The Orion, or Researches into the Antiquity of the Vedas c8.27

c8.27

or giving up the system of reckoning by the divisional portions of the Zodiac, we have, roughly speaking, the winter solstice quite near the asterism of Uttarâ Bhâdrapadâ, the vernal equinox between the head and the right shoulder of Orion or about 3° east of Mrigashiras, the summer solstice at a distance of within 2° east of Uttarâ Phalgunî, and the autumnal equinox about 5° east of the asterism of Mûla. If we suppose the vernal equinox to coincide with Mrigashiras, the three other cardinal points are brought nearer to the fixed asterisms, and this appears to be the more probable position of the equinoxes and the solstices in those days. But without entering into these details, it will be evident from this that when the winter solstice fell on the Phalgunî full-moon the vernal equinox must be very near the asterism of Mrigashiras or two Nakshatras in advance of the Krittikâs. We have now to see what evidence there is in the Vedic works from which this old position of the four principal points in the ecliptic may be established.