प्राचीन भारत में जलविज्ञानीय ज्ञान (संम्पूर्ण पुस्तक)

çkphu Hkkjr esa tyfoKkuh; Kku
HYDROLOGICAL KNOWLEDGE IN ANCIENT INDIA





jk"Vªh; tyfoKku laLFkku] :M+dh

NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF HYDROLOGY, ROORKEE
(Department of Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation, Ministry of Jal Shakti, Government of India)
çkphu Hkkjr esa
tyfoKkuh; Kku
HYDROLOGICAL KNOWLEDGE
IN ANCIENT INDIA
r`rh; laLdj.k / Third Edition
jk"Vªh; tyfoKku laLFkku

NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF HYDROLOGY
¼ty lalk/ku] unh fodkl vkSj xaxk laj{k.k foHkkx] ty 'kfDr ea=ky;] Hkkjr ljdkj½
(Department of Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation, Ministry of Jal Shakti, Government of India)
tyfoKku Hkou] :M+dh-247 667

Jal Vigyan Bhawan, Roorkee-247 667
mRrjk[k.M] Hkkjr @Uttarakhand, India
fnlEcj@December, 2022
unh dks nsoh Lo:i ekurs gq, mlds vkàku ds fy, 'yksd
Shlokas for Invoking River as Goddess
xaxk fla/kq ljLofr p ;equk xksnkofj ueZnkA
dkosfj 'kj;w egsUæru;k peZ.orh osfndkAA
f{kçk os=orh egklqjunh [;krk t;k x.MdhA
iw.kkZ%iw.kZtyS%leqælfgrk%dqoZUrq es eaxye~AA
vkSj fujis{k gksa rFkk eq> ij ijksidkj djsaA

Meaning : May rivers Ganga, Sindhu, Saraswati, Yamuna, Godavari, Narmada, Kaveri, Sharyu, Mahendratanaya, Chambala, Vedika,
Kshipra, Vetravati (a rivulet), chiefly the Mahasurnadi, Jaya and Gandaki become sacred and absolute, and along with the sea, shower
benevolence on me.
uekfe xaxs ro ikniadta lqjklqjSoZfUnrfnO;:ike~A

HkqfDra p eqfDra p nnkfl fuR;a Hkkokuqlkjs.k lnk ujk.kke~AA
gSa] eSa Hkh vkids ifo= pj.kksa dks vius ân; esa vfiZr djrk gw¡A
Meaning: O Mother Ganga, the bestower of all worldly happiness, pleasures and Moksha as per the different levels of bhav of the
worshipper, all Deities and demons worship your Holy feet, I too offer obeisance at your Holy feet.
xaxs p ;equs pSo xksnkofj ljLofrA

ueZns fla/kq dkosfj tys·fLeUlfUuf/ka dq:AA
&¼Jh c`gUukjnh; iqjk.k½
Meaning: O rivers Ganga, Yamuna, Godavari, Saraswati, Narmada, Sindhu and Kaveri, please enrich the water I am bathing with, with
your presence.
ii v
v izkphu Hkkjr esa tyfoKkuh; Kku

xtsUæ fLkag 'ks[kkor 
Gajendra Singh Shekhawat 
Minister for Jal Shakti
Government of India
lans'k
ty LknSo Òkjrh; LkaLÑfr dk vfÒUu vax jgk gSA gekjs ns'k esa ty LkaLkk/kuä ds ÁcU/ku dk bfrgkLk ÇLk/kq ?kkVh dh LkH;rk Lks Òh
iqjkuk gSA Ákphu dky Lks gh Òkjrh;&ÒkxhjFkä us LkH;rk v©j LkaLÑfr ds fodkLk ds LkkFk&LkkFk Òkjr dh tyok;q] feÍh dh
ÁÑfr v©j vU; fofo/krkvksa d¨ /;ku esa j[kdj cjLkkrh ikuh] unh&ukyä] >juä v©j Òwty LkaLkk/kuä ds fodkLk v©j ÁcU/ku ds
{ks= esa mYys[kuh; Áxfr dh FkhA
;g ÁLkUurk dk fo"k; gS fd jk"Vªh; tyfoKku LkaLFkku] #M+dh }kjk ^^Ákphu Òkjr esa tyfoKkuh; Kku** uked iqLrd dk
rhLkjk LkaLdj.k Ádkf'kr fd;k tk jgk gSA bLk iqLrd esa osndkyhu Ákphu Òkjr Lks ysdj gM+Iik ;qxhu LkH;rk rd ds fofÒUu
{ks=ksa esa ty&Lkap;u ,oa Áca/ku&O;oLFkk ,oa ty lz¨r d¨ iYyfor ,oa i¨f"kr djus ds fy, ekuoh; Á;kLkä dh foLr`r ppkZ dh
xbZ gS A bLk iqLrd esa Ákphu ys[kä] vfÒys[kä] iqjk.kä] mifu"knä vkfn esa oÆ.kr ugj] rkykc] cka/k] dqa, v©j >hyä dk fooj.k
foLrkj Lks fn;k x;k gSA Ákphu dky esa ty d¨ fofo/k :i Lks Lkaxzfgr dj Lknqi;¨x fd;k tkrk FkkA euqLe`fr ds vuqLkkj
rkykcä] i¨[kjä] ugjä ,oa vU; tyk'k;ä Lks xk¡o dk Lkhekadu fd;k x;k gSA bLk if=dk Lks gesa gekjs x©jo'kkyh Ákphu Òkjrh;
euh"kh;ä ds tyfoKkuh; Kku ds Lk'kä Áek.k ns[kus ,oa Lke>us d¨ feyrs gSaA
eSa jk"Vªh; tyfoKku LkaLFkku] #M+dh ds bLk vuwBs Á;kLk dh Lkjkguk djrk gw¡ rFkk bLk iqLrd ds foekspu ij LkaLFkku d¨ c/kkbZ
nsrk gw¡ A eSa ;g vk'kk djrk gw¡ fd ;g iqLrd vius ewy /;s; d¨ LkQyrkiwoZd ÁkIr djsxh rFkk Ákphu Òkjr ds x©jo ,oa Kku d¨
iwjs fo'o esa LkaÁsf"kr djsxhA
Of ice : 210, Shram Shakti Bhawan, Ra i Marg, New Delhi-110 001

Tel : No. (011) 23711780, 23714663, 23714200, Fax : (011) 23710804, E-mail : minister-jalshakti@gov.in
Hydrological Knowledge in Ancient India v iii


xtsUæ fLkag 'ks[kkor 
Gajendra Singh Shekhawat 
Minister for Jal Shakti
Government of India
MESSAGE
Water has always been an integral part of our Indian culture. The history of management of water resources in our
country is older that the Indus Valley Civilization. Since ancient times, along with the development of civilization and
culture, the Indian-Bhagiraths had considered the importance of the climate, soil, nature and other variations across
the country for the managing the water resources and made remarkable progress in the field of development and
management of this precious natural resources.
It is a matter of pleasure that the National Institute of Hydrology, Roorkee, is going to publish the third edition of the
book “Hydrological Knowledge in Ancient India”. This book has a detailed discussion of human efforts for water
harvesting and management system and nurturing water sources in various spheres during the period ranging from
Vedic ancient India to the Harappan civilization. The works on Canals, Ponds, Dams, Wells and Lakes described in
ancient articles, Inscriptions, Puranas, Upanishads etc., are also presented in detail. In ancient times, water was stored
in different ways and put to good use. The book also provides the strong evidence of hydrological knowledge of our
glorious ancient Indian saints.
I appreciate and congratulate the unique effort of the National Institute of Hydrology, Roorkee in releasing the book. I
hope this book successfully achieves its goal and spreads the glory and hydrological knowledge of ancient India to the
whole world.
(Gajendra Singh Shekhawat)
Of ice : 210, Shram Shakti Bhawan, Ra i Marg, New Delhi-110 001

Tel : No. (011) 23711780, 23714663, 23714200, Fax : (011) 23710804, E-mail : minister-jalshakti@gov.in
iv v

iadt dqekj 

PANKAJ KUMAR 
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF JAL SHAKTI
lfpo 
DEPARTMENT OF WATER RESOURCES,
RIVER DEVELOPMENT & GANGA REJUVENATION
SECRETARY
izkDdFku
eq>s ;g tkudj ÁLkUurk g¨ jgh gS fd jk"Vªh; tyfoKku LkaLFkku] #M+dh ^^Ákphu Òkjr esa tyfoKkuh; Kku** uked iqLrd ds rhLkjs
LkaLdj.k dk Ádk'ku fd;k tk jgk gSA bl iqLrd ds bLk LkaLdj.k esa LkÒh fo"k;&Lkkexzh d¨ f}Òk"kh; :i esa ÁLrqr fd;k x;k gSA iqLrd
esa gekjs Ákphu osn&iqjk.kä] mifu"knä vkfn esa oÆ.kr vusd tyfoKkuh; ?kVuk,a rFkk muds ÁÒko] leL;k ,oa mik;ä dk foLrkj ls
mYys[k fd;k x;k gSA bl iqLrd esa vk/kqfud tyfoKkuh; pØ] cknyä dh mRifŸk] o"kkZ] Lkrgh ty] Òwty] ,oa ty xq.koŸkk dk Ákphu
Òkjrh; foKku esa mYysf[kr o.kZu ls rqyukRed v/;;u d¨ cgqr gh LkqUnj Ádkj Lks fpf=r fd;k x;k gSA
Òkjr vius ty LkaLkk/kuä ds fodkLk v©j Áca/ku esa vusd pqu©fr;ä dk Lkkeuk dj jgk gSA gesa viuh c<+rh vkcknh d¨ [kk| v©j ÅtkZ
Lkqj{kk Ánku djuh gS] ufn;ä v©j i;kZoj.k d¨ fQj Lks thoar djrs gq, v©j ty Lks mRiUu vkinkvksa Lks Lkqj{kk Ánku djuh gSA bl lanHkZ
esa gesa viuh mUur rduhdä dk mi;¨x v©j uohu Á©|¨fxdh ds fodkLk ds LkkFk&lkFk ikjaifjd ty Lkaj{k.k ,oa Ákphu ty Áca/ku dk
LkaKku Òh ysuk g¨xkA bLk LkanÒZ esa jk"Vªh; tyfoKku LkaLFkku] #M+dh }kjk Ádkf'kr ;g iqLrd vfr egRoiw.kZ g¨ tkrh gS ftLkesa Ákphu
Òkjrh; tyfoKkuh; Kku ,oa bLkds bfrgkLk ij Ádk'k Mkyk x;k gSA eSa bLk iqLrd ds LkeLr ys[kdä ,oa LkaLFkku ds funs'kd d¨ c/kkbZ
nsrk gw¡A eq>s fo'okLk gS fd jk"Vªh; tyfoKku LkaLFkku] #M+dh vkus okys Lke; esa bLk iqLrd ds Lka'k¨f/kr LkaLdj.k dks Ádkf'kr djrk
jgsxk A
fnukad % 29@11@2022
LFkku % ubZ fnYyh
Je 'kfDr Hkou] jQh ekxZ] ubZ fnYyh&110 001/ Shram Shakti Bhawan, Ra i Marg, New Delhi-110 001
Tel. : 23710305, 23715919, Fax : 23731553, E-mail : secy-mowr@nic.in, Website : http://www.mowr.gov.in
Hydrological Knowledge in Ancient India v v


iadt dqekj 

PANKAJ KUMAR 
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF JAL SHAKTI
lfpo 
DEPARTMENT OF WATER RESOURCES,
RIVER DEVELOPMENT & GANGA REJUVENATION
SECRETARY
FOREWORD
I am happy to know that the National Institute of Hydrology, Roorkee, is going to publish the third edition of the book
“Hydrological Knowledge in Ancient India”. In this edition of the book the subject matter is presented in bilingual form.
The book mentions many hydrological events, effects, problems and remedies from our ancient Vedas, Puranas,
Upanishads, etc. The book has beautifully depicted the juxtaposition of modern hydrological cycle, origin of clouds,
rainfall, surface and groundwater and water quality with ancient Indian science.
India is facing many challenges in developing and managing its water resources. We must provide food and energy
security to our growing population, rejuvenate rivers and the environment, and protect against water-borne disasters.
In this context, we have to use advanced technique develop new technology, and take cognizance of traditional water
conservation and ancient water management. This book being published by the National Institute of Hydrology,
Roorkee is important because it throws light on ancient Indian hydrological knowledge and its history. I congratulate all
the authors of this book and the Director of the Institute. I am sanguine that the Institute will continue to publish
updated editions in the coming years.
(Pankaj Kumar)
Dated : 29/11/2022
Place : New Delhi
Je 'kfDr Hkou] jQh ekxZ] ubZ fnYyh&110 001/ Shram Shakti Bhawan, Ra i Marg, New Delhi-110 001
Tel. : 23710305, 23715919, Fax : 23731553, E-mail : secy-mowr@nic.in, Website : http://www.mowr.gov.in
vi v
rhljs laLdj.k dh izLrkouk
tyfoKkuh; pØ gok] ty fudk;ä] feÍh] i©/kä v©j tho&tUrqvksa esa ty ds ifjLkapj.k dh ?kVukvksa dk o.kZu djus okyh Jà[kyk gSA oSfnd xzaFk]
t¨ 5000 o"kZ Lks Òh vf/kd ijqkus g]aS mueas tyfoKkuh; pØ Lks LkEcfa/kr egRoi.wkZ lnaHkZ miyC/k gaS v©j vk/kfqud tyfoKku dk vk/kkj gAaS LkcLks egRoi.wkZ
vo/kkj.kk,a ftu ij tyfoKku ds vk/kfqud foKku dh LFkkiuk dh xbZ g]S os onsk]as ijqk.kk]as e?skekyk] egkÒkjr] e;jwfpf=dk] og`r Lkfagrk v©j vU; Ákphu
Òkjrh; iLqrdä ds fofÒUu Nnaä eas oÆ.kr g]aS tks fofHkUu nosrkvkas dks lcakfs/kr Hktu vkjS ikzFkuZk ds :i eas gAS bLkh rjg] vU; LkLaÑr LkkfgR; eas tyfoKku
ds Lkca/ak eas egRoi.wkZ Áopu lfEefyr gAaS Òkjr eas Ákphu dky Lks gh Lk;w]Z iFòh] ufn;k]as egkLkkxjk]as ok;]q ty bR;kfn ÁkÑfrd ifzrekukas v©j 'kfä;ä dh
nosrkvkas ds :i eas it
w k dh tkrh jgh gAS lHakor% ;g ek= ,d Lka;¨x ugÈ fd bu nsorkvksa ds jktk baæ o"kkZ ds nsork gSaA
oSfnd dky esa] Òkjrh;ä us ;g vo/kkj.kk fodfLkr dj yh Fkh fd Lkw;Z dh fdj.kä v©j gok ds ÁÒko ds dkj.k ikuh Lkw{e d.kä esa foÒkftr g¨ tkrk gSA iqjk.kä esa fofÒUu LFkkuä
ij ;g mYys[k fd;k x;k gS fd ty d¨ mRiUu ;k u"V ugÈ fd;k tk Lkdrk gS v©j ty pØ ds fofÒUu pj.kä ds ek/;e Lks dsoy bLkdh voLFkk cny tkrh gSA Ákphu
Òkjr esa ;Kä] ouä] tyk'k;ä vkfn ds o"kkZdj.kh; ÁÒko] es?kksa dk oxÊdj.k] mudk jax] o"kkZ {kerk vkfn] vkdk'k ds jax] cknyä] ok;q dh fn'kk] fctyh v©j tkuojä dh
xfrfof/k;ä tSLkh ÁkÑfrd ?kVukvksa ds vk/kkj ij o"kkZ dh Òfo";ok.kh vPNh rjg Lks fodfLkr dh tk pqdh FkhA LkkfgR; Lks ;g Òh irk pyrk gS fd Òwty dh mifLFkfr dk
irk yxkus ds fy, Ò©x¨fyd fo'ks"krkvksa] nhed ds Vhys] feÍh] ouLifr;ä] thoä] pÍkuä v©j [kfutä tSLks ÒwxÒÊ; Lkadsrdä dk mi;¨x fd;k x;k FkkA osnä esa ,sLks fofHkUu
LkanÒZ miyC/k gSa t¨ ikuh dh deh v©j Lkw[ks dh rhozrk d¨ de djus ds fy, dq'ky ty mi;¨x ds egRo d¨ bafxr djrs gSaA osnä] fo'ks"k :i Lks] _Xosn] ;tqosZn] v©j
vFkoZosn] esa ty Áca/ku ds fy, ty pØ v©j Lkacf)r ÁfØ;kvksa ds dbZ LkanÒZ feyrs gSa] ftuesa ty xq.koŸkk] ty ;U=] ty&Lkajpuk v©j ÁÑfr&vk/kkfjr Lkek/kku ¼,u-ch-
,Lk-½ lfEefyr gSaA
bu fofo/k lz¨rä Lks gesa ;g irk pyrk gS fd Ákphu Òkjrh; Lkekt tyfoKkuh; fl)kUrksa ds egRo Lks voxr FkkA gkyk¡fd] gky ds fnuä rd Ákphu Òkjrh; tyfoKkuh;
Kku] nqfu;k ds fy, v–'; v©j vKkr jgk gSA bLk rF; d¨ /;ku esa j[krs gq, jk"Vªh; tyfoKku LkaLFkku] #M+dh us o"kZ 1990 esa ^Ákphu Òkjr esa ty foKku uked viuh
igyh fji¨VZ Ádkf'kr dhA bLkds 'kh"kZd esa Fk¨M+k ifjorZu djds] ^Ákphu Òkjr esa tyfoKku Kku' uke Lks o"kZ 2018 esa bLk fji¨VZ dk nwLkjk LkaLdj.k Ádkf'kr fd;k x;kA
orZeku fji¨VZ] vius iwoZoÆr;ä dh rjg] Òkjrh; v©j fo'o Lkeqnk; ds fy, Ákphu Òkjrh; tyfoKku Kku dk ,d v|ru LkaLdj.k ÁLrqr djus dk ,d Á;kLk gSA vf/kd
ikBdä rd igp aq grsq oreZku fji¨VZ LkLaÑr v©j ofSnd xFazkä dk Çgnh v©j vx
a t
sz h nüä Òk"kkvkas eas vuoqkn ÁLrrq djrh gAS eSa fjiksVZ ds igys vkSj nwljs laLdj.k ds ys[kdksa dks muds
n`f"Vdks.k vkSj ç;klksa ds fy, c/kkbZ nsrk gwaA eSa] MkW- t;ohj R;kxh ¼fuorZeku funs'kd½( MkW- vfuy dqekj yksguh] oSKkfud th( MkW- euksgj vjksM+k] oSKkfud ,Q( MkW- lkscu
flag jkor] oSKkfud bZ( MkW- iq"isUæ dqekj flag] oSKkfud Mh( MkW- euh"k dqekj usek] oSKkfud Mh( MkW- nhid flag fc"V] oSKkfud ch( Jh çnhi dqekj mfu;ky] ofj"B vuqokn
vf/kdkjh( Jherh pk: ikaMs;] lgk;d iqLrdky; ,oa lwpuk vf/kdkjh( Jh fryd jkt lijk] ofj"B 'kks/k lgk;d( Jh jke dqekj] oS;fDrd lgk;d( Jh iou dqekj]
oS;fDrd lgk;d( Jh ujs'k dqekj] lsok fuo`Rr oSKkfud ch rFkk Jh o:.k xks;y] ofj"B fjlkslZ ijlu dks fofHkUu lzksrksa ls v|ru tkudkjh ladfyr djus vkSj fjiksVZ ds
orZeku laLdj.k dks rS;kj djus esa muds lefiZr ç;klksa ds fy, /kU;okn nsrk gw¡A fofHkUu lzksrksa vkSj muds ;ksxnkudrkZvksa dk Hkh eSa fof/kor vkHkkj O;Dr djrk gw¡A
funs'kd
jk"Vªh; tyfoKku laLFkku] :M+dh
Hydrological Knowledge in Ancient India v vii

PREFACE TO THE THIRD EDITION
The hydrological cycle is the chain of events that describes the circulation of water in the air, water bodies, soils, plants and animals. The
Vedic texts which are more than 5000 years old contain valuable references on hydrologic cycle and form the basis of modern hydrology.
The most important concepts, on which the modern science of hydrology is founded, are scattered in various verses of Vedas, Puranas,
Meghmala, Mahabharat, Mayurchitraka, Vrhat Sanhita and other ancient Indian books which are in the form of hymns and prayers
addressed to various deities. Likewise, other Sanskrit literature has valuable discourses regarding hydrology. Natural entities and forces,
such as Sun, Earth, Rivers, Ocean, Wind, Water etc. have been worshipped in India as Gods since time immemorial. Perhaps it is not a sheer
coincidence that the king of these Gods is Indra, the God of Rain.
In vedic age, Indians had developed the concept that water gets divided into minute particles due to the effect of sun rays and wind. At various places in the Puranas
it is alluded that water cannot be created or destroyed and that only its state is changed through various phases of hydrological cycle. The knowledge of effect of
yajna, forests, reservoirs etc. on the causation of rainfall; classification of clouds, their colour, rainfall capacity etc.; forecasting of rainfall on the basis of natural
phenomenon like colour of sky, clouds, wind direction, lightening, and the activities of animals was well developed in ancient India. Literature also reveals that
hydrologic indicators such as physiographic features, termite mounds, soils, flora, fauna, rocks and minerals were used to detect the presence of groundwater.
Various references are also available in the Vedas alluding the importance of efficient water use so as to reduce the intensity of water scarcity and drought. The
Vedas, particularly, the Rigveda, Yajurveda, and Atharvaveda, have many references to the water cycle and associated processes, including water quality, hydraulic
machines, hydro-structures, and nature-based solutions (NBS) for water management.
From these varied sources we can gather that ancient Indians were clearly aware of the importance of hydrologic variables for the society. Most of the ancient Indian
hydrologic knowledge, however, has remained hidden and unfamiliar to the world at large until the recent times. Realizing this fact, the National Institute of
Hydrology, Roorkee published a first of its kind report titled 'Hydrology in Ancient India' in 1990. With a slight change in its title, the second edition of the report
'Hydrological Knowledge in Ancient India' was published in 2018. The current report, like its predecessors, is an effort to present an updated version of ancient
Indian hydrologic knowledge to the Indian and the world community. The report presents the translation of Sanskrit and Vedic texts both in Hindi and English
languages for the larger reach of the readers. While I compliment the authors of the first and second edition of the report for their vision and efforts, I thank Dr. Jaivir
Tyagi (Former Director); Dr. Anil Kumar Lohani, Scientist G; Dr. Manohar Arora, Scientist F; Dr. Soban Singh Rawat, Scientist E; Dr. Pushpendra Kumar Singh, Scientist
D; Dr. Manish Kumar Nema, Scientist D; Dr. Deepak Singh Bisht, Scientist B; Mr. Pradeep Kumar Uniyal, Senior Translation Officer; Mrs. Charu Pandey, Assistant Library
Information Officer, Mr. Tilak Raj Sapra, Senior Research Assistant; Mr. Ram Kumar, Personal Assistant; Mr. Pawan Kumar, Personal Assistant; Mr. Naresh Kumar,
Retired Scientist B and Mr. Varun Goel, Senior Resource Person for their sincere efforts in compiling the updated information from various sources and preparing the
current version of the report. The sources and their contributors are duly and thankfully acknowledged.
(Dr. Sudhir Kumar)
Director
National Institute of Hydrology, Roorkee
viii v
CONTENTS
List of Abbreviations vi
Summary ix
 
Chapter 1 Introduction 01
 
Chapter 2 Hydrologic Cycle 14
 
Chapter 3 Precipitation and its Measurement 28
 
Chapter 4 Interception, Infiltration and Evapotranspiration 59
 
Chapter 5 Geomorphology and Surface Water 70
 
Chapter 6 Groundwater 78
 
Chapter 7 Water Quality and Waste Water Management 89
 
Chapter 8 Water Resources Utilization, Conservation and Management 105
 
Chapter 9 Concluding Remarks 116

Bibliography 119

Glossary of Terms 129
Hydrological Knowledge in Ancient India v ix

   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
x v
LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS
(With approximate date of works)
A.V. Atharva Veda (Latest Veda, 800 BC) Ramayana Ramayana (800 BC - 200 BC)
BP Bhava Prakash (1600 AD) R.V. Rig Veda (3000 BC or before)
Brahmand Brahmanda Purana (300-400 BC) S.V. Sam Veda (3000 BC)
Garuna Garuna Purana (600 BC-700 AD) SB Satpatha Brahmana (2000 BC)
GB Gopatha Brahmana (Around 1000 BC) Skanda Skanda Purana (700 AD)
Kurma Kurma Purana (600 BC to 700 AD) Tai. Ara. Taithiriya Aranyaka
Linga Linga Purana (600 BC to 700 AD) T.S. Taithiriya Samhita (Later than Rig Veda, 1500 BC-800 BC)
M.B. Mahabharata (400 BC to 400 AD) Vais. Sutr. Vaisesika Sutra (600 BC-700 BC)
Markandeya Markandeya Purana (600 BC to 400 AD) Vayu Vayu Purana (200 BC-400 AD)
Matsya Matsya Purana (600 BC to 400 AD) Vishnu Vishnu Purana (600 BC-275 AD)
Narada Narada Purana (600 BC to 275 AD) Y.V. Yajurveda (Later than Rig Veda, 1500 BC-800 BC)
Padma Padma Purana (600 BC-400 AD)
Hydrological Knowledge in Ancient India v xi

19oha 'krkCnh esa gfj dk }kj] gfj}kj
Haridwar, Gateway to Hari, 19th Century
lzksr/Source : Wikimedia Commans
xii v
lkjka'k
SUMMARY
gekjk vfLrÙo dbZ ek;uksa esa ty ij fuHkZj gSA okLro esa] ;g dgk tk ldrk sanitation system. Large scale agriculture was practiced and an extensive
gS fd gekjh iwjh lH;rk ikuh ds mi;ksx ij cuh gSA Hkkjr ,d ,slk ns'k gS tgk¡ network of canals was used for the purpose of irrigation in Indus valley
ik¡p gt+kj o"kZ ls vf/kd dh lH;rk gS] ftldk tyfoKku ds {ks= eas cgqr cM+k civilization. Sophisticated storage systems were developed including the
;ksxnku gSA izkphu Hkkjrh; lH;rk] ftls fla/kq ?kkVh lH;rk ;k gM+IIkk lH;rk reservoir built at Girnar in ca. 3000 BC.
ds :i esa tkuk tkrk gS] 3300&1300 bZ-iw- ds vkl&ikl vius 'kh"kZ ij FkhA vc izkphu osn] iqjk.k] es?kekyk] e;wjfp=k] o`gRlafgrk] ckS) lkfgR; vkSj tSu /keZ
;g Kkr gqvk gS fd gM+Iik ds yksxksa ds ikl ikuh dh vkiwfrZ vkSj lhojst dh vkSj vU; fofHkUu jpuk,a izkd`frd ra= ds fo"k; esa vFkkg Kku ls ifjiw.kZ gSa
ifj"d`r iz.kkfy;k¡ Fkha] ftlesa gkbMªksfyd lajpuk,¡ tSls cka/k] VSad] iafDrc) ftlesa i`Foh] ok;qeaMy] tyeaMy] fyFkksLQh;j vkSj euq"; ls mudh
dq,¡] ikuh ds ikbi vkSj ¶y'k 'kkSpky; vkfn lfEefyr FksA gM+Iik vkSj eksgu lgHkkfxrk vkfn lfEefyr gSA ;fn dksbZ bu izkphu laLd`r lkfgR;ksa dk
tksnM+ks ds 'kgjksa us nqfu;k dh igyh 'kgjh LoPNrk iz.kkyh fodflr dhA fla/kq v/;;u djrk gS] rks og ns[krk gS fd buesa tyfoKku ds egÙoiw.kZ lanHkZ
?kkVh lH;rk esa flapkbZ ds mn~ns'; ls cM+s iSekus ij d`f"k dk dk;Z fd;k x;k Fkk lfEefyr gSaA ;g ns[kk x;k gS fd izkphu Hkkjr eas fofHkUu tyfoKkuh;
vkSj ugjksa ds ,d O;kid usVodZ dk mi;ksx fd;k x;k FkkA fxjukj esa 3000 bZ- izfØ;kvksa dh tkudkfj;ka cgqr izfl) FkhA izkphu Hkkjr esa ok"ihdj.k] la?kuu]
iw- esa fufeZr tyk'k; lfgr ifj"d`r HkaMkj.k iz.kkfy;ksa dks fodflr fd;k x;k es?k fuekZ.k] o"kkZ vkSj mlds iwokZuqeku dks vPNh rjg ls le>k tkrk FkkA
FkkA ekS;Zdky ¼4oha 'krkCnh bZ-iw-½ ds le; o"kkZ vkSj bldh ekSleh fHkUurk dks ekius
Our existence is dependent on water in many ways. Infact,one could say ds fy, o"kkZekih ;a= fodflr fd, x, Fks tks fd vk/kqfud tyfoKku ds
that our whole civilization is built on the use of water. India is a country leku fl)karksa ij vk/kkfjr Fkk] tcfd Hkwty vkorhZ ds ckjs esa if'peh Kku
with more than five thousand years of civilization, with great taxyh fl)karksa ij vk/kkfjr Fkk] Hkkjrh;ksa ds ikl Hkwty vkorhZ] forj.k vkSj
contributions to the field of hydrology. Ancient Indian civilization, referred mi;ksx dh lqLi"V vo/kkj.kk FkhA lkfgR;ksa ls ;g Hkh irk pyrk gS fd Hkwty
to as Indus Valley Civilization or Harappan Civilization was at its prime dh mifLFkfr dk irk yxkus ds fy, tyfoKkuh; ladsrdksa dk mi;ksx fd;k
around 3300–1300 BC. It is now known that Harappan people had tkrk FkkA ekS;Z ;qx ds nkSjku lqlaxfBr ty ewY; iz.kkyh Hkh ykxw FkhA ty
sophisticated systems of water supply and sewerage, including hydraulic
ladV rFkk ck<+ dh rhozrk dks de djus esa ty ds dq'ky mi;ksx ds egÙo dks
structures such as dams, tanks, lined wells, water pipes and flush toilets.
bafxr djus ds fy, osnksa esa fofHkUu lanHkZ miyC/k gSaA
The cities of Harappa and Mohenjo-Daro developed the world's first urban
Hydrological Knowledge in Ancient India v xiii

The ancient Vedas, Puranas, Meghmala, Mayurchitraka, Vraht Samhita, Various references are available in Vedas alluding the importance of
literature of Buddhism and Jainism and various other works are enriched efficient water use so as to reduce the intensity of water scarcity and
with plethora of knowledge about natural systems, including earth, drought etc.
atmosphere, hydrosphere, lithosphere and their interaction with the
human beings. If one studies these ancient Sanskrit literature, (s)he izLrqr fjiksVZ esa] izkphu Hkkjrh; lkfgR; esa tyfoKku ls lacaf/kr Kku ,oa
observes that it contains valuable references to hydrology. It is observed cqf)eÙkk dks ladfyr djus dk iz;kl fd;k x;k gSA bl volj ij] ;g
that in ancient India, the information on various hydrological processes mi;qDr le; gS fd ge vius ikjaifjd Kku vkSj dk;kZas dks igpkusa rFkk mudh
was very well known. Evaporation, condensation, cloud formation, ljkguk djsa ,oa mUgsa vius orZeku dh ty izca/ku iz.kkfy;ksa esa vkRelkr djsaA
precipitation and its forecasting were well understood in ancient India. bl izdkj dh fof'k"V igy] iqjkus vkSj u, dk;ksZa esa fuf'pr :i ls ,d
Raingauges were developed and were widely used during the Mauryan mi;qDr leUo; cuk,xhA
th
period (4 cent. B.C.) to measure rainfall and its seasonal variation, based
In the present report, an attempt has been made to compile knowledge
on the same principles as that of modern hydrology. While the western
and wisdom pertaining to hydrology in ancient Indian literature. At this
knowledge about the occurrence of ground water was based on wild
juncture, it is high time that we recognize and appreciate our traditional
theories, the Indians had well-developed concepts of ground water
wisdom and practices and blend them appropriately with our current
occurrence, distribution and utilization. Literature also reveals that
systems of water management. Such overdue initiative will definitely
hydrologic indicators were used to detect the presence of ground water.
create a synergy of the OLD and the NEW works.
Well organized water pricing system was also in place during Mauryan era.
xiv v
izLrkouk vè;k;
INTRODUCTION CHAPTER 1
foKku izd`fr vkSj tho/kkfj;ksa ls lacaf/kr gekjs Kku dk lao/kZu djrk gSA ;g civilizations were distinctly and predominantly hydraulic in character as
czºek.M dh dbZ vKkr phtksa dk irk yxkus esa euq";ksa dh lgk;rk djrk gS they owed their origin to reliable sources of water to meet their various
rFkk O;kogkfjd leL;kvksa dk lek/kku izLrqr djrk gSA oLrqr% ekuo thou needs. Rivers played such a pivotal role in the life and living of those
dh xq.koÙkk dks lq/kkjus ds lkFk&lkFk foKku ds dbZ vU; dk;Z Hkh gSaA ;|fi people that their civilizations came to be known as river valley
izkphu dky esa euq"; us vk/kqfud ;qx dh rjg mUufr ugha dh Fkh] foKku civilizations. Prominent among these were the Nile valley civilization in
Egypt, the Tigris valley civilizations in Mesopotamia, the Howang-Ho
vKkr Fkk] fQj Hkh euq"; dks ;g vkHkkl Fkk fd thfor jgus ds fy, ty
vR;Ur egÙoiw.kZ gS vkSj blfy, izkphure lH;rk,a eq[; :i ls
^^ty&pkfyr** ¼gkbMªksfyd½ izd`fr dh jgh gSa D;ksafd mudh fHkUu&fHkUu
vko';drkvksa dh iwfrZ ds fy, ty ,d fo'oluh; lzksr jgk gSA ufn;ksa us mu
yksxksa ds thou rFkk thou 'kSyh esa ,slh egÙoiw.kZ Hkwfedk fuHkkbZ fd mudh
lH;rkvksa dks unh ?kkVh lH;rk tSls eslksiksVkfe;k eas fVxzhl ?kkVh lH;rk]
phu esa gksokax&gks ?kkVh lH;rk rFkk Hkkjr esa fla/kq ?kkVh lH;rk uke ls tkuk
tkrk gSA buesa ls vf/kdrj lH;rk,a 3500 ls 300 bZ-iw- rd mifLFkr Fkh vkSj
bl ckr ds ,sfrgkfld lk{; miyC/k gSa tks ;g n'kkZrs gSa fd ufn;ksa dks v{kq..k
j[kus rFkk muls vf/kdkf/kd ykHk ds lkFk&lkFk ck<+ vkSj lw[ks ds dkj.k gksus
okyh {kfr ls mudh lqj{kk ds fy, dqN vfHk;kaf=d mik;ksa dks Hkh viuk;k
x;k FkkA
Science improves our knowledge of the nature and living beings. It helps
the humans to investigate the several unknowns of the universe and
generates solutions for practical problems. In fact, science has several
functions, including the attempt to improve the quality of the human life. gM+Iik 'kgj esa [kqnkbZ ds nkSjku feyk çkphu dqavk ¼3300&2500 bZ-iw-½
In ancient days, although science was unknown as such, yet man had Ancient well in Harappa City found during excavation (3300-2500 BC)
realized the importance of water for survival, and therefore, the earliest ¼lzksr@Source : Wikipedia½
Hydrological Knowledge in Ancient India v 1

valley civilization in China and the Indus valley civilization in India. Most of when people adopted an agrarian way of life. Due to settled and
these civilizations existed from 3500 to 300 BC and there are historical somewhat secured life, population began to expand faster than ever
evidences to show that certain engineering measures were adopted by before. Settled agricultural life made it possible to construct villages, cities
them to sustain as well as enhance benefits from rivers and also to protect and eventually states, all of which were highly dependent on water
against damages due to floods and droughts. (Vuorinen et al., 2007). This created a unique relationship between
humans and water. Most of the ancient civilizations, i.e., Indus valley,
ekuo tkfr us yxHkx 10000 o"kZ igys LFkk;h cfLr;ksa dh LFkkiuk dh ,oa
Egyptian, Mesopotamian and Chinese were developed at places where
yksxksa us thus ds fy, [ksrh&ckM+h ds rjhds viuk,A LFkk;h :i ls clus rFkk water required for agricultural and human needs was readily available, i.e.,
dqN lhek rd lqjf{kr thou ds dkj.k] tula[;k igys ls dgha vf/kd rsth ls close to springs, lakes, rivers and at low sea levels (Yannopoulos et al.,
c<+us yxh rFkk O;ofLFkr d`f"k thou }kjk xkaoksa] 'kgjksa vkSj vUrr% jkT;ksa dk 2015). Most ancient civilizations were highly developed and
fuekZ.k laHko gqvk vkSj ;s lHkh ty ij vR;f/kd fuHkZj Fks ¼oksfjfuu ,oa vU;] technologically equipped for societal sustainability as well as to enhance
2007½A blus euq";ksa vkSj ty ds chp ,d vf}rh; laca/k cuk;kA izkphu benefits from rivers and also to protect against damaging floods and
lH;rk,a tSls fd fla/kq ?kkVh] felz] eslksiksVkfe;k vkSj phuh mu LFkkuksa ij
fodflr gqbZ tgk¡ d`f"k rFkk ekuo vko';drkvksa dh iwfrZ ds fy, ty lqxerk
ls miyC/k Fkk] ;kfu >juksa] >hyksa] ufn;ksa rFkk leqnz ry ls fudV ¼;Uuksiksyl
,oa vU;] 2015½A lkekftd fLFkjrk ds lkFk&lkFk ufn;ksa ls vf/kdkf/kd ykHk
ysus vkSj gkfudkjd ck<+ vkSj vU; gkbMªksyksftdy pje ?kVukvksa ls cpkus ds
fy, oLrqr% lHkh izkphu lH;rk,a vR;f/kd fodflr rFkk rduhdh :i ls
lqlfTtr FkhA xq:Rokd"kZ.k ds iz;ksx }kjk vf/kd nwjh rd ty igqapkus ds
fy, yEcs ,DokMDV flLVe ¼okLro esa] dHkh&dHkh 100 fd-eh- ls vf/kd½ dk
Hkh mi;kx s fd;k tkrk FkkA blds vykok] dkLa; ;x q ¼yxHkx 3200&1100 b-Zi-w½ ds
le; ls o"kkZ ty ds laxzg.k ds fy, tydaqMksa] ugjksa vkSj Hkwty dwiksa dk Hkh
mi;ksx fd;k tkrk FkkA gkykafd] bu lH;rkvksa ds iru vkSj buesa ls dqN ds
Øfed {k; dks ekuo tkfr }kjk ykHk vftZr djus ds fy, ufn;ksa ds
gkbZMªksykWth vkSj gkbZMªksfyDl esa gLr{ksi ds izfrdwy vkSj gkfudkjd ifj.kkeksa
ls fuiVus dh v{kerk ds fy, Hkh ekuk tk ldrk gSA Ldkjcksjk ,oa vU;
¼2003½ rFkk vkVZyksQ ,oa vU; ¼2009½ us leh{kk dh gS fd fdl rjg iwohZ
izca/ku us iwohZ vkSj if'peh xksyk)ksZa esa fof'k"V mnkgj.kksa ds ek/;e ls izkphu
lkekftd lajpukvksa vkSj laxBuksa dks izHkkfor fd;k ftlesa iwjk izkphu fo'o
lfEefyr FkkA eksgu tksnM+ks dk egku Lukukxkj
The Great Bath of Mohenjo-daro
Human kind established permanent settlements about 10,000 years ago ¼lzksr@Source : Wikipedia½
2 v
other hydrological extremes. Water transport over long distances was of Vedas and Upanishads in English and German. Besides the spiritual
based on gravity. Thus, long aqueduct systems (indeed, sometimes growth, ancient India also exhibited the growth of science. The Indus
exceeding 100 km) were used to convey water over large distances, using Valley civilization, one of the earliest and most developed civilizations of
gravity. Also, water cisterns for harvesting rainwater, canals and ground that time, was the world's largest in extent and epitomises the level of
water wells were practiced since the Bronze Age (ca. 3200–1100 BC). development of science and societies in proto-historic Indian sub-
However, fall of these civilizations and gradual decay of some of them continent. Ancient Indian literature, dating back from the age of the
were partly prompted by mankind's creeping inability to cope up with Vedas, further witnesses this development of sciences (including the
adverse and damaging consequences of his interference with hydrology water science). It is a good fortune that the ancient Indian Sanskrit works
and hydraulics of the respective rivers in his attempts to derive benefits. have been preserved and not lost through centuries of domination by
Scarborough et al. (2003) and Ortloff et al. (2009) have reviewed how alien races and alien cultures in India.
water management affected ancient social structures and organization
through typical examples in the Eastern and Western hemispheres, izkphu Hkkjr esa foKku
covering the whole ancient world. Science in Ancient India
;g loZfofnr gS fd vk/;kfRed ewY;ksa ds lanHkZ esa Hkkjrh; fojklr ,d egku foKku dh nqfu;k ds cgqr de 'kks/kdrkZ gh bl ckr dh tkudkjh j[krs gSa]
vkSj mRd`"V rFkk laHkor% vf}rh; gS] tSlk fd if'pe ds dqN egku O;fDr;ksa tSlk fd oSKkfudksa }kjk le>k vkSj Lohdkjk x;k gS fd izkphu laLd`r lkfgR;
us izekf.kr fd;k gS ftUgksaus laLd`r lh[kus ds fy, dfBu ifjJe fd;k vkSj esa fdruk foKku fufgr gSA ;g ,d vge iz'u gS fd ßD;k izkphu
fo'o dks lqizfl) osn vkSj mifu"knksa dk vaxzsth ,oa teZu esa vuqokn izLrqr _f"k;ksa&larksa us vk/kqfud foKku ds JeiwoZd ,d= fd, x, izs{k.k vkadM+ksa
fd;kA vk/;kfRed fodkl ds vykok izkphu Hkkjr us foKku ds fodkl dks Hkh rFkk mfpr ladYiuk ds ek/;e ls mUgsa lekdfyr djus dh dk;Z i)fr dks
iznf'kZr fd;kA fla/kq ?kkVh lH;rk tks fd lcls iqjkuh rFkk lcls fodflr viuk;k gksxkÞA loZfofnr gS fd vUrfuZfgr lPpkbZ dks le>us ds ek/;e ds
lH;rkvksa esa ls ,d gS] foLrkj esa nqfu;k dh lcls cM+h rFkk izksVks&,sfrgkfld :i esa izs{k.k dks utjvankt ugha fd;k tk ldrk FkkA
Hkkjrh; miegk}hi esa foKku rFkk lekt ds fodkl ds Lrj dk izrhd gSA Very few workers in the scientific world are aware of how much science, as
izkphu Hkkjrh; lkfgR;] osnksa ds ;qx ls] foKkuksa ds bl fodkl dks iznf'kZr understood and accepted by scientists, is contained in the ancient
djrs gSa ftlesa tyfoKku Hkh 'kkfey gSA lkSHkkX; dh ckr gS fd izkphu Hkkjrh; Sanskrit literature. It is a moot question whether the ancient sages had
laLd`r ds mRd`"V dk;ksZa dks lajf{kr fd;k x;k gS rFkk Hkkjr esa fons'kh adopted the methods of modern science of laboriously collecting
laLd`fr;ksa ,oa tkfr;ksa dk dbZ lfn;ksa rd vf/kiR; gksus ds ckn Hkh bls [kks;k observational data and integrating them through appropriate concepts
ugha x;k gSA into useful and acceptable truths. Observation as a medium of realizing
It is well known that in the realm of spiritual values, the Indian heritage has the underlying truths could not have been ignored.
been great and sublime and perhaps unparalleled, as testified by some of foKku dks ßizkd`frd ?kVukvksa ds lqO;ofLFkr Kku vkSj ftu ladYiukvksa esa bu
the great personalities of the west who underwent the toil of learning ?kVukvksa dks O;Dr fd;k x;k gS] mlds chp laca/kksa ds rdZlaxr v/;;uÞ ds
Sanskrit and presenting the world with translation of the renowned texts :i esa ifjHkkf"kr fd;k tkrk gSA bldk O;kid vFkZ ßHkkSfrd txr dks of.kZr

rFkk fu;af=r djus dh ,d O;ofLFkr dk;Zi)frÞ Hkh gSA ;g ns[kk tk ldrk gS River. The Harappan civilization was mainly located in present-day Indian
fd oSKkfud tks dqN Hkh bl izd`fr esa ikrs gSa og mUgsa mlh Øe esa ,d rkfdZd states of Gujarat, Haryana, Punjab, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Jammu and
,oa vuqdwy fooj.k iznku djrs gSaA ;g izfØ;k ekuo thou dks /khjs&/khjs Kashmir; and present-day Pakistan provinces of Sindh, Punjab, and
izHkkfor djrh gSA Balochistan. It was located mainly in the region of the Indus and Ghaggar-
Hakra Rivers. The major urban centres were Harappa, Mohenjo-daro,
Science is defined as ordered knowledge of natural phenomena and the Dholavira, Ganeriwala and Rakhigarhi.
rational study of the relations between the concepts in which these
phenomena are expressed. It is in its widest sense, “a systematic method fla/kq lH;rk ds yksxkas us vR;f/kd oSKkfud izxfr dhA mUgkasus yEckbZ] nzO;eku
of describing and controlling the material world”. It can be seen, as it rFkk le; ekius esa cM+h n{krk izkIr dhA ;s yksx leku otu rFkk eki dh
stands at any moment, as a logical and coherent account of that order i)fr fodflr djus okys igys O;fDr;ksa esa ls FksA fofHkUu lekjksgksa rFkk
which the scientists of the time find in nature. It progressively affects vuq"Bkuksa ds fy, oSfnd iapkaxks dh rS;kjh us vkdk'kh; fi.Mksa vkSj muds
man's life. vkokxeu ds v/;;u dh vko';drk trkbZ vkSj blls [kxksy foKku dk
Hkkjr esa rhljh@pkSFkh lgL=kCnh bZ-iw- ds izkjEHk esa ,d mPp fodflr lH;rk fodkl gqvk ¼izlkn 1980½A oSfnd vk;ksZa dks ;g rF; Kkr Fkk fd lw;Z ds
ftls fla/kq ?kkVh lH;rk ;k gM+Iik lH;rk ¼dkaL;
;qx lH;rk½ ds :i esa tkuk tkrk gS] ikfdLrku vkSj
mRrj&if'pe Hkkjr ds {ks=ksa esa fla/kq unh ds
mitkÅ eSnkuh Hkkxksa esa iuihA gM+Iik lH;rk eq[;
:i ls vkt ds Hkkjrh; jkT; ds xqtjkr] gfj;k.kk]
iatkc] jktLFkku] mÙkj izns'k] tEew ,oa d'ehj jkT;
rFkk vkt ds ikfdLrkuh fla/k] iatkc rFkk
cyksfpLrku izkarksa esa fLFkr FkhA ;g eq[; :i ls fla/kq
rFkk ?kXxj&gkdjk unh ds {ks=ksa esa fLFkr FkhA izeq[k
'kgjh dsUnz gM+Iik] eksgu tksnM+ks] /kksykohjk]
xusjhokyk rFkk jk[khx<+h esa FksA
In India, at the beginning of the third/fourth
millennium BC, a highly developed civilization,
popularly known as the Indus Valley civilization
or Harappan Civilization (a Bronze Age
civilization) grew in parts of Pakistan and oSfnd dky esa ;g Kku Fkk fd lw;Z ds çdk'k esa 7 jax dh fdj.ksa gksrh gSaA
northwest India on the fertile plains of the Indus The fact that sun ligh constitutes seven colour rays was known in Vedic era
¼lzksr@Source : Omex½
4 v
izdk'k esa lkr jax dh fdj.ksa gksrh gSa tSlk fd _Xosn ¼vkj-oh- 11-12-12½ ds thod vius vn~Hkqr fpfdRlk vkSj 'kY; fpfdRlk ds mipkj ds fy, iz[;kr
fuEufyf[kr 'yksd ls Li"V gksrk gS%& FksA r{kf'kyk] ukyUnk rFkk foØef'kyk ds izkphu fo'ofo|ky;ksa esa fpfdRlk
The people of the Indus Civilization made great scientific advancements. Hkh ,d egÙoiw.kZ ,oa vfuok;Z fo"k; FkkA 7oha 'krkCnh ds okXHkV~V ds fpfdRlk
They achieved great accuracy in measuring length, mass, and time. These dk;Z esa ejdjh ¼ikjk½ dk igyk mYys[k ¼izlkn] 1980½ lfEefyr gSA Hkkjr ds
people were among the first to develop a system of uniform weights and ckS) n'kZu'kkL= dh lcls mYys[kuh; fo'ks"krk d.kkn ¼600 bZ-iw-½ ¼izdk'k]
measures. Preparation of the Vedic calendar for various ceremonies and of 1965½ ds ijek.kq fl)kUr dk fuekZ.k gSA fo'okl ¼1969½ us lgh fVIi.kh dh gS
rituals necessitated the study of heavenly bodies and of their movements. fd 12oha 'krkCnh rd Hkkjr] phu] vjc ns'kksa ds vxz.kh ;ksxnku ds fcuk ;wjksi
This led to the advancement of the astronomical Science (Prasad, 1980). eas vk/kqfud foKku dh izxfr lEHkor% gh gks ikrhA
The fact that sun light constitutes seven colour rays was known to Vedic
Indian arithmetic is remarkable in that there is evidence to show that as
Aryans, as evident from the following shloka of the Rig Veda (RV.II,12.12),
early as third century BC., a system of notation was evolved from which
;% lIrjf'eo`Z"kHkLrqfo"ekuokl`tRlrZos lIr flU/kwuA the scheme of numerals that is in vogue even today has been copied. The
;ks jksfg.keLQqj}tzokgq?kkZekjksgUra l tukl bUnz%AA (RV.II,12.12) Aryabhatta (476–550 CE), a great mathematician and astronomer,
studied the summation of arithmetic series and attempted to solve
ftldk vFkZ gS fd lkr jaxksa dh fdj.kksa okyk lw;Z ufn;ksa esa ikuh ds izokg dk
quadratic indeterminate equations. Brahmagupta, the great
dkj.k gS ¼o"kkZ dh otg ls½A o"kkZ ds ckn] ;g fQj ls i`Foh ls ikuh dks vkdf"kZr mathematician of 7th century, developed application of explicitly general
djrk gS vkSj ;g pØ fujarj pyrk jgrk gSA algebraic methods to astronomical problems. The beginning of the
Meaning: the sun containing seven colour rays is the cause of water flow in medical sciences goes back to the age of the Vedas. The early beginnings
the rivers (because of rain). After rain, it again attracts water from earth of the art of healing and of the knowledge of healing herbs are found in
and this cycle goes on. the 'Kausikasutra' of the 'Atharvaveda'. Susruta and Charaka were well
known surgeons and physicians. During the Buddhist period, renowned
Hkkjrh; vadxf.kr mYys[kuh; gS D;ksafd blesa bl ckr ds izek.k gSa fd rhljh scholar Jivaka was famous for his amazing medical and surgical cures.
'krkCnh bZ-iw- uksVs'ku dh ,d iz.kkyh fodflr dh xbZ Fkh ftlls vkt dh Medicine was also an important and compulsory subject in the ancient
izpfyr la[;kvksa dh udy dh xbZ Fkh] vk;ZHkV~V ¼476&550 bZLoh½ tks fd ,d universities of Taksasila, Nalanda and Vikramasila. The medical work of
egku xf.krK rFkk [kxksy'kkL=kh Hkh Fks] us vadxf.krh; Jà[kyk ds lkjka'k dk Vagbhata of the seventh century contains the first mention of mercury
v/;;u fd;k vkSj f}?kkr vfu/kk;Z lehdj.k ¼DokMjsfVd bafMVjfeusV (Prasad, 1980). The most remarkable feature of the Buddhist Philosophy
lehdj.kksa½ dks gy fd;kA lkroha 'krkCnh ds egku xf.krK czºexqIr us of India is the formulation of the atomic theory by Kanada (600 BC)
[kxksyh; leL;kvksa ds fy, Li"V :i ls lkekU; chtxf.krh; i)fr;ksa ds (Prakash, 1965). Biswas (1969) has rightly remarked that the growth of
vuqiz;ksx dks fodflr fd;kA mipkj fo|k dh 'kq:vkr rFkk tM+h&cwfV;ksa ds modern science in Europe would have been hardly possible without the
mipkj dh tkudkjh vFkosZn ds ßdkSf'kd lw=Þ esa ikbZ tkrh gSA lqlzqrk rFkk background of pioneering contributions from India, China and Arabian
pjd izfl) 'kY; fpfdRld vkSj oS| FksA ckS) dky ds nkSjku] izfl) fo}ku countries, well up to the 12th century AD.

yEcs le; rd fons'kh 'kkldksa ds izHkqRo us laLd`r vkSj vU; lkfgR;ksa ds vkt rd Hkh izkphu dk;ksZa dh oSKkfud lkexzh yxHkx iwjh rjg ls vKkr vkSj
oSKkfud ys[ku dks vkxs ugha c<+us fn;kA LorU=rk ds i'pkr~ Hkh bl fLFkfr esa vfo'ysf"kr cuh gqbZ gSA
dksbZ lq/kkj ugha gqvk vkSj bldk Li"V dkj.k ;g gS fd vk/kqfud oSKkfudksa Domination of the foreign rulers for a long time did not help in bringing
rFkk laLd`r fo}kuksa ds chp dksbZ ikjLifjd vUr%fØ;k ,oa laokn ugha gSA the scientific content of the Sanskrit and other literature to come to the
oSKkfudksa us izkphu laLd`r lkfgR; esa miyC/k oSKkfud lkexzh ds ckjs esa dHkh fore. Even after independence, the situation did not improve for the
Hkh /;ku ugha fn;k vkSj laLd`r fo}kuksa us laLd`r dk;ksZa esa miyC/k oSKkfud obvious reason that there is no interaction between the modern scientists
izd`fr dh leL;kvksa ij /;ku dsfUnzr djus dh vko';drk ugha le>hA os and the Sanskrit scholars. The scientist never bothered to know about the
Lo;a ßO;kdj.kÞ ehekalk bR;kfn tSlh leL;kvksa esa my>dj jg x,A blfy, scientific content in the ancient Sanskrit literature while the Sanskrit
scholars never cared to bring to focus the
problems of scientific nature available in the
Sanskrit works. They got entangled themselves in
problems such as 'Vyakarana', Mimansa' etc.
Hence, even to date, the scientific contents of the
ancient works have remained almost wholly
unknown and unanalyzed.
Hkkjrh; ijEijkvksa esa ty dk egÙo

Significance of Water in Indian
Traditions
Hkkjrh; ijEijkvksa esa ty dk egÙo izkphu dky ls
gh jgk gS] vkSj Hkkjr dks laLd`fr vkSj vk/;kRe dh
Hkwfe dgk tkrk gSA Hkkjrh; yksxksa ds lkaLd`frd vkSj
/kkfeZd thou ij ty dk lnSo ,d O;kid izHkko jgk
gSA eksgu tksnM+ksa dk ßegku Luku x`gÞ bl ckr dk
,d vn~Hkqr izek.k gSA bl Luku x`g dks fo}kuksa }kjk
ßizkphu fo'o dk lcls iqjkus lkoZtfud ty VSadÞ ds
:i esa ekuk tkrk gSA gkykafd bl lajpuk dk ;FkkFkZ
xqtjkr ds ikVu ftys esa 11oha 'krkCnh esa fufeZr jkuh dh oko ¼ckoM+h½ % ty&laj{k.k dh vuwBh lajpuk
Rani ki Vav (Patan, Gujarat) : A unique water conservation structure constructed in 11th century
egÙo Kkr ugha gS] fQj Hkh vf/kdka'k fo}ku bl ckr
ls lger gSa fd bl VSad dk mi;ksx fo'ks"k /kkfeZad
6 v
vuq"Bkuksa ds fy, fd;k tkrk FkkA the ancient step-wells in Western India are examples of some of the skills.
Technologies based on water were also prevalent in ancient India.
Since ancient times India is known as the land of culture and spiritualism.
Reference to the manually operated cooling device “Variyantra” (revolving
Water has always had a pervasive influence on the cultural and the
water spray for cooling the air) is given in the centuries old writing
religious life of Indian people. The Great Bath of Mohenjo-Daro is a great
“Arthashastra” of Kautilya (400 BC). The “Arthashastra” and “Astadhyayi” of
testimony to this fact. The bath is considered by scholars as the "earliest
Panini (700 BC) give reference to rain gauges (Nair, 2004).
public water tank of the ancient world". Although, the exact significance of
the structure is unknown, most scholars agree that this tank was used for oSfnd vkSj vU; Hkkjrh; ijEijkvksa esa xzgksa rFkk ufn;ksa lfgr lHkh izkd`frd
special religious functions. 'kfDr;ksa dks nsorkvksa vkSj nsfo;ksa ds :i esa ekuk tkrk gS vkSj budh iwtk dh
Hkkjr esa 'kq"dre ekSle vkSj ikuh dh deh us ty
izcU/ku ds {ks=ksa esa dbZ vUos"kh dk;ksZa dks ewrZ:i fn;k
gSa fla/kq ?kkVh lH;rk ds le; ls bl ijws {k= s eas flp
a kbZ
i.zkkyh] fHkUu&fHkUu id z kj ds diwk]as ty Hk.Mkj.k i.zkkyh
rFkk U;uw ykxr vkjS vuojr ty lx a gz.k rduhdas
fodflr dh xbZ FkhA 3000 b-Zi-w eas fxjukj eas cus
tyk'k; rFkk if'peh Hkkjr eas ikzphu LVis&oYSl dk'Sky
ds dN q mnkgj.k gAaS ikzphu Hkkjr esa ty ij vk/kkfjr
rduhdsa Hkh izpyu esa FkhA dkSfVY; ds lfn;ksa iqjkus
fy[ks vFkZ'kkL= ¼400 bZ-iw-½ esa gLrpkfyr dwfyax
midj.k ßokfj;a=Þ ¼gok dks BaMk djus ds fy, ?kewrk
gvq k ty Li½zs dk lanHkZ fn;k x;k gSA ikf.kuh ¼700 bZ-
iw-½ ds ßvFkZ'kkL=Þ vkSj ßv"Vk/;k;hÞ esa o"kkeZkih ¼uk;j]
2004½ ;a=ksa dk fof/kor lanHkZ miyC/k gSA
Drier climates and water scarcity in India led to
numerous innovations in water management.
Since Indus valley civilization. Irrigation systems,
different types of wells, water storage systems and
low cost and sustainable water harvesting
techniques were developed throughout the /kksykohjk esa ifj"d`r tyk'k;] çkphu fla/kq ?kkVh lH;rk esa gkbMªksfyd lhost flLVe dk çek.k
Sophisticated Water Reservoir at Dholavira, evidence for hydraulic sewage systems in the ancient Indus Valley Civilization
region. The reservoir built in 3000 BC at Girnar and ¼lzksr@Source : Wikipedia½

tkrh gSA izkjafHkd Hkkjrh; laLd`fr unh {ks=ksa ds fudV fodflr gqbZA okLro esa and rivers are personified as gods and goddess and worshipped. Early
ns'k ds uke dh O;qRifÙr fla/kq unh ds uke ls dh xbZ gSA xaxk] ;equk] ljLorh] Indian culture originated near river regions. As a matter of fact, the very
ueZnk] xksnkojh] d`".kk vkSj dkosjh uked lkrksa ufn;ka lkaLd`frd vk/kkj ij name of the country is derived from the name of river Indus. The seven
egÙoiw.kZ ekuh tkrh gSaA mnkgj.k ds fy, ifo= unh xaxk ikSjkf.kd :i ls rivers namely Ganga, Yamuna, Saraswati, Narmada, Godavari, Krishna and
Hkxoku f'ko ls tqM+h gS vkSj fganqvksa }kjk vkRek dh 'kqf) vkSj efLr"d ds Kaveri are considered important on cultural basis. For example, the Holy
River Ganges is mythologically linked to Lord Shiva and is considered by
iqu:)kj ds izrhd ds :i esa ekuh tkrh gSA iwjs Hkkjr ds yksx vius ikiksa dks
the Hindus as the symbol for purification of the soul and rejuvenation of
/kksus ds fy, ifo= unh esa Mqcdh yxkrs gSaA iwtk vu"qBku ds i'pkr efanj ds the mind. All over India people throng for a dip in the holy river to wash
fnO; ty dks xgz.k fd;k tkrk g]S it w k dh ifzrekvkas ij ifo= ty away their sins. Divine water is consumed in the temple after puja worship
fNMd + k tkrk g]S rFkk Hkkt
s u ds fy, j[ks x, ,d iRrs dks ikuh ls lkQ rituals; idols of worship are sprinkled with water (abhishekam); and a
fd;k tkrk gS vkjS bldh it w k dh tkrh gAS rkfydk eas dN
q egÙoi.wkZ 'ykd
s fn, plantain leaf kept for a meal is cleaned with water and a prayer. Table
x, gaS ftUgas ty dks Hkxoku ds :i eas it
w rs le; mPpkfjr fd;k tkrk gS%& presents some of the important shlokas in the Sanskrit which are chanted
In the Vedic and other Indian traditions, all natural forces including planets while offering prayers to water as God.
Some selected shlokas (prayers) invoking water as God

SHLOKA MEANING
vkiks fg"Bk e;ksHkqoLFkk u ÅtsZ n/kkru egs gs ty! vkidh mifLFkfr ls ok;qeaMy cgqr rjksrktk gS] vkSj ;g gesa mRlkg vkSj 'kfDr
j.kkFk p{kls AA1AA iznku djrk gSA vkidk 'kq) lkj gesa izlUu djrk gS] blds fy, ge vkidks vknj nsrs gSaA
O Water, because of your presence, the atmosphere is so refreshing, and imparts us with
vigour and strength. We revere you who gladdens us by your pure essence.
;ks o% f'koreks jlLrL; Hkkt;rsg u%A gs ty! vki viuk ;g 'kqHk lkj] dì;k gekjs lkFk lk>k djsa] ftl izdkj ,d ek¡ dh bPNk
m”krhfjo ekrj% AA2AA gksrh gS fd og vius cPpksa dks loZJs"Bre iznku djsA
O Water, this auspicious sap of yours, please share with us, like a mother desiring to
share her best possession with her children.
rLek vja xeke oks ;L; {k;k; ftUoFkA gs ty! tc vkidk mRlkgh lkj fdlh nq[kh izk.kh dks izkIr gksrk gS] rks og mls thoar dj
vkiks tu;Fkk p u% AA3AA nsrk gSA gs ty! blfy, vki gekjs thou nkrk gSaA
O Water, when your invigorating essence goes to one affected by weakness, it enlivens
him, O Water, you are the source of our lives.
8 v
'ka uks nsohjfHk"V; vkiks HkoUrq ihr;sA gs ty! tc ge vkidk lsou djrs gSa rks mlesa 'kqHk fnO;rk gksus dh dkeuk djrs gSaA tks
'ka ;ksjfHk lzoUrq u% AA4AA 'kqHkdkeuk,¡ vki esa fo|eku gSa] mldk gekjs vanj lapj.k gksA
O Water, may the auspicious divinity which is wished for, be present in you when we
drink (water). May the auspiciousness which supports you, flow to us.
bZ'kkuk ok;kZ.kka {k;Urh'p"kZ.khuke~A gs ty! vkidh fnO;rk d`f"k Hkwfe;ksa esa Hkh lapfjr gksA gs ty] esjk vkxzg gS fd vki Qlyksa
viks ;kpkfe Hks"kte~ AA5AA dk leqfpr iks"k.k djsaA
O Water, may the divinity in Water dwell in the farm lands. O Water, I implore you to give
nutrition (to the crops).
vIlq es lkseks vczohnUrfoZ”okfu Hks"ktkA gs ty! lkse us eq>s crk;k fd ty esa nqfu;k dh lHkh vkS"k/kh; tM+h cwfV;k¡ vkSj vfXu] tks
vfXu p fo'o'kaHkqoe~ AA6AA nqfu;k dks lq[k&le`f) iznku djrh gS] Hkh ekStwn gSA 
O Water, soma told me that in water is present all medicinal herbs of the world, and also
agni (fire) who brings auspiciousness to the world.
vki% i`.khr Hks"kta o:Fka rUos·eeA gs ty] vki esa vkS"k/kh; tM+h cwfV;k¡ izpqj ek=k esa lek;h gqbZ gSa] dì;k esjs 'kjhj dh j{kk djsa]
T;ksDp lw;± n`'ks AA7AA rkfd eS lw;Z dks yacs le; rd ns[k ldwa ( vFkkZr eSa yacs le; rd thfor jg ldw¡A
O Water, you are abundantly filled with Medicinal Herbs; Please protect my body, so that
I can see the sun for long (i.e. I live long).
bneki% ç ogr ;fRda p nqfjra ef;A gs ty] eq> esa tks Hkh nq"V izo`fRr;k¡ gSa] dì;k mUgsa nwj djsa] vkSj esjs efLr"d esa fo|eku
;n~okgefHknqæksg ;n~ok 'ksi mrku`re AA8AA leLr fodkjksa dks nwj djsa vkSj esjs vareZu esa tks Hkh cqjkb;k¡ gSa mUgsa nwj djsaA
O water, please wash away whatever wicked tendencies are in me, and also wash away
the treacheries burning me from within, and any falsehood present in my mind.
vkiks vn~;kUopkfj"ka jlsu lexLefgA gs ty] vki tks mRlkgh lkj ls Hkjs gq, gSa] eS vkidh 'kj.k esa vk;k gw¡A eaS vki esa xgjkbZ ls
i;LokuXu vk xfg ra ek la lEekfgr gw¡ ¼vFkkZr~ Luku½ ¼vfXu fl)kar½ tks vfXu( dj] eq>esa ped iSnk djsA
l`t opZlk AA9AA O Water, today, to you who is pervaded by fine rasa (invigorating sap) I came, I deeply
enter (i.e. bathe) in you who is pervaded by agni (fire principle); may that agni produce
lustre in me.

