Arundhati :

=======================================================================

=======================================================================

Thursday, August 11, 2022. 11:20.

Arundhati :

=========================================================================

Introduction :

Arundhati is the wife of Sage Vasishtha, again one of the Saptarishis. Though a Rishi patni (wife of a Rishi), she is also given the status of a sage and a yogini of high caliber. In fact, many consider her to be at par with the Saptarishis themselves. She is identified with the morning star and also with the star Alcor, which forms a double star with Mizar, which is commonly identified as Rishi Vasishtha.

Vedic and Puranic literature extol her as the epitome of purity, chastity, wifely devotion and conjugal bliss. Post-Puranic texts and poems in Sanskrit and Hindi describe her as "chaste and revered", inspiring, worthy of imitation and with a character that cannot be flawed. In Hinduism, one can find several ritual practices, especially during marriage ceremonies, which are associated with Arundhati.

Birth and Life :

Arundhati's birth and life story are mentioned in several Hindu scriptures. The Shiva Purana and Bhagavata Purana mention about her birth. The instructions given by Brahma to her is mentioned in the Uttara Kanda of the Ramcharitmanas. The unending rivalry between the sages Vasishtha and Vishwamitra, which ultimately led to the untimely death of her hundred sons, is described in the Balakanda of Valmiki's Ramayana.

According to the Bhagavata Purana, Arundhati was the eighth among the nine daughters of Kardama and Devahuti. She is described as the great-grandmother of Vyasa. Besides, the Shiva Purana states that she was Sandhya, the manasa-putri (mind-born daughter) of Lord Brahma himself. On the orders of Vasishtha, Sandhya pleased Shiva by undertaking penance, in order to purify herself from passion. Shiva asked her to jump into Medhatithi's fire. In that birth, she was born as Medhatithi's daughter. She later married Vasishtha.

Some other Puranas describe her as the daugher of Kashyapa and sister of Narada and Parvata. Here, she was offered in marriage to Vasishtha by Narada Muni.

In the Scriptures :

The Mahabharata and several Brahmanas talk about her sons, including Shakti and grandson, Parashara. The Ramayana, Ramcharitmanas and Vinayaka Patrika narrate the story of the times when she met with Sita and Rama. Further, the sixth canto of the Kumarasambhava, penned by Mahakavi Kalidasa, describes her role in convincing Shiva to marry Parvati. Such is the greatness of this ascetic.

The Mahabharata describes Arundhati as a yogini who used to give lengthy spiritual discourses to even the Saptarishis. Swaha, the wife of Agni, would assume the form of the wives of the other six Rishis, but she could never take Arundhati's form.

Legend has it that once, it did not rain at all for twelve long years. The Saptarishis were suffering with no roots and fruits to eat. Being powerful sages, that is all they would ever eat. Seeing their plight, Arundhati decided to undertake severe penance in order to please Shiva. Her immense devotion, purity and piety please the Lord, who showered rain and a rich growth of crop on the land, thus bringing an end to their suffering.

According to the Valmiki Ramayana, she was cursed by Rishi Vishwamitra that she would lose all her hundred sons. She then bore a son called Shakti and later, one more named Suyagya. The latter studied with Rama at Vasishtha's hermitage. Some other sources relate that she had eight sons, including Shakti and Chitraketu.

In Marriage Rituals :

In one of the Hindu marriage rituals, especially in South Indian marriages, after performing the Saptapadi (taking the seven steps), the groom shows the bride the double stars of Vasishtha and Arundhati. This symbolizes the newly-wed couple looking up to the older pair as the most ideal couple, symbolizing perfect marital harmony, fulfilment and loyalty.

Other References :

*On the second bright day of the lunar month of Chaitra, woman in certain regions of India observe a daylong fast, praying for the longevity of their marital life.

*Since the Arundhati star is only faintly visible in the sky, it is believed that someone nearing death will not be able to see it. Due to its faintness, the Arundhati star used to be shown in steps, first showing the brighter star, then coming to this relatively fainter star.

*A maxim in Sanskrit, called the Arundhatidarsananyayah, is used in the context of inferring the unknown from that which is known.

*The epic Hindi poem, Arundhati, composed by Jagadguru Ramabhadracharya in 1994, describes in detail the life and times of Arundhati.

*****

=======================================================================