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Jyotisha (astronomy and astrology)

Source: Wisdom Library: Brihat Samhita by Varahamihira

Raudraketu (रौद्रकेतु) or simply Raudra refers to a particular type of 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, “Kapāla Ketu is visible on new-moon days; its tail is of the colour of smoke; its course lies through the eastern half of the visible hemisphere; when it appears mankind will suffer from hunger, death, drought and disease. Raudra Ketu [raudraketu] is a comet resembling the dagger’s end and is of a dull red colour; it appears in the south-east and travels through a third of the sky and produces the same effects as the Kapāla Ketu”.

context information

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.

See also (Relevant definitions)

Partial matches: Raudra, Ketu.

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Full-text: Pranc, Marakakara, Rogakara, Raudra, Tribhaga, Gamin, Prannabhas, Kapala, Dhumra, Amavasya, Vicarin, Kapalaketu, Shulagra, Dhumrarashmi.

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Search found 1 books and stories containing Raudraketu, Raudra-ketu; (plurals include: Raudraketus, ketus). You can also click to the full overview containing English textual excerpts. Below are direct links for the most relevant articles:

Brihat Samhita (by N. Chidambaram Iyer)

Chapter 11 - On comets (ketu)

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