Arundhati (Hinduism)

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For other uses, see Arundhati.
Arundhati
Śakti Maharṣi
, Citraketu, Surocis, Virajas, Mitra, Ulbana, Vasubhrdyana and Dyumat

Arundhati (

romanized: Arundhatī) is the wife of the sage Vasishtha, one of the seven sages (Saptarshi) of Hinduism.[1]

Etymology

The name Arundhatī in Sanskrit literally means 'washed by the rays of sun', from arun 'sun rays', and dhatī , 'washed'.

Legend

Arundhati's birth and life are mentioned in various Hindu scriptures. The birth of Arundhati is found in the

Kumarasambhava of Kalidasa.[3]

As per the Bhagavata Purana, Arundhati is the eighth among the nine daughters of

Puranas describe her as the daughter of Kashyapa and sister of Narada and Parvata, and she was offered in marriage to Vasishtha by Narada.[4]

The Mahabharata describes Arundhati as an ascetic who used to give discourses to even the seven sages. The wife of Agni, Svaha, could therefore assume the form of the wives of the other six seers amongst Saptarshi but not that of Arundhati. The epic also narrates how once she pleased Shiva when it did not rain for 12 years and the seven seers were suffering without roots and fruits. Her chastity and service to her husband is mentioned as unparalleled in the Mahabharata.[4]

As per the Valmiki Ramayana, she bore a hundred sons, who were all cursed to die by

Shakti and later another one named Suyagya, who studied with Rama at Vasishtha's hermitage.[2] Some sources say she had eight sons including Shakti and Chitraketu.[4]

The life of Arundhati is described in the eponymous Hindi epic poem Arundhati composed by Jagadguru Rambhadracharya in 1994.

Traditions

In traditional Indian astronomy, pair of Mizar and Alcor in constellation Ursa Major is known as Vasishtha and Arundhati

Arundhati is identified with the

Hindu culture, there are several beliefs, practices and traditions centred on Arundhati including a ritual in the marriage ceremony after the Saptapadi
, a fast, a belief about imminent death, and a maxim.

In one of the rituals of a

Hindu marriage, the groom shows the bride the double stars of Vasishtha and Arundhati as an ideal couple, symbolic of marital fulfilment and loyalty. The couples are asked to look up to the constellation symbolizing conjugal love and affection.[4][6] On the second bright day of the lunar month of Chaitra, a fast in her honour is observed in certain regions of India by ladies whose husbands are alive. This fast is observed with the belief that the ladies observing it would not be widowed.[7]

Since the Arundhati star is faintly visible, there is a belief that when someone is near death, they can not see the Arundhati star.

IAST: अरुन्धतीदर्शनन्यायः), used in the meaning of inferring the unknown from that which is known, is named after Arundhati.[8]

References

  1. ^ www.wisdomlib.org (15 June 2012). "Arundhati, Arundhatī, Arumdhati: 18 definitions". www.wisdomlib.org. Retrieved 18 November 2022.
  2. ^ a b c d Rambhadracharya 1994, pp. iii—vi.
  3. ^ a b Kale, pp. 197-199
  4. ^ a b c d e Garg 1992, pp. 647-648
  5. ^ a b c Apte 2000, p. 51.
  6. ^ Gopal, Madan (1990). K.S. Gautam (ed.). India through the ages. Publication Division, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Government of India. p. 70.
  7. ^ Garg 1992, p. 649
  8. ^ Apte 2000, p. 305.

External links

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