Changes

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>  

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. The Rigvedic Rishi says,<ref name=":1" /> <blockquote>अप्स्वन्तरमृतमप्सु भेषजमपामुत प्रशस्तये । देवा भवत वाजिनः ॥१९॥<ref>Rigveda, Mandala 1, [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%A8%E0%A5%A9 Sukta 23]</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. The Rigvedic Rishi says,<ref name=":1">Vijnana - Level A ([https://nios.ac.in/media/documents/OBE_indian_knowledge_tradition/Level_A/Vijnana-A_Englishi_OBE/Science-A_E_Ch-6.pdf Chapter 6]), Noida: National Institute of Open Schooling (Open Basic Education Programme).</ref> <blockquote>अप्स्वन्तरमृतमप्सु भेषजमपामुत प्रशस्तये । देवा भवत वाजिनः ॥१९॥<ref>Rigveda, Mandala 1, [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%A8%E0%A5%A9 Sukta 23]</ref> apsvantaramr̥tamapsu bheṣajamapāmuta praśastaye । devā bhavata vājinaḥ ॥19॥</blockquote>Meaning: There is nectar in water, water possesses the qualities of a medicine. And is thereby praiseworthy.<ref>Sripad Damodar Satavlekar (1985), Rigveda ka Subodh Bhashya ([https://vedicheritage.gov.in/flipbook/Rigveda_Subodh_Bhasya_Vol_I/#book/53 Volume 1]), Pardi: Svadhyay Mandal.</ref>

apsvantaramr̥tamapsu bheṣajamapāmuta praśastaye । devā bhavata vājinaḥ ॥19॥</blockquote>Meaning: There is nectar in water, water possesses the qualities of a medicine. And is thereby praiseworthy.<ref>Sripad Damodar Satavlekar (1985), Rigveda ka Subodh Bhashya ([https://vedicheritage.gov.in/flipbook/Rigveda_Subodh_Bhasya_Vol_I/#book/53 Volume 1]), Pardi: Svadhyay Mandal.</ref>

Infact, in the Rigveda, water is regarded as our mother and it is said that water should make us powerful and excellent as ghee does.<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>Also, great emphasis is laid in the Rigveda on protecting such water in whatever form it is present and wherever it is present. It is 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. 

Infact, Acharya Charaka is known to have discussed about usefulness of groundwater in his Charaka Samhita.

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

 

In the Rigveda water is regarded as our mother and It says that water should make us powerful and excellent as ghee does.<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. 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>

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>

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

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

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

This shows the understanding of the importance of water in the Vedas. According to the 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. Moreover, flowing water of rivers is considered pure and hence, pollution of rivers is strictly condemned. Seven Sindhu rivers (Sapta Sindhu) are mentioned in the Vedas. They are,  

# Sindhu river

# Sindhu river

# Saraswati river

# Saraswati river

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>Thus, 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,  

These rivers satisfy all living beings by providing water, food etc. They love vegetation and contribute in the happiness of others.<ref name=":1" /> Thus, 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>In the Vedas, 'Mitra' and 'Varuna' are the deities of Rain. Water is formed when they meet. Moreover, it is said that water flows during rainfall and it flows in the form of rivers. Flowing water is considered pure in the Vedic culture and that's why rivers are considered respectable as mothers. Infact, in the Vedic literature, a river which originates from mountains and flows till the ocean is considered pure and divine. Through these descriptions, the Vedic Rishis convey that we should conserve the flow of rivers ie. the rivers should be allowed to flow. Thus, 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,  

# Water flowing from natural waterfalls

# Water flowing from natural waterfalls

# Water of source

# Water of source

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.

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.<ref name=":1" />

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

• Water conservation in Vedas<ref name=":1">Vijnana - Level A ([https://nios.ac.in/media/documents/OBE_indian_knowledge_tradition/Level_A/Vijnana-A_Englishi_OBE/Science-A_E_Ch-6.pdf Chapter 6]), Noida: National Institute of Open Schooling (Open Basic Education Programme).</ref>

== References ==

== References ==

[[Category:Danas]]

[[Category:Danas]]

<references />

<references />