Gaṇḍānta
Gaṇḍānta · gaṇḍa-anta, “the dangerous junction”
Grammar: masculine noun; a compound of gaṇḍa (danger, a dangerous point) and anta (end): “the dangerous end”, the junction where one nakshatra ends and the next begins.
Meaning: a junction of two nakshatras, a time of danger in which no auspicious work is done.
In the scriptures: in the Yuddhajayārṇava of the Agni Purāṇa, Parameśvara, teaching the Devī the determination of the nakshatras, gives the three gaṇḍāntas:
- The first gaṇḍānta is the last four daṇḍas of Revatī and the first four daṇḍas of Aśvinī. One yāma (watch) of these nakshatras is to be avoided carefully in auspicious works.
- The second gaṇḍānta is four daṇḍas each at the end of Āśleshā and the beginning of Maghā.
- The third gaṇḍānta. “Bhairavī! Now hear the third gaṇḍānta.” The one yāma between Jyeshṭhā and Mūla is very fearsome. One who wishes to live should do no auspicious work at that time; and if a child is born at that time, the parents die.
(Agni Purāṇa, Chapter 126)
Related terms: Nakshatra · Muhūrta · Daṇḍa · Yāma · Revatī · Aśvinī · Jyeshṭhā · Mūla
Sources
- Agni Purāṇa, Chapter 126