Saptarsis

Description

Founders of Vedic Civilization
Author: Vrndavanlila D.D. (Dr. Vrinda Baxi)

Stars have captured our attention from our very childhood but unfortunately mayavad is so deeply rooted in our psyche that we have looked upon them as ‘it’ and not ‘he’. This book helps break that misconception of viewing the seven stars as ‘non-living’ and ‘inanimate constellation’ called Ursa Major or Ursa Minor to respecting them as living entities as Saptaåñis, with individual names and as interesting personalities. As we read their pastimes, we not only become more personal but also learn to revere them for their role as one of the patriarchs of Vedic civilization, as the establisher of dharma, one of the cosmic managers deputed by the Lord, as humble devotees who have participated very intimately in the eternal pastimes of the Lord. Interestingly the Supreme Lord has appeared and chosen them as one of the crucial parts in His pastimes. For instance, He appeared as Jamadagni’s son (Parasuram), as Atri’s son (Dattatreya), Kasyapa’s son (Vaman), Vasistha’s disciple (Sri Ram), Visvamitra’s disciple (Sri Ram), Gautam’s guest and the liberator of his wife Anasuya (Sri Ram) and Bhardvaja’s guest (Sri Ram).

When we read the interesting pastimes of the Saptaåñis we get an insight into their devotional quotient, as sattva-pradhan entities, their hard work in not just populating the world according to the divine desire but also establishing the definition of dharma, their sacrifices as the protectors of the dharma and as tools to take us back to our ultimate destination – back to Godhead.
Saptarsis orbit round the Dhruva star (Pole star), therefore their study is incomplete without knowledge about Dhruva Maharaja. This book is first of its kind and contains different pastimes of the Saptaåñis along with that of Dhruva Maharaj. It will fascinate both children by its story format, lucid language supported by several illustrations sketched by young children and grown-ups; and also adults with its interesting mixture of philosophy drawn from Srila Prabhupada’s purports and other scriptures.