Alternative spellings of this word include Vikachaketu.

In Hinduism

Jyotisha (astronomy and astrology)

Source: Wisdom Library: Brihat Samhita by Varahamihira

Vikacāketu (विकचाकेतु) or simply Vikacā refers to certain 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 comets which are white, of single disc, without tails and glossy are named Vikacā Ketus and are the sons of Jupiter. They are 65 in number; they appear in the south and when they appear mankind will not be happy. The comets that are neither very bright nor clearly visible to the naked eye, and that are long and white are named Taskara Ketus; they are the sons of Mercury, they appear anywhere and are 51 in number; when they appear mankind will feel miserable”.

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: Vikaca, Ketu.

Full-text: Pancashashti, Vikaca, Parityakta, Taskaraketu, Ekatara, Dirgha, Shikhaparityakta, Gurusuta, Budhaja, Ekapancashat, Ativyakta, Taskara.

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Search found 1 books and stories containing Vikacaketu, Vikacāketu, Vikacā-ketu, Vikaca-ketu; (plurals include: Vikacaketus, Vikacāketus, 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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