In our Indic Civilization, Rivers have had a significant place. From the Nadi stuti sukta, celebrating the rivers to various mantras defining rivers have been an important part of our culture. It is not just limited to worshipping the rivers but also considering them as Goddesses.
While Rivers are an indelible part of our traditions, the legacy and the civilisation that has been carried forward from one generation to the other, form the strong foundation of our roots. In recent years, there have been many steps as well as initiatives that have been taken in respect to repaying the debt of humankind.
The water of the rivers are used for different rituals all across the country in many ways. The ritual and tradition of taking dip in the holy rivers in order to wash away one’s sins also shows the relevance of rivers in our civilization.
gaṅge cha yamune caiva godāvari sarasvati
narmade sindhu kāveri jale’smin saṃnidhiṃ kuru
This shloka is deep rooted in our culture. Right from the beginning, it is taught to chant this mantra while taking a bath. This reveals the importance of rivers in our lives. All these rivers are not only from different parts of the country but also unifying India at the same time.
The Nadistuti Sukta, from the Rigveda is one of the significant suktas of the Indic texts. This Nadistuti sukta talks about the rivers and contains hymns in praise of the rivers. Every river is significant as it talks not only about the geography it is flowing through but also has links to the cultural value of the region.
The Nadistuti Sukta is the 75th hymn(sukta) in the 10th Mandala of the Rigveda. Though there is a mention of the rig vedic rivers in the sukta, the praise of the rivers also show how focus was given on valuing rivers and conserving them.
The way our traditions have flourished with time is significant. Civilizations rise and fall but it is the culture and traditions that never die. The Sukta mentions sapta sindhu rivers which may include River Ganga, Yamuna, Godavari Saraswati, Narmada, Sindhu and Kaveri. The praise of the rivers is made right in the beginning. The names may vary along with different rivers being added to the list according to the geography.
The Nadi Sukta is mostly dedicated to River Saraswati and Sindhu, however we can say that our Indic culture has always been talking about the relevance as well as conserving the rivers. The fifth verse of the sukta talks about the ten rivers. Though the total number of rivers mentioned in the sukta is 99, widely describing India as a land of rivers.
The sukta in the last verse calls the rivers as ‘Chariot of Permanent Joy’. Philosophically, we can say the rivers are the givers and the creators of civilization.
gaṃgā siṃdhu sarasvatī ca yamunā godāvarī narmadā
kṛṣṇā bhīmarathī ca phalgu sarayūḥ śrīgaṃḍakī gomatī.
kāverī kapilā prayāga vinatā netrāvatītyādayoḥ
nadyaḥ śrīhari pādapaṃkaja bhavāḥ kurvatu vo maṃgalam
The Shloka offers gratitude to the rivers for what all they do in our lives and may all these rivers bring in auspiciousness in our life. These rivers aren’t just names but they are regarded as goddesses in our cultures and traditions. The rivers mentioned in the Shloka include many rivers like Ganga, Sindhu, Saraswati, Yamuna, Godavari, Narmada, Bhimarathi, Saryu, Kaveri, Kapila and Netravati.
The rivers mentioned in the shloka are from North as well as South India, acting as a force that unites India. Ganga and Yamuna from the north while Kapila, Bhimarathi and Netravati in south India.
asthau vyakhyat kakubhah prthivyam tri dhanva yojana sapta sindhun
Even in this shloka from the Rigveda we are able to find the reference of the oceans and rivers which reflect the importance which was given to them. Rivers flow, carrying along with itself an entire civilization.
The Gangashtakam and the Yamunashtakam are the salutations to river Ganga and Yamuna respectively. The cultural relevance of the rivers can be seen through the verses in the texts.
Namo jahnu kanye na manye thwadhanyer,
Nissargendhu chinnadhibhir loka barthu
Athoham, nathoham sada gowra thoye,
Vasishtadhibirgheeyamanabhidaye
The above shloka from the Gangashtakam talks about the river Ganga. From history we can see the role rivers have played in our culture. Ganga plays a major role in Dwapar yuga’s Mahabharata, being a mother of Bhisma pitamah while the setting of Ayodhya during the Treta yuga is beside River Saryu. In Gujarat, Yamuna is worshipped as the Kalindi who is the ‘Patrani’ of Krishna.
Initiatives taken by the Modi Government
Many initiatives have been taken by the incumbent NDA government. From renaming the ministry of water resources, river development and Ganga rejuvenation to the Initiatives with respect to the development of river ganga and its tributaries have been on a rapid progress.
‘Namami Gange’ scheme is one of the visionary projects of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. It was a flagship programme which was approved ‘with a budget outlay of Rs.20,000 Crore to accomplish the twin objectives of effective abatement of pollution, conservation and rejuvenation of National River Ganga.’
There are many other initiatives that have been taken in order to conserve rivers and curb the sewage being thrown into the rivers.
Since 2014, there has been a rising focus on the condition of rivers and also on the rejuvenation of it. Awareness among the people regarding the conservation of rivers have also increased. It will be important to witness these initiatives taking shape on ground.