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The word Yamuna means ‘that which rests (in the Ganga river after merging)’. Yamuna is the fifth-longest river of India and the longest tributary of the River Ganga. It originates from Champasar (Yamunotri) Glacier at an elevation of 10,849 feet in the Kalinda mountain (hence the name Kalindi) near Banderpoonch peaks in the Har-Ki-Dun mountain range of Uttarkashi district in Uttarakhand.

[[File:Yamuna River Network.jpg|alt=Photo Courtesy: Graphi - Knowledge, Attitude and Practice of Delhiities towards the River Yamuna, Delhi: CMS Research House.|thumb|Yamuna River Network]]The word Yamuna means ‘that which rests (in the Ganga river after merging)’.{{Citation needed}} Yamuna is the fifth-longest river of India and the longest tributary of the River Ganga. It originates from Champasar (Yamunotri) Glacier at an elevation of 10,849 feet in the Kalinda mountain (hence the name Kalindi) near Banderpoonch peaks in the Har-Ki-Dun mountain range of Uttarkashi district in Uttarakhand.

The Yamuna rises from several hot-springs, and the spot for bathing is at the point where the cold and warm waters mingle and form a pool. The water of the springs is so hot that rice may be boiled in it. The quantity of water and the flow of the river are more or less constant throughout the year. Since the river often breaks into smaller streams which join it later, several small islands are formed in it.

The Yamuna rises from several hot-springs, and the spot for bathing is at the point where the cold and warm waters mingle and form a pool. The water of the springs is so hot that rice may be boiled in it. The quantity of water and the flow of the river are more or less constant throughout the year. Since the river often breaks into smaller streams which join it later, several small islands are formed in it.[[File:Journey of Yamuna.jpg|alt=Photo Courtesy: Vinod Tare, Abhishek Gaur (2021), Yamuna River Basin Atlas, National Mission for Clean Ganga.|thumb|The Journey of River Yamuna]]After coursing through 1376 kilometres (854 miles) through upper hilly terrain, Yamuna enters into the plains from Saharanpur district of Uttar Pradesh and flows down up to Prayagaraj (the modern Allahabad) where her crystal clear waters join the yellowish Ganga and the invisible Sarasvati at the Triveni-sangam.

 

After coursing through 1376 kilometres (854 miles) through upper hilly terrain, Yamuna enters into the plains from Saharanpur district of Uttar Pradesh and flows down up to Prayagaraj (the modern Allahabad) where her crystal clear waters join the yellowish Ganga and the invisible Sarasvati at the Triveni-sangam.

It is a large basin that covers parts of the states of Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh, Haryana, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, and the entire NCT Delhi. The catchment area of Yamuna contributes 40% to the Ganga basin area and supports 15.27% of the population of Ganga basin<ref>Vinod Tare, Abhishek Gaur (2021), Yamuna River Basin Atlas, National Mission for Clean Ganga.</ref>.

It is a large basin that covers parts of the states of Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh, Haryana, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, and the entire NCT Delhi. The catchment area of Yamuna contributes 40% to the Ganga basin area and supports 15.27% of the population of Ganga basin<ref>Vinod Tare, Abhishek Gaur (2021), Yamuna River Basin Atlas, National Mission for Clean Ganga.</ref>.

Delhi, the old part of the capital city, is situated on its banks. Vrindavan and Mathura, the famous places of pilgrimage because of their association with Krishna are also on its banks. There are three primary centers of Yamuna worship in Braj, namely, Vishram Ghat in Mathura, Keshi Ghat in Vrindaban and Thakurani Ghat in Gokul<ref name=":0">Sonia Jerin (April 2013), Yamuna, University of Lethbridge: Mahavidya.</ref>. Rajapur, the birthplace of Tulasidas (A. D. 1532- 1623) is also situated on its bank<ref name=":1">Swami Harshananda (2008), A Concise Encyclopaedia of HINDUISM, Bangalore: Ramakrishna Math.</ref>.

