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Water is known as one of the five great elements or Panchamahabhutas and has been given great importance in the Vedic culture. Infact, water conservation has been a fundamental component of the Vedic culture. The Rigvedic Rishi says,<ref name=":0">Vijnana - Level A ([https://nios.ac.in/media/documents/OBE_indian_knowledge_tradition/Level_A/Vijnana-A_Englishi_OBE/Science-A_E_Ch-5.pdf Chapter 5]), Noida: National Institute of Open Schooling (Open Basic Education Programme).</ref><blockquote>आ शर्म पर्वतानामोतापां वृणीमहे ।...॥१६॥<ref>Rigveda, Mandala 8, [https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%8B%E0%A4%97%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B5%E0%A5%87%E0%A4%A6%E0%A4%83_%E0%A4%B8%E0%A5%82%E0%A4%95%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%A4%E0%A4%82_%E0%A5%AE.%E0%A5%A7%E0%A5%AE Sukta 18]</ref> ā śarma parvatānāmotāpāṁ vr̥ṇīmahe ।...॥16॥</blockquote>

Water is known as one of the five great elements or Panchamahabhutas and has been given great importance in the Vedic culture. Infact, water conservation has been a fundamental component of the Vedic culture. The Rigvedic Rishi says,<ref name=":0">Vijnana - Level A ([https://nios.ac.in/media/documents/OBE_indian_knowledge_tradition/Level_A/Vijnana-A_Englishi_OBE/Science-A_E_Ch-5.pdf Chapter 5]), Noida: National Institute of Open Schooling (Open Basic Education Programme).</ref><blockquote>आ शर्म पर्वतानामोतापां वृणीमहे ।...॥१६॥<ref>Rigveda, Mandala 8, [https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%8B%E0%A4%97%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B5%E0%A5%87%E0%A4%A6%E0%A4%83_%E0%A4%B8%E0%A5%82%E0%A4%95%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%A4%E0%A4%82_%E0%A5%AE.%E0%A5%A7%E0%A5%AE Sukta 18]</ref> ā śarma parvatānāmotāpāṁ vr̥ṇīmahe ।...॥16॥</blockquote>

Meaning: There is happiness in mountains and waters. But only those who utilize them appropriately with knowledge obtain it.<ref>Sripad Damodar Satavlekar (1985), Rigveda ka Subodh Bhashya ([https://vedicheritage.gov.in/flipbook/Rigveda_Subodh_Bhasya_Vol_III/#book/581 Volume 3]), Pardi: Svadhyay Mandal.</ref>  

Meaning: There is happiness in mountains and waters. But only those who utilize them appropriately with knowledge obtain it.<ref name=":2">Sripad Damodar Satavlekar (1985), Rigveda ka Subodh Bhashya ([https://vedicheritage.gov.in/flipbook/Rigveda_Subodh_Bhasya_Vol_III/#book/581 Volume 3]), Pardi: Svadhyay Mandal.</ref>  

In Ancient Indian culture water is considered as life. Therefore, great emphasis is given to sources of water, importance of water for all living organisms, quality and usefulness of water and conservation of water, etc. Infact, in the Vedas, water is said to have medicinal importance. And Acharya Charaka is known to have discussed about usefulness of groundwater in his Charaka Samhita.

In Ancient Indian culture water is considered as life. Therefore, great emphasis is given to sources of water, importance of water for all living organisms, quality and usefulness of water and conservation of water, etc. Infact, in the Vedas, water is said to have medicinal importance. And Acharya Charaka is known to have discussed about usefulness of groundwater in his Charaka Samhita.

According to Ancient Indian Civilization, each and every type of water present in this universe should be conserved. However, highest priority is given to conservation of river water because they irrigate agricultural fields which are responsible for the survival of all living beings. Furthermore, flowing water of rivers is considered pure and hence, pollution of rivers is strictly condemned.<ref name=":1" />

