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== Key rivers in the Rgveda ==

== Key rivers in the Rgveda ==

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.

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॥ 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>

<blockquote>इ॒मं मे॑ गङ्गे यमुने सरस्वति॒ शुतु॑द्रि॒ स्तोमं॑ सचता॒ परु॒ष्ण्या । अ॒सि॒क्न्या म॑रुद्वृधे वि॒तस्त॒याऽऽर्जी॑कीये शृणु॒ह्या सु॒षोम॑या ॥५॥ (Rg.Veda. 10.75.5)<ref name=":5">Rg Veda ([https://vedicheritage.gov.in/samhitas/rigveda/shakala-samhita/rigveda-shakala-samhita-mandal-10-sukta-075/ Mandala 10 Sukta 75])</ref></blockquote>

O Ganga (गङ्गा), Yamuna (यमुना), Sarasvati (सरस्वती), Shutudri (शुतुद्रि) or Shatudri, Parushni (परुष्णी), Asikni (असिक्नी), Marudvrdha (मरुद्वृधा), Vitasta (वितस्ता) along with Sushoma (सुषोमा) and Arjikiya (आर्जीकीय), accept and hear my praise for you. O Sindhu (सिन्धू), you, to meet the swift-flowing Gomati, first joined with river Trshtama (तृ॒ष्टामा). Later you join with Susarta (सुसर्ता), Rasa (रस), Sveta (श्वेता), Kubha (कुभा), Krumu (क्रुमु), and Mehatnu (मेह॒त्नु) and travel in the same chariot (i.e., flow as one river merging along with them).

O Ganga (गङ्गा), Yamuna (यमुना), Sarasvati (सरस्वती), Shutudri (शुतुद्रि) or Shatudri, Parushni (परुष्णी), Asikni (असिक्नी), Marudvrdha (मरुद्वृधा), Vitasta (वितस्ता) along with Sushoma (सुषोमा) and Arjikiya (आर्जीकीय), accept and hear my praise for you.  

Following are more details about the rivers in Rgveda.<ref name=":2">Upadhyaya, Baldev (1958) Vaidik Sahitya (Pages 373 - 381)</ref>

Following are more details about the rivers in Rgveda.<ref name=":2">Upadhyaya, Baldev (1958) Vaidik Sahitya (Pages 373 - 381)</ref>

Dr. Michel Danino, who authored the chapter: The Sarasvati River - Issues and Debates<ref name=":0">S. K. Acharya, Kunal Gosh, and Amal Kar (2020) ''Saraswati: The River par Excellence.'' Kolkata: The Asiatic Society (Pages 217-234)</ref>, mentions that the identification of the Ghaggar river as the Sarasvati river of the Vedic times was initially proposed in 1855 by a French geographer, Louis Vivien de Saint-Martin. He proposed this based on the surveys of the Thar Desert by British topographers, who reported the presence of a huge dry bed (the Ghaggar) between the Yamuna and Sutlej, precisely where in the Rgveda is located the Sarasvati. Many British maps (from 1760 onwards) also showed a small river named 'Soorsuty' or 'Sursooty' or 'Sarsuti' in the same location. Local tradition describes a seasonal river 'Sarsuti' as one of Ghaggar's tributaries and that there was once a vast river whose drying up caused the region's desolation. The gradual disappearance of Sarasvati is also known from the later Vedic literature, the Brahmanas, in which it is mentioned that Sarasvati breaks up at a point called Vinashana or Adarshana; and it a sacred tirtha.<ref name=":0" />

Dr. Michel Danino, who authored the chapter: The Sarasvati River - Issues and Debates<ref name=":0">S. K. Acharya, Kunal Gosh, and Amal Kar (2020) ''Saraswati: The River par Excellence.'' Kolkata: The Asiatic Society (Pages 217-234)</ref>, mentions that the identification of the Ghaggar river as the Sarasvati river of the Vedic times was initially proposed in 1855 by a French geographer, Louis Vivien de Saint-Martin. He proposed this based on the surveys of the Thar Desert by British topographers, who reported the presence of a huge dry bed (the Ghaggar) between the Yamuna and Sutlej, precisely where in the Rgveda is located the Sarasvati. Many British maps (from 1760 onwards) also showed a small river named 'Soorsuty' or 'Sursooty' or 'Sarsuti' in the same location. Local tradition describes a seasonal river 'Sarsuti' as one of Ghaggar's tributaries and that there was once a vast river whose drying up caused the region's desolation. The gradual disappearance of Sarasvati is also known from the later Vedic literature, the Brahmanas, in which it is mentioned that Sarasvati breaks up at a point called Vinashana or Adarshana; and it a sacred tirtha.<ref name=":0" />