Delhi, the old part of the capital city, is situated on its banks. Vrindavan and Mathura, the famous places of pilgrimage because of their association with Krishna are also on its banks. There are three primary centers of Yamuna worship in Braj, namely, Vishram Ghat in Mathura, Keshi Ghat in Vrindaban and Thakurani Ghat in Gokul<ref name=":0">Sonia Jerin (April 2013), Yamuna, University of Lethbridge: Mahavidya.</ref>. Rajapur, the birthplace of Tulasidas (A. D. 1532- 1623) is also situated on its bank<ref name=":1">Swami Harshananda (2008), A Concise Encyclopaedia of HINDUISM, Bangalore: Ramakrishna Math.</ref>.

== '''THE RIVER IN VEDAS''' ==

== '''THE RIVER IN VEDAS''' ==

Yamuna is one of the most sacred rivers of India, next only to Ganga. Yamuna is mentioned in the Rgveda (10.75.5)<ref>(2004), Rgveda Samhita, Delhi: Nag Publishers</ref> along with nine other Indian rivers. <blockquote>इ॒मं मे॑ गंगे यमुने सरस्वति॒ शुतु॑द्रि॒ स्तोमं सचता॒ परु॒ष्ण्या ।

Yamuna is one of the most sacred rivers of India, next only to Ganga. Yamuna is mentioned in the Rgveda (10.75.5)<ref>(2004), Rgveda Samhita, Delhi: Nag Publishers</ref> along with nine other Indian rivers. <blockquote>इ॒मं मे॑ गंगे यमुने सरस्वति॒ शुतु॑द्रि॒ स्तोमं सचता॒ परु॒ष्ण्या । अ॒सि॒क्निया म॑रुद्वृधे वि॒तस्त॒यार्जी॑कीये शृणु॒ह्या सु॒षोम॑या ॥</blockquote>Meaning: O Ganga, O Yamuna, O Sarasvati, O Sutudri, O Marudvrdha, O Arjikiya, come together and listen to this hymn of mine along with Parusni, Asikni, Vitasta and Susoma.{{Citation needed}}

 

अ॒सि॒क्निया म॑रुद्वृधे वि॒तस्त॒यार्जी॑कीये शृणु॒ह्या सु॒षोम॑या ॥</blockquote>Meaning: O Ganga, O Yamuna, O Sarasvati, O Sutudri, O Marudvrdha, O Arjikiya, come together and listen to this hymn of mine along with Parusni, Asikni, Vitasta and Susoma.

The Rishi (Seer) of this Rgvedic Sukta 10.75 is Sindhukshit Praiyamedha, Devata (Subject-matter) is Nadyah and Metre is Jagati. This mantra is an invocation of the Regents of various holy rivers in connection with purificatory rights. The Rishi entreats them to purify his body and mind and to vouchsafe him safety and welfare. We can identify Susoma with Sohan, Vitasta with Jhelum, Asikni with Chinab, Marudvrdha with Maruwardwan, Parusni with Rabi and Sutudri with Sutlej rivers.<ref>Swami Vimalananda (1968), Mahanarayanopanisad, Madras: Sri Ramakrishna Math.</ref>

The Rishi (Seer) of this Rgvedic Sukta 10.75 is Sindhukshit Praiyamedha, Devata (Subject-matter) is Nadyah and Metre is Jagati. This mantra is an invocation of the Regents of various holy rivers in connection with purificatory rights. The Rishi entreats them to purify his body and mind and to vouchsafe him safety and welfare. We can identify Susoma with Sohan, Vitasta with Jhelum, Asikni with Chinab, Marudvrdha with Maruwardwan, Parusni with Rabi and Sutudri with Sutlej rivers.<ref>Swami Vimalananda (1968), Mahanarayanopanisad, Madras: Sri Ramakrishna Math.</ref>

King Sudasa, with the help of Tritsus, conquered the ten kings on the bank of the river Yamuna (Rgveda 7.18.19). The Rishi of this Sukta 7.18 is Maitravaruni Vasishtha, Devata is Indra and Metre is Trishtup. The mantra is –<blockquote>आवदिन्द्रं यमुना तृत्सवश्च प्रात्र भेदं सर्वताता मुषायत् ।  

