Sapta Sindhu
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Sardanaphalus
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The '''Sapta Sindhu''' ([[Sanskrit]]: सप्त सिंधु also Hapta Hindu in Avestan) "seven rivers" are the seven sacred rivers in Indian mythology. The [[Rig Veda]] often refers to the seven rivers.<ref>(e.g. RV 2.12; RV 4.28; RV 8.24)</ref>). In RV 7.36.6, the Sarasvati is the ''seventh'' river, whose mother is the Sindhu. 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 Iranian Aryans created by the Lord.<ref> [http://www.gaurang.org/indian_phil/prasad_gokhale_indian_history.html Antiquity and Continuity of Indian History: From Swayambhuva Manu to Gupta Dynasty] by Prasad Gokhale </ref>
==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]], [[Vipas]] all tributaries of [[Sindhu]]), one river is missing (or perhaps two, since the Sindhu is a special case, having feminine or masculine gender and in this case not being invoked as a goddess), perhaps [[Arjikiya]] or [[Sushoma]] compare also the list of ten in the [[Nadistuti sukta]], RV 10.75. [[David Frawley]] extends the Sapta Sindhu region from the Punjab to the [[Gangetic plain]], specifically suggesting Sindhu, Ashikni, Parushni, Sarasvati, [[Yamuna]], [[Ganges River|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 Sapta sindhu 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 (''{{IAST|tríḥ saptá sasrâ nadíyaḥ}}'' "thrice seven wandering rivers"), as well as 99 rivers.
==Rigvedic myths==
The central myth of the Rigveda tells of [[Indra]] (the "Bull") freeing the Seven Rivers with the slaying of [[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)
== References ==
{{reflist}}
==Literature==
* Gherardo Gnoli, ''De Zoroastre à Mani. Quatre leçons au Collège de France'' (Travaux de l’Institut d’Études Iraniennes de l’Université de la Sorbonne Nouvelle 11), Paris (1985)
*[[David Frawley]], ''The Rig Veda and the History of India,'' Aditya Prakashan (2001) ISBN 81-7742-039-9
==See also==
*[[Rigvedic rivers]]
*[[Nadistuti sukta]]
*[[Sindhu]]
*[[Sarasvati River]]
==External links==
*[http://www.tri-murti.com/ancientindia/rigHistory/ch4.htm The Geography of the Rigveda]
{{Rigveda}}
{{Waters of South Asia}}
[[Category:Rigvedic rivers| ]]
[[Category:Sacred rivers]]