INTRODUCTION:

As many as 300 versions of the Indian Epic poem, The Ramayana are known to exist today. River is the life line of the society. From ancient to modern Indian society, river plays vital role to grow up human civilization. This paper will enlighten the various rivers mentioned in The Ramayana available at Krittibasi Bengali Ramayana. Our study is focused on mentioned rivers for their geographical and geomorphological significance in Indian society context. There are Ramayana’s virtually in all the major Indian languages. Although the prime innovator in written format of Ramayana in Sanskrit language by Valmiki. The epic Ramayana, dated varies from 5th century BCE (Before Common Era) to first century BCE (Before Common Era). He is revered as the Ādi Kavi, which translates to First Poet, because he is said to have invented shloka (i.e. first verse or epic metre), which set the base and defined the form to Sanskrit poetry. Krittibas indeed composed the first bangla ramayana. Krittibas Ojha (Bengali:) or Kirttibas Ojha (Bengali:) (1381–1461) was a medieval Bengali poet. His major contribution to Bengali literature and culture was the translation of the great Indian epic Ramayana into Bengali. His work, the Sri Ram Panchali, is popularly known as the Krittivasi Ramayan.

OBJECTIVE OF THE STUDY:

1. To know how many river exist Ramayana epic.

2. To know their flow regime as well as fluvial geomorphic characteristic.

3. To identify mentioned rivers recent position or status.

4. To table the total river, this is stated in Ramayana.

DATA SOURCE AND METHADOLOGY:

The study is totally based by the literature-based qualitative approach. After getting the all river names in epic Ramayan, the said rivers tabled, analyze and interpreted through statistical method (tally marks for calculate frequency of river). The whole study depends on secondary data i.e. Ramayana by Kritibas Ojha, satellite Google image, printed materials regarding Ramayana and some primary data for ground truth verification (Figure 1).

Figure 1: Methodology

RESULT AND DISCUSSION:

Ii is seen in Kirtyabasi Ramayana there are 34 rivers and 4 broad seas.

These rivers play vital role over Indian society as well as culture. These entire rivers change their course and fluvial nature due to sedimentation process. Attempt has been taken to identify the changes of those rivers and know their source, mouth, length and their characteristics (Table - 1).

Table 1: River of Kritibasi Ramayana Epic

SL. No.	Name of the river	Page no.	Frequency of river in Ramayana Sloka
1	Ganga	50, 56, 57, 103, 103, 103, 152, 153, 164, 233, 238, 454, 524, 567, 567, 580, 599, 599, 600, 626, 646, 654, 654	23
2	Aghrinja	53	1
3	Mandakini	54	1
4	Jahnabi	54, 152, 502, 654	4
5	Basu	55	1
6	Bhadra	55	1
7	Shweta	55	1
8	Alakananda	54	1
9	Bhagirathi	238, 526, 567, 629	4
10	Koushiki	239	1
11	Bhogbati	454	1
12	Saryu	51, 88, 109, 119, 119, 155, 163, 233, 511, 651, 652, 654	16
13	Suradhani	56	1
14	Padma	58	1
15	Pravash Tir	59, 60, 261, 597	4
16	Narmada	81, 83, 235, 260, 261, 549, 549	7
17	Tamasha	151, 151, 151, 585	4
18	Gomti	151, 178, 233, 504, 506	5
19	Yamuna	87, 153, 154, 155, 164, 502, 594, 595, 602, 602, 602, 605, 624, 638	13
20	Balarenu nadi	157	1
21	Phalgu	170	1
22	Godabari	181, 182, 182, 200, 201, 235	6
23	Pampa	223	1
24	Saraswati	223	1
25	Krishna	235	1
26	Kaberi	235, 236	2
27	Triyojan Nadi	234	1
28	Sindhu	236, 263, 511, 625, 620, 620	6
29	Bimala	239	1
30	Punyada	240	1
31	Nadipati	265	1
32	Kharatara Nadi	438, 447	2
33	Maya Nadi	463	1
34	Kunti Nadi	501	1
35	East sea	49, 512	2
36	North sea	49, 512	2
37	West sea	49,512	2
38	South sea	512	1

Out of 34 rivers in Ramayan epic, 12 rivers do not exist now and 10 rivers frequently used in different names of River Ganga. These 12 rivers are Bimala, Punyada, Nadipati, Kharatara Nadi, Maya Nadi, Kunti Nadi, Triyojan Nadi, Balarenu nadi, Pravash Tir, Suradhani, Koushiki, Bhogobati. The nick names of river Ganga are Aghrinja, Mandakini, Jahnabi, Bhogbati, Bhadra, Shweta, Alakananda, Bhagirathi, Koushiki, Basu.