izkphu Hkkjr esa tyfoKkuh; Kku bfrgkl ds o.kZu esa xzhl esa gksej] FksYl] IysVks] vjLrq] jkse esa fIyuh vkSj ml
le; ds dbZ ckbcy fo}kuksa ds dk;ksZa dk mYys[k fd;k gS ysfdu fdlh us Hkh
Hydrological Knowledge in Ancient India
Hkkjrh; fo}ku] lkfgR; vkSj muds egku ;ksxnku dk mYys[k ugha fd;k gSA
tyfoKku ds ,sfrgkfld fodkl ij dbZ ys[kdksa ¼csdj vkSj gkWVZu] 1936] buesa ls vf/kdka'k if'peh fo}kuksa us ty dh mRifÙk ds ckjs esa vk/kkjghu
pkm] 1964] fo'okl] 1970½ us l?ku 'kks/k ,oa izdk'ku dk dk;Z fd;k gS ysfdu fl)karksa ij fo'okl fd;kA mnkgj.k ds fy, FksYl] ,d vk;fu;u nk'kZfud]
bu lHkh dk;ksZa esa izkphu Hkkjr esa fd, x, dk;ksZa dk lanHkZ fof'k"V :i ls xf.krK vkSj [kxksy'kkL=h us dgk fd leqnz dk ikuh gok ls pV~Vkuksa esa pyk
vuqifLFkr gS ¼izlkn 1980½A mnkgj.k ds fy, pkm ¼1964½ us tyfoKku ds tkrk gS ;gh Hkwty dk dkjd gSA IysVks ¼427&347 bZ-iw-½] ,d egku ,Fksfu;u
nk'kZfud us dgk gS fd leqnzksa] ufn;ksa] >juksa vkfn dk
ikuh ,d cM+s Hkwfexr tyk'k; ls vkrk gS vkSj ogha
okil pyk tkrk gSA vjLrq ¼384&322 bZ-iw-½ us dgk
fd >juksa vkfn dk ikuh Hkwfexr ty ls Hkwfexr
vksifuax ds ek/;e ls izkIr gksrk gSA izfl) lk/kq
nk'kZfud yqfl;l ,ukdl lsuDdk ¼4 bZ-iw-½ us ?kks"k.kk
dh fd o"kkZ] fLizax vkSj Hkwfexr ty dk lzksr ugha gks
ldrh D;ksafd ;g i`Foh esa dsoy dqN gh QqV rd
izos'k djrk gSA ¼izlkn] 1980½A ekDlZ foVªqost tks
bZlk elhg ds le; esa jgs gSa] us ,d fl)kar cuk;k fd
Hkwty o"kkZ dk ,d fgLlk gS tks fd vUr%L;Unu ds
ek/;e ls mRiUu gksrk gSA if'peh fo}kuksa ds ;s lHkh
fl)kar izkphu dky esa if'peh nqfu;k esa tyfoKku
ds fodkl ds fuEu Lrj dk ladsr nsrs gSaA nwljh vksj
ledkyhu Hkkjrh; fo}kuksa us tyfoKku ds fofHkUu
igyqvksa ds mUur Lrj ds Kku dk fodkl fd;k Fkk
tSlk fd izkphu Hkkjrh; lkfgR; esa ifjyf{kr gksrk gS
ftlesa tyfoKku vkSj muds O;kogkfjd vuqiz;ksxksa
ij cgqr ewY;oku vkSj egÙoiw.kZ oSKkfud tkudkfj;k¡
nh xbZ gSaA bl ckr ds izek.k ds fy, i;kZIr
iqjkrkfÙod rF; gSa fd fla/kq ?kkVh ds gM+Iik dkyhu
twukx<+] xqtjkr esa fLFkr nkeksnj dqaM dk nqyZHk fp=
Rare picture of Damodar Kund, Junagarh (Gujarat)
yksx ¼2500 vkSj 1700 bZ-iw-½ ekSleh o"kkZ vkSj fla/kq unh
¼lzksr@Source : Wikipedia½ dh ck<+ ls lacaf/kr ?kVukvksa ds ckjs esa vPNh tkudkjh
10 v
j[krs Fks tks vk/kqfud ekSle laca/kh tkap ¼Jhfuoklu] 1975½ }kjk vuqeksfnr gSA aspects of water science, as reflected in the ancient Indian literature which
oSfnd xzUFk] ftudh jpuk laHkor% 1500 ls 1200 bZ-iw- ¼dqN fo}kuksa ds vuqlkj contains very valuable and important scientific discourses on hydrology
1700&1100 bZ-iw-½ ds chp gqbZ Fkh] esa ßtyfoKkuh; pØÞ ds fy, egÙoiw.kZ and their practical applications. There are adequate archaeological
lanHkZ 'kkfey gSA tyfoKku dh egÙoiw.kZ vo/kkj.kk,a fofHkUu 'yksdksa vkSj evidences to testify that the Harappans of the Indus Valley were well
osnksa esa fofHkUu nsorkvksa dh vkjk/kukvksa vkSj izkFkZukvksa esa nh xbZ gSaA blh rjg aware of the seasonal rainfall and flooding of the river Indus during the
vU; laLd`r lkfgR; esa Hkh tyfoKku ls lacaf/kr egÙoiw.kZ tkudkfj;k¡ period between 2500 and 1700 B.C., which is corroborated by modern
meteorological investigations (Srinivasan, 1975). The Vedic texts, which
lekfgr gaSA
were composed probably between 1500 and 1200 BC (1700–1100 BC
The historical development of hydro-science has been dealt by many according to some scholars), contain valuable references to 'hydrological
writers (Baker and Horton, 1936; Chow, 1964; Biswas, 1970); but in all cycle'. The important concepts of hydrology are scattered in the Vedas in
these works references to the contributions made in ancient India is various verses, in the form of hymns and prayers addressed to various
conspicuously absent (Prasad, 1980). Chow (1964), for example, deities. Likewise, other Sanskrit literature also contains valuable
describing the history of hydrology, has referred to the works of Homer, knowledge related to the science of hydrology.
Thales, Plato, Aristotle in Greece, Pliny in Rome and many Biblical scholars
of that time but has not made any reference to any Indian scholars and
Hkkjrh; Hkw&Hkkxksa rFkk fo'o esa dgha Hkh d`f"k dh mRifÙk vkSj fodkl rFkk
literature, and their great contributions. Most of these western scholars flapkbZ esa vuqHko dksbZ vyx&vyx izfØ;k,a ugha gSa] tSlk fd ;tqosZn ds
believed in the wild theories regarding origin of water. Thales, an Ionion fuEufyf[kr 'ykdksa ls Li"V gS %
philosopher, mathematician and astronomer for example, stated that the The origin and evolution of agriculture and experience in irrigation on the
sea water driven into rocks by wind is the cause of ground water. Plato territory of India or anywhere in the world are not separate processes, as
(427-347 BC), the great Athenian philosopher, stated that the water of evidenced from following hymns of the Yajur Veda:
seas, rivers, springs etc. come from a large underground reservoir and
ÅdZ~ p es lwu`rk p es i;'p es jl'p es ?k`ra p es e/kq p es lfX?k'p esa lihfr'p es
goes back to the same. Aristotle (384-322 BC) said that water of the
d`f"k”p es o`f"V”p es tS=a p e·vkSfö|a p es ;Ksu dYiUrke~AA ;tqosZn] 18&9AA
springs etc. is derived from the underground water through system of
fe='p e·bUæ'p esa o:.k'p e·bUæ'p es /kkrk p e·bUæ'p es Ro"Bk p
underground openings. Famous Stoic philosopher Lucius Annacus
e·bUæ'p es e:r”p e·bUæ'p es fo'osa p es nsok·bUæ'p esa ;Ksu dYiUrkeAA
Sencca (4 BC) declared that rainfall cannot be the source of springs and
Yajurveda 18&17AA
underground water, because it penetrates only a few feet into the earth
(Prasad, 1980). Marcus Vitruvious who lived about the time of Christ vFkkZr~ ;s 'yksd o"kkZ] d`f"k vkSj ok;q ;k i;kZoj.k vkSj muds varlZaca/k ds fy,
conceived a theory saying that ground water is part of rainfall originated ;K ds egÙo dks n'kkZrs gSaA
through infiltration. All these theories of the western scholars indicate a
These hymns illustrate the importance of Yajna's (;K( Sacrifice) for rain,
low level of development of hydroscience in the western world during
ancient times. On the other hand, contemporary Indian scholars appear to agriculture, and air or environment and their interrelationship.
have developed an advanced level of knowledge about the various tyfoKkuh; pØ dh fofHkUu izfØ;kvksa tSls fd ok"ihdj.k] la{ksi.k] o"kkZ] /kkjk

izokg vkfn ds nkSjku ty dk {k; ugha gksrk gSA cfYd ,d :i ls nwljs :i esa Ramayana (200 BC) the reference to artesian wells is available.
ifjofrZr gks tkrk gSA bldk oSfnd ,oa ckn ds le; dky ds yksxksa dks iw.kZr% Groundwater development and water quality consideration were also
Kku FkkA ikS/kksa }kjk ikuh dk var%xzg.k] fofHkUu izdkj ds cknyksa] mudh ÅapkbZ getting sufficient attention in ancient India is evident from the Vrhat
o"kkZ {kerk] lw;Z dh fdj.kksa vkSj ok;q }kjk lw{e d.kksa esa ikuh dk foHkktu rFkk Sanhita (550 AD).
fiNys o"kkZ ds izkd`frd ifjn`';ksa ds izs{k.kksa ds vk/kkj ij o"kkZ dh ek=k ds ty izcU/ku vkSj laj{k.k] 400 bZ-iw- ds vkl&ikl lqlaxfBr ty ewY; fu/kkZj.k
iwokZuqeku iqjk.kksa] o`gr lafgrk ¼400 bZ-iw-½ rFkk ikf.kuh dh v"Vk/;k;h ¼700 bZ- iz.kkyh] cka/kksa VSadksa vkfn dh fuek.kZ fof/k;k¡ vkSj lkexzh] rV laj{k.k] fLiyos
iw-½ esa o"kkZ eku@o"kkZ ;a=ksa dk lanHkZ miyC/k gSA Hkkjr ds fofHkUu Hkkxksa esa o"kkZ vkfn ds lanHkZ izphu laLd`r lkfgR; esa izkphu Hkkjr esa ty lalk/kuksa rFkk
dh ek=k dh Hkfo";ok.kh Hkh dkSfVY; us dh FkhA Hkkjrh; yksx o"kkZ ij pØokrh tyfoKku ds fodkl ds mPp Lrj dks n'kkZrsa gSA oSfnd lkfgR;] vFkZ'kkL=]
izHkko] HkkSxksfyd izHkko] fofdj.k vkSj ok"ihdj.k rFkk i`Foh ds laogu ghfVax ds iqjkf.kd lzksrksa] o`gRlafgrk] e;wjkfp=] es?kekyk] tSu] ckS) vkSj vU; izkphu
izHkko ls Hkyh&Hkkafr ifjfpr FksA ml dky esa fofHkUu vU; igyqvksa tSls fd Hkkjrh; lkfgR;ksa esa vla[; lanHkZ fo|eku gSa tks izkphu Hkkjr esa tyfoKku vkSj
var%L;anu] vojks/ku] /kkjk izokg] Hkwvkd`frdh foKku rFkk o"kkZ dh vijnu ty lalk/kuksa dh fLFkfr dk o.kZu djrs gSaA tyfoKku vkSj ty lalk/ku
fØ;k dh Hkh tkudkjh miyC/k FkhA egkdkO; jkek;.k ¼200 bZ-iw-½ esa vkfVZf'k;u ds fofHkUu rRo ftu ij fofHkUu izkphu Hkkjrh; lkfgR;ksa esa f=kikBh ¼1969½]
dqvksa ds lanHkZ Hkh miyC/k gSaA izkphu Hkkjr esa Hkwfe ty fodkl vkSj ty dh izlkn ¼1980½] izlkn ¼1987½ vkfn tSls dqN ys[kdksa }kjk ppkZ dh xbZ gS]
xq.koÙkk ij Hkh i;kZIr /;ku fn;k tkrk Fkk tSlk fd o`gr lafgrk ¼500 bZLoh½ ls mudh leh{kk vkSj fo'ys"k.k fd;k x;k gS vkSj mUgsa bl [kaM esa izLrqr fd;k
Li"V gSA x;k gSA
That water is not lost in the various processes of the hydrological cycle References to water management and conservation, well organized water
namely evaporation, condensation, rainfall, streamflow etc., but gets pricing system around 400 BC, construction methods and materials of
converted from one form to other was known during Vedic and later times. dam, tanks etc., bank protection, spillways etc. in the ancient Sanskrit
Water uptake by plants, division of water into minute particles by sun rays literature reflect the high stage of development of water resources and
and wind, different types of clouds, their heights, their rainfall capacities hydrology in ancient India. Numerous references exist in Vedic literature,
etc. along with the prediction of rainfall quantity in advance by means of Arthashastra, Puranic sources, Vrhat Sanhita, Mayuracitraka, Meghmala,
observing the natural phenomena of previous years are also available in Jain, Buddhist and other ancient Indian literature which illustrate the
Puranas, Vrhat Samhita (550 AD), Meghamala (900 AD) and in other status of hydrology and water resources in ancient India. The various
literature. The references to raingauges are available in Arthasastra of elements of hydrology and water resources as they are discussed in an
Kautilya (400 BC), and Astadhyayi of Panini (700 BC). The quantity of inferred from the various ancient Indian literature and also discussed by
rainfall in various parts of India was also predicated by Kautilya. Indians some of the authors such as Tripathi (1969), Prasad (1980), Prasad (1987),
were acquainted with cyclonic, orographic effects on rainfall and and others have been reviewed, analyzed and presented in this volume.
radiation, and convectional heating of earth and evapotranspiration. bl fjiksVZ esa izkphu Hkkjr esa tyfoKku vkSj ty lalk/kuksa ds fofHkUu igyqvksa
Various other aspects such as infiltration, interception, stream flow and ij ppkZ dh xbZ gS ftUgsa fuEufyf[kr v/;k;ksa ds vUrxZr izLrqr fd;k x;k
geomorphology, erosive action of rainfall, etc. were also known. In gS%&
12 v
1- izLrkouk have been discussed and presented in this report under the following
2- tyfoKkuh; pØ chapters:
3- o"kkZ mRifÙk vkSj ekiu 1. Introduction
4- vojks/ku] varL;Unu vkSj ok"iu&mRltZu 2. Hydrologic Cycle
5- Hkw&vkd`fr foKku vkSj lrgh ty 3. Precipitation and its Measurement
6- Hkwty 4. Interception, Infiltration and Evapotranspiration,
7- ty xq.koÙkk vkSj vif'k"V ty izca/ku 5. Geomorphology and Surface Water
8- ty lalk/ku mi;ksx] laj{k.k vkSj izca/ku 6. Ground Water
9- 7. Water Quality and Waste Water Management
8. Water Resources Utilization, Conservation and Management
The various aspects of hydrology and water resources in ancient India 9. Concluding Remarks

vè;k; tyfoKkuh; pØ
CHAPTER 2 HYDROLOGIC CYCLE
tyfoKkuh; pØ] tyfoKku dh ,d ekSfyd vkSj egÙoiw.kZ


vo/kkj.kk gSA tyfoKkuh; pØ esa lEiw.kZ ok;qeaMy ¼xSlh; 
Transportation
vkoj.k½] tyeaMy ¼lrg vkSj v/kLry ty½] LFkyeaMy 
Deposition
¼feV~Vh vkSj pV~Vkus½] thoeaMy ¼ikS/ks vkSj tkuoj½] vkSj of Snow
egklkxj lfEefyr gSaA ty] i`Foh iz.kkyh ds bu ikap {ks=ksa

ds ek/;e ls] rhuksa pj.kksa ¼Bksl ¼cQZ½] nzo vkSj ok"i½ esa ,d  
Condensation
;k vf/kd ls xqtjrk gSA tyfoKkuh; pØ dh fofHkUu Precipitation 
Snowmelt
izfØ;kvksa dks vkxs fn;s fp= esa n'kkZ;k x;k gSA runoff
Hydrologic Cycle is a fundamental and important concept


in hydroscience. The cycle involves the total earth system Interception

Stream Flow 
Transpiration
comprising the atmosphere (the gaseous envelop), the 
Surface Flow
hydrosphere (surface and subsurface water), lithosphere 
Percolation
(soils and rocks), the biosphere (plants and animals), and 
River Discharge 
the Oceans. Water passes through these five spheres of the 
Infiltration
Evaporation
earth system, in one or more of the three phases: solid

(ice), liquid and vapour. Following figure represents the
various processes of the hydrologic cycle. 
3000 o"kZ ls vf/kd iqjkus oSfnd xzaFkksa esa ty vkSj ^tyh; Hydrologic Cycle
pØ* ds egRoiw.kZ lanHkZ lfEefyr gSaA tSlk fd igys mYys[k
fd;k x;k gS fd lcls egÙiw.kZ vo/kkj.kkvksa dk mYys[k
_Xosn esa fofHkUu 'yksdksa esa banz ¼uHk e.My½] vfXu] gok tyfoKkuh; pØ dh fofHkUu çfØ;kvksa dk fu:i.k
Representation of the various processes of the hydrologic cycle
bR;kfn fofHkUu nsoh vkSj nsorkvksa dks lacksf/kr 'yksdkas ,oa ¼lzksr@Source : jk-t-la- :M+dh@NIH Roorkee½
14 v
izkFkZukvksa ds :i esa fd;k x;k gS mnkgj.k ds fy, _Xosn ls ,d 'yksd bl
izdkj crk;k x;k gS%& fy, izdk'k :i lw;Zyksd dks lc yksdksa ds chp esa LFkkfir fd;k gS] blh izdkj
The Vedic texts which are more than 3000 years old contain valuable ;g izR;sd czãk.M dk fu;e gS fd og {k.k&{k.k esa ty dks Åij [khap djds
references to water and the 'hydrologic cycle'. As mentioned earlier, the iou ds }kjk Åij LFkkiUu djds ckj&ckj lalkj esa o"kkZrk gS] blh ls ;g o"kkZ
most important concepts, on which the modern science of Hydrology is dk dkj.k gSA
founded, are mentioned in Rig Veda in various verses in the form of hymns ; bZ[M+;fUr ioZrku~ frj% leqnze.kZoe~A
and prayers addressed to various deities and divinities such as Indra e:n~fHkjXu vk xfg AA R.V.,I,19.7AA
(firmament), Agni (fire), Maruts (wind) and so on. For example, a verse
from Rig Veda states like this:
inkFkks± ds vR;Ur NksVs&NksVs d.k i`Foh ls vkdk'k dks tkrs gSa rFkk ogka ls
vkng Lok/kkeuq iquxZHkZRoesfjjsZA i`Foh dks vkrs gSa] muds lkFk o muds fufeRr ls fctyh mRiUu gksrh vkSj
n/kkukuke% ;fK;eAA R.V., I, 6.4 AA cknyksa esa fNi tkrh gSA
bldk vFkZ gS fd ty dks] tks lw;Z dh xehZ ds dkj.k NksVs&NksVs d.kksa esa vew;kZ mi lw;sZ ;kfHkokZ lw;Z% lgA
foHkkftr gks tkrk gS] mls ok;q }kjk ys tk;k tkrk gS vkSj mlds ckny esa rk uks fgUoURo/oje~AA R.V.,I,23.17 AA
:ikarj.k ds ckn ckj&ckj o"kkZ gksrh gSA
It means that the water which gets divided in minute particles due to the fNUu&fHkUu djds vFkkZr~ d.k&d.k gksrk gqvk lw;Z ds lkeus Åij dks tkrk gS]
heat of sun is carried by wind and after the conversion into cloud it rains ogh Åij ls o`f"V ds }kjk uhps vkrk gSA
again and again.
uhpko;k vHkon~o`=iq=sUnzks vL;k vo c/ktZHkkjA
_Xosn ¼vkj-oh-] vkbZ- 7-3½ ds vU; 'yksd esa dgk x;k gS fd Hkxoku us lw;Z mRrjk lwj/kj% iq= vklhíkuq% “k;s lgoRlk u /ksuq%AA R.V., I, 32.9AA
cuk;k gS vkSj bls bl izdkj LFkkfir fd;k gS fd iwjk czºekaM izdkf'kr gks
tkrk gSA ,sls gh ikuh dks yxkrkj fudkyus vkSj fQj bls ckny esa ifjofrZr _Xosn ds vxzfyf[kr 'yksdksa esa ok;q }kjk ikuh ds i`Foh ls ok;qe.My esa
dj varr% o"kkZ ds :i esa nsuk] czºekaM dk fu;e gSA gLrkarj.k lw;Z dh fdj.kksa }kjk ty ds NksVs d.kksa esa VwVus vkSj ok"ihdj.k vkSj
iqu% vkxkeh o"kkZ ¼vkj-oh-] 23-17½] ek¡ i`Foh ls okf"ir ikuh ls ckny ds cuus
Another verse of the Rig Veda (R.V,I,7.3) states that the God has created vkSj o"kkZ ds :i esa viuh ek¡ ds ikl okilh ¼A] 32-9½ dh O;k[;k dh x;h gSA
sun and placed it so, that the whole universe gets illuminated, likewise
this is the rule of universe to extracts up water continuously and then Following verses of Rig Veda explain the transfer of water from earth to
convert it to cloud and ultimately discharge as rain. the atmosphere by the wind (I, 19.7), breaking up of water into small
particles and evaporation due to sun rays and subsequent rain (I, 23.17),
bUnzks nh?kkZ; p{kl vk lw;Z jksº;kfnn~foA the formation of cloud due to the water evaporated from the mother
fo xksfHkjkfnzeSj;r~AA R.V.I,7.3AA earth and its come back to its mother in the form of rain (I,32.9).

_Xosn ds 'ykd s l[a;k A] 32-10 eas dgk x;k gS fd ty dHkh ,d gh LFkku eas ugha and the start of creation is through fire only, which is continuously
Bgjrk gAS ;g fujUrj okf"ir gkrsk jgrk gS vkjS uhps vkrk jgrk g]S yfsdu buds engaged in extraction and discharge of water.
vfr {knqz vkdkj ds dkj.k] ge okf"ir ikuh ds d.kksa dks ugha ns[k ldrs gSaA vfr"BUrhukefuos”kukuka dk"Bkuka e/;s fufgraa “kjhje~A
The verse I,32.10 of the Rig Veda says that the water is never stationery. It o`=L; fu.;a fo pjUR;kiks nh?kZUre~ vk”k;fnUnz”k=q%AA R.V.,I,32.10AA
continuously gets evaporated and comes down, but due to smallness, we
can't see the rising water particles.
?ku ds vkdkj o"kkZ ds }kjk ty dk leqnk; :i gksrk gS rc og ns[kus esa vkrk
_Xosn ds fuEufyf[kr 'yksd dgrs gSa fd lw;Z dh fdj.ksa o"kkZ dk dkj.k gSa vkSj gS vkSj tSls ;s ty ,d {k.k Hkj Hkh fLFkfr dks ugha ikrs gSa fdUrq lc dky esa
lw;Z nqfu;k ds lHkh Hkkxksa ls ikuh okf"ir djrk gS vkSj l`tu dk izkjEHk dsoy Åij tkuk o uhps vkuk bl izdkj ?kwers gh jgrs gSaA
vfXu ds ek/;e ls gksrk gS] tks fujUrj ikuh ds fu"d"kZ.k vkSj fuoZgu esa yxh
_ra nsok; d`.ors lfo= bUnzk;kfg?us u jeUr vki%A
gqbZ gSA
vgjg;kZR;Drqjika fd;kR;k izFke% lxZ vklke~AA R.V.,II,30.1AA
The following verses of the Rig Veda say that the rays of the Sun are the
cause of rains and that the sun extracts water from all parts of the world
e.My ls gh o"kkZ }kjk ty dh izdVrk gksrh gS vkSj ;gh lw;Z ty dks Åij
[khaprk vkSj o"kkZrk gSA ty dh izFke l`f"V vfXu ls gh gksrh gSA
;ks o`=k; flue=kHkfj";Riz ra tfu=h fonq"ks mokpA
iFkks jnUrhjuq tks"keLeS fnosfnos /kuq;ks ;UR;FkZe~AA R.V.,II,30.2AA
tSls lw;Z e.My izfrfnu jlksa dks [khap dj fu;r le; ij o"kkZrk gSA
_Xosn ds ,d 'yksd esa vkxs crk;k x;k gS %
A verse of Rig Veda further states as follows:
;k vkiks fnR;k mr ok L=oUr [kfuf=ek mr ok ;k% LO;atk%A
leqnzk;kZ ;k% “kqpo% ikodkLrk vkiks nsohfjg ekeoUrqAA R.V.,VII,42.2AA
'kq) ty tks leqnz dh vksj tkrk gS] os fnO; ty ;gka esjh j{kk djsaA bu
'yksdksa dh rjg _Xosn ds dbZ vU; 'yksd vkj-oh-& VIII, 6-19] 6-20 vkSj
lw;Z % tyfoKkuh; pØ dh ÅtkZ dk ewy lzksr
Sun : Main energy source of hydrological cycle.
12-3½ ty ok"ihdj.k dk dkj.k] ckny ds cuus] o"kkZ] ikuh ds izokg vkSj
¼lzksr@Source : Source sunrise sunset times lookup½ egklkxjksa esa blds HkaMkj.k dk Hkh o.kZu djrs gSaA
16 v
Meaning : The waters which are from heaven, of those which spring up by Meaning: One type of water goes up and other type of water comes
themselves, the bright pure waters that tend to the sea, may those divine down, both of these may go to the atmosphere after treatment by sun's
waters protect me here. Like these verses, various other verses of the Rig heat. From up they flow into rivers after rain and get stored in to ocean.
Veda (RV.VIII,6.19, VIII, 6.20; and VIII, 12.3) states the causation of water
blh rjg] ;tqosZn ikuh ds cknyksa ls i`Foh rd ty ds lapkj dh izfØ;k
evaporation, formation of cloud, rain, flow of water and its storage in
lfjrkvksa ds ek/;e ls blds izokg vkSj egklkxjksa esa HkaMkj.k vkSj ok"ihdj.k
oceans etc.
dh izfØ;k dks crkrs gSa ¼ okbZ-oh-] X-19½A
_Xosn dk 'yksd vkj-oh- X] 27-33 fuEukuqlkj gS%&
Similarly, the Yajur Veda explains the process of water movement from
The verse RV. X,27.33 of Rig Veda reads as follows: clouds to earth and its flow through channels and storage into oceans and
nsokuka ekus izFkek vfr"BUdÙr=kns"kkeqijk mnk;u~A further evaporation (Y.V., X-19).
=;jrifUr i`fFkoheuw"kk }k c`cwda ogr% iqjh"keAA R.V.,X,27.23AA iz ioZrL; o`"kHkL; i`"BkUuko”pjfUr Loflp·b;kuk%A
rk·vkoo`=Uu/kjkxqnDrk·vfga cq/U;euq jh;ek.kk%A
gksrh gS vkSj ckny] ok;q vkSj lw;Z ds la;kstu ls ouLifr curh gSA lw;Z] ok"i fo".kksfoZØe.kefl fo".kksfoZØkUrefl fo".kksaØkUrefl
vkSj gok ds :i esa ikuh fudkyrk gS] ftlls ckny vkSj o"kkZ curs gSA fo".kksa% ØkUreflAA Y.V.,X-19 AA
Meaning: At the start of creation, sun, etc. are created, rainfall is caused _Xosn] lkeosn vkSj ;tqosZn esa tyh; pØ ds fgLls ds :i esa var%Lianu] ty
from sky and the vegetation is created by the combination of cloud, air lapkj] HkaMkj.k vkSj ok"ihdj.k dh vo/kkj.kk Li"V :i ls crk;h x;h gSA
and sun. The sun extracts water in the form of vapour & air, causes it to vFkoZosn ds le; ty ok"ihdj.k] la?kuu] o"kkZ] unh izokg vkSj HkaMkj.k dh
form cloud and rain. vo/kkj.kk vkSj pØ ds iqujko`fÙk dks igys ds osnksa esa le>k;k x;k FkkA
tyh; pØ ds ckjs esa Kku dk vkxs foLrkj lkeosn ¼VI&607½ esa ik;k tkrk gSA vFkoZosn ds vuqlkj] lw;Z&fdj.ksa o"kkZ vkSj ok"ihdj.k dk eq[; dkj.k gS] tSlk
lkeosn dk ,d 'yksd fuEukuqlkj gS%& fd uhps mfYyf[kr gS%&
Further elaboration of the knowledge about hydrologic cycle is found in In the Rig Veda, Sam Veda and Yajur Veda the concept of infiltration, water
the Sam Veda (VI-607). A verse of Sam Veda reads as follows: movement, storage and evaporation as the part of hydrologic cycle are
revealed clearly. During the time of Atharva Veda the concept of water
leU;k ;UR;qi;UR;U;k% lekuewo± u?kLi`.kfUrA evaporation, condensation, rainfall, river flow and storage and again
rew “kqfpa “kqp;ks nhfnokaleikUuikreqi ;UR;k;%AA S.V.iwokZfpd VI, 607 AA repetition of cycle was explained as in the earlier Vedas. According to the
Atharva Veda, the sun rays are the main cause of rain and evaporation, as
mentioned below:
vkrk gS] ;s nksuksa lw;Z dh Å"ek ds }kjk iz'kks/ku ds ckn okrkoj.k esa tk ldrs
gSaA Åij ls os o"kkZ ds ckn ufn;ksa esa cgrs gSa vkSj ogk¡ ls leqnz esa laxzfgr gks vew;kZ mi lw;sZ ;kfHkoZ lw;Z% lgA
tkrs gSaA rk uks fgUoURo/ojeAA A.V., I, 5.2AA

vFkoZosn ds 'yksd 1] 32-4 esa dgk x;k gS fd o"kkZ ty dh i`Foh esa izfof"V vkSj fo”oeU;keHkhokj rnU;L;kef/k fJre~A
i`Foh ls ok;qe.My rd pØ esa fujarj lapj.k lw;Z dh fdj.kksa ls gksrk gSA fnos p fo”oosnls i`fFkO;S pkdja ue%AAA.V.,I,32.4AA
'yksd fuEu izdkj ls gS %
The verse I,32.4 of the Atharva Veda states that the entry of rainwater into fQj i`Foh esa izfo"V gksrk] ogh fQj i`Foh ls vkdk'k esa tkrk vkSj i`Foh ij vkrk
earth and its continuous movement in the cycle from earth to gSA bl izdkj mu nksuksa dk ijLij vkd"kZ.k] txr dks midkjh gksrk gSA fo}ku
atmosphere is by sun rays. The Verse reads as below: yksx blh izdkj txnh'oj dh vuUr 'kfDr;ksa dks fopkj dj lRdkj iwoZd
midkj ysdj vkuUn Hkksxrs gSaA
vFkoZZosn ds ,d vU; 'yksd ¼V,24.5½ esa dgk x;k gS
fd vkWDlhtu ds dkj.k i`Foh ls ikuh ok;qeaMy esa
tkrk gS vkSj fQj dkcZu MkbZ vkWDlkbM ds dkj.k ;g
uhps ¼o"kkZ½ vkrk gSA
Another Verse of the Atharva Veda (V,24.5) says
that the water from earth goes to the atmosphere
due to oxygen and then it comes down (rains) due
to carbon dioxide.
fe=ko#.kkS o`"VÓkf/kirh rkS ekorke~A
vfLeu~ cã.;fLeu~ deZ.;L;ka iqjks/kk;keL;ka
izfr"Bk;keL;ka
fpR;keL;kekdwU;keL;kekf”k";L;ka nsogwR;ka LokgkAA
A.V., V,24.5AA
vkjS viku ok;q ogk¡ ls ty dks iFòh ij cjlkrk g]S

mlls mRiUu g,q inkFkk±s }kjk eu"q; viuh j{kk djsaA
tyfoKkuh; pØ ty&ekSle foKku dk Hkh ,d
izeq[k vax gSA bls ojkg fefgj dh o`gr lafgrk ¼550
tksgM+ % jktLFkku ds ykiksfM;k xkao esa fLFkr ikjaifjd ty laj{k.k i)fr bZLoh½ esa ns[kk tk ldrk gSA ftlesa rhu v/;k;
Johad : Traditional water conservation technique in Laporia village in Rajasthan
¼lzksr@Source : Wikipedia½ ty&ekSlefoKku ds fy, lefiZr gksrs gSa ftuesa
18 v
cknyksa ds vadqj.k ¼v/;k; 21½] gok ds vadqj.k ¼v/;k; 22½] vkSj o"kkZ dh ek=k (vfXu) and air and then its humidity get condensed and causes
¼v/;k; 23½ lfEEfyr gSA ndkxZye ¼o`gr lafgrk ds v/;k; 54½ ds 'yksd 1 subsequent rainfall.
vkSj 2 tks Hkwty vUos"k.k ds foKku ds egÙo dks crkrs gSa rFkk euq"; dks ikuh vfXu% ioula;qDr% [ka lekf{k"krs tye~A
ds vfLrRo dk irk yxkus esa lgk;rk djrs gSa] bl izdkj gSa%& lksfXuek#rla;ksxkn~ ?kuRoeqii?krsA MB,XII,183.15 AA
The hydrologic cycle is an important domain of hydrometeorology. It may rL;kdk”ks fuifrr% LusgLr"Bfr ;ks ij%A
be seen in the Varahamihira's Vrhat Samhita (550 A.D.) in which three l la?kkrRoekiUuks HkwfeRoeuqxPNfrAA MB,XII,183.16AA
chapters are devoted to hydrometeorology comprising pregnancy of
egkHkkjr ds 'yksd 184-15&16 esa dgk x;k gS fd ikS/ks tM+ksa ds ek/;e ls ikuh
clouds (Chapter 21), pregnancy of air (Chapter 22), and quantity of
rainfall (Chapter 23). Shlokas 1 and 2 of Dakargalam (Chapter 54 of
ihrs gSaA ikS/ks esa ikuh ds Åij p<+us dh izfØ;k dks ikbi ds ek/;e ls ikuh ds
Vrhat Samhita) which states the importance of science of ground Åij p<+us ds mnkgj.k ls le>k tk ldrk gSA ,slk dgk tkrk gS fd ikuh ds
water exploration, helps man to ascertain the existence of water are as Åij p<+us dh izfØ;k dks gok dk la;kstu lqxe cukrk gSA
follows: The verses 184.15-16 of the Mahabharata state that the plants drink water
/kE;± ;”kL;a p onkE;rks·ga ndkxZya ;su tyksiyfC/k%A through their roots. The mechanism of water uptake by plants is
iqalka ;Fkkxas"kq f”kjkLrFkSo f{krkofi izksUurfuEulaLFkk%AA Vr.S., 54.1AA explained by the example of water rise through a pipe. It is said that the
water uptake process is facilitated by the conjunction of air.
,dsu o.ksZu jlsu pkEHk”P;qra uHkLrks olq/kkfo”ks"kkr~A
uukjlRoa cgqo.kZrka p xra ijh{;a f{kfrrqY;esoAA Vr.S., 54.2AA iknS% lfyyikukPp~ O;k/khuka pkfi n”kZukr~A
O;kf/kizfrfØ;RokPp~ fo?krs jlua nzqesAA MB,XII,184.15AA
i`Foh ds uhps ty dh f'kjk,a ¼dSfiyjh½ ekuo 'kjhj esa f'kjkvksa dh rjg gSa] dqN
Åaph vkSj dqN uhphA vkdk'k ls fxjus okyk ikuh] i`Foh dh izd`fr esa varj ds oD=s.kksRiyokysu ;Fkks?oZ tyeknnsr~A
dkj.k fofHkUu jax dk Lokn ysrk gSA bu 'yksdksa dk vFkZ gS fd i`Foh dh lrg rFkk ioula;qDr% iknS% ficfr ikni%AA MB,XII,184.16AA
ls f'kjkvksa ¼dSfiyjh½ ds ek/;e ls o"kkZ ty dk var%Lianu Hkwty dk lzksr gSA egkHkkjr ds 'yksd XII, 362-4 vkSj B esa ;g le>k;k x;k gS fd gok vkSj lw;Z
egkdkO; egkHkkjr ¼XII,183-15-16½ esa crk;k x;k gSa fd ikuh] vkx vkSj gok dh fdj.ksa QSyrh gSa vkSj iwjs czºek.M ij ,d lkFk fxjrh gSa 'yksd vkxs dgrk
dh lgk;rk ls vkdk'k esa Åij mBrk gS vkSj fQj bldh vknzZrk la?kfur gks gS fd o"kkZ ds ekSle ¼pkj eghus½ esa lw;Z ds dkj.k o"kkZ gksrh gS vkSj vxys vkB
tkrh gS vkSj ckn esa o"kkZ dk dkj.k curk gSA eghuksa esa mlh ikuh dks fQj ls lw;Z dh fdj.kksa ls okil fudkyk tkrk gSA bl
The water veins beneath the earth are like vein's in the human body, some izdkj] ;g tyfoKkuh; pØ ds nksuksa :iksa dks Li"V :i ls crkrk gSA tSls fd
higher and some lower. The water falling from sky assumes various In verse XII, 362.4 and B of the Mahabharata, it is explained that the air and
colours and tastes from differences in the nature of the earth. These the sun rays get dispersed and fall on whole universe together. The Verse
shlokas imply that the infiltration of rainwater through the veins into further says that the sun rains in rainy season (four months) and in next
earth surface is the source of ground water. The epic Mahabharata (XII, eight months the same water is again extracted by the sun rays. Thus, it
183.15.16) explains that the water ascends to sky with the help of fire
explains two faces of hydrological cycle clearly viz.

;rks ok;qfoZfu% l`R; lw;Zj”E;kfJrks egku~AA M.B.XII, 362.4AA of knowledge of hydroscience during their periods. Matsya Purana (Vo. I,
;ks"VeklkaLrq “kqfouk fdj.ksuksf{kr Ik;%A Chapter 54) reveals that the air saturated with moisture is the cause of
izR;knRrs iqu% dkys fe”p;Zer% ije~%AA M.B., XII, 362.BAA creation (earth) viz.
osnksa vkSj egkdkO;ksa dh rjg] iqjk.kksa esa ¼tks bZlk iwoZ 6oha 'krkCnh ls 7oha ok¸ok/kkjk ogUrs oS lke`rk% dYilk/kdk%A
'krkCnh chp fnukafdr gSa½ gesa fofHkUu lanHkZ feyrs gSa tks mudh vof/k ds ;kU;L;k.ML; fHkUuL; çkd`rkU;HkosLnkAA Matsya I, 54.15AA
nkSjku tyfoKku ds Kku ds fodkl dks fn[kkrs gSaA eRL; iqjk.k ¼[kaMA] eRL; ijqk.k ds 'ykd s A] 54-29&34 vkjS ok;q ijqk.k ds 'ykd
s 51-23&24&25&26
v/;k; 54½ esa crk;k x;k gS fd ueh ds lkFk larÌr ok;q gh l`tu ¼i`Foh½ dk esa gesa ok"ihdj.k ds Kku ds ckjs esa irk pyrk gSA bu 'yksdksa ds vuqlkj] ikuh
dkj.k gSA ds rius vkSj mldk ok"i esa :ikarj.k lw;Z dh fdj.kksa ds dkj.k gksrk gS tks
th
Like Vedas and Epics, in Puranas (which are dated between 6 century BC ok;q dh lgk;rk ls ok;qeaMy esa Åij p<+rk gS] ftlls iqu% thfor
th
to 7 century AD) we get various references which show the development izkf.k;ksa dh HkykbZ ds fy, vxys 6 eghus esa o"kkZ gksrh gSA fofHkUu 'yksd
uhps fn, x, gSa%&
In verses I, 54.29-34 of the Matsya Purana and 51.23-24-25-26 of the Vayu
Purana, we come across the knowledge of evaporation. According to
these verses, burning of water and its conversion to smoke is caused by
sun rays which ascend to the atmosphere with the help of air, which again
rains in next 6 months for the goodness of the living beings. The various
verses are given below:
/kzqos.kkf/kf"Vrk'pki% lw¸;ksZ oS x`á fr"BfrA
loZHkwr”kjhjs"kq Rokiks ákuqf”prkf”p;k%AA Matsya I,54.29AA
náekus"kq rs"osg taxeLFkkojs"kq pA
/kweHkwrkLrq rk ákiks fu"ØkeUrhg loZ”k%AA Matsya I,54.30AA
rsu pkL=kf.k tk;Urs LFkkueHkze;a Le`re~A
rstksfHk% loZyksdsH; vknRrs jf”efHktZye~AA Matsya I,54.31AA
Hkwrksa ds 'kjhjksa esa tks ty vuqfØpr gSA muds taxe vkSj LFkkouksa esa náeku
gksus ij og leLr ty /kweewy vFkkZr /kq¡vk gksdj lc vksj ls fudy tk;k
o"kkZ% tyfoKkuh; pØ dk ,d eq[; ?kVd djrs gSa vkSj mlls mRiUu gqvk djrs gSa tks fd LFkku vHkze; dgk x;k gSA
Rain: Main source of hydrological cycle. leLr yksdksa ds rst iw.kZ jf'e;ksa ds }kjk ty dk vknku fd;k djrk gSA
¼lzksr@Source : Wikipedia½
20 v
leqnzk}k;qla;ksxkr~ ogUR;kiks xHkLr;%A ;k ;k Å/oZ ek:rusfsjrk oS rkLrkLRoHkkz;afXuukok;uqk pAA Linga I, 36.38AA
rrLRo`rqo”kkRdkysifjorZu~ fnokdj%AA I,54.32AA vrks /kwekfXuokrkuka la;ksxLRoeqP;rsA
fu;PNR;kiks es?ksH;% “kqDyk% “kqDySLrqjf”efHk%A okjhf.k o"kZrhR;ezeHkzL;s”k% lglzn`d~AA Linga I, 36.39AA
vHkzLFkk% izirUR;kiksok;qukleqnhfjrk%AA I,54.33AA
rrks o"kZfr "k.eklku~ loZHkwrfoo`);sA ¼ok"i½ esa ifjofrZr gks tkrk gS vkSj gok ds lkFk vkdk'k esa p<+ tkrk gS vkSj
ok;qfHkLrfurapSo fo|qrLRofXutk%Le`rkAA Matsya I,54.34AA ckn esa ckny esa ifjofrZr gks tkrk gSA bl izdkj] ok"i] vkx vkSj gok dk
la;kstu ckny cuus ds dkj.k gSA bu cknyksa ds dkj.k gtkjksa vka[kksa okys
vuUrj _rq ds oa'k esa <+ksus ds dkj.k fnokdj le; ij ifjofrZr gksrk gqvk Hkxoku banz ds ekxZn'kZu esa o"kkZ gksrh gSA
es?kksa ds fy, 'kqDy jf'e;ksa ls 'kqDy gh ty fn;k djrk gSA
es?k esa fLFkr ty uhps fxjk djrs gSa tcfd os ok;q ds }kjk
leqnkfjr gksrs gSaA blds mijkar leLr Hkwrksa dh foo`f) ds
fy, N% ekl rd o"kkZ djrk gSA ok;q ds }kjk Lrfur vkSj
vfXu ls leqRiUu fo|qr dgs x;s gSaA Hksnu djus ls ^fHkfg*
bl /kkrq ls es?kRo izdV fd;k djrs gSa muls ty Hkza'keku
gksdj uhps ogha fxjk djrs gSa ,slh gh vHkzdh fLFkfr gSA
o`f"V ds lxZ dh l`f"V dk djus okyk ;g jfo /kzqo ds }kjk
vf/kf"Br gSA
fyax iqjk.k esa ,d iw.kZ v/;k; ¼A] 36½ tyfoKku ds izfr
lefiZr gSaA ;g ok"ihdj.k] la?kuu vkSj o"kkZ dks cgqr gh
oSKkfud :i ls mi;qDr mnkgj.kksa ds lkFk le>krk gS
vkSj crkrk gS fd ikuh dks u"V ugha fd;k tk ldrk gS]
dsoy bldh voLFkk cnyh tk ldrh gSA
In Linga Purana a full-fledged chapter (I,36) has been
devoted to the science of hydrology. It explains
evaporation, condensation and rainfall with suitable
examples very scientifically and says that the water
can't be destroyed, only its state is changed. ok"iksRltZu }kjk cknyksa dk fuekZ.k
Formation of coulds by evapotranspiration
nUnáekus"kq pjkpjs"kq xks/kweHkwrkLRoFk fu"ØefUrA ¼lzksr@Source : Wikipedia½

Meaning : After getting by sun, the water contained in most of the essa ifjorZu ds ckjs esa tkudkjh izLrqr dh x;h gS] ;Fkk
materials on earth gets converted to smoke (vapour) and ascends to sky
Thus, it is evident that the Linga Purana contains clear concept of rainfall,
with the air and subsequently gets converted to cloud. Thus, the
evaporation, condensation, cloud formation etc., along with the
combination of smoke, fire and air is the cause of cloud formation. These
knowledge that water cannot be created or destroyed. Chapter 41,Vol.I of
clouds cause rainfall under the guidance of lord Indra, having thousand
the Linga Purana furnishes some more knowledge about the change in
eyes.
the facets of hydrological cycle with months of the year. viz.
blh izdkj fyax ijqk.k ds 'ykd s A] 36-66&67 eas dgk x;k gS fd ikuh dHkh u"V olars pSo xzh"es p “krS% l rirs f=fHk%A
ugha gkrsk gS ;k yIqr ugha gkrsk] yfsdu dosy ,d :i ls nl w js :i eas ifjofrrZ o"kkZLoFkks “kjfn p prqfHkZlza izo"kZfrAA Linga I,41.30AA
fd;k tkrk gS ;kuh l;wZ dh xehZ ls ikuh ok"i e]as fQj ckny vkjS blds ckn o"kkZ eas
ifjofrrZ gks tkrk gS vkSj gok vkfn ls o"kkZ dk âkl gksrk gS] ;Fkk
'kjn esa pkj ls izo"kZ.k fd;k djrk gSA gseUr vkSj f'kf'kj esa rhuksa ls og fge
Similarly verses I, 36.66-67 of the Linga Purana say that the water is never
dk mRltZu fd;k djrk gSA bUnz] /krk Hkx] iw"kk] fe=k o:.k] v;±ek] va'kq]
destroyed or lost, but only converted from one form to other i.e. water to
vapour by sun heat, then cloud and subsequent rainfall and loss of rainfall fooLoku~] ro"Vk] itZU; vkSj fo".kq ;s ek?kkfn eklksa ds Øe esa ckjg vkfnR;
by wind etc. viz. vkSj mudh jf'e;k¡ gSaA ek?k ekl esa o:.k rFkk QkYxqu esa lw;Z gksrk gSA
vL;Sosg izlknkRrq o`f"VukZrkHkofn~notk%A pS=s ekfl Hkosna”kq/kkZrk oS”kk[krkiuA
lglz xq.keqRlz"Vqa eknRrs fdj.kStZye~AA Linga I,36.66AA T;s"Bs ekfl HkosfnUnz vk"kk<+s ok;Zek jfo%AA Ling I,41.33AA
FkhA lglk xq.k dk mRlxZ djus ds fy, ;g viuh fdj.kksa ds }kjk ty dks T;s"B esa bUnz rFkk vk"kk<+ esa v;Zek uke dk jfo gksrk gSA
xzg.k fd;k djrs gSaA blh rjg ok;q iqjk.k esa Hkh tyfoKkuh; pØ ds ewY;oku lanHkZ Hkh lfEefyr
tyL; uk”kks o`f)okZ ukrR;sokL; fopkjr%A gSA ok;q iqjk.k esa ¼51-14&15&16½ bl izdkj dgk x;k gS%&
/kzos.kkfJf"Brks ok;qo`f"V lagjrs iqu%AA Linga I,36.67AA Likewise Vayu Purana also contains valuable references to hydrologic
cycle. Vayu Purana (51.14-15-16) state like this:
vf/kf"Br ok;qnso bl o"kkZ dk iqu% lagkj fd;k djrs gSaA vkfnR;ihra lw;kZXus% lksea laØers tye~A
bl izdkj] ;g Li"V gS fd fyax iqjk.k esa o"kkZ] ok"ihdj.k] la?kuu] ckny cuus ukMhfHkokZ;q;qDrkfHkyksZdk/kkua izorZrsAA Vayu,51.14 AA
bR;kfn ds lqLi"V fl)kUr lekfo"V gksus ds lkFk&lkFk ;g Kku Hkh Fkk fd ;RlksekRL=ors lw;Z rnHksz"ofr"BrsA
ikuh dks u rks cuk;k tk ldrk gS] u gh u"V fd;k tk ldrk gSaA fyax iqjk.k es?kk ok;qfu?kkrsu fol`tUr tya HkqfoAA Vayu 51.15 AA
ds v/;k; 41] [kaM 1 esa lky ds eghuksa ds lkFk ty foKkuh; pØ ds igyqvksa ,oeqfR{kI;rs pSo irrs pa iqutZye~A
u uk”keq mndL;kfLr rnso ifjorZrsAA Vayu 51.16 AA
22 v
rL; rs j”e;% lIr ficaR;aHkks egk.kZokr~A
p<+ tkrk gS vkSj BaMk gksdj la?kfur gks tkrk gSA cknyksa ds cuus ds ckn] gok rsukgkjs.k lanhIrk% lw;kZa% lIr HkoaR;qrAA Brahmanda II,9.139AA
dh 'kfDr ls o"kkZ gksrh gSA bl izdkj] bu lHkh fØ;kvksa esa ikuh u"V ugha gksrk
gS vfirq ,d :i ls nwljs :i esa ifjofrZr gks tkrk gSA djrh gSaA mlh vkgkj ls lkr lw;Z iznhIr gksrs gSaA
Meaning: The water evaporated by sun ascends to atmosphere through
lIr/kk lao`rkRekuLrefXua “ke;aR;qrA
the capillaries of air, and there gets cooled and condensed.
After formation of clouds, it rains by the force of air. Thus, water is not lost
rrLrs tynk o"kZ eqapafr p egkS?kor~AA Brahmanda II,9.167AA
in all these processes but gets converted from one form to other
continuously. dj fn;k djrs gSaA blds mijkar os es?k egku ?kksj ewlyk/kj o"kkZ fd;k djrs
czºek.M iqjk.k ¼AA] v/;k; 9½ esa Hkh tyfoKkuh; pØ ij dqN tkudkjh nh gSaA
x;h gSA blesa dgk x;k gS fd lw;Z dh lkr jaxhu fdj.ksa lHkh lzksrksa dks xje
dj ikuh fudkyrh gSa ¼AA] 9-138&139½A mlds ckn] fofHkUUk vkdkjksa vkSj jaxksa
ds ckny curs gSaA fQj os mPp rhozrk vkSj vfr /ofu ds lkFk o"kkZ djrs gSa
¼AA] 9-167&168½A bl rjg] lw;Z dh vkx fu;af=r gksrh gSA v/;k; dk ewy
mn~ns'; tyfoKkuh; pØ dh vo/kkj.kk gS tks fofHkUu Hkkxksa dh ,d&,d
djds O;k[;k djrk gSA
Brahmanda Purana (II, Chapt. 9) also gives some information on the
hydrologic cycle. It says that seven colour rays of the sun extracts water
from all sources, by heating them (II,9.138-139). Thereafter, the clouds of
different shapes and colours are formed. Then they rain with high
intensity and great noise. (II,9.167-168). In this way, the fire of the sun is
controlled. The very object of the chapter is the concept of the hydrologic
cycle explaining different parts one by one.
uko`"V;k ifjfo';sr okfj.kk nhI;rs jfo%A
rLekn;% ficU;ks oS nhI;rs jfojacjsAA Brahmanda II,9.138AA
gqvk djrk gSA blh dkj.k ls tks tyksa dk iku djrk jgrk gS ogh jfo vkdk'k xks/kwfy csyk esa cknyksa dk euksje n`';
esa nhIr gqvk djrk gSA Panoramic view of clouds in dusk
¼lzksr@Source : Wikipedia½

le~ mn~ ogUr% lfyy vfr Hkkje~
oykfduks okfj /kjk unUr%A
Dofpr~ izdk'ke~ Dofpn~ vizdk'ke~ egRlq 'ka`xs"kq egh /kjk.kke~
uHk% izdh.kkZ vacq /kje~ foHkkfrA foJE; foJE; iqu% iz;kfUrAA 3-28-22
Dofpr~ Dofpr~ ioZr lafu#)e~ (Occurance of rainfall & its related phenomenan)
:ie~ ;Fkk 'kkUr egk.kZoL;AA 3-28-17
(Landward transporation of cloud)
,"kk /keZ ifjfDy"Vk uo okfj ifjIyqrkA
lhrk bo 'kksd larIrk egh ok"ie~ foeqapfrAA 3-28-7
(Evaporation after rain)
uo ekl /k`re~ xHkZe~ HkkLdkjL; xHkfLrfHk%A
ihRok jle~ leqnzk.kke~ ;kS% izlwrs jlk;ue~AA 3-28-3
(Evaporation due to incoming Solar radiation
from Ocean)
ogfUr o"kZfUr unfUr HkkfUr

/;k;fUr u`R;fUr lHkkÜolfUrA
u;ks ?kuk er xtk ou vUrk%
fiz;k foghuk% f'kf[ku% Iyoaxk%AA 3-28-27
nzqre~ unh lkxje~ vH;qiSfrA 3-28-25
(Surface Runoff)
funzk 'kuS% ds'koe~ vH;qiSfr

nzqre~ unh lkxje~ vH;qiSfrA 3-28-25
(Back to Ocean)
okYehfd jkek;.k ds fdf"da/kk dkaM ls fy, x, tyfoKkuh; pØ dk ;kstukc) fu:i.k] efyd ¼2016½
Schematic Representation of the Hydrological Cycle extracted from Kishkindha Kanda of Ramayana of Valmiki by Malik (2016)
24 v
lq?kksjef”koa loZ uk”k;afr p ikode~A jkek;.k ds nkSjku dh vo/kkj.kk ds lkFk dh gSA rqyuk dks vkxs fn;s x;s fp=
izo`"VZ'p rFkkR;FkZ okfj.kkiw;Zrs txr~AA Brahmanda II,9.168AA esa fn[kk;k x;k gSA nksuksa vo/kkj.kkvksa ds rqyukRed fo'ys"k.k ls mUgksaus ns[kk
fd ßvk/kqfud vo/kkj.kk esa lw;Z iwjs lky leqnz ds ikuh ds lkFk vU; ty <kapksa
vR;f/kd o"kkZ ds }kjk ty ls laiw.kZ txr~ dks Hkj fn;k djrs gSaA ls ikuh dks okf"ir rFkk mRlftZr djrk gSA ysfdu egkdkO; esa] mRltZu dk
dksbZ ladsr ugha gSA blds vykok viokg esa rqyukRed varj gS tgk¡ orZeku
tyfoKku vkSj tyfoKkuh; pØ ds ckjs esa fofHkUu izkphu Hkkjrh; lkfgR; esa vo/kkj.kk viokg] var%Linu vkSj mi&lrg izokg ij fopkj fd;k x;k gSA
miyC/k Kku dks"k vHkh Hkh iwjh rjg ls [kkstk ugha x;k gSA tSlk fd oh-Vh- egkdkO; vo/kkj.kk esa var%Lianu vkSj mi&lrg izokg vuqifLFkr gSÞA
pkm us vxLr] 1974 dks isfjl esa ;wusLdks }kjk vk;ksftr laxks"Bh ds nkSjku gkykafd] vxj ge bu lhekvksa dks vuns[kk djsa rks jkek;.k dh vo/kkj.kk
dgk ß,f'k;k esa tyfoKku dk bfrgkl lcls vPNk gS vkSj vkxs ds v/;;u ds mRd`"V vkSj vk/kqfud vo/kkj.kk ds cgqr lehi gSA
fy, blls cgqr Kku izkIr fd;k tk ldrk gSÞA gkykafd iz;kl fujarj tkjh gSa]
Malik (2016) has also compared the modern concept of the hydrologic
ij os i;kZIr ugha gSaA gky ds ,d v/;;u esa] efyd ¼2016½ us jkek;.k
cycle with the concept present during the Ramayana of Valmiki. The
egkdkO; ls tyfoKkuh; pØ ds oSpkfjd igyqvksa dks [kkstus vkSj fo'ys"k.k comparison is shown in following figure. From the comparative analysis
djus ds iz;kl fd, gSa ftldk dsanz fcanq egku dfo okYehfd jfpr jkek;.k ds of the two concepts, he observes that “in the modern concept sun
fdf"da/kk dkaM ds pkSFks dkaM dk 28osa lxZ ls tyh; pØ dk oSpkfjd igyw gSA throughout the year evaporates the oceanic water or water from others
efyd ¼2016½ }kjk okYehfd jkek;.k ds fdf"da/kk dkaM ls fudkys x, water bodies coupled with transpiration. But in the epic, there is no
tyfoKkuh; pØ dk ;kstukc) izn'kZu uhps fn;s fp= esa fn[kk;k x;k gSA signature of transpiration. Also, contrasting difference occurs for run-off
The treasure of knowledge about hydrology and hydrologic cycle where present concept considering run-off, infiltration and sub-surface
available in various ancient Indian literature has still not been explored flow. In the epic concept of infiltration and sub-surface flow are found to
fully. As observed by V. T. Chow (1974) in the Symposium organized by be lacking”. However, if we ignore these limitations, the concept of
UNESCO in Paris in August, 1974 “the history of hydrology in Asia is Ramayana is outstanding and very close to the modern concept.
fragmentary at best and much insight could be obtained by further study”.
Although the efforts are on, they are not numerous. In a recent study,
milagkj
Malik (2016) has made efforts to extract and analyze the concept of Epilogue
hydrological cycle as understood from the Ramayana Epic, focusing on
the conceptual aspects of hydrological cycle interpreted from the
bl v/;k; ls irk pyrk gS fd oSfnd ;qx ds le; vkSj mlds ckn ds
28thsarga of 4th Kanda of Kishkindha Kanda of Ramayana by the great poet egkdkO; vkSj iqjk.k ds le; tyfoKku dk Kku vR;f/kd mUur Fkk] gkykafd
Valmiki.The Schematic representation of hydrological cycle extracted ml le; ds yksx vk/kqfud :i ls ifj"d`r midj.kksa ds fcuk] dsoy izd`fr ds
from Kishkindha Kanda of Ramayana of Valmiki by Malik (2016) is shown vius vuqHko ij iwjh rjg ls fuHkZj FksA oSfnd ;qx esa] Hkkjrh;ksa us bl vo/kkj.kk
in following figure. dks fodflr fd;k Fkk fd lw;Z dh fdj.kksa vkSj gok ds izHkko ds dkj.k ikuh
efyd ¼2016½ us tyfoKkuh; pØ dh vk/kqfud vo/kkj.kk dh rqyuk okYehfd lw{e d.kksa esa foHkkftr gks tkrk gS tks] gok dh dsf'kdkvksa }kjk ok;qeaMy esa

¼fp=&d½ ¼fp=&[k½
(Fig. A) (Fig. B)
vk/kqfud tyfoKkuh; pØ ¼fp=&d½ rFkk okYehfd jkek;.k esa of.kZr tyfoKkuh; pØ ¼fp=&[k½ ds chp ;kstukc) rqyuk] efyd ¼2016½
Schematic comparisons between Modern Hydrological cycle (Fig. A) and hydrological cycle concept in Valmiki Ramayana (Fig. B) by Malik (2016)
26 v
p<+rs gSaA ogka ;g la?kfur gks tkrk gS vkSj ckn esa o"kkZ ds :i esa fxjrk gSA modern times. In the Vedic age, Indians had developed the concept that
tyfoKkuh; pØ ds igyqvksa esa ekfld&okj ifjorZu dk Kku Hkh FkkA ikS/kksa water gets divided into minute particles due to the effect of sun rays and
}kjk ikuh dk pwlu tks fd gok dh lgk;rk ls gksrk gS rFkk var%Lianu dk wind, which ascends to the atmosphere by the capillary of air. It gets
Kku izkphu lkfgR; esa izdV gksrk gSA mi;qZDr v/;;u ,oa mnkgj.kksa ls] ge condensed there and subsequently falls as rainfall. Month-wise change in
fu"d"kZ fudky ldrs gSa fd Hkkjrh;ksa dks izkphu dky esa tyfoKkuh; pØ ds the facets of the hydrological cycle was also known. Water uptake by
plants which gets facilitated by the conjunction of air alongwith the
ckjs esa lqfodflr vo/kkj.kk dk Kku Fkk tcfd ledkyhu nqfu;k ml le;
knowledge of infiltration is revealed in the ancient literature. From all
ikuh dh mRifÙk vkSj ikuh ds forj.k ds vk/kkjghu fl)karksa ij fuHkZj FkhA bl above discourses, we can conclude that well developed concepts of the
izdkj] izkphu Hkkjrh; tyfoKku ds Kku dks ml le; dh egku miyfC/k ds hydrological cycle were known to the ancient Indians in those
:i esa ekuk tk ldrk gSA ancient times while the contemporary world was relying on the wild
This chapter brings out that the knowledge of water science during the theories of origin and distribution of water. Thus, the ancient Indian
Vedic age and afterwards in the age of Epics and Puranas was highly knowledge of water science can be regarded as the great achievement of
advanced, although the people of those times were solely dependent that time.
upon their experience of nature, without sophisticated instruments of

vè;k;
CHAPTER 3 o"kkZ mRifÙk vkSj ekiu
PRECIPITATION AND ITS
MEASUREMENT
o"kkZ mu rhu eq[; izfØ;kvksa ¼ok"ihdj.k] la?kuu vkSj o"kkZ½ esa ls ,d gS ftuds dks fu/kkZfjr fd;k gS vkSj iwjs o"kZ dks bl rjg ls N% Hkkxksa esa foHkkftr fd;k gS
}kjk tyfoKkuh; pØ] ok;qeaMy vkSj i`Foh dh lrg ds chp ikuh dk fujarj tSlk 'yksdksa esa Li"V fd;k x;k gS%&
vknku&iznku] lapkfyr gksrk gSA bl v/;k; esa izkphu Hkkjrh; lkfgR; esa The Rig Vedic Aryans had keenly and carefully demarcated the variation in
of.kZr fofHkUu izfØ;kvksa tSls fd cknyksa dh mRifÙk] lw;Z] egklkxj vkSj i`Foh seasons and divided the whole year into six such divisions as the verse
dh lrg ds chp var%fØ;k] la?kuu vkSj o"kkZ ij ppkZ dh xbZ gSA ;g v/;k; indicates:
izkphu Hkkjr esa o"kkZ&ekiu ds fy, mi;ksx dh tkus okyh rduhdksa ij Hkh
mrks l eáfeUnqfHk% "kM~;qDrk¡ vuqlsf"k/kr~A
izdk'k Mkyrk gSA
xksfHk;Zoa u pd`Z"kr~AA R.V.,I,23.15 AA
Precipitation is one of the three main processes (evaporation,
condensation, and precipitation) that constitute the hydrologic cycle, the

continual exchange of water between the atmosphere and Earth's 
surface. This chapter discusses various processes such as cloud formation,
The Sun was clearly known to the Rig Vedic Aryans as determinant of
interaction between Sun, ocean and earth surface, condensation and
seasons and the seasons were formed for the benefit of the earthly
precipitation, as described in the ancient Indian literature. The chapter
creatures.
also sheds lights on the techniques used for precipitation measurement
in ancient India. =hf.k tkuk ifj Hkw"kUR;L; leqnz ,da fnO;sdeIlqA
iwokZeuq iz fn”ka ikfFkZokuke`rwu~ ç”kklf} n/kkouq"BqAA R.V.,I,95.3 AA
ekSle vkSj cknyksa dh mRifÙk
Seasons and Cloud Formation
ugha gks ldrh oSls gh buds fcuk dksbZ _rq laHko ugha gSA
_x oSfnd vk;ksaZ us mRlqdrk vkSj lko/kkuh ls ekSle esa ifjorZu dh lhekvksa
28 v
vkxs n'kkZ;s fp= esa vk/kqfud Kku ds vuqlkj lkekU; cknyksa dh mRifÙk vkSj m}RLoLek vd`.kksruk r`.ka fuoRLoi% LoiL;;k uj%A
lacaf/kr izfØ;kvksa dks n'kkZ;k x;k gSA cknyksa dh mRifÙk ds ckjs esa Kku _Xosn vxksL;L; ;nlLruk x`gs rn~?kksne`Hkoks ukuq xPNFkAA R.V., I,161.11 AA
dky esa Hkh ekStwn FkkA laehY;a ;n~Hkqouk I;ZliZr d LoRrkR;k firjk o vklrq%A
Following figure shows the general cloud formation and associated v”kir ;% djLua o vknns ;% ikzcozhRikzs rLek vcozhruAA R.V., I, 161.12 AA
processes, as understood in modern times.The knowledge about cloud d`".ka fu;kua gj;% lqi.kkZa viks olkuk fnoeqRirfUrA
formation is also present in the Rig Veda. r vkoo`=URlnukn`rL;kfnn~?k`rsu i`fFkoh O;q|rsAA R.V., I, 164.47AA
fofdj.k] laogu /kkjk,¡ vkSj muds ifj.kke Lo:i o"kkZ dks fuEufyf[kr 'yksdksa _Xosn ds mi;qZDr 'yksdkas esa ;g Hkh dgk x;k gS fd lw;Z dh fdj.ksa o"kkZ dk
ds ek/;e ls _xosn ¼I, 164.47 VII, 70.2 vkSj I, 161.11-12½ esa of.kZr fd;k x;k dkj.k gSa] vkSj ckny fofHkUu rRoksa ls xfBr gksrs gSaA _Xosn ds dqN 'yksd ¼I,
gSA 27.6; I, 32.8; I, 32.14; I, 37.11, II, 24.4; V, 55.3½ lw;Z vkSj gok }kjk ikuh ds
Radiation, convection currents and rainfall as their effect, are described in
ok"ihdj.k }kjk ckny ds xBu vkSj fQj mlls o"kkZ dk o.kZu djrs gSa] vkSj lw;Z
the Rig Veda (I,164.47, VII, 70.2 and I,161. 11-12) through following verses. ds vykok dksbZ vU; o"kkZ dk dkj.k ugha gSA
These above verses of the Rig Veda also state that the rays of the Sun are
the cause of the rains, and that the clouds are constituted of various

elements. Some verses of Rig Veda (I,27.6; I,32.8; I,32.14; I,37.11; II, 24.4;
V,55.3) describe the formation of cloud by evaporation of water by Sun
and wind and then rainfall, and there is no other cause of rainfall other
than Sun.

