Arundhati, aka: Arundhatī; 7 Definition(s)

Introduction

Arundhati means something in Hinduism, Sanskrit, Marathi. If you want to know the exact meaning, history, etymology or English translation of this term then check out the descriptions on this page. Add your comment or reference to a book if you want to contribute to this summary article.

In Hinduism

Purana and Itihasa (epic history)

1) Arundhatī (अरुन्धती).—Wife of Sage Vasiṣṭha. Birth. She was born as the daughter of Karddama Prajāpati and Devahūti. (See Vasiṣṭha). Other information. (1) Once Arundhatī got suspicious about the character of Vasiṣṭha and as a result of misunderstanding her chaste husband her beauty suffered a set-back. (Mahābhārata, Ādi Parva, Chapter 232, Verses 27-29).

Arundhatī shone forth in Brahmā’s assembly with other Devīs like, Pṛthvī, Hṛī, Svāhākīrtī, Surā and Śacī. (Mahābhārata, Sabhā Parva, Chapter 11, Verse 41).

She outshone all other chaste women in devotion to her husband. She owed her great power to her chastity and service of her husband. (Mahābhārata, Araṇya Parva, Chapter 225, Verse 15).

The seven great Ṛṣis once offered her an honourable seat. (Mahābhārata, Vana Parva, Chapter 226, Verse 8).

There is a story in the Mahābhārata of how Śiva once blessed Arundhatī. While the seven great Ṛṣis were staying at the Himālayas it did not rain consecutively for twelve years, and the Munis suffered much without either roots or fruits to eat. Then Arundhatī began a rigorous tapas, and Śiva appeared before her disguised as a brahmin. Since, due to the failure of rains, Arundhatī had no food with her. She cooked food with some cheap roots and served the guest with it, and with that it rained profusely all over the land. Śiva then assumed his own form and blessed Arundhatī, and from that day onwards it became a sacred spot. (Mahābhārata, Śalya Parva, Chapter 48, Verses 38-54).

Arundhatī once pointed out to Vṛṣdarbhi the evils of receiving remuneration (fee). (Mahābhārata, Anuśāsana Parva, Chapter 10, Verse 45).

On another occasion she spoke about the secret principles of ethics among others. (Mahābhārata, Anuśāsana Parva, Chapter 130, Verses 3-11).

Once all the Devas eulogized Arundhatī and Brahmā blessed her. (Mahābhārata, Anuśāsana Parva, Chapter 130, Verses 12 and 13).

Arundhatī and Vasiṣṭha did tapas at the sacred Sarasvatī tīrtha and entered into Samādhi. (Mahābhārata, Vana Parva, Chapter 130, Verse 17). (See full article at Story of Arundhatī from the Puranic encyclopaedia by Vettam Mani)

2) Arundhatī (अरुन्धती).—A wife of Kāla (God of death). Arundhatī, Vasu, Yamī, Lambā, Bhānu, Marutvatī, Saṃkalpā, Muhurtā, Sādhyā and Viśvā are the ten wives of Kāla. (Viṣṇu Purāṇa, Part 1, Chapter 15).

1a) Arundhatī (अरुन्धती).—A daughter of Kardama, sister of Parvata and Nārada, (Kāśyapa) and wife of Vasiṣṭha;¹ a surname of hers was Ūrjā. Mother of seven sons, Citraketu and others, all sages of renown.² Did not feed Kumāra while the wives of other six sages fed him.³ Mother of Śakti. Goddess among Satis; meditated on the 108 names of Devī as narrated to attain fruits of yoga.⁴

• 1) Bhāgavata-purāṇa III. 24. 23; Vāyu-purāṇa 2. 10; 19. 2; 30. 73; 69. 65; 70. 79.
• 2) Bhāgavata-purāṇa IV. 1. 40.
• 3) Brahmāṇḍa-purāṇa III. 10. 40.
• 4) Matsya-purāṇa 13. 53, 61; 187. 45; 201. 30.

