Ashvini

For other uses, see Ashvini (disambiguation).

Ashvini (अश्विनी, IAST: aśvinī) is the first nakshatra (lunar mansion) in Indian astronomy, having a spread from 0°-0'-0" to 13°-20'. It corresponds to the head of Aries, including the stars β and γ Arietis, and possibly also α Arietis in the oldest versions of the asterism. Ashvini literally means "twin horse-man"; it is depicted as a horse's head and represents twin physician gods, the Ashvins. The name aśvinī is used by Varāhamihira (6th century). The older name of the asterism, found in the Atharvaveda (AVS 19.7; in the dual) and in Pāṇini (4.3.36), was aśvayúja, "harnessing horses". This nakshatra belongs to Mesha Rasi.

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