foHkDrkfl fp=Hkkuks flU/kks:ekZ vikd vkA



l/kks nk”kq"ks {kjflAA R.V., I, 27.6 AA




una u fHkUUeeq;k “k;kua euks :gk.kk vfr ;UR;ki%A


;kf”pn~o`=ks efguk iTT;fr"BRrklkefg% iRlqr% “khcZHkwoAA R.V., I,32.8 AA


mi;qZDr 'yksd crkrs gSa fd lw;Z dh fdj.kksa dh xehZ ls lkjk ikuh gok ds lkFk
vkdk'k esa pyk tkrk gS vkSj cknyksa esa ifjofrZr gks tkrk gS vkSj fQj lw;Z dh
fdj.kksa ds izos'k ds ckn o"kkZ gksrh gS vkSj ufn;ksa] rkykcksa] leqnzksa vkfn esa tek
gks tkrh gSA dgk tkrk gS fd ikuh dh HkjikbZ ds fy, ckny mRrjnk;h gSA
_Xosn ds 'yksd V 55-3 esa 'kfDr'kkyh ckny ds ,d lkFk vknzZrk ds xBu dh
cknyksa dh mRifÙk dh izfØ;k O;k[;k dh xbZ gSA
The process of Cloud Formation
(lzksr@Source : https://climate.ncsu.edu/edu/CloudFormation) The above verses explain that all that water goes to the sky with wind by

the heat of Sun rays and gets converted to clouds and then again after the ikuh ls pkj eghuksa ds o"kkZ dky ds le; o"kkZ gksrh gSA
penetration by Sun rays, it rains and gets stored in rivers, ponds, ocean etc.
During Rig Vedic times the seasonal variation of rainfall was known, which
The clouds are said to be leaders for replenishment of water. The verse V
is depicted through following verses (RV.VI,20.2 and VI,30.3) saying that
55.3 of the Rig Veda explains the simultaneous formation of mighty
the Sun extracts water from Earth during eight months and then this
clouds which are co-dispensers of moisture.
water rains during rainy season of four months.
lkda tkrk% lqHo% lkdeqf{krk% fJ;s fpnk izrja oko`/kquZj% fnoks u rqH;efoaæ l=klq;Za nsosfHk/kkZaf; fo”oe~A
fojksfd.k% lw;ZL;so j”e;% “kqHka ;krkeuq jFkk vo`RlrAA R.V.,V,55.3 AA vfga ;n~o`=eiks ofozokala gUu`thf'ku~ fo".kquk lpku%AA R.V.,VI,20.2 AA
_x oSfnd dky ds le; o"kkZ dh ekSleh fHkUurk Kkr Fkh] ftls fuEufyf[kr
'yksdksa ¼RV. VI, 20.2 vkSj VI, 30.3½ ds ek/;e ls n'kkZ;k x;k gS] ftlesa dgk pkrqekZL; esa o"kkZrk gS oSls gh jktk vkB eghus djksa dks xzg.k dj vHk; dh o`f"V
x;k gS fd lw;Z vkB eghuksa ds nkSjku i`Foh ls ikuh fudkyrk gS vkSj fQj blh djds iztk dk ikyu djsA
_Xosn ds 'yksd I] 79-2 esa dgk x;k gS fd lw;Z dh
fdj.ksa xfreku cknyksa ls Vdjkrh gSaA bl izdkj]
o"kkZ okys dkys ckny xtZu djrs gSaA blds ckn]
vkdk'kh; fo|qr dh je.kh; ped ds lkFk Qqgkjsa
vkrh gSa vkSj var esa cknyksa dh xtZu ds lkFk o"kkZ
vkrh gSA
Verse I, 79.2 of the Rig Veda states that the Sun
rays strike against moving clouds. Thus, the
black shedders of rain roar. After this, the
shower comes with delightful flashes of
lighting. The rains then descend, and finally the
clouds thunder.
v rs lqi.kkZ vfHkuUr¡ ,oS% d`".kks uksuko o`"kHkks
;nhne~A
f”kokfHkuZ Le;ekukfHkjkxkRirfUr feg%
leqæ % cknyksa dh mRifRr dk çeq[k lzksr Lro;UR;HkzkAA R.V.,I,79.2AA
Ocean : Main source of Cloud Formation _Xosn ds vkxkeh nks 'ykd s ¼ V-54-2 vkjS V-55-5½
(Source: Flickr.com)
cknykas okyh gokvkas dks o"kkZ dk dkj.k crkrs gSa] ;Fkk
30 v
Following two verses (V.54.2 and V55.5) of the Rig Veda explain the cloud- ;k mxzk vdZeku`pqjuk/k`’Vkl vkstlkA
bearing winds as the cause of rainfall, viz. e#n~fHkjXu vk xfgAA RV.I,19.4 AA
iz oks e#rLrfo"kk mn~U;oks o;kso`/kks v”o;qt% ifjtz;%A v rs rUoUr jf”efHkfLrj% leqnzekstlkA
la fo|qrk n/kfr ok”kfr f=r% LojUR;kiks·ouk ifjatz;%AA R.V.,V,54.2 AA e#n~fHkjXu vk xfgAA RV.I,19.8 AA
mi;qZDr 'yksd o"kkZ gksus ds dkj.kksa dks crkrs gSa] tks o"kkZ gksus dh 'kk'or
vkils mudk etcwr ca/ku gSa] os ikuh vkSj Hkkstu esa o`f) djrs gSa] vkSj os mu izfØ;k dks fØ;kfUor djrs gSaA
rjaxksa ls lq'kksfHkr gSa tks nwj&nwj rd loZ= QSyrh gSaA izdk'k ds lkFk feydj]
The above verses reveal the cause of rain, who commands the rain to
f=xqf.kr&lewg ¼gok] ckny vkSj fctyh dk½ tksj ls xtZuk djrk gS] vkSj come down and execution of eternal laws.
i`Foh ij vkdk'k ls ikuh fxjrk gSÞA
_Xosn ds fuEufyf[kr Lrqfr xhr ¼A] 38-7½ ls irk pyrk gS fd fdl rjg ls
Meaning : “O cloud-bearing winds, your troops are rich in water, they are
ueh okyh gok,¡ e:Hkwfe ds {ks= esa Hkh dqN o"kkZ ykrh gSaA
strengtheners of life, and are your strong bonds, they shed water and
augment food, and are harnessed with steads (waves) that wander far and The following hymn (I,38.7) of the Rig Veda reveals how the moisture
spread every-where. Combined with lighting, the triple-group (of wind, leaden winds bring some scanty rainfall in desert region also.
cloud and lightning) roars aloud, and the circumambient waters fall upon lR;a Ros"kk veoUrks /kUof’Bpnk #fæ;kl%A
the earth”. fega d`.oUR;okrke~AA R.V.I,38.7 AA
mnhj;Fkk e#r% leqnzrks ;w;a o`f’Va o’kZ;Fkk iqjhf’k.k%A
u oks nlzk mi nL;fUr /ksuo% “kqHka ;krkeuq jFkk vo`RlrAA R.V. V,55.5 AA
ls ikuh mBkrh gSa vkSj ikuh ls ifjiw.kZ gksdj o"kkZ djrh gSaA blh izdkj] gokvksa
dks o"kkZ dk dkj.k ekuus okys 'yksd I, 19.3; I, 165.1 esa vklkuh ls i<+k tk
ldrk gS] vkSj muds cknyksa ds lkFk laca/k dks _Xosn ds 'yksd I, 19.8 esa bl
izdkj crk;k x;k gS%&
This verse explains that the cloud-bearing winds uplift water from ocean
and charged with water shower down the rain. Similarly, instrumentality of
winds in the causation of rainfall can be easily read in verses I,19.3-4; I, 165.1,
and their relationship with clouds in I, 19.8 of the Rig Veda, as follows:
;s egks jtlks fonqfoZ”os nsoklks vnzqg%A çkphu Hkkjr esa o"kkZ ,oa i;kZoj.k 'kq)rk gsrq çkFkZuk
Prayer for rain and environment purification in the ancient India
e#n~fHkjXu vk xfgAA RV.I,19.3 AA (lzksr@Source: Livetoday.online)

_Xosn ds 'yksd V, 53.6-7ls gesa _x oSfnd vk;ksZa ds o"kkZ djus esa ;K] ouksa No clear cut mention of the monsoon is to be found in Rig Veda but the
vkSj cM+s tyk'k;ksa ds ldkjkRed izHkko ds Kku ds fo"k; esa Hkh irk pyrk gSA Marut hymns give satisfactory descriptions. Monsoon is, however, clearly
referred to in the later period in the Yajurveda Samhita as lfyyokr
From verse V,53.6-7 of the Rig Veda, we also come across the knowledge
(Taithriya IV.4.12.3).
of Rig Vedic Aryans about the positive effect of yajna's ¼;K½, forests and
large reservoirs, causing rainfall. opZ bna {k= lfyyokreqxze~AA
/k=hZ fn”kka {k=fena nk/kkjksiLFkk”kkuka fe=onLRokst%AA T.S,4.4.12.3 AA
vk ;a uj% lqnkuoks nnk”kq’ksZ fno% dks”kepqP;oq%A
fo itZU;a l`tfUr jksnlh vuq /kUouk ;fUr o`’V;%AA R.V.V.,53.6AA gkykafd] o"kkZ okyh gokvksa dk ,d mi;qDr lanHkZ _Xosn ¼vkj-oh- X-137-2 vkSj
I] 19-7½ esa fn;k x;k gSA
fuekZ.k ls o"kkZvksa dks djkrs gSaA However, a better reference to rain bearing winds is provided in the Rig
Veda (R.V.X. 137.2 and I,19.7).
rr`nkuk% flU/ko% {kksnlk jt% iz llzq/ksZuoks ;FkkA
}kfoekS okrkS okr vk flU/kksjk ijkor%A
L;Uuk v”ok bok/ouks foekspus fo ;}RrZUr ,U;%AA R.V.V.,53.7AA
n{ka rs vU; vk okrq ijkU;ks okrq ;nzi%AA R.V.X,137.2AA
_Xosn ds 'yksd] VIII] 7-4 esa] feg 'kCn dk vFkZ gS /kqa/k] ftls dksbZ vklkuh ls
leqæ vkfn vkSj vU; tyk'k; i`Foh ij o`f"V djrs gSaA o"kkZ ls fHkUu ugha dj ldrk] ;fn ek=k dks /;ku esa j[kk tkrk gS] vU; LFkkuksa
_Xosn dk fuEufyf[kr Lrqfr xhr ¼V] 53-17½ bafxr djrk gS fd gok,¡ frjlB ij bldk vfHkizk; o"kkZ Hkh gksrk gSA
izdkj dh gksrh gSaA gkykafd] muds tyok;q vkSj ekSle laca/kh fufgrkFkZ vHkh Hkh In versa, VIII, 7.4 of the Rig Veda, the word fega is explained to mean mist,
vizdkf'kr gSa vkSj mUgsa dsoy ikSjkf.kd dFkkvksa ds :i esa ekuk tkrk gSA with which one cannot differ easily, if the content is taken into account,
The following hymn from the Rig Veda (V, 53.17) indicates that there are though at other places fega signifies rainfall.
sixty-three types of winds. However, their climatological and oifUr e#rks fega ç osi;fUr ioZrkuA
meteorological implications are still unraveled and they are mostly ;|kea ;kfUr ok;qfHk%AA R.V.VIII,7.4AA
treated as merely mythologies.
i;kZoj.k dks 'kq) djus vkSj o"kkZ djus esa ;K dk egÙo _XosnRV.X, 98.4; X,
lIr es lIr “kkfdu ,desdk “krk nqn%A 98.4/12; X.98.7 vkSj X, 98.11esa fuEukuqlkj crk;k x;k gS%&
;equk;ef?k Jqreqnzk/kks xR;a e`ts fu jk/kks v”o;a e`tsAA R.V.V,53.17AA
The importance of yajna to purify environment and causation of rainfall
_Xosn esa ekulwu dk dksbZ Li"V mYys[k ugha feyrk gS] ysfdu ek#r ds Hktu
has also been described in the Rig Veda (RV.X,98.4; x,98.6/12; x.98.7 and
bldk larks"ktud fooj.k nsrs gSaA gkyk¡fd] ckn ds dky esa ;tqosZn lafgrk essa x,98.11) as below:
ekulwu dks Li"V :i ls lfyyokr ¼rSFkfj;k IV-4-12-3½ ds :i esa lanfHkZr
fd;k x;k gSA vk uks æIlk e/kqeUrks fo”kfURoUæ nsáf/kjFka lglze~A
fu "khn gks=e`rqFkk ;tLo nsokUæs ok;s gfo’kk lI;ZAA R.V.X.98.4 AA
32 v
vfLeURleqæs v/;qRrjfLeUukiks nsosfHkfuZo`rk vfr’Bu~A priests, who will do appropriate yajna (sacrifice) for rain. This implies that
rk vnzoUukf’VZ"ks.ksu l`’Vk nsokfiuk izsf’krk e`f{k.kh"kqAA R.V.X.98.6/12 AA the precipitation is the result of weather and cloud formation. The three
other Vedas, namely Sama, Yajur and Atharva Veda furnish some
;s 'yksd Li"V :i ls o.kZu djrs gSa fd lw;Z dh fdj.kksa }kjk ,df=r ikuh dks additional information on climatology and meteorology which we do not
vkdk'k esa lqjf{kr :i ls j[kk tkrk gS] vkSj o"kkZ iSnk djus ds fy,] fdlh come across in the Rig Veda. Since these three Vedas chronologically
tkudkj iqtkjh dh enn ysuh pkfg,] tks o"kkZ ds fy, mfpr ;K djsaxsA belong to a later period, it can be easily seen that during the later Vedic
bldk rkRi;Z gS fd o"kkZ ekSle vkSj ckny xBu dk ifj.kke gSA vU; rhu osn] period the water science further progressed to a considerable extent.
vFkkZr~ lkeosn] ;tqosZn vkSj vFkoZosn tyok;q foKku vkSj ekSle foKku ds ckjs ;g fd leqnz] gok vkSj ueh dh ,d ?kVuk gS o"kkZ] ;g ckn ds oSfnd dky ls
esa dqN vfrfjDr tkudkjh izLrqr djrs gSa tks _Xosn esa ugha gSA pw¡fd ;s rhuksa Li"V :i ls Kkr FkkA rSFkfj;k ds 'yksd esa dgk x;k gS] ßgs ek#r rqe leqnz ls
osn dkyØekuqlkj ckn ds dky ds gSa] blfy, ;g vklkuh ls ns[kk tk ldrk
o"kkZ fxjkrs gks] tks ueh ls Hkjiwj gSaA ¼TS.II, 4-8-2½ÞA
gS fd ckn ds oSfnd dky esa tyfoKku us dkQh vkxs rd izxfr dhA
That the rain is a phenomena of ocean, wind and moisture, is proved to be
These hymns clearly describe that the water collected by Sun rays kept in clearly known by later Vedic times. Verse from the Tiathriya says “from the
the sky safely, and to create rain, one should take help of knowledgeable Ocean, O Maruts ye make (the rain) to fall, that are rich in moisture
(TS.II,4.8.2)”.
o`"V;% mnhj;Fkk e#r% leqnzrks nw;a o`f"Va o"kZ;/kk iqjhf’k.k%A
l`tk o`f"Va fno vfnzHk% leqnza i`.kAA TS.II,4.8.2AA
rSFkfj;k esa] ;g Hkh Li"V :i ls mYys[k fd;k x;k gS fd ok;q ifjlapj.k o"kkZ
ds gksus esa ,d fuf'pr Hkwfedk fuHkkrk gSA ;g bl izdkj dgk x;k gS& ßoLrqr%
fofo/k jaxksa tSls gksdj os ¼iou½ ijtU;k ls o"kkZ djrs gSa A ¼TS.II, 4-8-1½ÞA
In Taithriya, it is also very clearly mentioned that the air circulation plays a
definite role in the causation of rainfall. It is stated thus: “Verily becoming
of like hue he (wind) causes Parjanya to rain (TS, II 4.9.I).
ek#rufl e#rkekst bfr d`’.ka okl% d`’.karw"ka ifj /kRr~ ,r}S
o`’V;s #"ka l#i ,o HkRwok itUZ;a o"k;Zfr je;r e#r% “;usekf;ufefr Ik”pk}kra
izfr ehofr ijqkoskreos tu;fr o"kLZ;ko#};S okrekekfu tgqkfsr ok;oqZs o’`V;k b”Zks
ok;eqos Lous Hkkx/k;suskis /kkofr l ,okLeS itUZ;a o"k;ZL; "VkASA TS.II,4.9.1AA
o"kkZ % ekSle dh ifjfLFkfr vkSj cknyksa ds xBu dk ifj.kke gS if'pe dh gok vkSj o"kkZ /kkj.k djus okys ekulwu ;k iwoZ dh gok ds fo"k; esa
Rain : Climatic condition and clouds formation are responsible.
(lzksr@Source: Leinster Express)
bu iafDr;ksa esa crk;k x;k gS & ßgs ek#r #dks] rst ckt+ ¼bu 'kCnksa ds lkFk½]

og if'pe gok dks ihNs /kdsyrk gSA okLro esa og o"kkZ djus ds fy, iwohZ gok
iSnk djrk gSA og gok uke dh is'kd'k djrk gS] gok,a o"kkZ dks fu;af=r djrh
gSaA ¼TS.II, 4-8-1½ÞA
West wind and the rain bearing monsoon or east wind are spoken of in
above lines – “Stay O Maruts, the speeding falcon (with these words), he
pushes back the west wind: verily he produces the east wind, to win the
rains. He makes offering to the names of the wind, the winds rules the rain
(TS.II,4.9.1).
_Xosfnd le; esa laHkor% vk;ksZa dks ;g Hkh irk Fkk fd ikS/kksa dk ¼;k taxyksa½
o"kkZ ds gksus ij dqN izHkko FkkA
During the Rig Vedic time, probably it was also known to the Aryans that
plants (or forests) had some influence on the causation of rainfall.
lkSHk;;Sokg~R;k fnoks o`"Veo #U/ks e?kq’kk la ;kSR;ika ok ,"k vks"k/khuka jlks
;Ue/oHkn; ,ok"Sk/khHk;ks o"kRZ;Fkks vnH~k; ,ok"Sk/khHk;ks of`"Va fu u;frAA TS.II,4.9.3AA 'kq) o"kkZ ds fy, ;Kksa }kjk ok;q&eaMy esa ukfHkdh; d.kksa dk mRltZu
Emmision of nuclea in the atmoshphere through Yagys for pure rain
_Xosn dh rjg ;tqosZn Hkh gok] ikuh vkSj lEiw.kZ i;kZoj.k dks 'kq) djus esa (lzksr@Source : Newstrack live)
;K ¼cfynku½ ds izHkko ds ckjs esa crkrk gS] tks o"kkZ ds gksus esa enn djrk gSA
;tqosZn ds Lrks= I, 12 bl izdkj gSa%& vkSj vkdk'k esa p<+ tkrh gSA blls Hkjiwj o"kkZ gksrh gSA blh rjg rF;ksa
dks ;tqosZn ds VI - 16 vkSj XIII - 12 Hktu esa Hkh bl izdkj izdV fd;k x;k
Like RigVeda, the Yajur Veda also tells about the influence of yajna
gS%&
(sacrifice) in purifying air, water and environment as a whole, which helps
in causation of rainfall. Hymn I,12 of the Yajur Veda reads as follows: This mantra (hymn) states that the substances like water, air etc. get
polluted and if they will be broken into minute particles by fire (with the
iko=s LFkks o"S.kO;kS lforoq%Z ilz o mRiuqkH;fPNæ.sk ifo=.sk l;wLaZ; jf”efHk%A help of yajna) they will get purified and pure rainfall will occur. The hymn
nsohjkiks·vxzsxqoks·vxzsioks·xz·bee| ;Ka u;rkxzsa ;Kifr lq/kkraq ;Kifra VI.10 of the Yajur Veda states that the materials used in yajna get divided
nso;qoe~AA YV.I,12AA into minute atomic forms due to attraction of Sun and ascend to sky. This
mi;qZDr 'yksd esa dgk x;k gS fd ty] ok;q vkfn iznwf"kr gks tkrs gSa vkSj ;fn causes plenty of rain fall. Likewise hymns VI – 16 and XIII – 12 of the Yajur
os vkx ¼;K dh enn ls½ ls NksVs NksVs d.kksa esa VwV tk;saxs rks os 'kq) gks tk,axsa Veda also reveal the same fact as:
vkSj 'kq) o"kkZ gksxhA ;tqosZn ds Hktu VI, 10 esa dgk x;k gS fd ;K esa iz;qDr vika is#jL;kiks nsoh% LonUrq lokRra fpRlísaogfo%A
lkexzh lw;Z ds vkd"kZ.k ds dkj.k NksVs NksVs ijek.kqvksa esa foHkkftr gks tkrh gS la rs ikz.kks okrus xPNrk¡ leMx ~ kfu ;t=%S la ;Kifrjkf”k"kkAA YV.VI,10AA
34 v
osnksa esa dbZ LFkkuksa ij /kqa/k dks uhgkj dh laKk bl izdkj nh x;h gS ¼oktlus;h The Sam Veda gives more emphasis on wooing Rain God. It clearly says
lafgrk 17-31½ % that the eternal power of Sun penetrates the clouds and thus causes rain
(SV. Previous II. 179). It also reveals that the Sunpoursrain water on
In the Vedas at several places, the mist has been given the appellation of
moving earth with the help of wind (SV. Previous II. 148) as;
uhgkj (Vajasaneyi Samhita 17.31) as:
;fnUnzks vu;kfnzrks eghjiks o`"kUre%AA
urafonkFk ; bek ttkukU;?kq"ekdeUrja cHkwoA
r= iw"kk HkqoRlpkAA SV.Previous II.148 AA
uhgkjs.k izko`rk ty~ik pklùÌk mDFk”kkl”pjfUrAA VS.XVII,31AA
bUnzks n/khpks vLFkfHko`Z=k.;izfr"dqr%A
;tqosZn esa ty fudk;ksa vkSj egklkxjksa ij /kqa/k ;k dksgjs dh vikj l?kurk ds
t?kk; uorhuZoAA SV. Previous II. 179 AA
ckjs esa Kku Fkk ßvki /kqa/k ls Hkjs egklkxj gSaÞA ;g Hkh Kku Fkk fd 'kq) ikuh
o"kkZ ds ek/;e ls lHkh phtksa dks 'kq) djrk gS ßlaHkor% ty] ek¡ ds leku gekjs lke osn ds vU; 'yksd ¼V.562; vafre V.906; vkSj vafre X.1317½ o"kkZ dh
'kjhjksa dks 'kq) djrk gS ¼YV-IV. 2&3½A izfØ;k ds lkFk Hkxoku dh n;k vkSj egkurk vkSj 'kfDr ij ppkZ djrs gSaA
The Yajur Veda knew about the immense concentration of mist or fog on
'yksd SV vafre] XX.1802 esa Li"V :i ls Hkxoku }kjk Hkkjh o"kkZ ds dkj.k
water bodies and oceans “thou are ocean full of mist”. It was also known egklkxjksa] ufn;ksa vkfn ds fuekZ.k dk mYys[k gSA
that pure waters purify all things through rain “May waters, like mother The other verses of Sam Veda (V.562; final V.906; and final X.1317) discuss
purify our bodies (YV.IV.2-3). the kindness and greatness and power of God alongwith the process of
vkiks·vLeku~ ekrj% “kqU/k;Urq ?k`rsu uks ?k``rIo% iquUrqA rain. Verse SV. Final, XX.1802 clearly mentions the creation of oceans,
rivers etc. due to the heavy rain by God.
fo”o fg fjiza izogfUr nsoh:fnnkH;% “kqfpjk iwr·,feA
nh{kkrilkLsrujwfl rka Roka f”kokt+ “kXeka ifjn/ks Hknaz o.kZa i"q;uA~A YV.IV.2AA vlkfo lkseksZ v#"kks o`"kk gjh jktso nLeks vfHk xk vfpØnr~A
iuqkuks okjeR;"s;O;;a “;usks u ;kfsua ?kròUreklnrA~A SV. Previous,V.562AA
lw;Z dks cknyksa ds QSyko vkSj o"kkZ ds dkj.k ds :i esa tkuk tkrk Fkk ßgs lw;Z]
rqe i`Foh ds fofHkUu Hkkxksa esa o"kkZ ykrs gksÞA vk ioeku lq"Vqfra o`f"Va nsosH;ks nqo%A
The Sun was known to be the disperser of clouds and cause of rain “O Sun,
b"ks ioLo la;re~AA SV.Final,V.906 AA
thou bring rain on different parts of the earth” Roa flU/kw jokl
¡ t
` k·s/kjkpks vgUufgeA~ v”k=fqjUnz tfK"ks fo”oa i"q;fl ok;eZA~
eghuka I;k·sfl opksZnk·vfl opksZ es nsfgA rURok ifj "otkegs ueUrkeU;d"skka T;kdk vf/k /kUolAqA SV.Final, XX.1802AA
o`=L;kfl duhud'p{kqnkZ·vfl p{kqesZ nsfgAA YV.IV,3 AA vFkoZosn esa gesa blh rjg dh vo/kkj.kk,¡ vkSj tyfoKku laca/kh Kku feyrk gS
lke osn o"kkZ ds Hkxoku dks yqHkkus ij vf/kd tksj nsrk gS ;g Li"V :i ls tSlk vU; osnksa esa fufgr gSaA mnkgj.k ds fy,] 'yksd ¼I,4-3½] bl izdkj gS%&
dgrk gS fd lw;Z dh 'kk'or 'kfDr cknyksa esa izos'k djrh gS vkSj bl izdkj o"kkZ In AtharvaVeda we come across the similar concepts and hydrologic
dk dkj.k curh gS ¼,l-oh-iwoZ II.179½A ;g Hkh crk;k x;k gS fd lw;Z gok dh knowledge as contained in the other Vedas. Verse (I,4.3), for example,
lgk;rk ls ?kwerh i`Foh ij o"kkZ dk ikuh cjlkrk gS ¼,l-oh-iwoZ II.148½ ;Fkk( states as:

viks nsoh#ia à;s ;= xko% ficfUr u%A rSFkfj;k vj.;dk ¼I.9-8½ esa dgk x;k gS fd ok;qeaMy esa lkr izdkj dh
flU/kqH;% dRo± gfo%AA AV.I,4.3 AA ok;q&/kkjk,a ;k gok,a gSa tks mlh rjg ds lkr izdkj ds ckny iSnk djrh gSaA ;s
gSa ¼1½ ojkgo ¼2½ Loril ¼3½ fo/kUegl ¼4½ /kiwe ¼5½ 'oki; ¼6½ xgè?sk vkjS ¼7½
bl 'yks d ea s lw ; Z dh fdj.kks a ds rki ls ok"ihdj.k vkS j ckn es a thou ns u s vkf'kfefonf~o"kA ojkgo mu ifjfLFkfr;kas dk fuek.Zk djrk gS tks l?akuu vkjS vPNh
okyh o"kkZ dh vo/kkj.kk dk irk pyrk gS A vFkoZ o s n ds i` F oh lw D r ¼XII, o"kkZ ds fy, mÙkjnk;h gAaS Loril og g]S ftlds rkieku dh fLFkfr ij Å"ek ;k
1-51½ es a fga l d /kw y Hkjs rw Q ku ds ckjs es a o.kZ u gS ] tks is M + k s a dks m[kkM+ l;wZ dk cgrq de iHzkko iMr+k gS vkjS 'kk;n ;g vf/kd Åp a kbZ ij gkrsk gS vkjS o"kkZ
Qa s d rk gS vkS j bls ekrfj'ok% dgk x;k gS A ds fy, mÙkjnk;h gksrk gSA ea= dk ewy ikB bl izdkj gS %&
This verse reveals the concept of evaporation due to heating by Sun rays
The Taithiriya Aranyaka (I.9.8) says that there are seven types of air
and subsequently life giving rainfall. The Prithvi Sukta of the Atharva Veda
currents or winds in the atmosphere which produce seven types of clouds
(XII,1.51) speaks of a violent dusty storm which uprooted trees and calls it
of the same appellation. These are 1- ojkgo (Varahav), 2- Loril
as ekrfj”ok : (Swatpas), 3- fo/kqUegl (Vidhunamhas), 4- /kqie (Dhupam), 5- 'oki;
;ka f}ikn% if{k.k% lairfUr galk% lqi.kkZ% “kdquk o;kaflA (Shwapay), 6- x`ges?k (Grihmegh), 7- vkf'kfefof}'k (Aashimividwish),
;L;ka okrksa ekrfj”os;rs jtkafl d`.o'P;ko;a”p o`{kku~A The ojkºo creates circumstances which are responsible for condensation
okrL; izokeqiokeuqokR;fpZ%AA AV.XII,1.51AA and good rainfall. The Loril is that whose temperature condition is little
affected by the insolation or Sun and perhaps occurs at a higher altitude
_Xosn ds fofHkUu 'yksdksa ls ladsr feyrk gS fd oSfnd lkfgR; ikSjkf.kd :i and is responsible for precipitation. The actual text of the mantra is as
ls Hkkjrh; ok;qeaMyh; ?kVukvksa] fo'ks"k :i ls ekulwu vkSj o"kkZ _rq ds ekSle follows:
vkSj lkekU;r% muds lkFk vkus okyh izpaM vka/kh rwQku dk o.kZu djrk gSA
rkruqØfe';k;% ojkoLLoril%A fo?kqUe; lks /kwi;%AA
The various hymns of the Rig Veda indicate that the Vedic literature
“oki;ks x`ges?kk”osR;srsA is psesf”kfefof}i%A
mythically describes the Indian atmospheric phenomena, especially
itZU;kLlIr i`fFkohefe oj"kfUrA o`"VfHkjfrAA Tai. Ara., I, 9.8AA
those of the monsoons and rainy season, and the violent thunderstorms
by which they are usually accompanied.
_Xosn ds ckn] lriFk czkã.k esa Hkh frjlB izdkj dh gokvksa dks ekuk x;k gS] gS tks ;g tYnh ls foLrkj dj mu oLrqvksa dks iznku djrk gS ftuds lkFk ;g
¼SB Hkkx A 2-5-1-13½A mlh ikB esa lQsn ikys dks i'ok uke ls iqdkjk x;k gSA laidZ esa vkrh gS] vkSj x`ges?k okrkoj.k dh ueh ;k vknzZrk dks izHkkfor djrk
gSA ;s N% ¼ojkgo] Loril] fo/kUegl] /kwie] ';ki; vkSj x`ges?k½ ,d gh oa'k ds
Following the Rig Veda, the Satpatha Brahmana also recognizes sixty gSa vkSj ,d gh ;k leku xfrfof/k {ks= j[krs gSaA vkf'kfefnn~fo"k dk laca/k vU;
three winds (SB Part I, 2.5.1.13). The same text calls hoar frost as i`”ok-
oa'k ls gS vkSj mldk HkkSxksfyd izns'k ;k {ks= iwoZorhZ N% ls vyx gS( gkykafd
f=% "kf"BLRok e#rks oko`/kkuk mlzk bo jk”k;ksa ;fK;kl%A ;g d`f"k mn~ns';ksa ds fy, vR;f/kd vuqdwy gSA cknyksa ds ;s lkr oxZ lkr
mi Rose% d`f/k uks Hkkx/ks;a “kq"ea r ,uk gfo"kk fo/kseAA RV.VIII,96.8AA izdkj dh gokvksa ds lkFk o"kkZ ykrs gSaA rSfFkfj;k vj.;d ds in A-10-9 esa] nks
vkSj izdkj ds cknyksa dk mYys[k fd;k x;k gS ¼rkbZ] vkjk] A] 10-9½A ;s gSa 1&
36 v
'kEcj ;k 'kkEcj vkSj 2& cgqlksexh] igys
okyk izpqj o"kkZ ds fy, ftEesnkj gS] vkSj
Type of Clouds nwljs okys dks îkuh ds xfreku o"kkZ e?sk >ju*s
okys ds :i eas igpkuk tkrk gAS bl id z kj
muds x.qkkas ds lkFk dy
q ukS id
z kj ds cknykas dks
rfSFkfj;k vj.;dk esa igpkuk x;k gSA
The fo?kqUegl gives rise to thunderstorm;
the /kwi; possesses some latent property
or aroma which it imparts to the objects
with which it comes in contact, expanding
quickly and the x`ges/k affects the humidity
or moisture content of the atmosphere.
These six belong to a single genus and
have a single or similar region of activity.
The vkf”kfefnf}'k belongs to another
genus and its geographical realm or
region is different from the preceding six;
however, it is highly favourable for
agricultural purposes. These seven classes
of clouds bring rainfall with seven types of
winds. In verse I.10.9 of the Taithiriya
Aranyaka, two more types of clouds are
mentioned (Tai, Ara, I,10.9). These are: ¼1½
“kEcj or “kkEcj and ¼2½ cgqlksexh- The
former is responsible for profuse rainfall,
and the later is identified to be “the
moving nimbus fall of water”. Thus, total
nine types of clouds with their properties,
fofHkUu çdkj ds ckny
Difference type of clouds
have been identified in the Taithiriya
(lzksr@Source: Sciencefacts.net) Aranyaka.

lforkja forUoUre~A vuqo/ukfr “kkEoj% A alluded to in Ramayana (I.29.25), as:
vkiiwj"kECj”oSoA lforkajsilksHkDrAA I,10.8 AA “k”kho xruhgkj% iquoZlqlefUor%AA Ramayana I, 29.25AA
R;a lqrIra` fofnRoSoA cgqlksexhja o”khAA
vUosfr rq;ksokfØ;ka re~A vk ;lw;kU”lkserÌlw"kqAA Tai, Ara, I,10.9 AA /kqa/k vkSj rkieku esa o`f) ds ek/;e ls blds xk;c gksus dk mYys[k jkek;.k ds
I, 55-25 'yksd esa] /kqa/k vkSj Hkh"k.k BaM dk mYys[k III 16-12 esa] if'peh BaMh
blh izdkj ls] egkdkO;ksa ds nkSjku gesa cknyksa] o"kkZ] ok"ihdj.k] fge] rwQkuksa gokvksa ds mlds ¼ikys½ dkj.k vkSj BaMh gksus dk mYys[k III 16-12 esa] i`Foh dh
vkfn ds ckjs esa tkudkjh feyrh gSA jkek;.k ds 'yksd VII.4-3 esa rhu izdkj ds lrg ds vklikl ds {ks= esa cgqr ?kuh /kqa/k dk mYys[k III.16-23 esa] unh lajpuk
cknyksa ds ckjs esa crk;k x;k gS & czkge ¼czãk ls mRiUu½] vXus; ¼vfXu ls dh lrg ij yVdh ikuh ok"i dk mYys[k III,16-24 esa fdukjksa dh jsrhyh
mRiUu½ vkSj i{kt ¼,d ioZr xqPNs ij fufeZr lQsn] yky] uhys vkSj LysVh lhekvksa ij vksl ds xBu dk mYys[k III, 16-24 esa cQZckjh dk mYys[k III,
cknyksa dk Hkh mYys[k egkdkO; ¼V.1-81½ esa bl izdkj fd;k x;k gS % 16-25 eas fd;k x;k gSA ;s 'yksd ;gk¡ fn, x, gSa%&
On the similar lines, during the age of epics we get information regarding
clouds, rainfall, evaporation, snow, storms etc. Verse VII.4.3 of Ramayana
speaks of three kinds of clouds – czkge (Produced from Brahma), vXus;
produced from fire and i{kt (produced on a mountain flank). White, red,
blue and grey clouds are also referred to in the epic (V.1.81) as:
ik.MqjkL.ko.kkZfu uhyekfTe"Bdkfu pA
dfiuk d";ek.kfu egkHkzkf.k pdkf”kjsAA Ramayana V,1.81AA
gfjrkL.ko.kkZfu egkHkkf.k pdkf”kjsAA Ramayana V,57.7AA
tyok;q lacU/kh vuisf{krrk ;k o"kkZ dh vuqifLFkfr dk mYys[k jkek;.k ¼I.9-9½
esa bl izdkj fd;k x;k gS %
Climatic vagary or absence of rainfall is referred to in Ramayana (I.9.9) as:
vuko`f"V% lq?kksjk oS loZyksdHk;kogkAA Ramayana I,9.8 AA
vuko`"B;ka rq o`Rrk;ka lekuh; izo{;frAA Ramayana I,9.9 AA
;gk¡] ;g vizR;{k :i ls /kwy] dksgjs] ikys vkSj /kqa/k ls eqDr okrkoj.k dh ckr
djrk gSA blh rjg] fu'kkpj vkdk'k ¼uhgkj ;k rq"kkj ls panzek½ dh fLFkfr dk
jkek;.k ¼I.29-25½ esa mYys[k bl izdkj fd;k x;k gS%&
ty fudk; ij /kqa/k
Here, it speaks indirectly of atmosphere free from dust, fog, frost and mist. Mist on water body
Similarly, the condition of nocturnal sky (the moon from uhgkj or mist) is (lzksr@Source : Wikipedia)
38 v
Mist and its disappearance through diurnal rise of temperature is referred jkek;.k ds gh leku egkdkO; egkHkkjr esa Hkh tyfoKku ls lacaf/kr cgqewY;
to in I,55.25 verse of Ramayana, mist and severe cold in III, 16.12, cold tkudkjh gSA egkdkO; ds ckjgosa Ldan ¼Ldan] {ks=] XII,328-31½ esa ok;q&eaMy
western wind made still colder due to the effect of him (frost) in III, 16.15, dks lkr {ks=ksa esa foHkkftr fd;k x;k gS vkSj ßog ok;q tks Åij fn, Øe la[;k
very dense mist in the vicinity of earth surface in III, 16.23, water vapour esa igys LFkku ij gS vkSj ftls iou uke ls tkuk tkrk gS] igys Øe ds lkFk]
hanging on the surface of the river structure in III.16.24, dew formation on
/kqa, vkSj xehZ ls iSnk gq, cknyksa dks lapkfyr djrh gSA bl izdkj rRdkyhu
the sandy margins of the bank in III,16.24 and snowfall in III,16.25. These
le; esa cknyksa ds ?kVdksa dk Hkh iwokZuqeku FkkA ;g gok vkdk'k ls xqtjrh gS
verses are given here as:
vkSj cknyksa essa ikuh ds laidZ esa vkrh gS ¼,e-ch- XII, 328-36½ bl izdkj gS%&
onrkS oS ofl"BL; ;k HkSfjfr eqgqeqZgq%A
Like the Ramayana, the epic Mahabharata also contains valuable
uk”kk;kE;?k% xk/ks;auhgkjfeo HkkLdj%AA Ramayana I,55.25AA
information related to hydrosciences. In the twelfth skanda of the epic,
fuo`Rrkdk”k”k;uk% iq";uhrk fgek#.kk%A atmosphere is divided into seven regions (skanda, sphere, XII, 328.31) and
“khro`}rjk;kekfL=;kuk ;kfUr lkEizre~AA Ramayana III,16.12 AA are discussed in considerable detail as “that wind which is the first in
izd`R;k “khryLi”kksZ fgefo}”p lkEizre~A above number and which is known by the name of izokg drives, along the
izokfr if”peks ok;q% dkys f}xq.k”khry%AA Ramayana III,16.15 AA first course, masses of clouds born of smoke and heat. Thus, during this
vo”;k;reksu}k uhgkjrelko`rk%A time, the constituents of cloud were also predicted. This wind passes
izlqIrk bo y{;Urs foiq";k oujkt;%AA Ramayana III,16.23 AA through the sky and comes into contact with water in the clouds
ok"ila{kUulfyyk #rfoKs;lkjlk%A (MB.XII,328.36) as:
fgefnzokyqdSLrhjS% lfjrks HkkfUr lkEizre~AA Ramayana III,16.24 AA i`fFkO;k;Urfj{ks p ;= laokUr ok;o%A
rq"kkjirukPpSo e`nqRokn~ HkkLdjL; pA lIrSrs ok;qekxkZ oS rku~ fuoks/kkuqiwoZ”k%AA MB.XII,328.31AA
“kSR;knxkxzLFkefi izk;s.k jloTtye~AA Ramayana III,16.25 AA
izsj;R;Hkzla/kkrku /kwetka”pks"etka"o ;%A
jkek;.k ds 'yksd IV,1-15 esa igkM+h gokvksa ds ckjs esa crk;k x;k gSA ,d vU; izFke% izFkes ekxZs izogks uke ;ksfuy%AA MB.328.36AA
'yksd (VI,78-19½ esa ge /kwy Hkjh] lw[kh vkSj >ksads okyh gok ds ckjs esa i<+rs gSaA
ckn esa jkek;.k (VI,106-21½ esa izp.M rwQku ;k coaMj dk Hkh mYys[k fd;k nwljh ok;q ftls vkog dgk x;k gS] rst vkokt ds lkFk cgrh gS ¼,e-ch-
x;k gSA (VI,106-21] okrk ef.MyuLrhok%A½ XII,329-37½A tks gok pkjkas egklkxjksa ls ikuh ihrh gS vkSj mls pwlrh gS] bls
cknyksa dks nsrh gS] mUgsa o"kkZ ds nsork ds lkeus izLrqr djrh gS] ;g rhljs uacj
Verse IV, 1.15 of Ramayana states about the mountain winds. In another ij gS vkSj bls mRng ds :i esa tkuk tkrk gS ¼,e-ch- XII 328-38&39&40½A
Verse (VI, 78.19) we read about dusty, dry and gusty wind. Later on violent
storm or tornado is also mentioned in Ramayana (VI, 106.21, okrk The second wind called vkog] blows with a loud noise (MB.XII329.37).
e.MfyuLrhok%½. The wind which drinks up water from the four oceans and having sucked it
up, gives it to the clouds, presents them to the Gods of rain, is the third in
“kSydanj fu’ØkUr% izxhr bo pkfuy%AA Ramayana IV,1.15 AA number and is known as mRng (MB.XII328.38-39-40).

vEcjs LusgeE;sR; fo/kqnHk;”p egk?kqfr%A nk#.kksR;krlapkjks uHkl% Lruf;RuqekuA
vkogks uke laeokfr f}rh;% “oluks unu~AA MB.XII,328.37AA iTpe% l egkosxks foogks uke ek#r%AA M.B.XII,328.48 AA
mn;a T;ksfr"kka “k”or lkseknhuka djksfr ;a%A ‘k’B% ifjogks uke l ok;qtZ;rka nj%AA M.B.XII,328.45 AA
vUrnsZgs’kq pksnkua ;a onkUr euhf"k.k%AA MB.XII, 328.38 AA ;su Li`"V%ijkHkwrks ;kR;so u fuorZrsA
;”prqHk;Z% leqnzsHk;ks ok;q/kkZfj;rs tye~A ijkogks uke ijks ok;q% l nqjfrØe%AA M.B.XII,328.52 AA
m}R;knnrs pkiks thewrsE;ksEcjs fcyAA MB, XII, 328.39 AA ;gk¡] ikap LFkkuksa ij] iz;qDr fd;s x;s ikfjHkkf"kd 'kCn gok dk okLrfod vFkZ
;ksfnHk% la;ksT; thewrku itZU;k; izFkPNfrA ,d xksyk ;k ijr gSA ;s ikap uke iqjk.kksa vkSj vU; ckn ds lkfgR; esa Hkh ik,
mRnrks uke cafg"BLr`rh;% l lnkxfr%AA MB, XII, 328.40AA x, gSaA egkdkO; cknyksa ds pkj oxZ nsdj Hkh cknyksa dk ,d vkSj oxhZdj.k
gok,¡ tks cknyksa dk lgkjk nsrh gSa vkSj mUgsa fofHkUu Hkkxksa esas foHkkftr djrh gSa] nsrk gSA cknyksa ds pkj izdkj gSa laordZ] oykgd ¼,e-ch-] VIII,34-28½] dq.M/kkj
tks mUgsa o"kkZ djus ds fy, fi?kyk nsrh gSa vkSj mUgsa ,d ckj fQj tek nsrh gSa] ¼XII 271-6½ vkSj mard ¼,e-ch- XIV 55-35&36&37½A oykgd ckny ok;qeaMy
ftUgsa cknyksa dh xtZuk okyh vkokt+ ds :i esa igpkuk tkrk gS] mUgsa laog dh foog ijr ¼igys of.kZr½ esa curs gSaA e:LFkyh; {ks= esa o"kkZ ykus okys
uke ls tkuk tkrk gS& ikapoha ijr dks foog dgk tkrk gS vkSj NBh dks ifjog cknyksa dks mard dgk tkrk gSA cknyksa dk ;s oxhZdj.k jkek;.k vkSj iqjk.kksa esa
dgk tkrk gSA lkroha ijr ftls ijkog dgk tkrk gS laHkor% dqN ykSfdd {ks= of.kZr oxhZdj.k ls fHkUu gSA
dks lanfHkZr djrh gS ¼,e-ch- XII-328-41-42-43-47-48½A Here, at five places, the term wind used, actually implies a sphere or layer.
These five names also occur in Puranas and other later literature. The epic
The winds which support the clouds and divides them into various parts,
gives another classification of clouds also giving four classes of clouds.
which melts them for pouring rain and once more solidifies them, which
The four types of clouds are laorZd] oykgd (MB,VIII,34.28), dq.M/kkj (XII
in perceived as the sound of roaring clouds, is known by the name laog-
Fifth layer is called foog and the sixth is referred to as ifjog- The seventh 271.6) and mrad (MB XIV 55.35-36-37). The oykgd clouds are formed in
called ijkog (MB.XII.328. 41-42-43-47-48) refers perhaps to some cosmic the foog layer of atmosphere (described before). The clouds brining
region. rainfall in desert area are called mrad- These classification of clouds are
different from those enumerated in Ramayana and Puranas.
lewg;ekuk cgq/kk ;su uhrk% i`Fkd ?kuk%A
o"kZeks{kd`rkjEHkkLrs HkofUr ?kuk?kuk%AA M.B.XII,328.41 AA lksFk lkSE;su eulk nsokuqpj;fUrdsA
izR;I”;Tty/kja dq.M/kkjeofLFkrae~AA MB,XII,271.6AA
lagrk ;su pkfo}k HkofUr unra unk%A
j{k.kkFkkZ; lEHkwrk es?kRoeqi;kfUr pAA M.B.XII,328.42 AA rnk ejkS Hkfo';fUr tyiw.kkZ% I;ks/kjk%A
jloPp iznkL;fUr rks;a rs HkxquUnu]
;ks lkS ogfr Hkwrkuka foekukfu fogk;lkA
mRrDM+es?kk bR;qDrk% [;kfr ;kL;fUr pkfi rsAA MB,XIV,55.36AA
prqFkZ% laogks uke ok;q% l fxfjefnu%AA M.B.XII,328.43 AA
yxHkx 600&700 bZ-iw- esa] d.kkn us vius oSf'kdk lw= esa ikuh dh la?kuu vkSj
40 v
fo?kVu izfØ;k dk mYys[k fd;k gS ¼oSl- lw=] 2-8½A mUgksaus fVIi.kh dh gS i.e., it is the pealing of thunder which warrants the inference. He again
ßikuh dh la?kuu vkSj fo?kVu vkx ;k xehZ ds lkFk la;kstu ds dkj.k gSÞA says (Vais.Sutr.V, 2.11) that the rolling of thunder results from conjunction
es?kxtZu dh ?kVuk ds ckjs esa mudk dguk gS fd ßes?kxtZu vkdk'k ds izdk'k with water and disjunction from a cloud. Here, it is fully evident that the
ds izos'k dk ,d fu'kku gS ¼oSl-lw=- oh] 2-11½ fd es?kxtZu ds ifj.kke Lo:i great sage knew that thunder is caused due to impact of positively and
negatively charged clouds.
ikuh ds lkFk la;kstu vkSj ckny ls fo?kVu gksrk gSA ;g iwjh rjg ls Li"V gS
fd egku _f"k tkurs Fks fd es?kxtZuk /kukRed vkSj _.kkRed vkosf'kr vika lM~?kkrks foy;uTp rst% la;ksxkr~AA Vais.Sutr.V,2.8 AA
cknyksa ds izHkko ds dkj.k gksrh gSA r= foLQwtZ FkqfyZM~xe~AA Vais.Sutr.V,2.9 AA
vika la;ksxkf}HkkxkPp Lruf;Ruks%AA Vais.Sutr.V,2.11 AA
Around 600-700 BC, Kanada in his Vaisesika Sutra referred to the process
of condensation and dissolution of water (Vais.Sutr.V,2.8). He remarks o"kkZ dh cwanksa ds fxjus vkSj /kkjkvksa ds izokg ij ppkZ djrs gq,] mUgksaus vkxs
“condensation and dissolution of water is due to the conjunction with fire la;kstu ds vHkko esa xq#Rokd"kZ.k ls ikuh ds fxjus ds dkj.kksa dks izLrqr fd;k
or heat”. About the phenomena of thunder, he observes that the “rolling gS ¼oSl- lw=- oh] 2-3½ vFkkZr o"kkZ ds :i esa ikuh ds fxjus esa] xq:Rokd"kZ.k
of thunder is a mark of the ingress of the light of the sky (Vais.Sutr.V,2.9)”, xSj&la;ksxh dkj.k gSA
Discussing the falling of raindrops and flowing of streams, he further
presents causes of falling of water resulting from gravity in the absence of
conjunction (Vais.Sutr.V,2.3) i.e. falling of water in the form of rain, has
gravity as its non-coinherent cause.
vika la;ksxkHkkos xq#Rokr~ ioue~AA Vais.Sutr.V,2.3AA
'yksd V2-4] esa ;g dgk x;k gS fd /kkjk ;k fxjrs gq, ikuh ;k o"kkZ dh cawnksa ds
vkilh la;kstu ls cuh fo'kky tyh; bdkbZ dk nwj&nwj rd izxeu]
xq#Rokd"kZ.k ds ;FkkFkZ dkj.k vkSj rjyrk ds xSj&la;ksxh dkj.k }kjk fufeZr
gksrk gSA
In the verse V, 2.4, it has been said that the distant progression of the
stream or great aqueous whole composed by mutual conjunction of the
fallen waters or raindrops, is produced by fluidity as its non-coinherent
cause and by gravity as its efficient cause.
nzoRokr L;Unue~AA Vais.Sutr.V,2.4 AA
rfM+r >a>k ,oa es?k&xtZuk
Lightening and Thunderstorm ok"ihdj.k] ckny cuus] cknyksa ds oxhZdj.k vkSj gokvksa ;k ok;qeaMy ds {ks=ksa
¼lzksr@Source : Wikipidia½ ¼okrLdU/k½ ds lkFk muds lac/kksa ij Hkh dbZ iqjk.kksa ¼ok;q v/;k; 51] fyaxk [kaM

1] v/;k; 36] eRL; [kaMA v/;k; 54½ esa dkQh larks"ktud :i ls ppkZ dh ;g ,d ;k nks ehy ds nk;js esa o"kkZ ykrh gSA ;g fooj.k vk/kqfud fnuksa ds
x;h gSA cknyksa dh lkekU; mRifÙk ds ckjs esa crkrs gq, ok;q iqjk.k ¼51-22&25½ fuEcl ¼o"kkZ es?k½ ds cgqr fudV gSA czg~et ckny laogu /kkjkvksa ds dkj.k
esa dgk x;k gS fd lalkj dh lHkh py ;k vpy oLrqvksa esa ueh gksrh gS vkSj mRiUu gksrs gSaA os yxHkx ,d ;kstu ¼ik¡p ;k vkB ehy½ f=T;k ds {ks= esa o"kkZ
vkriu ;k lw;Z dh fdj.kksa ds dkj.k ml ueh dk ok"ihdj.k gksrk gS vkSj bl djrs gSaA laHkor% ;s D;wE;yksfuEcl gSaA iqLdjk&orZd ¼i'ojkor½ cknyksa dk
izfØ;k ls ckny dh mRifÙk gksrh gSA mn~xe igkM+ksa ds ia[kksa ¼i{klHkok½ ls ;k igkM+ksa eas gksrk gSA muds vusd #i
The phenomena of evaporation, cloud formation, classification of clouds gksrs gSa vkSj os xgjh /ofu mRiUu djrs gSaA os foiqy ty ls Hkjs gksrs gaS vkSj
and their relationship with winds or regions of atmosphere ¼okrLdU/k½ are vR;kf/kd o"kkZ ykrs gSa tks vR;ar fouk'kdkjh gksrh gSA ;g fooj.k dkQh gn
also quite satisfactorily discussed in several Puranas (Vayu Chapter 51, rd vk/kqfud oxZ ds vYVksLVªsVl ds vuq:i gSA
Linga Vol.I, Chapt. 36, Matsya Vol.I, Chapt. 54). Describing the general The above verses say that those clouds which give or sprinkle water are
genesis of clouds, the Vayu Purana (51.22-25) says that there is moisture called es?k and which do not bring any rainfall are known as vHk- There are
content in all the movable or immovable objects of the world and due to three types of clouds (1) vkXus; (2) czg~et (3) i{kt- These are connected
insolation or Sun's rays, evaporation of that humidity takes place, and this with cyclonic (thermal and insolational), convectional (occurring in
process produces clouds. northern continents, Siberia and equatorial regions) and orographic
vkdZ rstksfgHkwrsHk;ksg;knRrs jf”eetZye~AA Vayu,51.23 AA (occurring and proceeding from mountain flanks) types of rainfall
es?kkuka iqu#RifRrfL=fo/kk ;ksfu#P;rsA respectively. According to above mentioned Puranas, vkXus; occurs in the
vXus;k czg~etk”pSo o{;kfe i`Fkkfo/kk%A winter season and it is devoid of lightening and thunder and is of
f=/kk ?kuk% lek[;krkLrs"kka o{;kfe laHkoe~AA Vayu 51.28 AA immense expanse and found in the mountain foots also. It brings rainfall
vXus;kLRo.kZtk% izksDrkLrs"kka rLekRizorZueA within a radius of a mile or two. This description approximates most to the
“khr nqfnZuokrk ;s Loxq.kkLrs O;ofLFkrk%AA Vayu 51.29 AA Nimbus of modern days. The Brahmaja ¼czg~et½ clouds are produced due
to convection currents. In precipitation they cover an area of radius of
thewrk uke rs es?kk ;sHk;ks thoL; laHkok%A
nearly a yojana (five or eight miles). Most probably these are
f}rh;a izoga ok;q es?kkLrs rq lekfJrk%AA Vayu 51.36 AA
cumulonimbus. The Puskara-Vartaka ¼iq'djkorZ½ clouds originate from or
mijksDr 'yksdksa esa crk;k x;k gS fd tks ckny ikuh nsrs ;k fNM+drs gSa] mUgsa in the wings of mountains ¼i{klaHkok½- They assume various forms and
es?k dgrs gSa vkSj tks dksbZ Hkh o"kkZ ugha djrs mUgsa vHk ds :i esa tkuk tkrk gS& produce deep rumbling sound. They are full of profuse water and bring
rhu izdkj ds ckny gksrs gSa ¼1½ vkXus; ¼2½ czge~t ¼3½ i{ktA ;s Øe'k% pØokr excessive rainfall which is extremely destructive. This description
¼xehZ vkSj lw;Zfofdj.k lEcU/kh½ laoguh; ¼mÙkjh egk}hi] lkbcsfj;k vkSj conforms to a large extent to the modern class of altostratus.
Hkwe/;js[kh; {ks=k esa gksus okyh½ vkSj ioZrh; ¼ioZr ds ik'oZ Hkkx esa ?kfVr vkSj eRL; iqjk.k ¼Hkkx A] v/;k;-54½ Hkh cknyksa ds ckjs esa vkSj vf/kd foLr`r vkSj
vkxs c<+us okyh½ o"kkZ ds izdkj gSaA mi;qZDr iqjk.kksa ds vuqlkj] vkXus; lfnZ;ksa oSKkfud tkudkjh izLrqr djrk gSA blesa dgk x;k gS fd cknyksa ds dkj.k
ds ekSle esa gksrh gS vkSj ;g fctyh dh ped vkSj xM+xM+kgV ls jfgr gksrh gS thou gSA ;s ckny vogk uke ok;q ij yVds jgrs gSaA os vkdkj cnyrs jgrs gSa
vkSj bldk foLrkj cgqr vf/kd gksrk gS vkSj igkM+ ds rygVh {ks=ksa esa gksrh gSA
42 v
fugkbZ ds vkdkj dk es?kiaqt
Anvil shaped cumulus
(lzksr@Source : Wikipedia)
vkSj ,d ;kstu rd tkrs gaS rFkk o"kkZ dk :i yrss gAaS mUgas o"kkZ dk lkzrs dgk tkrk are called the source of rain (Verse 10). If the shlokas 17,18 and 19 are
gS ¼'ykds 10½A vxj 'ykd s 17] 18 vkjS 19 dh yk{kf.kd :i ls O;k[;k dh tk,] interpreted symbolically, they give other four classes of clouds expressed
rks os ukedj.k ds vul
q kj cknykas ds pkj vU; oxZ nrss g]aS xt] iorZ] e?sk vkjS Hkkx
s hA by the nomenclature xt] ioZr] es?k and Hkksxh- Then in the Verse 17 can be
'ykd s 17 eas xt ckny ds pkj vkSj oxksZa dks igpkuk tk ldrk gSA recognized further four classes of xt clouds.
The Matsya Purana (Vol.I, Chap.54) furnishes still more elaborate and fo"kqon~xzgo.kZ”p loZesrn~ /kqzosfjre~A
scientific information regarding clouds. It says that the clouds thewr is the thewrk uke rs es?kk ;nsH;ks tholEHko%AA Matsya,I,54.9 AA
cause of life. These clouds remain suspended on the air called Avaha. They f}rh; vkogu~ ok;qesZ?kkLrs RofHklafJrk%A
change shape and goes up a yojana, from there form into rain hence they brks;kstuek=kPp v/;)Zafod`rkvfiAA Matsay,I,54.10 AA

