Shloka 2
Nakṣatra-Devatā Enumeration and Muhūrta Rules for Travel, Rites, and Yogas
हरिरुवाच / कृत्तिकास्त्वग्निदेवत्या रोहिण्यो ब्रह्मणः स्मृताः / इल्वलाः सोमदेवत्या रौद्रं चार्द्रमुदाहृतम्
hariruvāca / kṛttikāstvagnidevatyā rohiṇyo brahmaṇaḥ smṛtāḥ / ilvalāḥ somadevatyā raudraṃ cārdramudāhṛtam
พระหริตรัสว่า—นักษัตรกฤตติกามีพระอัคนีเป็นเทพประธาน; โรหิณีระลึกว่าอยู่ในอำนาจพระพรหมา. อิลวลามีพระโสมเป็นเทพประธาน; และราวทรา กับ อารทรา ก็ประกาศไว้ฉันนั้น
Hari (Lord Vishnu)
Concept: Adhidevatā doctrine: celestial segments are governed by specific deities, integrating astronomy with theology.
Vedantic Theme: Many deities as functional powers under the one supreme (eka-īśvara-adhīna devatā-tattva)
Application: For ritual timing and vrata planning, honor the nakṣatra’s deity through appropriate mantra/offerings; cultivate humility toward cosmic order.
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Type: celestial sphere/asterismal belt
Related Themes: Garuda Purana 1.59.3-4 (continuation of nakṣatra adhidevatās)
FAQs
This verse links specific nakṣatras to their devatās, showing how cosmic time (lunar mansions) is interpreted through divine governance—useful for understanding ritual timing and religious cosmology in the Purāṇa.
Indirectly: by mapping time and fate-markers (nakṣatras) to deities, it reflects the Purāṇic view that embodied life unfolds under cosmic order—background context often used when discussing auspicious timing for saṃskāras and rites.
Use it as a scriptural reference when studying nakṣatra-devatā associations in traditional jyotiṣa or when selecting devotional focus (e.g., Agni, Soma) aligned with a nakṣatra-based practice.