[Jagannath] Ketu

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> Maharshi Parasara is a co-author of the Rig Veda

 

Yes, he composed 9 hymns to Agni (RV 1.65-73).

 

>and has also authored

>the Brihat Parasara Hora Shastra.

 

In the version that is currently available on the market Parasara

appears as listing Ketu among the grahas as well as among the

upagrahas (dhuma-ketu and what is there called upaketu).

I do not know, though, how different were Parasara's original

teachings from the current available versions -- how much editing,

additions, subtractions, scribal errors, etc.

 

> Thus, if Parasara treats Ketu as a Graha

>(or Chaya Graha) then this must have been so during the period of the Rig

>Veda.

 

I am not sure whether Parasara originally considered Ketu a

chaya-graha. Moreover, it seems that in the RV Ketu is never a

chaya-graha, as Rahu/Vrtra is.

See, for example, in Parasara's own hymns: RV 1.69,1 & 1.71.5 5 where

Agni is said to fill the two worlds with light, and the archer

(Rudra, Agni) shoots his arrow (Ketu) at him (Surya?) and the god

(Prajapati? Dyaus?) throws his light on Usas (dawn). To me these two

passages seem to refer to the aurora borealis, which in the RV seems

to be an aeffect of comets attacking Surya (and related also to

sunspots). At RV 1.72.4. Rudra seems to be identified with Agni.

To me Ketu is Agni's upa-asura and Rudra's sharp weapon -- Rudra's

weapon is mentioned at RV 1.66.4.

 

>Comets were also called Ketu's due to their " Tail " as Ketu is

>supposed to be the tail part.

 

This reminds me of RV 5.40, the first part (head) of which refers to

eclipses caused by Rahu/Vrtra, and the second half (tail) of which

refers to Ketu (Svarbhanu) as a comet hitting Surya and causing

sunspots.

All solar and lunar eclipses seem to be caused by Rahu/Vrtra, a snake

with head and tail, even in the Brhat Samhita. Varahamihira mentions

Ketu only when he discusses comets.

 

Nevertheless, I can see there is some kind of connection between the

eclipse-causing serpent and the comets. Consider, for example, the

idea of a dragon (in Chinese traditions as well as in medieval

European): the dragon is some kind of serpent with his mouth and eyes

full of fire.

 

Another, related question: why are there only 8 yoginis? Why no

yogini is related to Ketu?

 

> There will also be references to ketu as a Flag..Dhwaja and as Sikhi and

 

In my understanding, Indra's dhvaja (flag, banner) is another kind of

ketu/comet. Varahamihira speaks of hundreds of Ketus, doesn't he?

 

om santih...

 

Beatrice