River Ganga:

Origin----- Gumukh Cave at Himalaya

Mouth…Bay of Bengal

Length…..2525 km

Source elevation…7010 meters

Basin area…...Northern India

Translation of which is:

50. His grandson asked “Sagar”.

Where Ganga born and where is it located.

where one can get a glimpse of Ganga.

Let me know, Muni (Monk) the tele of Ganga’s birth.

The Muni (Monk) told the story of Ganga’s birth.

River Aghrinja:

No data available in recent era.

Translation of which is:

53. Bramha washes the feet of Brishnu with the water of Ganga.

Kept in Kumundal (Vasel of holy water carried by Hindu monk).

Therefore Ganga came to in the name of “Aghrinja”.

River Mandakini:

The Glacier Ghorabari is the main source of the river mandakini at Kedarnath. It is compiled by Vaskiganga River. After that Mandakini marges with Alaknanda at Rudraprayag. Alaknanda then proceeds further towards Devaprayag where it merges with Bhagirathi River to form the holy river Ganges. The river has caused the 2013 North India floods. Most of the new established buildings and particularly the sangam (confluence) region was harshly smashed in the 2013 Uttarakhand floods. There was a footbridge over the River Mandakini, along with a road bridge nearly six km downstream at Raitoli which also got washed away completely

Translation of which is:

54. Ganga follows Bhaghirath while the inhabitant of haven come and

Bathe in the waters of Ganga.

So Ganga was known as Mandakini in haven.

River Jhanabi:

No data available in recent era.

Translation of which is

152. Ram, Sita, Lakshman sat under a tree.

Sumantra was riding horse along the banks of Jahanabi River.

River Bhogbati:

No data available in recent era.

Translation of which is:

457. First he saw the abode of Bali Raja.

Then he the river Bhogbati which is another name of holy river Ganga.

River Bhadra:

The source of the the Bhadra is Gangamoola, Wester Ghats rang and flows toward East. the river bhadra merge with the Tunga River and which collectively called as Tunga -Bhadra, is a major tributary of the Krishna.

Translation of which is:

55. Airabat rips a part the mountain and

Ganga burst out in 4 directions and thus is known as 4 names.

Basu, Bhadra, Sweta and Alakananda.

Towards the eastern sea Ganga flows in the name of Basu.

In the North it flows in the name of Bhadra and also in the name of surodhoni.

Towards the western sea Ganga flows in the name of Setwa.

Ganga is known as Alakananda when she comes down to earth.

River Basu:

No data available in recent era.

Sweata Nadi:

Carries the drainages of Pachaimalai and Kolli Hills. It joins with Vasishta Nadi to form Vellar and Flows into the Bay of Bengal.

Alakananda:

Source ------ confluence of Satopanth glacier and Bhagirathi Kharak Glacier.

Elevation…………..3880mts

Source confluence………..Bhagirati River

Mouth…………Ganges

Location……….Devprayag,Uttarakhand.

Elevation ………..475mts

The river Alakananda is one of the main source stream of the Ganges.

River Bhagirathi:

Origin….Dhulian near Farakka in Murshidabad District.

Mouth.. Bay of Bengal

Basin….. India – Bangladesh

River system……..ganges river system

Translation of which is:

567. The great warrior went to third haven.

Where was the site of Ganga – Bhaghirathi.

River Koushiki:

No data available in recent era.

Translation of which is:

239. The water of Ganga falls on the lake (****) from haven.

Koushiki River flows from the banks of this lake.

River Padma:

Origin….Himalaya

Mouth.. Bay of Bengal

Basin….. India – Bangladesh

Length…..120 km

River system…….. ganges river system

Padma is the mian river of the Bangaladesh. The socio-economic status of the bangaladesh is also depend upon this river. It has changed its course in several time. According to the James Rennel (Eighteen Century Geographer), “Former course of the Ganges North is the present channel of the Padma.”

That the ganges had its formers bed in the tract mow occupied by the lake and morasses between nature and Jaffiergunge.

Translation of which is:

57. Ganga flowed down to the place called Gour (Modern Malda).

Where it branch out into two distributaries.

The distributaries towards east came to be known as Padma.

After the name of Muni (Monk) Padma.

The other distributaries came to known as bhaghirathi.

After the name of king Bhaghirath.

Saryu River:

Origin----- Himalayas

Mouth ……Tributary of Ganges

Length…..350 km

Source elevation……4150 meters…

Basin area……..Eastern Kumaon to Western Nepal

Two rivers, Karnali (or Ghaghara) and Mahakali (or Sharda) are the main source of the River Saryu. (27”40’27’ N 81”16”30’E). It is holy river to the Indian as Ayodhya the birth place of Rama is located near this river. Sarayu flowed beside the ancient city of Ayodhya, which is in the modern day Uttar Pradesh. It was a tributary of Gogra.