King Sudasa, with the help of Tritsus, conquered the ten kings on the bank of the river Yamuna (Rgveda 7.18.19). The Rishi of this Sukta 7.18 is Maitravaruni Vasishtha, Devata is Indra and Metre is Trishtup. The mantra is –<blockquote>आवदिन्द्रं यमुना तृत्सवश्च प्रात्र भेदं सर्वताता मुषायत् । अजासश्च शिग्रवो यक्षवश्च बलिं शीर्षाणि जभ्रुरश्व्यानि ॥{{Citation needed}} </blockquote>Meaning: The dwellers on the Yamuna and the Tṛtsus glorified Indra when he killed Bheda in battle; the Ajas, the Śigrus, the Yakṣas, offered him as a sacrifice the heads of the horses (killed in the combat).

 

अजासश्च शिग्रवो यक्षवश्च बलिं शीर्षाणि जभ्रुरश्व्यानि ॥ </blockquote>Meaning: The dwellers on the Yamuna and the Tṛtsus glorified Indra when he killed Bheda in battle; the Ajas, the Śigrus, the Yakṣas, offered him as a sacrifice the heads of the horses (killed in the combat).

== '''CULTURAL IMPORTANCE''' ==

== '''CULTURAL IMPORTANCE''' ==

निमग्ने शंकरे चापो दग्धा: कृष्णत्वमागता: ॥</blockquote>Meaning: O Hermit! In the status of sheer anxiety, Shankara fell down into Kalindi. The temperature in his body was so high that with his immersion, the water of that river boiled and turned into dark colour.

निमग्ने शंकरे चापो दग्धा: कृष्णत्वमागता: ॥</blockquote>Meaning: O Hermit! In the status of sheer anxiety, Shankara fell down into Kalindi. The temperature in his body was so high that with his immersion, the water of that river boiled and turned into dark colour.

The Puranas declare that one attains heaven by bathing in the holy river Kalindi. There is a story illustrating this in the Puranic Encyclopaedia by Vettam Mani which is as follows:—

The Puranas declare that one attains heaven by bathing in the holy river Kalindi. There is a story illustrating this in the Puranic Encyclopaedia by Vettam Mani which is as follows{{Citation needed}}:—

Long ago, in the Krtayuga, there lived in the country of Nishada, a very wealthy Vaishya, by name Hemakundala. By doing various kinds of business, he had earned eight crores of golden coins. As he was growing old, he began to think about the transitoriness of worldly pleasures and set apart one-sixth of his entire wealth for charitable purposes. He built two temples—one for Vishnu and the other for Shiva. He offered daily worship to the gods and spent money in generous hospitality. His two sons, Srikundala and Vikundala were growing up. He entrusted the burden of domestic affairs to them and went to the forest to perform austere penance, after which he attained the Vishnuloka.

Long ago, in the Krtayuga, there lived in the country of Nishada, a very wealthy Vaishya, by name Hemakundala. By doing various kinds of business, he had earned eight crores of golden coins. As he was growing old, he began to think about the transitoriness of worldly pleasures and set apart one-sixth of his entire wealth for charitable purposes. He built two temples—one for Vishnu and the other for Shiva. He offered daily worship to the gods and spent money in generous hospitality. His two sons, Srikundala and Vikundala were growing up. He entrusted the burden of domestic affairs to them and went to the forest to perform austere penance, after which he attained the Vishnuloka.

