Orion Ch 6

  

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 26^th 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.