Puranic encyclopaedia
by Vettam Mani | 1975 | 609,556 words | ISBN-10: 0842608222
This page describes the Story of Arundhati included the Puranic encyclopaedia by Vettam Mani that was translated into English in 1975. The Puranas have for centuries profoundly influenced Indian life and Culture and are defined by their characteristic features (panca-lakshana, literally, ‘the five characteristics of a Purana’).
Story of Arundhatī
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).
(2) Arundhatī shone forth in Brahmā’s assembly with other Devīs like, Pṛthvī, Hṛī, Svāhākīrtī, Surā and Śacī. (Mahābhārata, Sabhā Parva, Chapter 11, Verse 41).
(3) 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).
(4) The seven great Ṛṣis once offered her an honourable seat. (Mahābhārata, Vana Parva, Chapter 226, Verse 8).
(5) 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).
(6) Arundhatī once pointed out to Vṛṣdarbhi the evils of receiving remuneration (fee). (Mahābhārata, Anuśāsana Parva, Chapter 10, Verse 45).
(7) On another occasion she spoke about the secret principles of ethics among others. (Mahābhārata, Anuśāsana Parva, Chapter 130, Verses 3-11).
(8) Once all the Devas eulogized Arundhatī and Brahmā blessed her. (Mahābhārata, Anuśāsana Parva, Chapter 130, Verses 12 and 13).
(9) Arundhatī and Vasiṣṭha did tapas at the sacred Sarasvatī tīrtha and entered into Samādhi. (Mahābhārata, Vana Parva, Chapter 130, Verse 17).