Dvishikha, Dviśikhā: 4 definitions
Introduction:
Dvishikha means something in Hinduism, Sanskrit. If you want to know the exact meaning, history, etymology or English translation of this term then check out the descriptions on this page. Add your comment or reference to a book if you want to contribute to this summary article.
The Sanskrit term Dviśikhā can be transliterated into English as Dvisikha or Dvishikha, using the IAST transliteration scheme (?).
In Hinduism
Purana and Itihasa (epic history)
Source: archive.org: Shiva Purana - English TranslationDviśikha (द्विशिख) is the name of a Gaṇeśvara (attendant of Śiva), according to the Śivapurāṇa 2.5.9 (“Śiva’s campaign”).—Accordingly, as Śiva with the Gods attacked Tripura: “[...] O great Brahmins, all the Gaṇeśvaras went to the three cities. Who can enumerate them fully? I shall mention a few. These were the important ones who were there—[e.g., Dviśikha] [...]. These and other innumerable lords of Gaṇas who cannot be characterised and classified surrounded Śiva and went ahead. [...] They were capable of burning the entire world including the mobile and immobile beings, within a trice by their very thought. Surrounding Śiva, the great lord, they went ahead. [...]”.
Source: JatLand: List of Mahabharata people and placesDviśikhā (द्विशिखा) is a name mentioned in the Mahābhārata (cf. IX.44.90) and represents one of the many proper names used for people and places. Note: The Mahābhārata (mentioning Dviśikhā) is a Sanskrit epic poem consisting of 100,000 ślokas (metrical verses) and is over 2000 years old.
The Purana (पुराण, purāṇas) refers to Sanskrit literature preserving ancient India’s vast cultural history, including historical legends, religious ceremonies, various arts and sciences. The eighteen mahapuranas total over 400,000 shlokas (metrical couplets) and date to at least several centuries BCE.
Jyotisha (astronomy and astrology)
Source: Wisdom Library: Brihat Samhita by VarahamihiraDviśikha (द्विशिख) refers to “that which has two tails” and is used to describe certain Ketus (i.e., luminous bodies such as comets and meteors), according to the Bṛhatsaṃhitā (chapter 11), an encyclopedic Sanskrit work written by Varāhamihira mainly focusing on the science of ancient Indian astronomy astronomy (Jyotiṣa).—Accordingly, “Thus have been stated briefly 101 Ketus and we will now proceed to state clearly the 1,000 Ketus already referred to. The comets that appear in the north and north-east are 84 in number; they are the sons of Venus; they have large, white and shining discs and when they appear mankind will not be happy. The comets that appear glossy, with rays and double-tailed [i.e., dviśikha] are sixty in number; they are the sons of Saturn; they appear anywhere and are named Kanaka Ketus; when they appear mankind will feel very miserable”.
Jyotisha (ज्योतिष, jyotiṣa or jyotish) refers to ‘astronomy’ or “Vedic astrology” and represents the fifth of the six Vedangas (additional sciences to be studied along with the Vedas). Jyotisha concerns itself with the study and prediction of the movements of celestial bodies, in order to calculate the auspicious time for rituals and ceremonies.
Languages of India and abroad
Sanskrit dictionary
Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Monier-Williams Sanskrit-English DictionaryDviśikha (द्विशिख):—[=dvi-śikha] [from dvi] mfn. two-pointed, forked, [Bhāgavata-purāṇa]
Sanskrit, also spelled संस्कृतम् (saṃskṛtam), is an ancient language of India commonly seen as the grandmother of the Indo-European language family (even English!). Closely allied with Prakrit and Pali, Sanskrit is more exhaustive in both grammar and terms and has the most extensive collection of literature in the world, greatly surpassing its sister-languages Greek and Latin.
See also (Relevant definitions)
Starts with: Dvishikhara.
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Full-text: Shikha.
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Search found 3 books and stories containing Dvishikha, Dvi-shikha, Dvi-sikha, Dvi-śikha, Dvi-śikhā, Dviśikhā, Dviśikha, Dvisikha; (plurals include: Dvishikhas, shikhas, sikhas, śikhas, śikhās, Dviśikhās, Dviśikhas, Dvisikhas). You can also click to the full overview containing English textual excerpts. Below are direct links for the most relevant articles:
List of Mahabharata people and places (by Laxman Burdak)
Shiva Purana (by J. L. Shastri)
Chapter 9 - Śiva’s campaign < [Section 2.5 - Rudra-saṃhitā (5): Yuddha-khaṇḍa]
Linga Purana (by J. L. Shastri)
Chapter 72 - Construction of Rudra’s chariot < [Section 1 - Uttarabhāga]