Sapta Sindhu

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The Sapta Sindhu (Sanskrit: सप्त सिंधु) (saptasindhu, a Sanskrit dvigu compound meaning "seven rivers") are the seven sacred rivers in Indian mythology. The Rig Veda often refers to the seven rivers.[1] It also says that the Sarasvati River is the most important of these seven rivers (RV 6.52.6). In RV 7.36.6, the Sarasvati is the seventh river. The Zend Avesta (Vendidad Fargard I; Videvdad 1) also refers to the seven rivers (hapta-həṇdu, Vendidad 1.18), which are generally equated with the Sapta Sindhu (Gnoli 1985). In the Avesta this land is referred to as one of the sixteen "best regions" of the Aryans created by the Lord.[2]

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[edit] Identity of the seven rivers

It is unclear how exactly the seven rivers were intended to be enumerated. They are often located in the Punjab region in northwestern India / northern Pakistan. If Sarasvati's membership is taken for granted, and the five major rivers of the Punjab are included (Sutudri, Parusni, Asikni, Vitasta, Vipasa all tributaries of Sindhu), one river is missing (or perhaps two, since the Sindhu is a special case, having masculine gender and not being invoked as a goddess), perhaps Arjikiya or Sushoma compare also the list of ten in the Nadistuti sukta. David Frawley extends the Sapta Sindhu region from the Punjab to the Gangetic plain, specifically suggesting Sindhu, Ashikni, Parushni, Sarasvati, Yamuna, Ganga and Sarayu. (Frawley 2000) In 6.61.10, Sarasvati is called "she with seven sisters" (saptasvasā) which would logically indicate a group of eight rivers, but which probably is just due to the number seven being more important than the individual members (see also saptarshi, haft keshvar), so that the list of the Saptasindhu may not have been fixed or immutable. In RV 10.64.8 and RV 10.75.1, three groups of seven rivers are referred to (tríḥ saptá sasrâ nadíyaḥ "thrice seven wandering rivers").

[edit] Rigvedic myths

The central myth of the Rigveda tells of Indra (the "Bull") freeing the Seven Rivers with the slaying of Vala/Vrtra (the "Dragon"):

1.32.12 Thou hast won back the kine, hast won the Soma; thou hast let loose to flow the Seven Rivers.
1.102.2 The Seven Rivers bear his glory [Indra's] far and wide, and heaven and sky and earth display his comely form.
2.12.3 Who slew the Dragon, freed the Seven Rivers, and drove the kine forth from the cave of Vala
4.19.3 The Dragon stretched against the seven prone rivers, where no joint was, thou rentest with thy thunder.
4.28.1 Slew Ahi, and sent forth the Seven Rivers, and opened as it were obstructed fountains.
7.18.24 Seven flowing Rivers glorify like Indra. He slew Yudhyamadhi in close encounter.
8.24.27 Who will set free from ruinous woe, or Arya or the Seven Streams:
8.96.1 For him the Floods stood still, the Seven Mothers, Streams easy for the heroes to pass over.
10.49.9 Bull over all the streams that flow along the earth, I took the Seven Rivers as mine own domain.
10.67.12 Slain Ahi, and set free the Seven Rivers. O Heaven and Earth, with all the Gods protect us.
10.43.3 These the Seven Rivers flowing on their downward path increase the vital vigour of the potent Steer.
10.49.9 Bull over all the streams that flow along the earth, I took the Seven Rivers as mine own domain.

References to other deities:

1.34.8 Thrice, O ye Asvins, with the Seven Mother Streams; three are the jars, the triple offering is prepared.
1.35.8 The earth's eight points his brightness [ Savitar's] hath illumined, three desert regions and the Seven Rivers.
1.71.7 All sacrificial viands wait on Agni as the Seven mighty Rivers seek the ocean.
3.1.6 Then they, ancient and young, who dwell together, Seven sounding Rivers, as one germ received him [Agni].
6.7.6 All creatures in existence rest upon his [Agni's] head. The Seven swift-flowing Streams have grown like branches forth,
7.67.8 With one, the same, intention, ye swift movers [Asvins], o'er the Seven Rivers hath your chariot travelled.
8.41.2 Him [ Varuna ] dwelling at the rivers' source, surrounded by his Sisters Seven.
8.54.4 May Pusan, Visnu, and Sarasvati befriend, and the Seven Streams, this call of mine
8.59.4 Dropping oil, sweet with Soma, pouring forth their stream, are the Seven Sisters in the seat of sacrifice.
8.69.12. Thou, Varuna, to whom belong Seven Rivers, art a glorious God.
9.66.6 O Soma, these Seven Rivers flow, as being thine, to give command
9.92.4 Ten on the fleecy height, themselves, self-prompted, and seven fresh rivers, brighten and adorn thee [Soma].

(trans. Griffith)

[edit] References

  1. ^ (e.g. RV 2.12; RV 4.28; RV 8.24)
  2. ^ Antiquity and Continuity of Indian History: From Swayambhuva Manu to Gupta Dynasty by Prasad Gokhale

[edit] See also

[edit] External links


The Rigveda   (Mandalas: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10)
Deities: (Devas) Agni, Indra, Soma, Ushas | (Asuras) Mitra, Varuna, Vrtra | Visvedevas, Maruts, Ashvins
Rivers: Sapta Sindhu; Nadistuti; Sarasvati, Sindhu, Sarayu, Rasā
Rishis: Saptarishi; Gritsamada, Vishvamitra, Vamadeva, Atri, Angiras, Bharadvaja, Vasishta
          Waters of South Asia          
Inland Indus | Ganges | Yamuna | Chenab | Jhelum | Brahmaputra | Godavari | Narmada | Tapti | Ravi | Beas | Sutlej | Dudh Kosi | Padma | Sarasvati | Krishna | Kaveri | Meghna | Mahanadi | Son | Ghaghara | Betwa | Chambal | Kosi | Sapt Koshi | Tamur | Mo Chhu | Sankosh | Drangme Chhu | Ganga basin | Ganges Delta | Indus Delta | Dal Lake | Pookode Lake | Skeleton Lake | Chilika Lake | Lake Powai | Borith Lake | Saiful Muluk | Gosaikunda | Nizam Sagar | Red Hills Lake | Malampuzha | Kerala Backwaters
Off the Coast Indian Ocean | Arabian Sea | Laccadive Sea | Bay of Bengal | Gulf of Kutch | Gulf of Khambhat | Palk Bay | Gulf of Mannar
Main Reservoirs and dams in India | Lakes of India | Rivers of India | Lakes of Pakistan | Rivers of Pakistan | Rivers of Bangladesh | Rivers of Bhutan | Lakes of Nepal | Rivers of Nepal
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