rs"kkeI;k;ua /kwe% losZ"kkefo”ks"kr%A moisture from four sources, namely – seas, rivers, the earth and living
rs"kka Js"B'p itZU;”pRokj”psZo fnXxtk%AA Matsya,I,54.17AA creatures,”. viz.
xtkuka ioZrkuk'p es?kkuka HkksfxfHk% lgA vHkzLFkk% izirUR;kiks ok;quk leqnhfjrk%A
dqyesda f}/kkHkwra ;ksfujsdk tya Le`re~AA Matsay,I,54.18AA laLdkja dkytfura eS=s;klk| fueZyk%AA Vishnu, II,9.11AA
itZU; vkSj fnXxt gsear _rq esa o"kkZ djrs gSa vkSj os d`f"k fodkl ds fy, cgqr ljRleqnzHkkSekLrq rFkki% izkf.klEHkok%A
mi;ksxh gSa] uhps fn, x, 'yksd esa dgk x;k gS % prq"izdkjk HkxokuknRrs lfork equsAA Vishnu, II,9.12AA
Parjanys ¼itZU;½ and fnXxt rain in the season of gseUr and they are very izfl) dfo dkfynkl ¼100 bZ-iw-½ Hkh cknyksa vkSj lac) ?kVukvksa ds ckjs esa
useful for agricultural growth is spoken in the verse below: cgqr dqN tkurs FksA mUgksaus bl izdkj ckny dks ifjHkkf"kr fd;k gS ß;g /kq,a]
itZU;ks fnXxtk”pSo gseUrs “khrlEHkoe~A fctyh ikuh vkSj gok dk ,d la;kstu gSÞ ¼iwokZes?k 'yksd 5½A vU; LFkkuksa ij
rq"kkjo"kZ o"kZfUr o`)ka áUufoo`);sAA Matsya,I,54.19AA ¼iwokZes?k] 'yksd 6½ dfo us nks izdkj ds cknyksa dk uke fn;k gS ;Fkk iq"dj vkSj
vkorZdA
eRL; iqjk.k ¼I.54-33½ esa la{ksi esa vknzZrkxzkgh ukfHkd ij la?kuu vkSj o"kZ.k dh
izfØ;k cgqr lko/kkuh ls of.kZr gS%& The celebrated poet Kalidasa (100 B.C.) also knew a lot about clouds and
the allied phenomena. He defines cloud thus “it is an assemblage of
Process of condensation and precipitation on hygroscopic nuclei are very
smoke, electricity, water and air” (Purvamegha Verse 5). At other places
carefully described in a nutshell in the Matsya Purana (I,54.33) as:
(Purvamegh, Verse 6) the poet names two types of clouds namely iq"dj
fu;PNR;kiks es?ksH;% “kqDyk% “kqDySLrqjf”efHk%A and vkorZd
vHkzLFkk% izirUR;kiksok;qukleqnhfjrk%A Matsya,I,54.33 AA
/kewTT;kfsr%lfyye#rka lfauikr% Do e?sk% lUn”skkFkkZ Do iVd
q j.k%S ikzf.kfHk% ikzi.kh;k%A
bR;kRSlDq;knifjx.kUxáq dLra ;;kps dkekRrkZ fg
laidZ vkus ij o"kkZ ds vkdkj esa fxjrk gSÞA çd`frdì.kk"psrukpsrus”kqAA Meghadutam, Purvamegha.5AA
Meaning: “the waters from the (vapours) of the clouds when brought tkra o”aks Hkoqufofnrs i"qdjkord
Z kuka tkukfe Roka id
z f`ri#
q "ka dke#ia e?kkus%A
into contact with the wind (namely hygroscopic content of the air) fall in rsukfFkRoa Rof; fof/o"kkn~nwjcU/kqxZrks·ga ;kP´k eks?kk ojef/kxq.ks uk/kes
the shape of rain”. yC/kdkekAA Purvamegha Verse 6AA
fo".kq iqjk.k ¼II,9-11&12½ cgqr gh oSKkfud :i ls ok;q eaMyh; ueh ds pkj e`PNdfVdk ¼600 bZ-½ ,d izdkj ds ckny dks lanfHkZr djrk gS ftlesa ls ,d
lzksr ßxkSjo'kkyh lw;Z] eS=ks;] pkj lzksrkas vFkkZr~ leqnz] ufn;ksa] i`Foh vkSj thoar ckYVh dh rjg o"kkZ fudyrh gSA ,d vU; lanHkZ esa] izfl) ukVd ,d nzksf.kdk
izkf.k;ksa ls vknzZrk dk o.kZu djrk gSAÞ ls fudyus okyh ,d fo'ks"k izdkj dh o"kkZ nzks.ko`f"V dks lanfHkZr djrk gS
The Vishnu Purana (II,9.11-12) very scientifically enumerates the four ¼X. 39½A
sources of atmospheric moisture, “the glorious Sun, O Maitreya, exhales
The Mricchakatika (600 AD) refers to a kind of cloud nzks.k (X.26) from
44 v
which the rain streams forth as from a bucket. In another context, the In the library (Saraswati Bhavan Pustakalaya) of Sampurnand Sanskrit
famous drama refers to a special type of rain nzks.ko`f"V streaming forth as University, Varanasi a manuscript treatise entitled as es?kekyk is available.
from a trough (X.39) viz. As the very name suggests, it is a work on climatology and more
specifically science of clouds. On the basis of content and style of dialogue
dks;esoafo/ks dkys dkyik”kkfLFkrs ef;A
Tripathi (1969) tried to establish that Meghamala is a part of
vukof"Vgrs lL;s nzks.kes?ka boksfnr%AA Mricchakatika, X.26 AA
#nzk;ekyra=e~ (around 900 AD around). es?kekyk has 11 chapters. The first
ds;eHk;q?krs “kL=s eR;qoD=xrs ef;A chapter of es?kekyk opens with the enquiry
vukof"Vgrs lL;s nzks.ko`f"VfjokxrkAA Mricchakatika,X.39AA
es?kLrq dhn`”kknso dFka fo|qRiztk;rsA
dkfynkl }kjk dqy feykdj pkj izdkj ds cknyksa dh ckr dgh xbZ gSA os gSa dhn`”ka o.kZ:ia rq “kjhj rL; dhn`”ke~AA
vkorZ] laorZ] iq"dj vkSj nzks.kA vkorZ o"kkZ ugha ykrk gS] laorZ o"kkZ cgqrk;r esa (Meghamala, Manucript No. 37202,
nsrk gS] iq"dj o"kkZ dh ck<+ dk dkj.k curk gS vkSj nzks.k d`f"k vkSj ekuo tkfr Sampurn and Sanskrit University, Varanasi)
ds fy, lcls vf/kd vuqdwy gSA ;g la{ksi esa fuEufyf[kr iafDr;ksa esa dgk
x;k gS& igyk v/;k; ;g crkrk gS fd ckny D;k gSa] fctyh dSls iSnk gksrh gS] izd`fr]
cukoV lkexzh vkSj cknyksa ds jax D;k gSa\ ckn esa 'yksd 20] 21] 22 esa
Four types of clouds in all have been spoken of by Kalidas. They are vkorZ] ikjaifjd :i ls Hkkjrh; 'kSyh esa o.kZu fd;k x;k gS fd igkM+ cknyksa dks
laorZ] iq'dj and nzks.k- The Avarta brings no rainfall; the Samvarta gives an fu;af=r djrs gSaA 'yksd 32 ls 68 rd gesa irk pyrk gS fd cknyksa ds cM+s
abundance of rain, the Puskara causes flood of rain and the Drona is most foHkktu esa ckjg iztkfr;ka 'kkfey gSa vkSj mUgsa 1- lqcq/k] 2- uan'kkyk] 3-
congenial to agriculture and mankind. This is stated in nutshell in the
dU;n] 4- iFkqJok] 5- oklqnh] 6- r{kd] 7- odrZ] 8- lkjLor] 9- gsedkyh] 10-
following lines –
tysanz] 11- otzna"V vkSj 12- fo".kqizHk & ds :i esa ukfer fd;k x;k gSA ysfdu
vkorksZ futZyks es?k% laorZr”p ogwnd%A budk dksbZ oSKkfud fooj.k lqlfTtr ugha gSA v/;k; 2 fofHkUu o"kksZa dh]
iq"djks nq"djtyks nzks.k% “kL;iziwjd%AA mudh o"kkZ vkSj muesa ls izR;sd dh vkfFkZd fo'ks"krkvksa ;k fLFkfr;ksa dks
Kalidas Granthavali, Abhidhan Kosh, P.154 AA lanfHkZr dj izR;sd ij izdk'k Mkyrk gSA rhljk v/;k; o"kkZ] tyok;q foKku
lEiw.kkZuan laLd`r fo'ofo|ky;] okjk.klh ds ljLorh Hkou iqLrdky; esa ,d vkSj euq";ksa dh vkfFkZd fLFkfr] jkT; dh cgqrk;r ,oa deh dh fLFkfr vkSj
ikaMqfyfi xzaFk] ftldk 'kh"kZd es?kekyk gS] miyC/k gSA tSlk fd uke ls gh irk fofHkUu Qlyksa ds mRiknu ij T;ksfr"kh; izHkko dk o.kZu djrk gSA vkBosa
pyrk gS] ;g tyok;q foKku vkSj fo'ks"kdj cknyksa ds foKku dk ,d xzUFk gSA v/;k; esa lky ds ckjg eghuksa esa o"kkZ dh izd`fr vkSj vU; ekSle laca/kh
laokn dh lkexzh vkSj 'kSyh ds vk/kkj ij f=ikBh ¼1969½ us ;g LFkkfir djus fLFkfr;ksa ij ppkZ dh xbZ gSA dkfrZd ¼vDVwcj&uoacj½ ds ckjs esa ys[kd dk
dh dksf'k'k dh gS fd es?kekyk #nzk;ekyra=e ¼yxHkx 900 bZLoh½ dk ,d dguk gS fd bl eghus ds nkSjku fofo/k jaxksa ds ckny fc[kjs gq, utj vkrs gSaA
fgLlk gS] es?kekyk ds 11 v/;k; gSaA es?kekyk dk igyk v/;k; vUos"k.k ds ikS"k esa ¼fnlacj&tuojh½ ;fn vkdk'k cknyksa ls f?kjk jgrk gS] rks ,d cgqr
lkFk izkjaHk gksrk gSA vPNk y{k.k gSA ;fn ek?k dk eghuk ¼tuojh&Qjojh½ lkekU;r% BaMk ugha
gksrk gS ¼;k dksbZ BaM ugha gS½ rks QkYxqu ¼Qjojh&ekpZ½ esa mÙkj iwohZ gok,¡

vPNh o"kkZ ykrh gSaA uknkZ;ka ifrra rks;a nq"VdkyLrnk Hkosr~AA
The first chapter deals with what are clouds, how lightning is produced, rnk nsfo Hkfo";fUr lqfHk{ka {kseoso pA
what are nature, texture, ingredients and colours of clouds. Later in the iwoksZRRjtokrsu jk=~;Urs tyeqRre~AA
Verse 20,21,22 is expressed, in their conventional Indian style, that the Meghmala, Page 14-38AA
mountains control clouds. From Verses 32 to 68 we gather that there is a es?kekyk ds v/;k; IX esa cknyksa] gokvksa vkSj fctyh ij ppkZ gSA lcls igys]
larger division of clouds comprising twelve species and designated as
;g fofHkUu vkd`fr;ksa vkSj fctyh dh fn'kkvksa ds lkFk o"kkZ ds lglaca/k ij
1-lqcq/k 2- uUn”kkyk 3- dU;n 4- iFkqJok 5- oklqnh 6- r{kd 7- odrZ 8- lkjor ppkZ djrk gSA fQj gesa crk;k x;k gS fd mÙkj&iwoZ dh gok le`f) ds fy,
9- gsedkyh 10- tysUnz 11- otzna"V and 12- fo".kqizHk- But no scientific detail izokgdh; gS] nf{k.k dh gok yksxksa ds fy, vPNh gS] nf{k.k&if'peh gok nq%[k
of these is furnished. The Chapter II enumerates various types of years,
refers to their rainfall and discusses the economic
characteristics or conditions of each of them. The IIIrd
chapter dwells on astrological influence on rainfall,
climatology and economic condition of people, state of
plenty and scarcity and production of various crops.
th
VIII chapter aspires to discuss the nature of rainfall and
other meteorological conditions in the twelve months of
the year. About the Kartika (October–November) the
author says that during this month scattered clouds of
varied colours occur. In Pausa (December–January) if sky is
over cast with clouds, it is a very good symptom. If the
month of Magha (January–February) is not normally cold
(or has no frost) there occurs scanty rainfall in Phalaguna
(February–March) northeast wind brings good downpour.
ekfl ekfl dFka nsfo dhn`”ka xHkZy{k.ke~A
fda okra fda ?kua ;qDra dL; dkysu o"kZfrAA
dkfrZds “kqDy uUnk;ka iTp#ikf.k ;ks Hkosr~A
vHkzkf.k “osro.kkZfu jDr.kkZfu ;ks HkosrAA
ifro.kkZfu ;ks es/kk fg d`".ko.kZ”p Hkosr~A
dkaL;o.kksZ Hkos?kLrq rkezo.kZLrFkk Hkosr~AA pkoy ds mPp mRiknu esa lgk;d if'peh gok A
u ek?kksifrra “khra T;s"Bs ewya u of"Vd`r~A Westerly winds are helpful for higher production of rice.
¼lzksr@Source : Freepik½
46 v
dk dkj.k curh gS] if'peh gok pkoy ds mPp mRiknu ds fy, cgqr gokvksa] cknyksa] gokvksa ds ekxZ vkSj lac) ?kVukvksa ¼ra=yksd dk V [kaM½
ykHknk;d gS] mÙkjh; gok Hkh yksxksa dh HkykbZ ds fy, vuqdwy gS] vkSj ;g ¼f=ikBh] 1969½ dk o.kZu fd;k x;k gSA ;g nl ok;q iFkksa dks lanfHkZr djrk gS]
le`f) mRiUu djrh gSA tks 'kk;n dsoy bl ikB ds fy, foy{k.k gSaA os nl ok;q iFk gSa& 1- foro] 2-
In the chapter IX of Meghmala there is discussion on clouds, winds and _rkf/kZ] 3- otzkbd] 4- oS|qra] 5- jSor] 6- fo"kkorZ ¼nqtZ;½] 7- ijkog] 8- vkog]
lightning. Firstly, it discusses the correlation of rainfall with different 9- egkog vkSj 10- egk ifjog ¼[kaM V121-138½A ;s varfj{k esa c<+rh ÅapkbZ ds
shapes and directions of lightning. Then we are told that north-east wind vuqlkj O;ofLFkr gksrs gSaA mRd`"V rkaf=d dk;Z us nl izdkj ds cknyksa dks
is conductive to prosperity, southerly does good to people, south-west igpkuk gS& 1- ewdes?k] 2- izkf.ko"kkZsa] 3- fo"okfjo"khZ] 4- LdkUn] 5- laorZ] 6-
wind causes misery, westerly is much beneficial for the higher production czkge] 7- iq"dj] 8- thewr] 9- bZ'kØr] vkSj 10- egsf'kd`r ¼dikyksRFk½A ;s izdkj
of rice, northerly is also favourable to the good of people, and it produces Hkh cknyksa dh ÅapkbZ ds vuqlkj gksrs gSaA Hkkjrh; lkfgR; esa ,slk 'kk;n igyh
a condition of plenty. ckj gqvk gS tks cknyksa dks ÅapkbZ ds vuqlkj LFkkfir djrk gSA ;g crkrk gS
iwosZ fo/kqRdjkes?kk vfXu;~;ka ty”kksf"k.khA fd vyx&vyx izdkj ds ckny ok;qeaMy esa vyx&vyx Lrj ij gksrs gSaA
nf{k.ks jkSjoa ?kksja uS_R;ka rkiekfn”ksr~AA The encyclopedic Tantrik literature also does not lag behind in supplying
“kqfHk{ka iwoZokrsu tk;rs ik= la”k;%A information on hydrology. From the Tantraloka of Abhinavagupta, we can
nf{k.ks rq {ksedjks uS_R;ka nq% [knks HkosrAA find out some important climatological and meteorological facts. In its
ok#.;ka fnR;a/kkU;kfu ok;R;kaok;q[ks Hkosr~A Ahnika designated as ns”kk/oizdk”ku are described winds, clouds, track of
mRrjs “kqHknks nsfo ,s”kkU;ka loZlEin%AA Meghmala, Page 47-48AA winds and the allied phenomena (Vol.V of the Tantraloka) (Tripathi, 1969).
It refers to ten air channels ¼ok;qiFk½ which are perhaps peculiar to only
es?kekyk dk v/;k;&X cknyksa ds izlkj ls lacaf/kr gS vkSj cknyksa dh ckjg
this text. Those ten air channels are 1-foro (Vitav), 2- _rkf)Z (Ritarddhi),
iztkfr;ksa dks nksgjkrs gq,] ftudk igys ls gh mYys[k fd;k x;k gS] blds
3- otzkbd (Vajraik), 4- oS|qra (Vaidhutam), 5- jSor (Raivat), 6- fo'kkorZ
vykok ,d vkSj oxhZdj.k dks lfEefyr fd;k x;k gS ftlesa lkr iztkfr;ka
(Vishavart), 7- ijkog (Prawah), 8- vkog (Aawah), 9- egkog (Mahawah),
lfEefyr gSa tSls fd vEcqn] xksyd] fxfj] vkjksid] lioZr] f[kf[kUn vkSj
10- egkifjog (Mahapariwah) (Vol. V,121.138). These are arranged in
dksfVokjA
space according to increasing height. The outstanding Tantrik work
The chapter X of Meghmala deals with the propitiation of clouds and recognized ten types of clouds 1- ed w e?sk (Mukmegh), 2- çkf.ko"kk±s
apart from repeating the twelve species of clouds, already mentioned, (Pranivarshon), 3- fo'kokfjo'khZ (Vishawarivarshi), 4- LdkUn (Skand), 5- loarZ
adds another classification of the same comprising seven species (Sanvart), 6- ckzge (Braaham), 7- i"qdj (Pushkar), 8- ther w (Jimoot), 9-
designated as vEcqn] xksyd] fxfj] vkjksid] lioZr] f[kf[kUn and dksfVokj- b'Zkdr` (Ishkrit), 10- egfs'kdr`@dikykRsFk (Maheshikrit/Kapalotth). These
fo'o dks"kh; rkaf=d lkfgR; Hkh tyfoKku ij tkudkjh nsus esas ihNs ugha gSA types also occur according to the increasing height. It is perhaps for the
vfHkuo xqIr ds ra=yksd ls] ge tyok;q foKku vkSj ekSle laca/kh dqN first time in Indian literature that establishes the height of clouds. It
egÙoiw.kZ tkudkjh izkIr dj ldrs gSaA blds vkfºudk esa ns'kk/o izdk'ku esa reveals that different clouds occur at different level in the atmosphere.

tSu lkfgR; us Hkh ekSle&foKku ds {ks= esa dkQh ;ksxnku fn;k gSA îztkiuk* feykdj 133 fnuksa dh gksrh gSA
vkSj ^volhdk dqfuZl* fofHkUu izdkj dh gokvksa ds fy, mRd`"V lanHkZ iznku The 'Prajanapana' also refers to snowfall ¼fge½ and hailstorm ¼djd½ (I.16).
djrs gSa ¼f=ikBh] 1969½A volhdk dfuZl ianzg gokvksa dh ,d lwph izLrqr The 'Trilokasara' (Passage 679, P.280) of Nemichandra says that there are
djrh gS ¼9&7@913½ tSls& 1- izkphu okr] 2- mnhphu] 3- nf{k.kokr] 4- mÙkj seven types of dkyes?k (periodic clouds). They rain for seven days each in
ikSjLr;] 5- LokRlq] 6- nf{k.k iwoZ rqxj] 7- vijnf{k.k chtk;] 8- vijchtk;] the rainy season. Then there are twelve species of white clouds
9- vijksÙkxtZu] 10- mÙkjokRlqd] 11- nf{k.k lokRlqd] 12- iwoZrqaxj] 13- nf{k.k designated as nzks.k. They also bring rain for seven days each. Thus, the
vkSj if'pe chtk;] 14- if'pextZHk] 15- mÙkjh xtZHkA blh lanHkZ esa ckn esa season of rainfall extends over 133 days in all.
coaMj dkss dkfydkor ds :i esa lanfHkZr fd;k x;k gS& bl 'kCnkoyh us vjc
ckS) lkfgR; Hkh ekSle&foKku ij egRoiw.kZ izdk'k Mkyrk gSA igys tkrd ds
HkwxksyosÙkkvksa vkSj ukSlSfudksa dks izHkkfor fd;k Fkk vkSj mUgksasus buesa ls dbZ
vk[;ku esa] ftldk uke ^viUukdk* gS] dbZ tyok;q rF;ksa dk o.kZu fd;k x;k
Hkkjrh; rduhdh 'kCnksa dks viuh Hkk"kk ¼eksrhpanz] ^lFkZokg ¼fganh½] ist 202½ esa
gSA ^fexkyksiktkrd* ¼dksosy] vaxzsth vuqokn Hkkx III, i`"B 164½ esa] nks izpaM
vklkuh ls lekfgr dj fy;k FkkA
rwQkuksa dk mYys[k dkyokr ¼dkyh gok½ vkSj csjEcjkr ¼f=ikBh] 1969½ ds :i
The Jain literature also made a considerable contribution in the field of esa fd;k x;k gSA igys okys dks Åijh gok ¼la;qDrk fudk;k] vaxzsth vuqokn
meteorology. The 'Prajnapana' and 'Avasyaka Curnis' provide outstanding XIII,1&9] i`"B 157½ ls lacaf/kr dgk tkrk gSA lqes# ioZr ij vDlj fgald
references to the various types of winds (Tripathi, 1969). The Avasyaka rwQku vk;k djrs Fks ¼mRikVuokr ;k gj.kokr½ ¼egkeksjtkrd la[;k 491]
Curnis furnish a list of fifteen winds (9-7/913) as: 1- izkphuokr (Easterly)
ist 333] gfjr tkrd la[;k 431] i`"B 497½A ;g izo`fÙk esa coaMj tSlk fn[krk
2- mnhphu (northerly) 3- nf{k.kokr (Southerly) 4- mRrj ikSjLR; (Northerly gSA ^fefyaMk iUgks* esa xeZ gok ;k yw dks okrkri dgk x;k gS ¼vaxzsth vuqokn
blowing from the front) 5- lokRlqd (Sawatsuk), 10- mRrj lokRlqd
Hkkx II,IV, 6-35] i`"B 86½A ^vk;Zlqj* esa pkj izdkj dh gokvksa ds uke gSa]
(Uttar Sawatsuk), 11- nf{k.k lokRlqd (Dakshin Sawatsuk), 12- iwoZrqaxj
fu;rkfuy ¼ekulwu½] p.Mkfuy ¼VsEisLV½] mRikrokr ¼rwQku½ vkSj
(Purvatungar), 13- nf{k.k vkSj if'pe chtk; (Dakshin and Pashchim
i'pkR;okr ¼if'pe dh vksj½ ¼tkrdekyk] ,p- dsuZ }kjk lEikfnr 10-29]
Bijay), 14- if”pextHZk (Western storm) 15- mRrjhxtHZk (Northern storm).
i`"B 90] 127] 133½A ^fou; firkdk* ¼III, Hkkx 9-4] i`"B 85½ esa] coaMj dks
Later in the same continuation tornadoes are referred to as dkfydkokr
okreueaMyhdk & dgk x;k gSA ^fnO;onuk* rwQku ds dqN izdkj dks
(Kalikawat)- This vocabulary had influenced the Arabian geographers and
dkfydkokr ¼Hkkx II, i`"B 41½] vkSj o"kkZ ds lkFk&lkFk rwQku dks okro"kZe
navigators and they readily absorbed several of these Indian technical
¼Hkkx II, i`"B 163½ dgk x;k gSA ^fefyaniUgks* ¼IV.1-36½ dk dguk gS fd pkj
terms in their own language (Motichandra, 'Sarthavaha' (Hindi), P.202).
izdkj dh o"kkZ gksrh gSa& 1- cjlkr ds ekSle dh] 2- lnhZ ds ekSle dh] 3- nks
îztkiuk esa Hkh cQZckjh ¼fge½ vkSj vksyko`f"V ¼dkjd½ dk Hkh lanHkZ gS ¼I.16½A eghus vk"kk< vkSj Jko.k dh ¼tqykbZ vkSj vxLr½] vkSj 4- ekulwu ds fcuk
usehpanz ds ^f=yksdlkj* ¼va'k 679] i`"B 280½ esa dgk x;k gS fd lkr izdkj ds o"kkZA izFke n`f"V esa] ;g ns[kk tk ldrk gS fd oxhZdj.k iwjh rjg ls oSKkfud
dkyes?k ¼vkof/kd ckny½ gSaA cjlkr ds ekSle esa mues ls izR;sd lkr fnuksa ds gSA
fy, o"kkZ djrs gSaA fQj lQsn cknyksa dh ckjg iztkfr;k¡ gSa ftUgsa nzks.k dgk
The Buddhist literature also throws significant light on meteorology. In
x;k gSA os Hkh lkr fnuksa ds fy, o"kkZ djrs gSaA bl izdkj o"kkZ _rq dqy
48 v
the narrative of the first Jataka, named 'Apannaka', several climatological the 'Vinaya Pitaka' (III,V.9.4,P.85), whirlwind is called okre.Myhdk- The
factsare described. In 'Migalopajataka (Cowel, Eng. Trans. Vol.III, P.164.), Divyavadana' speaks of some kinds of hurricane as dkfydkokr (Vol.II,P.41),
two violent storms are mentioned as dkyokr (black wind) and csjEcjkr and of storm accompanied by rain as okro"kZe (Vol.II, P.163). The
(Tripathi, 1969). The latter is said to belong to the upper air (Samyutta 'Milindapanho' (IV.1.36) says that there are four types of rainfall: 1. of rainy
Nikaya, Eng. Trans. XVII. 1-9, P.157). The Sumeru mountainwas frequently season 2. of winter season, 3. of the two months vk"kk<+ and Jkou (July and
visited by a violent hurricane ¼mRikVuokr or gj.kokr½ (Mahamorajataka August), and 4. rain out of season. At a glance, it can be seen that the
No. 491, P.333; Harit Jataka No. 431, P.497). It resembled whirlwind in classification is fully scientific.
movement. In 'Milinda Panho' hot wind or Loo is spoken of as okrkri
ckS) lkfgR; cknyksa ds nks lkekU; oxksZa dks lanfHkZr djrk gS tSls& dkyes?k
(Eng. Trans.Vol.II,IV,6.35, P.86). 'Aryasura' names four types of winds
fu;rkfuy (Monsoon), p.Mkfuy (tempest), mRikrokr (hurricane) and ¼ekulwu ckny½ vkSj vdky es?k ¼rwQkuh ckny ;k la;ksxo'k okys½ ¼egkoLrq
Ik”pkR;ok;q (westorlies) (Jatakamala, ed. by H. Kern, 10.29, P.90, 127, 133). In Hkkx II, i`"B 34 f=ikBh] 1969½A l;aDqrk fudk;k us cknykas dks ikp¡ Jfs.k;kas eas
oxhdZ r` fd;k gS ¼Hkkx III, iLqrd XI,32-1-1] i"`B
200½] 1- 'khroykgd ¼'kkra ckny½] 2- m".koykgd
¼xeZ ckny½] 3- vHkz oykgd ¼gok ds ckny&'kk;
ok;eqMa y eas loagu /kkjk dh xfrfof/k ds dkj.k
cuus okys ckny½ vkjS 5- o"kZ oykgd ¼o"kkZ ds
ckny & lHakor% D;Ew;yksfuEcl tks lcls izpqj
ek=k esa o"kkZ ykrk gS½A
The Buddhist literature refers to two general
classes of cloudsas: dkyes?k (monsoon cloud)
and vdkyes?k (storm clouds or accidental
ones) (Mahavastu Vol.II, P.34, Tripathi, 1969).
The Samyutta Nikaya classifies clouds into
five categories (Vol.III, Book XI, 32.1.1,P.200),
1. “khroykgd (cool clouds), 2. Å".koykgd
(hot clouds) 3. vHkzoykgd (thunder clouds, it
can be identified with cumulus), 4.
okroykgd (wind clouds – perhaps clouds
formed due to the activity of convection
/kwy&pØokr
Duststorm current in the atmosphere) and 5. o"ko Z ykgd
(lzksr@Source : downtoearth) (rain clouds – most probably cumulonimbus

which brings copious downpour of rain). rrks fgeorks ok;qfgZea r= leqn~Hkoe~AA Matsya,I,54.24AA
bl izdkj] ge ns[krs gSa fd tSu vkSj ckS) xzaFkksa ¼400 bZ-iw- ls igys½ esa cknyksa vku;R;kReosxsu fl'p;kuks egkfxfje~A
vkSj gokvksa dk cgqr gh oSKkfud oxhZdj.k gS] ftudh rqyuk vk/kqfud ekSle fgeoUrefrØE; o`f"V”ks"ka rr% ije~AA Matsya,I,54.25AA
foKku ls dh tk ldrh gSA brus izkjafHkd dky esa lw{e fujh{k.k izkphu dky bl izdkj] frCcrh iBkj dh vYi o"kkZ ;k 'kq"d fLFkfr dk ,d cgqr egÙoiw.kZ
dh ,d Lof.kZe miyfC/k gSA HkkSxksfyd rF; lanfHkZr gSA izkphu dky esa Hkkjrh;ksa }kjk bl rF; dk v/;;u
Thus, we see that the Jain and Buddhist texts (before 400 B.C.) have a very vkSj Kku okLro esa mu izkphu Hkkjrh;ksa dh iz'kalk ;ksX; gSA fyax iqjk.k ¼[kaMA]
scientific classification of clouds and winds that can be compared with the 36-38-39 vkSj 49½ dgrs gSa] ß;g iou ;k ok;q izokg gS tks /kq,a vkSj rkih;
modern meteorology. So much of subtle observation at such an early date xfrfof/k }kjk ty ls Hkjs gq, cknyksa dks cukrk gS] rkfd iqLdj vkSj i{kt
is a golden achievement of ancient times. ckny izpqj o"kkZ nsa ldsaÞA
o"kkZ esa fofo/krk Thus, there is a reference to a very important geographic fact of scanty
rainfall or arid condition of the Tibetan plateau. The study and knowledge of
Variation of Rainfall this fact is really creditable on the part of those ancient Indians. The Linga
eRL; iqjk.k ds vuqlkj] cQZ ls vkPNkfnr igkM+ksa ¼fgeor½ ds mÙkj vkSj nf{k.k Purana (Vol. I,36.38.39 and 49) says “it is the izog wind or air
current which makes the clouds produced by smoke and thermal activity full
esa iq.Mª ckny gksrs gSa tks o"kkZ ds HkaMkj dks c<+krs gSaA ogk¡ gksus okyh lkjh o"kkZ
of water, so that the clouds Puskara ¼iq"dj½ and i{kt give copious rainfall”.
cQZ eas ifjofrZr gks tkrh gSA fgeor ij gok vius Lo;a ds cy }kjk mu cQZ
ds xqPNs dks [khaprh gS vkSj mUgsa fo'kky igkM+ksa ij Mkyrh gSA fgeor ls ijs nUnáekus"kq pjkpjs"kq xks/kweHkwrkLRoFk fu"ØefUrA
de o"kkZ gksrh gS ¼eRL;]A] 54-22&25½A ;k ;k Å/oZ ek:rsusfjrk oS rkLrkLRoHkzka;fXuukok;quk pAA Linga I,36.38AA
According to the Matsya Purana, to the north and south of the snow-clad
vrks /kwekfXuokrkuka la;ksxLRoeqP;rsA
mountains ¼fgeor½ occurs the iq.Mª cloud which greatly increases the okjhf.k o"kZrhR;ezeHkzL;s”k% lglzn`d~AA Linga I,36.39AA
stock of rain. All the rain formed there converts itself into the snow. The fofjpksPN oklrk% losZ izogLda/ktkLrr%A
wind on the fgeor draws by its own force those snow flakes and pours i{ktk% iq"dkjk|”p o"kkZfr p ;nk tye~AA Linga,I,36.49AA
them on the great mountains. Beyond the fgeor there occurs little rain vk/kqfud ekSle foKku gesa crkrk gS fd /kqzoh; gok,a okLro esa muds izHkko
(Matsya,I,54.22-25). okys {ks= ¶ySfdax iksy ;k VqaMªk esa o"kZ esa dHkh Hkh o"kkZ ugha ykrh gSa rFkk dsoy
“kdhjku~ lEizeq'pfUr uhgkj bfr l Le`r%A xfeZ;ksa esa mu LFkkuksa ij pyus okyh 'kfDr'kkyh if'peh gokvksa ds dkj.k dqN
nf{k.ksu fxfj;ksZ·lkS gsedwV bfr Le`r%AA Matsya,I,54.22AA o"kkZ gksrh gSA iqjk.kksa esa Hkh ;gh rF; crk;k x;k gS]
mnx~fgeor% “kSyL;ksRrjs pSo nf{k.ksA Modern meteorology tells us that polar winds actually never bring any
iq.Maª uke lek[;kra lEox~of"Vfoo`};sAA Matsya,I,54.23AA rainfall in the year in the region under their influence – flanking poles or
rfLeu~ izorZrs o"kZa rRrq"kkjleqn~Hkoe~A Tundra, and only scanty summer rain occurs in those areas due to the
50 v
sweeping of strong westerlies. The same fact is stated in the Puranic line, #f"krk bo /kkjkfHkfoZl`tUR;EHk% izlodkysAA Vr.S.21.24AA
/kqzos.kkf/kf"Brks ok;qo`Zf"Va lagjrs iqu%A 'yksd 31 mu fLFkfr;ksa ;k ekSle laca/kh vo;oksa ij ppkZ djrk gS tks LFkkfud
xzghfUuo`R;k lwTT;kZRrq pjrs _{ke.Mye~AA Matsya,Vol.I,54.36AA o"kkZ ds foLrkj dks fu/kkZfjr djrs gSa] gkykafd vk/kqfud ekSle laca/kh n`f"Vdks.k
eas bldk de egRo izrhr gksrk gSA
Meaning: The air from the Pole drives away the rain. The verse 31 discusses the conditions or meteorological ingredients
ojkg fefgj }kjk fyf[kr o`gr~ lafgrk vkSj e;wjkfpf=dk nks cgqr egÙoiw.kZ which determine the spatial expanses of rainfall, though it appears to be
of little value from modern meteorological point of view.
xzaFk gSa tks tyok;q vkSj ekSle laca/kh tkudkjh ls Hkjs gq, gSaA gkykafd os
T;ksfr"kh; vuqekuksa ls Hkjs gSa] muesa i;kZIr oSKkfud rF; Hkh gSaA o`gr~ lafgrk esa i¥~pfufeUrS% “kr;kstua rn)kZ)ZesdgkU;k·r%A
tyok;q foKku vkSj ekSle foKku ds rhu v/;k; ¼21osa] 22osa vkSj 23osa½ gSa vkSj o"kZfr i¥~pfufeRrknwzis.kSdsu ;ks xHkZ%AA Vr.S.21.31AA
os mudh viuh izkphu ikjaifjd 'kSyh esa fo"k; dk o.kZu djrs gSaA ;gk¡ dsoy v/;k; 22 ls] ;g Kkr gksrk gS fd jksosankj vkSj ?kus ckny izpqj ek=k esa o"kkZ
v/;k;ksa dh eq[; fo'ks"krk,a izLrqr dh x;h gSaA nsrs gSa tks d`f"k ds fy, cgqr gh thounk;h gksrh gSA blh izdkj] ;fn iwoZ]
The Vrhat Samhita and Mayuracitraka by Varahamihira are two very
important treatises which are replete with climatological and
meteorological information. Although they abound in astrological
guesses, they contain sufficient scientific facts also. In the Vrhat Samhita,
there are three chapters (21st, 22nd, and 23rd) on climatology and
meteorology and they treat the subject in their own ancient conventional
style. Here, only the salient features of the chapters are being presented.
o`gr lafgrk ds vè;k; 21 ds 'yksd 23 ,oa 24 o.kZu djrs gSa fd fcYdqy lQsn
vFkok ?kus ckny tyh; thoksa tSls fo'kky eNyh 'kkdZ vFkok dNqvksa ds
vuqdwy gksrs gSa rFkk izpqj o"kkZ ds lzksr gksrs gSaA
The verses 23 and 24 of the chapter 21 of Vrhat Samhita state that
extremely white or dark clouds resembling aquatic animals like huge fish,
shark or tortoise and seen before the rainy season are a source of
abundant rainfall viz.
eqDrkjtrfudk”kkLrekyuhyksRiy"BtukHkkl%A
typjlRokdkjk xHksZ"kq ?kuk% izHkwrtyk%AA Vr.S.21.23AA fljl % ÅapkbZ ij fLFkr cknyksa dk ,d çdkj
Cirrus : A form of high clouds
rhozfnokdjfdj.kkfHkrkfirk eUnek#rk tynk%A ¼lzksr@Source : Wikipedia½

nf{k.k vkSj mÙkj esa fLFkr ckny Øe'k% nf{k.k] if'pe vkSj mÙkj dh vksj c<+rs ekSle esa vi;kZIr o"kkZ gksrh gS ¼mijksDr ikaMqfyfi] i`"B 17&18½] vFkkZr~
gSa] rks os Bhd vkSj izpqj o"kkZ dk dkj.k curs gSaA Discussing the conditions determining rainfall, it says that if there is no
From chapter 22, it is gathered that fleecy and thick clouds give abundant frost in Magha (January–February), no vigorous wind in Phalguna
rainfall which is very congenial to agriculture. Again, if clouds situated in (February – March), no clouds in Chaitra (March–April), no hailstorm in
the east, south and north sail towards south, west and north respectively, Vaisakha (April–May) and no scorching heat in Jyestha (May–June), there
they cause fine and copious rainfall. is insufficient rain in the rainy season (Above manuscript, Page 17 -18), viz.
jfopUnzijhos"kk% fLuX/kk ukR;Urnwf"krk%A ek?ks fgea u irfr okrk okfUr u p Qky~xqusA
o`f"VLrnkfi foKs;k loZlL;kFkZlkf/kdkAA Vr.S.22.7AA u p /kwekf;ra pS=s ?kuSuZHkLrra u rqAA
es?kk% fLuX/kk% lagrk”p iznf{k.kxfrfØ;k%A dkjdk eksp u oS”kk[ks “kqØs p.Mkriks u fgA
rnk L;kUegrh o`f"V% loZlL;kfHko`);sAA Vr.S.22.8AA rnkfrrqPNk o`f"V% L;kr~ izko`"Vdkys u la”k;%AA
e;wjkfpf=dk esa] ;g dgk x;k gS fd fctyh ls jfgr fc[kjs gq, ckny yksxksa ds ;fn lqcg esa lw;Z xeZ gksrk gS] fnu ds le; mldk izdk'k ihys o.kZ dk gksrk gS
fy, gkfudkjd gksrs gSa vkSj tks yky vkSj js'keh lQsn ;k lqugjs ;k ØqUdk vkSj ckny Åu tSls vkSj dkys jax ds gksrs gSa] rks blds ifj.kke ls vPNh o"kkZ
i{kh ds jax ds gksrs gSa] tks okrkoj.k esa lfUufgr gksrs gSa vkjS cukoV eas Åu ds gksrh gSA blh izdkj ;fn lw;Z lqcg ;k mBus ds le; xeZ gksrk gS nksigj ds
leku gkrss gaS oks ykx
s kas ds fy, ge'skk ykHknk;d gkrss gAaS ik"Sk ¼fnlEcj&tuojh½ eas le; >qylkus okyk gksrk gS vkSj cknyksa dk jax fi?kys gq, lksus tSlk gksrk gS]
dkgsjs ;k /k/aqk dh otg ls vPNh o"kkZ gksrh gSA ¼lEiw.kkZuan laLd`r fo'ofo|ky;] rks o"kkZ mlh fnu gksrh gS ¼mijksDr ikaMqfyfi] i`"B 18½A
iqLrdky;] ikaMqfyfi la[;k 34332] i`"B 36&37½A If Sun is hot in the morning, its light during the day is of yellowish hue and
In the Mayuracitraka, it is stated that scattered clouds devoid of lightning clouds are fleecy and dark-coloured, the conditions result in good rain.
are harmful to people and those of red and white silken or golden or Similarly, if the Sun is hot in the morning or at the time of rising and
Kraunca bird's hue, embedded in the atmosphere and fleecy in texture are scorching at noon and clouds have a pigment of molten gold, rain occurs
always beneficial to the people. Causation of fog or mist in Pausa during the very day (above manuscript, Page 18).
(December–January) is conductive to good rainfall. (Sampurnanand izko`Vdkys ;nk lw;ksZ e/;kUgs nq% lgks Hkosr~A
Sanskrit University, Library, Manuscript No. 34332, Page 36-37). rn~fnus o`f"Vn% izksDrks Hk`”ka Lo.kZleizHk%AA
ikS"kL; d`".klIrE;ka uHkks foeyrkjde~A ;fn ikuh /kqa/kyk fn[kkbZ ns] ckny igkM+ ds vkdkj ds gksa] vkdk'k dk jax dkS,
LokR;ka rq"kkjikr%L;kr Jko.ks r= o"kZ.ke~AA ds vaMs tSlk gks] okrkoj.k 'kkar gks vkSj tyh; tkuoj mPp LFkku ilan djrs
o"kkZ dk fu/kkZj.k djus okyh fLFkfr;ksa ij ppkZ djrs gq,] dgk x;k gS fd vxj gksa vkSj vU; ry esa xk;c gks tk,¡ vkSj typj rst vkokt djrs gksa] rks cgqr
ek?k ¼tuojh&Qjojh½ esa dksbZ ikyk ugha iM+rk gS] QkYxqu esa dksbZ rst+ gok vPNh vkSj izpqj o"kkZ tYn gksrh gS ¼ikaMqfyfi la[;k 34332] i`"B 18½A blds
¼Qjojh&ekpZ½ ugha] pS= ¼ekpZ&vizSy½ esa dksbZ ckny ugha] cS'kk[k ¼vizSy&ebZ½ vykok] vxj cknyksa dh cukoV rhrj ds ia[kksa tSlh fn[krh gS rks o"kkZ gksrh gSA
esa dksbZ vksyk&o`f"V ugha] T;s"B ¼ebZ&twu½ esa fpyfpykrh xehZ ugha] rks o"kkZ ds If water appears to be dull, clouds are of the shape of mountain, the sky is
52 v
of the hue of crow's egg, there calm in the atmosphere and aquatic for forecasting rainfall variation through the observation of natural
animals like high and others disappear in the bottom and grogs make phenomena and the synchronization and co-relationship of the two. The
loud noise, very fine and copious rainfall comes soon (Manuscript No. symptomatic synchronization in the realm of nature is often governed by
34332, Page 18). Further, if the texture of the clouds resembles the wings laws having mathematical accuracy in which intuition of the animate
of a Partridge, rainfall occurs. (birds and the animals) and scientific cause and effect relationship of
events form the accurate base, provided the observation has been made
;nk tya p fojl xksus= lfUufHk%A
very carefully. In those ancient days, when advanced meteorology and its
fn”k”p foeyk% lokZ% dkdk.MkHka ;nk uHk%AA
complicated computations, computers and other cybernetics and servo-
u ;nk okfr riu% iou% LFkya ;nkA mechanic contrivances were unknown, this was of special significance
“kCna dqoZfUr e.MwdkLrnk L;kn~ o`f"VdRrekAA and most probably the only method.
bl izdkj] ;g Li"V gS fd e;wjkfpf=dk
us o"kkZ fHkUurk ds iwokZuqeku ds fy,
izkd`frd ?kVukvksa ds voyksdu vkSj
o.kZukRed vkSj nksuksa ds fj'rksa ds
lg&lEcU/kksa ds ek/;e ls fl)karksa dks
cukus dk iz;kl fd;k gSA izd`fr ds nk;js
ds y{k.kkRed o.kZu izk;% xf.krh;
lVhdrk okys dkuwuksa }kjk fu;af=r fd;s
tkrs gSa ftlesa psru dk varKkZu ¼if{k;ksa
vkSj tkuojksa½ vkSj ?kVukvksa ds oSKkfud
dkj.k vkSj izHkko laca/k lVhd vk/kkj
cukrs gSa] ;fn voyksdu cgqr lko/kkuh
ls fd;k x;k gksA mu izkphu fnuksa esa]
tc mUur ekSle foKku vkSj blds
tfVy lax.kuk] dEI;wVj vkSj vU;
lkbcjusfVDl vkSj loksZ&eSdsfud dk
Kku ugha Fkk rc ;g fo'ks"k egÙo dk Fkk
vkSj laHkor% ,dek= mik; FkkA
rhrj ds ia[k tSls ckny % o"kkZ dk ,d ladsrd
Thus, it is evident that Mayuracitraka Clouds resembling the wings of a Partridge: Indicator of rain.
has attempted to formulate principles ¼lzksr@Source : Wikipidia½

o"kkZ dk ekiu house, a bowel (Kunda) with its mouth as wide as an aratni (24 angulas =
18” nearly) shall be set up as rain gague ¼o"kkZeku½ (Arthasastra, Book II,
Measurement of Precipitation Chapt.V, P.56 Shamasastry). A schematic of the modern rain gauge is
o"kkZ ds :i esa o"kkZ dh ek=k lkekU;r% o"kkZekid esa ,df=r ikuh ds lap; ls shown in following figure. By comparing the dimensions of the ancient
fu/kkZfjr gksrh gS] vkSj dbZ izdkj ds ekid ;a= fu;fer :i ls bl dke ds Indian and Symon's rain gauge, one can easily infer about the level of
fy, yxk, tkrs gSaA ;g LFkkfir djus ds fy, iq[rk lcwr gSa fd o"kkZ ekius dh knowledge possessed during that period.
iz.kkyh ex/k ns'k ¼nf{k.k fcgkj½ esa ekS;Z 'kkldksa }kjk pkSFkh ;k rhljh 'krkCnh fofHkUu {ks=ksa esa o"kkZ dk forj.k ml le; vPNh rjg ls Kkr FkkA dkSfVY; ds
bZ-iw- esa izkjEHk dh x;h vkSj mUgsa igyh os/k'kkyk dh LFkkiuk dk Js; tkrk gSA vFkZ'kkL= ds ,d lanHkZ dk mYys[k ;gk¡ fd;k tk ldrk gS& ßtfUxYyk ns'k
NBh 'krkCnh ds var rd ds 'kkldksa }kjk bl iz.kkyh dk izHkkoh <ax ls iz;ksx ¼e:LFky ds ns'k ;k taxyksa ls Hkjs ns'k½ esa gksus okyh o"kkZ dh 16 nzks.k gSa]
tkjh j[kk x;k ¼Jhfuoklu bR;kfn] 1975½A vuqiue ¼ue ns'k½ dh rqyuk esa vk/ks ls vf/kd] os ns'k tks d`f"k ds fy, mi;qDr
The amount of precipitation in the form of rain is usually determined from gSa ¼ns'kokiue½] vLekdl ¼egkjk"Vª½ ds ns'kksa esa 13-5 nzks.k] voarh esa ¼laHkor%
the accumulation of water collected in a rain gauge; and several types of ekyok½ 23 nzks.k rFkk vijkUrue ¼if'peh ns'k] dksad.k ds ns'k½] esa fo'kky ek=k
recording instruments are routinely employed for the purpose. There are esa fgeky; dh lhekvksa vkSj mu ns'kksa esa tgk¡ ty&iz.kkyh d`f"k gsrq mi;ksx dh
strong proofs to establish that the system of measuring rainfall was tkrh gS dkSfVY; ds okf"kZd vkSlr ek=k ds laca/k esa o"kkZ {ks=ksa ds oxhZdj.k dh
introduced by the Mauryan rulers in the Magadha country (south Bihar) in fof/k okLro esa mYys[kuh; gS vkSj og ,dek= 'kkldh; ys[kd gSa ftUgksaus
the fourth or third century B.C. and they are credited with the laiw.kZ Hkkjrh; miegk}hi ds fy;s bl fo"k; ds igyqvksa dks la{ksi esa crk;k gS
establishment of first observatory. The system was continued to be ¼Jhfuoklu] 1975½A blls] ;g Li"V gS fd dkSfVY; }kjk nh xbZ o"kkZ dh eki
practised effectively by the succeeding rulers until the end of the sixth
century A.D. (Srinivasan et al., 1975).
ekS;Z dky ds nkSjku] o"kkZ ekid dks o"kkZeku ds :i esa tkuk tkrk Fkk &
dkSfVY; us blds fuekZ.k dk o.kZu bu 'kCnksa esa fd;k gS] ßHkaMkj ds lkeus] ,d
dVksjk ¼dqaMk½ ftldk eqag ,d vfrZuh ¼24 vaxqy = yxHkx 18 bap½ pkSM+k o"kkZ
ekid ¼o"kkZeku½ ds :i esa LFkkfir fd;k tk;sxk ¼vFkZ'kkL=] fdrkc II, v/;k;
V, ist 56 'kkek'kkL=h½A vk/kqfud o"kkZ ekid dk ,d ;kstuk vkxs n'kkZ;s x;s
fp= esa fn[kk;k x;k gSA izkphu Hkkjrh; vkSj lkbeu ds o"kkZ ekid ds vk;keksa
dh rqyuk djds] ml vof/k ds nkSjku Kku ds Lrj ds ckjs eas vklkuh ls
vuqeku yxk;k tk ldrk gSA
During the Mauryan period, the rain gauge was known as o"kkZeku- Lor% o"kkZekih ,oa lk/kkj.k o"kkZekih
Kautilya describes its construction in these words “In front of the store Self recording raingauge and Ordinary raingauge
54 v
dh i)fr oSlh gh gS tSlh vkt gekjs ikl gS] ,dek= varj ;g gS fd og bls jgk gksxkA vkxs bldk mYys[k djrs gq, vFkZ'kkL= iqLrd esa dgk x;k gS fd
dqy Hkkj esa O;Dr djrk gS ¼vFkZ'kkL=] fdrkc II, v/;k; XXIV, ist 130½ bl izdkj dh o"kkZ dk iwokZuqeku c`gLifr dh fLFkfr] xfr vkSj xHkZ ¼xHkZnku½]
tcfd ge vktdy jSf[kd eki dk mi;ksx djrs gSaA o"kkZ ds HkkSxksfyd 'kqØ ds mn;] vLr vkSj xfr] vkSj lw;Z ds izkd`frd ;k vizkd`frd igyqvksa dh
fooj.kksa ij ppkZ djrs gq, izsf{kr djrk gS fd ßtc o"kkZ dh visf{kr ek=k dk fLFkfr dks ns[krs gq, yxk;k tk ldrk gSA 'kqØ dh pky ls] o"kkZ dk vuqeku
,d frgkbZ] o"kkZ _rq ds izkajHk vkSj lekiu ds eghuksa ds nkSjku vkSj nks yxk;k tk ldrk gSA
frgkbZ chp esa gks] rc o"kkZ dk cgqr vf/kd leku :i ekuk tkrk gS As can be easily expected out of the agricultural necessity, the science of
¼l"kek:ie½A forecasting the rains had also come into existence and must have been
The distribution of rainfall in various areas was well known at that time. A developing empirically. It is further mentioned in the book Arthshastra
reference from Kautilya's Arthshatra can be cited here as: “'The quantity of that “A forecast of such rainfall can be made by observing the position,
rain that falls in the country of jangiila (desert countries or countries full of motion and pregnancy (garbhadhan) of Jupitar, the rising, setting and
jungles)is 16 dronas; half as much more in anupanam (moist countries); as motion of Venus, and the natural or unnatural aspects of the Sun. From the
the countries which are fit for agriculture (desavapanam); 13.5 dronas in movement of Venus, rainfall can be inferred”.
the countries of asmakas (Maharashtra); 23 dronas in Avanti (probably cknyksa ds oxhZdj.k vkSj o"kkZ rFkk d`f"k ds ijLij laca/k ij ppkZ djrs gq, vkxs
Malwa); and an immense quantityin aparantanam (western countries, ;g dgk x;k fd ßdqN ckny lkr fnu rd yxkrkj o"kkZ djrs gSa] vLlh oks gSa
the countries of Konkan); the borders of Himalayas and the countries
tks NksVh&NksVh cwans Mkyrs gSa vkSj lkB os gSa tks lw;Z /kwi ds lkFk fn[kkbZ nsrs
where water-channels are made use of in agriculture”. Kautilya's method
gSaÞA tc gok ls eqDr vkSj lw;Z ds izdk'k ds lkFk vfefJr o"kkZ gksrh gS blls
of classification of rainfall areas in relation to the annual average quantity
is indeed remarkable and he is the only classical author who treats this
rhu tqrkbZ laHko gks] fQj vPNh Qly dkVuk fuf'pr gSA
aspect in a nutshell covering almost the whole of the Indian subcontinent Discussing the classification of clouds and interrelationship of rainfall and
(Srinivasan, 1975). From this, it is evident that the spirit of the agriculture, it is further added that “there are clouds which continuously
methodology of the measurement of rainfall given by Kautilya is the same rain for seven days; eighty are they that pour minute drops; and sixty are
as we have today, the only difference is that he expresses it in weight they that appear with the Sun shine”. When rain, free from wind and
measures (Arth. Chapt. XXIV, Book II, P.130) while we use linear measure unmingled with sunshine falls, so as to render three turns of ploughing
nowadays. Discussing the further geographical details of rainfall, he possible, then reaping of good harvest is certain.
observes “when one-third of the requisite quantity of the rainfalls, both
v"Vk/;k;h ds ys[kd] ikf.kuh ¼700 bZ-iw-½ us o"kkZ ds ekSle dks izko`"k ¼IV, 3-26]
during the commencement and closing months of the rainy season, and
two third in the middle, then the rainfall is considered very even
VI 3-14½ vkSj o"kkZ ds :i esa lanfHkZr fd;k gSA iwoZ okyk _rq dk igyk Hkkx
¼l"kek#ie~½- FkkA bu nks Hkkxksa dks iwoZ o"kkZ vkSj vij o"kkZ ¼vo;okn_r% VII 3-11½ ds :i esa
tkuk tkrk FkkA mUgkuass o"kZ iezk.k ¼III, 4-32½ dks Hkh bl id
z kj lnafHkrZ fd;k gS %
tSlk fd d`f"k vko';drkvksa ds fy, mEehn dh tk ldrh gS] o"kkZ dk
The author of Astadhyayi, Panini (700 B.C.) refers to the rainy season as
iwokZuqeku yxkus dk foKku vfLrRo esa Fkk vkSj vuqHkotU; :i ls fodflr gks

izko`"k (IV, 3.26; VI, 3.14) and o"kkZ (IV 3.18). The former was the first part of the It is evident that the xks"in was the measure of the lowest rainfall.
season. These two parts were known as iw o Z o"kkZ and vijo"kkZ dkSfVY; dh rjg] d.kkn vkSj ojkg fefgj tSls vU; iwoZorhZ xzUFk us Hkh o"kkZ
¼vo;okn_rks% VII 3.11). He also refers to o"kZizek.k (III, 4.32) as: ekid ds firk ds midj.k dk o.kZu fd;k gS vkSj gesa crk;k fd blls o"kkZ
o"kZ izek.k Åyksi”pkL;kU;rjL;ke~AA Astadhayai,III,4.32AA dSls ekih tk,A v/;k; 23 ds 'yksd 2 esa] mUgksaus dgk gS fd ,d D;wfcV ekius
o"kkZ ds ekiu ds fy, mnkgj.kksa dk lUnHkZ nsrs gq, ikf.kfu vkxs fy[krs gSa ds fy, ,d xksykdkj dVksjh dk fuekZ.k ¼dq.Mde½ dj o"kkZ dh ek=k dks
xks"inija o`"Vks nso% ¼xk; ds [kqj ls cus xM~<+s ds cjkcj o"kkZ½] lhrk ija o`"Vks crkuk pkfg,] ;Fkk
nso% ugha ¼Lons'kh gy ds tksrus ls cuh yhd dks Hkjus ds cjkcj o"kkZ½A ;g Like Kautilya, Kanad and other precursor authorities such as Varahamihira
Li"V gS fd xks"in lcls de o"kkZ dk ekid FkkA also describe the device of the father of the raingauge and tell us how to
measure rainfall from it. In Verse 2 of chapter 23, he states that
Citing examples for measurement of rainfall Panini further writes xks"iniza
constructing a circular bowl ¼dq.Mde~½ measuring one cubit, one should
o`"Vks nso% (rain equivalent to depression created by hoof of cow), lhrkiza tell the amount of rainfall, viz.
o`"Vks nso% (rain equivalent to fill the furrow created by indigenous plough).
gLrfo”kkya dq.Mdef/kd`R;kEcqizek.kfunsZ”k%A
iTpk”kRiyek<+deusu feuq;kTtya ifrre~A Vr.S.23.2 AA
o`f"V ds ty dk ekiu djuk pkfg,] ty ls iw.kZ bl dq.M esa ipkl iy ¼,d

vk<+d½ rqY; ty gksrk gSA ipkl iy dk ,d vk<+d vkSj pkj vk<+d dk ,d
nzks.k gksrk gSA
mUgksaus o"kkZ dh x.kuk ds fy, og ikyk] nzks.k vkSj vk<+d ¼4 vk<+d = 1 nzks.k =
200 iy vkSj 1 vk<+d = yxHkx 7 ikmaM½ ds otu ds mik;ksa dks viuk;kA
eki ds fy,] o"kkZ ds okLrfod le; dh vof/k esa dVksjs esa izkIr ikuh dks ekik
tkuk pkfg,A le; ds vuqlkj o"kkZ ds forj.k ij ppkZ 6] 7] 8] vkSj 9 'yksdksa
esa dh xbZ gS o`gn lafgrk ds ;s 'yksd fofHkUu panz dykvksa esa o"kkZ dh ek=k dks
fufnZ"V djrs gSaA
For calculating rainfall he adopts weight measures of pala, drona and
adhaka (4 vk<+d = 1 nzks.k = 200 iy] and 1 vk<+d = 7 lbs. nearly). For
çkphu dky esa xks"in ¼xk; ds [kqj ls cuk xM~<+k½ o"kkZ ekiu dk lcls NksVk ekid Fkk measurement, rain water received in the bowl during the actual falling
In the ancient time “Goshpad” (pit formed from the khur of the cow) was the should be measured. The distribution of the rainfall according to time is
smallest unit of rainfall measurement discussed in the verses 6,7,8 and 9. These verses of Vrhat Samhita specify
56 v
the amount of rainfall in various lunar mansions as : Garbhlakhsnadhyaya). viz.
gLrkI;lkSE;fp=kikS".k/kfu"Bklq "kksM”k nzks.kk%A vk<+dkT”prqjks nzks.kku;ka fo?kkr~ izek.kr%A
“krfHk"kxSUnzLokfr"kq pRokj% d`fRrdklq n”k%AA Vr.S.23.6 AA /kuq% izek.ka esfnU;ka fo?kkn nzks.kkfHko"kZ.ke~AA
Jo.ks e?kkuqjk/kkHkj.khHkwys"kq n”k prq;qZDrk%A prqfoZ”kkM~- xqykukgs f}prq"dkM- xqyksfPgrsA
QYxqU;ka i¥~pd`fr% iquoZlks fo”kafrnzks.kk%AA Vr.S.23.7 AA Hkk.Ms o"kkZEoqlaiwZ.ksZ] Ks;ek<do"kZ.ke~AA Vr.S.between 21.32 and 21.33AA
,sUnzkXU;k[;s oS”os p fo”kafr lkiZHks n”k =~;f/kdk%A
vkfgcqZ/U;k;ZE.kizktkiR;s"kq i¥~pd`fr%A Vr.S.23.8 AA milagkj
i¥~pn”kkts iq";s p dhfrZrk okftHks n”k }kS pA Epilogue
jkSnzs·Vkn”k dfFkrk nzks.kk fu:inzkos"osrsAA Vr.S.23.9 AA bl v/;k; esa izLrqr fofHkUu ppkZvksa ls gesa irk pyrk gS fd es?k fuekZ.k] o"kkZ
vkSj blds eki ls lacaf/kr Kku izkphu Hkkjr esa mPp dksfV dk FkkA okf"ir ty
izo"kZ.kdky esa o`f"V gks rks izlodky esa lksyg nzks.k o`f"V gksrh gSA blh rjg dk la?kuu tks /kwy d.kksa vkfn dh mifLFkfr ls lqxe gksrk gS ¼tks vk/kqfud
'krfHk"kk] T;s"Bk vkSj Lokrh esa pkj nzks.k] d`frdk esa nl nzks.k] Jo.kk] e/k] ekSle foKku ds vuqlkj ukfHkd ds :i esa dk;Z djrk gS½] o"kkZ ds gksus esa ;K]
vuqjk/k] Hkj.kh vkSj ewy esa pkSng nzks.k] iwoZ QkYxquh esa iPphl nzks.k] iquoZlq esa taxyksa tyk'k;ksa vkfn ds izHkko vkSj cknyksa dk oxhZdj.k muds jax] o"kkZ
chl nzks.k] fo'kk[kk vkSj mRrjk"kk<k esa chl nzks.k] vk'ys"kk esa rsjg nzks.k] mRrj {kerk vkfn ds lkFk izkphu Hkkjrh; lkfgR; tSls fd osn] iqjk.k] oSf';dk lw=]
Hkknzink] mRrj QkYxquh vkSj jksfg.kh esa iPphl nzks.k] iwoZHkknzink vkSj iq"; esa v"Vk/;k;h vkSj vFkZ'kkL= vkfn esa vPNh rjg ls of.kZr fd;k x;k gSA
iUnzg nzks.k] vf'ouh esa ckjg nzks.k] rFkk vknkZ esa ;fn izo"kZ.kdky esa o`f"V gks rks izkd`frd ?kVukvksa tSls fd vkdk'k ds jax] ckny] fctyh banz/kuq"k vkfn ds
izlodky esa vBkjg nzks.k o`f"V gksrh gSA vk/kkj ij o"kkZ dk iwokZuqeku mYys[kuh; FkkA o"kkZ ekius ds fy, ;a= fodflr
v/;k; XXXV esa] mudk dguk gS fd banz/kuq"k dh ?kVuk ok;qeaMy esa cknyksa ds fd;s x, Fks vkSj muds fl)kar vk/kqfud tyfoKku ds leku Fks flok; blds
ek/;e ls lw;Z dh fdj.kksa ds o.kZØe fo'ys"k.k dk ifj.kke gSa ¼XXXV.1½A fd ekiu ds fy, nzks.k] iy vkfn ds otu dks vk/kqfud jSf[kd eki ds LFkku
ij iz;ksx fd;k x;k FkkA
In chapter XXXV, he says that phenomenon of rainbow is the result of
spectro analysis of Sun's rays through clouds in the atmosphere. (XXXV.1) From the various discussions presented in this chapter, we note that the
knowledge related to cloud formation, precipitation and its
lw;ZL; fofo/ko.kkZ% iousu fo?kfV~Vrk% djk% lkHkszA measurement was of outstanding order in ancient India. Condensation of
fo;fr /kuq% laLFkkuk ;s n`”;Urs rfnUnz/kuq%AA Vr.S.35.1AA evaporated water which is facilitated by the presence of dust particles etc.
ijk'kj izkphu o"kkZekid dh ;qfDr vkSj o"kkZ dh ek=k dks ekius dh fof/k ds ckjs (which acts as nuclei as per modern meteorology), effect of yajna ¼;K½,
esa tkurs Fks ¼o`gr~ lafgrk] v/;k; 21] xHkZy[luk/;k;½A vFkkZr] forests, reservoirs etc. on the causation of rainfall and the classification of
clouds alongwith their colour, rainfall capacity etc. are thoroughly
Parasara knew the contrivance of primitive raingauge and method of described in ancient Indian literature like Vedas, Puranas, Vaisesika Sutra,
measuring the quantity of rain received (Vrhat Samhita, Chapt. 21, Astadhyayi, Arthasastra and Puranas. The forecasting of rainfall on the

basis of natural phenomena like colour of sky, clouds, lightening, rainbow gSa fd Hkkjr esa izkphu dky esa ekSle foKku vkSj lac) izfØ;kvksa dk le`)
etc. was noteworthy. The instruments for measuring rainfall were Kku Fkk] tks vk/kqfud tyfoKku ds cjkcj gSA
developed and the principles were same as that of modern hydrology
The Indus civilization was able to find the seasonal variations in rainfall
except that weight measure of Drona, Pala etc. were used instead of
and methods to check the Indus floods. During the Mauryan period, it was
modern linear measurement.
possible to describe the distribution of rainfall in different areas of India
fla/kq lH;rk o"kkZ esa ekSleh fofo/krkvksa vkSj fla/kq ck<+ dks jksdus ds rjhdksa dks and they are credited with the installation of first observatory worldwide.
[kkstus esa l{ke FkhA ekS;Z dky ds nkSjku] Hkkjr ds fofHkUu {ks=ksa esa o"kkZ ds Modern meteorological facts like arid region of Tibetan rain shadow area
forj.k dk o.kZu djuk laHko Fkk vkSj mUgsa fo'o Hkj esa igyh os/k'kkyk dh and no rainfall due to polar winds are fully advocated in Puranas. The Jain
LFkkiuk dk Js; fn;k tkrk gSA vk/kqfud ekSle laca/kh rF;ksa tSls frCcrh 'kq"d and Buddhist works guessed the actual height of clouds. Knowledge of
{ks=k esa o"kkZ Nk;k vkSj /kqzoh; gokvksa ds dkj.k o"kkZ u gksus dk] iqjk.kksa esa iwjh monsoon winds and their effects as conceived by ancient Indians is in
rjg leFkZu fd;k x;k gSA tSu vkSj ckS) d`fr;ksa us cknyksa dh okLrfod accordance to modern hydro-science. These facts show that there was
enriched knowledge of water science and associated processes, including
ÅapkbZ dk vuqeku yxk;kA ekulwuh gokvksa dk Kku vkSj muds izHkko dh
meteorology during ancient times in India, which is at par to the modern
izkphu Hkkjrh;ksa }kjk dYiuk vk/kqfud tyfoKku ds vuqlkj gSaA ;s rF; crkrs
water science.
58 v
vijks/ku] var%L;anu vè;k;
vkSj ok"iksRltZu CHAPTER 4
INTERCEPTION, INFILTRATION AND
EVAPOTRANSPIRATION
tyfoKkuh; pØ esa] o"kkZ ds :i esa fxjus okyk ikuh] lekosf'kr ty] vijks/ku vkSj var%L;anu
¼var%Liafnr ty½ lrgh viokg vkSj Hkwfexr ty HkaMkj.k ds :i esa fQj ls
Interception and Infiltration
izdV gksrk gSA bls vk/kqfud tyfoKku lkfgR; esa o"kkZ foHkktu Hkh dgk tkrk
gSA lrgh vkSj Hkwty tyk'k; yxkrkj iquHkZj.k ¼o"kkZ½ }kjk iqu% Hkj jgs gSa vkSj vijks/ku o"kkZ dk fgLlk gS tks i`Foh dh lrg ds }kjk xzg.k fd;k tkrk gS vkSj
ok"ihdj.k }kjk fjDr gks jgs gSaA o"kkZ ds ?kVdksa ds foHkktu ls lacaf/kr fofHkUu tks rRi'pkr~ okf"ir gks tkrk gSA vijks/ku o"kkZ dh ek=kk dk 15&50% gks
vo/kkj.kkvksa dh izkphu Hkkjrh;ksa }kjk vPNh rjg ls dYiuk dh xbZ FkhA bl ldrk gS] tks fd ikuh ds ctV dk ,d egRoiw.kZ ?kVd gSA dbZ izdkj ds
v/;k; esa bl {ks= esa osnksa vkSj vU; izkphu Hkkjrh; lkfgR; esa miyC/k izkphu vijks/ku gks ldrs gSa] tks ,d nwljs ds lkFk ijLij fØ;k Hkh dj ldrs gSa
Kku ds ckjs esa la{ksi esa ppkZ dh xbZ gSA ¼xsfjV~l 2010½A var%Lianu 'kCn dk mi;ksx ml izfØ;k dk o.kZu djus ds
In the hydrological cycle, water which falls as rain reappears as infiltrated
fy, fd;k tkrk gS ftlesa ikuh dks feV~Vh }kjk lks[kk ;k vo'kksf"kr fd;k
water, runoff, surface and underground water storage. This is also called tkrk gS ¼gkWVZu] 1933½ vkSj ;g tyfoKkuh; pØ ds egÙoiw.kZ ?kVdksa esa ls ,d
as rainfall partitioning in modern hydrologic literature. The surface and gSA tyfoKkuh; pØ esa ty egklkxjksa vkSj Hkwfe ij fofHkUu lrgh ty fiaMkas
ground water reservoirs are constantly getting replenished by recharge ls ok"ihd`r gksdj ok;qeaMy dk fgLlk cu tkrk gSA okf"ir ueh Åij mBrh
(precipitation) and depleted by evapotranspiration. The concepts related gS vkSj ok;qeaMy esa rc rd QSyrh gS tc rd fd ;g Hkwfe ij ;k lkxj esa cjl
to the various components of rainfall partitioning were well conceived by ugha tkrhA o"kkZ ds ikuh dk vijks/ku gks ldrk gS vkSj ikS/kksa }kjk ok"iksRltZu
the ancients Indians. This chapter briefly discusses about the ancient esa mi;ksx fd;k tk ldrk gS ;k ;g tehu ij cg Hkh ldrk gSA
knowledge in this field as available in the Vedas and other ancient Indian
literature. Interception is the part of the rainfall that is intercepted by the earth's
surface and which subsequently evaporates. Interception can amount to

