Rivers in Rigveda (ऋग्वेदे नदीनां विवेचनम्) - Revision history

Fordharma: /* Tributaries of Sindhu (Indus) */

2021-12-09T14:04:08Z

Tributaries of Sindhu (Indus)

Fordharma: /* Other Rivers in the Rgveda */

2021-12-09T13:50:05Z

Other Rivers in the Rgveda

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Fordharma: /* Other Rivers in the Rgveda */ added content

2021-12-03T10:06:28Z

Other Rivers in the Rgveda: added content

Fordharma: Adding content

2021-12-03T06:24:51Z

Adding content

Fordharma: added content

2021-11-29T17:02:43Z

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Fordharma at 18:05, 28 November 2021

2021-11-28T18:05:39Z

Fordharma: /* Other Rivers in the Rgveda */

2021-11-28T11:47:34Z

Other Rivers in the Rgveda

Fordharma: /* Saptasindhu */

2021-11-27T15:20:06Z

Saptasindhu

Fordharma: /* Saptasindhu */

2021-11-25T14:44:39Z

Saptasindhu

Fordharma: /* River Sarasvati */

2021-11-23T17:51:51Z

River Sarasvati

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 '''Kubha (कुभा)''' is one of the important tributaries (the fifth) of the Sindhu, it is identified as river Kabul in the present times. Kunar (old name Kusava) and Panjakora (old name Gauri) etc are its tributaries. A Rgveda mantra where Kubha is mentioned is as follows     <blockquote>मा वो॑ र॒सानि॑तभा॒ कुभा॒ क्रुमु॒र्मा व॒: सिन्धु॒र्नि री॑रमत् । मा व॒: परि॑ष्ठात् 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" />
-Suvastu (सुवास्तु) a river mentioned both in Rgveda (8.19.38) and Nirukta (4.15) is identified as the tributary of Kubha (Kabul). It is famous as Svat  (Swat) river in Afganistan.<ref name=":2" />
+'''Suvastu (सुवास्तु)''' a river mentioned both in Rgveda (8.19.38) and Nirukta (4.15) is identified as the tributary of Kubha (Kabul). It is famous as Svat  (Swat) river in Afganistan.<ref name=":2" />
-Sarayu (सरयु) is mentioned in a few instances in the Rgveda mantras (4.30.18, 5.53.9, 10.64.9). It is referred to as Siritoi flowing in Southern Afghanistan. A battle is referred to as taken place beyond the Sarayu under the leadership of the remote descendent of Sudas (of the Dasarajna yudda), namely Sahadeva. In this battle, (4.30.18) beyond the Sarayu, Arna and Chitraratha were killed by Indra.<ref name=":1" />
+'''Sarayu (सरयु)''' is mentioned in a few instances in the Rgveda mantras (4.30.18, 5.53.9, 10.64.9). It is referred to as Siritoi flowing in Southern Afghanistan. A battle is referred to as taken place beyond the Sarayu under the leadership of the remote descendent of Sudas (of the Dasarajna yudda), namely Sahadeva. In this battle, (4.30.18) beyond the Sarayu, Arna and Chitraratha were killed by Indra.<ref name=":1" />
 '''Mehatnu (मेहत्नू)''' mentioned as the tributary (the sixth) of Sindhu in the Nadi sukta mantra, meets the Sindhu before Gomati and Krumu. In recent times, it is identified with Sawan river.<ref name=":2" />
@@ Line 161: / Line 161: @@
 '''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" />
 '''Krumu (क्रुमु)''' presently referred as Kurram is a western tributary of the Sindhu.<ref name=":2" />
 == Discussion ==

@@ Line 56: / Line 56: @@
 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>
-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 (कुभ), 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. 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).
 Following are more details about the rivers in Rgveda.<ref name=":2">Upadhyaya, Baldev (1958) Vaidik Sahitya (Pages 373 - 381)</ref>
@@ Line 131: / Line 131: @@
 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.<ref name=":1" /> It is not a big river, said to be a western tributary of Chenab.<ref name=":2" />
+'''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 (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" />
+'''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" />
 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.
@@ Line 141: / Line 141: @@
 '''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.
+'''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.
 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.

@@ Line 34: / Line 34: @@
 *# असिक्नी - Asikni or Chandrabhaga (Chenab) मरुद्वृधा - Marudvrdha (Maruvardhvan) is said to be small river, a western tributary of Chenab.
 *# परुष्णी - Parishni (Ravi)
-*# विपाश - Vipaash or Vyas (Beas),
+*# विपाश - Vipash or Vyas (Beas),
 *# शतुद्री (शतद्रू) - Shatudri or Shatadru (Sutlej)
@@ Line 85: / Line 85: @@
 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 (Rgveda. 10.75.8).
+Sindhu with its tributaries like Trshtama, Susartu (Susarta), 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 ===
+=== सरस्वती ॥ Sarasvati ===
 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>
@@ Line 108: / Line 108: @@
 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" />
-=== River Ganga ===
+=== गङ्गा ॥ 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 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" />
-=== River Yamuna ===
+=== यमुना ॥ Yamuna ===
 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) the famous battle of ten kings.<ref name=":3" />
-=== River 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" />
+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" />
-=== River Parushni or Iravati or Ravi ===
+=== परुष्णी ॥ Parushni or Iravati or Ravi ===
-Parushni, the river of Punjab mentioned in Rgveda and called in later times as Iravati, is identified as the Ravi river. It arises in Kulu in the Kangra Distric of Himachal Pradesh and joins the Chenab river. It is on the banks of this river that the famous battle of Sudas with the ten kings took place where Sudas defeated his rivals. It is mentioned as a deep river which was crossed by Sudas with the aid of Indra.<ref name=":3" />
+Parushni, the river of Punjab mentioned in Rgveda and called in later times as Iravati, is identified as the Ravi river. It arises in Kulu in the Kangra Distric of Himachal Pradesh and joins the Chenab river. It is on the banks of this river that the famous battle of Sudas with the ten kings took place where Sudas defeated his strong rivals.<ref name=":2" /> It is mentioned as a deep river which was crossed by Sudas with the aid of Indra.<ref name=":3" />
-=== River 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" />
+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" />
-=== River 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" />
 == 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.
 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.

