The ORION
Or research onto
The Antiquity of the
Vedas
Chapter VI
Orion and his Belt
In this
chapter, Tilak analyses other legends, which show that the constellation of
Orion was known and figured before the Greeks, the Parsis. The legends and the traditions
, so preserved, including the name of the constellation point to the fact that
Vernal equinox was then near Margashiras (Orion).
He carries
out the etymological analysis of the word ‘Agrayana” and gives out various
meanings and possible forms it could have been used for. He claims that it has
been used to denote division of time. He infers form this reasoning that
‘Agrahayani’ was used to denote Orion (Margashirsh).
He discusses
the Agrayana-ishtis (two half yearly sacrifices) sacrifices, which were
performed every half year in Vasant and Sharad seasons. He says that every
Ayana must have begun with some nakshatra, though there is no specific mention
of this in Vedas, but other texts do corroborate this fact.
He explains
Greek legends of Orion and their similarity with Vedic traditions. Like “Death
of Orion, by arrow or bitten by a scorpion (the story primarily represents that
with scorpion rises in East when Orion sets in West).
Some German
traditions and festivities relate better and are more specific with Vedic
traditions. In heathenish times, the supreme god of German nations, a wild
hunter, who appears under the name of Woden or Goden. This God coincides, both
in character and shape with the ancient Rudras of the Vedas.
This ancient
God is said to hunt a stag and shoot at it, similar to Rudra shooting at Rishya
and Rohit. The shot at that stag is to be compared with Rudra shooting
Rishya=Prajapati. Close of the old year and the beginning of the new one, known
as ‘Diezwolften’or the 12 days, the dwadashaha of the Indians. This time also
coincides with the hottest seasons and so called the Dog Days! German
traditions are the reminiscences of a time when the vernal equinox was in Orion,
the hunter.
In Greek
mythology Orion after his death, was placed among stars, where he appears as a
giant with a girdle sword, a lion’s skin and a club.
The 26th
verse in Haoma Yasht, used as a prayer now, is the description of the belt of
Orion.
Frd te Mazddo
"barat paurvanim aivyaonghanem steher-paesanghem mainyu-tdstem
vanghuhim-daendm Mdzdayasnim.
In Vedic works,
a similar verse describes the Orion and his belt. The sacred thread may be
derived from these verses on belt of Orion.
The sacred thread of Parsis and the Brahmans
seems to be symbolical representation of Prajapati’s girdle or Orion’s belt in
all respects. Tilak explores the reasons for this ceremony and the dress code
associated with it. The use of mekhala ajina and danda in the upayan ceremony,
is probably the imitation of costume of the Orion or Prajapati , the first of
Bhramans. There is also a strong coincidence, of the form of Orion as figured
by Greeks to the above description.
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