ऋतु

Definitions

• any settled point of time, fixed time, time appointed for any action (especially for sacrifices and other regular worship), right or fit time
• an epoch, period (especially a division or part of the year), season (the number of the divisions of the year is in ancient times, three, five, six, seven, twelve, thirteen, and twenty-four; in later time six seasons are enumerated, namely वसन्त (spring), ग्रीष्म (the hot season), वर्षा (the rainy season), शरद् (autumn), हेमन्त (winter) and शिशिर (the cool season); the seasons are not unfrequently personified, addressed in mantras, and worshipped by libations)
• symbolical expression for the number six
• the menstrual discharge (in women), the time after the courses (favourable for procreation; according to Bhāvaprakāśa sixteen days after their appearance)
• sexual union at the above time
• fixed order, order, rule
• light, splendour
• a particular mineral
• name of a rishi
• name of the twelfth manu