Rivers in Ancient India (study)
by Archana Sarma | 2019 | 49,356 words
This page relates 鈥楽arasvati as friend鈥� 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.
Go directly to: Footnotes.
1(d). 厂补谤补蝉惫补迟墨 as friend
[1. The river 厂补谤补蝉惫补迟墨 in the 峁欢惫别诲补-蝉补峁僪颈迟腻, (d): 厂补谤补蝉惫补迟墨 as friend]
Besides 厂补谤补蝉惫补迟墨鈥檚 character as a mother, she appears in the 峁欢惫别诲补蝉补峁僪颈迟腻 as a friend also. Her epithet 尘补谤耻迟蝉补办丑腻 indicates that 厂补谤补蝉惫补迟墨 is closely associated with the Maruts and is their friend.[1] Maruts are said to be the mid-regional gods and are associated with the areal region. As 尘腻诲丑测补尘颈办补 惫腻办, 厂补谤补蝉惫补迟墨 has the same region for her habitation and come across the Maruts. So, she is called 尘补谤耻迟蝉补办丑腻.
S膩ya峁嚹乧膩rya explains the term as:
maruto madhyamikaya vacastadrsi.[2]
The epithet 蝉补办丑测腻 is used for 厂补谤补蝉惫补迟墨 in one of the 峁歡vedic mantras[3] where there is a prayer for shelter. 厂补办丑测腻, a Vedic term is used for 蝉补办丑测腻ni. S膩ya峁嚹乧膩rya explains it as鈥�sakhya 蝉补办丑测腻ni sakhikarmani,[4] thus 蝉补办丑测腻 to mean friendship. The river 厂补谤补蝉惫补迟墨 has been described as so large so might so strong and swift in its currents that it invokes fear in ones heart. It has been, therefore, invoked by the seers not to frighten them by its waters.
They prayed her so that they may not be removed from her to fields which are strange and says鈥�
鈥極 厂补谤补蝉惫补迟墨 we are living by you, we are friendly bound with you and under your protection. Take us as your friends and do not frighten us with your impetuous shore-cutting waters.鈥�
Thus, the mantra in which the word 蝉补办丑测腻 occurs purports the sense of friendship.
Footnotes and references:
[1]:
ubhe yatte mahin膩 艣ubhre andhas墨 adhik峁yanti p奴rava岣� | s膩 no bodyavitr墨 尘补谤耻迟蝉补办丑腻 coda radho maghon膩m || Ibid.,7.96.2
[2]:
S膩ya峁嚹乧膩rya鈥檚 com. on Ibid.
[3]:
峁欢惫别诲补 Sa峁僪it膩,6.61.14
[4]:
S膩ya峁嚹乧膩rya鈥檚 com.on Ibid