Translation of which is:

51. They carried its (Lump of flesh) in a basket and.

Through fling into the river Saraju.

Narmada river:

Source……….Narmada Kund, Amarkantak plateau, Shahdol District M.P.

Mouth …….Gulf of Khambhat,( Arabian sea) Bharuch district, Gujrat

Length…….1315 km

Translation of which is:

81. The Muni (Monk - Bivannak) was performing penance on the river Narmada.

At the time Urbashi was flying across the sky.

Tamsa River:

Source…….Tamakund

Location….Maihar tehsil, satna District, Kaimur range, Madhya Pradesh.

Elevation….610mts

Mouth…..Ganges

Location…….Sirsa, uttar Pradesh

Length…264 km

There are many tributary of the Ganges, Tamsa River is one of them. A number of waterfalls are found along the course of the river system at time of down through.

According to Hinduism a night stays done by the Lord Rama in the bank of river Tamasa at the time of his forest exile.

Translation of which is:

151. Ram and Lakshman went to the bank of river Tamasa there.

They saw many wild flowers on the banks of river.

Swans were floating on the river Tamasa

River Gomati:

Source…Fulhar Jheel’ (Gomat Tal)

Mouth….. Meets the Ganges River near Saidpur,

Kaithi in Varanasi district

Length… 960 km

It is the tributary of the river Ganga.

Translation of which is:.

151. After performing morning ritual

Figure 2 : Gomoti River

Sri Ram crossed the river Tamasa. Source: V. Dutta, U. Sharma and R. Kumar (2015)

Yamuna River: -

Sources……..Yamunatri

Location……….Banderpooch peaks, Uttarkashi, Uttarakhand

Elevation...3293mts

Mouth…….Triveni Sangam

Location…….Allahabad

Elevation…..74mts

Length…. 1376mts

Tributaries……1) left…Hindon, Sharda, Kunta, Gir, Rishiganga, Hanuman Ganga, Sasur Khaderi, Tons.

2) Right …Chamble, Betwa, Ken, Sindh, Dhansan.

The Jamuna River has moved eastward 10 km near Kiraoli to 40 km at Kaman (Bakliwal and Sharma 1980). Abandoned channels cut-off meander and levees bear testimony to shifting courses.

Translation of which is:

155. Sita arrived at the banks of river Yamuna.

Phalgu River: - Source……confluence of Lilajan and Mohana rivers

Location…..near Gaya (city)

Coordinates……24”43”41’N 85”00”47’E

Mouth………Punpan river

Phalgu river is one of the sacred to the Hindu. Some portion of it flows as underground due to huge pebbles, big sand particles etc carried by the river.

Translation of which is:

170. Sri Ram, Lakshaman, Sita travel quickly

Arrived on the banks of Falgu.

Godabari River: -

Source…… Brahmagiri Mountain, Tryambakeshwar, Maharastra

Mouth……… Antradevi into Bay of Bengal

Length..........1465 Km

Translation of which is:

182. Ram tells Lakshman to build a house on the bank of Godabori.

Where they can bathe regularly.

Ram see’s a place on the banks Godabari

There he finds a white and red rock.

Kaberi River: - Source…… Talakaveri, Kodagu, Western Ghats

Length..........765 Km

Mouth……… Poompuhar town, Bay of Bengal

Translation of which is:

235. The rivers, Krishnabeni which is Narmada – Godaberi.

The Kaberi will flow to the Ashamukh Mountain.

Krishna River: - Source…… Western Ghats, near Mahabaleshwar at an elevation of about 1,300 meter.

Length..........1400 Km

Mouth……… Hamsaladeevi, Krishna district, Andhra Pradesh, Bay of Bengal

Pampa River: main source......... Pulachimalai

River mouth ..... Vembanad lake

Length............176km

It is a south Indian river.

Translation of which is:

223. Royal guard lifted bali up

and took him to the banks of Padma.

Saraswati River:

(Bengali: Shoroshoti Nodi) refers to a river in eastern India, a tributary of the river Bhagarathi. In modern age it is extinct but was active in ancient period. Though it course is covered by siltation but some portion of are recognized with the help of its direction, water lodging condition and long narrow silted valley

In ancient period sarasarti was the main course along which most of the water of ganga flows through it. So it was the main track of water trade. Hence Tamralipta, saptagram and finally kolkatta port were developed.

In west Bengal there are three branches of Bhagarathi such as ..... i) Saraswati ii) Jamuna iii) Bhagarathi. It is

also believed that in North West India there is a confluence of Ganga, Jamuna, Saraswati namely Tribeni. But in recent satellite

Figure 3 Ancient flow direction of Saraswati River

Image Reveal the existence of river Saraswati in Rajasthan Desert area.

