Transcript Document

What do we get in mind if we say
‘INDIA’?
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We get in mind…
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We get in mind, a country, which has the second largest
population in the world and is a melting pot of cultures
with nature’s beauty everywhere you look. Such a country,
is our India. In such a country, water is considered very
important. Water is used for our various everyday uses, but
in India, water is also considered sacred.
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Importance of water

In the pre-historic times, when man evolved,
he settled down near sources of water. Only
when he settled there did he understand
water’s importance. Life depends upon water.
So it is considered sacred. Cultural evolution
is based on water. All the ancient civilizations
were formed near rivers. Even the Indus
valley civilization in India is one such.
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…In India
 In
India, rivers are believed to be sacred
and are respected as goddesses. The God of
water in Hindu culture is known as
‘Ganapati’ and those who worship him are
called ‘GAANAPATYA’ (Worshipper of
Ganesh)
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Which are the most sacred
rivers?
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Some examples: The following
rivers are considered to be holy :
Ganga (Ganges)
Kaveri
Narmada
Yamuna
Gandak
Godavari
Gomati and
Saraswati (imaginary, believed to be
running under Gujarat)
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
River Ganga is the longest river in India. The
Ganges lies at a height of 13800 feet in the
mountain range of the Himalayas in the Tehri
Garhwal near Gangotri. The river Ganges is
considered as the holiest of all rivers in the
Bhagawad Gita. No other river has been more
mentioned in the ‘Puranas’ as the Ganga.
According to the Puranas, the Ganges is
considered as the holiest of all shrines. Not only
man, but even the most mean creatures like
insects get liberated and achieve salvation. One
dip in the Ganga is said to free a man from all
sins.
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More on the Ganga
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The holy sight of the Ganges gives
knowledge, splendour, names, fame etc.
Killing of a Brahmin and/or a cow gets
absolved by a mere touch of the Ganges’
waters. The Ganga is a major river of the
Indian subcontinent, associated in myth
and reality with the land and people of
India as well as neighbouring countries
like Bangladesh. The people say that the
Ganga purifies a man immediately after
taking bath in its waters.
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The story of origin of the
Ganga

The Ganga has an exalted position in the Hindu ethos. It is
repeatedly invoked in the Vedas, the Puranas, and the two
Indian epics, the Ramayana and the Mahabharata. Ganga is a
goddess, Ganga devi, one of two daughters of Meru (the
Himalayas), the other being Uma, consort of Shiva. In her
youth, Indra had asked for Ganga to be given to heaven to
soothe the Gods with its cool waters. The story of its descent
to earth appears in slightly different forms in Ramayana (Bala
Kanda: Vishwamitra narrates it to the child Rama),
Mahabharata (Aranya Parba: Agastya narrates it to Rama),
and in the Puranas. These myths are variously dated between
2000 to 400 BC
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The story of origin of the
Ganga…
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The king Sagara had two wives. By a favour of the lord
Shiva, one wife bore him sixty thousand sons, all of
whom were to die simultaneously, and the other bore
him one son, Asamanjas, who would continue the
dynasty. The sixty thousand sons grew to be great
warriors, while the mighty Asamanjas caused so much
misery to the populace that his father the king had to
expel his own son, though a grandson, Ansuman, was
left behind. King Sagara once performed the horse
ceremony, in which a horse is allowed to roam at will,
and is followed by warriors.
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The origin of the Ganga…
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Stopping the horse is a challenge to war; not
stopping it is a compact of obeisance. In this
instance, the sixty thousand sons were following
the horse, but surprisingly, the horse was lost.
After much recrimination, they dug up the
entire earth and the underworld, the oceans,
searching for the horse. Eventually it was found
in a deep cavern, loitering close to where the
sage Kapila sat in radiant meditation. The sons
gathered the horse but they disturbed the great
Kapila (Vasudeva), who was very annoyed, and
instantly burnt them to ash with his fiery gaze.
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…The story of origin of the
Ganga
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Sagara heard of this fate through Narada, the heavenly
wanderer, and sent the grandson Ansuman to undo the
harm. Ansuman descended to the underworld and met
Kapila, who was much pleased with the youth's bearing
and conversation. He granted that the soulse of the sons
of Sagara may be released by the waters of Ganga, then
resident in heaven. Despite much austerity and prayer,
neither Sagara, nor Ansuman after him, nor his son
Dilipa, could get Ganga to appear on earth. Finally it
was Dilipa's son Bhagiratha, who after severe
austerities, propitiated the Goddess, and she agreed to
come down to earth. However, the impact of her fall
would be so severe, that it could be borne by none less
than Shiva himself.
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The story of origin of the
Ganga…
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Therefore Bhagiratha went into meditation again and
obtained Shiva's consent after many more austerities.