As soon as Krishna was born, Vasudeva stealthily removed the child to Ambadi. Kalindi was then overflowing due to heavy rains, and Vasudeva begged Kalindi for a passage. The river gave way for Vasudeva to take Krishna to Ambadi. (Bhagavata Purana, 10.3.50)<ref>https://vedabase.io/en/library/sb/10/3/50/</ref>.<blockquote>मघोनि वर्षत्यसकृद्यमानुजा, गम्भीरतोयौघजवोर्मिफेनिला ।

As soon as Krishna was born, Vasudeva stealthily removed the child to Ambadi. Kalindi was then overflowing due to heavy rains, and Vasudeva begged Kalindi for a passage. The river gave way for Vasudeva to take Krishna to Ambadi. (Bhagavata Purana, 10.3.50)<ref>https://vedabase.io/en/library/sb/10/3/50/</ref>.<blockquote>मघोनि वर्षत्यसकृद्यमानुजा, गम्भीरतोयौघजवोर्मिफेनिला ।

भयानकावर्तशताकुला नदी, मार्गं ददौ सिन्धुरिव श्रियः पतेः ॥ ५०॥</blockquote>Meaning: Because of constant rain sent by the demigod Indra, the river Yamuna was filled with deep water, foaming about with fiercely whirling waves. But as the great Indian Ocean had formerly given way to Lord Ramachandra by allowing Him to construct a bridge, the river Yamuna gave way to Vasudeva and allowed him to cross.

भयानकावर्तशताकुला नदी, मार्गं ददौ सिन्धुरिव श्रियः पतेः ॥ ५०॥</blockquote>Meaning: Because of constant rain sent by the demigod Indra, the river Yamuna was filled with deep water, foaming about with fiercely whirling waves. But as the great Indian Ocean had formerly given way to Lord Ramachandra by allowing Him to construct a bridge, the river Yamuna gave way to Vasudeva and allowed him to cross.In the epics and the Puranas, Yamuna has been described as closely connected with the boyhood days of Lord Krishna, like the Rasalila.

Balarama once stayed in Ambadi for two months. One day, he was picnicking on the banks of Kalindi with the Gopis. He desired to play with his companions in the waters of Kalindi, so, he called Kalindi to his side, but the chaste Kalindi refused to oblige him. So he dragged her by his plough hooking her to it. In great fear, Kalindi saluted him, and he enjoyed with the gopis for some time on its waters. (Bhagavata Purana, 10.65.27 and 30)<ref name=":2">Jagadishlal Shastri (2003), Srimad Bhagavata Purana of Krsna Dvaipayana Vyasa, Delhi: MLBD. </ref>.<blockquote>एवं निर्भर्त्सिता भीता यमुना यदुनन्दनम् । उवाच चकिता वाचं पतिता पादयोर्नृप ॥  

Balarama once stayed in Ambadi for two months. One day, he was picnicking on the banks of Kalindi with the Gopis. He desired to play with his companions in the waters of Kalindi, so, he called Kalindi to his side, but the chaste Kalindi refused to oblige him. So he dragged her by his plough hooking her to it. In great fear, Kalindi saluted him, and he enjoyed with the gopis for some time on its waters. (Bhagavata Purana, 10.65.27 and 30)<ref name=":2">Jagadishlal Shastri (2003), Srimad Bhagavata Purana of Krsna Dvaipayana Vyasa, Delhi: MLBD. </ref>.<blockquote>एवं निर्भर्त्सिता भीता यमुना यदुनन्दनम् । उवाच चकिता वाचं पतिता पादयोर्नृप ॥  

A Vaishnava tradition of Bhakti, formed by Sri Vallabhacharya, Pushti Marga worships Yamuna as one of the Ashta-bharya (eight wives) of Sri Krishna. In this tradition, Yamuna is a prominent deity, who is always worshiped next to Srinathji, the Lord of Nathdwara, who is the center of Pushti Marga<ref name=":3">Prakriti Anand (August 2024), Yamuna: The Second Divine River, An Unparalleled Goddess, Delhi: Exotic India.</ref>. According to the Puranic Encyclopaedia by Vettam Mani:

A Vaishnava tradition of Bhakti, formed by Sri Vallabhacharya, Pushti Marga worships Yamuna as one of the Ashta-bharya (eight wives) of Sri Krishna. In this tradition, Yamuna is a prominent deity, who is always worshiped next to Srinathji, the Lord of Nathdwara, who is the center of Pushti Marga<ref name=":3">Prakriti Anand (August 2024), Yamuna: The Second Divine River, An Unparalleled Goddess, Delhi: Exotic India.</ref>. According to the Puranic Encyclopaedia by Vettam Mani:

(i) Kalindi is one of the seven tributaries of the Ganga. One who drinks its water will be released from all sins.

