The River Ganges or Gaṅgā - IV

Gaṅgā is mentioned in the Vedas.

In the Ṛg Veda, it is mentioned in Book VI, Hymn XLV, Verse 31, as follows:

"Bṛbu hath set himself above the Paṇis,

o'er their highest head,

Like the wide bush on Gaṅgā's bank."

Again, in Book X, Hymn LXXV, Verse 5, as follows:

"Favour ye this my laud, O Gaṅgā, Yamunā,

O Śutudrī, Paruṣṇī and Sarasvatī,

With Asiknī, Vitastā, O Marudvṛdhā,

O Ārjīkīyā with Suṣomā hear my call."

The Vedic age worshipped Gaṅgā as a Goddess, as the Aryan culture and civilization flourished on her banks. The river had a long course and was beautiful and important, assuming a significant role alongwith the river Indus and the Saraswati, in all the religious activities of the Vedic Aryans.