The Sanskrit terms Vakraśikha and Vakraśikhā can be transliterated into English as Vakrasikha or Vakrashikha, using the IAST transliteration scheme (?).

In Hinduism

Jyotisha (astronomy and astrology)

Source: Wisdom Library: Brihat Samhita by Varahamihira

Vakraśikhā (वक्रशिखा) refers to “having the tails bent” and is used to describe 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, “The Ketus or comets whose tails are bent [i.e., vakraśikhā] and which are of sharp rays and black are the sons of Yama; they are 25 in number; they appear in the south; when they appear there will be deaths in the land. The Ketus or comets that appear like a mirror, are round in shape without tails but with rays and looking like oil or water are the sons of the Earth; they are 23 in number, and appear in the north-east; when they appear mankind will be afflicted with fear and hunger”.

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: Shikha, Vakra.

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