Canopus

Canopus, in Hindu mythology, this star is known as Agastya. This is a very beautiful, colorful and radiant star appearing in the southern sky. The legend is that Vindhya, the southern king of mountains wanted to compete with Himalaya in terms of glory. The path chosen by him to this effect was to grow in altitude. Vindhya grew so tall that he became an obstacle in Sun's path of revolution around Earth. (Remember that this legend is from the era of Earth Centric Universe). The Sun beseached Vindhya to give him way, but Vindhya stayed adamant and refused to shrink in size. To help Sun out, the gods approached sage Agastya to convince Vindhya. Agastya was very much revered by Vindhya. When Agastya approached Vindya from north, he (Vindhya) bowed down infront of him (Agastya) in obeisance and gave in a way to cross over to south. Agastya, while crossing over, casually informed Vindhya that he was going for a pilgrimage to south. Vindhya, out of his reverance promised that he would stay kneeled down till Agastya returned from his pilgrimage. But Agastya went down south and settled there and since then we see Agastya in the southern sky and Vindhya is still paying his obeisance.

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