=== गङ्गा ॥ Ganga ===

=== गङ्गा ॥ Ganga ===

=== शुतुद्रि ॥ Shutudri or Sutlej ===

=== शुतुद्रि ॥ Shutudri or Sutlej ===

Shutudri or Satadru, is identified as Sutlej is mentioned in the Rgveda together with Vipaas (Beas). It is the eastern most river of the Punjab.  Rising in the Himalayas, it runs through Punjab as a boundary between the Hoshiarpur and Jalandhar districts on the right and Ambala and Ludhiana districts on the left.<ref name=":3" /> In Ramayana this river is mentioned as Shatadru.<ref name=":2" />

Shutudri or Satadru, is identified as Sutlej is mentioned in the Rgveda together with Vipaash (Beas). It is the eastern most river of the Punjab.  Rising in the Himalayas, it runs through Punjab as a boundary between the Hoshiarpur and Jalandhar districts on the right and Ambala and Ludhiana districts on the left.<ref name=":3" /> In Ramayana this river is mentioned as Shatadru.<ref name=":2" />

=== परुष्णी ॥ Parushni or Iravati or Ravi ===

=== परुष्णी ॥ Parushni or Iravati or Ravi ===

=== असिक्नी ॥ Asikni or Chandrabhaga or Chenab ===

=== असिक्नी ॥ Asikni or Chandrabhaga or Chenab ===

Asikni (Chenab) rises in Lahul in the Himalayas and runs through Kashmir and the Punjab. It is mentioned in the Veda together with Vitasta, Marudvrdha, and Sindhu.<ref name=":3" /> This river appears black and hence called as Asikni. Its present names are Chandrabhaga and Chenab.<ref name=":2" />

Asikni (Chenab) rises in Lahul in the Himalayas and runs through Kashmir and the Punjab. It is mentioned in the Veda together with Vitasta, Marudvrdha, and Sindhu.<ref name=":3" /> This river appears black and hence called as Asikni. Its present names are Chandrabhaga and Chenab.

 

'''Marudvrdha (मरुद्वृधा)''' (10.75.5) located in the Kashmiri region, indicates that Kashmir valley could have been known to the people of those times.<ref name=":1" /> It is not a big river, said to be a western tributary of Chenab.<ref name=":2" />

=== वितस्ता ॥ Vitasta or Jhelum ===

=== वितस्ता ॥ Vitasta or Jhelum ===

Vitasta, the most western of the five rivers of the Punjab has been mentioned as one of the rivers in the Nadisukta. It is famous in Kashmir as Veth. It is mentioned in the Nirukta as Vitasta, the mightly river having high banks (Nirukta. 9.26).<ref name=":3" />

Vitasta, the most western of the five rivers of the Punjab has been mentioned as one of the rivers in the Nadisukta. It is famous in Kashmir as Veth. It is mentioned in the Nirukta as Vitasta, the mightly river having high banks (Nirukta. 9.26).<ref name=":3" />

== Other Rivers in the Rgveda ==

=== विपाश् ॥ Vipaash ===

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.    

It is identified with the river Beas (3.33.1 and 3, 4.30.31) which is also referred to as Vyas in earlier times. It is one of the five rivers of Punjab.

'''Marudvrdha (मरुद्वृधा)''' (10.75.5) located in the Kashmiri region, indicates that Kashmir valley could have been known to the people of those times.<ref name=":1" /> It is not a big river, said to be a western tributary of Chenab.<ref name=":2" />  

Arjikiya is a river which is mentioned in Nirukta (9.26). According to Nirukta, this river got its name आर्जीकीया as it may have originated from the Rijika (ऋजीक) mountain or because it follows a straight path (ऋजुगामिनी). Yaska mentions that another name of this river is Vipash (विपाश्), however, more clarity is required about the name of this river. Sushoma is said to be the Sohan river flowing in the Atak district.<ref name=":2" />

'''Arjikiya (आर्जीकीया)''' is a river which is mentioned in Nirukta (9.26). According to Nirukta, this river got its name आर्जीकीया as it may have originated from the Rijika (ऋजीक) mountain or because it follows a straight path (ऋजुगामिनी). Yaska mentions that another name of this river is Vipash (विपाश्), however, more clarity is required about the name of this river. Sushoma is said to be the Sohan river flowing in the Atak district.<ref name=":2" />      

== Tributaries of Sindhu (Indus) ==

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.    <blockquote>तृ॒ष्टाम॑या प्रथ॒मं यात॑वे स॒जूः सु॒सर्त्वा॑ र॒सया॑ श्वे॒त्या त्या । त्वं सि॑न्धो॒ कुभ॑या गोम॒तीं क्रुमुं॑ मेह॒त्न्वा स॒रथं॒ याभि॒रीय॑से ॥६॥ (Rg.Veda. 10.75.6)<ref name=":5" />    </blockquote>O Sindhu! (सिन्धू), you, to meet the swift-flowing Gomati (गोमती), first joined with river Trshtama (तृ॒ष्टामा). Later you join with Susarta (सुसर्ता), Rasa (रस), Sveta (श्वेता), Kubha (कुभा), Krumu (क्रुमु), and Mehatnu (मेह॒त्नु) and travel in the same chariot (i.e., flow as one river merging along with them).     