* Kalindi is one of the seven tributaries of the Ganga. One who drinks its water will be released from all sins.

(iv) Bharata performed thirty-three Ashvamedha sacrifices on the banks of the Yamuna. On another occasion, he conducted six Ashvamedhas at the same spot. On yet another occasion, he conducted three hundred Ashvamedhas. (Shanti Parva, Chapter 29.41-42).<ref name=":4">V. S. Sukthankar (1966), The Mahabharata, Delhi: MLBD.</ref><blockquote>यो बद्ध्वा त्रिंशतो ह्यश्वान्देवेभ्यो यमुनामनु । सरस्वतीं विंशतिं च गङ्गामनु चतुर्दश ॥ ४१ ॥

* Ambarisha, the son of Nabhaga conducted a yajna on the planes of Kalindi. (Vana Parva, Chapter 129.2).<ref name=":4" />

अश्वमेधसहस्रेण राजसूयशतेन च । इष्टवान्स महातेजा दौःषन्तिर्भरतः पुरा ॥ ४२ ॥</blockquote>(v) Ambarisha, the son of Nabhaga conducted a yajna on the planes of Kalindi. (Vana Parva, Chapter 129.2).<ref name=":4" /><blockquote>अम्बरीषश्च नाभाग इष्टवान्यमुनामनु । यज्ञैश्च तपसा चैव परां सिद्धिमवाप सः ॥ २ ॥</blockquote>(vi) The great sage Agastya performed penance on the planes of Kalindi.

<blockquote>अम्बरीषश्च नाभाग इष्टवान्यमुनामनु । यज्ञैश्च तपसा चैव परां सिद्धिमवाप सः ॥ २ ॥</blockquote>

(vii) King Shantanu conducted seven yajñas on the banks of the Kalindi.<ref>Vettam Mani (2015), Puranic Encyclopaedia, Delhi: Motilal Banarsidass.</ref>

* King Shantanu conducted seven yajñas on the banks of the Kalindi.<ref>Vettam Mani (2015), Puranic Encyclopaedia, Delhi: Motilal Banarsidass.</ref>

== '''YAMUNA IN LITERATURE''' ==

== '''YAMUNA IN LITERATURE''' ==

<blockquote>श्रीयमुनाकवचम् '''('''गर्गसंहितान्तर्गतं''')'''<ref>https://sanskritdocuments.org/doc_devii/yamunAkavachaMgargasamhitA.html</ref>

<blockquote>श्रीयमुनाकवचम् '''('''गर्गसंहितान्तर्गतं''')'''<ref>https://sanskritdocuments.org/doc_devii/yamunAkavachaMgargasamhitA.html</ref>

मान्धातोवाच -

मान्धातोवाच -

== '''ICONOGRAPHY''' ==

== '''ICONOGRAPHY''' ==

Iconographic works describe Yamuna as black in colour, standing upon a black tortoise (Krishna kacchapa) and wearing a garland of blue lotuses. She has two arms, the hands showing the Varada and the Abhaya mudras (gestures of boon-giving and protection). She carries a water pot in her hand, according to the Agni Purana (50.17).<ref>Nag Sharan Singh (2019), The Agni Mahapuranam, Delhi: Nag Publishers.</ref><blockquote>कूर्म्मगा यमुना कुम्भकरा श्यामा च पूज्यते ।

Iconographic works describe Yamuna as black in colour, standing upon a black tortoise (Krishna kacchapa) and wearing a garland of blue lotuses. She has two arms, the hands showing the Varada and the Abhaya mudras (gestures of boon-giving and protection). She carries a water pot in her hand, according to the Agni Purana (50.17).<ref>Nag Sharan Singh (2019), The Agni Mahapuranam, Delhi: Nag Publishers.</ref><blockquote>कूर्म्मगा यमुना कुम्भकरा श्यामा च पूज्यते ।

