Rivers in Ancient India (study)
by Archana Sarma | 2019 | 49,356 words
This page relates ‘3c. The Legend of Vak in the Aitareya-brahmana’ 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.
3c. The Legend of Vāk in the Aitareya-brāhmaṇa
In the Brāhmaṇas, it is found that Vāk changes into a woman of her own accord. It is cleared by the following legend. The Gandharvas are expressed as having a great craving for women. Vāk is the wife of the gods. The soma was with the Gandharvas, which added immensely to the anxiety of the gods. Consequently, they, along with seers, thought out a plan to get the soma back from the Gandharvas. Meanwhile, Vāk interfered and revealed that the Gandharvas were the lovers of women. She offered help by assuming the form of a women and approaching them for purchasing back the soma. The gods declined to accept it, for without her, they could not sustain themselves. Vāk promised to come back to them after the end was accomplished. The gods accepted it and the soma was, thus, purchased from the Gandharvas by Vāk:[1] The Gandharva Visvavasu stole the soma and guarded by the Gandharvas Svān and Bhrāji.[2]