It is said in Rigveda that water is like our mother. And it should make us powerful and excellent as ghee makes us.<ref name=":1" /> <blockquote>आपो अस्मान्मातरः शुन्धयन्तु घृतेन नो घृतप्वः पुनन्तु ।...॥१०॥<ref>Rigveda, Mandala 10, [https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%8B%E0%A4%97%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B5%E0%A5%87%E0%A4%A6%E0%A4%83_%E0%A4%B8%E0%A5%82%E0%A4%95%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%A4%E0%A4%82_%E0%A5%A7%E0%A5%A6.%E0%A5%A7%E0%A5%AD Sukta 17]</ref> āpo asmānmātaraḥ śundhayantu ghr̥tena no ghr̥tapvaḥ punantu ।...॥10॥</blockquote>And great emphasis is laid in the Rigveda on protecting such water in whatever form it is present and wherever it is present. It has been said,<ref name=":1" /> <blockquote>अपामह दिव्यानामपां स्रोतस्यानाम् । अपामह प्रणेजनेऽश्वा भवथ वाजिनः ॥४॥<ref>Atharvaveda, Kanda 19, [https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%85%E0%A4%A5%E0%A4%B0%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B5%E0%A4%B5%E0%A5%87%E0%A4%A6%E0%A4%83/%E0%A4%95%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%A3%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%A1%E0%A4%82_%E0%A5%A7%E0%A5%AF/%E0%A4%B8%E0%A5%82%E0%A4%95%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%A4%E0%A4%AE%E0%A5%8D_%E0%A5%A6%E0%A5%A8 Sukta 2]</ref> apāmaha divyānāmapāṁ srotasyānām । apāmaha praṇejane'śvā bhavatha vājinaḥ ॥4॥</blockquote>Meaning: O human, rain water and water obtained from other sources such as wells, springs, ponds etc contains many nutrients. You should know this that you become energetic and powerful by using such nutritious water.

There is a lot of emphasis on water conservation in our Vedic culture.<ref name=":0" />

Speaking of the purest form of water ie. rain water, the Atharvaveda says,<ref name=":1" /> <blockquote>

शिवा नः सन्तु वार्षिकीः ॥४॥<ref>Atharvaveda, Kanda 1, [https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%85%E0%A4%A5%E0%A4%B0%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B5%E0%A4%B5%E0%A5%87%E0%A4%A6%E0%A4%83/%E0%A4%95%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%A3%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%A1%E0%A4%82_%E0%A5%A7/%E0%A4%B8%E0%A5%82%E0%A4%95%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%A4%E0%A4%AE%E0%A5%8D_%E0%A5%A6%E0%A5%AC Sukta 6]</ref> śivā naḥ santu vārṣikīḥ ॥4॥</blockquote>

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

These rivers have been given respect like mother in Rigveda.<blockquote>ता अस्मभ्यं पयसा पिन्वमानाः शिवा देवीरशिपदा भवन्तु सर्वा नद्यो अशिमिदा भवन्तु ॥४॥<ref>Rigveda, Mandala 7, [https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%8B%E0%A4%97%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B5%E0%A5%87%E0%A4%A6%E0%A4%83_%E0%A4%B8%E0%A5%82%E0%A4%95%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%A4%E0%A4%82_%E0%A5%AD.%E0%A5%AB%E0%A5%A6 Sukta 50]</ref>

 

tā asmabhyaṁ payasā pinvamānāḥ śivā devīraśipadā bhavantu sarvā nadyo aśimidā bhavantu ॥4॥</blockquote>'''(Rigveda 7.50.4)'''

 

Rigveda laid emphasis on water conservation and it is said in Rigveda that water is like our mother. Water should make us powerful and excellent as ghee makes us. Such water needs to be protected in whatever form it is present and wherever it is present-<blockquote>आपो अस्मान्मातरः शुन्धयन्तु घृतेन नो घृतप्वः पुनन्तु ।...॥१०॥<ref>Rigveda, Mandala 10, [https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%8B%E0%A4%97%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B5%E0%A5%87%E0%A4%A6%E0%A4%83_%E0%A4%B8%E0%A5%82%E0%A4%95%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%A4%E0%A4%82_%E0%A5%A7%E0%A5%A6.%E0%A5%A7%E0%A5%AD Sukta 17]</ref>

Meaning: May the rain water be very good for us.  

āpo asmānmātaraḥ śundhayantu ghr̥tena no ghr̥tapvaḥ punantu ।...॥10॥</blockquote>'''(Rigveda 10.17.10)'''

This shows the understanding of the importance of water in the Vedas. According to Ancient Indian Civilization, each and every type of water present in this universe should be conserved. However, highest priority is given to conservation of river water because they irrigate agricultural fields which are responsible for the survival of all living beings. Furthermore, flowing water of rivers is considered pure and hence, pollution of rivers is strictly condemned.  

For water conservation, for rain water and flowing water, it has been said in Vedas O human, rain water and water obtained from other sources such as well, springs, ponds etc contains many nutrients.

