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The numbers with Mantra or syllable count from Sanhitaa definitely have a correlation, only few seem to be really observed.

(1) Taittireeya Sanhitaa, 1.4.34 starting with "Jyotishmatim twaasaadayaami" has 12 phrases. And the Apa Stamba Shrauta Sootra in corresponding Agni Chayan (XVII.6.4) says 12 Ishtikaas should be placed using those 12 phrases from Taittereeya Sanhhitaa as the Mantra.

(2) Daakshaayan Yagya also has explicit reference in the Shraut Sootra (III.17.4, 11 for instance), with references to Taittireeya Sanhhitaa III.5.5.4,   SB II.4.4.6.

So 12 Aaditya notion is definitely not post-Vaidik but well attested within Ved. Also, the year starting with entry to Mesh cannot be really missed (confirmed by Pauranik story of Daksh Yagya more explicitly with Daksh assuming ram head after his beheading signifying end of year). And Agni referenced directly as Vrishabh in Rig Ved and called Mesh Dhwaj are definitely pointing to successive constellations. Adjacent constellations or stars referenced as Vaahan and Dhwaj and diametrically opposite ones called enemies is a well recurring theme in Ved Puraan (for instance enmity of Indra-Vritra, Shiv-Paarvatee Mithun having Vrishabh as their vehicle) and hence this cannot be accused as reading into the Ved - it is something definitely present in the Ved.

It should also be noted that the Hindu mention of 12 Raashi (Signs) is at variance to the Greek ones. Gemini for us is not twins but Daiv Mithun - which happens to be constant all through with no change.

About a century ago Gobburi Venkatananda Raghava Rao in his work "Jyotirvedamu & quot; methodically refuted the claims of Greek import of astronomy and astrology using references from Rig Ved. Apart from the very apparent references like Vrishabh and Mesh he goes into the symbolic references like "vishnoh pade parame madhwa utsah" of Rig Ved, saying that the Madhwa utsah can only be the Madhu Makshika nebula (owing to its proximity to Abhijit).

Besides, the 27 stars, grouped into 12 sets, is evident in the 12 month cycle. It is not just a calendar convenience but the Sanskaar are ordained to be done during specific months in the Grihya Sootra and not Nakshatra, thus recognizing the the auspiciousness of a constellation instead of just one Nakshatra. Even as far as astrology is concerned the Raashi is not as central as people seem to think. Whether it is Lagna or Janma Taaraa, any decently learned astrologer would tell us that the real strength of position is only generally determined from Raashi but more specifically from the Nakshatra. So it is not that the Nakshatra style astrology got replaced with Raashi style with Greek contact.

Regards,
 

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