Anusuya -----story - Page 2

Originally posted by: aalochak

Thanks shruti
Posts like these allow this forum the transcend the usual nonsense. Keep it up 👏

Originally posted by: imsachi

Hey Tan, It's what you had asked for. I found it while surfing.😊

Arundhati, the wife of the great sage Vashishta, is one of the highly renowned

women of India. Along with many of the goddesses, Arundhati also graced the court of

Brahma, and worshipped him. Together with Sage Vashishta, she observed penance and

austerity at the bank of the Lake Ujjanaka in order to please Lord Shiva, receiving the

blessings of success and peace by God?s grace.

The goddess Swaha wanted to get her way by assuming the form of the wives of

the Seven Sages. She succeeded in the forms of the six of the ladies, but failed to

assume Arundhati?s form by virtue of the latter?s penance and devotion to her husband.

When the Seven Sages came to know that their wives had a relationship with Surya (the

sun god), they became very angry and left their wives. But they could not leave Arundhati

who was free of any sin. Even the Seven Sages bowed their heads to Arundhati.

According to the Shalya Parva of the Mahabharat, Arundhati observed the most dif?cult

austerity to please Lord Shiva. Lord Shiva tested her resolve. When Arundhati passed the test, Lord Shiva narrated the story of her great character to the Seven Sages. He said that no one could equal Arundhati in the observance of austerities. She was indeed a great sage, observing austerities for twelve years without any food or drink. The sages were

astonished, too, seeing that Arundhati?s face bore no sign of fatigue, nor her limbs had lost any agility even after enduring hunger and thirst for twelve years. Lord Shiva imparted all manners of boons and blessings to Arundhati and departed for his abode.

Preaching to the gods, Arundhati presented a discourse on hospitality toward

guests, the great signi?cance of pilgrimages, and the great role of the cow; and gained

their hightest appreciation. Lord Brahma also granted a boon to Arundhati, saying,

'Tapaste vardhtansada? May your tapasya (austerity) always ?nd greater heights.