1(d). Sarasvatī as friend

[1. The river Sarasvatī in the Ṛgveda-saṃhitā, (d): Sarasvatī as friend]

Besides Sarasvatī’s character as a mother, she appears in the Ṛgvedasaṃhitā as a friend also. Her epithet marutsakhā indicates that Sarasvatī is closely associated with the Maruts and is their friend.^[1] Maruts are said to be the mid-regional gods and are associated with the areal region. As mādhyamika vāk, Sarasvatī has the same region for her habitation and come across the Maruts. So, she is called marutsakhā.

Sāyaṇācārya explains the term as:

maruto madhyamikaya vacastadrsi.^[2]

The epithet sakhyā is used for Sarasvatī in one of the Ṛgvedic mantras^[3] where there is a prayer for shelter. Sakhyā, a Vedic term is used for sakhyāni. Sāyaṇācārya explains it as—sakhya sakhyāni sakhikarmani,^[4] thus sakhyā to mean friendship. The river Sarasvatī has been described as so large so might so strong and swift in its currents that it invokes fear in ones heart. It has been, therefore, invoked by the seers not to frighten them by its waters.

They prayed her so that they may not be removed from her to fields which are strange and says—

‘O Sarasvatī we are living by you, we are friendly bound with you and under your protection. Take us as your friends and do not frighten us with your impetuous shore-cutting waters.’

Thus, the mantra in which the word sakhyā occurs purports the sense of friendship.

Footnotes and references:

[1]:

ubhe yatte mahinā śubhre andhasī adhikṣiyanti pūravaḥ | sā no bodyavitrī marutsakhā coda radho maghonām || Ibid.,7.96.2

[2]:

Sāyaṇācārya’s com. on Ibid.

[3]:

Ṛgveda Saṃhitā,6.61.14

[4]:

Sāyaṇācārya’s com.on Ibid