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Rivers played a critical role in the development of human settlements and civilizations around the world. It is well known that people following the dharmik lifestyle have always attributed sacredness to all living beings and even inanimate things around them. Thus we find the seers of Rgveda prayed to devatas associated with all things big and small (Adhidevata tattva). In Ramayana, ShriRama prayed to Samudra devata requesting him to make a way to reach Lanka and it was granted. It is in the Vedas that we find the roots of Adhidevata tattva, which has been incorporated in the dharmik way of living seen even today. We find many mantras offering prayers to the adhidevatas of rivers in the Rgveda.

Rivers played a critical role in the development of human settlements and civilizations around the world. It is well known that people following the dharmik life have always attributed sacredness to all living beings and even inanimate things around them. In Vedic literature, the rivers are widely described. The rivers, which were so vital to the existence of all beings, were regarded as sacred since the earliest times. Thus we find the seers of Rgveda prayed to devatas associated with all things big and small (Adhidevata tattva). In Ramayana, ShriRama prayed to Samudra devata requesting him to make a way to reach Lanka and it was granted. It is in the Vedas that we find the roots of Adhidevata tattva, which has been incorporated in the dharmik way of living seen even today. We find many mantras offering prayers to the adhidevatas of rivers in the Rgveda. Rivers were addressed as "mother" viz., मा॒तॄन्त्सिन्धू॒न्.. just like the land of Bharata is addressed as Bharatamata, the motherland.  

Many great civilizations such as the Nile Valley civilization in Egypt, flourished on the banks of a river, the Nile. Archeological evidences point to the fact that the Harappan and Indus valley civilizations flourished on the banks of rivers flowing in the northwestern region of India and they represent some of the oldest human settlements in the world.  

Many great civilizations such as the Nile Valley civilization in Egypt, flourished on the banks of a river, the Nile. Archeological evidences point to the fact that the Harappan and Indus valley civilizations flourished on the banks of rivers flowing in the northwestern region of India and they represent some of the oldest human settlements in the world.  

While studying about the rivers of Rgvedic times, one must note that even though we find the same names of rivers at present in many instances, the course of the river may or mostly may not remain the same in the present times. It is well known that even now rivers change course of their flow due to various reasons. The Yangtsze river in China is one such famous example.

While studying about the rivers of Rgvedic times, one must note that even though we find the same names of rivers at present in many instances, the course of the river may or mostly may not remain the same in the present times. It is well known that even now rivers change course of their flow due to various reasons. The Yangtsze river in China is one such famous example.

== Introduction ==

== Introduction ==

Rivers mentioned in Rgveda have a great geographical importance attached to them. Nadi-sukta (नदीसुक्तम्) is a sukta dedicated to the rivers in this veda. According to Shrikant Talageri,<ref name=":1">Talageri. Shrikant. G, (2000) The Rigveda - A Historical Analysis (Chapter 4, Pages 149 - 175)</ref>rivers named in the Rgveda can be classified into five geographical categories:  

Rivers mentioned in Rgveda have a great geographical importance attached to them. They help in the growth of civilizations. Such rivers were called by many terms, e.g. dhuni (2.30.2), sindhu (2.12.3 and others), nadI (2.15.3, 3.33.4) and sarit (4.58.6) etc. Mitra and Varuna are designated as sindhupatI (सिन्धु॑पती). <ref name=":3">Deka, Barnali. (2015) Ph.D Thesis Title: ''[http://hdl.handle.net/10603/115225 A socio cultural study of the Rgvedasamhita]''. Gauhati University. (Chapter 5 : Geographical Information as recorded in the Rgvedasamhita)</ref> 

 

Nadi-sukta (नदीसुक्तम्) is a sukta dedicated to the rivers in this veda. According to Shrikant Talageri,<ref name=":1">Talageri. Shrikant. G, (2000) The Rigveda - A Historical Analysis (Chapter 4, Pages 149 - 175)</ref>rivers named in the Rgveda can be classified into five geographical categories:  

*'''The Northwestern rivers''' (tributaries of the Indus flowing through Afghanisthan and the north):  

*'''The Northwestern rivers''' (tributaries of the Indus flowing through Afghanisthan and the north):  

*#Yamuna/Amshumati, Ganga (Jahnavi)

*#Yamuna/Amshumati, Ganga (Jahnavi)

Many names given above are under investigation and evidences pertaining to transfer of river-names and places in geographical context are being considered. For example, JahnAvi is the name of river Ganga mentioned in the Rgveda.  

Many names given above are under investigation for evidences pertaining to transfer of river-names and places in geographical context are being considered. For example, JahnAvi is the name of river Ganga mentioned in the Rgveda.  

