Significance of Comet

In Dharmashastra, the term Comet is associated with notable stars that have protruding crowns and are observed during public calamities. Similarly, in Mahayana beliefs, Comets are seen as celestial events that signal impending distress and suffering, carrying historical significance. This dual perception of Comets highlights their role as ominous signs in different cultural contexts, emphasizing their impact on human affairs and societal events throughout history.1
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Synonyms: Meteor, Celestial body, Shooting star

The below excerpts are indicatory and do represent direct quotations or translations. It is your responsibility to fact check each reference.

Buddhist concept of 'Comet'
Buddhism Books

In Buddhism, a comet symbolizes celestial events that foreshadow distress and suffering, highlighting its historical importance as a sign of impending challenges in the narrative of life and spiritual journey.

Significance in Mahayana (major branch of Buddhism):
Mahayana Books

Mahayana is a major branch of Buddhism focusing on the path of a Bodhisattva (spiritual aspirants/ enlightened beings). Extant literature is vast and primarely composed in the Sanskrit language. There are many sutras of which some of the earliest are the various Prajnaparamita sutras.

From: Shurangama Sutra (with commentary) (English)

(1) Celestial occurrences believed to be harbingers of distress and suffering, with historical significance in the narrative.[1]

Hindu concept of 'Comet'
Hinduism Books

In Hinduism, comets are interpreted as prominent celestial bodies with distinctive crowns, often seen as omens heralding public disasters or significant upheavals in society. Their appearances are viewed with caution and foreboding.

Significance in Jyotisha (astronomy and astrology):
Jyotisha Books

Jyotisha (ज्योतिष, jyotisha 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.

From: Brihat Samhita

(1) Comets are celestial bodies that, when crossing the Rishis, signify impending misfortune and suffering for the individuals and objects they are associated with.[2] (2) Comets are identified as a type of Ketu, appearing as luminous bodies that can be celestial, etherial, or terrestrial, and their effects on the world depend on various factors including their position and color.[3] (3) A comet is understood to consist of a solid nucleus on fire, vast masses of incandescent gas forming the luminous head, and solid materials and attenuated volumes of gas that constitute its tail, reflecting sunlight and influenced by the nucleus.[4] (4) Celestial bodies that, along with meteors, can negatively affect the asterisms and impact subsequent rainfall.[5]

Significance in Dharmashastra (religious law):
Dharmashastra Books

Dharmashastra contains the instructions (shastra) regarding religious conduct of livelihood (dharma), ceremonies, jurisprudence (study of law) and more. It is categorized as smriti, an important and authoritative selection of books dealing with the Hindu lifestyle.

From: Manusmriti with the Commentary of Medhatithi

(1) Well-known stars with protruding crowns, observed during times of public calamity.[6]

Significance in Purana and Itihasa (epic history):
Purana Books

The Purana 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.

From: Yoga Vasistha [English], Volume 1-4

(1) The falling body in the upper sky was attended with the falling of a portent, described as a comet or meteor from above.[7]

The concept of Comet in scientific sources
Science Books

COMET, or Characteristic Objects Method, is used in comparative analysis. It can be combined with TOPSIS and SPOTIS to resist rank reversal.

Significance in Environmental Sciences:
Environmental Sciences Books

From: Sustainability Journal (MDPI)

(1) COMET, also known as the vocational competence and professional identity assessment, is the inaugural international comparative project utilizing a rigorous psycho-diagnostic method specifically designed to diagnose professional competence development among students in vocational education.[8] (2) COMET, also known as Characteristic Objects Method, can be combined with TOPSIS and SPOTIS resistant to the rank reversal phenomenon for comparative analysis.[9]

Plural form: Comets.