Rigvedic Rivers - List

List

In the geographical organization of the following list, it has to be kept in mind that some names appearing both in early and in late hymns may have been re-applied to new rivers during the composition of the Rigveda.

Northwestern Rivers (western tributaries of the Indus):

  • Trstama (Gilgit)?
  • Susartu
  • Anitabha (listed once, in 5.53.9, with the Afghan rivers Rasa (Avestan Rangha/Raŋhā), Kubha, Krumu, Sarayu (Avest. Harōiiu)
  • Rasa (on the upper Indus (often a mythical river, Avestan Rangha, Scythian Rha)
  • Svetya
  • Kubha (Kabul), Greek Kophēn
  • Krumu (Kurrum)
  • Mehatnu (along with the Gomati and Krumu)
  • Suvastu (Swat) in RV 8.19.37)
  • Gauri (Panjkora)??
  • Kusava (Kunar)??

The Indus and its minor eastern tributaries:

  • Sindhu (Indus; (sindhu also means "stream" generically)
  • Susoma (Sohan)
  • Arjikiya (Haro)?

Central Rivers (rivers of the Punjab):

  • Vitasta (Jhelum)
  • Asikni (Chenab)
  • Parusni (Ravi)
  • Vipas (Beas)
  • Sutudri (Sutlej)
  • Marudvrdha

East-central Rivers (rivers of Haryana):

  • Sarasvati (References to the Sarasvati river in the Rigveda are identified with the present-day Ghaggar River, although the Arghandāb River (a tributary of Helmand River) as a possible locus of early Rigvedic references has been discussed.)
  • Drsadvati, Apaya (RV 3.23.4, Mahabharata Apaga.)

Eastern Rivers:

  • Asmanvati (Assan)?
  • Yamuna
  • Ganges
  • Sarayu in Uttar Pradesh
  • Gomati or Adi Ganga
  • Gandaki

Uncertain / other

  • Silamavati?
  • Urnavati?
  • Yavyavati (Zhob river?)

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