Dhanishta

Dhanishta is the 23rd nakshatra.

The 22nd and 23rd nakshatra mapped to the star chart at Aquila and Delphinus. Dhanishta is the eastern (left) one.

... 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

Origin of Constellation

The term "dhanishta" literally means "most famous" which may refer to the recognizable shape of stars of Delphinus that are identified here. An laternative name is Shravishthā, "swiftest".

The depiction of feet at that place is confusing as the asterisms of the "blessed feet" are the nakshatras 25 and 26 which would also much better match the pattern, as they form two parallel lines. We suspect some confusion here.

Mythology

mnemonic tales and cultural significance

References

• References (general)