Rivers in Ancient India (study)
by Archana Sarma | 2019 | 49,356 words
This page relates ‘The river Sindhu in the Puranas’ 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.
7. The river Sindhu in the Purāṇas
The river Sindhu is assumed to be the branch of the heavenly Gaṅgā in the Purāṇas.The heavenly Gaṅgā fell on the earth in the lake Bindu by the efforts of Bhagīratha. After that it had six channels—three channels flowed to the east and three to the west. The rivers which flowed to the east were Hlādīnī, Pāvanī and Nalinī. The three rivers Sucasukṣus, Sītā and Sindhu flowed to the west. This seventh branch followed Bhāgīratha and flowed to Pātāla to perform obsequies to the sons of Sagara.[1] In the beginning, the river Sindhu is a united flow of two streams, rising in the Kailāsa Mountain. It flows north-west at length and turns southwards below the Karakoram range and falls into the Arabian Sea.[2]
Sindhu is one of the three branches of the Gaṅgā from the Pariyātrā hill flowing to the north.[3]
Footnotes and references:
[1]:
Purāṇic encyclopedia, p.718
[2]:
tatra nārāyaṇasarastīrthaṃ sindhumamudrayoḥ | saṅgamo yatra sumahanmunisiddhaniṣevitam || Bhāgavata Purāṇa.,6.5.3