Myths of Indian Rivers

MYTHS ON INDIAN RIVERS
Water is Life
Indian myths, fables, and epics like the Mahabharata and other religious books like the Bhagvad Gita,
Rig Veda, etc, speak a lot about Indian rivers. Rivers are considered holy flows of water. From
Kalidasa to Tagore, all poets have described the beauty of mythical rivers. For some, a river is the
symbol of beauty, love and hope, whereas some connect it to war, birth and death.
RIVER GANGA
River Ganga holds a special place in Hindu religious mythology. The River is mentioned in various
religious texts. River Ganges is repeatedly invoked in the Vedas, the Puranas, the Ramayana and the
Mahabharata. According to popular legend, the River is considered as one of the two daughters of
Meru (the Himalayas). According to another legend, Indra had asked for Ganga to be given to
heaven to calm the Gods with her cool waters.
As the legend goes, King Bhagirath, a grandchild of King Sagar, left
his kingdom and began to mediate and pray to Lord Brahma for the
salvation of the souls of his ancestors and to get the water of Ganga
back to save the lives of the princes in his kingdom. Pleased with his
devotion, Brahma granted his wish but asked him to pray to Lord
Shiva. Lord Shiva held out his thick matted hair to catch the river.
Ever since then, the river is associated with Lord Shiva.
NARMADA
Narmada means ‘giving pleasure’. In Indian mythology, River Narmada is quoted as ‘mother’ and
‘giver of peace’.
The Ganga is believed to visit this river once a year, in the guise of a
black cow to cleanse herself of all her collected sins.
Young Narmada falls in love with the male river Son and asks Juhilla
(a tributary of the Son) to convey her message of love. Juhilla entices
Son herself. The disgust and anguish of the lovely Narmada compels
her to jump off the western cliffs of Amarkantak.
CAUVERY
The legend of River Cauvery can be traced back to the Puranas. The River is connected with three
famous icons—King Kavera, Lopamudra, and saint Agasthya. Lopamudra is the earthly, feminine
sign of Cauvery herself. It is believed that Lord Brahma granted her the form of a river.
Did you know?

In ancient India, the Sutlej was known as the Shatadru - which means 'flowing in a
AN ODE TO THE MYTHICAL RIVER
hundred branches'; the Beas was known as the Vipasha, from 'vipash',
which means 'without bonds' or 'unfettered.
Write an ode/poem to your favourite river in the space given below. It could be a small tributary of a
big river in your city; it can also be big river like the Ganges or the Yamuna.
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USES OF RIVERS
Rivers are extremely useful; they are the givers of life. Can you list down five uses of rivers in the
space given below?
For example: Water from rivers is used for irrigation.
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CLASS SHARING
Share in class the myths of rivers like the Brahmaputra, Yamuna, Godavari, Indus and
Saraswati

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MYTHS ON INDIAN RIVERS

Did you know?

For example: Water from rivers is used for irrigation.

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