Pushya
From All Skies Encyclopaedia
... is an Indian name, used by the Indian Vedic tradition. Most of these names are roughly 3000 years old. They pre-date Hinduism but were taken over by it.
Etymology and History
The term literally means "the Nourisher" and therefore causes the same association of the star cluster in Cancer like the Greek "manger" that survives in the Latin name of the star cluster M44: Praesepe.
Yet, as the image found in historical depictions is an arrow with only one (bright) star, it suggests that the bright star is α CMi (Procyon) that rises simultaneously with the faint stars in Cancer and was likely used as a marker for them, in particular during twilight observations.
Origin of Constellation
Transfer and Transformation of the Constellation
Mythology
mnemonic tales and cultural significance
Weblinks
References
- References (general)