Finally, the river came down and fell into Shiva's
matted hair, and thence to earth. This is the presumed
site of the present-day temple at Gangotri. Bhagiratha
led the way on horse back and the river followed. In
this manner they reached the spot where lay the ashes
of the six thousand sons. They were thus liberated, and
an ocean formed from the waters there. This is the
Sagar Island of today, where the Ganges flows into the
Bay of Bengal ("Sagara' is also Sanskrit for ocean).
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More Legends on the Ganga
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Many other tales are associated with the Ganga
and points on it. Hari (Lord Vishnu) himself
bathed in its waters at Haridwar, which is so holy
that sins as great as the murder of Brahmins may
be washed away by bathing here. Hindus to this
day use the water of the Ganga to cleanse any
place or object for ritual purposes. Bathing in the
Ganga is still the lifelong ambition of many of
India's believing masses, and they will congregate
on its banks for the tremendously overcrowded
Sangam, Sagar Mela or Kumbh Mela which are
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held on auspicious dates every few years.
More legends on the Ganga
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The Ganges has many names associated with its many
roles in Sanskrit mythology. Bhagiratha himelf is the
source of the name Bhagirathi (of Bhagiratha), which is its
initial stream, but is also another name for the Hooghly. At
one point, Bhagiratha went too close to the sage Jahnu's
meditation site, and the disturbed hermit immediately
gulped up all the waters. Eventually, after more persuasion
from Bhagiratha, the sage yielded the waters, but Ganges
retained the name "Jahnavi". Another explanation for the
same name is based on the word for knee in Sanskrit, Janu
(akin to genus in latin), + the case form for "born of" yield
Jahnavi; this is from a version of the story in which the
saint released it through a slit at the knee.
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Properties of the Ganga
Waters
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Water from the Ganga has the recursive
property that any water mixed with even the
minutest quantity of Ganga water becomes
Ganga water, and inherits its healing and
other holy properties. Also, despite its many
impurities, Ganga water does not rot or
stink if stored for several days (This is true,
I think, though it may have alternate
explanations).
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A Quote on the Ganga
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The Ganga, especially, is the river of India,
beloved of her people, round which are
intertwined her memories, her hopes and fears,
her songs of triumph, her victories and her
defeats. She has been a symbol of India's agelong culture and civilization, ever changing,
ever flowing, and yet ever the same Ganga.
- Jawaharlal Nehru, First Prime Minister of
India, born in Allahabad on the Ganges.
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Another legend of origin of the
Ganga
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There are many versions of stories regarding
the origin of Ganges. According to the Valmiki
Ramayana Ganges was the daughter of
‘Himalaya’ and ‘Maina’. The deities abducted
her and took her to heaven. From that time
onwards, ‘Ganga’ started living inside the
‘Karmandala’ (a spout shoped vessel).
According to Kritivas Ramayana the deities
had taken ‘Ganga’ to Lord Shiva to get her
married with him. When ‘Maina’ did not find
her in the house, she cursed to attain the form
of water.
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Why the Ganga is called
‘Jahnvi’
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JANHVI – Another name of the Ganga is Janhvi.
Ganga followed Bhagiratha who was on his chariot.
Because of her tremendous speed, all the villages,
Forests, etc in the way were either getting submerged
or drowned. Sage Jahnu who was doing a yagya in his
hermitage got angry when his hermitage was
submerged in the Ganga. He drank whole of the Ganga
by his yogic power. At this the deities, and the men
became restless and they requested Jahnu to release
Ganga. ‘Jahnu’ released Ganga from his thigh by
cutting it and for this reason Ganga is also called
'Jahnavi' or 'Jahnusta'.
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What is the ‘TRIVENI’?
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The three rivers : Ganga, Yamuna and
Saraswati (now believed to be extinct), have a
confluence at Allahabad. This place is called as
‘Triveni’ The river passes the holy bathing sites
at Haridwar, Allahabad (where the Yamuna
River enters the Ganges), and Varanasi. Below
Allahabad the Ganges becomes a slow,
meandering stream with shifting channels.
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
The Yamuna’s confluence with the Ganges is
sacred to Hindus; Allahabad is a major
pilgrimage center. Along the Yamuna’s banks
are many historic monuments, including the
Taj Mahal at Agra. Formerly an important
trade artery, the Yamuna is now the source of
irrigation for Uttar Pradesh and Punjab states.
The East Yamuna, West Yamuna, and Agra are
the major canals on the river.
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The Legendary Introduction to the
Yamuna
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People say that the water of the Yamuna purifies a
man in seven days after bath in its waters. Yamuna,
the great among the greatest rivers is also known as
the Queen consort of Lord Shri Krishna. Goloka the
divine abode of the Lord is the home of Yamuna.
