The Arundhati Vasishtha Mantra invokes the divine couple Arundhati and Vasishtha, who are revered as the ideal pair among the Saptarshis (seven sages). This mantra is traditionally chanted during Hindu wedding ceremonies to bless the newlyweds with marital fidelity, harmony, and longevity. The textual origin of this mantra is found in the Ramayana (Yuddha Kanda 6.128) where Arundhati is praised as the epitome of chastity and devotion. The Puranas, such as the Matsya Purana (Chapter 200), also recount the story of Arundhati and Vasishtha, emphasizing their unwavering commitment.
The mantra itself often includes the beej-akshara 'Om' followed by the names of the deities, as in 'Om Arundhatyai Namah' and 'Om Vasishthaya Namah'. The phoneme 'Arun' relates to the dawn or reddish hue, symbolizing the auspicious beginning of married life, while 'Vasishtha' means the most excellent, indicating the highest ideal of a householder. The traditional purpose of this mantra is to invoke the blessings of the star couple for a harmonious and enduring marriage. It is recommended to chant this mantra 108 times during the wedding ritual, especially during the 'Arundhati Darshana' ceremony where the bride and groom are shown the star Arundhati (Mizar) in the constellation Ursa Major.
The ideal time for chanting is during the wedding ceremony itself, or on Fridays and full moon days for general marital harmony. According to the Grihya Sutras (e.g., Ashvalayana Grihya Sutra 1.7), the groom recites the mantra while showing the star to the bride, symbolizing the ideal of fidelity. There are no specific cautions associated with this mantra, as it is considered universally auspicious. However, it is traditionally chanted with reverence and focus on the divine couple's virtues.
The mantra is also used in Saptarshi worship and during festivals like Vat Purnima, where married women pray for the well-being of their husbands.
Salutations to Arundhati, the ideal wife.
The mantra contains the beej 'Om' as the seed syllable, but no other distinct seed-syllables.