Changes

*Seven rivers emptying into the sea has been referred in Rgveda 1.71.7.

*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" />

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;

Mandala 1: 32.12; 35.8;

Mandala 10: 43.3; 67.12  

Mandala 10: 43.3; 67.12  

=== River Sarasvati ===

=== River Sarasvati ===

== Other Rivers in the Rgveda ==

== Other Rivers in the Rgveda ==

While the rivers, Sindhu, Sarasvati and to a lesser extent Ganga are familiar geographical landmarks in the Rgveda, there are many other rivers described in the veda, such as those mentioned in the Nadi-sukta. Most of the rivers mentioned here are of the Punjab region. The rivers that arise in Afghanistan and the Suleiman range in Pakistan and which drain into the Indus are Rasa, Kubha, Suvastu, Krumu and Gomati are also mentioned. Marudvrdha (10.75.5) found to be located in the Kashmiri region, indicates that Kashmir valley could have been known to the people of those times.

While the rivers, Sindhu, Sarasvati and to a lesser extent Ganga are familiar geographical landmarks in the Rgveda, there are many other rivers described in the veda, such as those mentioned in the Nadi-sukta. Most of the rivers mentioned here are of the Punjab region. The rivers that arise in Afghanistan and the Suleiman range in Pakistan and which drain into the Indus are Rasa, Kubha, Suvastu, Krumu and Gomati are also mentioned. Marudvrdha (10.75.5) found to be located in the Kashmiri region, indicates that Kashmir valley could have been known to the people of those times.  

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

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