When the Lord dictated Yamuna to descend on the
earth, she first went round Shri Krishna. Thereafter,
with great force, she descended on the peak of
Sumeru Mountain. Her journey began thence towards
the southern side of the great mountain chains. In the
course of her journey Yamuna crosses many lofty
peaks.
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The story of origin of Yamuna
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Right among the peaks, the dark-complexioned
Yamuna parted with the fair-complexioned Ganga,
and reached a peak Kalind, to start her journey
downwards since Yamuna began her journey
downwards from the peak Kalind, hence she got an
epithet Kalindi. Crossing and piercing many peaks
and wetting expansive planes in the way, Yamuna
reached Khandav Vana, where the modern city of
Delhi stands.
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…The story of origin of Yamuna
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Yamuna had longed to see almighty Lord
Krishna as her husband. Hence taking the
guise of an extremely pretty woman, she
began severe penance in Khandava Vana.
Lord Surya, Yamuna’s father, built an under
water palace there for her to tale rest. It is
believed that she still resides there. From
Khandava Vana, Kalindi travel fast to reach
Vrindavana and Mathura in Vraja region.
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The story of origin of Yamuna…
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In Gokul, the extremely pretty
Yamuna constituted a group of
teenaged girls to participate is
Raas of Lord Krishna. She also
selected an abode there for
permanent stay.
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The Story of origin of Yamuna
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From Vraj, Yamuna continues her journey due
south and south-east ward purifying many
regions in the way. She reached Prayag, the
holiest among all the holy places of
pilgrimage. There she meets again with Ganga.
Both of them travel together from Prayag
onwards upto Ksheer Sagar.
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The story of origin of Yamuna
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Near the sea, with over whelming Yamuna
says: Gangey, you are great that you originate
right from the feet of Lord Krishna. You are
venerable in all the three world. From here, I
am ascending again to reach the abode of Shri
Hari. If you wish, you may also accompany
me.
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The story of origin of Yamuna
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Ganga says: Yamuney you have the power of sanctifying the whole
universe. You originate from the left part of Lord Krishna. You are an
embodiment of the supreme joy. You are the queen consort of Lord
Krishna, hence venerable in the whole world. Your sight is rare, even to the
gods. I greet you. But I can’t accompany you. With Lord Krishna dictate, I
now go to the Patal Loka.
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Thus, both of them greeted each other and went to their respective
destinations. Yamuna ascended in the form of jog like stream, on the tops
of the peaks. Thence, rising sky wards, she reached to the heaven. From
there she reached Lord’s Krishna Goloka via Brahma Loka, her original
abode.
This is the story of the origin of the Yamuna.
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•
Kaveri is predominantly the river
of southern apart of India, which is 475 miles
long, originating from the hills of ‘Kurya’, some
20 miles away from Arabian Sea. It flows
towards the south-east direction and passes
through Karnataka and Tamil Nadu and
ultimately merges into the Bay of Bengal, after
making a delta at its mouth.An island named as
‘Shiva Samudram’ and situated approximately 35
miles east of Mysore, divides its course into two
parts. This river is considered so sacred that it is
called the Ganga of the South.
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Legends about the Kaveri
•
The Kaveri, India’s second
most sacred river, is
sometimes called the
Ganges of the South.
According to Hindu legend,
Vishnumaya, daughter of
the god Brahma, was born
on earth as the child of a
mortal, Kavera Muni. In
order to bring beatitude for
Kavera Muni, she became a
river whose water would
purify all sins.
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Legends about the Kaveri
• In India the river Kaveri has been famous since
times immemorial. It is believed to be an
omnipresent river. If a bath is taken on the
fourteenth day of the Paksha, falling on
Tuesday and having Vyatipat yoga, it gives
immense benefits. Those people who get killed
by weapons, can attain heaven, if ‘Ekodisht
Shradh’ is performed at the banks of Kaveri
and Seasame seeds which is mixed with the
water of Kaveri are sprinkled in their names.
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Legends about the Kaveri
•
South of Narmada, a sacred place known
as ‘Kaveri’ Kund has been unearthed. By
merely taking a dip in its holy water,a man
achieves godliness. There is also a ‘Siddh
Linga’ called ‘Kundeshwar’, which is
worshipped by the deities and the Siddhas
alike. If any person worship this ‘linga’ even
unknowingly, it gives immense benefits.The
benefits attained by taking a bath in the holy
water of Kaveri is simply incomparable .
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
This river originates from the Himalayas, and
while flowing in the southwest direction, enters India.
In Nepal this rivers is known as ‘Salgrami’ in Uttar
Pradesh it is known as ‘Sapta Gandaki’, and
‘Narayani’. Before reaching the Mountain Triveni, an
auxiliary river ‘Trishul Ganga’ merges with it.
Altogether it covers a distance of 192 miles and
ultimately merges into the Ganges near Patna.