(Figure 2 ) flowed south-west beyond Saptagram, Adi Ganga, past Kalighat, River Saraswati passes through Andul.

Later it had changed its course.

Translation of which is:

233. On both the banks of Gomoti cows graze.

Crossing the Gomoti you find Swaraswati.

In support of presence Saraswati in west Bengal there are many evidence such as...i) Ven den Brouck’s map of 1660, ii) Manasamangal of Bipradas Pipilai, iii) Trader Chand sadagar etc.

Ajay River:

This river is the non-perennial type of nature due to its source is located in small hillock of chattonagpur plateau. Rain water is only source of the river water. This river flows through Bihar, Jharkhand and west Bengal and merges with Bhagarathi at Katwa. Total length of the river Ajoy is 288 km , out of which 152 km are in west Bengal. Kunur is the important tributary of the river Ajoy.

The upper portion of the basin is covered by lateritic soil and the lower portion of it is covered by the fertile alluvial soil. So the total area covered by the dense forest.

Translation of which is:

58. The tributary Ajoy river mixed into Ganga.

In ancient Megasthenes period the river was named as Amystis which is the Ajoy in modern age. There is a ancient civilization popularly known as” Pandu Rajar Dhibi”. IN LOWER Ajoy basin is the flood prone area Frequent flood occurred in that place.

Famous poet Rabindranath Tagore wrote a poem about this river in Bengali and it is " Amader Chhoto Nodi".

Sindhu River:

Sources……..Sengge Khabab

Mouth…….Arabian Sea

Length…. 3, 180 km

Figure. 4: Changes of river flow direction in Bengal

Source: http://murshidabad.net/news/news-id-8.htm

Translation of which is:

236. On the east lines Sindhu on the west lines the sea.

In between rises the Himalaya Mountain.

East Sea:

Sea of Japan (also known as the east sea). The Japanese Government supports the use of the name “Sea of Japan “while south Korea supports the name “East Sea”, and north korea supports the name “East Sea of korea”.

Sea of Japan, marginal sea between the Korean peninsula, Russia and the Japanese archipelago known as donghae.

Translation of which is:

49. In the east he beheld the “Sagar”.

And saw beautiful blue elephant.

North Sea:

The Sea is the marginal sea of the Atlantic Ocean located between Great Britten, Scandinavia, Germany, the Netherlands, Belgium and France.

Translation of which is:

49. From the west he travelled to the northern “Sagar”.

Where he saw a white elephant.

West Sea:

West Sea may mean:- 1) Atlantic Ocean 2)Pacific Ocean 3) Indian Ocean 4) Yellow Sea ( called west sea of Korea ) 5) Baltic sea

Translation of which is:

49. Then he went to the west “Sagar”.

Where he saw a red elephant.

South Sea:

Data not available

Translation of which is:

512. The great warrior Nal went to South sea.

Where he binding deep Sea.

CONCLUDING REMARK:

Epic is the written document of the then geographical description. From the discussion it is revealed that in the Indian Epic poem, the Ramayana how social aspects has been described. Most interesting is the description of human effort for changing the then socio-economic aspects with changes of geographical phenomena. Most notable is saying ‘the great warrior Nal went to South Sea. Where he binding deep Sea indicates how human efforts geographical picture and obviously it had influenced socio-economic aspects of the then society.

Gumati and Saraswati are important rivers mentioned in the Ramayanas, especially in India. Both the rivers exist in north India till now. But there are rivers Gumati which originated from Mainamoti Hill in Tripurah and after flowing its route Gumati merges to Meghna. Also there is a river named Saraswati River in Bengal basin. Though there is no confusion about the rivers Gumati and Saraswati in Valmiki’s Ramayana; but it needs to look after the influence of noted rivers in eastern India in the Epic Ramayana by Kirtyabas Ojha. Because socio-economic aspects of Bengal basin were very much influenced by the rivers from long past and those were been reflected rigorously in Ramayanas.

Water flow of the rivers mentioned in the Epic Ramayana is main focus of our investigation. It is well known fact that no river created its path or changes of its paths without specific reason. All those are of great interest for Geographers as well as persons of studying fluid mechanics. In this article authors have identified rivers mentioned in the Epic Ramayana especially in Kirtyabasi Ramayana. Some social aspects, very much related to rivers, mentioned in Kirtyabasi Ramayana have been noted from the text of Kirtyabasi Ramayana. Next attempt of the authors will be to analyze river flows, its related geographical aspects with the help of ideas of fluid mechanics. If necessary, the authors will derive mathematical equation very much pertinent to the fluid flows noted above.

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Received on 13.08.2018 Modified on 16.09.2018

Res. J. Humanities and Social Sciences. 2018; 9(4): 833-840.

DOI: 10.5958/2321-5828.2018.00139.0