15-50% of precipitation, which is a significant part of the water budget. The verses 184.15-17 of Mahabharata state that the plants take water
One can distinguish many types of interception, which can also interplay through their roots. The mechanism of water uptake by plants is explained
with each other (Geritts, 2010). The term infiltration is used to describe the by the example of water rise through a pipe. It is said that the water uptake
process involved where water soaks into or is absorbed by the soil process is facilitated by the conjunction of air. This clearly reveals the
(Horton, 1933) and it is one of the important components of the knowledge of capillary action of soil in movement of water up and down
hydrologic cycle. In the hydrologic cycle, water from the oceans and as:
various surface bodies on the land evaporates and becomes part of the
atmosphere. The evaporated moisture is lifted and dispersed in the iknS% lfyyikukPp~ O;k/khuka okfi n”kZukr~A
atmosphere until it precipitates on the land or in the ocean. The O;kf/kizfrfØ;RokPp fo?krs jlua nzqesAA MB.XII,184.15 AA
precipitated water may be intercepted and used in transpiration of the oD=s.kksRiyukysu ;Fkks/oa tyekn~nsrA
plants or may run over the ground. rFkk ioula;qDr% iknS% fiofr ikni%A MB.XII,184.16AA
vijks/ku ds dqN lanHkZ izkphu Hkkjrh; lkfgR; esa vU; fo"k;ksa ;Fkk o"kkZ] es?k tgk¡ rd var%Lianu dh ckr gS] fo}ku] ojkg fefgj us Li"V :i ls o`gr
fuekZ.k vkSj i;kZoj.k 'kqf)dj.k ij ouksa vkSj ouLifr;ksa ds izHkko dh O;k[;k lafgrk ds mn~?kkVu 'yksd esa bldk mYys[k fd;k gSA izFke 'yksd esa crk;k
ds lkFk vUrfefJr ik, tkrs gSaA rS=h; ¼rSRrjh;½ lafgrk esa o"kkZ ds gksus ij x;k gS fd dqN LFkkuksa ij ty Lrj mPp gS vkSj vU; LFkkuksa ij ;g fuEu gS%&
ouksa ds izHkko dk mYys[k fd;k x;k gS ¼Vh-,l- II] 4-9-3½
As far as infiltration is concerned, the scholar, Varahamihira clearly reveals
Some references to interception are found intermixed with other topics in it in the opening shloka of the Vrhat Samhita. Verse I tells us that at some
ancient Indian literature, such as explaining the effect of forests and places water table is higher and at others it is lower as:
vegetation on rainfall, cloud formation and environmental purification.
Taithiriya Samhita mentions the effect of forests on causation of rainfall iqalka ;Fkknsu f”kjkLrFkSo f{krkofi izksUurfuEulaLFkk% (Vr.S,54.1)
(TS.II,4.9.3)
bldk rkRi;Z gS fd i`Foh ds uhps ikuh dh izo`fÙk ekuo 'kjhj esa ulksa dh rjg
lkSHk;;SokgqR;k fnoks o`f"Veo #U/ks e?kq"kk la ;kSR;ika gS] dqN mPp vkSj dqN U;wuA
ok ,"k vks"k/khuka jlks ;Ue/oHkn; ,okS"k/khHk;ks o"kZR;Fkks
It implies that the water veins beneath the earth are like veins in the
vn~Hk; ,okS"k/khHk;ks o`f"Va fu u;frAA TS,II,4.9.3AA human body, some higher and some lower.
egkHkkjr ds 'yksd 184-15&17 esa dgk x;k gS fd ikS/ks vius tM+ksa ls ikuh ihrs ,dsu o.ksZu jlsu pkEHk”P;qra uHkLrks olq/kkfo”ks"kkr~A
gSaA ikS/kksa }kjk ikuh ds mBus dh izfØ;k dks ,d ikbi ds ek/;e ls ikuh ds uukjlRoa ogqo.kZrka p xra ijh{;a f{kfrrqy~;esoAA Vr.S.,54.2 AA
p<+us ds mnkgj.k }kjk le>k tk ldrk gSA ;g dgk tkrk gS fd gok ds
la;qXeu ls ty mBus dh izfØ;k lqxe gks tkrh gSA blds }kjk Li"V :i ls o`gr lafgrk dk 'yksd 54-2 ;g crkrk gS fd vkdk'k ls fxjrk ikuh i`Foh dh
feV~Vh esa dsf'kdk izfØ;k ds }kjk ikuh ds Åij mBus vkSj uhps fxjus ds Kku fofHkUu izd`fr ls dbZ jax vkSj vyx&vyx Lokn dks xzg.k djrk gSA bl
dk irk pyrk gS % izdkj] rkRi;Z ;g gS fd o"kkZ ty dk var%Linau Hkwty dk lzksr gSA Hkwty o"kkZ
60 v
ty dk ,d tfVy Qyu gSA o"kkZ ty dk ewy :i ls ,d tSlk gh jax gksrk gS 1200 bZLoh ds ;qx esa ckiqns'k 'kkL=h }kjk fyf[kr rhu 'yksdksa ¼HkkLdjkpk;Z
ysfdu i`Foh dh lrg ij uhps vkus ds ckn vkSj vUr%lzo.k ds ckn fofHkUu jaxksa }kjk fyf[kr fl)kar f'kjksef.k esa] Hkkx&2 xksyk/;k;] f=kikBh] 1969½ esa dksgjs
vkSj Loknksa dks xzg.k djrk gSA ;k /kqa/k dh ?kVuk ds fy, oSKkfud fooj.k iznku fd, x, gSaA dksgjs gsrq ^^jt%
lfgrÞ 'kCn dk iz;ksx fd;k x;k gSA 'yksd esa 'kq) :i esa dgk x;k gS fd o"kkZ
Vrhat Samhita verse 54.2 says that the water falling from sky assumes
ds var esa fo?kfVr ckny ¼ueh½ i`Foh dh lrg vkSj ioZr] isM+ ouLifr
various colours and tastes from differences in the nature of earth. Thus, it
implies that the infiltration of rainwater is the source of groundwater.The
vkPNknu ;k mn~;ku ds ikl yVds jgrs gSa vkSj gok vkSj xehZ dh xfrfof/k ds
ground water is a complex function of rainwater. Rainwater originally has ek/;e ls bu lrgksa ls vn'`; gks tkrs gSaA blls Li"V :i ls tehuh lkexzh]
the same colour etc., but assumes different colours and tastes, after ouLifr vkfn }kjk vijks/ku vkSj gok dh xehZ dh xfrfof/k }kjk le; ds lkFk
coming down to the surface of the earth and after percolation. blds vn`'; gksus ds rF; dk irk pyrk gSA
Three verses quoted by Bapudeva Sastri (in
Sindhanta Siromani by Bhaskaracharya,
Part II, Goladhayaya, Tripathi, 1969)
belonging to an era prior to 1200 A.D.,
provide scientific details of the phenomena
of fog or mist (for which the term jt% lagfr
has been used). The verses purport to say
that at the end of rainy season dissipated
clouds (moisture) hang near the surface of
the earth and eclipse mountains, trees,
vegetation cover or gardens and disappear
through the activity of air and heat from
these surfaces. This clearly reveals the fact
of interception by earthy materials,
vegetation etc. and its disappearance with
time by the activity of air and heat.
ok"iksRltZu
Evapotranspiration
o"kkZ mijkUr isM+ksa ds vkl&ikl vkPNkfnr dksgjk ok"ihdj.k vkSj ok"iu&mRltZu vkSj vU;
Mist around trees after rain tyfoKkuh; izfØ;kvksa ds lkFk bu ?kVukvksa
(lzksr@Source : Unsplash.com

dk varl±ca/k oSfnd vkSj vU; izkphu Hkkjrh;ksa }kjk vPNh rjg ls le>k x;k The verse VIII,72.4 of the Rig Veda says that the atmospheric air gets
Fkk tSlk fd izkphu lkfgR; ls fl) gksrk gSA _Xosn ¼ I] 6-10½ esa ;g mYys[k gS heated due to Sun, then this heat reaches the Earth and converts the
fd lw;Z dh fdj.k i`Foh vkSj vU; inkFkksZa esa fufgr ty dks NksVs&NksVs d.kksa esa humidity into vapour and collects it as clouds, which is the cause of the
rksM+rh gS] fQj ;s NksVs&NksVs d.k gok esa p<+rs gSa vkSj ckny dk fuekZ.k djrs rain and food production as:
gSa] ;Fkk % tkE;rhris /kuqoZ;ks/kk v#g}ue~A
The phenomena of evaporation and evapotranspiration and its /"knsZ ftg~o;k"k/khr~AA R.V.VIII,72.4AA
interrelation with other hydrological processes were well understood by
ancient Indians as evidenced by Vedic and other ancient literature. In Rig
Veda (I,6.10) it is mentioned that the sun ray breaks the water contained in rd igqapdj tgka&rgka dh vknzZrk dks ok"i esa ifj.kr dj es?k ds :i esa ,d=
the earth and other materials into minute particles, then these minute djrk gS vkSj fQj ogh ,df=r ckny fNUu&fHkUu gksdj o"kkZ esa ifj.kr gksdj
particles ascend by air and form clouds as: vUu ds mRiknu dk dkj.k curk gS] blh dkj.k vUrfj{kLFk vfXu ô;ks/k* gSA
brks ok lkfrehegsZ fnoks ok ikfFkZoknf/kA _Xosn dh rjg] ;tqosZn esa ok"ihdj.k ds lkFk&lkFk mRltZu ds ckjs esa dqN
bUnaz egks ok jtl%AA R.V.I,6.10 AA Kku Hkh lfEefyr gS] ;Fkk %
uO;a rnqDF;a fgra nsokl% lqizokpue~A Like Rig Veda, the Yajur Veda also contains some knowledge about
_re"kfZUr flU/ko% lR;a rkrku l;wkZs foRra es vL; jknslhAA R.V.I,105.12AA evaporation along with transpiration as:
_Xosn ds 'yksd I] 105-12 esa dgk x;k gS fd leqnz vkfn ls ty lw;Z dh nsoks ouLifrnsZofeUnza o;ks/kla nsoks nsoeo/kZ;rA
fdj.kksa dh xehZ ds dkj.k okf"ir gks tkrk gS] tks o"kkZ ds cuus dk izkFkfed lsfUæ;a HkxfeUæs o;ks n/k}lqousa olq/ks;ZL; osrq ;taAA Y.V.,28.43AA
dkj.k gSA _Xosn ds 'yksd IV] 58-1 esa Hkh ;gh rF; lkeus vk;k gS % nsoks nosoSuZLifrfgjZ.;i.kkZs e/k”qkk[k% lfqiIiykas nosfeUnezo/k;ZrA~
The verse I,105.12 of Rig Veda says that the water from the sea etc., fnoex.szkkLi{`knkUrfj{ka iFòhen` gh}loquas ol/qk;sL; orsq ;tAA Y.V.,28.20AA
evaporates due to the heat of Sun rays, which is the primary cause of rain
;g dgrk gS fd ouLifr i`Foh ls ikuh dks vkdf"kZr djrh gS ,oa xehZ] gok
formation. The same fact is revealed in the verse IV,58.1 of Rig Veda as:
bR;kfn }kjk ok;qeaMy esa okf"ir djrh gS ftlls cknyksa dk fuekZ.k gksrk gSA
leqnzknwfeZeZ/kqek¡ mnkjnqika”kquk lee`rRoekuV~A blh rjg] vFkoZosn ¼IV] 25-2 vkSj IV] 27-14½ esa dgk x;k gS fd lkoZHkkSfed
?k`rL; uke xqáa ;nfLr ftg~ok nsoukee`rL; ukfHk%AA R.V.IV,58.1AA lw;Z vkSj gok ds dkj.k] ikuh vkdk'k esa tkrk gS vkSj o"kkZ ds :i esa okil vkrk
gSA ok"iksRltZu lw;Z dh fdj.kksa vkSj gok ds dkj.k gksrk gS] ;Fkk %
_Xosn ds 'yksd vkBosa] 72-4 esa dgk x;k gS fd ok;qeaMyh; gok lw;Z ds dkj.k
xeZ gks tkrh gS] fQj ;g xehZ i`Foh rd igqaprh gS vkSj vknzZrk dks ok"i esa It says that the vegetation attracts water from Earth and evaporates it to
ifjofrZr djrh gS vkSj bls cknyksa ds :i esa ,d= djrh gS] tks o"kkZ vkSj [kk| the atmosphere due to heat, wind etc. to form clouds. Similarly, Atharva
mRiknu dk dkj.k gS ;Fkk%& Veda (IV,25.2 and IV,27.14) says that due to universal Sun and air, the
water goes to the sky and comes back as rain. The evapotranspiration is
62 v
caused due to Sun rays and wind as: lkSj ?kVuk,a vkdk'k ;k LoxZ ls tqM+h gSa] tcfd fctyh] o"kkZ vkSj gok dks
ok;qeaMy esa gksus okyh ?kVukvksa ds :i esa lanfHkZr fd;k tkrk gS ¼vkj-oh-] IV]
;;ks% la[;krk ofjek ikfFkZokfu ;kH;ka jtks ;qfireUrfj{ksA 53-5] III] 56] I.] 108-9&10½ ysfdu bu inksa ls ;g lafnX/k yxrk gS fd _Xosn
;;ks% izk;a ukUoku”ks d”pu rkS uks eq´~preagl%AA A.V.IV.25.2 AA dks ok;q&eaMy dh okLrfod lhek ;k Å/okZ/kj ÅapkbZ dk irk ;k vuqeku FkkA
vi% leqnzkn~ fnoeqn~ogfUr fnoLi`fFkohefHk ;s l`tfUrA
;s vföjh”kkuk e#r”pjfUr rs uks eq´~pURoagl%AA A.V.IV,27.4 AA The solar phenomena are associated with the vault of the sky or heaven,
while lightning. Rain and wind are referred to as occurring in the
_Xosn ds 'yksd 173-6 esa dgk x;k gS fd ok;q eaMy us i`Foh dks pkjksa rjQ ls atmosphere (R.V.,IV,53.5, III.,56, I.,108.9-10) but it is doubtful whether the
?ksj j[kk gSA Rig Veda knew or guessed exactly the limit or the vertical height of the
atmosphere, from these verses:
The versa I,173.6 of the Rig Veda states that the atmosphere encompasses
the Earth. ;fnUækXuh ijeL;ka i`fFkO;ka e/;eL;keoeL;keqr LFk%A
vr% ifj o`"k.kkok fg ;kreFkk lkseL; fiora lqrL;AA R.V.I,108.9-10AA
iz ;fnRFkk efguk u`H;ks vLR;ja jksnlh d{;s ukLeSA
"kM~ Hkkjk¡ ,dks vpjfUcHkR;`Zra of"kZ"Beqi xko vkxq%A
la foO; bUnzks o`tua u Hkwek HkfRrZ Lo/kkok¡ vksi”kfeo |ke~AA R.V.I,173.6AA
frlzks egh:ijkLrLFkqjR;k xqgk }s fufgrs n”;sZdkAA R.V.III, 56.2AA
=h "k/kLFkk flU/kofL=% dohukeqr f=ekrk fonFks"kq lezkVA
_rkojh;ksZ"k.kkfLrlzksZ vI;kfL=jk fnoks fonFks iR;ekuk%AA R.V.,III,56.5AA
f=jUrfj{ka lfork efgRouk =h jtkafl ifjHkwL=hf.k jkspukA
frlkzs fno% if`FkohfLrlz bUofr f=fHkorzZjSfHk uks j{kfr ReukAA R.V.,IV,53.5AA
geus i<+k gS ßlfo=k ¼lw;Z½ ifjek.k esa vkdk'k ds rhu [kaMksa] rhu nqfu;k] rhu
'kkunkj e.My] rhu vkdk'k] rhu xquk i`Foh dks ?ksjs gSA bl laca/k esa ,d cgqr
gh egÙoiw.kZ iz'u eu esa vkrk gS fd D;k vkdk'k ds rhu foHkktu {kksHk eaMy]
lerki eaMy vkSj vk;u eaMy gSaA iqu% i`Foh ds vfr 'khry] le'khrks".k vkSj
m".k esa rhu foHkktu fQj ls gesa ;g lkspus ;ksX; cukrs gSa fd D;k vk;Z vfr
'khry vkSj le 'khrks".k {ks=ksa ds ckjs esa tkurs Fks vkSj ;g laHko gS fd mudh
leqnzh ;k=k vkSj vkokl ds fy, vfxze vfHk;ku ds nkSjku mUgsa vfr'khry {ks=
dk irk pyk gksA
We read “Savitr (the Sun) encompassing them by magnitude pervades
the three divisions of the firmament, the three world, the three brilliant
ouksas esa ok"ihdj.k }kjk LFkkuh; cknyksa dk fuekZ.k spheres, the three heavens, the three-fold Earth. In this connection a very
Formation of local clouds in the forest by evaporation
(lzksr@Source : Earth.org) significant question comes in to mind whether the three divisions of

firmament denote troposphere, stratosphere, and ionosphere? Again in The epic Ramayana also furnishes a lot of information regarding the
the triple divisions of the earth are we entitled to identify frigid, atmosphere, its conditions and cosmic regions, upto the distance of the
temperate and torrid zones, for different schools regarding Aryan home Moon from the Earth. Entire atmospheric cosmic stretch was divided into
do recognize the Rig Vedic Aryans' knowledge about frigid and temperate nine regions, where last one is the longest. Ramayana (I.47.4) describes
zones and, it is just possible that in course of their ocean voyages and mythically the origin of the atmospheric regions.
advances for habitat, they might have known torrid zone also.
okrLdU/kk bes lIr pjaUrq fnfo iqpdA
oSfnd yksx vPNh rjg ls tkurs Fks fd ikS/kksa ¼;k ouksa½ dk ikuh ds {k; vkSj ek#rk bfr fo[;krk fnO;#ik ekekRetk%AA Ramayana.I,47.4 AA
o"kkZ ds dkj.k ij dqN izHkko gSa ¼Vh-,l-] I, II] 4-9-3½A
xgu lw;Zrki vkSj mPp rkieku mifLFkr cknyksa ds fouk'k ;k [kaMu ;k
The Vedic people were well aware that plants (or forests) had some foltZu ds lk/ku ds :i esa dke djrk gS bl izdkj jkek;.k ds 'yksd VI. 43-
influence on the loss of water and causation of rainfall (TS., II,4.9.3). 29 esa dgk x;k gS %
lkSHk;;SokgqR;k fnoks o`"Veo #U/ks e?kq"kk la ;kSR;kika ok ,"k vks"k/khuka Intensive insolation and high temperature work as an agency of
jlks ;Ue/osHkn; ,okS"k/khHk;ks o"lRZ;Fkks mnH~k; ,ok"Sk/khHk;ks of`"Va fu u;frAA destruction or dispersion of the existing clouds is spoken of in VI. 43.29 of
TS.,II,4.9.3AA
lw;Zrki dh vo/kkj.kk vkSj Hkwfedk dks rSÙkfj;k lafgrk esa Hkh lanfHkZr fd;k x;k
gSA vfXu ¼lw;Zrki½ o"kkZ dk dkj.k curk gS ¼rSÙkjh; lafgrk] II] 4-10-2½] ;Fkk%&
The concept and role of insolation is also referred to in the Taithiriya
Samhita. Agni (Insolation) causes the rain to arise (T.S., II,4.10.2) as:
vgksjk=kHk;ka itZU;a o"kZ;rks Xus;s /kkePNns iqjksMk”ke"Vkdikya fuoZ;sUek#ra

lIrdikylk;SeZd s dikyefXuokZ brks o"`V enqhj;fr e#r% l"`Vka u;fUr ;nk [kyq
ok vlkokfnR;ks U;M- jf"efHk% I;kZorZrsFk o"kZfr /kkeNfnfo [kyq oS HkwRok
o"kZR;srk oS nsork o`"V;k bZ”krs rk ,oa Losu Hkkx/ks;suksi /kkofr rk
AA TS.II,4.10.2 AA
egkdkO; jkek;.k] i`Foh ls panzek dh nwjh rd ds okrkoj.k] bldh fLFkfr;ksa
vkSj czãkaMh; {ks=ksa ds ckjs esa cgqr lkjh tkudkjh izLrqr djrk gSA laiw.kZ
ok;qeaMyh; czãkaMh; QSyko dks ukS {ks=ksa esa foHkkftr fd;k x;k Fkk] tgk¡
lw;Z rki }kjk l?ku cknyksa dk fuekZ.k
vafre {ks= lcls yack gSA jkek;.k ¼I] 47-4½ ikSjkf.kd :i esa ok;qeaMyh; {ks=ksa Formation of dense clouds by sun heat
dh mRifÙk dk o.kZu djrh gSA (lzksr@Source : Pixabay.com)
64 v
Ramayana as: Another wind which drinks up water from the four ocean and having
sucked it up gives it to the clouds in the sky and subsequently to rain god is
fufoZHksn “kjSLrh{.kS% djSesZ?kfeoka”kqeku~AA Ramayana.VI,43-29AA called m}g (MB.XII,328.38-39) as:
jkek;.k esa] ge 'yksd (II. 105-20½ esa lw;Z dh fdj.kksa }kjk ok"ihdj.k ds ckjs esa] vEcjs LusgeHk;sR; fo/kqnk Hk;”p egk/kqfr%A
vkSj leqnz ds lkSj rkiu ds dkj.k cknyksa ds cuus ds ckjs esa ¼ VII, 32-68½ i<+rs vkogks uke laokfr f}rh;% “oluks unuAA MB.XII,328.37AA
gSa] ;Fkk % mn;a T;ksfr"kka “k”or lkseknhuka djksfr ;%A
In the Ramayana, we read about evaporation by the Sun's rays in verse vUrnsZgs"kq pksnkuka ;a onfUr euhf"k.k%AA MB.XII,328.38AA
(II.105.20), and about the formation of clouds due to solar heating of the ;”prqE;Z leqnzsHk;ks ok;q/kkZj;rs tye~A
ocean (VII,32.68) as: m)R;knnrs pkiks thHkwrsHk;ksEcjs fuy%AA MB.XII,328.39AA
vk;wf"kZ {ki;UR;k”kq xzh"es tfyeoka”ko%AA Ramayana,II,105.20 AA gok ds vykok] lw;Z dks ok"iksRltZu ds eq[; dkj.k ds :i esa ekuk x;k gSA ou
mn~Hkwr vkrikik;s I;ksnkukfeokEcq/kkSAA Ramayana,VII,32.68 AA ioZ gesa crkrk gS fd lw;Z lHkh ikS/kksa vkSj ty fudk;ksa ls ueh dks okf"ir djrk
gSA tks o"kkZ dk dkj.k curh gS ¼egkHkkjr III] 3-49½A egkdkO; gesa fofHkUu
jkek;.k ds 'yksd VII] 25-30 esa Hkh leqnz ds ikuh ds lw;Z rki ls xeZ gksus dks izdkj ds cknyksa vkSj ok;qeaMyh; ijrksa dh lwpuk Hkh nsrk gSA
lanfHkZr fd;k x;k gSA
Apart from the wind, the sun was realized as the main cause of
The insolational heating of the ocean water is also referred to in the Verse evapotranspiration. The Vana Parva tells us that the Sun evaporates
VII. 25.30 of Ramayana. moisture from all plants and water bodies and causes rainfall (MB.III.3.49).
The epic informs us of various types of clouds and atmospheric layers as
nkSnkRE;sukReuks}rLrkIrkEHkk bo lkxj%A well.
rrks czohn n”kxzho% dqnz% lajDrykspu%AA Ramayana.VII, 25.30AA
Roeknk;ka”kqfeLrstks funk?kksZ loZnsfgukeA
egkdkO; egkHkkjr ds ckjgosa Ldan esa] okrkoj.k dks lkr {ks=ksa ¼Ldan] xksyk)Z½ lokS"kkf/kjlkuka p iquoZ"kkZlq eqTpflAA MB.III.3.49AA
esa foHkkftr fd;k x;k gS] vkSj mu ij foLrkjiwoZd ppkZ dh x;h gSA vkog] langR;Sdk.kZoa loZ Roa “kks"k;fl jf”efHk%AA MB.III.3.59AA
uke dh gok ¼egkHkkjr XII] 328-37½] tksj ls vkokt ds lkFk cgrh gSA ,d vksj
gok tks pkj lkxj ls ikuh ihrh gS vkSj bls pwldj ;g vkdk'k esa cknyksa dks egf"kZ d.kkn us oS'ks] lw=-] 5-2-5 esa ikuh ds ok"ihdj.k dk dkj.k bl izdkj
vkSj ckn esa o"kkZ ds nsork o"kkZ dks o"kkZ djus ds fy, nsrh gS mls mn~og dgk crk;k gS] ßlw;Z dh fdj.ksa gok ds lkFk la;kstu ds ek/;e ls ikuh ds Åij
tkrk gS ¼egkHkkjr XII] 328-38&39½] ;Fkk % mBus dk dkj.k curh gSÞ %
In the twelfth skanda of epic Mahabharata, the atmosphere is divided into Kanada in his Vaisesika Sutra (Vais.Sutra.,5.2.5) explains the cause of
seven regions (Skanda, Spheres) and they are discussed in considerable evaporation of water thus, “the Sun's rays cause the ascent of water,
detail. The wind named as vkog (M.B.XII,328.37), blows with a loud noise. through conjunction with air”:

/kkjkvksa ds ek/;e ls i`Foh dks xeZ djrh gSaA
Author and commentator Sankara Misra (1600 AD) has beautifully
explained this and illustrated it with the example of a kettle of water
heated from below (Tripathi, 1969). It conclusively proves that the great
philosopher Kanada knew that the Earth is heated by sun's rays through
radiation and convection currents in the atmosphere.
fofHkUu iqjk.k gesa crkrs gSa fd ok;qeaMy esa lkr {ks=h; ijrsa gSa ¼okr Lda/k½ ;k
lkr izdkj dh gok,¡ gSa ¼ok;q iqjk.k 49-163½ gSaA ukjn iqjk.k lkr ok;q ekxksZa dh
ckr djrk gS ¼60-13½ vFkkZr LIrSrsok;qekxkZ% dwekZ v/;k;- 41-6&7 esa Hkh FkksMs+
cnyko ds lkFk ;gh ckr dgh x;h gS] tSlk ;gk¡ of.kZr gS%&
Various Puranas inform us that there are seven regions or layers
¼okrLdU/k½ in the atmosphere or there are seven types of winds (Vayu.
49.163). Narada Purana speaks of seven air channels (60.13) viz.
[ksr ij ok"ihdj.k lIrSrsok;qekxkZ%] Kurma Chapt. 41.6-7 also reveals same thing with little
Evaporation on a Farm variations as described here:
(lzksr@Source : Nationalgeographic.org)
jlkryrykRlIr lIrSok/oZryk% f{krkSA
ukb;ks ok;q la;ksxknkjksg.kae~AA Vais.Sutr.5.2.5AA lIr LdU/kkLrFkk ok;ks% lczg~elnuk f}tk%AA Vayu.49.163AA
vkog% izog”pSr rrSokuqog% iqu%A
egf"kZ d.kkn dks ok;qeaMy esa laogu /kkjkvksa dk Hkh Kku Fkk ftls os cgqr gh lEcgks foog”pSo rnwn~/oZ L;kRijkog%AA Kurma.41.6AA
oSKkfud 'kCnksa esa lanfHkZr djrs gSa %& rFkk ifjog”pSo ok;ksosZ lIr use;%AA Kurma. 41.7AA
Kanada was also acquainted with convection currents in the atmosphere
ok"ihdj.k] ckny cuus vkSj muds ok;q ;k ok;qeaMy ¼okr LdU/k½ ds {ks=ksa ds
which he refers to in very scientific terms as:
lkFk laca/k dks ¼okr Lda/k½ dbZ iqjk.kksa ¼czãk.M [kaM II] v/;k; 9] ok;q v/;k;
uksnukihMukRla;qDr la;ksxkPpAA Vais.Sutr.5.2.6AA 51] fyax] I] 41] eRL;] I] 54½ esa dkQh larks"ktud :i ls of.kZr fd;k x;k gS
vkSj bu fo"k;ksa ij mUgksaus ,d iw.kZ i`Fkd v/;k; lefiZr fd;k gS] tks
ys[kd vkSj fVIi.khdkj 'kadj feJ ¼1600 bZLoh½ us bls foLrkjiwoZd le>k;k ldkjkRed :i ls ;g crkrk gS fd ekSlefoKku dh bl 'kk[kk ds egRo dks
gS vkSj bls uhps ls xeZ ikuh dh dsryh ds mnkgj.k ds lkFk fpf=r fd;k gS vuqHko fd;k x;k FkkA dqN inksa dks ;gk¡ m)`r fd;k x;k gSA
¼f=ikBh] 1969½A ;g fu.kkZ;d :i ls fl) djrk gS fd egku nk'kZfud d.kkn
dks irk Fkk fd lw;Z dh fdj.ksa ok;qeaMy esa mifLFkr fofdj.k vkSj laogu The phenomena of evaporation, cloud formation and their relationship
with winds or regions of atmosphere ¼okrLdU/k½ are quite satisfactorily
66 v
described in several Puranas (Brahamand Vol.II, Chapt.9., Vayu. Chapt. 51, izfØ;k ,fYcMks ls izHkkfor gksrh gSA
Linga, I,41, Matsya,I,54) and a full-fledged separate chapter has been
devoted to them in these topics, which positively evinces that due The celebrated Jain treatise 'Surya Prajnapti' has dwelt upon at length on
importance of this branch of meteorology was realized. Some of the insolation, radiation and reflection of the sun's light and energy and
verses are quoted here as: heating of the earth and various surfaces. Its conception of a contribution
to “albedo” appears to be something wonderful, when we take into
uko`"V;k ifjfo”;sr okfj.kk nhI;rs jfo%A account the fact that the work was composed at least nearly half a
rLekni% ficU;ks oS nhI;rs jfojacjsAA Brahmanda II,9.138 AA millennium B.C. The concept of albedo is an important aspect of modern
rL; rs j”e;% lIr ficaR;aHkks egk.kZokr~A hydro-meteorology. The evapotranspiration process is greatly affected by
rsukgkjs.k lanhIrk% lw;kZa% lIr HkoaR;qrAA Brahmanda II,9.139AA the albedo.
o"kkZ?keksZ fgea jkf=% la/;k pSo fnua rFkkA oS|qrksCtKrq foKs;Lrs”kka ;{;s rq y{k.ke~A
“kqHkk”kqHka iztkuka p /kqzokRloZ izorZrsAA Vayu. 51.11AA oS|rks tkBj% lkSjkokfjxHkkZL=;ks·fu;%AA Linga. I,41.11AA
/kqzos.kkf/kd`rka”pSo lw;ksZiko`R; fr"Bfr%A ;”pklkS rirs lw;Z% fioUuHkks xHkfLrfHk%A
rns"knhIr fdj.k% l dkyhfXufnZokdj%AA Vayu. 51.12AA ikfFkZokfXufofeJks·lkS fnO;% “kqfpfjfr Le`rAA Linga. I,41.21 AA
lw;Z% fdj.ktkysu ok;qeqDrsu loZ”k%A olars pSo xzh"es p “krS% l rirs f=fHk%A
txrks tyeknRrs d`RLuL; f}t lRrek%AA Vayu. 51.13AA o"kkZLoFkks “kjfn p prqfHkZlza izo"kZfrAA Linga I,41.30 AA
ok;q iqjk.k dh mi;qZDr iafDr;ksa esa crk;k x;k gS fd lw;Z dh fdj.ksa gok ds lkFk /kzqos.kkf/kf"Vrk”pki% lw¸;ksZ oS x`á fr"BfrA
i`Foh ls ikuh fudkyrh gaSA fyax iqjk.k ¼I] 41-11] 21 vkSj 30½] fo'ks"k :i ls loZHkwr”kjhjs"kq Rokiks ákuqf”prkf”p;k%AA Matsya I,54.29AA
ikuh ds ok"ihdj.k esa lw;Z dh fdj.kksa dh Hkwfedk dks igpkurk gS] tks cknyksa rsu pkL=kf.k tk;Urs LFkkueHkze;a Le`re~A
vkSj ckn esa o"kkZ es ifjofrZr gks tkrk gSA rstksfHk% loZyksdsH; vknRrs jf”efHktZye~AA Matsya I,54.31AA
leqnzk}k;qla;ksxkr~ ogUR;kiks xHkLr;%A
Above lines of Vayu Purana explain that the sunrays alongwith the air, rrLRo`rqo”kkRdkysifjorZu~ fnokdj%AA Matsya I,54.32AA
extract water from earth. The Linga Purana (I,41.11,21 and 30), specifically
recognizes the roll of sun rays in evaporation of water, which gets izHkrkZ 4] lw= 25 ;k lw;Z dh xehZ ¼rki {ks=½ izHkrkZ 5] lw= 26½ ¼ys[kk izfrgfr ds
converted to clouds and subsequent rainfall. :i esa ukfer] lw;Z ds izdk'k dk ijkorZu½ lw;Z ds izdk'k ds QSyus] fofdj.k]
lw;Zrki] ijkorZu vkSj vYcsMks ds izdh.kZu dh ?kVukvksa dk lVhd oSKkfud
iz[;kr tSu xzaFk ^lw;Z iztukifr* esa lw;Zrki] fofdj.k vkSj lw;Z ds izdk'k ds fooj.k fn;k x;k gSA lcls igys] buesa vU; laiznk;ksa ds vuq;kf;;ksa ¼ijrhjfFk
ijkorZu vkSj ÅtkZ vkSj i`Foh vkSj fofHkUu lrgksa ds rki ij /;ku dsfUnzr dk uke½ }kjk j[ks x, lw;Z ds izdk'k ds ijkorZu ij chl fl)karksa dk mYys[k
fd;k gSA ß/koyrk vyokM+hÞ dh vo/kkj.kk esa budk ;ksxnku vn~Hkqr izrhr gS& fQj] ;g ,d vU; egÙoiw.kZ rF; dks lanfHkZr djrk gS fd vuns[kh
gksrk gS] tc ge bl rF; dks /;ku esa j[krs gSa fd ;g dke de ls de yxHkx ¼vn`';½ oLrqvksa esa Hkh ijkorZu {kerk gksrh gSA
vk/kk lglzkCnh bZ-iw- esa fd;k x;k FkkA /koyrk vyokM+h dh vo/kkj.kk
vk/kqfud ty&ekSle foKku dk ,d egÙoiw.kZ igyw gSA ok"iksRltZu dh In Prabhrta 4, Sutra 25, detailed discussions are there dealing with

insolation or heat of the Sun ¼rki{ks=½] Prabhrta 5, Sutra 26 (designated as izHkrkZ 9 dh lwfDr 30 esa laogu dh izd`fr vkSj i`Foh dh lrg] ty fudk;ksa
ys[kk izfrgfr] reflection of sun's light), presents a detailed discussion on vkSj bldh oLrqvksa vkSj okrkoj.k vkSj muds egk}hiksa ds lanHkks± esa lw;Z dh
the phenomena of scattering of sun's light, radiation, insolation, fdj.k ds ek/;e ls rius dh ppkZ dh x;h gSa lw;Z iztukfr ds ys[kd dk Hkh
reflection and albedo and gives accurate scientific details. First, it dguk gS fd lw;Z dh frjNh fdj.k] Å/okZ/kj fdj.k dh rqyuk esa de xehZ nsrh
mentions twenty theories on reflection of the sun's light held by the gSa bldh lw;Z mn;] nksigj vkSj 'kke vkSj fofHkUu LFkkuksa ¼;k vk{kka'k½ ds lanHkks±
adherents of other sects ¼ijrhfFkZdkuke½- Then, it refers to another esa ppkZ dh tkrh gSA blls irk pyrk gS fd tSu dky ds nkSjku] Hkkjrh;ksa dks
important fact that unseen (invisible) objects also posses reflective Å"ek fofue; izfØ;kvksa ds xgu rduhdh fl)karksa ds ckjs eas vPNh rjg ls
capacity. irk FkkA
In aphorism, 30 of the 9 Prabhrta, discusses about
the nature of convection and radiation heating
through the sun's ray with reference to earth
sur face, water bodies and its objects and
atmosphere and its continents. The author of the
Surya Prajanapti also speaks that slanting rays of the
sun give lesser heat and vertical ones greater heat.
This is discussed with reference to the rising of the
sun, noon and evening and different places (or
latitudes). This shows that during Jain period, the
Indians were well known about the heat exchange
processes with in-depth technical theories.
milagkj
Epilogue
v/;k; esa izLrqr fofHkUu lanHkksaZ vkSj ppkZvksa ls irk
pyrk gS fd izkphu Hkkjrh;ksa dh vijks/ku] var%Lianu
dh izfØ;kvksa ds ckjs esa egÙoiw.kZ le> fodflr FkhA
ouLifr }kjk vijksf/kr ty ,oa i`Foh dh lrg ds
fudV vU; inkFkks± ij ty dh cwans] tks fd ok;q ,oa
lw;ksZn; ds le; fuEu m"ek fofdj.k Å"ek }kjk vn`'; gks tkrh gSa] dk Hkh Kku FkkA vk/kqfud
Low energy radiation during sun rise
e`nk&foKku gesa crkrk gS fd feV~Vh ijLij tqM+s fNnz
68 v
LFkkukas ls cuh gSA bldk izkphu Hkkjrh;ksa }kjk Li"V :i ls Kku Fkk vkSj vegetation and hanging of water particles near the surface of Earth on
mUgksaus bldh ekuo 'kjhj esa ulksa ds lkFk rqyuk dh Fkh] ftlds ek/;e ls other materials was also observed, which disappear through the activities
var%Lianu gksrk gS] tks Hkwty dk lzksr gSA izkphu Hkkjrh;ksa dk ok"ihdj.k vkSj of wind and heat. The modern soil science tells us that the soil is
mRltZu ds ckjs esa Hkh cgqr oSKkfud Kku fodflr FkkA lw;Z dh fdj.ksa] gok composed of interconnected pore spaces. This was clearly realized by the
vknzZrk] ouLifr bR;kfn ok"iksRltZu ds izeq[k dkj.k gSa] ;g mUgsa irk FkkA ancient Indians and was compared with the veins in the human body,
through which infiltration takes place, which is the source of ground
izkphu Hkkjrh;ksa us tyfoKkuh; pØ] ÅtkZ ifjlapj.k vkSj [kkn~; mRiknu
water. Ancient Indians also developed a very scientific knowledge about
vkSj izkd`frd ikfjfLFkfrdh ra= dks cuk, j[kus ds fy, ok"iksRltZu ds egÙo evaporation and transpiration. That sun rays, wind, humidity, vegetation
dks ekuk FkkA lkSj ?kVuk] izdk'k] gok] ckny dk fuekZ.k vkfn ok;qeaMy dh etc. are the major causes of evapotranspiration, was known to them. The
fupyh ijr esa gksrs gSaA ok;qeaMy dks {kksHk eaMy] lerki eaMy vkSj vk;u ancient Indians had realized the importance of evapotranspiration as an
eaMy esa vkSj Xyksc dks le'khrks".k vkSj uktqd {ks= esa foHkkftr fd;k x;k Fkk] important facet of water cycle, energy circulation and food production
tks vk/kqfud ekSle foKku ds fy, rqyuh; gSA ikS/ks tM+ksa ds ek/;e ls ikuh and, for maintaining the natural eco-system. Solar phenomena,
ihrs gSa tks gok ds la;kstu }kjk lqxe gksrk gS tks egkHkkjr esa of.kZr gS lightening, wind, cloud formation etc. take place in lower layer of the
egkHkkjr iwjh rjg ls feV~Vh] ikuh vkSj ikS/kksa ds laca/k esa dsf'kdk dh vk/kqfud atmosphere. Atmosphere was divided in troposphere, stratosphere and
vo/kkj.kk dh iqf"V djrk gSA ;g rF; gS fd ikS/kksa vkSj ou vkfn ikuh dh gkfu ionosphere and globe in torrid, temperate and frigid zones which is
ij dqN izHkko j[krs gSa] egk}hiksa vkSj ty fudk;ksa dh rkiu nj esa varj] comparable to modern meteorology. Plants drink up water through roots
laogu /kkjkvksa dk xBu vkSj muds izHkko vPNh rjg ls Kkr FksA gkyk¡fd] ;g which is facilitated by the conjunction of air is alluded to in Mahabharata
which fully corroborates the modern concept of capillarity in soil, water
izkphu tyfoKku lkfgR; esa vkxs 'kks/k dk fo"k; gS fd vijks/ku] var%Lianu
and plant relationship. The fact that plants and forests have some
vkSj ok"iksRltZu dh izfØ;kvksa dks fu/kkZfjr djus ds fy, fof'k"V influence on water loss, differential rate of heating of the continents and
midj.k@rduhdsa ml le; Fkh ;k ughaA water bodies, formation of convection currents and their effects were well
The various references and discussions presented in the chapter show the understood. However, it is point of further research in the ancient
ancient Indians had developed significant understanding about the hydrologic literature whether there were specific instruments/
processes of interception, and infiltration. The interception of water by techniques to quantify the processes of interception, infiltration and
evapotranspiration.

vè;k; Hk&wvkd`fr foKku vkSj
CHAPTER 5 lrgh ty
GEOMORPHOLOGY AND
SURFACE WATER
ufn;k¡ u dsoy euq";ksa ds fy, cfYd thou ds lHkh :iksa ds fy, vewY; gSaA vfHk;kaf=dh dkS'ky dk izn'kZu djrh gSa ¼ikaMs] 2016½A gM+Iik laLd`fr ds
ufn;k¡ yksxksa ds clus ds fy, mi;ksxh txg gh ugha gSa vfirq yksx ihus ds vpkud lekIr gksus ds ckn] oSfnd ;qx dk izkjaHk gqvkA oSfnd Kku ds
ikuh dh vkiwfrZ vkSj flapkbZ] fctyh dk mRiknu] eky dk ifjogu vkSj Hkkstu vuqlkj] bl xzg dk lkjk thou vki% ¼ikuh½ ls fodflr gqvk gSA yxHkx NBh
izkIr djus ds fy, Hkh unh ds ikuh dk mi;ksx djrs gSaA ufn;k¡ lHkh izdkj ds 'krkCnh bZlk iwoZ ds ckn ds lkfgfR;d lanHkZ vkSj iqjkrkfÙod vkadM+s rVca/kksa]
ikS/kksa vkSj i'kqvksa ds fy, izeq[k tyh; ikfjfLFkfrdh ra= gSA ;gk¡ rd fd ugjksa vkSj vU; tyh; dk;ksZa dk fodkl bafxr djrs gSaA lkfgR; crkrs gSa fd
ufn;k¡ vius unh ry ds ek/;e ls ikuh dks uhps dh vksj fuoZg.k djds ekS;Z dky ds nkSjku Hkkjr ds fla/kq xaxk ds eSnkuksa vkSj ns'k ds vU; fgLlksa esa
Hkwfexr tyHk`r~ dks ty ls Hkjs gq, j[kus esa lgk;rk djrh gSaA flapkbZ vkSj ihus ds ikuh ds fy, cM+h la[;k esa tyh; lajpukvksa ¼cka/k] ugj
vkSj >hy½ dk fuekZ.k fd;k x;k Fkk ¼'kkW bR;kfn] 2007] lqVfDyQ bR;kfn]
Rivers are invaluable not only for humans but to all forms of life. Not only
2011½A vk'p;Ztud :i ls] buesa ls dbZ lajpuk,a ck<+ lqj{kk mik;ksa ij
are rivers a great place for people, but people use river water for drinking-
water supplies and irrigation, to produce electricity, to transport fopkj djds mRIyo ekxksZa ls lqlfTtr FkhA ;g v/;k; la{ksi esa Hkw&vkd`fr
merchandise and to obtain food. Rivers are major aquatic landscapes for foKku vkSj lrgh tyfoKku ds {ks= esa osnksa vkSj vU; izkphu lkfgR; esa
all manners of plants and animals. Rivers even help keep the aquifers miyC/k izkphu Kku ds ckjs esa ppkZ djrk gSA
underground full of water by discharging water downward through their
The knowledge about stream flow is an essential requirement for
streambeds.
construction of hydraulic structures such as dams. The first major human
cka/kksa tSlh tyh; lajpukvksa ds fuekZ.k ds fy, /kkjk izokg ds ckjs esa Kku settlements in the Indus Valley (3000-1500 BC); called Indus civilization or
furkUr vko';d gSA fla/kq ?kkVh esa igyh cM+h ekuo lH;rk,a ¼3000&1500 bZ- Harrapan civilization, demonstrated a high degree of hydraulic
engineering skills (Pandey, 2016). After the Harappan culture came to its
iw-½] ftUgsa fla/kq lH;rk ;k gM+Iik lH;rk dgk tkrk gS] mPp Lrj dh tyh;
abrupt end, the Vedic age was started. According to the Vedic knowledge,
70 v
all life on this planet evolved from Apah (water). Literary references and i`Foh ¼egh½ egku gS] n`<+ vkSj pednkj ¼vtqZuh½ gSA
th
archaeological data from about 6 century BC onwards indicate the
development of embankments, canals and other hydraulic works. According to the Rig Veda, the earth abounds in heights, bears the burden
Literature suggests that there were a large number of hydraulic structures of mountains and supports the trees of the forests in the ground ¼{kek½-
built (dams, canals and lakes) during the Mauryan period in Indo- She quickens for she scatters rain, and the showers of heaven are shed
Gangetic plains and other parts of the country for irrigation and drinking from the lightning of its clouds. The Earth is great ¼egh½] firm ¼n`<+½ and
purposes (Shaw et al., 2007; Sutcliffe et al., 2011). Surprisingly, many of shining ¼vtqZuh½-
these structures were equipped with the spillways to consider the flood
protection measures. This chapter briefly discusses about the ancient laHkor% _Xosfnd vk;ksZa dks ufn;ksa ds ek/;e ls {ks=ksa ds <yku dh vo/kkj.kk
knowledge in the field of geo-morphology and surface water hydrology dk Hkh Kku Fkk tSlk fd uhps ladsr fn;k x;k gS ¼_Xosn IX, 88-6½ %
as available in the Vedas and other ancient literature. Perhaps the Rig Vedic Aryans had the concept of knowing slopes also of a
_Xosfnd Hktu ¼X.ch 2-1 vkSj X.121-1½ dgrk gS fd l`f"V dh mRifÙk ty region with the help of rivers as indicated (R.V.IX,88.6) below :
vkSj czãkaMh; Lo.kZ v.Ms ¼Hkwz.k½ ¼fgj.k~; xHkZ½ ls gqbZ Fkh] tks ty ;qx ,rs lksek vfr okjk.;O;k fnO;k u dks”kklks vHkzo"kkZ%A
twQkbV~l] vkfndkyhu eNfy;ksa] ljhlì] vd'ks#d] d'ks#d vkSj oFkkZ leqnza flU/koks u uhph% lqrklks vfHk dy”kka vl`xzuAA R.V.IV,88.6AA
Lru/kkfj;ksa dh mRifÙk ds i`Foh ds HkwoSKkfud vkSj tSfod fodkl ds vuq:i
gSA unh ds izokg] ftldh v'kkafr leqnzksa ds feyus ds ckn [kks tkrh gS] ds ckjs esa
ckr djrs le; _Xosn esa dgk x;k gS %
The Rig Vedic hymns X.B2.1 and X.121.1 state that the creation had
started with the origin of water and the cosmic golden egg (embryo) Talking about the river flow whose turbulence is lost after meeting the
¼fgj.;xHkZ½ which very well fits in the geological and biological evolution oceans, the Rig Veda says:
of the earth with the water age, origin of zoophytes, primeval fishes,
leU;k ;UR;qi ;UR;U;k% lekuewoaZ u|% i`.kfUrA
reptiles, invertebrates, vertebrates and mammals.
rew 'kqfpa 'kqp;ks nhfnokaleika uikra ifj rLFkqjki%AA R.V.II, 35.3AA
p{kq"k% firk eulk fg /khjksa ?k`resaus vtu~==aekusA
;nsnUrk vnn`gUr iwoZ vkfnn~|koki`fFkoh vizFksrke~AA R.V.X,82.1 AA _Xosn ds 'yksd IV, 18-6 vkSj IV, 19-3 esa dgk x;k gS fd ufn;k¡ lw;Z vkSj
fgj.;xHkZ% leorZrkxzs HkwrL; tkr% ifrjds vklhr~A ckny dh csfV;k¡ gSaA os vius jkLrs esa vkus okyh feV~Vh] pV~Vkuksa vkfn dks
l nk/kkj i`fFkoha |keqrseka dLeS nsok; gfo"kk fo/kse~AA R.V.X,121.1AA rksM+rs gq, egklkxjksa dh vksj Hkkxrh gSaA os Vs<+s&es<+s jkLrksa ls gksdj cgrh gSa %
In the verses IV,18.6 and IV,19.3 of the Rig Veda, it is said that the rivers are
_Xosn ds vuqlkj] i`Foh ij izpqj ek=k esa ÅpkbZ;ka gSa] ;g igkM+ksa dk Hkkj
the daughters of sun and cloud. They run towards oceans breaking the
mBkrh gS vkSj eSnku esa taxyksa ds isM+ksa dk vkJ; ¼{kek½ gSA og rst o"kkZ ls soil, rocks etc. coming on their way. They flow in through zig-zap paths:
lthork ykrh gS vkSj mlds cknyksa dh ped ls LoxZ dh ckSNkjsa NaV tkrh gSaA

,rk v"kZUR;yykHkoUrh_Zrkojhfjo laØks”kekuk%A
,rk fo i`PN fdfena HkufUr dekiks vfnza ifjf/ka #tfUrAA
R.V.IV,18.6AA
_Xosn dky ds nkSjku] vk;Z laHkor% vyx&vyx fLFkfr esa unh ds osx
ls ifjfpr FksA ,d 'yksd ¼VI 24-6½ esa igkM+h ufn;ksa ds <yku ls uhps
mPp xfr ls cgus dk mYys[k gS%&
During the Rig Veda period, Aryans were probably acquainted with
the river velocity at different stages. One verse (VI 24.6) mentions
the high speed of mountainous rivers flowing down the slope as:
fo Ronkiks u ioZrL; i`"BknqDFksfHkfjUnzku;Ur ;KS%A

ra RokfHk% lq"VqfrfHkokZt;Ur vkfta u tXeqfxZokZgks v'ok%AA
R.V.VI, 24.6 AA
lkeosn] ;tqosZn vkSj vFkoZosn ds le; rd] Hkkjrh;ksa us izkd`frd Hkwxksy

vkSj Hkw&vkd`fr foKku dk i;kZIr Kku vftZr dj fy;k FkkA ;g
HkkSxksfyd rduhdh 'kCn &migoj ¼ioZr <yku] lkeosn] II 5-9½] bfj.k
¼Qkad ;k Åij½] f'kyk ¼iFkjhyh txg½] >;.k ¼jgus ;ksX; LFkku½] dkV
¼dfBu lalkj okys taxy½] gn ¼>hy½] yki ¼chgM+ Hkwfe ;k [kjkc Hkwfe½
¼lkeosn] IV] 5-9-1½A lkeosn esa] gesa unh ds eqag dk ,d laf{kIr ysfdu
Bhd o.kZu feyrk gS vkSj unh ds eqag ds foijhr leqnz dh ,d ygj
blesa blds ikuh dk ,d Hkkx Hkstrh gS ¼lkeosn XIV, 4½A vFkoZosn dk
i`Foh lwDr ¼XIII½ izkd`frd Hkwxksy& igkM+] oQZ ls <ds igkM] ou Hkwfe]
eSnkuh {ks= ¼le½ vkSj ckjgeklh /kkjk ;k <+yku ¼ioZr½ dk ,d laf{kIr
fooj.k izLrqr djrk gSA vFkoZosn ds vuqlkj ;fn ikuh dk lzksr igkM+ksa
ij gS] rks unh ckjgeklh gksxh vkSj mPp xfr ds lkFk cgsxh ¼vFkoZosn]
15-3½] ;Fkk %
rhoz izokgeku igkM+h unh
Fast flowing mountainous river By the time of Sam Veda, Yajur Veda and Atharv Veda, the Indians
(lzksr@Source : Wikimedia commons) had come to acquire sufficient knowledge of physiography and
72 v
geomorphology. This is established by the geographical technical terms – In the Gopatha Brahmana, the nomenclature for a meandering river is
mig~oj (mountain slopes, SV. II, 5.9), bfj.k (cleft or Åij½] f”kyk (stony foikV (II.8). It was also acquainted with two types of springs or falls,
place), {k;.k (habitable place), dkV (forest having a difficult namely hot and cold (“khrks".kkfogksRlkS, G.B.II, 8).The celebrated epic
communication), gn~ (lake), yksi (rugged lands or bad lands) (TS, IV, 5.9.1). Ramayana also reveals very rich and accurate knowledge of various types
In the Sam Veda, we come across a brief but fine description of a river of geomorphological patterns. Some of the geomorphological patterns
mouth and a wave of the sea opposite to the mouth of a river sends into it as mentioned in the Ramayana related to water are rivers and rills and
a portion of its water (SV XIV, 4). The prithvi sukta (XII) of the Atharv Veda, plateaus, caverns and fountains (Ramayana II, 54.42.) the plain tracts
furnishes a concise account of physiography – mountains, snowcapped (Ramayana II, 56.11), sandy banks of rivers (Ramayana II, 55.31):
mountains, forest lands, plain areas ¼le½ and perennial stream or slopes
¼izor½- Following hymn of Atharv Veda illustrates that if the water source is lfjRizL=o.kLFkku~ njhdUnjfu>Zjku~ pjr% lhr;k lk/kZ ufUnL;fr
on mountains, then the river formed will be perennial and will flow with euLro AA Ramayana II, 54.42AA
high speed (AV.I.,15.3) as: leHkwferys jE;s nqzeScZgqfHkjko`rsA
iq.;s jaL;kegs rkr fp=dwVL; dkuusAA Ramayana II, 56.11AA
;s unhuka lalzoUR;qRlkl% lnef{krk%A fofp=okyqdtyka gallkjlukfnuke~A
rsfHkesZ loSZ% lalzkoS/kZua la lzko;keflAA A.V.I.,15.3AA jses tudjktL; lqrk izs{; rnk unhZe~AA Ramayana II, 55.32AA
blh izdkj] vFkoZosn ds 'yksd II, 31-1 esa Hkh blh rF; dk o.kZu fd;k x;k gS xaxk }kjk lafpr Hkwfe dks ?kuk vkSj ikj djus esa dfBu crk;k x;k gS ¼jkek;.k
fd fge[kaM ioZr ls fudyus okyh ufn;k¡ xfeZ;ksa esa Hkh cgrh jgsaxhA II, 85-4½ ;Fkk%&
Similarly, verse II,3.1 of the Atharv Veda reveals the same fact saying that
Those lands watered by the Ganga have been described as dense and
the rivers originating from snowclad mountains will keep on flowing in
hard to track (Ramayana II,85.4) as:
summer also.
drjs.k xfe";kfe Hkj}ktkJea xqgA
vnks ;no/kkoR;oRdef/k ioZrkr~A
rr~ rsa d`.kksfe lqHks"kta ;FkklflAA A.V.II,3.1AA xgkuks;a Hk`”ka ns”kks xM~xkuwiks nqjR;;%AA Ramayana II,85.4AA
xksiFk czkã.k esa] ?kwedj cgus okyh unh ds fy, foikV uke gSA bls Hkh nks ikuh ds >jus ¼II, 93-13½ vkSj ,d unh ds vorj.k ¼Ramayana II, 103-25½ dk
izdkj lzksr ;k tyizikr ls tkuk tkrk Fkk] ftuds uke gSa xeZ vkSj 'khry Kku uhps of.kZr gS %
¼'khrks".kkfogkRlkS, th-ch-] 8½ gSaA izfl) egkxzaFk jkek;.k esa Hkh fofHkUu izdkj Knowledge of water falls (Ramayana II,94.13) and descent of a river
dh Hkw&vkd`fr foKku izfrekuksa ds cgqr le`) vkSj lVhd Kku dk fooj.k gSA (Ramayana II,103.25) is described as below:
jkek;.k esa mfYyf[kr ikuh ls lacaf/kr dqN Hkw&oSKkfud izfreku] ufn;ka vkSj
voukfydk vkSj iBkj] xqQk,¡ vkSj QOokjs ¼jkek;.k II, 54-42½] lery HkwHkkx tyizikrS#nHksnSfuZ"iUnS”p OdfpRDdfpr~A
¼jkek;.k II, 56-11½ ufn;ksa ds jsrhys rV ¼jkek;.k II, 55-31½ gSa % L=ofnHkHkZR;;a “kSy% L=oUen bo f}i%AA Ramayana II, 94.13 AA

rs lqrhFkk± rr% d`PNkæikxE; ;”kfLor%A charming is spoken of thus – fgekR;;s uxfeo pk#dUnje~ (Ramayana II,
unhZ eUnkfduh jE;ka lnk iqf"irdkuuke~AA Ramayana II, 103.24 AA 7.15). The author of the epic has also marked “river erosion on non-
“kh?kz L=ksrleklk?k rhFkZ f”koednZee~A resistant or soft steep river bank (Ramayana II, 63.46; V, 34.19; VII,14.18)
flf"kpqLrwnda jkts rr ,rn~ HkofRofrAA Ramayana II,103.25AA as:
#.kf} e`nq lksRls/ka rhjeEcqj;ks ;FkkAA Ramayana II,63.46AA
cQZ ds fi?kyus ds ckn] ,d igkM+h LFkykd`fr fdruh vkd"kZd gks tkrh gS] bls fpRra gjfl es lkSE; unhdwya ;Fkk j;%AA Ramayana,V,34.19AA
bl izdkj ls of.kZr fd;k x;k gS& fgekR;;s uxfeo pk:dUnje ¼jkek;.k II, lhnfUr p rnk ;{kk% dwyk bo tysu gAA Ramayana,VII,14.18AA
7-15½A egkdkO; ds ys[kd us ßxSj&izfrjks/kh ;k uje [kM+s unh rV ij unh ds
dVko dks Hkh fuEuor fpfºur fd;k gS%& jkek;.k ds 'yksd 23-42 esa] igkM+ksa ij o"kkZ dh dVko&laca/kh fouk'kdkjh
izfØ;k ds ckjs esa o.kZu fd;k x;k gSA vFkkZr~ %
How after melting of snow, a mountainous topography becomes
In the verse VII,23.42 of the Ramayana, we read about the
erosive action of the downpour of rain on mountains. viz.
lk;dS”pkiodHkz"VSoZtzdy~iS% lqnk#.kS%A
nkj;fUr Le ladq}kes?kk bo egkfxfje~AA
Ramayana, VII, 23.42AA
egkHkkjr fgeky; ioZrksa dks rhu {ks=ksa esa foHkkftr djrk gSA blesa
dbZ ckj e:LFky ds cM+s HkwHkkxksa dk mYys[k fd;k x;k gS ¼I, 70-
2½A dqN lanHkZ esa ûnhdPN* 'kOn dk iz;ksx fd;k x;k gSA laHkor%
ml HkwHkkx dks crk;k gS ftl vktdy MsYVk dgk tkrk gSA
The Mahabharata divides the Himalayan mountains into
three regions. It mentions large tracts of desert several times
(I,70.2). In certain context the word unhdPN is used. Most
probably it indicates the land form which now-a-days is called
delta.
,d ,oksRreoy% {kqfRiiklkJekfUor%A
l ouL;kUreklk?k egPNwU;a leklnr~AA M.B.,I,70.2AA
xkseq[k % xaxk unh dk mn~xe LFky
Gomukh : The source of the river Ganga unhdPNksn~Hkoa dkUreqPNr/ot lafuHkeAA M.B.,I,70.17AA
(lzksr@Source : Commons wikimedia)
74 v
ikf.kuh dh v"Vk/;k;h ¼600&700 bZ-iw-½ esa gesa dbZ egÙoiw.kZ Hkw&vkd`fr foKku ekS;Zdky ds le; dkSfVY; ¼4oha 'krkCnh bZlk iwoZ½ }kjk vFkZ'kkL= esa LFkykd`fr
izfrekuksa ds ckjs essa irk pyrk gS Hkk"kk&foKkuh] cgrh vkSj vius fdukjksa dks vkSj Hkw&vkd`fr foKku ij cgqr vPNs izdkj ls ppkZ dh xbZ gSA fgeky; vkSj
rksM+rh unh dks ^fHkU?k* vksSj tks ty&Iykou djrh gS mls mn~/o dgrs gSa] egklkxj ds chp fHkUu izdkj dh Hkwfe tSls ßtaxyksa] xkaoksa] >juksa] lery
¼IIII,1-15½A Xysf'k;j dks fgekuh ¼IV, 1-49) dgrs gSa] ;Fkk % eSnkuksa vkSj vleku tehuÞ dk mYys[k fd;k x;k gS ¼vFkZ'kkL=] 'kke'kkL=h
}kjk vuqokn ist 404½A fofHkUu LFkkuksa ij mUgksaus mitkÅ] catj] d`f"k ;ksX;]
In Panini's Astadhyayi (600-700 BC), we come across several important
vuqi;ksxh vkSj O;FkZ Hkwfe dh ckr dh gS] ftlls irk pyrk gS fd ml le;
geomorphological patterns. The grammarian calls a river moving and
breaking its banks as fHkU?k and that whose water overflows the banks as
mUgsa e`nk foKku dk Hkh vPNk Kku FkkA
mn~/; (III,1.15).Glacier is named fgekuh (IV,1.49) as: Topography and geomorphology have been discussed very well in the
th
Arthasastra by Kautilya (4 century BC) during the Mauryan period.
bUnzo#.kHko'koZ#æe`Mfgekj.;;o;ouekrqykpk;kZ.kekuqd~AA Various types of lands such as “forests, villages, waterfalls, level plains and
Astadhya.,IV,1.49AA uneven ground”, stretching between the Himalayas
and ocean (Arthasastra, Trans. by Shamshastri P.404)
have been mentioned there. At various places he
speaks of fertile, infertile, cultivable, uncultivable and
waste land, which reveals that he must have
possessed good knowledge of the science of soil also
at that time.
ok;q iqjk.k esa fofHkUu izdkj dh LFkykd`fr vFkkZr >hyksa]

