VASISTHA'S ARDHANGINI

Arundhati……Arundhati! Where are you, child? Her mother called out. "the cows have to be milked. Have you fed them?" Devahuti asked again. Arundhati was lost in her world where her father Kardama was teaching.

Arundhati……Arundhati! Where are you, child? Her mother called out. "the cows have to be milked. Have you fed them?" Devahuti asked again. Arundhati was lost in her world where her father Kardama was teaching. Kardama was a guru who taught the sacred Vedas and Puranas. Arundhati replied, "Father's lesson's are much more interesting than the household work. "Father's lessons!" scoffed her mother and said you are going to get married in few days. "Those are not for girls." "Of course they are, today he was explaining the Ardhanari concept of Uma Maheshwaran from Shiva Puranam, whereby Shiva acknowledged Parvathi as his "Ardhangini" or equal partner. God himself has taught us the dharama of man woman wonderful relationship!" Arundhati was a fourteen year old girl, who loved learning under her father's tutelage where the young boys of the gurukul assembled.

Arundhati loved her home. What happy moments she had spent in this paradise which she will be soon leaving after her wedding. The school was slightly away from their cottage, with the residential portions for the students nearby. The following week, Arundhati was married to Vasistha, who was a great rishi or master and a very learned man. Arundhati always respected intelligence and scholarly pursuits above anything else. Therefore it was no surprise that she was attracted to him. Everyday, Arundhati finished her household chores well before time to join her husband in class. Vasistha was a great exponent of the three Vedas – Rig, Yajur and Sama and a number of students attended his Gurukul. Arundhati not only learnt the Vedas but also comprehended it. One day, Vasistha explained about purity of thought and action and goodwill towards everyone is an essential part of Dharma. "May I continue the lesson from here?" entreated Arundhati and she began after taking the teacher's blessings. Vasistha was taken aback by Arundhati's clear perception, yet pleased with her ability. "Now you are truly my ‘Ardhangini'. You can in future help me in the class as well." In due course of time Brahma gifted them with Nandhini, a calf of Kamadhenu. Nandhini was no ordinary cow. She had the power to give anything that was asked of her, provided it was not for fulfilling ones own's selfish needs but for the good of all. Vasistha and Arundhati were greatful to Brahma and thanked him with all their heart.


One day King Vishwamitra, a great warrior and a powerful King with a vast Kingdom, went on a hunting expedition. After hunting for many days in the jungle, he was returning to his palace along with his men. "I am very tired and thirsty and would like to rest somewhere," said the king looking around. It was then that they saw the beautiful hermitage from atop hill. "Let's go." On nearing the palce, they coud hear the musical chanting of the Vedic hymns. Just then, Vasistha came out to welcome the visitors. "Can my men and I have some water to drink?" asked Vishwamithra looking at the sage up and down. As they washed and returned, fresh clothes were laid out for them and then, a sumptuous and delicious meal for the entire team was provided. The King could'nt believe his eyes. Since they were very tired and the after effects of a good meal were slowly drawing them towards sleep, they did not think too much about it and went gratefully to bed at once. Next morning when they were ready to leave, again they surprised to see cans of milk, baskets of fruits, besides a sumptuous breakfast waiting for them. The King and his men looked around. Then the King looked at Vasistha and asked, "How did you accomplish this miracle?" "It is no miracle, your Majesty, replied Vasistha, "All this was given by my cow Nandhini who is the daughter of Kamadhenu." "Is that Nandhini?" asked the King, pointing to the cow. "I have been admiring her for sometime. But if she is capable of so much, then she should be in the Palace and not in this hermitage. You being a saint could not have much use for her."