The key rivers in the Rgveda may be studied under the following headings<ref name=":1" />  

The key rivers in the Rgveda may be studied under the following headings<ref name=":1" />  

== Key rivers in the Rgveda ==

== Key rivers in the Rgveda ==

Nadi-sukta (नदीसुक्तम्) mentioned in Mandala 10, is a sukta fully dedicated to the rivers. At least nineteen rivers have been invoked in the 5th and 6th mantras of this sukta, listed from east to west, mentioning the major rivers along with the tributaries of the Sindhu river.

Nadi-sukta (नदीसुक्तम्) mentioned in Mandala 10, is a sukta (75) fully dedicated to the rivers. At least nineteen rivers have been invoked in the 5th and 6th mantras of this sukta, listed from east to west, mentioning the major rivers along with the tributaries of the Sindhu river.

<blockquote>इ॒मं मे॑ गङ्गे यमुने सरस्वति॒ शुतु॑द्रि॒ स्तोमं॑ सचता॒ परु॒ष्ण्या । अ॒सि॒क्न्या म॑रुद्वृधे वि॒तस्त॒याऽऽर्जी॑कीये शृणु॒ह्या सु॒षोम॑या ॥५॥  

<blockquote>इ॒मं मे॑ गङ्गे यमुने सरस्वति॒ शुतु॑द्रि॒ स्तोमं॑ सचता॒ परु॒ष्ण्या । अ॒सि॒क्न्या म॑रुद्वृधे वि॒तस्त॒याऽऽर्जी॑कीये शृणु॒ह्या सु॒षोम॑या ॥५॥  

तृ॒ष्टाम॑या प्रथ॒मं यात॑वे स॒जूः सु॒सर्त्वा॑ र॒सया॑ श्वे॒त्या त्या । त्वं सि॑न्धो॒ कुभ॑या गोम॒तीं क्रुमुं॑ मेह॒त्न्वा स॒रथं॒ याभि॒रीय॑से ॥६॥ (Rg.Veda. 10.75.5-6)<ref>Rg Veda ([https://vedicheritage.gov.in/samhitas/rigveda/shakala-samhita/rigveda-shakala-samhita-mandal-10-sukta-075/ Mandala 10 Sukta 75])</ref></blockquote>

तृ॒ष्टाम॑या प्रथ॒मं यात॑वे स॒जूः सु॒सर्त्वा॑ र॒सया॑ श्वे॒त्या त्या । त्वं सि॑न्धो॒ कुभ॑या गोम॒तीं क्रुमुं॑ मेह॒त्न्वा स॒रथं॒ याभि॒रीय॑से ॥६॥ (Rg.Veda. 10.75.5-6)<ref>Rg Veda ([https://vedicheritage.gov.in/samhitas/rigveda/shakala-samhita/rigveda-shakala-samhita-mandal-10-sukta-075/ Mandala 10 Sukta 75])</ref></blockquote>

=== Saptasindhu ===

=== Saptasindhu ===

While many rivers are mentioned in the Rigveda, the term "Sapta-sindhu" appears in many instances in this veda. In in the present day conditions, finding these seven rivers has been a little challenging owing to renaming them as well as disappearance or change of course. Many questions around the "seven rivers" have to be resolved; such as if it refers to important rivers or seven particular rivers. However, it is difficult to arrive at the rivers said to be important in those days. Next, we come across more than seven rivers; which of these are counted as important? Many versions about what constitute the "seven rivers" are given by various scholars. Most notably, it is possible that the five rivers in Punjab, शुतुद्री (Sutlej), विपाश (Beas), पुरुष्णी (Iravati present Raavi river), वितस्ता (Jhelum), असिक्नी (or Chandrabhaga presently Chenab river) along with the Sindhu and the Sarasvati - are the rivers that are accounted for the term Sapta Sindhu.<ref name=":2" />

While many rivers are mentioned in the Rigveda, the term "Sapta-sindhu" appears in many instances in this veda. The Sapta-sindhu region or the land of seven rivers is also stated to be the homeland of the Rgvedic people.<ref name=":3" /> The word "Sapta-sindhu" means "seven rivers". The word sindhu generally indicates a river is mentioned in th

 

