The seven Krttika
In the Hindu mythology, it is said that the stars of the
Big Dipper were the seven sages called
Rishis. They were happily married to seven sisters named Krttika. They originally lived all together in the northern sky. But one day, the god of fire, Agni, fell in love with the seven Krttika. Trying to forget his love, Agni wandered in the forest where he met Svaha, the star Zeta Tauri.
Svaha was at once infatuated with Agni. To conquer Agni's love, Svaha disguised herself as six of the seven Krttika. Agni who believed he had conquered the attractive wives of the seven Rishis.
Svaha had a child. Rumors began to spread that six of the Rishis' wives were his mother. The seven Rishis divorced their wives. Arundhati was the only one that remained with her husband as the star Alcor. The other six Krttika went away to become the Pleiades.
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