?kkfV;ksa] catj iVfj;ksa ¼v/;k; 38 ¼38-36½] igkM+ksa ds
chp pV~Vkuh njksZa ¼vUrnzks.kh½ ¼38-36½ dk mYys[k fd;k
x;k gSA
The Vayu Purana refers to various types of
topography namely lakes, dales, barren tracks
(Chapter 38), rocky through between mountains
¼vUrnzks.kh½ (38.36).
if”pek;ka fnf”k rFkk ;sUrjnzksf.kfoLrjk%A
fgeky;h >jus dk fogaxe n`'; rkUo.;ZekukaLrRosu J`.kqrsekfU}tksRrek%AA
Spectacular view of Himalayan spring Vayu., 38.36AA
(lzksr@Source : Indiaclimatedialogue.net)

ok;q iqjk.k esa v/;k; 38 esa igkM+h {ks= ¼38-78½ esa cM+h la[;k esa xeZ lzksrksa ds ckjs ekdZaMs; iqjk.k ¼53-21&22½ esa] gesa ,d foy{k.k izdkj dh LFkykd`fr] tks
esa Hkh crk;k x;k gSA ßfdei#lkosjlk vkSj lkr vU; ns'kÞ esa ikbZ tkrh gS tgka ikuh tehu ls
cqycqys ds :i esa ckgj vkrk gS] ds ckjs esa o.kZu feyrk gS ;Fkk %
The chapter 38 of Vayu Purana also speaks about the large number of hot
springs in a mountainous region (38.78). In the Markandeya Purana (53.21-22), we come across a peculiar type of
topography found “in the Kimpurusaversa and seven other countries”
rFkk g;uyrIrkfu ljkafl f}tlRrek%A where water bubbles up from the ground as:
“kSydq{;UrjLFkkfu lgL=kf.k “krkfu pAA Vayu.,38.78AA
uoLofi p o"ksZ"kq lIr lIrdqykpyk%A
,dSdfLeLrFkk ns”ks u|k”pkfnz&fofu%l`rk%AA Markandeya
P.53.21AA
;kfu fdaiq#"kk|kfu o"kkZ.;"VkS f}tksRre%A
rs"kwfn~HkTtkfu rks;kfu uSoa ok;Z= HkkjrsAA Markandeya
P.53.22AA
fo".kq iqjk.k ¼II, 5-3½ mi&LFkyh; {ks= dh feV~Vh dks lkr oxksaZ esa
oxhZd`r djrk gSA ¼1½ dkyh] ¼2½ lQsn ;k ihyh] ¼3½ uhyh ;k
yky] ¼4½ ihyh] ¼5½ ctjhyk] ¼6½ igkM+h ;k iFkjhyh vkSj ¼7½
Lof.kZeA
The Vishnu Purana (II, 5.3) classifies the soils of sub-
terranean region in seven categories viz. (1) black, (2) white
or yellowish, (3) blue or red, (4) yellow, (5) gravelly, (6) hilly or
boulder and (7) golden hued, as:
“kqDyd`".kk% ihark% “kdZjk% “kSydk"Bpuk%A

Hkqe;ks ;= eS=s; ojizklknekf.MrkAA Vishnu.,II,5.3AA
o`gLls=klelk ¼600&700 bZLoh½ ¼f=ikBh] 1969½ esa dbZ
oSKkfud vkSj xf.krh; ladsrkad gSa tks dqN ty&losZ{k.k laca/kh
ef.kd.kZ fLFkr rIr&dq.M
;k tyfoKkuh; fu;eksa ds vuq:i gSaA vaxqrkjfudk; ¼400 bZ-iw-
Hot water spring at Manikaran ls igys½ us >hyksa dks pkj Jsf.k;ksa ¼Hkkx II, i`"B 105] f=ikB]
76 v
1969½ esa oxhZd`r fd;k gSA vuqitkÅ] d`f"k ;ksX;] catj Hkwfe vkfn vkSj feV~Vh oxhZdj.k] tSls fd dkyk]
ihyk] yky] ctjh] dadj vkfn pkSFkh 'krkCnh bZ-iw- ls igys vPNh izdkj ls
The Vrhatsetrasamsa (AD 600-700) (Tripathi, 1969) has many scientific
izpyu eas FksA orZeku esa Hkh ;s izpyu esa gSa vkSj blfy,] bl {ks= esa izkphu
and mathematical enumerations conforming to some hydrographical or
hydrological laws. Anguttaranikaya (before 400 BC) classifies lakes into Hkkjrh;ksa dh miyfC/k dks egÙoiw.kZ ekuk tk ldrk gSA
four categories (part II, page 105, Tripathi, 1969). From the above discussions, we see that in ancient India, the knowledge
of stream flow and geomorphology was well developed on scientific
milagkj lines. A number of hydraulic structures were constructed during that time
Epilogue for irrigation and domestic purposes. The techniques of knowing slope of
an area by means of a flowing river and dimensions of river at various
mijksDr ppkZvksa ls] ge ns[krs gSa fd izkphu Hkkjr esa] /kkjk izokg vkSj stages along with velocity were developed. That the mountainous rivers
Hkw&vkd`fr dk Kku oSKkfud vk/kkj ij vPNs izdkj ls fodflr FkkA flapkbZ are generally perennial and deposition of fertile soil takes place
vkSj ?kjsyw mís';ksa ds fy, ml le; ds nkSjku dbZ tyh; lajpuk,¡ fufeZr FkhA periodically on flood plains was understood which is in accordance to the
,d cgrh unh ds ek/;e ls {ks= ds <yku vkSj fHkUu pj.kksa esa unh ds osx modern experiences. The arrangement of sluice gates was also made in
tkuus dh rduhd dk fodkl fd;k x;k Fkk lkFk gh ioZrh; ufn;k¡ vkerkSj the dams for flood protection purposes. Various types of topographies
ij ckjgeklh gksrh gSa vkSj muds }kjk le;≤ ij ck<+ ds eSnkuksa esa such as springs, water falls, mountainous, plateau, eroded land etc. along
with many geographical terms such as f”kyk] bfj.k] {k;.k] yksi were used.
mitkÅ feV~Vh dk fu{ksi.k fd;k tkrk gS] ml le; ij Kkr Fkk tks fd
Land classification such as fertile, infertile, cultivable, waste land etc. and
vk/kqfud vuqHko ds vuq:i gSA ck<+ ls cpko ds fy, cka/kksa esa tyekxZ dh
soil classifications, such as black, yellow, red, gravelly, boulders etc. was
O;oLFkk Hkh dh xbZ FkhA fofHkUu izdkj dh LFkykd`fr;ka tSls lzksr] ty izikr] th
well in vogue before 4 century BC. These are in vogue even at present
igkM+] iBkj] vijfnr Hkwfe vkfn ds lkFk&lkFk dbZ HkkSxksfyd 'kCn tSls and hence, can be regarded as the important achievement of the ancient
f'kyk] bfj.k] {k;.k] yksi mi;ksx esa FksA Hkwfe dk oxhZdj.k tSls mitkÅ] Indians in this field.

vè;k; Hktwy
CHAPTER 6 GROUNDWATER
,f'k;k ds 'kq"d vkSj v/kZ 'kq"d {ks=ksa esa] tgk¡ euq"; dh xfrfof/k;ksa dks ty dh Hkwty dk izkphu if'peh foKku] tks lkekU;r% ij ;g ekurk Fkk fd >juksa ls
mifLFkfr fu;af=r djrh Fkh] ogk¡ ij izkphu dky ls gh Hkwty dk fodkl vkSj vkus okyk ikuh o"kkZ ls izkIr ugha fd;k tk ldrk gS] muds fo'okl ij
mi;ksx cgqr egÙoiw.kZ jgk gS bfrgkl ds izkjaHk ls gky ds le; rd] >juksa vk/kkfjr Fkk fd& ¼i½ o"kkZ ek=k esa vi;kZIr Fkh vkSj ¼ii½ i`Foh lrg o"kkZ ds ikuh
vkSj ukyksa ds ty lzksrksa us fookn mRiUu fd;k gS rFkk ;g ,d cgqr vf/kd dks uhps izos'k dh vuqefr ds fy, cgqr vf/kd vHks| FkhA tks mijksDr fujk/kkj
vVdyksa vkSj fooknksa dk fo"k; jgk gSA eksgu tksnMks] dkaL; ;qx ¼yxHkx 2450 fl)karksa ds foijhr] izkphu Hkkjrh; lkfgR; esa Hkwty ij cgqr ewY;oku vkSj
bZ-iw-½ ds nkSjku fla/kq lH;rk dk ,d izeq[k 'kgjh dsanz FkkA gky gh esa] mUur oSKkfud laHkk"k.k gSaA
,atsyfdl vkSj >sax ¼2015½ us ik;k fd 'kgj dks de ls de 700 dqvksa ls ty
The ancient western science of groundwater, which generally assumed
fey jgk FkkA bu dqvksa dk vkdkj xksykdkj ls ysdj ihiy ds iÙks ds vkdj
that the water discharged by the springs could not be derived from the
dk Fkk ¼[kku] 2015½A gM+Iik ds izeq[k LFky yksFky esa ¼yxHkx 2600 bZ-iw- rainfall, was based on their belief that: (i) the rainfall was inadequate in
fufeZr½ [kksts x, dqvksa dks fp= esa n'kkZ;k x;k gSA quantity and (ii) the earth was too impervious to permit penetration of
Groundwater development and utilization has been of great interest from the rainwater far below the surface. In contrast to above wild theories, the
ancient times in arid and semi arid regions of Asia where the activities of ancient Indian literature contains the very valuable and advanced
man were controlled by the occurrence of water. From the dawn of history scientific discourse on ground water.
until comparatively recent times the source of water of the springs and _Xosn] lkeosn vkSj ;tqosZn esa gesa tyfoKkuh; pØ vkSj dqvksa vkfn ds
streams had constituted a puzzling problem and had been the subject of
ek/;e ls ty mi;ksx dh vo/kkj.kk,¡ feyrh gSa] tks Li"V :i ls Hkwty ds
much speculation and controversy. Mohenjo-Daro was a major urban
mi;ksx dks n'kkZrh gSaA Hkwty ds {ks= esa izfl) [kxksy'kkL=h] T;ksfr"kh vkSj
center of the Indus civilization during the early Bronze Age (around 2450
BC). Recently, Angelakis and Zheng (2015) found that the city was
xf.krK] ojkg fefgj ¼bZ- 505&587½] o`gr lafgrk ys[kd] tks Kku dh dbZ
receiving water from at least 700 wells. The design of these wells was egÙoiw.kZ 'kk[kkvksa dks lh[kus ds fy, lEekfur gSa] mudk ^ndkxZye* uked
varying from circular to pipal leaf shaped (Khan, 2014). Figure shows the 54ok¡ v/;k;] Hkwty dh [kkst vkSj fofHkUu lrgh fo'ks"krkvksa ds lkFk mi;ksx
wells constructed in about 2600 BC, discovered at Lothal, an important ls lacaf/kr gS] ftldk mi;ksx fd;k tkrk gSA ¼izlkn] 1980½A bl izkphu
Harappan site. laLd`r dk;Z esa of.kZr tyfoKkuh; ladsrksa esa fofHkUu ikS/kksa dh iztkfr;ka mudh
78 v
fla/kq ?kkVh lH;rk ds ,d fodflr 'kgj yksFky esa [kksts x, 2600 bZlk iwoZ ds dqa,
Well discover at Lothal, a developed city during Indus valley civilization (2600 BC)
(lzksr@Source : https://rainwaterharvesting.files.wordpress.com)
vkdkfjdh vkSj 'kkjhfjd fo'ks"krk,a] nhed ds Vhys] HkwHkkSfrdh; fo'ks"krk,a] Samhita, which is esteemed for its learning of many important branches
feV~Vh vkSj pV~Vkusa lfEefyr gSaA ;s lHkh ladsrd vkSj dqN ugha vfirq lw{e of knowledge, in the 54th chapter entitled 'Dakargalam', deals with ground
okrkoj.k esa tSfod vkSj HkwxHkhZ; lkexzh ds fy, fof'k"V izfrfØ;k,a gSa] ftlds water exploration and exploitation with various surface features, that are
QyLo:i 'kq"d vFkok v/kZ'kq"d {ks= esa fodflr Hkwty ikfjfLFkfrd ra= esa used as hydrologic indicators to locate sources of ground water, at depths
mPp lkis{k vknzZrk gksrh gSA ikuh ds ty Lrj esa LFkku ds vuqlkj fHkUurk] xeZ varying from 2.29 m to as much as 171.45 m (Prasad, 1980).The hydrologic
indicators, described in this ancient Sanskrit work, include various plant
vkSj BaMs >juksa] dqvksa ds ek/;e ls Hkwty mi;ksx] dqvksa ds fuekZ.k dh fof/k;ka
species, their morphologic and physiographic features, termite mounds,
vkSj midj.k ndkxZye esa vPNh rjg ls of.kZr gSa ¼tSu bR;kfn] 2007½A geophysical characteristics, soils and rocks. All these indicators are
In Rig Veda, Sam Veda and Yajur Veda we get concepts of hydrological nothing but the conspicuous responses to biological and geological
cycle and water use through wells etc., which clearly imply the use of materials in a microenvironment, consequential to high relative humidity
groundwater. In the area of groundwater renowned astronomer, in a ground water ecosystem, developed in an arid or semi arid region.
astrologer and mathematician, Varahmihira (AD 505-587), author of Vrhat Variation in the height of water table with place, hot and cold springs,

groundwater utilization by means of wells, well construction methods As far as underground water and water table is concerned as a science, a
and equipment are fully described in the Dakargalam (Jain et al., 2007). brief survey of chapter 54 of the Vrhat Samhita designated as
'Dakargalam' is furnished below. Apart from the wider term 'Dakargala',
euq }kjk ndkxZye ¼Hkwfexr tyfoKku½ ij fy[ks xzaFk dk mYys[k o`gr lafgrk there are two other technical terms f”kjk and f”kjkfoKku used in this
esa fd;k x;k gSA uohure le; rd mudk le; ¼400 BC - 200 BC½ gksuk chapter (Verse 54.1, 54.61-62) viz.
pkfg,A ojkg fefgj dk ekuuk gS fd euq fojfpr ndkxZye Li"V :i ls bl
foKku esa euq ds ;ksxnku dks bafxr djrk gSA ;g Hkh bafxr djrk gS fd bZlk ls /kE;Z ;”kaL;a p onkE;rksga ndkxZya ;su tyksiyfC/k%A
dbZ 'krkfCn;ksa igys Hkkjr esa Lora= :i ls bls LFkkuh; yksxksa }kjk fodflr iqalka ;FkkXMs+"kq f”kjkLrFkSo f{krkofi izksUurfuEu laLFkkAA Vr.S.54.1 AA
fd;k x;k FkkA ojkg fefgj us ^lkjLor* }kjk foKku ij fyf[kr ,d vkSj e#ns”ks Hkofr f”kjk ;Fkk rFkkr% ija izo{;kfeA
xzUFk dk mi;ksx Hkwfexr ikuh ds Lrj ds fy, fd;k gSA fulansg fdlku ¼euq½ xzho djHkk.kkfeo HkwrylaLFkk% f”kjk ;kfUrAA Vr.S.54.62AA
vius iwoZ mÙkjorhZ dks ekuo ndkxZye ¼o`gr~ lafgrk] 54-99½ dks ojh;rk f'kjk 'kCn dk rkRi;Z ikuh dh /kefu;ksa ;k ty/kkjkvksa ls gksrk gS vkSj
nsrs gSaA f'kjkfoKku okLro esa ty Lrj dk vFkZ iznku djrk gSA Åij 'yksd 54-1 gesa
The treatise on Dakargalam (science of underground water) by Manu is crkrk gS fd dqN LFkkuksa ij ikuh dk Lrj vf/kd gS vkSj nwljksa esa ls ;g de gS
referred to in the Vrhat Samhita. By the latest his time must be 400 BC - rFkk ;g ekuo 'kjhj esa ulksa ds leku gSA 'yksd 54-2 ls gesa irk pyrk gS fd
200 BC. Varahmihira alludes that euquk fojfpra ndkxZye which clearly ty rkfydk o"kkZ ty dk ,d tfVy izdk;Z gSA
indicates Manu's contribution to this science. This also indicates that the
science was cultivated in India several centuries before Christ and that it The term f”kjk implies arteries of water or streams and the f”kjkfoKku
was developed by indigenous people altogether independently. exactly conveys the meaning of water table. Verse 54.1 above tells us that
Varahmihira has utilized to a greater extent another treatise on the science at some places water table is higher and at others it is lower, resembling
of underground water and water table, written by 'Saraswat'. Rather the the veins in the human body. From Verse 54.2 we learn that water table is a
farmer (Manu) appears to give a preference to the latter over the Manava complex function of rainwater.
Dakargalam (Vrhat Samhita, 54.99).
,dsu o.ksZu jlsu pkEHk”P;qra uHkLrks olq/kkfo”ks"kkrA
lkjLorsu eqfuuk ndkxZya ;r~ d`ra ryoyksD;A uukjlRoa cgqo.kZrka ,oa ijh{;a f{kfrrqy~;esoAA Vr.S.54.2AA
vk;kZfHk% d`resrn~o`RrSjfi ekuoa o{;sAA Vr.S.54.99AA
bldk vFkZ gS] tks ikuh vkdk'k ls fxjrk gS] mlesa ewy :i ls ,d tSlk gh jax
tgk¡ rd Hkwfexr ty vkSj ty rkfydk dk ,d foKku ds :i esa laca/k gS] o Lokn gksrk gS] ysfdu i`Foh dh lrg ij uhps vkSj vUr%lzo.k ds ckn vyx
o`gr~ lafgrk 54osa v/;k; tks ^ndkxZye* ds :i esa ukfer gS] dk laf{kIr jax vkSj Lokn dks xzg.k djrk gSA fp= vckf/kr tyHk`r ds fy, fofHkUu {ks=ksa esa
losZ{k.k uhps fn;k x;k gSa foLr`r 'kCn ^ndkxZye* ds vykok] nks vU; tkus okys Hkwty dh var%Lianu vkSj vUr%lzo.k izfØ;k dks n'kkZrk gSA
rduhdh 'kCnkas f'kjk vkSj f'kjkfoKku dk mi;ksx bl v/;k; esa fd;k x;k gS It means, the water which falls from the sky originally has the same colour
¼'yksd 54-1] 54-61&62½A
80 v
 quarters and also apart from nine arteries, thousands
 
more are present flowing to various directions as:

  iq#gwrkuy;efu_fro:.kiousUnq”kadjk nsok%A
Soil moisture
zone foKrO;k% Øe”k% izkP;k?kkuka fn”kka ir;%AA
VR.S.54.3AA
  fnDifrjkTKk p f”kjk uoeh e/;s egkf”k”kukEchA

,rkHk;ksR;k% “kr”kks fofu% l`rk ukefe% izfFkrk%AA
 
  Vr.S.54.4AA
ikrkykVw/okZf”kjk “kqHkk prqfnZ{kq lafLFkrrk ;k”pA
 dks.kfnxqRFkk u “kqHkk% f”kjkfufeRrkU;rks o{;sAA
Vr.S.54.5AA

pV~Vku ;k feV~Vh dh lajpuk vkSj i`Foh dh lrg ls HkkSe
tyLrj dh xgjkbZ dks fofHkUu 'yksdksa esa lgh <ax ls
Hkw&ty {ks= ds fofHkUu ?kVdksa] mi {ks=ksa vkSj izfØ;kvksa dks iznf'kZr djrk fp=
Figure showing various components, sub-zones and processes of ground water zone of.kZr fd;k x;k gSA 'yksd 54-7 esa Hksn~; vkSj vHksn~;
(lzksr@Source : UNO, International programs) ijrksa ds lkFk ty dh mifLFkfr ds fofHkUu y{k.kksas dk
o.kZu fd;k x;k gSA
and same taste, but assumes different colour and taste after coming down
on the surface of the earth and after percolation. Figure shows infiltration Rock or soil structure and depth of water table from the surface of the
and percolation process for an unconfined aquifer leading to different earth is described correctly in various verses. Verse 54.7 describes the
zones of groundwater. various symptoms of occurrence of water along with pervious and
impervious strata.
^ndkxZye* ds ckn ds 'yksdksa esa] mi&{ks= esa ikuh dh mifLFkfr vkSj fofHkUu
LFkkuksa ij bldh xgjkbZ ds izdkj fn, x, gSaA 'yksd 54-3] 54-4 vkSj 54-5 gesa fpUgefi pk/kZiq#"ks e.Mwd% ik.Mqjks”k e`r ihrkA
lwfpr djrs gSa fd mi&{ks=ksa okyh /kkjk,¡ lHkh frekfg;ksa esa o"kkZ ds ikuh }kjk iqVHksnd”p rLeu~ ik"kk.kks Hkofr rks;e/k%AA Vr.S.54.7AA
iksf"kr gSa vkSj ukS /kefu;ksa ds vykok] gtkjksa vkSj Hkh gSa tks fofHkUu fn'kkvksa esa
cgrh gSa % O;fDr dh ÅapkbZ = 7-5 QhV½ dh xgjkbZ ij ihyk esa<d feysxk fQj ihyh
In the later verses of Dakargalam, the modes of occurrence of sub- feV~Vh] fQj pV~Vku vkSj fQj i;kZIr ek=k esa ikuhA
terrainian water and its depth at different placesare given. Verse 54.3, 54.4 Meaning: On digging we will get yellow frog at a depth of half purusha (1
and 54.5 inform us that the sub-terrainian streams are rainfed in all the

purusha = height of man with erected hand = 7.5 feet)
then yellow soil, then rock and then ample amount of
water.
blh izdkj dbZ vU; 'yksdksa esa yxHkx 70 {ks= fLFkfr;ksa ;k

ikfjfLFkfrd foLrkj dk o.kZu fd;k x;k gS] ftuls
Hkwfexr >juksa dh mifLFkfr dk foLrkj djuk laHko gksxkA
okLro esa ojkg fefgj }kjk of.kZr Hkwfexr ikuh dh [kkst
dh rduhd] bykds esa izkd`frd :i ls ik, tkus okys
fof'k"V ladsrksa ds ,d djhch voyksdu ij fuHkZj djrh gS]
ftlesa ouLifr] tho&tarq pV~Vkusa] feV~Vh vkSj [kfut
'kkfey gSa] ftudh fLFkfr vkSj fHkUurk rkfdZd ;k
vuqHkotU; :i ls vkl&ikl ds {ks= esa Hkwfexr >juksa dh
mifLFkfr ls tqM+h gks ldrh gSA
Similarly, many other verses describe some 70 odd field
situations or ecological spectra from which it would be
possible to deduce the presence of underground nhed Vhyk % Hkwfexr ty&ladsrd
Termite Hill : Indicator of groundwater
springs. Actually the technique of underground water (lzksr@Source : Research Matters.in)
exploration as described by Varahmihira depends
upon a close observation of naturally occurring specific One startling factor emphasized in details by Varahamihira is the role of
signs in the terrain, comprising the flora, fauna, rocks, soils and minerals, termite knolls as indicator of underground water. Apart from the
whose state and variation can be logically or empirically linked up with underground water exploration, some of the verses of the chapter deal
the presence of underground springs in the vicinity. with topics such as digging of wells, their alignment with reference to the
prevailing winds, dealing with hard refractory stony strata, sharpening
ojkg fefgj }kjk fn, x, foLr`r fooj.k eas ,d foLe; mRiUu djus okys dkjd and tempering of stone-breaking chisels and their heat treatment,
Hkfwexr ty ds lp w d ds :i eas nhed dh xkBakas dh Hkfwedk gAaS Hkfwexr ty dh treating with herbs of water with objectionable taste, smell, protection of
[kkts ds vykok] dN q v/;k;kas ds 'ykd s ] dv
q kas dh [knqkb]Z ip
z fyr gokvkas ds lnaHkZ banks with timbering and stoning and planting with trees, and such other
ds lkFk muds lja[sk.k] dBkjs iFkjhyh ijrksa ls fuiVuk] iRFkj rkM s u+s okyh Nush related matters.
dks rts djuk vkjS feykuk vkjS muds xehZ mipkj] vkifÙktud Lokn] x/ak okys
ikuh ds tMh+ cfwV;kas ls mipkj djuk] ydMh+] yVB~kas vkjS iRFkjkas vkjS iM s + ds jkis.k o`gr lafgrk ds yxHkx rSarhl 'yksd] vdsys nhed ;k vU; ouLifr ls
ds lkFk fdukjkas dk lja{k.k vkjS ,l
s s vU; lcafa/kr ekeys ls lacaf/kr gSaA lacaf/kr gSa] rhl vdsys ouLifr dkjdksa ds lkFk vkSj 'ks"k vU; dkjdksa dk
82 v
mi;ksx djds vUos"k.k esa lgk;rk djus ds fy, gSaA Hkhrj jgus vkSj dke djus dh vko';drk gksrh gSA jko ,oa vU; ¼1971½ ds
vuqlkj O;ogkfjd :i ls ?kksalys ds Hkhrj dk okrkoj.k lar`fIr ueh Lrj
Some thirty-three verses of the Varahsanhita deal with termite, standing
alone by themselves or associated with vegetation, thirty with
¼99&100% lkis{k vknzZrk½ ij cuk, j[kuk iM+rk gSA ;g lkekU; voyksdu
vegetational factors alone and the remaining using other factors to help dk fo"k; gS fd tc Hkh nhed dk ?kkaslyk ;k vkus&tkus dk jkLrk {kfrxzLr
in exploration. gksrk gS] rks dhM+s rqjar ?kksalys ds Hkhrj {kfrxzLr LFkku ij vk tkrs gSa vkSj xhyh
feV~Vh ls ejEer djrs gSaA lk{; ds lexz fopkj ls ;g fu"d"kZ fudkyuk lgh
tEcwo`{kL; izkXoy~ehdks ;fn Hkosr lehiLFk%A izrhr gksrk gS fd vkerkSj ij dhM+s tehuh lrg ds lzksr ds ikl vklkuh ls
rLeknnf{kiik”osZ lfyya iq#"k}s; LoknqAA Vr.S.54.9AA miyC/k izR;sd ikuh dk mi;ksx djrs gSa] ijUrq xaHkhj tyok;q ruko dh
mnxtqZuL; n`”;ks cy~ehdks ;fn rrkstqZuk}LrS%A fLFkfr;ksa ds rgr] os HkkSe ty Lrj rd mrjrs gSa pkgs og fdruk Hkh xgjk gksA
f=fHkjEcq Hkofr iq#"kSL=fHkj/kZlefUorS% i”pkrAA Vr.S.54.12AA blfy,] Vhys cukus okyh nhed dh ,d vPNh rjg ls fodflr] lfØ;] nh?kZ
LFkk;h dkWyksuh dks fudVrk esa Hkwfexr >juksa ds ladsrd ds :i esa fy;k tk
nf{k.k esa rhu gkFk dh nwjh ij nks iq#"k dh xgjkbZ ij] yacs le; rd izkIr gksus ldrk gSA
okyk cgqr lkjk ehBk ikuh gksrk gS ¼54-9½A blh izdkj] mÙkj esa nhed ds Vhys The mound builder variety of the termites are responsible for the
okyk vtqZu ds isM+ ds if'pe esa 3 gkFk dh nwjh ij 3-5 iq#"k dh xgjkbZ ij impressive soil structure called 'Ant-hills' in lay terms, but referred to as
ikuh feyrk gSA termite's – knolls – mounds or spires, prominences by the scientists. These
are familiar features of most tropical and subtropical landscape and are of
Meaning: If there is a termite mound nearby to the east of a Jambu tree, interest to us in the technique of exploration of underground springs.
plenty of sweet water, yielding for a longtime occurs at a depth of two Without exception, the water requirements of the insects are generally
purushas, at a distance of three hastas (cubit) to the south of the tree very high and they need to protect themselves against fatal desiccation
(54.9). Similarly, an Arjuna tree with a termite mound to the north shows by living and working within the climatically sealed environment of their
water at a depth of 3.5 purushas at a distance of 3 hastas to the west. nest or within earth-covered galleries. According to Rao etal. (1971) the
fpÙkkd"khZ feV~Vh lajPkuk ftls vke Hkk"kk esa ^,aV&fgYl* ds :i esa tkuk tkrk atmosphere within the nest has to be maintained practically at saturation
moisture level (99-100% relative humidity). It is a matter of common
gS ml Vhys ds fuekZ.k esa nhed dh Vhys cukus okyh fdLe ftEesnkj gSa] bl
observation that whenever a termite nest or runway is damaged, the
Vhys dks oSKkfudksa }kjk nhed dk uksy&ekmaM ;k fLi;lZ dgk tkrk gSA ;s insects immediately rush to the breach and repair it with wet soil brought
m".kdfVca/kh; vkSj miks".kdfVca/kh; ifjn`'; dh lcls vf/kd ifjfpr up from within the nest. From an overall consideration of the evidence it
fo'ks"krk,a gSa vkSj Hkwfexr >juksa dh [kkst dh rduhd esa gekjs fy, :fpdj gSA seems to be safe to conclude that, while normally the insects use every
fcuk fdlh viokn ds dhVksa dh ikuh dh vko';drk,a lkekU;r% cgqr vf/kd readily available source of water close to the ground surface, under
gksrh gSa vkSj mUgsa tkuysok 'kq"dhdj.k ls viuh j{kk djus ds fy, vius conditions of severe climatic stress, they can and probably do descend to
?kksalyks esa Hkyh izdkj ls can okrkoj.k ds Hkhrj ;k i`Foh ls <dh nh?kkZvksa ds the water table, no matter how deep it may be. Hence, a well-developed,

active, persistent colony of mould-building termites can be taken as an termites are found in a place, and the middle one among them is found
indication of underground springs in the proximity. white, water should be declared in it at a depth of fifty five purushas (i.e.
7.5' X 55 = 412.5 feet).
bZ-th-ds- jko ¼1979½ us rVh; eSlwj vkSj lkFk gh nf{k.kh iBkjh {ks= ds 'kq"d
taxy ds {ks=ksa esa nhed dh xkaBksa ds lajs[k.k dks ns[kk vkSj mlh ls lacaf/kr o`gn ;g lkekU; voyksdu dk fo"k; gS fd isM+ksa ds fcYdqy ikl dbZ ckj nhed {ks=
lafgrk ds 'yksdksa ds lk{; fn, gSaA o`gr lafgrk ds vkxs ds 'yksd ls irk feyrs gSa] vkSj ;g lkekU; n`'; gS fd ;s iwjh rjg ls ?kkl ;k ouLifr }kjk
pyrk gS fd ys[kd dks Vhys cukus okyh nhed dh bl izo`fÙk ds ckjs esa irk <ds jgrs gSaA dbZ ckj nhed dk irk yxkus ds fy, cgqr xgu voyksdu dh
FkkA vko';drk gksrh gSA izkphu Hkkjrh; fo}kuksa us uhps crk, vuqlkj Hkwfexr
>juksa dh [kkst esa bl lgp;Z dk dkQh mi;ksx fd;k gS%&
E.G.K. Rao (1979) observed the alignment of the termite knolls in the dry-
jungle uplands of coastal Mysore as well as the Deccan Plateau area, and It is a matter of common observation that many times termitaries are met
testified the verses of Vrhat Samhita relating the same. Following verse of with in close association with trees; and it is quite common sight to see
Vrhat Samhita suggests that the author was aware of this tendency of termite mounds completely covered over with grass or vegetation. Very
mould builders. close observation is often necessary to detect the termitary. The ancient
cy~ehdkuka iDM+R;ka ;?ksdksHk;qPNr% f”kjk rn/k%AA

Vr.S.54.95AA
mBk gqvk ¼yack½ ik;k tkrk gS] rks mlds Hkhrj ty

okfguh ik;h tkrh gSA
Meaning: If in a line of termite-moulds one is
found to be raised up (taller), water vein is to be
found within it.
blh rjg] 'yksd 82 esa dgk x;k gS fd ;fn ,d txg

ij ikap nhedksa dk lewg ik;k tkrk gS vkSj muesa ls
e/; okyh lQsn gks] ogka ij ipiu iq#"k dh xgjkbZ
¼vFkkZr 7-5* X 55* = 412-5 QhV½ ij ikuh ?kksf"kr
fd;k tkuk pkfg,A nhed ds Vhyksa ds lewg ds voyksdu ls Hkwty Lrj dk vkadyu
Evaluation of water level by observing group of Termite hill
Similarly, Verse 82 says that if a group of five (lzksr@Source : The Wire)
84 v
Indian scholar has exploited this association quite extensively in the (Ichnocarpus fructens – black creeper, Krsna Sariva, Datura metal, Agalala
exploration of underground springs as discussed below: rox-burgiana, Panicum coloncum etc.), Sukarika (Lyccopodium
imbricatum, I. Clovatum), Masaparni (Glycine debitis, G. Labialis).
tEcwfL=o`rk ekSohZ f”k”kqekjh lkfjok f”kok “;kekA
oh#/k;ks okjkgh T;ksfr"erh x:.kosxk pAA Vr.S.54.87 AA blh izdkj] o`gr lafgrk ds v/;k; 54 ds fofHkUu vU; 'yksd fofHkUu y{k.kksa
lwdfjdek"ki.khZO;k/kzink”psfr ;?kgsfuZy;sA ds la;kstu ds lkFk Hkwfexr ty dh [kkst ls lacaf/kr gSa] tSlk uhps fn;k x;k
oy~ehdknqRRjrkRL=hfHk% djSfRL=iq:"ks rks;eAA Vr.S.54.88AA gS%&
Similarly, various other verses of the chapter 54 of Vraht Samhita are
T;ksfrLefr] x:nsoxk] lqdkjhdk] ekli.khZ] O;k?kzk iM+k ds isM+ vkSj yrk,¡ related to the underground water exploration with relation to
nhed ds Vhys ds ikl fn[krh gSa] rks blds 3 gkFk mÙkj esa 3 iq:"k dh xgjkbZ combination of different symptoms, as below:
ij ty gSA vr`.ks ln`.kk ;l~feu lr`.ks r`.koftZfLerk egh;=A
Meaning : If Jambu, Trivrt, Maurva, Sisumari, Sariva, Siva, Syama, Varahi, rfLeu~ f”kjk izfn"Vk oDrO;a ok /kua okfL;uAA Vr.S.54.52AA
Jyotismati, Garudavega, Sukarika, Masaparni, Vyaghra Pada trees and
creepers are seen by a termite mound, there is water 3 hastas to its north
LFkku ij] ?kkl jfgr LFkku gks] rks ;g ikuh ;k [ktkus dk ladsr gSA
at a depth of 3 purushas”.
Meaning: if in a grass less place, there is a patch of grass or in a grassy
mijksDr 'yksdksa esa mfYyf[kr isM+&ikS/kksa ds ouLifr uke gSa& tacw ¼;wtsfu;k
place, there is a grassless place, water or treasure is indicated.
tkEcksl] ,axsfu;k tkEcksykuk½] f=o`r ¼biksfe;k VsjisFke½] ekSjoh
¼lalsfo;fj,jsDlcfxZ;kuk½] fllqekjh ¼\½] lfjok ¼gsekbMslel baMhdl½] flok d.VD;d.Vdkuka O;R;klsEHkkfL=fHk% djS% Ik”pkr~A
¼dbZ ikS/ks& dqdqfel ;wfVfyll] Vfeufy;k pscqyk] ,Ecsfydk vkWfQfluSfyl] [kkRok iq#"kf=r;a f=Hkkx;qDra /kua ok L;kr~A Vr.S.54.53AA
fluksMksu MsDVkbyksu½] l;kek ¼bduksdkjil ÝqDVsUl & Cysd Øhij] Øluk
lfjok] /krwjk /kkrq] vxyyk jksDl&cqxhZ;uk] ifudqe dksyude vkfn½]
lqdkfjdk ¼Y;dksiksfM;e bfEczdkVe] vkbZ- DyksosVe½] elkiuhZ ¼Xykbflu foijhr if'pe dh vksj 3 gkFkksa dh nwjh ij 3-75 iq#"k dh xgjkbZ ij ikuh ;k
MsckbfVl] th- ySfcvfyl½A [ktkus dks bafxr djrk gSaA
Meaning : A flourishing thorny tree in the midst of non-thorny trees or
The botanical names of the flora mentioned in the above verses are:
vice-versa indicates water or treasure at a depth of 3¾ Purushas at a
Jambu (Eugenia Jambos, Engenia Jambolana), Trivrta (Ipomea
distance of 3 hastas to the west”.
turpethum), Maurvi (Sanservieraroxburgiana), Sisumari (?), Sariva
(Hemidesmus indicus), Siva (Several Plants: Cucumis Utilissimus, ;L;kew"ek /kk=~;ka /kweks ok r= okfj uj;qxysA
Terminalia Chebula, Emblica officinalis, Cynodon dactylon), Syama funsZ"VO;k p f”kjk egrk rks;izokgs.kAA Vr.S.54.60AA

l”kdZjk rkezegh d"kk;a {kkja /kfj=h dfiyk djksfrA
izpqj ek=k esa ikuh dh okfguh gksxhA ojkg fefgj us e:LFkyh; {ks= esa Hkh vkik.Mqjk;ka yo.ka izfn"Va e`"Va Ik;ks uhyolqU/kjk;ke~AA
Hkwfexr ty gksus dh ppkZ dh gSA og vkxs dgrs gSa fd mi&HkwHkkx /kkjk ;k HkkSe Vr.S.54.104AA
ty Lrj jsfxLrkuh {ks= esa ÅaV dh xnZu dk vkdkj ysrk gS vkSj i`Foh dh lrg
ls dkQh xgjkbZ ij gksrk gS] ;Fkk % mi;qZDr 'yksd ¼54-104½ feV~Vh vkSj ikuh dk laca/k crkrs gSaA ;g dgrk gS fd
rkacs ds jax dh dadjhyh vkSj jsrhyh feV~Vh ikuh dks dlSyk cuk nsrh gSA
Meaning : Where there is stream or smoke issuing from the ground, an Hkwjs jax dh feV~Vh {kkjh; ikuh dks tUe nsrh gS] ihyh feV~Vh ikuh dks
abundant water vein will be struck at a depth of 2 Purushes. Varahamihira uedhu cukrh gS vkSj uhyh feV~Vh esa Hkwfexr ikuh 'kq) vkSj rktk gks tkrk
has also discussed the occurrence of underground water in the desert gSA
region. He further says that sub-terraineon streams or water table in the
desert region takes the shape of the neck of a camel
and is at a great depth from the surface of the earth as:
e#ns”ks Hkofr f”kjk ;Fkk rFkkr% ija izo{;kfeA

xzhok djHkk.kkfHko HkwrylaLFkk% f”kjk ;kfUrAA
Vr.S.54.62AA
vk/kqfud mRlzqr dqvksa dh HkwxHkhZ; ijr i)fr iwjh rjg ls

bl ckr dh iqf"V djrh gSA
Geological strata scheme of the modern artesian well
fully corroborates this.
o`gr lafgrk ds 'yksd 102 esa ;g o.kZu fd;k x;k gS fd

igkM+h {ks= esa ikuh dSls ik;k tkrk gSA
In the Verse 102 of the Vrhat Samhita , it is described
how water occurs in a mountainous region.
foHkhrdks ok en;kfUrdk ok ;=kfLr rfLeu

iq#"k=;seHk%A
L;kRiorZL;ksifj ioZrksU;Lr=kfi ewys iq#"k=;sEHk%AA mRlqzr dwi ¼ikrky rksM+ dqavk½
Artisen Well
Vr.S.54.102AA (lzksr@Source : Daleswater.com)
86 v
Above verse (54.104) explains the relation of soil and water. It says that xksiFk czkã.k Hkh nks izdkj ds xeZ vkSj BaMs >juksa ;k ty izikrksa ls ifjfpr FksA
pebbly and sandy soil of copper colour makes water astringent. Brown- ¼II, 8½A
coloured soil gives rise to alkaline water, yellowish soil makes water briny
and in blue soil underground water becomes pure and fresh. The Gopath Brahmna was also acquainted with two types of springs or
falls, namely hot and cold (II, 8).
jkek;.k esa gesa mRlqzr dqvksa ds ckjs esa irk pyrk gSA 'yksd VI, 225-37&38] esa
dgk x;k gS fd Hkxoku jke ds rhj }kjk cuk, x, Nsn ds ek/;e ls xgjh tSlk fd fiNys v/;k; esa mYys[k fd;k x;k gS] ekdZaMs; iqjk.k esa gesa
/kjrh ls ikuh yxkrkj osx ls fudyrk gS] ;Fkk % fdeiq:Lojl vkSj lkr vU; ns'kksa esa ik;h tkus okyh ,d foy{k.k LFkykd`fr
ds ckjs esa irk pykrk gS tgk¡ ikuh tehu ls cqncqnkrs gq, fudyrk gS ¼55-
In Ramayana we come across the knowledge of artesian wells. The verses
21&22½A
VI, 22.37-38 say that the water from deep earth comes out by force
continuously through the hole created by arrow of Lord Rama as: As mentioned in the previous chapter, in Markandeya Purana we come
across a peculiar type of topography found in the Kimpurusavarsa and
fuikfrr% “kjks ;= otzk”kfuleizHk%AA Ramayana, VI,22.36AA
seven other countries where water bubbles up from the ground (55.21-
rLekn oz.keq[kkr rks;eqRiikr jlkrykrAA Ramayana, VI,22.37AA 22).
l cHkwr rnk dwiks oz.k bR;so foJqr%A
lrra pksfRFkra rks;a leqnzL;so n`”;rsAA Ramayana, VI,22.38AA uoLofi p o"ksZ"kq lIr lIrdqykpyk%A
:dSdfLeLrFkk ns”ks u|k”pkfnz&fofu%l`rk%AA Markandeya P.53.21AA
;g oSKkfud :i ls cgqr Li"V gS fd mRlqzr dq,a cy }kjk fujUrj cgrs gSaA
;kfu fdaiq#"kk|kfu o"kkZ.;"VkS f}tksRre%A
ok;q iqjk.k esa fofHkUu Hkwfexr lajpukvksa vkSj LFkykd`fr dk Hkh mYys[k fd;k
rs"kwfn~HkTtkfu rks;kfu uSoa ok;Z= HkkjrsAA Markandeya P.53.22AA
x;k gS tSls >hysa] catj iFk] ?kkVh] igkM+ksa ds chp pV~Vkuh njkj ?kkVh
¼vUnks.kh½ ¼38-36½A iqjk.k ds v/;k; 38 esa igkM+h {ks= esa cM+h la[;k esa xeZ
>juksa dh ckr dh xbZ gSA izR;sd izns'k esa ioZrksa ls fudyh gqbZ ufn;ka fo|eku gSaA gs f}tksRre! tks
It clearly and very scientifically explains the artesian well flowing fdaiq:"kkfn vkB o"kZ gSa] muesa ty mn~fHkn ek=k gSa] D;ksafd bl Hkkjro"kZ esa es?k
continuously with force. The Vayu Purana also refers to the various ds ty dh vf/kdrk gSA
underground structures and topography such as lakes, barren tracts,
mi;qZDr ppkZvksa ls irk pyrk gS fd o`gr lafgrk dk v/;k; 54 Hkwty vUos"k.k
dales, rocky rift valley between mountains vUn)ks.kh (38.36). The chapter
38 of the Purana also speaks of a large number of hot springs in a
ij ,d cgqr egÙoiw.kZ xzaFk gSA
mountainous region. The above discussions reveal that chapter 54 of the Vrhat Samhita is a very
important treatise on ground water exploration.
RkFkk g~;uRo rIrkfu ljakfl f}t lRrek%A
“kSydq{;UrjLFkkfu lgL=kf.k “krkfu pAA Vayu.38.78AA

milagkj Discussions and the references presented in the chapter show that there
were well developed scientific concepts of groundwater occurrence,
Epilogue distribution, prospecting and utilization. It is for this reason that the
people of Harappan civilization were able to dig the wells and able to
v/;k; esa izLrqr ppkZ vkSj lanHkZ crkrs gSa fd Hkwty mifLFkfr] forj.k] iwosZ{k.k
utilize the groundwater. By means of hydrologic indicators such as
vkSj mi;ksx dh oSKkfud vo/kkj.kk,¡ vPNh rjg ls fodflr FkhA ;gh dkj.k
physiographic features, termite mounds, geophysical characteristics,
gS fd gM+Iik lH;rk ds yksx dqvksa dh [kqnkbZ djus vkSj Hkwty ds mi;ksx djus soils, flora, fauna, rocks and minerals etc., the presence of ground water
esa l{ke FksA Hkwvkd`frd fo'ks"krkvksa] nhed ds Vhys] HkwHkkSfrdh; fo'ks"krk,a] was detected, which is fully scientific. Termite mounds were used as an
feV~Vh] ouLifr] tho] pV~Vkusa vkSj [kfut vkfn tSls tyfoKkuh; ladsrdkas important indicator of the groundwater by the ancient Indians. The
ds }kjk Hkwty dh mifLFkfr dk irk yxk;k x;k Fkk] tks iwjh rjg ls oSKkfud presence and variation of these indicators have been linked up with the
gSA izkphu Hkkjrh;ksa }kjk nhed ds Vhys dks Hkwty ds ,d egÙoiw.kZ ladsrd ds availability of underground springs in modern era too. Modern scientists
:i esa iz;ksx fd;k x;k FkkA vk/kqfud ;qx esa Hkh budh mifLFkfr vkSj fHkUurk have also established that the moisture within the mounds is kept
Hkwfexr >juksa dh miyC/krk ds lkFk ladsrd ds :i esa tqM+h gqbZ gSA vk/kqfud practically at saturation level (99-100%) indicating the presence of
oSKkfudksa us Hkh ;g LFkkfir fd;k gS fd Vhys ds Hkhrj ueh dks O;kogkfjd :i underground spring in proximity. Well before many centuries of Christ,
ls lar`fIr Lrj ij ¼99&100%½ j[kk tkrk gS tks fudV esa Hkwfexr >juksa dh Indians were aware of underground water bearing structures, change in
mifLFkfr dk ladsr gSA bZlk ls dbZ 'krkfCn;ksa iwoZ Hkkjrh;ksa dks Hkwfexr ty the direction of flow of ground water, high and low water tables at
different places, hot and cold springs, ground water utilization by means
/kkjd lajpukvksa] fofHkUu LFkkuksa ij Hkwty ds izokg dh fn'kk esa ifjorZu] fHkUu
of wells, well construction methods and equipment, underground water
fHkUu LFkku ij mPp vkSj fuEu HkkSe ty Lrj] xeZ vkSj BaMs >jus] dqvksa ds quality and even the artesian well schemes. This high level of knowledge
ek/;e ls Hkwty mi;ksx] dqvksa ds fuekZ.k ds rjhds vkSj midj.k] Hkwfexr ty of groundwater in those ancient times was developed by indigenous
dh xq.koÙkk vkSj ;gk¡ rd fd mRlqzr dwi iz.kkyh ds ckjs esa irk FkkA Hkwty dk people of India altogether independently.
;g mPp Lrj dk Kku izkphu dky esa Hkkjr ds Lons'kh yksxksa }kjk iwjh rjg ls
Lora= :i ls fodflr fd;k x;k FkkA
88 v
ty xq.koÙkk vkSj vè;k;
vif'k"V ty izca/ku CHAPTER 7
WATER QUALITY AND
WASTE WATER MANAGEMENT
iwjs bfrgkl esa] ikuh ds mi;ksx us LokLF;] chekjh vkSj dY;k.k ds fofHkUu ekStwn gksrs gSaA vkS|ksfxd {ks=ksa] cM+s tula[;k dsanzksa vkSj e:LFkyh; {ks=ksa esa
vuqHkoksa vkSj O;k[;kvksa vkSj ewY;ksa dks izfrfcafcr fd;k gSA ;g fopkj fd ikuh LFkkuh; :i ls /kwy ds d.k tqM+ tkrs gSaA Hkwfe vk/kkfjr dkjdksa esa tks o"kkZ ty
HkkSfrd] lkekftd vkSj ikfjfLFkfrd okrkoj.k ds chp ,d lkeatL; dks dh lajpuk dks cnyus esa egÙoiw.kZ gks ldrs gSa] Tokykeq[kh] ok"ieq[k] >jus
n'kkZrk gS igys ls gh izkphu fpfdRlk esa ns[kk tk ldrk gSA yxHkx 4000 o"kZ vkSj /kwy ds d.kksa }kjk mRlftZr lYQj gSaA egklkxj ds vklikl o"kkZ ds ikuh
iwoZ] Hkkjrh;ksa dks ikuh dks mckydj 'kq) djus dk Kku FkkA ckn esa] esa lkekU;r% 1-0 feyh xzke izfr yhVj ls dbZ nfl;ksa feyhxzke izfryhVj rd
fgIiksØsV~l ikuh dh xq.koÙkk dks csgrj cukus ds fy,] ikuh dks Nkuus vkSj DyksjkbM gksrk gS ysfdu bldh ekih xbZ ek=k lkekU;r% Hkwfe dh fn'kk esa rsth
mckyus] nksuksa ds mi;ksx djus ds fy, tkuk tkrk Fkk ¼;wusLdks] vkbZ-,p-ih- ls ?kVrh tkrh gSA
2011½A ,d le; esa vk/kqfud oSKkfud] o"kkZ ty dks vklqr ty dh rjg gh
Throughout the history, the use of water has reflected various
'kq) ekurs FksA ysfdu ckn ds v/;;uksa ls irk pyk fd ,slk ugha gSA o"kkZ dk
experiences and interpretations of and values about health, illness and
ikuh] vfHkyk{kf.kd :i ls typØ esa lcls 'kq) ikuh gS] ysfdu fQj Hkh well being. The idea that water reflects a harmony between the physical,
okrkoj.k esa o"kkZ ty ds fxjrs le; 1 ls dbZ lkS feyhxzke ?kqfyr lkexzh izfr social and ecological environment can already be found in ancient
yhVj ikuh esa ,d= gks ldrh gSA o"kkZ ty] tc i`Foh dh vksj fxjrk gS] mlesa medicine. As long as 4,000 years ago, the Indians were having the
gok ls xSlsa vkSj /kwy ;k vU; ok;q tfur lkefxz;ksa ds d.kksa dks ?kqyus dk knowledge of purifying the water through boiling. Latter, Hippocrates
i;kZIr volj feyrk gSA bl izdkj] o"kkZ ty ,d fefJr bysDVªksykbV cu was known to use both water filters and boiling to improve water quality
tkrk gS ftlesa fofHkUu ek=k esa izeq[k vkSj y?kq /kuk;u rFkk _.kk;u gksrs gSaA (UNESCO, IHP, 2011). The modern scientists at one time, used to consider
lksfM;e] iksVsf'k;e] eSXuhf'k;e] dSfY'k;e] DyksjkbM] ckbdkcksZusV vkSj rainwater as pure like distilled water. But later studies revealed that it is
lYQsV izeq[k ?kVd gSaA veksfu;k vkSj fofHkUu ukbVªkstu ;kSfxd vkerkSj ij not so. The water of precipitation is characteristically the purest water in

the hydrological cycle, but even so it may collect from less than 1 to texts of earlier antiquity, also elaborately deals with water quality.
several hundred milligrams of dissolved material per litre of water during
its fall through the atmosphere. Rainwater, as it falls to the earth, has _Xosn esa 'yksd V, 83-4 esa o`{kkjksi.k] ou laj{k.k vkSj ;K ds ckjs esa crk;k
ample opportunity to dissolve gases from the air and may also dissolve x;k gS rkfd ekuo tkfr dh HkykbZ ds fy, 'kq) vkSj LoLFk okrkoj.k vkSj
particles of dust or other air borne materials. Thus, rain water becomes a vPNh xq.koÙkk ds ty dk fuekZ.k gks lds%&
mixed electrolyte containing varying amounts of major and minor cations
In the Rig Veda, the verse V,83.4 speaks about the tree plantation, forest
and anions. Sodium, potassium, magnesium, calcium, chloride,
conservation and yajna ¼;K½ so as to create pure and healthy
bicarbonate and sulphate are the major constituents. Ammonia and
environment and good quality of water for well being of mankind as:
various nitrogen compounds are generally present. Dust particles are
added locally in industrial areas, large population centres and desert iz okrk okfUr ir;fUr fo|qr mnks"k/khftZgrs fiUors Lo%A
areas. Among the land based factors which may be significant in altering bjk fo”oLeS Hkqouk; tk;rs ;RitZU;% i`Foh jsrlkofrAA R.V.,V,83.4AA
the composition of rainwater are the sulphur emitted by volcanoes,
fumaroles, springs, and dust particles. Rainwater close to the ocean
commonly contains from 1.0 milligram per litre to several tens of
milligrams per litre of chloride but the observed concentration generally
decreases rapidly in a landward direction.
osnksa esa] fo'ks"k :i ls vFkoZosn esa] gesa ty xq.koÙkk ds dqN lanHkZ feyrs gSaA
pjd lafgrk] lqJqr lafgrk ¼nksuksa iwoZ ;k izkjafHkd ckS) ;qxhu½ vkSj v"Vkax
ân; lafgrk ¼9oha 'krkCnh bZLoh½] vk;qosZn ¼thou ds foKku½ ij igys ds ;qx
ds nkSjku lafpr Kku ds HkaMkj gSaA bu lHkh izkphu ekud xzaFkksa esa] ikuh dh
xq.koÙkk ij laHkk"k.k vk;qosZn dk egÙoiw.kZ igyw gSA Hkkofelzk dk Hkko izdk'k
¼16oha 'krkCnh bZLoh½] tks djhc&djhc izkphu dky ds lHkh vk;qosZfnd xzaFkksa
dk ,d ladyu gS] Hkh foLr`r :i ls ikuh dh xq.koÙkk ls lacaf/kr gSA
In Vedas, we get some references to water quality, especially in Atharv
Veda. Charaka Samhita, Susruta Samhita (both of pre or early Buddhist
era), and Ashtanga Hrdaya Samhita (9th century AD) are the repositories of
knowledge accumulated on Ayurveda (Science of Life), during the earlier
period. In all these ancient standard texts, discourses on water quality 'kq) ty ,oa LoLFk okrkoj.k gsrq o`{kkjksi.k ds egRo dks osnksa esa of.kZr fd;k x;k gS
constitute an important aspect of Ayurveda. Bhavamisra's Bhava Prakash Importance of plantation for pure water and healthy atmoshphere is described in Vedas
(16th century AD), which is more or less a compilation of all the Ayurvedic (lzksr@Source : Leek Gardem)
90 v
o`{kksa ds yxkus] ouksa dh j{kk djus vkSj gkse djus ls fl) djsa ftlls lcdk ds 'kq) :i esa vkus dk dkj.k curh gSaA
ikyu lq[k ls gksosA
In Sam Veda (Previous II.187), we read that the Sun rays cause the rain to
blh rjg] _Xosn ds 'yksd VII, 50-4 esa Hkh ikuh dh 'kqf) ds fy, ;K ds egÙo come in purest form like white curd as:
dk irk pyrk gSA ;tqosZn esa ¼I, 12½] ge inkFkksZa ds la;kstu ds dkj.k lanw"k.k bekLr bUnz i`”u;ks ?k`ra nqgr vkf”kjeA
vkSj inkFkZ dks NksVs&NksVs d.kksa esa rksM+dj] ;kuh ;K }kjk vfXu dks 'kqf)dj.k ,uke`rL; fiI;q"kh%AA S.V.P,II.187AA
ds izeq[k lzksr ds :i esa i<+rs gSa] xehZ vkSj lw;Z dh fdj.ksa ikuh dks 'kq) djus ds
lzksr gSaA vFkkZr~ vFkoZosn ¼,-oh-] 22-5½ dk ,d 'yksd vf/kd ?kkl] mPp o"kkZ vkSj [kjkc ty
xq.koÙkk okys {ks=ksa esa gksus okyh chekfj;ksa ds fo:) fuokjd mik; djus dk
Likewise, verse VII, 50.4 of the Rig Veda also reveals the importance of
funsZ'k nsrk gSA ;Fkk
Yajna ¼;K½ in relation to purification of water. In Yajur Veda (I,12), we read
about the contamination due to combination of substances and about A verse of Atharv Veda (V, 22.5) directs to take preventive measures
fire as the prime source of purification, by breaking the substances into against the diseases caused by the areas with much grass, high rainfall
minute particles, i.e. yanja, heat and sunrays are the agents to purify the and bad water quality, viz.
water. viz.
vksdksa vL; ewtoUr vksdksa vL; egko`"kk%A
iko=s LFkks oS".kO;kS lforqoZ% il z o mRiuqkH;fPNæ.sk ifo=.sk l;wLaZ; jf”efHk%A ;koTtkrLrDea Lrkokufl cfYgads"kq U;kspj%AA A.V.V,22.5AA
noshjkik·svxxsz oqk·svxiszok·sx·zbee| ;Ka u;rkxzsa ;Kifr lq/kkraq ;Kifra
nso;qoe~AA YV.I,12AA
gksrs gSa] euq"; bldk izcU/k j[ksaA
vfrlw{e ijek.kq :i gksdj ok;q ds chp jgk djrs gSa vkSj dqN 'kq) Hkh gks tkrs izfl) egkdkO; egkHkkjr ¼XII, 184-31 vkSj 224-42½ esa geus ikuh ds Lokn ds
gSa ijUrq tSlh ;K ds vuq"Bku ls ok;q vkSj o`f"V ty dh mRre 'kqf) vkSj iqf"V vuqlkj mlds fofHkUu xq.kksa ds ckjs esa i<+k gSA bl izdkj] ;g Li"V gS fd ml
gksrh gS oSlh nwljs mik; ls dHkh ugha gks ldrhA blls fo}kuksa dks pkfg, fd le; blds Lokn ds vuqlkj ikuh dh xq.koÙkk dks fufnZ"V djus ds iz;kl fd,
gksefØ;k vkSj ok;q vfXu ty vkfn inkFkZ o f'kYi fo|k ls vPNh&vPNh x, FksA
lokjh cuk ds vusd izdkj ds ykHk mBkosa vFkkZr~ viuh euksdkeuk fl) djds In the celebrated epic Mahabharata (XII,184.31 and 224.42), we read
vkSjksa dh Hkh dkeuk flf) djsaA tks ty bl i`Foh ls vUrfj{k dks p<+dj ogka about the various qualities of water according to its taste. Thus, it is clear
ls ykSVdj fQj i`Foh vkfn inkFkks± dks izkIr gksrs gSa os izFke vkSj tks es?k esa jgus that during those days efforts were made to specify the water quality
okys gSa os nwljs dgykrs gSaA ,slh 'kriFk czkã.k esa es?k dk o`= rFkk lw;Z dk bUnz according to its taste.
uke ls o.kZu djds ;q):i dFkk ds izdk'k ls es?kfo|k fn[kykbZ gSA
jlks cgqfo/k% izksDr _f"kfHk% izkfFk;kRefHk%A
lkeosn ¼fiNyk II, 187½ esa geus i<+k gS fd lw;Z dh fdj.ksa ngh tSlh lQsn o"kkZ e/kqjks yo.kfLrDr% d"kk;ksEy% dV`LrFkkAA M.B.XII.184.3AA

o`gr lafgrk ds ßndkxZyeÞ uked 54osa v/;k; esa] gesa ikuh dh xq.koÙkk ds dbZ ,dsu o.ksZu jlsu pkEHkjP;qra uHkLrks olq/kkfo”ks"kkrA
lanHkZ feyrs gSaA 'yksd 54-2 esa dgk x;k gS fd Hkwty dh tkap mlds i;kZoj.k ukukjlRoa cgqo.kZrka p xra ijh{;a f{kfrrqy~;esoAA Vr.S.54.2AA
ds laca/k esa dh tkuh pkfg,A l”kdZjk rkezegh d"kk;a {kkja /kkfj=h dfiyk djksfrA
vkik.Mqjk;ka yo.ka izfn"Va e`"Va I;ks uhyolqU/kjk;keAA Vr.S.54.104AA
In the Vrhat Samhita, we find many references to water quality in the 54th
chapter named “Dakargala”. Verse 54.2 states that groundwater should be o`gr lafgrk ¼54-104½ esa feV~Vh ds jax dks ty xq.koÙkk dk lwpd crk;k x;k
investigated in relation to its environment. gSA ;g dgrk gS fd ßrkacs ;qDr dadM+e; vkSj jsrhyh feV~Vh ikuh dks dlSyk
cuk nsrh gSA Hkwjh jax dh feV~Vh {kkjh; ikuh dks tUe nsrh gS] ihyh lQsn
feV~Vh [kkjs ikuh vkSj uhys jax dh feV~Vh ikuh dks 'kq) vkSj ehBk cukrh gSÞA
is;ty dh xq.koÙkk esa lq/kkj ds fy, ,d ty mipkj fof/k Hkh lq>kbZ x;h FkhA
Soil colour has been described as an indicator of water quality in the Vrhat
Samhita (54.104). It says that “pebbly and sandy soil containing copper
makes water astringent ¼dlSyk½- Brown-coloured soil gives rise to alkaline
water, pale white soil to salt water and blue coloured soil makes water
pure and sweet”.A water treatment method was also suggested to
improve the quality of drinking water as:
vTtueqLrks”khjS% “kjktdks”kkrdkeydpw.kSa%A
drdQylek;qDrS;ksZx% dwis iznkrO;%AA Vr.S.54.121AA
dyq"ka dVqda yo.ka fojla lfyya ;fn ok”kqHkxfU/k HkosrA
rnusu HkoR;eya lqjla lqlqxfU/k x.kSjijS”p ;qreAA Vr.S.54.122AA
mi;qZDr 'yksd dgrs gSa fd vatue dk ,d feJ.k ¼dksfyfj;e] vkWfVeksuh ;k
veksfu;e dk vdZ½] eLr dan ¼ukxjeksFkk½] mfljk ¼[kkl½] jkdkslVd dk
ikmMj ¼rksjbZ½] vkSj veydk ¼vkoyk½ dVdk uV~l ds lkFk la;qDr :i ls
,d dq,a esa Mkyk tkuk pkfg,A ;fn ikuh xank gS] rh[kk gS] uedhu] [kjkc
Lokn vkSj vPNh xa/k dk ugha gS] ;g Li"V] Lokfn"V] lqxaf/kr vkSj vU; vPNs
xq.k okyk gks tk,xkA bl izdkj] ml le; ojkg fefgj us nwf"kr ikuh ds lzksr
ty 'kks/ku dh izkphu i)fr ls ihus ;ksX; ikuh izkIr djus ds fy, ,d ljy fof/k izLrqr dh FkhA mi;qZDr
Traditional technique of water treatment lHkh ikS/kksa dh lkexzh vkS"k/kh; ewY; dh gS vkSj vkerkSj ij Hkkjr ds yxHkx
(lzksr@Source : Kiran Enterprise) lHkh fgLlksa esa miyC/k gSA izkphu fpfdRlk xzaFkksa esa tSls fd pjd lafgrk]
92 v
lqJqr lafgrk vkSj v"Vkaxân; lafgrk ¼okXHkV~V }kjk½] ftUgsa lkewfgd :i ls Prasad (1979). The shloka 2 states the important properties of water and
czº=ks; ¼egku =;½ ds :i esa tkuk tkrk gS vkSj rhu vU; vk;qosZfnd xzaFk its usefulness for the living beings, as:
ek/kofuane] lkjax/kkjk lafgrk vkSj Hkko izdk'k] ftls lkewfgd :i ls y?kq=sbZ
ikuh;a Jeuk”kua Dyegja eN
w kfZiiklkgja rUnkzPNfnfZocU/kâ}ydja funkzgja ri.ZkeA~
¼NksVh =;½ ds uke ls tkuk tkrk gS] buesa Hkh dqN ikuh dh xq.koÙkk ds lanHkZ
â|a xqIrjla áth.kZ”keda fuR;a fgra “khrya y?oPNa jldkj.ka fuxfnra
miyC/k gSaA Hkko izdk'k esa dbZ fgLls pjd] lqJqr] okXHkV vkSj rkaf=d ds
ih;w"koTthoue~A X.2AA
fpfdRlk xzaFkksa ls 'kkfey fd;s x, gSaA Hkko izdk'k dk nloka v/;k; ftlesa 86
'yksd gSa] okjh oxkZg uke ls tkuk tkrk gS] ikuh ds fofHkUu igyqvksa ls lacaf/kr
gSA ;gk¡ mi;qZDr ikB ¼okjh oxkZg Hkkx dk 10osa v/;k;½ esa fn;s x;s ikuh dh djrk gSA ;g ân; ds fy, vPNk gS] larqf"V nsrk gS] dksey] Li"V] jlksa dk
xq.koÙkk ds dqN igyqvksa dks fn;k x;k gS vkSj izlkn ¼1979½ }kjk Hkh bldk lzksr gS vkSj mYVh] uhan dh izo`fÙk vkSj dCt dks u"V djrk gSA
fo'ys"k.k fd;k x;k gSA 'yksd 2 eaas ty ds egÙoiw.kZ xq.k vkSj thoksa ds fy,
bldh mi;ksfxrk crkbZ xbZ gS] tSls%& Meaning: “The water eliminates the fatigue of the body and mind,
destroys weakness. It is good for heart, gives satisfaction, soft, clear, origin
The above verses say that a mixture of Anjanam (collyrium, autimony or of rasas, and destroyer of vomiting, sleeping tendency and constipation”.
extract of ammonium), Musta tubers (Nagarmodha), Usira (Khas),
Powder of Rajkosataka (Torayi), and Amalaka ¼vkaoyk½] combined with 'yksd 3 vkSj 4 esa] ikuh ds fofHkUu :iksa dk oxhZdj.k vkSj ukedj.k bl izdkj
Kataka nuts should be put into a well. If the water is turbid, pungent, fd;k x;k gS%&
saltish, of bad taste and not of good odour, it will be rendered clear, tasty, In shloka 3 and 4, the classification and nomenclature of different forms of
aromatic, and with other good qualities. Thus, Varahamihira at that time water have been given as:
presented a simple method for obtaining potable water from a
contaminated source of water. All above plant materials have medicinal ikuh;a eqfufHk% izksDra fnO;a HkkSefefr f}/kkAA X.3AA
value and are commonly available in almost all parts of India. In ancient fnO;a prqfoZ/ka izksDra /kkjkta djdkHkoe~A
medical texts such as Charaka Samhita, Susruta Samhita and rkS"kkja p rFkk gSea rs"kq /kkja xq.kkf/kde~AA X.4AA
Astangahradaya Samhita (by Vagbhata), collectively known as Brahattrayi
(Great triad), and three other ayurvedic texts Madhavanidanam, ikuh tks vkdk'k ls cjlrk gS mls ^fnO;e~* dgk tkrk gS vkSj tc ;g i`Foh ij
Sarangadhara Samhita and Bhavaprakasha, collectively known as ;k Hkwty ds :i esa ,d= gks tkrk gS] rks bls _f"k;ksa }kjk ^HkkSe* dgk tkrk gSA
Laghutrayi (small triad), some references to water quality are available. In ^fnO;e* ty dks pkj Jsf.k;ksa esa ckaVk x;k gS& ^/kkjktye~* vkdk'k ls fujarj
Bhava Prakash many parts have been incorporated from the medical texts ckSNkj ds :i esa fxjrk gS] ^djdHkoe~* tc ;g iRFkjksa ds VqdM+ksa dh rjg
of Charaka, Susruta, Vagbhata and the Tantrik texts. The tenth chapter of fxjrk gS] ^rkSlkje~* /kq,a vkfn ls eqDr gksrk gS vkSj ^gsee~* fgeky; dh cQZ ls
Bhava Prakash with 86 verses named as Vari Vargah deals with different curk gSA blesa ^/kjktye~* csgrj gS] ftlesa xq.kksa dh Hkjekj gSA
aspects of water. Here some aspects of water quality are presented as
given in above text (10th chapter, Vari Vargah part) and also analyzed by Water which rains from sky is called 'Divyam' and when it gets collected

