The Orion
Or research onto
The Antiquity of Vedas
Chapter V
The Antelope’s Head
In the chapter the Antelope’s head , Tilak mentions
that observing zodiac, containing the
nakshatras , planets and the milky way ,is the most attractive and interesting
phenomena,(which still it is) which must have stirred the imagination of
ancient poets/priests. The numerous legends, which exist in the entire Aryan
race, is a proof stating that the ancient race did observe the heavens.
He tries to
decipher some of these legends which relate to this part of zodiac as a correct
way to interpret the passages from the Brahmanas.
He starts with the Mrigashiras /Agrahayani nakshatra,
which means “an antelope’s head”, suggests the figure of the asterism. He
reasons out and establishes identification of Mrigashiras with the
constellation of Orion. He confirms the theory of Plutach on the non-Egyptian
origin of Orion (Greeks had given their own name to this constellation), Canis
and Ursa constellations and safely concludes that they are of Aryan origin. He
mentions that there are many passages in Rgved which presuppose the knowledge
of stars and constellations. In short Margashiras is Orion constellation.
He explains the methods of interpreting the
mythological legends related to the observation of stars/nakshatras/constellations
(in particular the Orion). He explains how legends were built on Heaven and
Hell, Devayana , Pitriyana. Gates of heaven,(line joining equinoxes) Dogs at these
gates, Yama’s dogs and Kerberos guarding Chinvat Bridge( Parsi Legend),
Prajapati and Rudra, Apollo (Greeks) and
various other stories relating to movement of soul to heaven/ hell. He compares
and identifies the similarities of these legends and way of life as on today.
Souls of the deceased crossing river/stream/water body
through the gates, which are guarded by dogs/other animals, is the gist of all
the legends and beliefs. They all are denoting that Vernal equinox was in Orion
and that, the Milky Way (Path of spirits, Road of the Souls celestial river)
could be seen nearby at that time.
All the traditions and legends were generated out of
this yearly phenomenon. The legends describing this event are those of, Vishnu
and Rudra, Greek legend, Kerberos (Sharvara) and Orthros (Vritra). The legend
of Namuchi alias Vritra, his decapitation, Indra , at the gates of heaven,
where Orthros is stationed, is represented by the Antelopes head in the heavens
, as the head of Orion. There is a strong resemblance of Indra’s foamy weapon
with the stream of Milky Way in the heavens. As per Khurshed Yasht , this
constellation is the weapon (Vazira) which is constantly aimed by Mithra at the
head of Daevas.
Observing the coincidence between Aryan and Non Aryan
legends, Tilak places a high probability that the figures of the constellations
were conceived by Aryans. As also the chief characteristics of Aryan legends is
to connect the idea of time.eg, the year and the seasons with beliefs. However
no such thing is found in Non-Aryan legends.
He analyses various legends and concludes that the
later Vedic traditions and those of Parsis, Greeks and others commenced their
year, when Vernal equinox was in Orion.
Heliacal (yearly rising of a star in the East) rising
of the constellation, Orion, at the beginning of the year marked the revival of
the nature at the commencement of spring. Acronyal(rising of star in the East
at Sunset), rising of Orion during autumnal equinox, marked the end of “Varsha
season”.
In short this constellation became the harbinger of
mild and terrible aspects of the Nature.
He claims, as proposed earlier that, Vernal equinox
was in the constellation of
Orion and identifying Namuchi alias Vritra with the constellation of
Mrigashiras or the Antelope’s head , situated just below the Milky Way.
The Hindu deity ‘Dattaraya’ with three heads a cow and
two dogs, is the representation of the Orion, Canis major, canis minor,
Mrigashiras constellations.
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