@@ Line 42: / Line 42: @@
 *'''The Eastern rivers''':
 *#Ashmanvati (Assan, a tributary of the Yamuna)
-*#Yamuna/Amshumati, Ganga (Jahnavi)
+*#Yamuna/Amshumati
 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.
@@ Line 54: / Line 55: @@
 == 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.
-<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>
 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 (कुभ), Krumu (क्रुमु), and Mehatnu (मेह॒त्नु) and travel in the same chariot (i.e., flow as one river merging along with them).
@@ Line 90: / Line 90: @@
 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>
-==== Revered as a Deity ====
+In the earlier period, the territory lying between the Sarasvati and the Drshadvati called BrahmAvarta, was a holy land built by the devatas and the cradle of Vedic culture. Manusmrti mentions that <blockquote>सरस्वतीदृशद्वत्योर्देवनद्योर्यदन्तरम् । तं देवनिर्मितं देशं ब्रह्मावर्तं प्रचक्षते । । २.१७ । । तस्मिन्देशे य आचारः पारम्पर्यक्रमागतः । वर्णानां सान्तरालानां स सदाचार उच्यते । । २.१८ । ।</blockquote>It is in this place, BrahmAvarta, that pious sages performed the sacred ceremonies.<ref name=":3" />
-तस्मिन्देशे य आचारः पारम्पर्यक्रमागतः । वर्णानां सान्तरालानां स सदाचार उच्यते । । २.१८ । ।</blockquote>It is in this place that pious sages performed the sacred ceremonies.
+Sarasvati is associated with the rule of Yayati, Trtsu king Vadhyryasva etc.<ref name=":3" /> 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,
@@ Line 105: / Line 102: @@
 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 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>
+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 Rgveda 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]]
 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>
@@ Line 117: / Line 114: @@
 === River Yamuna ===
-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).
+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) the famous battle of ten kings.<ref name=":3" />
 == Other Rivers in the Rgveda ==

@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
 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.
@@ Line 69: / Line 67: @@
 * 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 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" />
@@ Line 87: / Line 85: @@
 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 ===
-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>
 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,
@@ Line 100: / Line 105: @@
 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]]
 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>
@@ Line 107: / Line 112: @@
 === 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" />
+=== River Yamuna ===
 == 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.
 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.

@@ Line 64: / Line 64: @@
 *Seven rivers emptying into the sea has been referred in Rgveda 1.71.7.
-=== Saptasindhu ===
+=== River Sindhu ===
-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. The word "Sapta-sindhu" means "seven rivers". The word sindhu  has the following connotations.<ref name=":3" />
+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. The word "Sapta-sindhu" means "seven rivers". The word "sapta" means the number seven, however, the word sindhu  has the following connotations.<ref name=":3" />
-* It generally indicates a river as mentioned in Rgveda, 1.27.6 and 2.25.3. 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).
-* It stands for a river of the Saptasindhu as mentioned in Rgveda 10.75.6. Sindhu stands for river Indus, is said to be greater than all other flowing rivers as mentioned in Rgveda 10.75.1.
+* '''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
+* '''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.
 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, Saptasindhu refers to the geographic area, a specific region identified as land coursed by the five rivers plus two more, the Indus and the Sarasvati. The word Sindhu in the Rgveda primarily means river and is mistranslayed as Indus; it is only secondarily a name of the Indus river (thus Saptasindhava can mean seven rivers but not seven Induses). The Saptasindhu is referred to in the following suktas and mantras of particular mandalas:<ref name=":1" />
+According to Shrikant Talageri, Saptasindhu refers to the geographic area, a specific region identified as land coursed by the five rivers plus two more, the Indus and the Sarasvati. He opines that the word Sindhu in the Rgveda primarily means 'a river' and is mistranslated as Indus; it is only secondarily a name of the Indus river (thus Saptasindhava can mean seven rivers but not seven Induses). The Saptasindhu is referred to in the following suktas and mantras of particular mandalas:<ref name=":1" />
 Mandala 1: 32.12; 35.8;
@@ Line 86: / Line 86: @@
 Mandala 10: 43.3; 67.12
 === River Sarasvati ===
@@ Line 110: / Line 112: @@
 == 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.
 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.

@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
 {{ToBeEdited}}
-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.
@@ Line 7: / Line 7: @@
 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 ==
-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>
 *'''The Northwestern rivers''' (tributaries of the Indus flowing through Afghanisthan and the north):
@@ Line 44: / Line 46: @@
 *#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" />
@@ Line 53: / Line 55: @@
 == 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॥
 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>
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 === 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
-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;
 === 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" />
-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,
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 == 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 ==
+*
 [[Category:Rigveda]]