History of Dharmashastra (Ancient and Mediaeval Religious and Civil Law in India) v4.c63.t2.773.3

v4.c63.t2.773.3

Two other verses appear to have some bearing on this. Bhīṣma 3. 12 states¹⁷⁸¹ that the white *graha* stands traversing citrā (i. e. it is about to enter into *svāti*) and verse 16 says, 'the white *graha* is fiery like fire emitting smoke and stands occupying Jyeṣṭhā which is a bright star presided over by Indra'. What is meant by 'white graha'? The words 'śveto grahaḥ' should ordinarily denote Venus. Nīlakaṇṭha takes them to mean Ketu (node) in Bhīṣma 3. 12 and another comet in 3. 16. If this latter explanation be accepted there were two comets seen at the time. Even if we hold that Bhīṣma 3. 16 describes the tail of the comet mentioned in 3. 13, that is of very little help. All that would be meant would be that the tail of the comet was a very long one Bhīṣma 3. 17 has been taken to refer to Rāhu by Nīlakaṇṭha, while some modern scholars hold that it refers to a comet. It means, 'a cruel comet standing between Citrā and Svāti, afflicts Rohiṇī and also the sun and the moon'. The description of the Ketu called Śveta in Bṛhat-saṁhitā 11. 39 agrees very closely with the description in the Bhīṣmaparva and Parāśara quoted by Utpala thereon states that the Ketu called 'Śveta' becomes visible after 115 years and portends the destruction of two-thirds of the population.