Classification of Naksatras

To minimize the possible confusion, one should as far as possible stick to a single ancient author and one classification. We are accepting Varahamihira's stellar classification as

proposed in the chapter Naksatrakarmagunadhaya in his monumental work Vrihadsamhita. Copies of this work found in different parts of India and its translations discovered in other countries strictly tally with each other, so we can accept that there is no interpolation.

During the Vedic time Naksatra series used to start from Kritika, thereafter the other 26/27 Naksatras strictly adhered to their serial positions (series began with Kritika in Taitteriya, Kath and Maitrei Samhita and Atharva Veda). Bharani headed the list in Vedanga Jyotisha, but in post Vedic works such as Surya Sidhdhanta and Vrihadsamhita the Naksatra list is headed by Aswini. This can be explained with the shifting of date of vernal equinox.

Varahmihira's stellar list is same as in Surya Siddanta but he excluded out Abhijit. In the list below the serial positions of the Naksatras are denoted by consecutive numerals. Subsequently in this work the numerals will represent the adjoining Naksatra. The serial positions shown here are as found in the Naksatra Jatakadhaya chapter of Vrihadsamhita.