Arundhati is the wife of the sage Vasishta – Perceptor of the Ishvahu Clan and the eighth daughter of sage Kardama and Devahuti. Kardama, a wish-born son of Lord Brahma – The Creator, and Devahuti had nine daughters, with Arundhati also known as Akshamala. Together, Arundhati and Vasishta had a hundred sons, the eldest being Shakti.
Arundhati exemplifies the ideal wife, embodying all the virtues expected of a married woman. Her harmonious relationship with Vasishta serves as a model in South Indian (Hindu) marriage rituals. During these ceremonies, the newlywed bride is shown the star pair Arundhati-Vasishta in the constellation Ursa Major. This pair, also called the Big Dipper or the Great Bear, is known in India as the Sapta Rishi Constellation. The sight of these stars is meant to inspire the bride to uphold the virtues of Arundhati in her married life.
Sources & further reading
These themes are explored in greater depth across the following authoritative resources:
- Internet Sacred Text Archive, Mahabharata (Ganguli translation)
- Internet Sacred Text Archive, Ramayana of Valmiki
- Britannica, Mahabharata
- Britannica, Ramayana
- Bibek Debroy, The Mahabharata (10 vols., Penguin, 2010 to 2014)
External resources for further reading. Apam Napat is not affiliated with these publishers; citation does not imply endorsement.
Based on the classical texts of Hindu mythology, see our sources.