Rivers in Ancient India (study)
by Archana Sarma | 2019 | 49,356 words
This page relates ‘The river Narmada and its present status’ 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.
11. The river Narmadā and its present status
This river is not mentioned in the Ṛgveda, Yajurveda and the Atharvedasaṃhitā. The Narmadā is a famous river in India. In the Purāṇa, another name of this river is found as Revā.[1] Narmadā is a very sacred river, glorified in various Purāṇas next to Gaṅgā. This is a highly meritorious river goddess, resorted to by Devas and Gandharvas, and is famous in the world. It is a river that is the most sacred of all holy rivers. It is auspicious and destructive of all sins.[2]
The river Narmadā is also called the ‘Revā’. It is previously known as Nerbudda. It is a prominent river in central India after the Godāvarī, and the Kṛṣṇā. It is also known as ‘Life Line of Gujarat and Madhya Pradesh’ for its huge contribution to the state of Gujrat and Madhya-Pradesh in many ways. Narmadā rises from Amarkantak upland near Anupper district. It forms the traditional boundary between North India and South India and flows westward over a length of 1.312 km before draining through the Gulf of Khambhat into the Arabian sea, 30 k kilometers west of Bharuch city of Gujrat.[3]
Footnotes and references:
[1]:
bhīmātīre saṃsthitasyāpi viṣņoḥ sudurlabhaṃ darśanaṃ cāhurāryāh revātīre | saṃsthitasyāpi viṣņorgayākṣetre viṣņupādasya caiva|| Kūrma Purāṇa, 19.45
[2]:
Agni Purāṇa, 113; Nāradīya Purāṇa, 2.77; Padma Purāṇa, svarga-khaṇḍa, ch.,13
[3]:
www.en.m.Wikepedia.0rg