Sanskrit Names of Rivers in India – Important for Competitive Exams
Many rivers in India are mentioned in ancient Sanskrit texts such as the Rigveda, Mahabharata, and Ramayana. In these texts, rivers often have Sanskrit names different from their modern names. Questions about these names sometimes appear in UPSC, JKSSB, SSC, RRB, BPSC, and other competitive exams.
Sanskrit Names of Major Rivers of India
| Modern River Name | Sanskrit Name | Meaning / Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Ganges River | Ganga | Sacred river of India |
| Yamuna River | Yamuna / Kalindi | Kalindi refers to its origin from Kalinda mountain |
| Saraswati River | Sarasvati | Mentioned in Vedic literature |
| Indus River | Sindhu | Name from which “India” originated |
| Chenab River | Asikni | Meaning “dark coloured river” |
| Jhelum River | Vitasta | Mentioned in Vedas |
| Ravi River | Iravati / Parushni | Ancient Vedic name |
| Beas River | Vipasha | Meaning “river without bondage” |
| Sutlej River | Shatadru | Meaning “river of hundred channels” |
| Brahmaputra River | Brahmaputra | Means “son of Brahma” |
| Godavari River | Gautami | Named after sage Gautama |
| Narmada River | Reva | Mentioned in Puranas |
| Cauvery River | Kaveri | Sacred river of South India |
| Krishna River | Krishnaveni | Ancient name in Sanskrit texts |
| Tapti River | Tapati | Named after Sun God’s daughter |
Important Vedic Rivers (Sapta Sindhu)
In the Rigveda, the region of Sapta Sindhu (Land of Seven Rivers) is mentioned.
| Sanskrit Name | Modern River |
|---|---|
| Sindhu | Indus |
| Vitasta | Jhelum |
| Asikni | Chenab |
| Parushni | Ravi |
| Vipasha | Beas |
| Shatadru | Sutlej |
| Sarasvati | Saraswati |
Quick Revision Table
| Sanskrit Name | Modern River |
|---|---|
| Sindhu | Indus |
| Vitasta | Jhelum |
| Asikni | Chenab |
| Vipasha | Beas |
| Shatadru | Sutlej |
| Iravati | Ravi |
| Reva | Narmada |
PYQ-Type Questions (Competitive Exam Pattern)
1. What is the Sanskrit name of the Jhelum River?
A. Vipasha
B. Vitasta
C. Asikni
D. Shatadru
Answer: Vitasta
2. The ancient Sanskrit name of the Beas River is:
A. Vipasha
B. Vitasta
C. Iravati
D. Asikni
Answer: Vipasha
3. Reva is the ancient name of which river?
A. Godavari
B. Narmada
C. Krishna
D. Kaveri
Answer: Narmada
4. Shatadru is the Sanskrit name of which river?
A. Ravi
B. Sutlej
C. Chenab
D. Jhelum
Answer: Sutlej