The mysteries behind myths related to the age old traditions of Hinduism never ceased to amaze me. Be it Maths, Faiths, or the marriage oaths. I found seemingly convincing answers to certain definitely out-of-the-world questions. My recent interest in the celestial bodies has led me to the Horse and its Rider.
The Indian Hindu wedding has this tradition of sighting a star named Arundhati close to the end of the ceremony. The groom is asked to point towards this star and show it to the bride while the bride prays to this star. The bride and the groom sure do enjoy this activity much more than sit and chant Sanskrit verses. A proof of which is clear from the collage here below (Thanks to all my lovely wingies, who graciously let me use their pictures for this post).
As far as the myth goes, it is said that Sage Vasista's wife Arundhati is a great woman, an ideal wife and the role model, who became a star in the Saptarshi (Big Dipper). When a newly married bride takes her blessings, she becomes as righteous and pure as Arundhati herself.
The Indian Hindu wedding has this tradition of sighting a star named Arundhati close to the end of the ceremony. The groom is asked to point towards this star and show it to the bride while the bride prays to this star. The bride and the groom sure do enjoy this activity much more than sit and chant Sanskrit verses. A proof of which is clear from the collage here below (Thanks to all my lovely wingies, who graciously let me use their pictures for this post).
As far as the myth goes, it is said that Sage Vasista's wife Arundhati is a great woman, an ideal wife and the role model, who became a star in the Saptarshi (Big Dipper). When a newly married bride takes her blessings, she becomes as righteous and pure as Arundhati herself.
The seeming reality - This star which the bride groom apparently shows the bride is actually a twin star system and the two stars are called Arundhati - Vasista. It is not that this system is unique for this reason, as there are many more twin star systems in the Universe. But unlike the usual twin stars where one star is stationary and the other revolves around it, Arundhati - Vasista both revolve around each other making it a class apart. So when the newly weds see it, they ought to learn not to dominate but to walk together around each other towards fulfilling the goals of life.
But how on Earth did these saints know about these revolutions ages before telescope was invented? This question immensely surprises me and I haven't found any answer for it.
But how on Earth did these saints know about these revolutions ages before telescope was invented? This question immensely surprises me and I haven't found any answer for it.
The real reality - The smaller star Arundhati, better known as Alcor in the Great Bear Constellation (Ursa Major) is a bi-star and is 13.5 times brighter than the Sun and this whole bi-star system revolves around Vasista or Mizar which is actually a quadruple-star, 35 times brighter than the Sun and revolves around Alcor. Though this six star system is not the only star system in the Universe which can rotate in this fashion, it is the one closest to the Earth (about 80 light years) and both Alcor and Mizar are visible to the naked eye.
In ancient Arabic countries, spotting Alcor was the ultimate eye test to every warrior to be deemed fit to fight the war. Many people looked at Mizar as the horse and Alcor as its rider giving it the nick name of the 'Horse and the Rider'. This is the last but one star in the tail of the Great Bear or the handle of the Big Dipper.
In ancient Arabic countries, spotting Alcor was the ultimate eye test to every warrior to be deemed fit to fight the war. Many people looked at Mizar as the horse and Alcor as its rider giving it the nick name of the 'Horse and the Rider'. This is the last but one star in the tail of the Great Bear or the handle of the Big Dipper.
My Hypothesis - a.) The bride's father also tested the eye-sight of the groom by asking him to show the tiny Alcor to his daughter.
b.) Aeons ago in a much more greener world, the stars appeared much more clearer and brighter to specifically identify which star goes where.
c.) Our ancestors had much better bodies, brains and eyes as compared to ours.
d.) On the other side of Alcor, there are horsemen who love their wives a lot! (No harm in being a little creative, is there?) ;)
b.) Aeons ago in a much more greener world, the stars appeared much more clearer and brighter to specifically identify which star goes where.
c.) Our ancestors had much better bodies, brains and eyes as compared to ours.
d.) On the other side of Alcor, there are horsemen who love their wives a lot! (No harm in being a little creative, is there?) ;)
