Maniketu, Maṇiketu: 6 definitions
Introduction:
Maniketu means something in Hinduism, Sanskrit, Jainism, Prakrit. 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.
In Hinduism
Jyotisha (astronomy and astrology)
Source: Wisdom Library: Brihat Samhita by VarahamihiraMaṇiketu (मणिकेतु) or simply Maṇi 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, “Kumuda Ketu is a comet of the colour of the white water lily. It appears in the west with its tail pointing to the east and is visible only for a night. When it appears there will be unprecedented happiness in the land for a period of ten years. Maṇi Ketu [maṇiketu] is a comet which appears for only 3 hours occasionally; it possesses an invisible disc and appears in the west; its tail is straight and white and it resembles a line of milk drawn from a human breast. There will be happiness in the land from the very time of its appearance for four and a half months; reptiles and venomous creatures will come into existence”.
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.
In Jainism
General definition (in Jainism)
Source: archive.org: TrisastisalakapurusacaritraMaṇiketu (मणिकेतु) refers to one of the sons of Aśvagrīva, according to chapter 5.3 [śāntinātha-caritra] of Hemacandra’s 11th century Triṣaṣṭiśalākāpuruṣacaritra: an ancient Sanskrit epic poem narrating the history and legends of sixty-three illustrious persons in Jainism.
Accordingly:—“[...] Now Aśvagrīva’s sons, Maṇikumbha and Maṇiketu, after they had wandered through the forest of existence for a long time, performed foolish penance once upon a time, were born as Asuras, came there just then in the independent wandering they had begun and saw the great sage. Then they began to attack the Muni, like buffaloes a tree, because of hostility in his birth as Amitatejas. Becoming lions, they scratched his body on both sides with nails sharp as blades of adamant. [...]”.
Jainism is an Indian religion of Dharma whose doctrine revolves around harmlessness (ahimsa) towards every living being. The two major branches (Digambara and Svetambara) of Jainism stimulate self-control (or, shramana, ‘self-reliance’) and spiritual development through a path of peace for the soul to progess to the ultimate goal.
Languages of India and abroad
Sanskrit dictionary
Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Edgerton Buddhist Hybrid Sanskrit DictionaryMaṇiketu (मणिकेतु).—name of a Bodhisattva: Gaṇḍavyūha 3.20.
Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Monier-Williams Sanskrit-English DictionaryMaṇiketu (मणिकेतु):—[=maṇi-ketu] [from maṇi] m. Name of a [particular] comet or meteor, [Varāha-mihira]
[Sanskrit to German]
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)
Full-text (+1): Pradurbhava, Susukshma, Stana, Stanodgata, Kshudrajantu, Kshiradhara, Jantu, Kshira, Udgata, Rijvishikha, Mani, Varuni, Kumudaketu, Ekanisha, Nisa, Kumudakanti, Manikumbha, Kshudra, Dhara, Rijvi.
Relevant text
Search found 2 books and stories containing Maniketu, Maṇiketu, Mani-ketu, Maṇi-ketu; (plurals include: Maniketus, Maṇiketus, ketus). You can also click to the full overview containing English textual excerpts. Below are direct links for the most relevant articles:
Trishashti Shalaka Purusha Caritra (by Helen M. Johnson)
Part 8: Initiation of Vajrāyudha < [Chapter III - Eighth incarnation as Vajrāyudha]
Brihat Samhita (by N. Chidambaram Iyer)