"I can never part with her, your Majesty," replied the sage, "She has been specially sent to look after us. She will never find herself at home anywhere else, to function so generously." "I will give you all ask for and a thousand cows in return. Give me just this one cow," pleaded the King. "I see that you are not going to agree if I am polite," the King was getting annoyed. "As the King, I demand the cow. I am taking her with me." King Vishwamithra did not care for niceties. He ordered his men to untie the cow and take her along with them. But Nandhini was a cow with a mind of her own. She was Vasistha's and nobody else could change that. What they did not know was that Nandhini could get very angry if provoked. She attacked the men with so much fury that they ran helter and skelter. King Vishwamithra returned to the palace empty handed, but he was smarting with insult. He once again went to the sage and asked how all this was possible. "I told you already, Your Majesty," explained Vasistha, "this is all Nandhini'd doing. She can provide anything we ask for, provided it is not for meeting one's own selfish ends. I have never asked anything for myself. It has always been for the common good." Listening to Vasistha, Vishwamithra felt that though he was the King, he was not as great as this wise and simple sage. It was then that he decided to become equal to Vasistha, if not greater, whatever hardship it might take. He admitted his defeat to Vasistha, apologized and left. That made Vishwamithra more determined than ever. He said, "One day I shall return as a person equal to you, if not better in all manner. For that, I shall strive and do everything in my power," With that challenge thrown at Vasistha, King Vishwamithra left. After relinquishing his kingdom, Vishwamithra performed great and difficult penance, and years later, did achieve his goal.

It was not too long, though, when Nandhini drew the attention of greedy eyes. This time they were the eight Vasu gods who were Lord Indra's attendants. That night when Arundhati and other inmates were fast asleep, the cunning Prabhasa one of the Vasu gods and the shining spirit of dawn went to Nandhini. He pleaded with her to accompany him. Not expecting the gods to be deceitful, Nandhini accompanied him willingly. Next day when they found Nandhini missing, Vasistha through his magic powers came to know that it was Prabhasa's doing. He cursed the Vasu Gods that they will be born on earth. And the Vasu's were born as Ganga's eight children when she married King Santhanu. With Nandhini gone, the days of plenty were over at the ashram. Hard days were ahead. One day, Rishi Vasistha told his wife, "All the six rishi's from nearby ashram's have decided to go to the Himalayas for penance and prayer. I wish to go with them too and I will return soon," and he left. Now Arundhathi was all alone for the school was also closed. Suddenly there was a snowfall and landslides in the Himalayas, followed by famine and the rishi's could not return on time. Vasistha prayed to Lord Shiva for Arundhaditi's welfare and Arundathi prayed to Uma Maheshwaran for her husband's welfare.

Months passed. One day, there was a knock at the door of the ashram and Arundhathi opened the door and saw a young and hungry looking boy. "Ma," he cried, "I am hungry, can you give me some food?" Arundhathi felt very sorry for the child and upset at her inability to help him. "No child," she answered, "I cannot give you rice, but if you want I can you some roasted seeds," and then she fed him. "Ma, isn't the great Rishi Vasistha at home?" "I have come to join the ashram as his student." "The Rishi is not here," she replied and quickly added, "but I can teach too. You can be my student." So the boy agreed to become her student. It took a whole year for the rishi's to return and within that time, she taught the boy all she knew. At the end of the year all the rishi's returned home and Arundhathi ran to open the door hearing her husband's voice. After the initial exchange of pleasantries, Arundhathi pointed to the boy saying, "This is my student and I should also be thankful to Uma Maheshwaran, for returning you home safely." As Vasistha turned to take a good look at the boy, there stood Uma Maheshwaran in all hhis splendor. "It was I, who was your student," explained the Lord. "Your husband put the responsibility of taking care of you on me and I couldn't deny him that." Then turning to Vasistha, he continued, "Arundhathi's penance for your safety was greater than your own. "Vasistha, Arundhathi is truly your Ardhangini. May you both be happy and together always," he blessed. In India even now, when a Hindu marriage takes place, the bride and the groom look at that sixth star in constellation, which represents Vasistha and Arundhathi and pray for the same kind of love and happiness between them.