[Pramāṇa](https://indike.org/pramana/) › [Studies](https://indike.org/pramana/ins) › [Reference works](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference) › [Vedic Index of Names and Subjects](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.macdonell-keith-1912) › v1.c3.s20.8 # Vedic Index of Names and Subjects v1.c3.s20.8 Vedic Index of Names and Subjects v1.c3.s20.8 - **Language:** English ### [v1.c3.s20.8](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.macdonell-keith-1912.v1.c3.s20.8) Nakṣatra is a word of obscure origin and derivation. The Indian interpreters already show a great divergence of opinion as to its primary meaning. The Śatapatha Brāhmaṇa¹ resolves it into na-kṣatra (‘no power’), explaining it by a legend. The Nirukta² refers it to the root nakṣ, ‘obtain,’ following the Taittirīya Brāhmaṇa.³ Aufrecht⁴ and Weber⁵ derived it from nakta-tra, ‘guardian of night,’ and more recently⁶ the derivation from nak-kṣatra, ‘having rule over night,’ seems to be gaining acceptance. The generic meaning of the word therefore seems to be ‘star.’ - [Previous: v1.c3.s20.7](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.macdonell-keith-1912.v1.c3.s20.7) - [Next: v1.c3.s20.9](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.macdonell-keith-1912.v1.c3.s20.9) - [Up: v1.c3.s20](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.macdonell-keith-1912.v1.c3.s20) ## Linked texts (3) - [Taittirīyabrāhmaṇa](https://indike.org/pramana/in.veda.brahmana.taittiriya) — Sanskrit - [Nirukta](https://indike.org/pramana/in.vedanga.nirukta.yaska) — Yāska, Sanskrit - [Śatapathabrāhmaṇa](https://indike.org/pramana/in.veda.brahmana.satapatha) — Yājñavalkya & Śāṇḍilya (Vedic teacher), Sanskrit --- Source: [https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.macdonell-keith-1912.v1.c3.s20.8](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.macdonell-keith-1912.v1.c3.s20.8) · Pramāṇa