In in the present day conditions, finding these seven rivers has been a little challenging owing to renaming them as well as disappearance or change of course. Many questions around the "seven rivers" have to be resolved; such as if it refers to important rivers or seven particular rivers. However, it is difficult to arrive at the rivers considered to be important in those days. We come across more than seven rivers; which of these are counted as important? Many versions about what constitute the "seven rivers" are given by various scholars. Most notably, A.C. Das and P.L. Bhargava opined that the five rivers in Punjab, शुतुद्री (Sutlej), विपाश (Beas), पुरुष्णी (Iravati present Raavi river), वितस्ता (Jhelum), असिक्नी (or Chandrabhaga presently Chenab river) along with the Sindhu and the Sarasvati - are the rivers that are accounted for the term Sapta Sindhu.<ref name=":2" /> D. C. Sircar states that the seven rivers are often taken to be the five rivers in Punjab together with the Indus and the Sarasvati, though some scholars are inclined to substitute the Sarasvati by the Kabul.<ref name=":3" />

 

 

According to Shrikant Talageri, the word Sindhu in the Rgveda primarily means river or even sea; it is only secondarily a name of the Indus river (thus Saptasindhava can mean seven rivers but not seven Induses).<ref name=":1" />

Mandala 2: 12.3, 12;

 

Mandala 4: 28.1;

 

Mandala 8: 54.4; 69.12; 96.1;

 

 

=== River Sarasvati ===

=== River Sarasvati ===

In the Rgvedic times Sarasvati was worshipped both as a deity of learning as well as a deity of a river. It was revered as the most sacred and is the most well-known river in these texts. In the past eras the vast river gradually dried up in the desert areas of the northwestern region of India. It now remains as a small well-known river by the name 'Sarsuti'. It flowed between Yamuna and Shutudri (Sutlej) and drained into the ocean as per Rgvedic texts. However, the Brahmana literature points to the evidence that drying up of Sarasvati has started. Tandya Brahmana (25.10.16) mentions that Sarasvati river has disappeared in a place called Vinashana. Puranas mention that this river disappears outside but flows beneath the earth to meets Ganga and Yamuna rivers at Prayaga (the modern Prayagraj). In the Jaiminiya Brahmana (4.26.12) Sarasvati river is said to reappear in a place called Plaksha praasravana (प्लक्ष प्रास्रवण), Ashvalayana shrautasutra (12.6.1) mentions this place as Plaksha prasravana (प्लक्ष प्रस्रवण).<ref name=":2" />  

In the Rgvedic times Sarasvati was worshipped both as a deity of learning as well as a deity of a river. It was revered as the most sacred and is the most well-known river in these texts. In the past eras the vast river gradually dried up in the desert areas of the northwestern region of India. It now remains as a small well-known river by the name 'Sarsuti'. It flowed between Yamuna and Shutudri (Sutlej) and drained into the ocean as per Rgvedic texts. However, the Brahmana literature points to the evidence that drying up of Sarasvati has started. Tandya Brahmana (25.10.16) mentions that Sarasvati river has disappeared in a place called Vinashana. Puranas mention that this river disappears outside but flows beneath the earth to meets Ganga and Yamuna rivers at Prayaga (the modern Prayagraj). In the Jaiminiya Brahmana (4.26.12) Sarasvati river is said to reappear in a place called Plaksha praasravana (प्लक्ष प्रास्रवण), Ashvalayana shrautasutra (12.6.1) mentions this place as Plaksha prasravana (प्लक्ष प्रस्रवण).<ref name=":2" />  

The Sarasvati river has been referred to many times in the three oldest mandalas of the Rgveda. Three whole suktas are dedicated to this river, viz., 6.61, 7.95 and 7.96. It has been referred to in nine out of the ten mandala except the 4th mandala. The Sarasvati is so important in the whole of this veda that we see it's worship as one of the three great deities in the AprI-suktas, and Indus river finds no place.<ref name=":1" /> 

The Sarasvati river has been referred to many times in the three oldest mandalas of the Rgveda. Three whole suktas are dedicated to this river,

== Other Rivers in the Rgveda ==

== Other Rivers in the Rgveda ==

While the rivers, Sindhu, Sarasvati and to a lesser extent Ganga are familiar geographical landmarks in the Rgveda, there are many other rivers described in the veda, such as those mentioned in the Nadi-sukta.  

While the rivers, Sindhu, Sarasvati and to a lesser extent Ganga are familiar geographical landmarks in the Rgveda, there are many other rivers described in the veda, such as those mentioned in the Nadi-sukta. Most of the rivers mentioned here are of the Punjab region. The rivers that arise in Afghanistan and the Suleiman range in Pakistan and which drain into the Indus are Rasa, Kubha, Suvastu, Krumu and Gomati are also mentioned. Marudvrdha (10.75.5) found to be located in the Kashmiri region, indicates that Kashmir valley could have been known to the people of those times. 

 

== References ==

== References ==

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[[Category:Rigveda]]

[[Category:Rigveda]]