4. Other Rivers in the Brāhmaṇas

In the three places^[1] of the Pañcaviṃśabrāhmaṇa, there is mention of river Yamunā. Besides these, in some other contexts of this Brāhmaṇa, there is a mention of the Dṛṣadvatī river.

In Hindu mythology, different kinds of myths and symbols associated with water are described. In ancient Hindu mythology, water is described as the foundation of the whole world, the essence of plant life and the elixir of immortality. In most of the theological literature, water is associated with creation myths. According to the Śatapathabrāhmaṇa,^[2] after the great dissolution with the cosmic flood, Lord Viṣṇu appeared as the Fish avatār (incarnation) and saved representatives of all plant and animal species. Since Fish god was incarnated in water, people believe water is the most sacred substance and have reverent regard for river sources, riverbanks, confluences, seacoasts, and even ponds.

Thus, in the Brāhmaṇas, a little information is found regarding rivers. Only two or three rivers played the role in this literature.