Appendix 10 - Rivers mentioned in the Vasudevahindi

Usuvega : Described to have arisen from Mt. Veyaddha. In the Vasudevahindi by Sanghadasa, river Usuvega has been described in the hazards experienced by trader Carudatta. The river has been described to be very difficult to cross, the current being so fast that whosoever tried to swim was sure to be

719 carried away by the current. In the story of Carudatta it is described that his caravan crossed this river on its way from Samkupaha to Tamkana. As it was impossible to swim, the traders crossed the river by catching hold of the wind-bent bamboos growing on both the banks of the river [Vasudevahindi by Sanghadasa, 148]. In the Puranas, Tanganas Tamkanas of the Vasudevahindi by Sanghadasa - are described as people who had settled on the banks of river Vanksu. As such, Motichandra identifies Usuvega with Vanksu [Sarthavaha, P. 133] which is modern Oxus. Eravai: Forest Bhuyaramanadavi is said to be on the bank of this river [Vasudevahindi by Sanghadasa, 323]. Eravai may be the same as Aciravati modern Rapti in Audh -, or Iravati modern Ravi in the Punjab of the Puranas. Kanagavaluya : On the bank of this river was a settlement called Samvaha ruled by the brother of the king of Campa [Vasudevahindi by Sanghadasa, 67-69]. Not identified. Gamga: A story of the origin of the Gamga somewhat similar to a story appearing in the Puranas, has been given in the Vasudevahindi by Sanghadasa According to this story, the sons of the universal ruler Sagara brought the river Gamga to the Atthavaya mountain around which a ditch was dug by the princes for When the ditch was filled with the waters its protection. of the Ganga, the settlement of the serpent-god Jalanappaha,"

720 As which was situated nearby, was also flooded with water. The god, angry with the behaviour of the princes, burnt them to ashes with the fire-like poison of his eyes. the province nearby the Atthavaya mountain was in danger Prince Bhagirahi appeased the serpent-god with austerities and channelised the water towards Gamgasagara. The current of the Gamga has been described to have flowed through the Kuru country by the city of Hatthinaura; then to the north of Payaga; then to the south of the country of Kasi; then to the north of Magaha and thence to the south of the Amga country. In between Kasi and Magaha, the river is described to have passed by the Vimjha mountain [Vasudevahindi by Sanghadasa, 302, 305]¹. In the description of the conquest of Bharaha, the stream of the river has been described as cutting through the mountain of Veyaddha [Vasudevahindi by Sanghadasa, 164]. Two sacred spots on the bank of the Gamga are Kanayakhaladara [Vasudevahindi by Sanghadasa,233) and Payaga, where rivers Gamga and Yamuna meet [Vasudevahindi by Sanghadasa,192]. 1. Compare this with the list of Arya janapadas on the banks of the Ganga, as given in the Puranas; Sircar, Studies in the Geography etc., pp. 58, 63-64.

721 The important cities associated with the Gamga are Hatthinaura [Vasudevahindi by Sanghadasa, 305], Varanasi [Vasudevahindi by Sanghadasa, 152], Campa [Vasudevahindi by Sanghadasa,58] and Ilavaddhana [Vasudevahindi by Sanghadasa, 218]. Of these Campa was situated on the confluence of rivers Camda and Gamga [Vasudevahindi by Sanghadasa, 58]. Two other names of Ganga, viz. Janhavi and Bhagirahi are mentioned. Princes Janhu and Bhagirahi were responsible for a significant change in the course of the stream of the Ganga [Vasudevahindi by Sanghadasa,305]. Godavari : Seya janapada and its capital Poyanapura were situated on the bank of this river [Vasudevahindi by Sanghadasa, 353]. It is the same as the present Godavari. Camda: Campa, capital of the Amga janapada, was situated on the confluence of the Ganga and the Camda. Prince of the city of Campa was playing on the bank of the river Ganga. Dhammilla, the hero of Dhammillahimdi, is described He to have been on the bank of river Camda at that time. cut some leaf-decorations and floated them in the river. Down stream the prince got the leaves [Vasudevahindi by Sanghadasa, 58]. The river is the same as modern Chandan in Bhagalpur [Sircar, op.cit., P.83-84]. Jauna: Also Jamuna [Vasudevahindi by Sanghadasa, 368]. Sagara is said to have performed an Asvamedha sacrifice on the confluence of river

