Those of us in the Northern Hemisphere are beginning to enter what are sometimes called the Dog Days - the time of year from July to August when the weather is, at least in theory, warmest (those in southern climes are of course wrapping up in the middle of winter).
The Dog Star
The Dog Days were named by the Romans who noticed that at this time of year the star Sirius was particularly noticeable in the sky. The other name for Sirius is The Dog Star - hence Dog Days. Why is Sirius called the Dog Star? I was coming to that. It’s simply that it is the brightest star in Canis Major.
Svana, the dog of Prince Yudhistira
In India it is sometimes known as Svana, the dog of Prince Yudhistira. The Prince had been deserted by his brothers during his long quest to find heaven, leaving him alone save for Svana. When he tried to enter paradise Lord Indra told him that whilst he could enter heaven Svana was not coming in. Prince Yudhistira was aghast and said he would forego heaven rather than be separated from his loyal companion. Lord Indra smiled, this was the answer he had hoped for and he welcomed the prince and his pal into paradise.
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