सवीणस्तुम्बुरुः शुक्लः शूली मात्रग्रतो वृषे ॥ १७ ॥</blockquote>The images of Yamuna are associated with Varuna, whose iconography is described in the Vishnudharmottara Purana. Varuna is the lord of water. The images of Ganga and Yamuna are placed in the right and left side of the image of Varuna respectively. The image of Ganga should be placed on a crocodile and should hold chaamara i.e., bushy tail of yak. The image of Yamuna should be placed on a tortoise and also have chaamara in her hand.

सवीणस्तुम्बुरुः शुक्लः शूली मात्रग्रतो वृषे ॥ १७ ॥</blockquote>The images of Yamuna are associated with Varuna, whose iconography is described in the Vishnudharmottara Purana. Varuna is the lord of water. The images of Ganga and Yamuna are placed in the right and left side of the image of Varuna respectively. The image of Ganga should be placed on a crocodile and should hold chaamara i.e., bushy tail of yak. The image of Yamuna should be placed on a tortoise and also have chaamara in her hand.[[File:Ladkhan.jpg|alt=Photo Courtesy: Myneni Krishna Kumari (2018), Iconography of Ganga and Yamuna, India: B R Publishing Corporation.|thumb|Yamuna with female attendants and Vidyadharas, Lad Khan temple]][[File:National Museum.jpg|alt=Photo Courtesy: Myneni Krishna Kumari (2018), Iconography of Ganga and Yamuna, India: B R Publishing Corporation.|thumb|Yamuna from Ahichchatra, National Museum (Terracotta)|left|571x571px]]In Hinduism, the river Ganga and Yamuna are personified as female deities and the rivers as well as their icons are worshipped as one with the belief that they will purify the devotees by their mystic powers while one enters into the temples in this earthly world or the soul after death in the other world. The rich artistic tradition of positioning the figures of the river Goddesses at the entrance of the temples followed from the Gupta period onwards and this is fully explored through the sculptures found intact with the temples (like Udayagiri caves near Bhuvaneshwar in Orissa etc) and those preserved in the museum (like Patna Museum, Bihar etc). The changing roles of the river Goddesses, their association with the dvarapalas (door guardians) and the historical and regional influences in the development of their iconography is the narrative content of the relief sculptures.<ref>Myneni Krishna Kumari (2018), Iconography of Ganga and Yamuna, India: B R Publishing Corporation.</ref>According to the Archaeological Survey of India<ref>https://asi.nic.in/pages/WorldHeritageElloraCaves</ref>, Ellora caves, locally known as ‘Verul Leni’ is located on the Aurangabad-Chalisgaon road at a distance of 30 km north-northwest of Aurangabad, the district headquarters. Ellora represents one of the largest rock-hewn monastic-temple complexes in the entire world. It is also world famous for the largest single monolithic excavation in the world, the great Kailasa (Cave 16).

 

In Hinduism, the river Ganga and Yamuna are personified as female deities and the rivers as well as their icons are worshipped as one with the belief that they will purify the devotees by their mystic powers while one enters into the temples in this earthly world or the soul after death in the other world. The rich artistic tradition of positioning the figures of the river Goddesses at the entrance of the temples followed from the Gupta period onwards and this is fully explored through the sculptures found intact with the temples (like Udayagiri caves near Bhuvaneshwar in Orissa etc) and those preserved in the museum (like Patna Museum, Bihar etc). The changing roles of the river Goddesses, their association with the dvarapalas (door guardians) and the historical and regional influences in the development of their iconography is the narrative content of the relief sculptures.<ref>Myneni Krishna Kumari (2018), Iconography of Ganga and Yamuna, India: B R Publishing Corporation.</ref>

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

According to the Archaeological Survey of India<ref>https://asi.nic.in/pages/WorldHeritageElloraCaves</ref>, Ellora caves, locally known as ‘Verul Leni’ is located on the Aurangabad-Chalisgaon road at a distance of 30 km north-northwest of Aurangabad, the district headquarters. Ellora represents one of the largest rock-hewn monastic-temple complexes in the entire world. It is also world famous for the largest single monolithic excavation in the world, the great Kailasa (Cave 16).

