्रव इच्छमाना ।
पुण्यं श्लोकं यजमानाय कृण्वती ॥

Shravana (deity Vishnu): They hear Shrona, guardian of the immortal; I hear her holy voice. We worship with offerings the great goddess, wife of Vishnu, unaging. Vishnu, the wide-striding, strode three times across the great heaven, the earth and the mid-air; Shrona goes seeking fame, making a holy name for the one who offers.

Verse 23

अष्टौ देवा वसवस्सोम्यासः ।
चतस्रो देवीरजराः श्रविष्ठाः ।
ते यज्ञं पान्तु रजसः परस्तात् ।
संवथ्सरीणममृतं स्वस्ति ।
यज्ञं नः पान्तु वसवः पुरस्तात् ।
दक्षिणतोऽभियन्तु श्रविष्ठाः ।
पुण्यं नक्षत्रमभि संविशाम ।
मा नो अरातिरघशंसाऽगन्न् ॥

Dhanishtha / Shravishtha (deity the Vasus): The eight gods, the Vasus, kind like Soma, and the four unaging goddesses, the Shravishthas - may they guard the sacrifice beyond the dark space, and the immortal well-being of the year. May the Vasus guard our sacrifice in front, and the Shravishthas come from the south. May we enter the holy star, and may no foe or evil-speaker reach us.

Verse 24

क्षत्रस्य राजा वरुणोऽधिराजः ।
नक्षत्राणां शतभिषग्वसिष्ठः ।
तौ देवेभ्यः कृणुतो दीर्घमायुः ।
शतं सहस्रा भेषजानि धत्तः ।
यज्ञन्नो राजा वरुण उपयातु ।
तन्नो विश्वे अभि संयन्तु देवाः ।
तन्नो नक्षत्रं शतभिषग्जुषाणम् ।
दीर्घमायुः प्रतिरद्भेषजानि ॥

Shatabhishak (deity Varuna): Varuna is king of royal power and over-lord; Shatabhishak is the best of the stars. The two give the gods long life and hold a hundred, a thousand medicines. May King Varuna come to our sacrifice, may all the gods come together to us; may the star Shatabhishak, pleased, lengthen our life and our medicines.

Verse 25

अज एकपादुदगात्पुरस्तात् ।
विश्वा भूतानि प्रति मोदमानः ।
तस्य देवाः प्रसवं यन्ति सर्वे ।
प्रोष्ठपदासो अमृतस्य गोपाः ।
विभ्राजमानस्समिधा न उग्रः ।
आऽन्तरिक्षमरुहदगन्द्याम् ।
तं सूर्यं देवमजमेकपादम् ।
प्रोष्ठपदासो अनुयन्ति सर्वे ॥

Purva Bhadrapada (deity Aja Ekapad): Aja Ekapad has risen in the east, rejoicing in all beings; all the gods follow his impulse, and the Proshthapadas are the guardians of the immortal. Shining, fierce like a kindled fire, he has climbed the mid-air and reached the sky; all the Proshthapadas follow that sun-god, Aja Ekapad.

Verse 26

अहिर्बुध्नियः प्रथमा न एति ।
श्रेष्ठो देवानामुत मानुषाणाम् ।
तं ब्राह्मणास्सोमपास्सोम्यासः ।
प्रोष्ठपदासो अभिरक्षन्ति सर्वे ।
चत्वार एकमभि कर्म देवाः ।
प्रोष्ठपदा स इति यान् वदन्ति ।
ते बुध्नियं परिषद्यं स्तुवन्तः ।
अहिं रक्षन्ति नमसोपसद्य ॥

Uttara Bhadrapada (deity Ahirbudhnya): Ahirbudhnya comes first to us, the foremost of gods and of men; the Brahmanas who drink Soma, gentle like Soma, and all the Proshthapadas guard him. The four gods together do one work, whom they call the Proshthapadas; praising Budhnya in the assembly, they guard Ahi, approaching with reverence.

Verse 27

पूषा रेवत्यन्वेति पन्थाम् ।
पुष्टिपती पशुपा वाजबस्त्यौ ।
इमानि हव्या प्रयता जुषाणा ।
सुगैर्नो यानैरुपयातां यज्ञम् ।
क्षुद्रान् पशून् रक्षतु रेवती नः ।
गावो नो अश्वां अन्वेतु पूषा ।
अन्नं रक्षन्तौ बहुदा विरूपम् ।
वाजं सनुतां यजमानाय यज्ञम् ॥

Revati (deity Pushan): Pushan follows the path along Revati; the two lords of nourishment, guardians of cattle, rich in strength, accepting these offered oblations, may they come to our sacrifice by easy roads. May Revati guard our small animals, and may Pushan follow our cows and horses; guarding food of many kinds, may the two win strength and sacrifice for the one who offers.

