Mahabharata Quiz - 112

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Question – 112

It was possible to observe the change in the appearance of Arundhati – Vasishtha due to their proximity to each other. But how did Vyasa detect the change in Dhruva by stating that it made apasavyaṃ movement?

Answer

Vyasa did say that Dhruva made apasavyaṃ (clockwise) movement in the same context of nimitta-s. There are two issues involved: (1) whether he meant the pole star of his time (2) was there another star in proximity of Dhruva (as a marker for comparison) that enabled him to detect that Dhruva moved in wrong direction.

Taking up the second point first, detection of change in the alignment of Arundhati and Vasishtha shows that it was possible with stars close to each other – when one acted as a marker for the other. So, the change in the direction of Dhruva could be possible if it was aligned to another star.

Dhruva was the name of a star and not just a pole star. The Saptarishi Mandala in which Arundhati- Vasishtha are located point towards Polaris which is known as Dhruva. Texts speak of only three pole stars – Dhruva, Agni and Kashyapa of which Dhruva is the brightest. All the three are in a constellation called Shishumara which is nothing but the Ursa Minor (Little Dipper). In the 3600 years long to or fro oscillation of the equinox, only three stars of the small constellation of Ursa Minor become northern pole stars. In the Mahabharata period which occurred close to zero-degree ayanamsa at the middle of the path, Dhruva was not the pole star, but Agni was.

Since Dhruva is always aligned to the first two stars of the Sapta rishi Mandala (Ursa Major), a tilted appearance of the Saptarishi Mandala due to the swinging of the earth by comet-hit, would have caused the Dhruva (Polaris) also appear to have moved. The shift can be shown as follows. This was similar to the hand drawn shift shown in the previous question.

The major impact having taken place in the twilight hour, Vyasa must have been in the river side to offer his evening prayers. He must have worshiped Sapta rishis. As he looked towards the Saptarishi Mandala, he would have noticed the change in the appearance of Arundhati and Vasishtha and also Dhruva.