722 Ganga and Yamuna [Vasudevahindi by Sanghadasa, 192]. River Yamuna is also associated with the legend of Krsna. After Kanha's birth, the river is said to have given way to Vasudeva who was carrying him to a safe place across this river [Vasudevahindi by Sanghadasa, 369]. The cities of Mathura and Soriyapura were situated on the banks of this river [Vasudevahindi by Sanghadasa, 368]. The same as modern Yamuna. Janhavi : Janhu, son of Cakkavatti Sagara, directed the current of the Gamga to a ditch dug around Mt. Atthavaya. Hence the river was known as Janhavi [Vasudevahindi by Sanghadasa, 305]. The legend of Janhu, described in a different way, also appears in the Puranas [MP. P.303]. Javananadi: In the bed of the river, which is said to be in the Dahinaddha Bharaha Kakkedana jewels, of red hot gold colour are said to be found [Vasudevahindi by Dharmadasa, 153b]. Not identified. Javati : Ascetic Ekasinga is described to be living on the bank of this river [Vasudevahindi by Sanghadasa, 261]. Not identified. Tambakana (?) : One of the sources of pearls (Vasudevahindi by Dharmadasa, II. 150b]. This is probably a mistake for Tambapanni [Skt. Tamraparni] which has been given as a source of pearls by Varahamihira, and has been identified with fjord of

723 Manar by Motichandra [See Sarthavaha, P. 215]. Nammada : Mount Kalamjara was in the vicinity of river Nammada [Vasudevahindi by Dharmadasa, 235a]. The same as Narmada. Bhagirahi : The Gamga river was so called as prince Bhagirahi who was from the family of Usabha, and grandSagara son of Cakkavatti - was responsible for a change in the course of the river [Vasudevahindi by Sanghadasa, 305. For a similar legend in the Puranas, see Sircar, op. cit., P. 58]. Mahaganga : The river pours in the Puvvamahodadhi [Vasudevahindi by Dharmadasa, II.229]. The same as the Gamga. Rayata(na)valuya : A river flowing in the vicinity of the city of Campa [Vasudevahindi by Sanghadasa, 134]. Probably the same as Ratnavahi, a river rising in the Rksapada mountain [Sircar, op. cit., P. 48 of the Puranas. Vara : Situated to the North-West of the city of Varanasi [Vasudevahindi by Sanghadasa, 187b]. One of the tributaries of the Ganga. In fact, the name Varanasi is explained as a compound of two names: Varana and Asi, both being the names of rivers flowing near the city. Varada: Also Varaga [Vasudevahindi by Sanghadasa, 80]. The city of Kumdina pura was situated on the banks of this river [Vasudevahindi by Sanghadasa, 80]. The same as modern Vardha, a tributary of the Godavari [Sircar, op.cit., p. 153].

724 Varanicca : A river (Mahanadi) flowing through Javanavisaya and yielding best maragata jewels [Vasudevahindi by Dharmadasa, II.153a]. Varunodiya : A river (?) situated near Puncanadi-samgama region [Vasudevahindi by Sanghadasa, 250]. Not identified. Vijaya : The river has been referred to in the course of the hazardous travels described in the story of Carudatta, in the Vasudevahindi by Sanghadasa Carudatta is said to have crossed this river after he had travelled the regions of Hunas, Khasas, and Cinas. Beyond this region, was Samkhupatha, situated at the foot of Veyaddha [Vasudevahindi by Sanghadasa, 148]. Motichandra identifies river Vijaya with modern Sir Dariya [Sarthavaha, TH. 133]. Veluvai : The river flowing by Pedhapura, capital city of Babbhala janapada [Vasudevahindi by Dharmadasa, II.749]. Its Sanskrit form would be Venumati or Vetravati. Simdhu : Rises in the Himavanta, cuts through the Veyaddha [Vasudevahindi by Sanghadasa, 186] and pours into the Western Sea [Vasudevahindi by Sanghadasa, 314], which is also called 'Sabarodadhi' [Vasudevahindi by Dharmadasa, I.18b]. Sippa: The river flowing near the city of Ujjeni. [Vasudevahindi by Dharmadasa, II.82a]. Modern Sipra near Ujjain.