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The Rgvedic Aryans deified the rivers because they
considered them to be the source of fertility and thus of life.
They dwelt on their banks and therefore thought them to be the
harbinger of prosperity. one remembers that as cattle-rearers
they would treasure grassy plots by the river banks where their
cattle grazed. Quite naturally they would deify these rivers
as sources of their prosperity. Later, as agriculturists too,
the rivers were precious to them as supplying rich alluvial soil
so suitable for forming. Thus the river yielded very naturally
to deification. Theyfertilized their land (that is, the land
of the Rgvedic Aryans) and thereby provided grass and fodder for
the cattle and plants and fruits for the people. They were
therefore indispensable for agriculture which was their mainstay.
As the Rgvedic Aryans were primarily a pastoral people, cattle
was naturally their most valued possession. The rivers were
therefore essential for their sustenance (that is, of the cattle)
since they fertilized the land which provided them with grass
and fodder.
This fertility aspect of the rivers established them as
mother-goddesses. The Ravedic Aryans regarded them as mothers too.
They also played an important part in the performance of the
sacrificial ritual. In later times, it is seen that the water of
:
the river Ganges is an essential component of any sacrificial ritual.
It is noticeable that after the Roveda their mention is not found
in any other text of the Vedic Aryans. This may be due to their