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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 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.  

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.  

* Sindhu generally '''represents a river''' as mentioned in Rgveda, 1.27.6 and 2.25.3. It stands for a '''"river of the Saptasindhu"''' as mentioned in Rgveda 10.75.6. In the context where Sindhu and samudra are mentioned together, the sindhu means the river (3.36.6).

* Sindhu generally '''represents a river''' as mentioned in Rgveda, 1.27.6 and 2.25.3. It stands for a '''"river of the Saptasindhu"''' as mentioned in Rgveda 10.75.6. In the context where Sindhu and samudra are mentioned together, the sindhu means the river (3.36.6).

* '''Sindhu stands for river Indus''', is said to be greater than all other flowing rivers as mentioned in Rgveda 10.75.1 as per Sayanacharya and other scholars such as D. C. Sircar.<ref name=":3" /> According to Shrikanth Talageri, however, the word Sindhu means a river and is often mistranslated as the Indus. In seven references, it refers to some other river (Vipas, Parushini, Yamuna and Sarasvati) whichever is specified within the context of the reference itself.<ref name=":1" />

* '''Sindhu stands for river Indus''', is said to be greater than all other flowing rivers as mentioned in Rgveda 10.75.1 as per Sayanacharya and other scholars such as D. C. Sircar.<ref name=":3" /> According to Shrikanth Talageri, however, the word Sindhu means a river and is often mistranslated as the Indus. In seven references, it refers to some other river (Vipas, Parushini, Yamuna and Sarasvati) whichever is specified within the context of the reference itself.<ref name=":1" />

* '''Sindhu is referred to as a sea or ocean''' in the mantras 5.11.5 and 7.87.6, where there is a mention of the sun setting in the sea.

* '''Sindhu is referred to as a sea or ocean''' in the mantras 5.11.5 and in 7.87.6 where there is a mention of the sun setting in the sea.

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" />

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" />

Mandala 10: 43.3; 67.12  

Mandala 10: 43.3; 67.12  

Sindhu with its tributaries like Trshtama, Susartu, Rasa, Kubha etc falls into the western ocean as per Rgveda 5.53.9 and 10.75.6. According to D. C. Sircar, Sindhu or the Indus rises in Tibet, passes through Kashmir, the Punjab and Sind and discharges its waters into the Arabian sea. The banks of Sindhu was full of everything required by the people of that age.

Sindhu with its tributaries like Trshtama, Susartu, Rasa, Kubha etc falls into the western ocean as per Rgveda 5.53.9 and 10.75.6. According to D. C. Sircar, Sindhu or the Indus rises in Tibet, passes through Kashmir, the Punjab and Sind and discharges its waters into the Arabian sea. The banks of Sindhu was full of everything required by the people of that age (Rgveda. 10.75.8).

=== 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. She 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 western ocean as per Rgvedic texts.<ref name=":2" /> As per D. C. Sircar, Sarasvati or the modern Sarsuti rises in Sirmur, passes by Thanesar in the Ambala district and loses itself in the sands of Patiala.<ref name=":6">Dvivedi, Kapil Dev. (2000) ''Vaidika Sahitya evam Samskrti (Vedic Literature and Culture).'' Varanasi: Vishvavidyalaya Prakashan. (Pages 249-252)</ref>

 

 

 

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 (विनशन). 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,   

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,   

It has been referred to in nine out of the ten mandalas 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, while Indus river finds no place.<ref name=":1" />

It has been referred to in nine out of the ten mandalas 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, while Indus river finds no place.<ref name=":1" />

According to Shri. A. C. Das, in the Rg vedic times Sarasvati river flowed and ended its journey in what was once a vast water body in area where we now see the desert sands of Rajasthan. The Mahabharata also describes the Sarasvati as flowing westward and getting "lost in the desert". It was, according to some scholars, in this sea that Sarasvati joined and drained into. Dr. P. L. Bhargava has called this water body as Sarasvat sea of the Rgvedic times. There are at least two suktas in which Sarasvat and Sarasvati are described and that Sarasvat is that sea into which Sarasvati river had drained into. In the Rg veda we find several occurrences about the vast, swift flowing Sarasvati river.<blockquote>एकाचेतत्सरस्वती नदीनां शुचिर्यती गिरिभ्य आ समुद्रात् ।.... (Rg. Veda. 7.95.2)</blockquote>

According to Shri. A. C. Das, in the Rgvedic times Sarasvati river flowed and ended its journey in what was once a vast water body in area where we now see the desert sands of Rajasthan. The Mahabharata also describes the Sarasvati as flowing westward and getting "lost in the desert". It was, according to some scholars, in this sea that Sarasvati joined and drained into. Dr. P. L. Bhargava has called this water body as Sarasvat sea of the Rgvedic times. There are at least two suktas in which Sarasvat and Sarasvati are described and that Sarasvat is that sea into which Sarasvati river had drained into. In the Rg veda we find several occurrences about the vast, swift flowing Sarasvati river.<blockquote>एकाचेतत्सरस्वती नदीनां शुचिर्यती गिरिभ्य आ समुद्रात् ।.... (Rg. Veda. 7.95.2)</blockquote>

