Krittikanakshatra, Kṛttikanakṣatra, Kṛttikānakṣatra, Krittika-nakshatra: 3 definitions

Introduction:

Krittikanakshatra means something in Buddhism, Pali, 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 terms Kṛttikanakṣatra and Kṛttikānakṣatra can be transliterated into English as Krttikanaksatra or Krittikanakshatra, using the IAST transliteration scheme (?).

In Hinduism

Jyotisha (astronomy and astrology)

[«previous next»] — Krittikanakshatra in Jyotisha glossary
Source: Wisdom Library: Jyotiṣa

Kṛttikānakṣatra (भरणीनक्षत्र) is another name for Kṛttikā: a particular section of the ecliptic. Nakṣatra means “Lunar mansion” and corresponds to a specific region of the sky through which the moon passes each day. Kṛttikā means “nurse of Kārttikeya, a son of Śiva” and is associated with the deity known as Agni (God of fire).

Jyotisha book cover
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.

Discover the meaning of krittikanakshatra or krttikanaksatra in the context of Jyotisha from relevant books on Exotic India

General definition (in Hinduism)

[«previous next»] — Krittikanakshatra in Hinduism glossary
Source: Vic DiCara's Astrology: Current Positions of Nakṣatra in Tropical Space

About 5000 years ago, what we now consider the 3rd naksatra (Kṛttikā) was considered the 1st (in Ṛg and Atharva Veda, for example) because it aligned roughly with the beginning of the 1st division of the ecliptic, Aries. 

In Buddhism

Mahayana (major branch of Buddhism)

[«previous next»] — Krittikanakshatra in Mahayana glossary
Source: archive.org: Bulletin of the French School of the Far East (volume 5)

Kṛttikānakṣatra (कृत्तिकानक्षत्र) or simply Kṛttikā is the name of a Nakṣatra mentioned in chapter 18 of the Candragarbha: the 55th section of the Mahāsaṃnipāta-sūtra, a large compilation of Sūtras (texts) in Mahāyāna Buddhism partly available in Sanskrit, Tibetan and Chinese.

Mahayana book cover
context information

Mahayana (महायान, mahāyāna) 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 sūtras of which some of the earliest are the various Prajñāpāramitā sūtras.

Discover the meaning of krittikanakshatra or krttikanaksatra in the context of Mahayana from relevant books on Exotic India

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