on the earth or as ground water, it is termed as 'Bhaumam' by sages. HkkSeeEHkks fuxfnra izFkea f=fo/ka cq/kS%A
'Divyan' water is divided in four categories: 'Dharajalam' falls as tkxya ijekuwia rr% lk/kkj.ka Øekr~AA X.25AA
continuous shower from sky, 'Karakabhavam' when it falls like the pieces
of stones, 'Tausaram' is free from the smoke etc. and 'Haimam' is caused bldk vFkZ gS] ßHkkSe tye~ rhu izdkj dk gS tSls tkaxye~] vuqie~] vkSj
from the snow of Himalayas. Among these 'Dharajalam' is better, having lq/kkjue~A mi;qZDr ty foHkktu mu {ks=ksa dh fo'ks"krkvksa ij vk/kkfjr gksrs gSa
full of qualities. ftUgsa mudh i;kZoj.kh; fLFkfr;ksa ds vuqlkj foHksfnr fd;k tkrk gS] tSls%&
blh rjg] 'yksd 25 esa LFkyh; ty ¼HkkSe tye~½ dk oxhZdj.k fn;k x;k gSA It means, “the Bhaum Jalam is of three varieties viz. Jangalam, Anupam,
and Sudharanam. Above water divisions are based on the characteristics
Similarly, shloka 25 gives classification of Terrestrial water (Bhauma Jalam). of the regions which are differentiated according to their environmental
conditions, as:
vYiksndks·Yio`{k”p fiRrjDrke;kfUor%A
KkrO;ks tkx a yks n”skLr=kR;a tkxa ya tye~ AA
X.26 AA
cg~oEcqcZgqo`{k”p okr”ys"eke;kfUor%A
ns”kks·uwi bfr [;kr vkuwia rn~Hkoa tye~ AA
X.27 AA
feJfpàLrq ;ks ns'k% l fg lk/kkj.k% Le`r%A
rfLeUns'ks ;nqnda rRrq lk/kkj.ka Le`re~ AA
X.28AA
tkaxya lfyya :{ka yo.ka y?kq fiRruqr~A
ofàd`RdQâRiH;a fodkjku~ gjrs cgwu~ AA
X.29 AA
vkuwia ok¸;ZfHk";fUn Loknq fLuX/ka /kua xq:A
ofàg~oRdQd`n~/k`|a fodkjkUdq:rs cgwu~ AA
X.30 AA
lk/kkj.ka rq e/kqja nhiua “khrya y?kqA
riZ.ka jkspua r`".kknkgnks”k=;ç.kqr~AA
fgeky; esa fge vkPNkfnr {ks= ls fudyrh ty/kkjk
A water stream in the snow clad Himalayas X.31 AA
(lzksr@Source : Shutterstock)
94 v
mi;qZDr 'yksdksa ds vuqlkj] os ns'k ftuesa isM+ vkSj ikuh de gSa ftlls fiÙk fueZy Roa ¼iznw"k.k jfgr½ tSls 'kCn feyrs gSaA
vkSj okr fodkj iSnk gksrs gSa os tkaxy {ks= gSa vkSj bu {ks=ksa esa mRiUu ty dks
In the various reference quoted above, at various places, we come across
tkaxy ikuh dgk tkrk gSA ftl {ks= esa ikuh vkSj isM+ izpqj ek=k esa gSa vkSj okr
vkSj dQ jksxksa dks jksdus esa l{ke gSa mlds ty dks vuqie ty dgk tkrk gSA the words such as fo”kna (clear, clean, pure, pellucid, etc.), LoPNe~ (clear),
Åij ds nksuksa {ks=ksa dh fefJr fo'ks"krkvksa okys {ks= dks lk/kkjue~ {ks= dgk funksZ"k (blemishless), dyq'ka (polluted) and fueZy Roa (unpolluted).
tkrk gS] vkSj blds ikuh dks lk/kkj.k tye~ dgk tkrk gSA tkaxy dk ikuh 'yksd 78&81 nwf"kr ikuh dh fo'ks"krkvksa dk bl izdkj o.kZu djrs gSa%&
[kkjk] uje gS] fiÙk vkSj dQ dks [kRe djrk g]S ikpu dks c<k+ok nrsk g]S vkjS jkx s kas
eas ,d vPNk vkgkj gAS vuiw ikuh Lokfn"V] ry S h;] fpifpik] dBkjs] ikpu dks de Shlokas 78-81 describe the characteristics of the contaminated water as:
djus okyk] dQ dks c<kok nuss okyk vkjS vU; fodkjkas dk fuekrZk gAS lk/kkj.k
tye e/kjq g]S ikpu dks c<k+ok nrsk g]S uje] BM a k 'kkra] l[qkn gS vkjS f=nk"sk ¼rhu fifPNya d`feya fDyUua i.kZ”kSokyndnZeS%A
jkxs ½ dks lekIr djrk gAS bl id z kj] ge ;gk¡ n[skrs gSa fd ikuh ds v/;;u e]as foo.kZa fojla lkUnza nqxZU/ka u fgra tye~AA X.78AA
ikfjfLFkfrdh ds vusd dkjdksa ij Hkh fopkj fd;k x;k gSA dyq"ka NUueEHkksti.kZuhyhr`.kkfnfHk%A
nq%Li”kZuelaLi`"Va lkSjpkUnzejhfpfHk%AA X.79AA
According to the above verses, the country having sparse trees and less vukRrZoa okf"kZda rq izFke rPp Hkwfexe~A
water and having bad effect of causing pitta and vata disorders are the O;kiUua ifjgZRrZO;a loZnks"kizdksi.ke~AA X.80AA
Jangala region and water originated in this region is termed as Jangala
water. The region having plenty of water and abundant trees and able to
rRdq¸;kZRLukuikukH;ka r`".kk/ekufpjTojku~A
cause Vata and Kapha diseases is called Anupam and its water as Anupam dklkfXueka|kfHk";Und.Mwx.Mkfnda rFkkAA X.81AA
water. The regions having mixed characteristics of above two types is
called Sadharanam region, and its water is called Sadharana Jalam.
Jangala water is saltish, soft, eliminates Pitta and Kapha, promotes cqjs o.kZokyk] jljfgr] xk<+k vFkok nqxZU/k ;qDr gks og fgrdkjh ugha gksrkA oSls
digestion, and a good diet in diseases. Anupa water is tasty, oily, viscus, hard, gh dyqf"kr ¼xanyk½ dey ds iRrs] flokj rFkk r`.kkfnd ls vkPNkfnr] cqjs
retards digestion, promotes Kapha and is a creator of other disorders. LFkku dk] lw;Z rFkk pUnzek dh fdj.kksa ls jfgr] fcuk _rq i`Foh ij izFke o"kkZ
Sadharana Jalam is sweet, promotes digestion, soft, cool, pleasant and dk ,df=r ty vkSj fcxM+k gqvk ty R;kx nsuk pkfg,A dkj.k fd& ml ty
eliminates tridosa (three diseases). Thus, we see here that in the study of ls laiw.kZ nks"k dqfir gksrs gSaA bl izdkj ds ty ls Luku djus rFkk ihus ls r`"kk
water, a large number of factors of ecology have also been considered. ¼I;kl½] vQkjk ¼vkèkeku½] th.kZTokj] [kk¡lh] vfXu dh eUnrk] vfHk";Unh]
d.Mw] xyx.M vkfn jksx mRiUu gks tkrs gSaA
ty xq.koRrk ekud
Water Quality Standards bu 'yksdksa ds vuqlkj ßikuh tks fpifpih izd`fr dk gks] ftlesa dhM+s gksa] vkSj
ifÙk;ksa vkSj dhpM+ ls [kjkc gks] [kjkc xa/k dk gks] og LokLF; ds fy, vPNk
Åij fn, x, fofHkUu lanHkksZa esa] fofHkUu LFkkuksa ij] fo'kna ¼Li"V] LoPN] 'kq)] ugha gksrk gSA xUnk ikuh] dey ds iRrksa] ?kkl vkfn ls <dk ikuh vkSj lw;Z ;k
ikjn'khZ vkfn½] LoPNe ¼Li"V½] funksZ"k ¼nks"k jfgr½] dyq"ke ¼iznwf"kr½ vkSj pk¡n dh jks'kuh ds fcuk] fcuk fdlh gypy ds] ;k fcuk le; o"kkZ ds dkj.k

;k igyh o"kkZ dk ikuh tks tehu esa ,d= gks tkrk gS] ,slk ikuh dbZ fodkjksa vkSn~fHkna pkUrfj{ka ok dkSia ok izko`f"k Lere~A
dk lzksr gSA bl izdkj] ihus ds mi;ksx vkSj Lukukfn iz;kstuksa ds fy, mUgsa “kLra “kjfn ukns;a uhjea”kwnda ije~AA X.61 AA
fuf"k) fd;k tkuk pkfg, D;ksafd bl rjg ds ikuh ds mi;ksx ls r`"kk] fnok jfodjStqZ"Va fuf”k “khrdjka”kqfHk%A
vk/;keku] th.kZ Toj] vXuekUn] d.Mq] xa.Mk vkfn jksx gksrs gSaA vU; 'yksdksa Ks;ea”kwnda uke fLuX/ka nks"k=;kige~AA X.62 AA
dk ,d egRoiw.kZ v/;;u Hkh fofHkUu mi;ksxksa ds fy, ikuh dh xq.koÙkk ekud vufHk";fUn funksZ"kekUrfj{ktyksiee~A
ds fy, izkphu Hkkjrh;ksa ds n`f"Vdks.k dks Li"V :i ls izdV djrk gSA cY;a jlk;ua es/;a “khra y?kq lq/kklee~AA X.63 AA
According to these verses“waters which are of sticky
nature, containing worms and spoilt by leaves and mud,
of bad colour, thick, of bad smell, are not good for health.
Muddy water and water covered by lotus leaves, grass
etc., un-illuminated by sunlight or moonlight, lacking
movement, caused by untimely rain or the first rain water
which gets collected in the ground, such waters are the
source of many disorders. Thus, they should be prohibited
because the use of such waters for drinking and bathing
purposes, cause r`"kk] vk/;keku] th.kZToj] vXuekUn] d.Mq]
x.Mk and so on. A critical study of other shlokas also
clearly reveals the approach of ancient Indians for water
quality standard for different uses.
fofHkUu lzksrksa ,oa _rq ds vuqlkj ikuh dh xq.koÙkk esa fHkUurk

dks 'yksd 59&67 esa le>k;k x;k gSA
Variation in the quality of water with seasons, as also from
different sources, has been explained in shlokas 59-67.
gseUrs lkjla rks;a rkM+kxa ok fgra Le`re~A

gseUrs fofgra rks;a f”kf”kjs·fi iz”kL;rsAA X.59 AA
olUrxzh"e;ks% dkSi okI;a ok uS>Zja tye~A
ukns;a okfj ukns;a olUrxzh"e;kscqZ/kS%AA X.60 AA izkd`frd rjhdksa }kjk rkykc ty dk 'kks/ku
Treatment of pond water by natural techniques
fo"ko}uo`{kk.kka i=k|SnwZf"kra ;r%A (lzksr@Source : NIH Roorkee)
96 v
“kjfn LoPNeqn;knxLR;kf[kya fgre~AA X.64 AA (the atmospheric precipitation) are good. During “kjn season, waters of
ikS"ks okfj ljkstkra ek?ks rRrq rMkxte~A the rivers and waters, illuminated by the sun during day time and by the
QkYxqus dwilaHkwra pS=s pkS¥~T;a fgra ere~AA X.65 AA moon during nights, called amsudakam, are good. Ansudak water is
Hkknzs dkSia Ik;% “kLrekf”ous pkS¥~T;eso pA destroyer of the Tridosa, not causing abhisyanda and is free from bad
dkfrZds ekxZ”kh"ksZ p tyek=a iz”kL;rsAA X.67AA qualities. It is equal to akasodakam, good for brain, soft and cool. During
“kjn season after the rise of star Agastya in the skyall waters become pure.
Vriddha Susruta said that during the month of Pusya waters from lakes or
olUr vkSj xzh"e _rq esa dq,a] ckoM+h rFkk ioZrksa ds >jus dk ty fgrdkjh gSA ponds, during Magha waters from tanks, during Phalguna waters from
cqf)eku tu ds fy, olUr vkSj xzh"e _rq esa unh dk ty ugha ihuk pkfg,A wells, during Chaitra Chaunjya (valley stream water), during Vaisakha
dkj.k fd bu fnuksa esa taxy ds fo"kSys o`{kksa ds iRrksa vkfn ls ty nwf"kr gksrk Nairjhara water etc., during the months of Jyestha the water of artesian
gSA o"kkZ _rq esa vkSn~fHkn] vkUrfj{k ¼vkdk'kh;½ vFkok dwi dk ty ihuk character, Asadha the well water and in Kartika and Margasira all kinds of
pkfg,A 'kjn _rq esa unh dk ty rFkk ftl tyk'k; ds Åij laiw.kZ fnu lw;Z waters are good”.
dh fdj.ksa iM+rh gksa rFkk jkf= esa pUnzek dh fdj.ksa iM+rh gksa ,sls tyk'k; dk
ikuh fgrdkjh gSA bl rjg ds tks tyk'k; gSa muds ty dks va'kwnd dgrs gSaA
ikuh dh xq.koÙkk dks izHkkfor djus okys dkjd
Factors affecting water quality
ty ds ln`'k] cydkjd] jlk;u :i] es?kk dks fgrdkjh] 'khry] gYdk vkSj tSlk fd Hkko izdk'k ds mijksDr 'yksdksa ls ns[kk tk ldrk gS] ge ty
ve`r ds leku gSA dksbZ&dksbZ ,slk Hkh dgrs gSa fd 'kjn~ _rq esa vxLR; dk xq.koÙkk dks izHkkfor djus okys dqN dkjdksa dh igpku dj ldrs gSa] tSls fd
mn; gksus ij laiw.kZ ty fgrdkjh gSA o`) lqJqr dk dFku gS fd ikS"k ekl esa gse tye~ ;kfu fgeun dk ikuh] HkkSe tye~ ;kfu Hkwty] ukns; tye~ ¼unh dk
ljksoj ¼>hy½ dk ty] ek?k esa rM+kx dk] QkYxqu esa dqa, dk] pS= esa pkSdk ikuh½] vknfHkn tye~ ¼Hkwty esa vkVsZfl;u vfHky{k.k ds lkFk cgus okyk½]
vkSj dkfrZd rFkk ekxZ'kh"kZ ¼vxgu½ esa lHkh tyk'k;ksa dk ty fgrdkjh gSA fu>Zj ¼ty izikr okyk ty½] rM+kx ty ¼rkykc dk ikuh½] dkSi ty ¼dqvksa
dk ikuh½] pkSTt; ty ¼;kfu ?kkVh dk ty] 'yksd 65½ vkSj muds xq.kksa dk
Meaning: “Water belonging to ponds and tanks during the season gseUr Hkko izdk'ku esa o.kZu fd;k x;k gS] tks ikuh dh xq.koÙkk ij HkkSxksfyd fLFkfr
(winter, i.e. November–January) are good; during f”kf”kj (the cool season, ds izHkko ds Kku dks n'kkZrk gSA tSlk fd 'yksd 26&27&28 esa igys of.kZr gS]
i.e. January–March) also the same waters are superior. During clUr ;s fLFkfr;k¡ i`Foh ds fofHkUu :iksa] vuwi] tkaxy vkSj lk/kkj.k eas varj ls
(Spring, i.e., March–May) and xzh"e (summer, i.e. May-July) the water lacaf/kr gSaA ikuh xq.koÙkk ij d`f"k dh tkus okyh feV~Vh dk izHkko Hkh ¼dsnkj
belonging to wells, stepped deep wells and rocky springs are good. ty] 'yksd 57½ of.kZr gSA vFkkZr~ %
During clUr and xzh"e seasons waters of rivers should not be used for
drinking because during these seasons the river water becomes As seen from above shlokas of Bhava Prakash, we can identify some
contaminated with the leaves of poisonous trees etc. During rainy season factors affecting the quality of water. gse tye~ i.e. glacial water HkkSe tye~
aubhida water (ground water of artesian character) or antariksha water i.e. ground water, ukns; tye~ (river water), vkSnfHkn tye~ (ground water

dsnkj% {ks=eqfí"Va dSnkja rTtya Le`re~A
dSnkja ok;¸;ZfHk";fUn e/kqja xq: nks"kd`rAA X.57AA
;g ikuh dh xq.koÙkk ij lM+us okyh ouLifr ds izHkko
dk Hkh o.kZu djrk gSA lkFk gh ikuh esa lw;Z dh jks'kuh ds
Hksnu dh deh vkSj ikuh ds Bgjko ls ikuh dh xq.koÙkk
ij iM+us okys izHkko dh ppkZ dh xbZ gS ¼'yksd 78 vkSj
81½A ;s 'yksd crkrs gSa fd vk/kqfud ty xq.koÙkk laca/kh
vo/kkj.kk,¡ Hkkjr esa izkphu dky esa vPNh rjg ls tkuh
tkrh FkhA
It also describes the effect of decaying vegetation on
water quality. Also the effect of stagnation and lack of
the penetration of sun light in water, on the water
quality have been discussed (Shlokas 78 to 81). These
verses show that the modern water quality related
concepts were well known during ancient times in
India.
ikuh dks dBksjrk dk Kku dbZ 'yksdksa ¼7] 19] 21] 24] 29
dsnkjrky % gse ty dk mnkgj.k vkSj 43½ esa of.kZr fd;k x;k gS] tks ewy ds vuqlkj
Kedartal : An example of glacier water fofHkUu ty ds xq.kksa dks m)`r djrs gSa %
(lzksr@Source : Discovery Hike)
The knowledge of the hardness of water has been
flowing with artesian character), fu>Zj (water fall water), rMkx ty pond
described in many shlokas (7,19,21,24,29 and 43) quoting the properties
Water), dkSi ty (wells water), pkSTT; ty (i.e. valley stream water, Shloka of various waters according to origin as:
65) and their qualities have been described in Bhava Prakasha in details,
indicating the knowledge of the effect of geographic condition on the /kkjuhja f=nks"k?uefunsZ”;dja y?kqA
quality of water. These conditions are related to the differences in the lkSE;a jlk;ua cY;a riZ.ka g~ ykfn thoue~AA X.7AA
earth as vuwi] tkaxy and lk/kkj.k regions as described before in shlokas
26-27-28. The effect of agricultural soil on water quality ¼dsnkj ty]
Shloka 57) is also described. viz. cynk;d] r`fIrdkjd] vkuUnnk;d] thou :i] ikpu] cqf)o/kZd vkSj eqPNkZ]
vkyL; nkg] ifjJe] Xykfu rFkk r`"kkuk'kd gSA
98 v
djdkta tya :{ka fo”kna xq: p fLFkje~A /kkjkfHk% ifrra rks;a x`ghra LQhrokllkA
nk:.ka “khrya lkUnza fiRrâRdQokrd`r~AA X.19AA f'kyk;ka olq/kk;ka ok /kkSrk;ka ifrra p rr~ AA X.5AA
lkSo.ksZ jktrs rkezs LQkfVds dkpfufeZrsA
Hkktus e`.e;s okfi LFkkfira /kkjeqP;rsAA X.6AA
fxjrk gS] mldks djdkHko ty ¼vksyk½ dgrs gSaA
;gk¡] lkSE; dk vFkZ gS e`nq vkSj :{ka ;k nk#.ke dk vFkZ gS dBksj ikuhA fxjk gqvk gks] vFkok /kqyh gqbZ i`Foh ij fxjk gksA mldks oL= ls Nkudj lqo.kZ]
Here, lkSE;e~ (Saumayam) means soft and :{ka (ruksam) or nk:.ka pkanh] rk¡ck] LQfVd] dk¡p vFkok feV~Vh ds ik= esa Hkjdj tks j[k fn;k tkrk gS
(darunam) means hard water. ogh /kjkt ty dgykrk gSA
ikuh ds laca/k esa jksxksa dk o.kZu fd;k x;k gSA ;g 'yksd X27&31] X78&81 'yksd 82 esa] gesa crk;k x;k gS fd ihus ds ikuh dk mipkj xeZ djds ;k
vkSj dqN vU; 'yksdksa ls Li"V gSA ikuh dh xq.koÙkk vkSj lacaf/kr mckydj vkSj Nkudj fd;k tkuk pkfg,A 'yksd 83 esa xeZ jsr] iRFkjksa vkfn
fo"k;ksa ij ;g dFku dkQh oSKkfud gS vkSj izkphu Hkkjrh;ksa ds
O;kid n`f"Vdks.k dks n'kkZrk gSA
Diseases in relation to water have been described. This is clear
from the verses X.27-31, X.78-81 and some other verses. This
discourse on water quality and related subjects is quite
scientific and shows broad outlook of ancient Indians.
ty mipkj
Water Treatment
'yksd 5 vkSj 6] ikuh dks diM+s ls Nkuus ds ckn lksus] pkanh] rkacs
vkSj dkap ds crZu ;k feV~Vh ds crZu esa laxzg dk lq>ko nsrs gSaA
blls 'kq) ty izkIr djus ds fy, muds }kjk fn, x, /;ku dk
irk pyrk gSA
Shlokas 5 and 6 suggest collection of water in golden, silver,
copper and glass vessels or earthen pots, after filtrating from feV~Vh ds crZuksa esa ihus ds ikuh dk laxzg.k
cloth. It reveals the attention paid to get clear water. Storage of drinking water in earthen pots
(lzksr@Source : Dreamstime)

dh lgk;rk ls vkSj lqxaf/kr inkFkksZa ds lkFk ikuh ds mipkj dk irk pyrk gSA also makes it free from pollution. Water should be made free from leaves,
;Fkk % roots, stalks of lotus leaves, gold, pearls, cloth etc.”
In shloka 82, we are told that water treatment for drinking purpose should mi;qZDr mipkj izfØ;k ls gesa irk pyrk gS fd rst /kwi] rki] Nkuus] okru
be done by heating or boiling and filtration. Shloka 83 reveals the vkSj lqxaf/kr ?kVdksa ds feykus ds ldkjkRed izHkkoksa dk xzaFkksa esa Li"V :i ls
treatment of water with the aid of heated sand, stones etc. andaromatic o.kZu gSA ikuh ds Bgjko] ifÙk;ksa }kjk ikuh ds nwf"kr gksus] 'kSoky vkfn ds cqjs
materials viz. izHkkoksa dk Hkh o.kZu fd;k x;k gSA nh xbZ mipkj fof/k;ksa esa fdlh egaxh oLrq
fuafnra pkfi ikuh;a DofFkra lw;Zrkfire~A dh vko';drk ugha gS vkSj ikuh ds dksbZ okaNuh; xq.k ifjofrZr ugha gksaxs] tks
lqo.kZa jtra yksga ik"kk.ka fldrkefiAA X.82AA vk/kqfud ty mipkj ds jklk;fud rjhdksa dh ,d cM+h deh gSA
Hk`”ka lUrkI; fuokZI; lIr/kk lkf/kra rFkkA From above treatment procedure we gather that the positive effects of
diZwjtkfriqUukxikVykfnlqokflre~AA X.83AA intense sunlight, heating, filtration, aeration and addition of aromatic
“kqfp lkanziVlzkfo {kqætUrqfooftZre~A components are clearly revealed in the treatise. The bad effects of
LoPNa dudeqDrk|S% “kq)a L;kÌks"koftZre~AA X.84AA stagnation of water, contamination of water by leaves, algae etc. are also
i.kZewyfclxzafFkeqDrkdud”kSoyS%A described. The treatment methods given need no costly inputs and no
xksesnsu p oL=s.k dq¸;kZancqizlknue~AA X.85AA desirable qualities of water will be changed, which is a major drawback
of the modern chemical methods of water treatment.
xeZ lksus] pkanh] yksgk] iRFkj ;k jsr ls cq>kdj 'kq) fd;k tk ldrk gS vkSj bls vif'k"V ty izca/ku rduhd
dSEQj] tSrh ¼pesyh] tklehue xzSM¶yksje½] iqUukxk ¼ukxdslj½] dSyks¶;Yyqe Waste water Management Techniques
buks¶;Yyqe½] ikrky ¼i/kkj] dlsD;yfofi'l caMwdsYyk½ vkfn ls lqxaf/kr dj
vkSj fQj lkQ diM+s ls Nkudj NksVs dhVk.kqvksa ls eqDr ikuh cuk;k tkrk gSA LoPNrk dh deh ekuo fodkl dks mlh ;k mlls Hkh vf/kd lhek rd izHkkfor
bls lksus] eksrh vkfn ls 'kq) djds Hkh iznw"k.k eqDr fd;k tkrk gSA ikuh dks djrh gS ftruk fd LoPN ty dh dehA tcfd vif'k"V ty mipkj ij ppkZ
ifÙk;ksa] tM+ksa] dey ds iÙkksa ds MaBy] lksuk] eksrh] diM+s vkfn ls eqDr fd;k djrs le; ,d vfrfjDr ykaNu gks ldrk gS] LoPNrk dks O;kid :i ls
tkuk pkfg,AÞ foÙkh; vkSj jktuhfrd lalk/kuksa ds lkFk&lkFk ekuo tkfr ds fodkl ij ,d
egÙoiw.kZ nkos ds :i esa ekuk tkrk gSA foDVj º;wxks ¼1892½ ds vuqlkj] êkuo
Meaning: “Contaminated water can be purified by boiling, by exposure dk bfrgkl lhoj ds bfrgkl esa ifjyf{kr gksrk gSÞA ;g dgkor LoPNrk vkSj
to the sun's ray or by quenching with fire heated gold, silver, iron, stone or
vif'k"V izca/ku ds egÙo dks i;kZIr :i ls bafxr djrh gSA
sand and flavouring it with the smell of Camphor, jati (Chameli; Jasminum
grandiflorum), Punnaga (Nogkesar; Calophyllum inophllum), Patala Lack of sanitation affects human development to the same or even
(Padhar; cocsalpinia banducella) etc. and then filtration through clean greater extent as the lack of clean water. While there may be an added
cloth makes water free from small germs. Purifying it with gold, pearl, etc. stigma to discussing waste treatment, sanitation is widely perceived as
100 v
meriting a significant claim on financial and political resources as well on several authors worldwide such as Tarr (1985), Maneglier (1994),
the evolution of mankind. According to Victor Hugo (1892), 'The history of Sorcinelli (1998), Viale (2000), Sori (2001), and Neri Serneri (2007). More
men is reflected in the history of sewers'. This proverb adequately recently, Lofrano and Brown (2010) have presented an in-depth review of
indicates about the importance of sanitation and wastewater wastewater management in the history of mankind. In this review work
management. they have categorically discussed about the evolution of sanitation
through different civilizations of the world, including the ancient Indus
LoPNrk 'kCn dk mi;ksx eq[; :i ls ekuo eyew= ds lkFk&lkFk vU; civilization.
vif'k"V mRikn ls lqjf{kr@lgh rjhds ls fuiVus vkSj fuiVku ds fy, fd;k
tkrk gS ¼vouukoj vkSj ef.k] 2008½A loZfofnr gS fd euq";ksa] ty vkSj fla/kq lH;rk dh ubZ Åapkb;ksa ds ckjs esa dsukW; ¼1997½ dk mYys[k djuk mfpr
LoPNrk ds chp ds laca/kksa esa] lkaLd`frd] lkekftd vkSj /kkfeZd dkjdksa ds gksxk fd fla/kq 'kgjksa esa lcls igys fodflr dh xbZ dbZ izkS|ksfxfd;ksa us nf{k.k
izHkko ds dkj.k ges'kk ls i;kZIr ifjorZu ns[ks x, gSa ¼lksjflusYyh] 1998] ,f'k;k vkSj nqfu;k ds vU; iqjkus {ks=ksa esa ckn esa mi;ksx dh tkus okyh
oksYQ] 1999] Mh fQ;ks vkSj usiksyh] 2007] voUukoj vkSj ef.k] 2008] yksQjkuks rduhdksa ds fy, uhao iznku dhA vif'k"V ty izca/ku vkSj LoPNrk gM+Iik
vkSj czkmu] 2010½A gkykafd ges'kk ls] vif'k"V ty dks xank le>k x;k gSA lH;rk ds igys 'kgjh LFkyksa dh izeq[k fo'ks"krk,a Fkha ¼dsuks;j] 1991½A blds
vif'k"V ty izca/ku ds fodkl dh izfØ;k dh nqfu;k Hkj esa dbZ ys[kdksa }kjk vfrfjDr] yksQjkuks vkSj czkmu ¼2010½ dks fjdkWMZ feys gSa fd îzkphu dky esa]
ppkZ dh xbZ tSls fd rkjZ ¼1985½] eSuxsfy;j ¼1994½] lksjflusYyh ¼1998½] fla/kq lH;rk lcls igys mfpr vif'k"V mipkj iz.kkyh Fkh*A lhost vkSj ty
fo;ky ¼2000½] lksjh ¼2001½ vkSj usjh lusZjh ¼2007½A vHkh gky esa] yksQjkuks fudklh tfVy usVodZ ls cuh Fkh] fo'ks"k :i ls eksgu tksnM+ks vkSj gM+Iik ds
vkSj czkmu ¼2010½ us ekuo tkfr ds bfrgkl esa vif'k"V ty izca/ku dh xgu vanjA 'kkSpky;] lks[kus okys xM~<s] gkSnh] ikbi vkSj pSuy vif'k"V fuiVku
leh{kk izLrqr dh gSA bl leh{kk dk;Z esa mUgksaus Li"V :i ls nqfu;k dh ds eq[; rÙo FksA fp= esa fla/kq ?kkVh lH;rk ds nks 'kgjksa eksgu tksnM+ks vkSj
fofHkUu lH;rkvksa esa] izkphu fla/kq lH;rk lfgr] LoPNrk ds fodkl ds fo"k; esa yksFky dh ty fudklh vkSj lQkbZ O;oLFkk dks n'kkZ;k x;k gSA
ppkZ dh gSA It would be appropriate to mention Kenoyer (1997) about the new
The term sanitation is primarily used to charac terize the heights of the Indus civilization, 'that many of the technologies first
safe/soundhandling and disposal of human excreta aswell as other waste developed in the Indus cities provided the foundation for later
products(Avvannavar and Mani, 2008). It is well known that the technologies used in South Asia and other regions of the Old World'.
relationship between humans, water and sanitation has seen substantial Wastewater management and sanitation were the major characteristics
changes, due to the influence of cultural, socialand religious factors of the first urban sites of the Harappan civilisation (Kenoyer, 1991).
throughout the ages (Sorcinelli, 1998;Wolfe, 1999; De Feo and Adding to this, Lofrano and Brown (2010) found on records that 'the Indus
Napoli,2007; Avvannavar and Mani, 2008; Lofrano and Brown, 2010). civilization was the first to have proper wastewater treatment systems' in
However, all through the ages, wastewater has been considered filthy the ancient times. Sewage and drainage were composed ofcomplex
(Maneglier, 1994;Lofrano and Brown, 2010). The process of evolution of networks, especially in Mohenjo-Daro and Harappa. Latrines, soak-pits,
wastewater management through the ages has been discussed by cesspools, pipes andchannels were the main elements of wastewater

disposal. Figure shows drainage and sanitation systems of
LoPNrk@ty fudklh
Mohenjo-Daro and Lothal cities of Indus valley civilization.
Sanitation/Drainage
?kjksa dks ty fudklh pSuyksa ls tksM+k x;k Fkk vkSj vif'k"V ty
dks fcuk fdlh mipkj ds lh/ks lM+d ds lhoj esa Mkyus dh
vuqefr ugha FkhA lcls igys] vif'k"V ty dks Vsjk&dksVk ds
irys ikbi ds ek/;e ls ,d NksVh gkSnh esa Mkyk tkrk FkkA Bksl
inkFkZ fLFkj gksdj gkSnh esa tek gks tkrs Fks] rc gkSnh 75% Hkjh
gksrh Fkh] rjy inkFkZ lM+d ij ty fudklh pSuyksa esa cgk fn,
egku Lukukxkj dh fudklh
Outlet of Great Bath tkrs Fks ¼yksQjkuks vkSj czkmu] 2010½A ty fudklh pSuyksa dks
bZaVksa vkSj dVs iRFkjksa }kjk <dk tk ldrk Fkk] tks 'kk;n
j[kj[kko vkSj lQkbZ xfrfof/k;ksa ds nkSjku gVk fn, tkrs Fks
¼oksYQ] 1999½A blds vykok] dbZ ukfy;ksa ds laf/k&LFky ij ;k
tgk¡ yach nwjh ds fy, ukys dks c<+k;k x;k Fkk] ogka dwM+s ds xM~<s
cuk;s x, Fks rkfd ty fudklh iz.kkfy;ksa dks vo:) gksus ls
cpk;k tk lds ¼jkbV] 2010½A QkfnZu vkSj vU; ¼2013½ us ik;k gS
fd eksgu tksnM+ks dh yxHkx lHkh cfLr;k¡ fudklh usVodZ ls
tqM+h gqbZ FkhaA
The houses were connected to drainage channels and
wastewater was not permitted to flow directly to the street
sewers without first undergoing some treatment. First,
wastewater was passed through tapered terra-cotta pipes
into a smallsump. Solids settled and accumulated in the
sump, while the liquids over flowed into drainage channels in
ckg~; ukyh VsjkdksVk fudklh ikbZi the street when the sump was about 75% full (Lofrano and
Drain Outlet Terracotta Drainpipe
Brown, 2010). The drainage channels could be covered by
bricks and cut stones, which probably were removed during
maintenance and cleaning activities (Wolfe, 1999). Further,
fla/kq ?kkVh lH;rk ds 'kgjksa eksgu tksnM+ks vkSj yksFky dh ty fudklh vkSj lQkbZ O;oLFkk cesspits were fitted at the junction of the several drains or
Drainage and sanitation systems of Mohenjo-daro and Lothal cities of Indus Valley Civilization
(lzksr@Source : Khan, 2011 : Kenoyer, 1998)
where a drain was extended for a long distance in order to
102 v
avoid the clogging of the drainage systems (Wright, 2010). Fardin et al. (1997) found that this system was draining water from basins supposed to
(2013) found that almost all the settlements of Mohenjo-Daro were be a part of a textile and dye industry. This was the unique feature
connected to the drain network. associated with this system as compared to the rest of ancient India,
where the wastewater disposal was implemented for domestic effluents
tksjos esa] orZeku egkjk"Vª esa] ;g iznf'kZr fd;k x;k gS fd ty fudklh iz.kkyh only.
1375&1050 bZ-iw- rd iz;ksx esa Fkh ¼fddZ] 1975] QkfMZu bR;kfn] 2013½A ckn
esa ¼yxHkx 500 bZ-iw-½ mTtSu dh ty fudklh iz.kkyh esa feV~Vh ds crZuksa ls cus milagkj
lks[kus okys xM~<s ;k Nsn okys crZu 'kkfey Fks ¼fddZ] 1975½] vkSj ;g ekuk
Epilogue
x;k gS fd vif'k"V ty ds fuiVku ds fy, Hkaoj okys dqvksa dk iz;ksx fd;k
x;k Fkk ¼esV] 1969½A r{kf'kyk esa rhljh 'krkCnh bZlk iwoZ esa] ?kjsyw vif'k"V mi;qZDr ppkZvksa ls ;g fu"d"kZ fudkyk tk ldrk gS fd izkphu dky ds nkSjku]
ty dks feV~Vh ds Mªsu ikbiksa }kjk ?kjksa ls ckgj fudky dj lks[kus okys xM~<ksa ty xq.koÙkk] LoPNrk vkSj vif'k"V ty izca/ku izkS|ksfxdh dh vk/kqfud
esa Mkyrs Fks ¼flag 2008½A igyh 'krkCnh bZlk iwoZ ds nkSjku Hkkjr ds nf{k.kh vo/kkj.kk,a cgqr vPNh rjg ls Kkr Fkh vkSj mlds ckn ds le; esa vius
Hkkx ds vjhdsesMq esa lhost fuiVku ds fy, ukfy;ksa dk mi;ksx fd;k tkrk Fkk mUur pj.kksa esa FkhA ty oxhZdj.k vkSj i;kZoj.k ds laca/k esa bldh xq.koÙkk
¼dkly] 1949½A blds vykok] 150 bZLoh ds vklikl viokfgr ukfy;ksa ds dks ns[kuk ikfjfLFkfrdh dh vk/kqfud vo/kkj.kk dks larq"V djrk gSA ty
mi;ksx ls vif'k"V ty iz.kkfy;ksa esa lq/kkj fd;k x;kA ¼csxyh 1983½A xq.koÙkk ekudksa] ikuh dh xq.koÙkk dks izHkkfor djus okys dkjd] {k; lkexzh
Hkkj}kt ¼1997½ us ik;k fd ;g iz.kkyh mu {ks=ksa ls ikuh dh fudklh dj jgh dk ikuh dh xq.koÙkk ij izHkko] fLFkj vkSj xgjs ty fudk;ksa ds okru dh deh
Fkh] tks diM+k vkSj jaxkbZ m|ksx okys csflu dk fgLlk ekuk tkrk FkkA 'ks"k vkfn vk/kqfud foKku ds vuqlkj Kkr FksA ty mipkj fof/k;ksa gsrq fuLianu
Hkkjr dh rqyuk eas] ;g bl iz.kkyh ls tqM+h ,d vuwBh fo'ks"krk Fkh] tgk¡ dk mi;ksx djuk] feV~Vh] pkanh] lksuk vkfn tSlh fofHkUu lkefxz;ksa ds crZu]
vif'k"V ty fuiVku dsoy ?kjsyw vif'k"V izokg ds fy, ykxw fd;k x;k FkkA xeZ iRFkjksa ls cq>kuk] /kwi rki] okru] lqxfU/kr ;kSfxdksa dks tksM+uk vkfn dks
In Jorwe, in present day Maharashtra, it has been demonstrated that the
viuk;k x;k FkkA ;s rjhds vkt Hkh ckjEckj bLrseky fd;s tkrs gSa vkSj
drainage system was implemented from 1375–1050 BC (Kirk, 1975; jklk;fud dhVk.kquk'kd nokvksa dh rqyuk esa csgrj gSa D;ksafd buls ikuh ds
Fardin et al., 2013). Later (around 500 BC), Ujjain's 'drainage system okaNuh; xq.kksa vkSj xa/kksa esa ifjorZu ugha gksrk gSA dsanzhd`r rFkk fodsanzhd`r
included soak-pits built of pottery-ring or pierced pots' (Kirk, 1975), and it vo/kkj.kk ds lkFk&lkFk fla/kq ?kkVh lH;rk ds nkSjku vif'k"V ty mipkj
has been supposed that ring-wells were used for the disposal of rjhdksa ds vk/kkj ij vif'k"V ty iz.kkyh fuiVku i)fr;ksa ds vk/kqfud rjhds
wastewater (Mate, 1969). In the 3rd century BC at Taxila, domestic ledkyhu nqfu;k esa mi;ksx fd, tkus okys rjhdksa ls Hkh vf/kd mi;qDr FksA
wastewater was canalized out from the houses through earthenware
drain-pipes into soak-pits (Singh, 2008). During 1st century BC, drains From the above discussions it can be concluded that during the ancient
were being used for sewage disposal in Arikamedu, the southern part of times, modern concepts of water quality, sanitation and waste water
India (Casal, 1949). Further, the wastewater systems were improved management technology were very well known to the Indians and were
around 150 AD with the use of corbelled drains (Begley, 1983). Bhardwaj in their advanced stages during the Indus valley civilization and later
periods. Water classification and viewing its quality in relation to

environment satisfies the modern concept of ecology. Water quality used even now-a-days and are better than the chemical disinfectants as
standards, factors affecting water quality, effect of decaying materials on there is no change in the desirable qualities and odours of water. Modern
quality of water, lack of aeration in stagnating and deep water bodies etc. methods of wastewater disposal systems based on centralized and
were known which are in accordance to modern science. Water treatment decentralized concept as well as methods for wastewater treatments
methods using filtration, pots of different materials like earthen, silver, during Indus valley civilization were even better than those used in the
gold etc., quenching with hot stones, sun heating, aeration, addition of contemporary world.
aromatic compounds etc. were adopted. These methods are frequently
gj&dh&ikSM+h] gfj}kj esa lw;ksZn; dk euksje n`';

Panormic view of Sunrise at Har-ki-Pauri, Haridwar
104 v
ty lalk/ku mi;ksx] vè;k;
laj{k.k vkSj izcU/ku CHAPTER 8
WATER RESOURCES UTILIZATION,
CONSERVATION AND MANAGEMENT
fo'o ds dbZ fgLlksa dh rjg] Hkkjr esa Hkh lH;rk ufn;ksa vkSj MsYVkvksa ds dY;k.k ds fy, ty lalk/kuksa ds dq'ky mi;ksx rFkk muds laj{k.k ds ckjs esa
vklikl fodflr gqbZ vkSj ufn;k¡ jk"Vªh; laLd`fr dk ,d izrhd cuh gqbZ gSA Kku ds Lrj dks n'kkZrk gSA
tSlk fd igys mYys[k fd;k x;k gS fd fla/kq ?kkVh lH;rk] tks lcls izkphu
As in many other parts of the world, civilization in India also flourished
lH;rkvksa esa ls ,d Fkh] fo'o dh lcls foLr`r lH;rk Fkh ftlesa lkoZtfud
around rivers and deltas, and rivers remain an enduring symbol of
vkSj futh Luku x`g okys lac) ,oa iw.kZ:i ls ;kstukc) 'kgj Fks] bZaVksa ls national culture. As has been mentioned earlier, the Indus Valley
fufeZr Hkwfexr ukfy;ksa ds ek/;e ls lhojst iz.kkyh] vkSj dbZ tyk'k;ksa vkSj civilization, one of the earliest civilizations, was the world's largest in
dqvksa dh ,d dq'ky ty izca/ku iz.kkyh FkhA flapkbZ ds fy, ugjksa ds O;kid extent, had great and well planned cities with public and private baths,
usVodZ ds lkFk d`f"k dh tkrh Fkh] ml le; O;kid Lrj ij iwjs {ks= esa flapkbZ sewerage through underground drains built with precisely laid bricks,
iz.kkyh] fofHkUu izdkj ds dq,¡] ty HkaMkj.k iz.kkfy;k¡ vkSj de ykxr vkSj and an efficient water management system with numerous reservoirs
fVdkÅ ty lap;u okyh rduhd fodflr dh xbZ Fkh ¼uk;j] 2004½A _Xosn and wells. Agriculture was practised on a wide scale, with extensive
esa ml le; dh thou 'kSyh] lkekftd lajpuk] d`f"k vkSj lekt }kjk mxkbZ networks of canals for irrigation. Irrigation systems, different types of
xbZ Qlyksa ds ckjs esa Li"V mYys[k gSA flapkbZ pSuy vkSj dPps ,oa iDds dqvksa wells, water storage systems and low cost and sustainable water
dk mYys[k Hkh fofHkUu Lrks=ksa ¼_Xosn 19-4-2@vkj-,Dl 2-9-4½ ¼ckxph vkSj harvesting techniques were developed throughout the region at that
ckxph] 1991½ esa fd;k x;k gSA tSu vkSj ckS) /keZ ds nkSjku d`f"k vkSj i'kq/ku time (Nair, 2004). The Rig Veda clearly mentions about the life style, social
structure, agriculture and crops grown by the society at that time.
ikyu dh izeq[k Hkwfedk Fkh ,oa pSuy flapkbZ izpfyr Fkh ¼ckxph vkSj ckxph]
Irrigation channels and kuccha and pucca wells are also mentioned in
1991½A eSdyhu III vkSj MkWuZ ¼2006½ dgrs gSa fd ekS;Z lkezkT; igyh ,oa different hymns (R.V. 19.4.2/RX2.9.4) (Bagchi and Bagchi, 1991).
egRoiw.kZ egku gkbMªksfyd lH;rk FkhA ;g ml le; ds nkSjku lekt ds Agriculture and livestock rearing occupied a prominent role during

Jainism and Buddhism period and channel irrigation was in vogue ¼Jhfuoklu] 1975½A iqjkru dky ls gh fodkl ds fy, ikuh ds egÙo dks
(Bagchi and Bagchi, 1991). McClellan III and Dorn (2006) state that 'the le>rs gq,] yxHkx lHkh izkphu lH;rk,¡ ty lalk/kuksa ds {ks=ksa rd gh lhfer
Mauryan empire was first and foremost a great hydraulic civilization'. This FkhaA _Xosn ds le; esa] gesa d`f"k] ?kjsyw vkSj vU; mís';ksa ds fy, ufn;ksa] dqvksa]
shows the degree of knowledge about efficient utilization of water rkykcksa vkfn ds ek/;e ls ikuh ds mi;ksx ds dbZ lanHkZ feyrs gSaA _Xosn ds
resources and their conservation for the welfare of the society during that 'yksd 1] 121-8 esa blh izdkj ds rF; dk irk pyrk gS %
time.
During Mauryan period, raingauges were installed in different parts of the
ekS;Z dky ds nkSjku] ns'k ds fofHkUu fgLlksa esa o"kkZ dh {ks=h; tkudkjh j[kus ds country to have areal information of the rainfall and based on the
fy, o"kkZekid LFkkfir fd, x, Fks vkSj izkIr dh xbZ tkudkjh ds vk/kkj ij] information supplied, the 'Superintendent of Agriculture' gave directions
^d`f"k v/kh{kd* }kjk ns'k ds fofHkUu fgLlksa eas cht cksus ds funsZ'k fn, tkrs Fks for sowing the seeds in different parts of the country (Srinivasan, 1975).
Almost all ancient civilizations were confined to the areas of
reliable water resources, revealing the importance of water
for development from very ancient days. During the time of
Rig Veda, we get many references to water use by means of
rivers, wells, ponds etc. for agriculture, domestic and other
purposes. Verse I, 121.8 of Rig Veda reveals the same fact as:
v"Bk egks fno vknks gjh bg ?kqEuklkgefHk ;ks/kku mRle~A

gfj ;Rrs efUnua nq{ku~ o`/ks xksjHklefæfHkokZrkI;e~AA
R.V.I,121.8AA
vkuUn nsdj viuh vkd"kZ.k 'kfDr ls Hkwxksy dk /kkj.k djrk gS

oSls gh unh] lksrk] dqavk] ckojh] rkykc vkfn dks cukdj ou o
ioZrksa esa ?kkl vkfn dks c<+k] xkSj vkSj ?kksM+s vkfn i'kqvksa dh j{kk
vkSj o`f) dj nw/k vkfn ds lsou ls fujUrj vkuUn dks izkIr
gksvksA
blh izdkj in ¼I, 23-18 vkSj V, 32-2½ dgrk gS fd dqvksa] rkykcksa
izkphu dky esa ty laj{k.k gsrq iz;qDr rduhd
vkfn ds ikuh dk mi;ksx le>nkjh vkSj dq'kyrk ls djds d`f"k
Water conservation technique used in ancient era dks vkxs c<+k;k tk ldrk gSA _Xosn ds 'yksd ¼VIII, 3-10½ esa
(lzksr@Source : Pinterest) e:LFkyh; {ks=ksa dks Hkh flafpr djus ds fy, d`f=e ugjksa ds
106 v
fuekZ.k ds ckjs esa dgk x;k gS] tks fd dsoy dq'ky O;fDr;ksa ¼fjHkl@vfHk;ark½ Verses (VIII,49.6; X64.9) speak about the importance of water for
ds iz;klksa ls laHko gS% irrigation. The water from wells, rivers, rain and from any other sources on
the earth should be wisely used as it is a gift of nature for well-being of all.
Similarly verses (I,23.18 and V, 32.2) state that the agriculture can be
progressed by use of water from wells, ponds etc. wisely and efficiently. mxza u ohja uelksi lsfne foHkwfref{krkolqe~A
The verse (VIII,3.10) of Rig Veda says about the construction of artificial mnzho oftzUuorks u flaprs {kjUrhUnz /khr;%AA R.V.,VIII,49.6AA
canals to irrigate desert areas also, which is possible only by efforts of
skilled persons (Ribhus/engineer) as:
cfy"B ijes'oj ukuk inkFkZ nsdj lq[k :ih ty ls gekjs vUr%dj.kksa dks
;suk leqnzel`tks eghjiLrfnUnz o`f".k rs “ko%A lhapdj rÌr djrs gSa] blhfy, gekjk è;ku mudh vksj tkrk gSA
l|% lks vL; efgek u lUu”ks ;a {kks.khjuqpØnsAA
R.V.VIII,3.10AA
fd og d`f=e ufn;ksa }kjk e: ns'kksa esa Hkh tyksa dks igqapkdj

i`Foh dks mitkÅ cukdj iztk dks lq[k igqapkrk vkSj /keZiFk;qDr
rFkk vH;qnk;dkjd gksus ds dkj.k deZ;ksxh ds gh vkpj.kksa dk
i`FohHkj ds lc euq"; vuqdj.k djrs gSaA
mr uks fnR;k b"ka mr flU/kqjgfoZnkA
vi }kjs o o"kZFk%AA R.V.VIII,5.21AA
fo|k] cy rFkk cqf) dh o`f) gksA gs Hkxou~! gekjs fy, ugjksa dk

lqizcU/k dhft, ftlls d`f"k }kjk vUu vf/kdrk ls mRiUu gks
rFkk ty laca/kh vU; dk;ks± esa lqfo/kk gks vFkkZr euq"; rFkk i'kq
vUu vkSj ty ls lnk larq"V jgsa ,slh dìk djsaA
in ¼VIII, 49-6] X 64-9½ flapkbZ ds fy, ikuh ds egÙo dk xq.kxku
djrs gSaA i`Foh ij dqvksa] ufn;ksa] o"kkZ vkSj fdlh Hkh vU; lzksr ls
izkIr ty dk mi;ksx cqf)ekuh ls fd;k tkuk pkfg, D;ksafd ty jgV % Hkkjr dh izkphu flapkbZ i)fr
Rahat : Ancient irrigation technique used in India
lHkh ds dY;k.k ds fy, izd`fr dk migkj gSA (lzksr@Source : Wikipedia)

ljLorh lj;q% flU/kq:feZfHkeZgks eghjolk ;Urq o{k.kh%A Similar to Rig Veda, Yajur Veda also contains references, directing the man
nsohjkiks ekrj% lwnf;RUoks ?k`roRi;ks e?kqeUuks vpZrAA R.V.,X.,64.9AA to use rain and river water by means of wells, ponds, dams and distribute it
to various places having need of water for agriculture and other purposes
as:
okyh] cgko okyh vkSj vR;f/kd L;Unu'khy ufn;ka gekjs j{kkFkZ pkjksa vksj
tkrh gSaA mRre xq.kksa ls ;qDr ekrk ds leku lq[kdkfj.kh LQwfrZnk;d ty gesa ue% lzqR;k; p iF;k; p ue% dkVîk; p uhI;k; p ue%
ek/kq;Z;qDr vkSj rstks;qDr jlkRed rRo nsrh gSaA dqY;k; p ljL;k; p ueks ukns;k; p oS”kUrk; pAA Y.V.,16.37 AA
_Xosn ds leku] ;tqosZn Hkh tuekul dks dqvksa] rkykcksa] cka/kksa ds ek/;e ls
o"kkZ vkSj unh ds ty dk mi;ksx djus ds fy, vkSj d`f"k vkSj vU; iz;kstuksa ds vkSj NksVs rkykcksa ds ty dks pyk tgka dgha cka/k vkSj [ksr vkfn esa NksM+ ds
fy, ikuh dh vko';drk okys fofHkUu LFkkuksa ij forfjr djus dk funZs'k nsrk iq"dy vUu] Qy] yrk] xqYe vkfn dks vPNs izdkj c<+kosaA
gSA vFkoZosn esa] gekjs ikl miyC/k ty lalk/kuksa vkSj ty laj{k.k ds dq'ky
mi;ksx ds ek/;e ls lw[kk izca/ku ds lanHkZ gSaA unh]
dq,a vkfn dk ty] vxj dq'kyrk ls mi;ksx fd;k
tk,] rks lw[ks dh rhozrk de gks tk,xhA
In the Atharva Veda, we have references to
drought management through efficient use of
available water resources and water
conservation. It clearly says that the water of
river, well etc., if used efficiently, will reduce the
intensity of drought, viz.
vkiks ;n~ oLriLrus ra ifzr rir ;ks Leku~ }fs"V ;a

o;a f}"e%AA A.V.II,23.1AA
nks"kksa dks feVkdj vUu vkfn inkFkks± dks mRiUu

djds izkf.k;ksa dks cy vkSj lq[k nsrk gS] vkSj ogh
Åijh xaxk ugj ij :M+dh {ks= esa fufeZr lksykuh ,DokMDV dqizcU/k ls nq%[k dk dkj.k gksrk gSA
Solani Aqueduct on Upper Ganga Canal in Roorkee region
(lzksr@Source : Civil Engineering Portal) vFkoZosn ds NBs] 100-2 vkSj lkrosa] 11-1 'yksd
108 v
crkrs gSa fd fo}ku yksx dq,a] rkykc] ugjksa vkfn ds ek/;e ls e:LFkyh; {ks=ksa djuh pkfg,ÞA
esa ty ykrs gSa ¼VI, 100-2½A bl ckr ij cy fn;k x;k fd euq"; dks lw[ks] ck<+
Meaning: “That one should take proper managerial action to use and
vkSj izkd`frd vkinkvksa ds ckjs esa igys ls lkspuk pkfg, vkSj rn~uqlkj
conserve the water from mountains, wells, rivers and also rainwater for
fuokjd mik; djuk pkfg,% use in drinking, agriculture, industries, etc.”
Verses VI, 100.2 and VII,11.1 of the Atharva Veda explains that the learned
blh izdkj] vFkoZosn ¼XX,77-8½ dk ,d 'yksd jktk dks funsZ'k nsrk gS fd os
men bring water to desert areas by means of well, pond, canals etc.
(VI,100.2). It also stresses that the man should think about the drought,
d`f"k] mn~;ksx vkfn gsrq ty miyC/k djkus ds fy, ,oa nks {ks=ksa ds chp
flood and like natural calamities in advance and take preventive measures ukS&ifjogu dh lqfo/kk iznku djus ds fy, igkM+ksa ij mi;qDr ugjksa dk
accordingly as: fuekZ.k djsaA
;n~ oks nsok mithdk vkfl"Bpu~ /kUoU;qnde~A Similarly, one verse of the Atharva Veda (XX,77.8) directs the king to
construct suitable canals across mountains to provide water for his
rsu nsoizlwrsuna nw"k;rk fo"ke~AA A.V.VI,100.2AA
subject for agriculture, industry etc. and to facilitate navigation between
two areas as:
}kjk ty ykdj lq[k ikrs gSa] oSls gh euq"; foKku }kjk vkfRed nks"k feVkdj viks ;nfnz iq:gwr nnZjkfoHkqZor~ ljek iwO;± rsaA
lq[kh gksosaA l uk usrk oktek nf"kZ Hkwfja xks=k :tUufXMjksfHkx`Z.kku%AA A.V.XX,77.8AA
vFkoZosn ds 'yksd XII, esa crk;k x;k gS fd tks yksx ukS ifjogu] euksjatu]
d`f"k vkfn ds iz;kstuksa ds fy, unh] dq,a] ugjksa vkfn ds ek/;e ls o"kkZ ty dk [ksrh f'kYi vkfn O;ogkjksa ls izlUu j[krk gS] og fo}kuksa ds lkFk vkus&tkus ds
cqf)ekuh ls mi;ksx djrs gSa] os gj le; le`) gksrs gS % fy, ekxks± dks [kksydj vknj ds lkFk lkeF;Z c<+krk gSA
Verse XII,1.3 of the Atharva Veda explains that those who use rainwater
wisely by means of river, well, canals etc. for the purposes of navigation, ty lalk/ku izca/ku
recreation, agriculture etc., prosper all the time as: Water Resources Management
;L;ka leqnz mr flU/kqjkiks ;L;keUua d`"V;% lacHkwoq%A Hkkjr esa Hkwfe vkSj ty ds laj{k.k dh ,d vkd"kZd vkSj egÙoiw.kZ ijaijk gS vkSj
;L;kfena ftUofr izk.knstr~ lk uks Hkwfe% iwoZ is;sa n/kkrqAA A.V.XII,1.31AA vkt Hkh LFkkuh; yksx dbZ ,sls ikjaifjd laj{k.k izFkkvksa dk ikyu djrs gSaA
“ka r vkiks gSeorh% “keq rs lUrwRL;k%A ftldh bl v/;k; ds vkjEHk esa ppkZ dh xbZ gS fd d`f"k dh vko';drk ds
“ka rs lfu";nk vki% “keq rs lUrq o";kZa%AA A.V.2.1AA vfrfjDr Hkh izkphu Hkkjr eas ty izca/ku ds foKku dks dkQh egÙo fn;k x;k
FkkA ekS;Z ;qx ds le;] ex/k {ks= esa vgkj vkSj ikbu ck<+ ds ty gsrq laxzg.k
dqvksa] ufn;ksa vkSj o"kkZ ty ls ikuh ds laj{k.k ds fy, mfpr izca/kdh; dkjZokbZ ra= FksA vgkj rhu vksj ls rVca/kksa okys tyk'k; Fks] tks ty fudklh ykbuksa

tSls fd NksVh ukyh ;k d`f=e ikbul ds var esa fufeZr gksrs FksA flapkbZ ds considerable importance during ancient India. During Mauryan era, the
mís'; vkSj vgkjksa esa ikuh dh vkod ds fy, ikbu ,d izdkj ds Mk;otZu Pynes and Ahars (the combined irrigation and water management
pSuy Fks tks unh ls nwj gksrs FksA fu:i.k ds rkSj ij vgkj ikbu iz.kkyh dks system) in Magadh region were effective water engineering tools. Ahars
fp= esa fn[kk;k x;k gSA were reservoirs with embankments on three sides, built at the end of
drainage lines such as rivulets or artificial works like Pynes. Pynes were
India has a fascinating and significant ancient tradition of conserving land diversion channels led off from the river for irrigation purposes and for
andwater and even today, local people follow several such traditional impounding water in the Ahars. As a representation, the Pyne-Ahar
conservation practices. As discussed in the beginning of this chapter, out system is shown in Figure.
of the agricultural necessity, the science of water management was given
o"kkZ dh vf/kdrk ;k deh dk izca/ku djus ds fy, d`f"k
fu;kstu lkekU; FkkA ;g vFkZ'kkL= esa cgqr vPNh rjg ls
of.kZr gS& ßo"kkZ ds vuqlkj ¼de ;k T;knk½ d`f"k v/kh{kd
dks mu chtksa dks cksuk pkfg, ftUgsa ;k rks vf/kd ;k de
ty dh vko';drk gksrh gSÞA dkSfVY; dk dguk gS fd
ßjktk dks ty ls Hkjs cka/k] tyk'k; vkfn fuekZ.k ;k rks
ckjgeklh lzksr ls djuk pkfg, ;k fdlh vU; lzksr ls
[khapuk pkfg, ;k vFkZ'kkL= ¼vFkZ'kkL=] le'kkL=h }kjk
vuqokfnr iqLrd Hkkx 2] v/;k; 1 i`"B 46½ ds vuqlkj mUgsa
Lo;a ds tyk'k;ksa dk fuekZ.k djus okyksa dks LFky] lM+d]
ydM+h vkSj vU; vko';d phtsa iznku dj ldrs gaSA og
vkxs dgrk gS fd jktk tyk'k;ksa ;k >hyksa ¼lsrq"kw½ esa eNyh
idM+us] ukSdk;u vkSj O;kikj djus ds laca/k esa vius lgh
LokfeRo ¼LokE;e½ dk iz;ksx djsxkA
Agricultural planning was common so as to manage the
rainfall excess or deficit. It is very well elaborated in
Arthasastra as: “according to the rainfall (more or less)
the superintendent of agriculture shall sow the seeds
which require either, more or less water”. Kautilya says
nf{k.k fcgkj ds x;k {ks= esa izkphu vgkj ikbu flapkbZ iz.kkyh
Ancient Ahar Pine irrigation system used in Gaya, South Bihar that “king should construct dams, reservoir etc. filled
(lzksr@Source : Hindi Water Portal) with water either perennial or drawn from some other
110 v
source or he may provide with sites, roads, timber and other necessary gky gh esa] 'kVfDyQ vkSj 'kkW ¼2011½ us e/; izns'k esa csrok unh mi&csflu
things to those who construct reservoir of their own accords (Arthasastra, ¼xaxk csflu esa ;equk dh ,d lgk;d unh½ esa lkaph lkbV ¼,d izfl) ckS)
Tras. By Samsastry, Book II, Chapt. 1, page. 46). He further says that the LFky ,oa ;wusLdks dh ,d fo'o fojklr LFky½ ij vuqla/kku fd;kA mUgsa
king shall exercise his right ownership ¼LokE;e½ with regard to fishing, fLiyost ls ySl dbZ cka/k feysA mUgksaus ik;k fd ;s cka/k ikuh ds larqyu ds
ferrying and trading of vegetables in Reservoirs or lakes ¼lsrq"kw½”. fl)kUrksa ds ,d /ofu Kku ds vk/kkj ij cuk, x, gksaxsA tyk'k;ksa ds fMtkbu
bl le; ty /kkj.k {kerk dks c<+kus ds fy, [ksrksa ds vklikl rVca/kksa dk ds vykok] cM+s cka/kksa esa ls de ls de nks ij fLiyost dh mifLFkfr] tks
fuekZ.k fd;k x;k FkkA mfpr fofu;eu lqfo/kkvksa ds lkFk unh ds ty dk yxHkx 50 o"kkZsa dh ck<+ okilh vof/k ds fy, cuk, x, Fks ;g n'kkZrk gS fd
mi;ksx djus ds fy, Lywl xsV ds lkFk lkefjd fcanqvksa ij cka/kksa dk fuekZ.k ck<+ ls cpko dk Hkh /;ku fn;k x;k FkkA dkSfVY; dk vFkZ'kkL= gesa mu ck¡/kksa
fd;k x;k FkkA flapkbZ ¼ckxph vkSj ckxph] 1991½ esa mÙke n{krk izkIr djus ds vkSj ca/kksa dk Hkh foLr`r fooj.k nsrk gS tks ekS;Z lkezkT; dky esa flapkbZ ds fy,
fy, ml le; daM~;wV~l dk Hkh fuekZ.k fd;k x;k FkkA fp= esa panzxqIr ekS;Z ds cuk, x, FksA ikuh dh vkiwfrZ iz.kkfy;ksa dks l[r fu;eksa vkSj fofu;eksa ds <kaps
'kkludky ds nkSjku fufeZr twukx<+ dh lqn'kZu >hy dks
n'kkZ;k x;k gS ftls izkarh; xouZj] oS'o iq";xqIr }kjk
fufeZr fd;k x;k Fkk vkjS ckn ea s v'kkd
s ds 'kkludky ds le;
ikzrah; xoujZ] ;ou jktk rl q Lik ¼'kkW vkjS lfqDyQ] 2010]
fdYgkWuZ 1905&6 i`"B 41½ }kjk la'kksf/kr fd;k x;k A
During this period, embankments were constructed
surrounding the fields to increase the water holding
capacity. Dams were constructed at strategic points
with sluice gates to harness river water with proper
regulation facilities. Conduits were also constructed at
that time to attain better efficiency in irrigation (Bagchi
and Bagchi, 1991). Figure shows the Sudarsana lake,
J u n a g a d h c o n s t r u c t e d d u r i n g t h e re i g n o f
Chandragupta Maurya, by the provincial governor, the
Vaisya Pusyagupta; and subsequent improvements
involving the addition of conduits during the reign of
Asoka, by his provincial governor, the Yavana king
Tusaspha (Shaw and Sutcliffe, 2010; Kielhorn 1905-6, p. pUnzxqIr ekS;Z dkyhu lqnZ'ku >hy] fxjukj] twukx<+ ¼xqtjkr½ dk ,d n`';
A view of Chandragupta Maurya era Sudarshan Lake, Girnar, Junagarh (Gujarat)
41).
(lzksr@Source : Junagarh.gujarat.gov.in)

ds Hkhrj vPNh rjg ls izcaf/kr fd;k x;k FkkA fo'ks"k :i ls] ,d laxfBr ty o`gr lafgrk esa] gesa rkykcksa ds vfHkfoU;kl ds ckjs esa dqN lanHkZ feyrs gSa rkfd
ewY; fu/kkZj.k iz.kkyh] tks ty izca/ku dk ,d egÙoiw.kZ fgLlk gS] dks Hkh blh ty dks dq'kyrkiwoZd laxzfgr vkSj lajf{kr fd;k tk lds] tyk'k; dh j{kk ds
le; fodflr fd;k x;k Fkk] tSlk fd vFkZ'kkL= dh fuEufyf[kr iafDr;ksa fy, o`{kkjksi.k ds izdkj vkSj tyk'k; dks fdlh Hkh laHkkfor uqdlku ls cpkus
}kjk Li"V fd;k x;k Fkk& ßtks yksx gkFk ls Je djds ¼da/kksa ij ikuh <ks dj½ ds fy, fuEu izdkj gS %
flapkbZ djrs gSa] os mit dk 1@5 fgLlk ikuh dk ewY; nsaxs tks yksx
In Vrhat Samhita, we get a few references regarding the orientation of
cSyxkfM+;ksa }kjk ty dk iz;ksx djrs gSa oks mit dk rhljk ;k pkSFkk fgLlk
ponds so as to store and conserve water efficiently, plantation types for
ty dj ds :i esa nsaxs ¼vFkZ'kkL=] le'kkL=h }kjk vuwfnr iqLrd 2] v/;k; bank protection and proper sluicing to protect reservoir from any possible
14 i`"B 131½ XXIV i`"B 131½ÞA damage as:
Recently, Sutcliffe and Shaw (2011) explored the Sanchi site (a well- ikyh izkxikjk;rkEcq lqfpja /kRrs u ;kE;ksRrjk
known Buddhist site and a UNESCO World Heritage site) in the Betwa dy~yksyS[knkjesfr e:rk lk izk;”k% izsfjrS%A
river sub-basin (a tributary of Yamuna in Ganga basin) in Madhya Pradesh.
rka psfnPNfr lkjnk:fHkjika lEikrekokj;sr
They found a number of dams equipped with spillways. They found that
these dams would have been built on the basis of a sound knowledge of
ik"kk.kfnHkjso ok izfrp;a {kq..ka f}ik”okfnfHk%AA Vr. S. 54.118AA
the principles of water balance. In addition to the design of the reservoirs,
the presence of spillways on at least two of the larger dams, which would jgrk gS] tcfd mRrj ls nf{k.k dh vksj fLFkr rkykc gokvksa }kjk mBkbZ xbZ
pass floods of about 50 years' return period, suggests that flood
ygjksa }kjk [kjkc gks tkrk gSA bls fLFkj djus ds fy,] nhokjksa dks ydM+h ds
protection was also taken into account. The Arthashastra of Kautilya also
gives us an extensive account of dams and bunds that were built for
lkFk ;k iRFkj ds lkFk ;k blh rjg vkSj vkl&ikl dh feV~Vh dks gkfFk;ksa vkSj
irrigation during the period of the Mauryan Empire. The water supply ?kksM+ksa vkfn }kjk jkSanok dj etcwr djuk iM+rk gSA
systems were well managed within the framework of strict rules and Meaning: A pond laid east to west retains water for a long time while one
regulations. Specifically, an organized water pricing system, which is an from north to south is spoilt invariably by the waves raised by the winds.
important part of water management, was also developed during this To render it stable, the walls have to be lined with timber or with stone or
period as evidenced by following lines of Arthasastra: “those who the like and the adjoining soil strengthened by stamping and trampling of
cultivate irrigating by manual labour ¼gLrkizofrZeke~½ shall pay 1/5 the elephants, horses etc.
produce as water rate ¼mndkHkkxe½( by carrying water on shoulders
¼LdU/kkizkofrZeke~½ = (water lift worked by bullocks), 1/4th of the produce; by ddqHkoVkezIy{dnEcS% lfupqytEcwosrluhiS%A
water lifts ¼L=ksrks;a=kizofrZeke~½ 1/3 of the produce; and by raising water
rd dqjcdrkyk”kksde/kwdScZdqyfofeJS”pko`rrhjkeAA Vr.S.54.119AA
from rivers, lakes, tanks and wells ¼ufnljklrrdkdqinkgkVe~½ 1/3rd or 1/4th
of the produce (Arthasastra, Tras. By Samasastry, Book II, Chapt. XXIV
fuik] dqjkodk] rkyk] v'kksdk] e/kqdk vkSj cdqyk vkfn isM+ksa ls vkPNkfnr
page 131)”.
112 v
djuk pkfg,A vxyk in ¼in S 54-120½] ;g fLiyos ds fuekZ.k dk funZs'ku djrk gS%&
Meaning : The banks must be shaded by Kakubha Vata, Amra, Plasa, In next verse (Vr.S.54.120), it directs the construction of spillway as:
Kadamba, Nicula, Jambu, Vetasa, Nipa, Kuravaka, Tala, Asoka, Madhuka
and Bakula trees. }kja p uSokZfgdesdns”ks dk;Z f”kykflTprokfjekxZe~A
dks”kkfLFkra fufoZoja dikVa d`Rok rr% ika”kqfHkjkoisRre~AA Vr.S.54.120AA
ekxZ ,d vksj cuk;k tkuk pkfg,A ,ipZj ds fcuk

