Rohini (nakshatra)
Hindu goddess
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In Hinduism
In Hindu, 27 daughters of Daksha and Asikni were married to Chandra.
Chandra spent most of his time with Rohini, which enraged his other wives, who subsequently complained about this to their father. Seeing his daughters unhappy, Daksha cursed Chandra with leprosy and proclaimed that the Moon would wax and wane each month.
Rohini, along with her sisters Kṛttikā and Revati, are often described as deified beings and "mothers".
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In Indian astronomy
In Indian astronomy, the fourth of the 27 nakshatras (lunar stations) is named Rohini. It is represented by an asterism corresponding to the Hyades, with the brightest star being Aldebaran. Rohini literally means "red", referring specifically to the reddish star Aldebaran. The lunar station Rohini spans from 10° 0' to 23° 20' in Vṛṣabha constellation (Taurus).
The Hyades are also traditionally referred to as Rohini shakata, "the cart of Rohini (Aldebaran)". When the Moon or a planet crosses the Hyades, it is called Rohini shakata bheda, "cutting through the cart". The IAU Working Group on Star Names has adopted the name "Shakata" for the star 75 Tauri, which is in the Hyades as an asterism.
In Indian astrology
In Indian astrology, also known as Jyotisha, Rohini is the fourth lunar station or nakshatra of the zodiac, ruled by the Moon. Lord Krishna's birth star is Rohini and it is believed there exists a significance in his choice to be born under the influence of this star.
Beyond the Indian subcontinent and Hinduism
Rohini is known as Gorakak Devi (Khmer: គោរាគៈទេវី) in Cambodia; she is the wife of Chandra in Hinduism, a tradition passed down from the Khmer Empire, and the protective goddess of Monday. She is worshipped during the Cambodian New Year if the first day of the year falls on a Monday according to the Cambodian calendar (Khmer: ពិធីផ្ទេរតំណែងទេវតាឆ្នាំថ្មី), as she is believed to descend from heaven to care for the people of this land for one year until the following New Year.
Gorakak Devi's appearance is influenced by Cambodian culture, including local Buddhist imagery. Her vāhana (mount) is a tiger. She has only two hands, carries a Khanda and Royal Staff, and her clothes are yellow.