Hello Dean,

For a short overview of the minimal Vedic evidence, see the article on naksatras in the Vedic Index of Macdonell and Keith.

George

On Thu, Jan 26, 2012 at 2:09 AM, Bill Mak <bill.m.mak@gmail.com> wrote:
On 2012/01/26, at 14:14, Dean Michael Anderson wrote:

Can anyone please point me to references in the texts from the Vedic period to Equinoxes, Solstices and Season changes?

The saṃhitā does not provide explicit formulation with regard to the equinoxes and solstices, although there are scanty references to the seasons. The details are given in Vedāṅga-jyotiṣa which comes in rc and yajur recensions, although according to Pingree this work could be quite late (c 400 BC). You shall find discussion on this topic in the following works:

Kuppanna Sastry, T S, K V Sarma, and Lagadha. 1985. Vedāṅga Jyotiṣa of Lagadha in Its Rk and Yajus Recension. New Delhi: Indian National Science Academy.
Pingree, David. 1981. Jyotiḥśāstra : Astral and Mathematical Literature. Wiesbaden: Harrassowitz. 8-10.
Subbarayappa, B V. 2008. The Tradition of Astronomy in India : Jyotiḥśāstra. New Delhi : Coronet Books Inc.

Best regards

---------------------------
Dr. Bill M. Mak

Centre of Buddhist Studies
Room 205, 2/F, May Hall, The University of Hong Kong
Pokfulam Road
Hong Kong