 

 

In later depictions, especially in Rajput paintings that were inspired by devotional poetry and Puranas, Yamuna is shown as a mirror of Krishna’s beauty, blue-skinned and wearing ornaments and garments similar to Sri Hari, who is the river Goddess’ beloved Lord.<ref name=":3" />

In later depictions, especially in Rajput paintings that were inspired by devotional poetry and Puranas, Yamuna is shown as a mirror of Krishna’s beauty, blue-skinned and wearing ornaments and garments similar to Sri Hari, who is the river Goddess’ beloved Lord.<ref name=":3" />

For further details, one can also go through - Ganga and Yamuna: River Goddesses and their Symbolism in Indian Temples by Heinrich Von Stietencron, Orient Blackswan, 2010.

For further details, one can also go through - Ganga and Yamuna: River Goddesses and their Symbolism in Indian Temples by Heinrich Von Stietencron, Orient Blackswan, 2010.

 

== '''HISTORICAL GEOGRAPHY OF ANCIENT INDIA''' ==

== '''HISTORICAL GEOGRAPHY OF ANCIENT INDIA''' ==

The ''Historical Geography of Ancient India'' by Bimala Churn Law<ref>Bimala Churn Law (1967), Historical Geography of Ancient India, France: Societe Asiatique De Paris.</ref> beautifully summarizes River Yamuna as: This river is mentioned in the Rgveda (X.75; V.52.17; VII.18.19; X.75.5), Atharvaveda (IV.9.10) and the Aitareya Brahmana (VIII.14.4). It is known as Kalinda-kanya because it rises from the Kalinda-giri (Raghuvamsha VI.48). According to the Rgveda (VII.18.19), the Tritsus and Sudas defeated their enemies on this river. The territory of the Tritsus lay between the Yamuna and the Sarasvati on the east and the west respectively.  

The ''Historical Geography of Ancient India'' by Bimala Churn Law<ref>Bimala Churn Law (1967), Historical Geography of Ancient India, France: Societe Asiatique De Paris.</ref> beautifully summarizes River Yamuna as: This river is mentioned in the Rgveda (X.75; V.52.17; VII.18.19; X.75.5), Atharvaveda (IV.9.10) and the Aitareya Brahmana (VIII.14.4). It is known as Kalinda-kanya because it rises from the Kalinda-giri (Raghuvamsha VI.48). According to the Rgveda (VII.18.19), the Tritsus and Sudas defeated their enemies on this river. The territory of the Tritsus lay between the Yamuna and the Sarasvati on the east and the west respectively.  

The Yamuna is known to the Chinese as Yan-mok-na. It served as the boundary between Surasena and Kosala, and further down between Kosala and Vamsa; Madura, the capital of Surasena, and Kosambi, the capital of Vamsa, standing on its right bank. The Yamunotri which is eight miles from Kursoli is considered to be the source of the river Yamuna. It is identical with the Greek Erannaboas (Hiranyavaha or Hiranyavahu). Yamuna is one of the five great rivers mentioned in early Buddhist texts. It is modern Jumna. The Skanda Purana mentions the Valuvahini as a tributary of this river.  

The Yamuna is known to the Chinese as Yan-mok-na. It served as the boundary between Surasena and Kosala, and further down between Kosala and Vamsa; Madura, the capital of Surasena, and Kosambi, the capital of Vamsa, standing on its right bank. The Yamunotri which is eight miles from Kursoli is considered to be the source of the river Yamuna. It is identical with the Greek Erannaboas (Hiranyavaha or Hiranyavahu). Yamuna is one of the five great rivers mentioned in early Buddhist texts. It is modern Jumna. The Skanda Purana mentions the Valuvahini as a tributary of this river.