ऋतु [ ṛtu ] [ ṛtú ] m. ( Lit. Uṇ. i , 72) any settled point of time , fixed time , time appointed for any action (esp. for sacrifices and other regular worship) , right or fit time Lit. RV. Lit. AV. Lit. VS.

  an epoch , period (esp. 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 , viz. Vasanta , " spring " ; Grīshma , " the hot season " ; Varshās (f. pl. nom. ) , " the rainy season " Śarad , " autumn " ; Hemanta , " winter " ; and Śiśira , " the cool season " ; the seasons are not unfrequently personified , addressed in Mantras , and worshipped by libations) Lit. RV. Lit. AV. Lit. VS. Lit. MBh. Lit. Mn.

  symbolical expression for the number six Lit. VarBṛS. Lit. Sūryas.

  the menstrual discharge (in women) , the time after the courses (favourable for procreation ; according to Lit. Bhpr. sixteen days after their appearance) Lit. Suśr. Lit. MBh. Lit. Mn.

  sexual union at the above time Lit. Mn. ix , 93 Lit. MBh.

  fixed order , order , rule ( ( Lit. BRD. ) ) Lit. RV. i , 162 , 19

  light , splendour Lit. L.

  a particular mineral Lit. L.

  N. of a Ṛishi

  of the twelfth Manu.