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
Since it gets water from the melting snow
perennially, it poses danger of floods to the
plains during the rainy season. Because of its
perennical flow it is also known as River
‘Saata Meera’.

At the source of Gandak, ‘Shaligram’
stones are found which are considered as the
embodiment of Lord Vishnu, and worshipped
throughout India.
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
The Godavari River is sacred to Hindus and
has several pilgrimage centers on its banks.
Godavari is a famous river of India. This river
flows in the southern part of India, starting from
the western ghats towards the eastern ghats.
Godavari originates from a large reservoir
situated among the hills at the back side of the
village “Tryanibak’ in the Nasik district of
Maharashtra.
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
Before getting merged into the ocean, it travels
some 60 miles through the narrow and high
walls of the mountains. Ultimately it merges
into the ‘Bay of Bengal, making a delta near
‘Daulekharam’ and getting subdivided into
seven streams. Out of these seven subdivided
streams, Gautami and Godavari are the main
rivers.
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Religious Beliefs about Godavari
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From the religious point of view Godavari is
considered as one of the most sacred rivers of India as
she emancipates people of all the sins. After every
twelve years, Pushkaram fair is organised at its banks,
near ‘Rajmundri’ Andhra Pradesh. Performing of
‘Tarpana’ (libation of water to the deceased ancestors)
liberates people from all their sins, and they attain the
blessings equivalent to the donation of thousands of
cow.
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River Gomati is considered as
the daughter of Sage Vashistha.
One can get emanipated of all sins
by taking a holy bath in her water.
The virtues attained by taking a
bath in the holy water of Gomati is
equivalent to the bath taken in the
river in Kurukshetra, during solar
eclipse.
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Legends about the Gomati
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The performance of ‘tarpan’ of the
deceased ancestors gives liberation even
to the souls suffering in the hell or born
as meanest of creatures like insects.An
offering of ‘tarpana’ made even without
‘Akshat’ (rice grain) and Kusha (grass),
but with the holy waters of the Gomati,
liberates the souls of the dead ancestors,
and is equivalent to the ‘Shraddh’
performed at ‘Gaya’. River Gomati is
considered as a supreme liberator of all
the sins.
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Geographical Position
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River Gomati flows in the state of Uttar
Pradesh in India. It originates from a small
reserviour named ‘Gomat tal’,which is situated
approximately 20 miles east of ‘Pilibhit’ in
Uttar Pradesh. After covering a distance of 35
miles,river Joknai merges into it, after which it
becomes broader. Many other small rivers too
merges with it subsequently.
Gomati, finally merges into river Ganges,
some 20 miles north of Varanasi.
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• In the present times, river Narmada has its
source in the mountain series of ‘Maikal’ and it
submerge into the ocean at ‘Bharonch’.
Narmada is also known as ‘Reva’,
‘Samodbhava’ and ‘Mekhalsuta’. The sacred
pilgrimage of Kanyatirtha’ was also situated at
its bank.
Narmada is the most important river of
Madhya-Pradesh and Western part of India.
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Legends about the Narmada
• There was a king called ‘Pururva’ in the
ancient times. He was the descendant of the
Chandravansh (Moon). One day he asked his
courtiers about the means by which a man who
attracted by sins could attain heaven, without
performing religious rites like ‘Yagya’ etc.The
courtiers replied that only river Narmada is
capable of doing that. But, she will first have
to be brought down to the earth from the
heaven.
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Legends about the Narmada
•
Pururva decided to bring Narmada to the earth.
He commenced a tremendous penance to please Lord
Shiva. Lord Shiva after being pleased, appeared
before him, and asked him to demand any
boon.Pururva demanded river Narmada to be sent
down to the earth. Lord Shiva expressed his inability,
and asked him to demand anything else, by saying
that this demand is rare even for the deities.But
Pururva did not relent. Lord Shiva then ordered to
descend to the earth. Narmada said that how could
she descend to the earth without any base.
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Legends about the Narmada
• After hearing this Lord Shiva called the eight
mountains and asked them as to who was capable of
giving a base to Narmada.The mountain ‘Vinshya’
said that his son ‘Paryank’ is capable of achieving this
feat. But ultimately when Narmada descended the
whole earth including the mountains, Forests etc was
flooded with its water. The deities requested Narmada
to maintain some discipline, which she did by
controlling her force.Pururva performed the ‘tarpana’
of his dead ancestors by the holy water of Narmada
consequently all of them achieved liberation.
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The Purification Strength of various
rivers
•
The water of river Saraswati purifies a
man in three days. Yamuna purifies a man in
seven days. The Ganges purifies a man
instantly after taking a bath. But the Narmada
absolves a man of all his sins, and makes him
pure, by merely her divine sight.
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 By
all these examples, we know that
Indian culture is intricately dependent
on water.
 All of these show that water is given a
very important place in Indian culture
and that water is inseparable from it.
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By
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