Seven Sindhu rivers (Sapta Sindhu) are mentioned in the Vedas. They are,  

Apamahan divyanampaan srotsyanaam oopamah prarejnedshava bhavay waajina:<blockquote>अपामह दिव्यानामपां स्रोतस्यानाम् । अपामह प्रणेजनेऽश्वा भवथ वाजिनः ॥४॥<ref>Atharvaveda, Kanda 19, [https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%85%E0%A4%A5%E0%A4%B0%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B5%E0%A4%B5%E0%A5%87%E0%A4%A6%E0%A4%83/%E0%A4%95%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%A3%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%A1%E0%A4%82_%E0%A5%A7%E0%A5%AF/%E0%A4%B8%E0%A5%82%E0%A4%95%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%A4%E0%A4%AE%E0%A5%8D_%E0%A5%A6%E0%A5%A8 Sukta 2]</ref>

Rivers satisfy all living beings by providing water, food etc. They love vegetation and contribute in the happiness of others.<ref name=":1" /> The Rigveda sends a prayer that may the divine rivers flowing through high-lands, low-lands and the plains keep us, the citizens, disease-free.<ref name=":2" /><blockquote>ता अस्मभ्यं पयसा पिन्वमानाः शिवा देवीरशिपदा भवन्तु सर्वा नद्यो अशिमिदा भवन्तु ॥४॥<ref>Rigveda, Mandala 7, [https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%8B%E0%A4%97%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B5%E0%A5%87%E0%A4%A6%E0%A4%83_%E0%A4%B8%E0%A5%82%E0%A4%95%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%A4%E0%A4%82_%E0%A5%AD.%E0%A5%AB%E0%A5%A6 Sukta 50]</ref> tā asmabhyaṁ payasā pinvamānāḥ śivā devīraśipadā bhavantu sarvā nadyo aśimidā bhavantu ॥4॥</blockquote>Whether rain water or flowing water, there is a lot of emphasis on water conservation in the Vedic culture.<ref name=":0" />Nine types of water are mentioned in the Vedas. They are,

Rain water should be conserved because it is the purest form of water. In this regard, it has been said in Atharved that rain water is very good for us -

In this way, it is clear that water has been given prime importance in Vedas and all its types are pointed out so that water conservation can be done. It is need of the hour that the message of water conservation given in the ancient texts is grasped and an attempt is made to conserve water.

 

Shiva na santu vaarshiki<blockquote>शिवा नः सन्तु वार्षिकीः ॥४॥<ref>Atharvaveda, Kanda 1, [https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%85%E0%A4%A5%E0%A4%B0%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B5%E0%A4%B5%E0%A5%87%E0%A4%A6%E0%A4%83/%E0%A4%95%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%A3%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%A1%E0%A4%82_%E0%A5%A7/%E0%A4%B8%E0%A5%82%E0%A4%95%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%A4%E0%A4%AE%E0%A5%8D_%E0%A5%A6%E0%A5%AC Sukta 6]</ref> śivā naḥ santu vārṣikīḥ ॥4॥</blockquote>'''(Atharved 1.6.4)'''

Water should be protected from being polluted and our efforts should be such that water is not contaminated. In this reference, it had been said in Yajurved that water should not be destroyed -

Water should be protected from being polluted and our efforts should be such that water is not contaminated. In this reference, it had been said in Yajurved that water should not be destroyed -

" Maa aapo hinsi"

" Maa aapo hinsi"

At this instant priest ordered that do not destroy water. It is priceless.

At this instant priest ordered that do not destroy water. It is priceless.

Nine types of water had been mentioned in Atharvved

Rain water should be conserved because it is the purest form of water.

(i) Parichara aap: - Water flowing from natural waterfalls

And regarding For water conservation, for rain water and flowing water,

(iii) Varshaya aap: - Rain water

* Understand the importance of water as given in the Vedas; and

 

 

 

In this way, it is clear that water had been given prime importance in Vedas and its all types are pointed out so that water conservation can be done. It is need of the hour that we must grasp the message of water conservation given in our ancient texts and try to conserve water.

These rivers have been given respect like mother in Rigveda.

It has been said in Vedas that water flows during rainfall and it flows in the form of rivers. Flowing water is considered pure in our culture and that's why rivers are considered respectable as mothers. It had been said in Vedic literature about holiness of rivers that such a river which originate from mountains and flows till oceans is holy. Vedic Rishis want to convey us by this message that we should conserve the flow of rivers. Rivers should be allowed to flow.

It has been said in Vedas that water flows during rainfall and it flows in the form of rivers. Flowing water is considered pure in our culture and that's why rivers are considered respectable as mothers. It had been said in Vedic literature about holiness of rivers that such a river which originate from mountains and flows till oceans is holy. Vedic Rishis want to convey us by this message that we should conserve the flow of rivers. Rivers should be allowed to flow.