1b) A daughter of Dakṣa, and one of Dharma's wives: gave birth to Pṛthivī and all viṣayas; (gave birth to all earthly objects, Viṣṇu-purāṇa).^*

• * Brahmāṇḍa-purāṇa III. 3. 2 and 34; 7. 28; 8. 86; Matsya-purāṇa 5. 15 and 19; 203. 2; Vāyu-purāṇa 66. 2 and 35; Viṣṇu-purāṇa I. 15. 105, 108.

context information

The Purana (पुराण, purāṇas) refers to Sanskrit literature preserving ancient India’s vast cultural history, including historical legends, religious ceremonies, various arts and sciences. The eighteen mahapuranas total over 400,000 shlokas (metrical couplets) and date to at least several centuries BCE.

Shaktism (Shakta philosophy)

Arundhatī (अरुन्धत्यै):—Name of one of the sixty-four mātṛs to be worshipped during Āvaraṇapūjā (“Worship of the Circuit of Goddesses”, or “Durgā’s Retinue”), according to the Durgāpūjātattva. They should be worshipped with either the five upācāras or perfume and flowers.

Her mantra is as follows:

ॐ क्रियायै नमः
oṃ arundhatyai namaḥ.

context information

Shakta (शाक्त, śākta) or Shaktism (śāktism) represents a tradition of Hinduism where the Goddess (Devi) is revered and worshipped. Shakta literature includes a range of scriptures, including various Agamas and Tantras, although its roots may be traced back to the Vedas.

General definition (in Hinduism)

Arundhati is the wife of the great sage Vasishta and the eighth of the nine daughters of sage Kardama (a wish-born son of Lord Brahma) and Devahuti. She was also called Akshamala. She and Vasishta had a hundred sons, the eldest of whom is Shakti.

She is the ideal wife, living in perfect harmony with her husband, and the embodiment of all the virtues that a married woman should possess. Indeed, as part of the south indian (Hindu) marriage ritual, the newly wed bride is shown the star pair Arundhati-Vasishta, in the constellation Ursa Major, as an example of how she ought to conduct herself hence. This constellation is commonly referred to as the Big Dipper or the Great Bear. In India, we call it the Sapta Rishi Constellation.

Arundhati (अरुंधति): Wife of sage Vasishta. She was one of the nine daughters of Kardama Prajapati and his wife Devahuti.

Languages of India and abroad

Marathi-English dictionary

arundhatī (अरुंधती).—f S A small star in Ursa major, the wife of vaśiṣṭaṛṣi.

Sanskrit-English dictionary

Arundhatī (अरुन्धती).—[na rundhatī pratirodhakāriṇī]

1) A medicinal climbing plant.

2) Name of the wife of Vasiṣṭha; अन्वासितमरुन्धत्या स्वाहयेव हविर्भुजम् (anvāsitamarundhatyā svāhayeva havirbhujam) R.1.56.

3) The morning star personified as the wife of Vasiṣṭha; one of the Pleiades.

4) Name of the daughter of प्राचेतसदक्ष (prācetasadakṣa), one of the 1 wives of Dharma. [In mythology Arundhatī is represented as the wife of the sage Vasiṣṭha, one of the 7 sages. She was one of the 9 daughters of Kardama Prajāpati by Devahūti. She is regarded as the highest pattern of conjugal excellence and wifely devotion and is so invoked by the bridegroom at nuptial ceremonies. Though a woman she was regarded with the same, even more, veneration as the Saptarṣis; cf. Ku.6.12; तामगौरवभेदेन मुनींश्चापश्यदीश्वरः । स्त्री पुमानि- त्यनास्थैषा वृत्तं हि महितं सताम् (tāmagauravabhedena munīṃścāpaśyadīśvaraḥ | strī pumāni- tyanāsthaiṣā vṛttaṃ hi mahitaṃ satām) || cf. also Janaka's remarks in U.4.1. She, like her husband, was the guide and controller of Raghu's line in her own department and acted as guardian angel to Sitā after she had been abandoned by Rāma. It is said that Arundhatī (the star) is not seen by persons whose end has approached. cf. Suśruta. न पश्यति सनक्षत्रां यस्तु देवीमरुन्धतीम् । ध्रुवमाकाशगङ्गां च तं वदन्ति गतायुषम् (na paśyati sanakṣatrāṃ yastu devīmarundhatīm | dhruvamākāśagaṅgāṃ ca taṃ vadanti gatāyuṣam) ||; See H.1.66. also].

5) The tongue (personified).

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