Verse 28

तदश्विनावश्वयुजोपयाताम् ।
शुभङ्गमिष्ठौ सुयमेभिरश्वैः ।
स्वं नक्षत्रं हविषा यजन्तौ ।
मध्वासम्पृक्तौ यजुषा समक्तौ ।
यौ देवानां भिषजौ हव्यवाहौ ।
विश्वस्य दूतावमृतस्य गोपौ ।
तौ नक्षत्रं जुजुषाणोपयाताम् ।
नमोऽश्विभ्यां कृणुमोऽश्वयुग्भ्याम् ॥

Ashvini (deity the Ashvins): May the two Ashvins come with Ashvayuj, going in splendour with well-reined horses, worshipping their own star with the offering, joined with honey and anointed with the sacred formula. The two physicians of the gods, bearers of offerings, messengers of all and guardians of the immortal - may they, pleased, come to the star. We bow to the Ashvins, to those who yoke horses.

Verse 29

अप पाप्मानं भरणीर्भरन्तु ।
तद्यमो राजा भगवान् विचष्टाम् ।
लोकस्य राजा महतो महान् हि ।
सुगं नः पन्थामभयं कृणोतु ।
यस्मिन्नक्षत्रे यम एति राजा ।
यस्मिन्नेनमभ्यषिञ्चन्त देवाः ।
तदस्य चित्रं हविषा यजाम ।
अप पाप्मानं भरणीर्भरन्तु ॥

Bharani (deity Yama): May the Bharanis carry away evil; may King Yama, the lord, look upon it. King of the world, great among the great, may he make our path easy and free from fear. The star where King Yama goes, in which the gods anointed him - we worship its bright form with the offering; may the Bharanis carry away evil.

Verse 30

निवेशनी सङ्गमनी वसूनां विश्वा रूपाणि वसून्यावेशयन्ती ।
सहस्रपोषं सुभगा रराणा सा न आगन्वर्चसा संविदाना ॥

Krishna Chaturdashi (the night before the new moon): She who brings to rest, who gathers riches, settling all forms and all wealth, giving thousandfold increase, fortunate and generous - may she come to us, united with radiance.

Verse 31

यत्ते देवा अदधुर्भागधेयममावास्ये संवसन्तो महित्वा ।
सा नो यज्ञं पिपृहि विश्ववारे रयिन्नो धेहि सुभगे सुवीरम् ॥

Amavasya (the new moon): O Amavasya, the share that the gods, dwelling together in greatness, have set in you - with it fill our sacrifice, O giver of every boon; O fortunate one, give us wealth with strong offspring.

The syllable people get wrong

Verse 7 names the serpent star as āśreṣā, with an r, the older Vedic form of the later name Āśleṣā; say it aa-SHRAY-shaa, with a long first aa and no l sound.

Questions

It is the opening of the third book of the Taittiriya Brahmana, the section called the Nakshatreshti. The verses come first; prose sections then explain each offering. Each prose account tells how a god desired something, made an offering to his star and obtained it, so that the verse and its story belong together. The sequence counts twenty-eight stars from Krittika to Bharani and closes with verses for the eve of the new moon and the new moon itself.

The Vedic lists of the stars begin with the Krittikas, the Pleiades, and this text keeps that order. Later reckoning moved the starting point so that the list opens with Ashwini, which is how most birth-star tables read today. In the suktam, Ashwini appears near the end as Ashvayuj under the twin Ashvins (verse 28), and Bharani under King Yama closes the cycle (verse 29).

The suktam includes Abhijit, the victorious one, between Uttara Ashadha and Shravana, with Brahma as its deity; verse 21 says that in it Brahma won this world and the other. The Atharvaveda list also names Abhijit as a twenty-eighth asterism. When the sky was later divided into equal portions, Abhijit received no span of its own, which is why the familiar count is twenty-seven.

The verses follow the stars in order from Krittika (verse 1) to Bharani (verse 29), with the full moon at verse 15 and Abhijit at verse 21. Four names differ from modern usage: Pushya appears as Tishya (verse 6), Swati as Nishtya (verse 13), Shravana as Shrona (verse 22) and Dhanishtha as Shravishtha (verse 23). Each Phalguni, Ashadha and Bhadrapada has its own verse.

Not sure a mantra is enough?

Have your chart read before you decide

Chanting is yours to do, and free. But which deity your situation calls for — and whether a mantra alone is the right response — depends on your chart. Sometimes it is; sometimes it is not.

Brahmashree Shivaaya

Chief Operating Officer & Head of Astrological & Spiritual Solutions

Over 30 years in the Guru–Sishya Parampara, from the age of five
He reads every chart himself — 60 minutes, one to one, never delegated
Charts are read only between sunrise and sunset, following tradition

Book a consultation Ask Nirnaya — free

+91 96295 55442 WhatsApp us support@astrobhava.com

Continue