Rivers in Ancient India (study)
by Archana Sarma | 2019 | 49,356 words
This page relates ‘Sarasvati as sister’ of the study on the rivers in ancient India as reflected in the Vedic and Puranic texts. These pages dicsusses the elements of nature and the importance of rivers (Nadi) in Vedic and Puranic society. Distinctive traits of rivers are investigated from descriptions found in the Vedas (Samhitas), Brahmanas, Aranyakas, Upanishads and Puranas. The research is concluded by showing changing trends of rivers from ancient to modern times.
1(e). Sarasvatī as sister
[1. The river Sarasvatī in the Ṛgveda-saṃhitā, (e): Sarasvatī as sister]
Sarasvatī plays the role of a sister also. Sarasvatī has seven sisters and among them, she is regarded as dearest and ever adorable. Sarasvatī plays the role of a sister which is clear from the epithet saptasvasā. The epithet saptasvasā indicates Sarasvatī as a sister which occurs only once. Saptasavsā means seven metres also which are regarded as Sarasvatī’s sisters because the seven meters are the stock of knowledge of the Veda.[1]
Sāyaṇācārya gives the explanation of the word thus—
gāyatryādīni sapta chandāṃsi svasāro yasyāstadṛśī nadīrūpāyāstu gaṅgādyāh sapta naidyaḥ svasāraḥ.[2]
It means the seven chandas including Gāyatrī are compared with the seven rivers.
The seven rivers of ancient India got due importance. These are Gaṅgā, Yamunā, Sarasvatī, Śutudri, Paruṣṇī, Marud-vṛdha, Ārjikiyā (Byas). According to Srī Aurobindo, these seven rivers are the sevenfold waters of life.[3] Moreover, Sarasvatī is closely related with the Sun which had seven coloured rays. She is Bhāratī in the form of rays.[4] These seven-coloured rays have been conceived. These rays shine not only in the heaven but also in the mid-region and on the earth. The rays of the Sun are called saptasvasā. Sarasvatī is said to have covered heaven and earth by her rays.[5] So, it should be called her Sun or rays of it.[6] Vedic Sarasvatī is called the tejas of the Sun. So, it can be summerised that the Sarasvatī has seven sisters and is sevenfold.
Sarasvatī is also called trisadhasthā in the mantra where the epithet occurs seems to refer Sarasvatī as a river as well as the goddess of Speech.[7]
Sāyaṇācārya explains the term as—
triṣu lokesu sahā vatiṣṭhamānā trilokavyāpanī.
It is said that Sarasvatī in her capacity of being trisadhasthā represents the three worlds viz. earth, firmament and heaven.[8] As Iḍā, she represents the earth, as Sarasvatī the mid–region, and Bhāratī, the heaven. Thus, sarasvatī is considered as three-sistered goddess. In the Bṛhaddevatā also, it is mentioned that Iḍā follows the terrestrial Agni, Sarasvatī is attached to the middle one and Bhāratī is said to be occupied the celestial world.[9]
Footnotes and references:
[2]:
Sāyaṇācārya’s com.on Ibid.
[3]:
Vide,Śrī Aurobindo, On the Veda, p.138
[4]:
[5]:
Ibid.
[7]:
triṣadhasthā saptadhātuḥ pañca jātā vardhayantī | vājevāje havyā bhūt || Ṛgveda Saṃhitā,6.61.12
[8]:
Sāyaṇācārya’s com. on Ibid