[[File:Sarasvati in Mahabharata Age.PNG|right|frameless|446.992x446.992px]]

[[File:Sarasvati in Mahabharata Age.PNG|right|frameless|446.992x446.992px]]

Here it is mentioned that Sarasvati river flows from the mountains to the sea. Dr. Bhargava gives references of Puranas and mahakavyas to support his theory that the large parts of the modern day Rajasthan was once covered by a large sea into which Sarasvati river drained into. Other investigations identify the "sea" into which the Sarasvati drained into was the present day Arabian sea.<ref name=":4">Pt. Upadhyaya, Baldev. (2012 Second Edition) ''Samskrit Vangmay ke Brihad Itihas, Vol 1, Veda.'' Lucknow: Uttar Pradesh Sanskrit Sansthan. (Pages 515-531)</ref>

Here it is mentioned that Sarasvati river flows from the mountains to the sea. Dr. Bhargava gives references of Puranas and mahakavyas to support his theory that the large parts of the modern day Rajasthan was once covered by a large sea into which Sarasvati river drained into. Other investigations identify the "sea" into which the Sarasvati drained into was the present day Arabian sea.<ref name=":4">Pt. Upadhyaya, Baldev. (2012 Second Edition) ''Samskrit Vangmay ke Brihad Itihas, Vol 1, Veda.'' Lucknow: Uttar Pradesh Sanskrit Sansthan. (Pages 515-531)</ref>

=== River Ganga ===

=== River Ganga ===

Ganga as the name of a river finds very scarce mention in the Rgveda; in  one context उरुकक्षो न गाङ्ग्यः (Rgveda. 6.45.31) the word गाङ्ग्यः can be considered as a person originating on the banks of river Ganga. However, it is not a clear explanation. It can be said that people of those times were not familiar with this river as much as they were with Sindhu or Sarasvati rivers, according to Pt. Baldev Upadhay. References to Ganga are amply found in the subsequent [[Brahmana (ब्राह्मणम्)|Brahmana]] and [[Aranyaka (आरण्यकम्)|Aranyaka]] texts such as in Shatapatha Brahmana (13.5.4.11) and Taittriya Aranyaka (2.10).<ref name=":2" />

Ganga as the name of a river finds very scarce mention in the Rgveda; in  one context उरुकक्षो न गाङ्ग्यः (Rgveda. 6.45.31) the word गाङ्ग्यः can be considered as indirect reference by the mention of a person originating on the banks of river Ganga. However, it is not a clear explanation. It can be said that people of those times were not familiar with this river as much as they were with Sindhu or Sarasvati rivers, according to Pt. Baldev Upadhay. But one important reference to Ganga has been made in the Nadi sukta. References to Ganga are amply found in the subsequent [[Brahmana (ब्राह्मणम्)|Brahmana]] and [[Aranyaka (आरण्यकम्)|Aranyaka]] texts such as in Shatapatha Brahmana (13.5.4.11) and Taittriya Aranyaka (2.10).<ref name=":2" />

 

The nadi-sukta begins with the enumeration of the rivers with the Ganga and moves westward. JahnAvI (जह्नावी) is mentioned in the Rgveda which correlates to JAhnavI (जाह्नवी) in the modern times, another name of the Ganga. JahnAvI is clearly the earlier Rgvedic form of the later word JahnAvI, the former word is not found after the Rgveda and the latter word is not found in the Rgveda. This word belongs to a class of words in the Rgveda which underwent a particular phonetic change in the course of time.<ref name=":1" /> Besides Yamuna or the Jumna there is no other reference at all to the other tributaries of Ganga flowing eastward.<ref name=":3" />

The nadi-sukta begins with the enumeration of the rivers with the Ganga and moves westward. JahnAvI (जह्नावी) is mentioned in the Rgveda which correlates to JAhnavI (जाह्नवी) in the modern times, another name of the Ganga. JahnAvI is clearly the earlier Rgvedic form of the later word JahnAvI, the former word is not found after the Rgveda and the latter word is not found in the Rgveda. This word belongs to a class of words in the Rgveda which underwent a particular phonetic change in the course of time.<ref name=":1" />

Yamuna has been mentioned thrice in this Veda, the name of which is seen mentioned in Atharvaveda (4.9.10) and Aitareya Brahmana (8.83). This river is mentioned in connection with Dasharajna Yuddha (7.18.19).

== 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. 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.  

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.  

From the study of the rivers of Rgveda, it can be said that at that time people knew the regions like Afghanistan, Punjab, some parts of the Sindhu region, Rajputana, North-western region, Kashmir and the area extending up to the river Sarayu.   

From the study of the rivers of Rgveda, it can be said that at that time people knew the regions like Afghanistan, Punjab, some parts of the Sindhu region, Rajputana, North-western region, Kashmir and the area extending up to the river Sarayu.