Part 1.2 - The Rohini (Tauri Aldeberan)

[Full title: The Lore of the Constellations (2) The Rohini (Tauri Aldeberan)]

The Rohini is the second constellation and consists of

323 87 88 only one star having a beautiful reddish hue. The name 89 Rohini is variously derived. The Taittiriya Brahmana says that Prajapati created an woman called Virat, who on not getting a portion of oblation in the sacrifice, got angry and ascended 90 (arohata) the heaven. The Satapatha Brahmana gives another etymology. It says that the beings after being created remained silent. Hence it is called Rohini. It further adds that men therefore enkindle sacred fire under this constellation so as to be able to ascend (a ruh) their desire. The Rohini belongs to the Rsi family of Anurohin and 91 is presided over by Prajapati Prajapati is described as the all-enjoyer who created these beings and who having created all the gods appointed them in (proper) works. He is prayed for making all activities auspicious in order to attain success (1.37.2). It is said that when a Graha is associated with the (87) Some take the number of stars in the Rohini to be five. Cf. P.B.Mishra, Intro. to the Brhatsamhita by Varahamihira (Hindi), p. 5; Whitney, Oriental and Linguistic Studies II, p. 402. (88) Weber (op. cit. p. 368) suggests that Rohini is the fem. form of Rohita which means red. (89) Taittiriya Brahmana I.5.2.7: sadhvi rohata sa rohinyabhavat| (90) II.1.2.6-7: drohiye rohinitvam| ta anya prajah srstva kerapa upastabdha tasthu rohinya rahisye rohinitvam| agnimadadhire manusyanam kama rameti | (91) Cf. Taittiriya Brahmana III.1.1.1: prajapate rohini vetu patni. ya

324 Rohini, the lakes dry up, the rivers go out of their courses, people, animals and beasts are tormented and the emperor ceases to be (1.6.4-5). The Brhatsamhita by Varahamihira (15.2) states that people observing vows, objects for sale, kings, masters, yogins, cart-drivers, cows, bulls, aquatic animals, farmers, mountains and rich people are under the control of the Rohini. It is stated that the duration of a disease produced under this constellation is twenty nights (1.33.3). A king should get reins and saddles prepared under the Rohini. He should remain quiet (and should not attack 1.9.6). One should eat the flesh of a bull under this constellation and set out towards the east to attain success (1.27.2). Under this constellation, a Vaisya, after being decorated by means of all kinds of seeds, should be bathed with water in which are put rice mixed with kumkuma (aksata). Thereby he will prosper (1.43.2). It is stated that under the Rohini one should give away whole masas (black gram), boiled rice mixed with clarified butter, milk, food and drink. Thereby he will remain uninjured in the abode of Yama (1.48.1). A story goes that Prajapati created the beings one of 92 which was the Rohini He was impressed by her beauty and ran after her with an incestuous desire, but was shot by Rudra 93. 94 About this myth Whitney' says that, in it, there (92) Taittiriya Brahmana III.1.4.2. (93) Aitareya Brahmana III.33. (94) "The lunar zodiac", Oriental and Linguistic Studies II, p. 405.

325 is the whole story illustrated in the sky: the innocent and the lovely Rohini (Aldeberan), the infamous Prajapati (Orion) in full career after her, but laid sprawling by the threejointed arrow (the belt of Orion), which, shot from the hand of the near avenger (Sirius), is even now to be seen sticking in his body. The Aitareya Brahmana indentifies Rudra with what is called the Mrga Vyadha (Dog-star). We may suppose Rudra to be represented by the Ardra of which he is the presiding deity 96 The Moon in his course comes quite close to the Rohini and it is said that she is the most beloved wife of the Moon. She is said to be delighting all the beings and liked by the gods. This constellation comes in the Vrsabha Rasi (Taurus). Its Greek name is Aldeberan but it is popularly known as the Bull's eye.