As given in the earlier section, the names of the six tributaries of Sindhu river are mentioned in Rgveda 10.75.6, the Nadi sukta.    

The seven tributaries of Sindhu are mentioned in this mantra. Most of the rivers mentioned here are of the Punjab and Kashmir region. The rivers that arise in Afghanistan and the Suleiman range in Pakistan and which drain into the Sindhu or Indus are Rasa, Kubha, Suvastu, Krumu and Gomati are also mentioned.

'''Trshtama (तृ॒ष्टामा)''' is the first mentioned tributary according to the Nadisukta. Presently it is known as Jasakar (जासकार) (or Zanskar river?) located in Ladakh region.<ref name=":2" />     

'''Trshtama (तृ॒ष्टामा)''' is the first mentioned tributary according to the Nadisukta. Presently it is known as Jasakar (जासकार) (or Zanskar river?) located in Ladakh region.<ref name=":2" />     

'''Susartu or Susarta (सुसर्ता)''' another tributary mentioned which is famous for flowing from south to the north. Presently called as "Khuru" it has eastern and western tributaries to it. It joins the Sindhu river after Jasakar river.<ref name=":2" />     

'''Susartu or Susarta (सुसर्ता)''' another tributary mentioned which is famous for flowing from south to the north. Presently called as "Khuru" it has eastern and western tributaries to it. It joins the Sindhu river after Jasakar river.<ref name=":2" />     

'''Rasa (रसा)''' is mentioned several times in Rgveda. It is this river that Sarama crosses to reach the Panis. [[Sarama Pani Samvada (सरमापणिसंवादः)|Sarama and Pani Samvada]] is one of the important anecdotes described in the Rgveda (10.108). Many scholars equate this river to Ranha. This is the third tributary of the Sindhu and is said to be the Shebak river flowing in Kashmir in the present times.     

'''Rasa (रसा)''' is mentioned several times in Rgveda. It is this river that Sarama crosses to reach the Panis. [[Sarama Pani Samvada (सरमापणिसंवादः)|Sarama and Pani Samvada]] is one of the important anecdotes described in the Rgveda (10.108). Many scholars equate this river to Ranha. This is the third tributary of the Sindhu and is said to be the Shebak river flowing in Kashmir in the present times.<ref name=":2" />      

 

 

 

 

 

'''Sveta (श्वेता)''' is the fourth tributary of the Sindhu river, flowing as the Gilgit river in Kashmir.    

'''Gomati (गोमती)''' referred to as another tributary of the Indus river, it is identified as Gomal in the present times. It flows in Afganisthan and Pakistan. This river has been mentioned in the Ramayana.<ref name=":2" />

'''Kubha (कुभा)''' is one of the important tributaries of the Sindhu, it is identified as river Kabul in the present times. kunar and Panjakora etc are its tributaries. A Rgveda mantra where Kubha is mentioned is as follows    <blockquote>मा वो॑ र॒सानि॑तभा॒ कुभा॒ क्रुमु॒र्मा व॒: सिन्धु॒र्नि री॑रमत् ।     

'''Krumu (क्रुमु)''' presently referred as Kurram is a western tributary of the Sindhu.<ref name=":2" />  

मा व॒: परि॑ ष्ठात् स॒रयु॑: पुरी॒षिण्य॒स्मे इत् सु॒म्नम॑स्तु वः ॥९॥ (Rg. Veda. 5.53.9)     </blockquote>Meaning: O Maruts! let not the Rasa, Anitabha, Kubha, Krumu and Sindhu not disturb you and rivers Purishini (which is Parushini) and Sarayu not stop your flow.<ref name=":2" />     

The Sarasvati mentioned in the Rgveda, is the river to the east of the Punjab (flowing through Haryana) and the Sarayu, and Gomati are certainly western rivers, the tributaries of the Indus, flowing west of Punjab. But a Sarasvati (Avestan is HaraxvaitI) and a Sarayu (Avestan is Haroiiu) or Siritoi are also found in Afghanistan and a Gomati and a Sarayu found in northeastern Uttar Pradesh. Clearly there has been a transfer of name, in the case of these three river-names from one river to another. Such evidences are being explored in the geographical studies of Rgveda. There is further evidence that not just the names of river but many places have also been subjected to such changes.<ref name=":1" />     

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 Gangetic plains.   

== References ==

== References ==

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[[Category:Rigveda]]

[[Category:Rigveda]]