,d iSuy dks ,d Ýse esa c) fd;k tkrk gS] tks
feV~Vh vkSj fpduh feV~Vh ds lkFk Hkwfe ds lkFk
tdM+k gqvk gksrk gSA
Meaning: An outlet for the water has to be made
on a side with the passage being laid with
stones.A panel without apertures has to be fixed
in a frame, which is fastened to the earth with
mud and clay.
bl ys[k ls] ge le> ldrs gSa fd izkphu Hkkjr esa

ty izca/ku dks mfpr egRo fey jgk Fkk vkSj ;gk¡
rd fd rVksa ds laj{k.k] fLiyos bR;kfn vkSj vU;
NksVs igyqvksa ij Hkh /;ku fn;k x;k FkkA
From this discourse, we can realize that the water
management was getting due importance in
ancient India and even bank protection, spillway
etc. and other minor aspects were given due
consideration.
izkphu Hkkjr esa d`f=e VSadksa ds mfpr LFkku ij /;ku

Hkkst&rky % jktk Hkkst }kjk 11oha 'krkCnh esa fufeZr >hy fn;k tkrk FkkA fofHkUu rduhdksa dks ykxw fd;k
Bhoj-Tal : A lake constructed by Raja Bhoj during 11th Century
(lzksr@Source : Inspirock)
x;k Fkk vkSj leku :i ls fofHkUu lkefxz;ksa dk

mi;ksx dk;ksZa ds fuekZ.k ds fy, fd;k x;k FkkA ,slk izrhr gksrk gS fd Constituents of a good tank are well described in ancient literature.
tyfoKku ij xzaFk ds fy, fo'ks"k dk;Z nf{k.k Hkkjr esa vfLrRo esa vk, gksaxsA According to the Sastra (Epigraphia Indica, Vol, PP. 108, Quotes from
o"kZ 1369 bZ0 ds HkkLdjk Hkonqjk ds iks:feyk VSad ds f'kykys[k nf{k.k Hkkjr esa Hemadri, Verses 37-38, Srinivasan T.M., 1970), the following are the 12
VSad vkSj cka/kksa ds fuekZ.k dh foLr`r fof/k ij izdk'k Mkyrk gSA essentials of a good tank as: (i) A king endowed with righteousness, rich,
happy and desirous of the permanent wealth and fame; (ii) Brahmana
In ancient India much attention was also paid to the proper location of learned in hydrology (Pathas-Sastra); (iii) Ground adorned with hard clay;
artificial tanks.Various techniques were applied and equally different (iv) A river conveying sweet water (and) three Yojanas distance from its
materials were utilized for the construction of works. It appears that source; (v) The hill, parts of which are in contact with tank; (vi) Between
special works for treatise on science of hydrology must have existed in (these portions of the hill) a dam (built) of a compact-stone wall, not too
south India.The Porumamilla tank inscription of Bhaskara Bhavadura long but firm; (vii) Two extremes (Srimga) pointing away from fruit
dated A.D. 1369 throws an abundant light on the elaborate method of (giving) land (Phala-Sthira) outside; (viii) The bed, extensive and deep; (ix)
construction of tanks and dams in the south India. A quarry containing straight and long stones; (x) The neighbouring fields,
rich in fruit and level; (xi) A water course (i.e., the sluice) having strong
izkphu lkfgR; esa ,d vPNs VSad ds ?kVdksa dk vPNh rjg ls o.kZu fd;k x;k eddies on account of the portion of the mountain (adri-sthana); and (xii) A
gSA 'kkL= ¼,ihxzkfQ;k bafMdk] okWY;we] ihih- 108] gsekfnz ls m)j.k] 37&38] gang of men (skilled in the art of its construction). With these 12
Jhfuoklu Vh-,e-] 1970½ ds vuqlkj] ,d vPNs VSad dh fuEufyf[kr 12 essentials, an excellent tank is easily attainable on this earth.
vko';drk,a gSa& (i) ,d jktk uhfrijk;.krk ls laiUu] vehj] [kq'k vkSj LFkk;h
/ku vkSj izflf) dh bPNk j[kus okyk gksuk pkfg,] (ii) czkã.k us tyfoKku bu fcanqvksa ls cka/kksa vkSj tyk'k;ksa ds fuekZ.k ds laca/k esa ty izca/ku ds
¼iFkl&'kkL=½ lh[kk gksuk pkfg,] (iii) dBksj feV~Vh ls lth tehu gksuh vk/kqfud] foKku ds lkFk rqyuk esa ge ik,axs fd tgk¡ rd lkekU;
pkfg,] (iv) lzksr ls rhu ;kstu nwjh ij cgus okyh unh ehBs ikuh dh gksuh vko';drkvksa dk laca/k gS mu fnuksa dh rduhd vk/kqfud ifj"d`r
pkfg,A (v) igkM+h] ftlds dqN fgLls VSad ds laidZ esa gksus pkfg,A (vi) ¼igkM+h vfHk;kaf=dh ds cjkcj FkhA bu 12 vfuok;Zrkvksa ds lkFk&lkFk Ng nks"kksa dks Hkh
ds bu Hkkxksa ds chp esa½ dBksj iRFkj dh nhokj dk ,d cka/k ¼fufeZr½] cgqr yack igpkuk x;k tks tyk'k; dh mi;ksfxrk dks de dj nsaxs vkSj ty laj{k.k
ugha] ysfdu n`<+ gksuk pkfg,] (vii) ckgj dh rjQ Qy nsus okyh Hkwfe eqf'dy gks tk,xkA ;s nks"k ¼,fixzkfQ;k bafMdk] okY;we XIV, PP. 108] fgekfnz
¼Qy&fLFkjk½ dh vksj b'kkjk djrs gq, nks pje ¼Jhexk½ gksus pkfg,] (viii) ry] ls m)j.k] 'yksd 39] Jhfuoklu Vh-,e- 1970½ fuEukuqlkj gSa %
O;kid vkSj xgjk gksuk pkfg,] (ix) lh/kh vkSj yach iRFkjksa okyh ,d [knku (I) cka/k ls ikuh dk fudyuk
gksuh pkfg,] (x) iM+kslh {ks= Qy vkSj Lrj esa le`) gksuk pkfg,] (xi) ,d ikuh (ii) yo.kh; feV~Vh
dk jkLrk ¼;kuh] Lyqbl½ ftlesa igkM+ ds fgLls ¼vkfnz LFkku½ ds etcwr fdukjs (iii) nks jkT;ksa dh lhek ij fLFkfr
gksuk pkfg, vkSj (xii) ¼cka/k fuekZ.k dh dyk esa dq'ky½ iq:"kksa dk ,d ny gksuk (iv) e/; ¼VSad ds½ esa Å¡pkbZ ¼dqekZ½
pkfg,A bu 12 vfuok;Z vis{kkvksa ls bl i`Foh ij vklkuh ls ,d mRd`"V VSad (v) ikuh dh de vkiwfrZ vkSj flafpr Hkwfe dk O;kid foLrkj
cuk;k tk ldrk gSA (vi) vi;kZIr eSnku vkSj ikuh dh vf/kdrk
114 v
From these points on comparison with the modern, science of water ok"ihdj.k fu;a=.k] lw[kk iazc/ku vkfn ds {ks=ksa esa mPp Lrj dk fodkl izkIr
management regarding construction of dams and reservoirs, we will find fd;k x;k FkkA bl izdkj] izkphu Hkkjr flapkbZ vkSj ty laj{k.k esa
that the technique in those days was just comparable to the modern vfHk;kaf=dh ds {ks= esa fodkl ds mPp Lrj ij FkkA yksxksa ds fy, csgrj
sophisticated engineering, as far as general requirements are concerned. is;ty vkiwfrZ ds vykok d`f"k mit c<+kus ds fy, Hkkjr esa izkphu le; ds
Along with these 12 essentials, six faults were also recognized which will nkSjku vR;k/kqfud flapkbZ lqfo/kkvksa dh LFkkiuk dh xbZ FkhA izkphu Hkkjr ty
reduce the usefulness of the reservoir and water conservation will
izca/ku ds {ks= esa vR;f/kd izxfr'khy FkkA izkphu dky ds oSKkfud midj.kksa
become difficult. These faults (Dosas) are as follows (Epigraphia Indica,
Vol. XIV, PP.108, Quotes from Hemadri, Verse 39, through Srinivasan T.M.
ds vHkko esa bl rjg dk mYys[kuh; fodkl ikBdksa esa vk'p;Z vkSj iz'kalk ds
(1970) as: Hkko Hkj nsrk gSA
(i) Water oozing from the dam The above discussion brings out that water use by means of wells, ponds,
(ii) Saline soil tanks and canals was prevalent during the ancient times, alongwith the
(iii) Situation at the boundary of two kingdoms efforts to supply water in deserts also. Organized water pricing system
(iv) Elevation (Kurma) in middle (of the tank) bed was prevalent and preventive measures against natural calamities such as
(v) Scanty supply of water and extensive stretch of land (to be irrigated) floods, drought etc. was common. Construction methods and materials of
(vi) Scanty ground and excess of water dam and ponds, essential site and other requirements of good tanks, bank
protection spillways etc. were paid sufficient attention. High level of
milagkj development was achieved in the areas of proper location and
orientation of tanks, lining of banks, evapotranspiration control, drought
Epilogue management, etc. Thus, ancient India was at a high plane of development
in the field of engineering in irrigation and water conservation. State-of-
mi;qZDr ppkZ ls irk pyrk gS fd dqvksa] rkykcksa] VSadksa vkSj ugjksa ds ek/;e ls
the-art irrigational facilities were established during the ancient times in
ikuh dk mi;ksx izkphu dky esa izpfyr Fkk] lkFk gh e:LFkyksa esa Hkh ikuh dh India for increasing agricultural produce apart from improved drinking
vkiwfrZ ds iz;kl fd, x, FksA laxfBr ty ewY; fu/kkZj.k iz.kkyh izpfyr Fkh water supplies for the people. Ancient India was highly progressive in the
vkSj ck<+] lw[kk vkfn izkd`frd vkinkvksa ds fuokjd mik; miyC/k FksA cka/k area of water management. Such remarkable development in the
vkSj rkykcksa dh fuekZ.k fof/k;k¡ vkSj lkexzh] vko';d LFky vkSj vPNh Vafd;ksa absence of scientific instruments of the ancient times invokes
dh vU; vko';drk,a] unh rVca/k lqj{kk] fLiyost vkfn ij i;kZIr /;ku astonishment and admiration of the readers.
fn;k x;k FkkA VSadksa ds leqfpr LFkku vkSj vfHkfoU;kl] unh rVca/k ds vLrj]

vè;k; lekiu fVIi.kh
CHAPTER 9 CONCLUDING REMARKS
lHkh izkf.k;ksa ds thfor jgus ds fy, ty lokZf/kd cgqewY; vkSj egÙoiw.kZ detailed understanding of the hydrologic cycle, nature of surface water,
izkd`frd lalk/ku gSA ;g bruh etcwrh ls gekjs vfLrRo rFkk lkekftd vkSj ground water and rain water; robust and sustainable water management
lkaLd`frd fodkl ls tqM+k gqvk gS fd ;g le`) izrhdokn] ijaijkvksa] systems were also evolved in all the civilizations that prospered for
vuq"Bkuksa vkSj /kkfeZd fo'oklksa dk lzksr cu x;k gSA fo'o dh egku lH;rkvksa thousands of years.
ds yksxksa ds thou vkSj thou&Lrj dks vkdkj nsus esa ty dh ,d egÙoiw.kZ vk/;kfRed fodkl ds vfrfjDr] izkphu Hkkjr us foKku ds fodkl dk Hkh
Hkwfedk jgh gSA iwjs bfrgkl esa] ty ls gekjs laca/k fdrus egÙoiw.kZ gSa bldk izn'kZu fd;k gSA fo'o dh lcls cM+h rFkk izkjafHkd o fodflr lH;rkvksa esa ls
HkkSfrd izek.k ;g gS fd geus ty dk mi;ksx] izca/ku dSls fd;k gS vkSj ;g ,d fla/kq ?kkVh lH;rk gS tks fd bfrgklksUeq[k Hkkjrh; mi egk}hi esa foKku
gekjs fy, fdruk ewY;oku gSA ty ds izokg dks fu;af=r djus dk igyk vkSj lekt ds fodkl ds Lrj dks n'kkZrh gSA tSlk fd tsUlu ¼1989½ us Bhd
lQy iz;kl eq[; :i ls flapkbZ iz;kstuksa ds fy, d`f"k dh vko';drkvksa ls gh ns[kk Fkk fd fla/kq yksx ty ds izfr vius tquwu ds fy, tkus tkrs FksA
izsfjr FkkA tyfoKkuh; pØ] lrgh ty] Hkwty vkSj o"kkZ ty dh izd`fr dh mUgksaus izfrfnu ufn;ksa dh izkFkZuk dh vkSj mUgsa ,d fnO; LFkku fn;kA osnksa ds
vf/kd foLr`r le> ds lkFk] lgL=ksa o"kkZsa ls lHkh lH;rkvksa esa etcwr vkSj le; ls ysdj izkphu Hkkjrh; lkfgR; esa foKku ds bl fodkl dk ¼tyfoKku
LFkk;h ty izca/ku iz.kkyh fodflr dh xbZ FkhA lfgr½ mYys[k gSA oSfnd lkfgR;] vFkZ'kkL=] iqjkf.kd lzksr] o`gRlafgrk]
Water is most precious and critical natural resource for survival of all the e;wjkpfjf=dk] es?kekyk] tSu] ckS) vkSj vU; izkphu lkfgR;ksa esa ,sls vusd
living beings. It has been so intimately linked to our very existence and lanHkZ miyC/k gSa tks izkphu Hkkjr esa tyfoKku vkSj ty lalk/kuksa ds Kku dh
societal and cultural developments that it has become the source of rich fLFkfr dk o.kZu djrs gSaA
symbolism, traditions, rituals and religious beliefs. Water played a pivotal
Besides the spiritual growth, ancient India also exhibited the growth of
role in shaping the life and living standards of the people of the great
science. The Indus Valley Civilization, one of the earliest and most
civilizations of the world. Throughout history, our vital relationships to
developed civilizations, was the world's largest in extent and epitomises
water have led to material testimonials of how water was used, managed
the level of development of science and societies in proto-historic Indian
and valued. The first successful efforts to control the flow of water were
sub-continent. As rightly observed by Jansen (1989), the Indus people
mainly driven by agricultural needs for irrigation purposes. With a more
were known for their obsession with water. They prayed to the rivers
116 v
everyday and gave them a divine status. Ancient Indian literature, dating papers and technical book published by various national and
back from the age of the Vedas, further witnesses this development of international institutions. Figures illustrating various concepts,
sciences (including the water science). Numerous references exist in Vedic hydrological processes and water engineering techniques have also been
literature, Arthashastra, Puranic sources, VrhatSamhita, Mayuracitraka, included to clarify the concepts and help forming clear mental image of
Meghmala, Jain, Buddhist and other ancient Indian literature which the developments.
illustrate the status of the knowledge of hydrology and water resources in
ancient India. ;|fi] tks de Kkr gS] og gS oSfnd lkfgR; vkSj vU; izkphu Hkkjrh; lkfgR;
esa tyfoKkuh; izfØ;kvksa vkSj ty lalk/ku fodkl vkSj izca/ku i)fr;ksa ds
tSls&tSls ge Hkkjrh; ikSjkf.kd dFkkvksa esa tyfoKku laca/kh lanHkksZa dh dbZ igqyvksa ij xgu ppkZ] tSlk fd ge vkt mUgsa le>rs gSaA oSfnd lkfgR;
foLrkj ls iM+rky djrs gSa] ekuo tkfr ds izkjafHkd oSKkfud iz;klksa ds dbZ vkSj vU; izkphu Hkkjrh; lkfgR; esa mDr fo"k; ij mlls foLr`r ppkZ dh x;h
vkd"kZd vk;ke mHkjrs gSaA lkSHkkX; ls muesa izkphu Hkkjrh;ksa ds dk;ksZa dks gSA ;g mfpr le; gS fd ge vuqHko djsa vkSj ty lalk/kuksa ds mi;ksx vkSj
vPNh rjg ls izysf[kr fd;k x;k gS tks ekuo bfrgkl dk lkekU; :i ls] izca/ku dh gekjh orZeku iz.kkfy;ksa ij iz'u mBk,a vkSj gekjs ikjaifjd Kku
vkSj fo'ks"k :i ls Hkkjr esa tyfoKku ds fodkl ds ladsr iznku djrs gSaA vkSj O;ogkj dks Lohdkj djsa vkSj mUgsa vk/kqfud lanHkZ esa ykxw djsaA blfy,]
izkphu Hkkjr esa ty ls lacaf/kr foKku ds fodkl ds vuqla/kku dk;ksZsa dks cM+h vk/kqfud le; dh vkSj izkphu dky dh ty&izkS|ksfxfd;ksa dh ,d rqyuk dh
la[;k esa jk"Vªh; vkSj varjkZ"Vªh; leqnk; }kjk Hkh izdkf'kr fd;k x;k gSA bl vko';drk gSA gkykafd dqN gn rd] orZeku esa mi;ksx esa yk, tkus okys
iqLrd dks izdkf'kr djrs le; cM+h la[;k eas vk/kqfud jk"Vªh; vkSj midj.kksa rduhdksa vkSj vuqiz;ksxksa ds iSekus esa varj gS] rc Hkh ewy fl)karksa esa
varjjk"Vªh; 'kks/k i=ksa vkSj fofHkUu jk"Vªh; vkSj varjkZ"Vªh; laLFkkuksa }kjk dksbZ varj ugha gSA ;gk¡ rd fd fdlh lH;rk dh thou 'kSyh ls lacaf/kr
izdkf'kr rduhdh iqLrdksa dks blesa lfEefyr djus dk iz;kl fd;k x;k gSA LoPNrk ekudksa dk fodkl gky gh esa ugha gks ldrk gSA mnkgj.k ds fy,]
vo/kkj.kkvksa dks Li"V vkSj ?kVukvksa dh Li"V ekufld Nfo cukus esa lgk;rk orZeku esa iz;qDr lhVksa ls lqlfTtr vkSj lhojksa ls ty fudkyus okyh
djus ds fy,] fofHkUu vo/kkj.kkvksa dks n'kkZus okys vkadM+s] tyfoKkuh; 'kkSpky; iz.kkyh izkphu dky ds nkSjku Hkh vfLrRo esa FkhA
izfØ;kvksa vkSj ty vfHk;kaf=dh rduhdksa dks Hkh lfEefyr fd;k x;k gSA
What is less known, however, is the rigorous discussion in the Vedic
As we investigate deeper into hydrologic references in Indian mythology, literature and other ancient Indian literature on several aspects of
many fascinating dimensions of the early scientific endeavours of hydrologic processes and water resources development and
mankind emerge. Fortunately, the ancient Indian works have been well management practices as we understand them today. It is high time that
documented and provide us with pointers to the human history in we realize and question our current systems of water resources utilization
general, and growth of water sciences in India in particular. Number of and management and acknowledge our traditional wisdom and
research works related to water science developments in ancient India practices and apply them to the modern context. Hence, a comparison of
have been also published by national and international research hydro-technologies in ancient times to that of the modern times is
community. While updating this book, an attempt has been made to required. Although to some extent, there are differences in the tools and
incorporate a number of recent national as well as international research techniques used today and the scale of applications, still there are no

differences in the fundamental principles used. Even the lifestyle related vkyksd esa] ;g egÙoiw.kZ vkSj mi;ksxh gS fd ty vkSj ekuo ds chp ds laca/k
to the hygienic standards of a civilization may not be a recent dk v/;;u izkphu dky dh Hkkafr xgurkiwoZd fd;k tk,A
development. For example, flushing toilets equipped with seats
resembling present-day toilets and drained by sewers has existed during Finally, in view of our immense traditional knowledge in water science
ancient times. and technology, it is important and helpful to study and represent the
connection between water and humans more deeply as was prevalent in
var esa] tyfoKku vkSj izkS|ksfxdh ds {ks= esa gekjs vikj ikjaifjd Kku ds India during ancient times.
dYykuh cka/k ¼xzsaM ,fudV½ % f=ph ¼rfeyukMq½ esa fLFkr pkSy jktk dfjdkyk pkSy }kjk 150 bZlk iwoZ fufeZr Hkkjr dk çFke cka/k
Kallani Dam (Grand Anicut) : The 1st Dam of India build by Chaul King Karikala Chaul in 150 AD located at Tiruchi (Tamilnadu)
(lzksr@Source: Pinterest)
118 v
xaazFk lwph
,- izkFkfed lzksr
1- _Xosn lafgrk ¼3000 bZ-iw-½] ¼i½ egf"kZ n;kuan ljLorh ¼fganh½ }kjk Hkk";] 9- okYehfd jkek;.k ¼800 bZ-iw- ls 200 bZ-iw-½] xhrk izsl] xksj[kiqj] nks [k.Mksa
n;kuan laLFkku] ubZ fnYyh&5 }kjk izdkf'kr ¼ii½ Lokeh lR;izdk'k esa fganh vuqokn lfgrA
¼vaxzsth½ }kjk Hkk";] osn izfr"Bku] ubZ fnYyh }kjk izdkf'krA 10- egkHkkjr ¼400 bZ-iw- ls 400 bZ-½ ia- jkeukjk;.k nÙk 'kkL=h] ik.Ms; jke
2- lkeosn ¼3000 bZ-iw-½ Lokeh n;kuan ljLorh }kjk Hkk";] n;kuan laLFkku] }kjk N% [kaMksa esa vuwfnr xhrk izsl xksj[kiqjA
ubZ fnYyh&5 }kjk izdkf'krA
3- ;tqosZn ¼_Xosn ds ckn½] Lokeh n;kuan ljLorh }kjk Hkk";] ¼fganh½ 11- euq Le`fr ¼200 bZ-iw- ;k mlls igys½] ia- gjxksfoan 'kkL=h }kjk laikfnr]
n;kuan laLFkku] ubZ fnYyh&5- pkS[kEck laLd`r Ja`[kyk dk;kZy;] okjk.klh&221 001] 1984-
4- ;tqosZn ¼rSfRrfj;k lafgrk½ ¼_Xosn ds ckn½ ia- Jhikn nkeksnj
lroysdj }kjk laikfnrA Lok/;k; eaMy] ejkMh] ftyk ckylksM+] 12- d.kkn dh oSf'odk lw= ¼iwoZ&ckS)] 600&700 bZ-iw-½ ,-bZ- xQ }kjk
xqtjkrA vuwfnr] vksfj,aVsM cqDl jhfizaV dkWiksZjs'ku] 54] jkuh >kalh jksM] ubZ
5- 'osr ;tqosZn ¼oktlus; lafgrk½ ¼_Xosn ds ckn½ vkj-Vh-,p- fxzfQFk fnYyh & 110 055] 1975-
}kjk vaxszth esa vuwfnr] eqa'khjke euksgj yky izdk'kd] jkuh >kalh jksM+]
ubZ fnYyh] 1987- 13- ikf.kuh dh v"Vk/;k;h ¼700 bZ-iw-½ czºenRr ftKklq }kjk Hkk";] jkeyky
6- vFkoZosn ¼uohure osn½] ia- [ksedj.k nkl f=osnh }kjk Hkk";] loZnsf'kd diwj VªLV] ukgyx<+] lksuhir] gfj;k.kk }kjk nks [kaMksa esa izdkf'kr]
vk;Z izfrfuf/k lHkk] egf"kZ n;kuan Hkou] jkeyhyk eSnku] ubZ fnYyhA 1985-
7- 'kriFk czkºe.k ¼2000 bZ-iw-½] ia- xaxk izlkn mik/;k; }kjk laikfnr]
izkphu laLd`r vuqla/kku v/;;u laLFkku] ubZ fnYyh&8- 14- vFkZ'kkL= ¼dkSfVY;] 400 bZ-iw-½ vkj- 'kek'kkL=h }kjk vaxzsth esa vuwfnr]
8- xksiFk czkºe.k ¼1000 bZ-iw- ds i'pkr½ ia- [ksedj.k nkl f=osnh }kjk eSlwj eqnz.k vkSj izdk'ku gkml] eSlwj] 1967- iqjk.k ¼6oha 'krkCnh bZ-iw- ls
Hkk";] MkW- iztuk nsoh vkSj es/kk nsoh }kjk laikfnr] vFkoZosn dk;kZy;] 700 bZLoh½A
34 yqdjxat] bykgkckn] 1977 }kjk izdkf'krA

15- cãk.M iqjk.k ¼r`rh;] prqFkZ 'krkCnh bZLoh½ MkW- peu yky xkSre }kjk nks 30- dkfynkl xzaFkkoyh % lhrkjke prqosZnh }kjk laikfnr] pkS[kEck izdk'ku]
[kaMks esa izdkf'kr] laLd`r laLFkku osn uxj] cjsyh &243 003] 1988- okjk.klh] 1980-
16- x#M+ iqjk.k] rst dqekj cqd fMiks izkbosV fyfeVsM] y[kuÅ&260001 31- lqnzdk dh e`PNdfVdk ¼6oha 'krkCnh bZLoh½] MkW- Jhfuokl 'kkL=h }kjk
}kjk izdkf'kr] 1989- fganh esa vuwfnr] lkfgR; Hkou] lqHkk"k cktkj] esjB ¼;wih½] 1980-
17- deZ iqjk.k] ia- Jh jke 'kekZ] laLd`r laLFkku osn uxj] cjsyh }kjk nks 32- Hko feJ ¼16 oha 'krkCnh bZLoh½ }kjk Hkkoizdk'k fu?kaVq] ia- fo'oukFk
[kaMksa esa laikfnr] 1986- f}osnh 'kkL=h dh Vhdk lfgr] eksrhyky cukjlh nkl izdk'kd]
18- fyax iqjk.k] mijksDr] 1987- fnYyh&7] 1988-
19- ekdZaMs; iqjk.k] MkW- /kesZanzukFk 'kkL=h }kjk fganh esa vuwfnr] lkfgR;
HkaMkj] lqHkk"k cktkj] esjB& 250002] izFke laLdj.k] 1983- ch- ek/;fed lzksr
20- eRL; iqjk.k ¼6oha 'krkCnh bZ-iw- ls 4oha 'krkCnh bZloh½] ia- Jh jke 'kekZ]
osn uxj] cjsyh ¼m-iz-½ }kjk nks [kaMksa esa laikfnr] 1989- 33- csdj] ch-,u- vkSj gkWVZu] vkj-bZ ¼1936½] fgLVksfjdy MSoyieSUV vkWQ
vkbfM;k fjxkfMZax fn vksfjtu vkWQ fLizaXl ,aM xzkmaM okVj] Vªkal vkQ
21- ukjn iqjk.k] mijksDr] 1984-
vesfjdu ft;ksfQftdy ;wfu;u] okWY;we 17] ist 395&400-
22- in~e iqjk.k] mijksDr] 1986-
34- fcLokl] , ds ¼1967½] gkbZMªksykWftdy bathfu;fjax ¼600 ch-lh- ls
23- Ldan iqjk.k] ¼7oha 'krkCnh bZLoh½] mijksDr 1988- igys½] tuZy vkWQ gkbZMªksfyd fMohtu] ,-,l-lh-bZ- okWY;we 93] ist
24- ok;q iqjk.k] jke izrki f=ikBh 'kkL=h }kjk fganh esa vuwfnr] fganh lkfgR; 115&135-
lEesyu iz;kx] 12] lEesyu ekxZ] bykgkckn] 1987- 35- fcLokl] ,-ds- ¼1969½] lkb±l bu bafM;k] fQjek ds-,y- eq[kksik/;k;]
25- fo".kq iqjk.k% mDr 24 ds tSlk] 1989- dydRrk ist 154-
36- fcLokl] ,-ds- ¼1969½] fgLVªh vkWQ gkbZMªksykWth] ukWFkZ gkWySaM ic- ii - da-]
26- ojkg fefgj }kjk o`gRlafgrk ¼550 bZLoh½] ia- vP;qR;kuUn >k }kjk ,ELVMZe] yanu] ist 336-
laikfnr vkSj Hkk";] pkS[kack fo|k Hkou] okjk.klh&221001] 1988- 37- pkm] oh-Vh- ¼1964½] gSaM cqd vkWQ ,IykbM gkbMªksykWth eSdxzw&fgy
27- e;wjfpf=dk ¼ukjfn;k½] ikaMqfyfi ua- 34332] lEiw.kkZuan laLd`r daiuh] U;w;kdZA
fo'ofo|ky;] okjk.klh ds ljLorh Hkou iqLrdky; eas j[kk x;k gSA 38- ykW- ch-lh- ¼1984½] fgLVksfjdy T;ksxzkWQh vkWQ ,ufl,aV bafM;k]
28- es?kekyk ¼yxHkx 900 bZLoh½] ikaMqfyfi ua- 37202] lEiw.kkZuan laLd`r eqa'khjke euksgjyky] u;h fnYyhA
fo'ofo|ky;] okjk.klh ds ljLorh Hkou iqLrdky; eas j[kk x;k gSA 39- if.kDdj jk;eqaMks] ¼1977½] fn oSfnd ,Dlihfj;sal ea=&eatjh eksrhyky
cukjlhnkl] fnYyhA
29- dkyhnkl ds es?knwre ¼100 bZ-iw-½ efyukFk }kjk Hkk";] MkW- t; 'kadj 40- ikj[ks] ,e-,l- vkSj olar] ¼1989½] ;K d`f"k] jklk;fud [ksrh dk
f=ikBh }kjk laikfnr] nsoHkk"kk izdk'ku] bykgkckn&6- fodYi] LFkk;h fodkl] if=dk] uacj 1] [kaM 3] 1989 ist 9&11-
120 v
41- izdk'k] ,l ¼1965½] Qkm.MlZ vkWQ lkablst bu ,ufl,aV bafM;k] n 52- eSdDysu&III, ts-bZ- vkSj MkWuZ] ,p- ¼2006½] lkbal ,aM VSDuksykWth bu
fjlpZ baLVhV~;wV vkWQ ,ufl,aV lkbafVfQd LVMht] ubZ fnYyhA oYMZ fgLVªh% ,u bUVªksMD'ku IInd ,fM'ku] fn tkWUl gkWifdUl
42- izlkn] bZ-,-oh- ¼1979½] okVj DokfyVh bu HkkofeJkt Hkko izdk'k] ;wfuoflZVh izsl 2715] ukFkZ pkYlZ LVªhV] ckYVheksj] eSjhySaM
MASSLIT Jà[kyk ua- 2 ,u-ts- izdk'ku] fr:ifrA 21218&4363-
43- izlkn] bZ-oh- ¼1980½] xzkm.M okVj bu ojkg fefglZ o`gr lafgrk] 53- oqvksfjuu] ,p-,l- tqrh] ih-,l-] vkSj dkVdks] Vh-,l- ¼2007½] fgLVªh
MASSLIT Jà[kyk ua- 1 Jh oSadVs'oj ;wfuoflZVh izsl] fr:ifr] HkkjrA vkWQ okVj ,aM gSYFk ÝkSe ,ufl;aV flfoykbZts'ku Vq ekWMuZ VkbEl]
44- izlkn] oh-Vh- ch-,l- dqekj vkSj ,l- dqekj ¼1987½] okVj fjlkslZst okVj lkbal ,aM VSDuksykWth] okVj lIykbZ okWY;we 7 uacj 1 ist 49&57-
MSoyieSaV bu bafM;k& bV~l lsUVªy jksy bu fn ikLV ,aM Øwf'k;y 54- ;ksuksiksyksl] ,l-vkbZ ykbcsjVksl] th] fFk;ksMksflm] ,u-yh- MCY;w-
flfXufQdsUl QkWj ¶;wpj] izks- vkWQ fn baVjus'kuy flEiksft;e vkWu oSyhiksj] ,e VSEcqfjuks] ,- vkSj ,atsyfdl] ,-,u- ¼2015½] bokWyq'ku vkWQ
okVj QkWj ¶;wpj] IAHR, jkse] ist 19&34- okVj fyf¶Vax fMokblst ¼iEi~l½ vksoj fn lsPpqjht oYMZ okbM okVj
45- jko] bZ-th-ds- dksVsdj] ih-vks- ¼1971½] ,DlIyksjs'ku vkWQ vaMj xzkamM 2015] 7] 5031&5060] MhvksvkbZ] 10-3390@ w 7095031-
okVj fLiazXl ,dkWfMZax Vw fn ,ufl;aV fgUnwt] bafM;u tuZy vkWQ 55- Ldkcksjks] oh-,y- ¼2003½] fn ¶yks vkWQ ikoj% ,ufl;aV okVj flLVEl
fgLVªh vkWQ lkbal] okY;we 6] uacj 2] ist 139&146- ,aM ySaMLdsIl% Ldwy vkWQ vesfjdu fjlpZ izsl% lkark Qs] ,u-,e] ;w-,l-
46- lhy] ch-MCY;w ¼1918½] ikWftfVo lkbal vkWQ bufla;V bafM;k] ,- ist 204-
eksrhyky cukjlhnkl] ubZ fnYyhA 56- vkWVksaYQ] lh-vkj- ¼2009½] okVj bathfu;fjax bu ,ufla;aV oYMZ &
47- fljdkj] Mh-lh- ¼1971½] LVMht bu fn ft;ksxzkQh vkWQ ,ufla;V ,aM vkWD;ksykWftdy ,aM DykbesV ilZiSfDVCl vkWu lkslkbVht vkWQ
esMhoy bafM;k] eksrhyky cukjlhnkl] ubZ fnYyhA ,ufl;aV lkmFk vesfjdk] fefMy bZLV ,aM lkmFk vesfjdk] fefMy
48- Jhfuoklu] Vh-,e- ¼1970½] , czhQ ,dkmaV vkWQ fn ,ufl;aV bZjhxs'ku bZLV ,aM lkmFk bZLV lkmFk ,f'k;k% vkWDliksMZ ;wfuoflZVh izsl% U;w;kdZ]
bathfu;fjax flLVEl fizoSysaV bu lkmFk bafM;k] bafM;u tuZy vkWQ ,u-okbZ-] ;w-,l-,- ist 433-
fgLVªh vkWQ lkbal] okWY;we 5] uacj 2] ist 315&325- 57- tsfjV~l ,-,e-ts- ¼2010½] n jksy vkWQ baVjlSI'ku bu fn
49- f=ikBh] ,e-ih- ¼1969½ MSoyieSaV vkWQ ft;ksxzkfQdy ukWyst bu gkbMªksykWftdy lkbdyA fMtVsZ'ku ,V n okVlZ fjlkslZst lSD'ku
,ufla;V bafM;k Hkkjrh; fo|k izdk'ku] okjk.klh&1] HkkjrA QSdYVh vkWQ flfoy bathfu;fjax ,aM ft;kslkablst] MsY¶V ;wfuoflZVh
vkWQ VSDuksykWth] ,aM ,V n xSfcz;y fyIikeku fjlpZ lsaVj] yDlecxZA
50- ok".ksZ;] vkj-,l- ¼1979½ bathfu;fjax gkbMªksykWth] usepan ,aM cznlZ]
:M+dh ¼m-iz-½A 58- gkWVZu] ¼1933½] n jksy vkWQ bfUQYVªs'ku bn fn gkbMªksykWftd lkbdy]
Vªkal vesj ft;ksfQftd] ;wfu;u] 14&446&460-
51- f'kjlkFk] ih-ch- ¼2009½] bZjhxs'ku MSoyieSaV bu bafM;k% fgLVªh
,.M bEiSDV] okVj VSDuksykWth lsaVj] vkbZ,vkjvkbZ] ubZ fnYyh 59- ikaMs] , ¼2016½] lkslk;Vh ,aM ,Uok;uZeSaV ,u ,ufl;aV bafM;k ¼LVMh
http://indiairigation.blogspot.com/2009/01/history-of-irrigation- vkWQ gkbMªksykWth½ baVjus'ky tuZy vkWQ º;wfefuVht ,aM lks'ky
developmentin_01.html. lkabl bUosU'ku] okWY;w 5 ¼2½] ist 26&31-

60- 'kkW] ts- flVfDyQ] ts- ykW;M&fLeFk] ,y- 'osfuaxj] ts&,y- vkSj 71- lksjh] bZA ¼2001½A La citta e i rifiuti & bdksyksfx;k urbana dal
pkSgku] ,e-,l- ¼2007½ ,ufl;aV bZjhxs'ku ,aM cqf)"V fgLVªh bu lasVªy Medioevo al primo NovecentoA lXxh] cksyksXuk% by eqfyuksA
bafM;k& vkWfIVdyh fLVeqysVsM Y;wfeuslhu MsV~l ,aM ikWYyu 72- usjh lusZjh] ,l ¼2007½A n dULVªD'ku vkWQ n ekWMZu flVh ,aM n
lhdosa'kst ÝkWe n lkaph MSElA ,f'k;u ilZiSfDVo] okY;we- 46] uacj 1- eSusteSaV vkWQ okVj fjlkslsZt bu bVyh 1880&1920A ts- vcZu fgLV]
61- ,atsfyl] ,-,u- vkSj >sax] ,Dl-okbZ- ¼2015½ bokWyq'ku vkWQ okVj okWY;w- 33] ist 813&27-
lIykbZ] lSfuVs'ku] osLVokVj] ,aM LVkWeZ okVj VSDuksykWtht XykscyhA 73- dsuks;j] ts-,e- ¼1997½] VªsM ,aM VSDuksykWth vkWQ baMl oSyh% U;w
okVj 2015] 7] 455&463] MhvksbZ%10-3390@w7020455- bulkbV ÝkWe vkD;ksZykWth] ikfdLrku] oYMZ vkD;ksZykWth 29 ¼2½]
62- glu] ,Q ¼2011½A okVj fgLVªh QkWj voj VkbElA ifCy'M ckbZ fn 262&280-
;wukbVsM us'ku~l ,tqds'kuy] lkabfVfQd ,aM dYpjy vkWxsZukbts'ku 74- dsuks;j] ts-,e- ¼1991½A n baMl oSyh VsªfM'ku vkWQ ikfdLrku ,Ma
¼;wusLdks½] baVjus'kuy gkbMªksykWth izksxzke ¼vkbZ,pih½ 7] Iysl QksaVsukW;] oSLVu bafM;k] tuZ- oYMZ fizfgLV 5] 331&385-
75352 isfjl 07 ,lih] ÝkalA 75- dsuks;j] ts-,e ¼1998½A ,ufl;aV flVht vkWQ fn baMl oSyh
63- º;wxks] oh- ¼1982½] ysl feljscYl] Vªkal ukWeZu Msuh] isaxqbu DykflDl] flfoykbZts'ku% vkWDlQksMZ ;wfuoflZVh] izsl] vesfjdu baLVhV~;wV vkWQ
U;w;kWdZ] 2001- ikfdLrku LVMht % djkph] ikfdLrku] ist 1&260-
64- vOoUukoj] ,e-,l- vkSj ef.k] ,e-,- ¼2008½] dkWUlsIpqvy ekWMy vkWQ 76- [kku] ,l ¼2014½A lSuhVs'ku ,aM osLVokVj VSDuksykWtht bu
ihiqYl ,izksp Vq lsfuVs'kuA lkab- VksVy ,Uok- okWY;we- 390] ist 1&12- gM+Iik@baMl oSyh flfoykbZts'ku ¼CA 2600&1900 ch-lh½A cqd pSIVj
65- lksfjulsyh] ih- ¼1998½] LVksfjvk lks'ky Msyh*D;wDokA jhfr bZ dYpjA bu ßbokWY;q,'ku vkWQ lSuhVs'ku ,aM osLVokVj VSDuksykWtht Fkzks fn
feykuks% eksaMkMksjhA lSUpqjhtÞ ¼,fM-% ,-,u- ,atsyfdl vkSj ts-ch- jkst½ IWA ifCyf'kax
66- Mh fQ;ks] th vkSj usikyh] vkj-,l-,- ¼2007½] fgLVksfjdy MSOyieSaV vyk;al gkml] 12 dSDlVu LVªhV yanu SW1H0QS] ;wds ist 25&40-
vkWQ n vkWxLVku ,DokMDV bu lkmFkZu bVyh% 20 lSapjht vkWQ oDlZ 77- oksYQ] ih- ¼1999½] fgLVªh vkWQ osLVokVjA oYMZ vkWQ okVj 2000&n
ÝkWe lsfjuks Vq usiYlA okVj lkabl VSDuks] okWy;we- 7% 131&8- ikLV] iztsUV ,aM ¶;wpjA okVj oYMZ@okVj ,aM osLV okVj baVjus'kuy
67- yksÝsuks] th vkSj czkmu] ts- ¼2010½] osLV okVj eSusteSaV Fkzks ,tst% , lIyhesaV Vq isu osy eSxthu] rqylk] vks,p] ;w,l,] 1999-
fgLVªh vkWQ eSudkaMA lkabl vkWQ n VksVy ,Uok;uZeSaV] okWY;we- 408] 78- jkbV] vkj-ih- ¼2010½] n ,ufl;aV baMl% vcZusTe] bdkWukWeh ,aM
ist 5254&5264- lkslk;Vh] dSafczt ;wfuoflZVh izsl] U;w;kWdZ] 396-
68- esusfXy;j] ,p- ¼1994½] LVªksfj;k MsYDdok] feykuks% lwxj da-A 79- QkfMZu] ,p-,Q- gksys] ,- xkSfV;j] bZ- gkSjh] ts- ¼2013½] osLV okVj
69- rjZ] ts-,- ¼1985½A fgLVksfjdy ilZifDVOl vkWu gtkfMZ;l osLV bu fn eSusteSaV VSDuhDl ÝkWe ,ufl;aV flfoykbts'kal Vq ekWMuZ ,tst%
;wukbVsM LVsV~lA osLV eSustfjl- 3%95&113- ,DtkEiy vkWQ lkmFk ,f'k;k okVj lkabl VSDuksy] 13] 719&726-
70- ok;ys] th- ¼2000½A mu eUMks gek bZ xsVVkA feykuks% QsfYVªusyhA 80- fddZ] MCY;w ¼1975½] fn jksy vkWQ bafM;k bu fn fM¶;wtu vkWQ vyhZ
dYplZ] n ft;ksxzkfQdy tuZ- 141 ¼1½] 19&34-
122 v
81- esV] ,e-,l ¼1969½] fcfYMax vkWQ ,ufl;aV bafM;k] oYMZ vkD;ksZykWth 1 90- 'kkW] ts- vkSj fLVfDyQ] ts- ¼2003½ okVj eSusteSaV] iSVªksust usVoDlZ ,aM
¼2½] 236&246- fjyhft;l psat% U;w bohMSUl ÝkWe fn lkaph MSe dkWEiysDl ,aM dkmaVj
82- flag ;w- ¼2008½] fgLVªh vkWQ ,ufl;aV ,aM vyhZ esMhoy bafM;k&ÝkWe ikVZ~l bu xqtjkr ,aM Jhyadk] lkmFk ,f'k;u LVMht] 19% 1] 73&104]
LVksu ,t Vq 12oha lSapqjh- fi;lZu ,tqds'ku@Mksjfyax fdaMjLys] ubZ MhvksvkbZ% 10-1080@026666030-2003-9628622-
fnYyh] ist 704- 91- dhygkWu] ,Q- ¼1906½] ßtwukx<+ jkWDl bUlfØI'ku~l vkWQ :nzkneu% n
83- dkly] ts-,e- ¼1949½A ysl QkSyhl Ms fojkiVue&,jhdsesMqA bZ;j 72Þ] ,fixzkfQdk bafM;k VIII, ist 36&49-
dksEiVsljsUMl Msl ls'kUl deI'Acadpmie des insults et Belles- 92- 'kkW] ts- vkSj lqrfDyQ] ts- ¼2001½ ,ufl;aV bZjhxs'ku oDlZ bu n lkaph
rd
Letters, 93 o"kZ] 2] i`"B 142&147- ,fj;k% ,u vkd~Z;ksykWftdy ,aM gkbZMªksykWftdy bUosfLVxs'ku] lkmFk
84- csxyh] oh- ¼1983½] ,fjdsesMq fjdUlhMMZ] vesfjdu tuZy vkWQ ,f'k;u LVMht 17% 1] 55&75] MhvksvkbZ% 10-1080@026666030-2001-
vkfdZ;ksykWth 87 ¼4½] 461&481] 9628592-
85- csxyh] oh- ¼2004½] n MsfVax vkWQ ,fjdsesMq ,aM bV~l ch;fjax vkWu fn 93- lqVfDyQ] ts- 'kkW] ts- vkSj czkmu] bZ- fgLVksfjdy okVj fjlkslsZt bu
vkD;ksZykWth vkWQ vyhZ fgLVksfjdy lkmFk bafM;kA bu% lkmFk bafM;k lkmFk ,f'k;k% n gkbMªksykWftdy cSdxzkmaM] gkbMªksykWftdy lkbalst
gksjkbtal ¼ts- ,y- psyfoykMZ vkSj bZ- okbYMj] ,fM-½A baLVhV~;wV ÝSap tuZy] 56 ¼5½% 775&88-
Mh ikafMpsjh@bdksy Ýsadkbls Mh^,DLVªwjes&vksfj,aV] ikWfUMpsjh] ist 94- ftulsu ,e- ¼1985½] eksgu tksnM+ks] flVh vkWQ n baMl oSyh] ,aMsoj] U;w
513&537- fljht] okWY;we 9] uacj 4] isjxkeu izsl] fizaVsM bu n xzsV fczVsu] yanu]
86- Hkkj}kt] ,p-lh- ¼1997½] Vkmu Iykfuax] fcfYMax ,aM fcfYMax ;wdsA
eVhfj;Yl bu% fgLVªh vkWQ VSDuksykWth bu bafM;kA ¼,-ds- ckx] ,fM-½A 95- ftulsu ,e- ¼1989½] okVj lIykbZ ,aM lhost fMLiksty ,V eksgu
bafM;u us'kuy lkabl ,dsMseh] ubZ fnYyh] okWY;weA 1] ist 498&523- tksnM+ks] oYMZ vkfdZ;ksykWth 21 ¼2½] 177&192]
87- uk;j] ds-,l- ¼2004½ jksy vkWQ okVj bu n MSoyieSaV vkWQ 96- etwenkj] ih-ih- vkSj tSu] ,l- ¼2018½] gkbZMªksykWth bu ,ufl;aV
flfoykbts'ku bu bafM;k&, fjO;w vkWQ ,ufl;aV fyVjspj] VªsfM'kuy bafM;k% le QSLlhusfVax QSDV~l] ft;ksfQftdy fjlpZ ,cLVªSDV~l]
izSfDVlst ,aM fcyh¶lA n csfll vkWQ flfoykbts'ku & okVj lkbal\ bZth;w tujy ,lsEcyh] okWY;we 20] bZth;w 2018] 8690-
¼izkslhfMax vkWQ n ;wusLdks@vkbZ,,p,l@vkbZMCY;wvkbZ½ ¼, 97- uk;j] ds-,l- ¼2004½A jksy vkWQ okVj bu fn MSoyieSaV vkWQ
flEiskft;e gSYM bu jkse fnlacj 2003½A vkbZ,,p,l ifCy- 286- flfoykbts'ku bu bafM;k&, fjO;w vkWQ ,ufl;aV fyVjspj] VªsfM'kuy
88- ckxph] ds-,l vkSj ckxph] ,l-,l- ¼1991½ fgLVªh vkWQ bZjhxs'ku bu izSfDVlst ,aM fcyh¶l] n csfll vkWQ flfoykbts'ku&okVj lkabl\
bafM;kA ikVZ&A % bZjhxs'ku bu ,ufl;aV bafM;kA ¼ÝkWe 2295 ch-lh- vi ¼izkslhfMax vkWQ n ;wusLdks@vkbZ,,p,l@ vkbZMCY;w,p,] ,
Vq 11th lSapqjh½A bZjhxs'ku ,aM ikoj] ist 69&76- flEiksft;e gSYM bu jkse fnlEcj 2003½] vkbZ,,p,l ifCy- 280-
89- Jhfuoklu] Vh-,e- ¼1976½A eStjeSaV vkWQ jsuQky bu ,ufl;aV
bafM;k] vkbZ ts ,p ,l 11-2] 148&57-

BIBLIOGRAPHY
A Primary Sources 8. Gopatha Brahmana (much later than 1000 B.C.), Bhasya by Pt.
Khem Karan Das Trivedi, Edited by Dr. Prajna Devi and Medha Devi,
1. Rig Veda Samhita (3000 B.C.), (i) Bhasya by Maharshi Dayananda
Published by Atharvaveda office, 34, Lukarganja, Allahabad, 1977.
Saraswati (Hindi), Published by Dayananda Sansthan, New Delhi-5.
Epics
(ii) Bhasye by Swami Satyaprakash Saraswati (English), Pub-lished
by Veda Pratisthan, New Delhi. 9. The Vaimiki Ramayana (800 B.C. to 200 B.C.), Gita Press, Gorakhpur,
in two volumes with Hindi translation.
2. Sam Veda (3000 B.C.) Bhasya by Swami Dayananda Saraswati,
Published by Dayananda Sansthan, New Delhi-5. 10. The Mahabharata (400 B.C. to 400 A.D.) Translated by Pt.
Ramanarayana Datta Shastri, Pandeya 'Ram” Gita Press, Gorakhpur
3. Yajur Veda (later than Rig Veda), Bhasya by Swami Dayananda
in six volumes.
Saraswati, (Hindi) Dayananda Sansthan, New Delhi-5.
Smriti
4. Black Yajur Veda (Taithiriya Sanhita) (Later than Rig Veda), Edited by
Pt. Shripad Damodar Satvalekar, Swayadhya Mandal, Maradi, Disit. 11. Manusmriti (200 B.C. or earlier than that), Edited by Pt. Haragovinda
Balsod, Gujara. Shastri, Chowkhamba Sanskrit Series Office, Varanasi -221 001,
1984.
5. White Yajur Veda (Vajasaney Sanhita) (Later than Rig Veda, English
Trans. By R.T.H. Griffith, Munsiram Manohar lal Publishers, Rani Philosophica System
Jhansi Road, New Delhi, 1987. 12. Vaisesika Sutra of Kanada (Pre-Buddhist, 600-700 B.C.), Translated
6. Atharva Veda (the latest Veda), Bhasya by Pt. Khem Karan Das by A.E. Gough, Oriented Books Reprint Corporation. 54, Rani Jhansi
Trivedi, Sarvadeshik Arya Pratinidhi Sabha, Maharshi Dayananda Road, New Delhi-110 055,1975.
Bhavan, Ramlila Maidan, New Delhi. Grammer
7. Satapatha Brahmana (2000 B.C.), Edited by Pt. Ganga Prasad 13. Panini's Astadhayayi (700 B.C.), Bhasya by Brahmadatta Jijnasu,
Upadhyaya. The Research Institute of Ancient Sanskrit Studies, published by Ramlal Kapoor Trust, Nahalagarh, Sonipat, Haryana,
New Delhi-8. 1985 two volumes.
124 v
Polity 27. Mayurcitraka (Nardiya), Manuscript No. 34332, Kept at Saraswati
14. Arthasastra (Kautilya, 400 B.C.), Ed by R. Shamashastri, Eng. Trans: Bhavan Library of Sampurnananda Sanskrit University, Varanasi.
Ibid. Mysore printing and publishing House, Mysore, 1967. 28. Meghamala (around 900 A.D.), Manuscript No. 37202, Kept at the
th
Puranas (6 century B.C. to 700 A.D.) Saraswati Bhavan Library of above University.
15.
rd th
Brahmanda purana (3 , 4 century A.D.) Edited by Dr. Chamana Lal Others
Goutam, Published by Sanskrit Sansthan Ved Nagar, Bareilly-243 29. Meghadutam of Kalidas (100 B.C.), Bhasya by Malinath, Edited by
003, two volumes, 1988. Dr. Jaya Shankar Tripathi, devabhasa Prakashan, Allahabad-6.
16. Garuda Purana, published by Tejkumar Book Depot Pvt. Ltd. 30. Kalidas Granthavall: Edited by Sitaram Chaturvedi, Chowkhamba
Lucknow-26001, 1989. Prakashan, Varanasi, 1980.
17. Kurma Purana, Edited by Pt. Shri Ram Sharma, Sanskrit Sansthan, 31. Mrcchakatika of Sudraka (6th Century A.D.), Hindi Trans. By Dr.
Ved Nagar, Bareilly, two volumes, 1986. Shrinivasa Shastry, Shahitya Bhavana, Subhash Bajar, Meeurt (UP),
18. Linga Purana, Ibid. 1987. 1980.
19. Markandeya Purana, Hindi Trans. By Dr. Dharmendranath Shastri, 32. Bhava Prakasha Nighantu by Bhava Mishra (16th century A.D.), with
Sahitya Bhanda, Subhash Bazar, Meerut-250 002, First Edition, Commentary of Pt. Vishvanath Dwivedi Shastri, Motilal Banarasi
1983. Das publishers, Delhi-7 1988.
20. Matsya Purana (6th century B.C. to 4th century A.D.), Edited by Pt. Shri
Ram Sharma, Veda Nagar, Breilly (UP), two volumes, 1989. B Secondary Sources
21. Narada Purana, Ibid., 1984. 33. Baker, B.N. and Horton, R.E. (1936). Historical Development of Ideas
22. Padma Purana, Ibid., 1986. Regarding the Origin of springs and Ground Water, Trans of
23.
th
Skanda Purana, (7 century A.D.), Ibid. 1988. American Geophysical Union, Vol. 17, pp. 395-400.
24. Vayu Purana, Hindi Trans. By Rama Pratap Tripathi Sastri, Hindi 34. Biswas, A.K. (1967). Hydrologic Engineering prior to 600 B.C. Jr. of
Sahitya Sammelan Prayag, 12, Sammelan Marg., Allahabad, 1987. the Hydraulic Division, ASCE, Vol. 93, Hy. 5, pp. 115-135.
25.
th
Visnu Purana: Same as 24 above, 1989. 35. Biswas, A.K. (1969). Science in India, Firma K.L. Mukhopadhyaya,
Calcutta, 154 p.
Astronomical Works
36. Biswas, A.K. (1969). History of Hydrology, North Holland Pub ii. Co.,
26. Vrhat Sanhita (550 A.D.) by Varahamihira, Edited and Bhasya by Pt.
Amsterdam, London, 336 p.
Achyntanada Jha, Chow Khamba Vidyabhawan, Varanasi=221 001
1988. 37. Chow, V.T. (1964). Hand Book of Applied Hydrology Mcgrew-Hill
Company, New York.

38. Law, B.C.(1984). Historical Geography of Ancient India, Munshiam 50. Varshney, R.S. (1979)Engineering Hydrology, Nemchand and Bros.,
Manoharlal, New Delhi. Roorkee (UP).
39. Pannikkar Raimundo, (1977). The Vedic Experience Mantra- 51. Shirsath, P.B. (2009). Irrigation Development in India: History &
ManjariMotilal Banarsidas, Delhi. Impact, Water Technology Centre, WTC, IARI, New Delhi,
40. Parkhe, M.S. and Vasant, (1989). Yajna Krishi, Rasayanik Kheti ka http://indiairrigation.blogspot.com/2009/01/history-of-
Vikalp, Sthayi Vikas, Patrika, No. 1, Vol.3, 1989, pp.9-11. irrigation-developmentin_01.html.
41. Prakash, S.(1965). Founders of Sciences in Ancient India, The 52. McClellan, III. J.E. and Dorn, H. (2006). Science and Technology in
Research Institute of Ancient Scientific Studies, New Delhi. World History: An Introduction. IInd Edition, the Johns Hopkins
University Press 2715 North Charles Street Baltimore, Maryland
42. Prasad, E.A.V. (1979). Water Quality in Bhavamsira's Bhava Prakasa,
21218-4363.
MASSLITSeries No.2, N.J. Publications, Tirupathi.
53. Vuorinen, H.S. Juuti, P.S., and Katko, T.S. (2007). History of water and
43. Prasad, E.A.V.(1980). Ground water in Varahamihira's Vrhat Sanhita.
health from ancient civilizations to modern times. Water Science &
MASSLIT series No.1, Sri Venkateswara University Press, Tirupathi,
Technology: Water Supply Vol. 7 No. 1 pp. 49–57.
India.
54. Yannopoulos, S. I. Lyberatos, G. Theodossiou, N. Li. W., Valipour, M.
44. Prasad, V.T. B.S. Kumar, and S. Kumar,(1987). Water Resources
Tamburrino, A. and Angelakis, A.N. (2015). Evolution of Water
Development in India – Its Central Role in the past and Crucial
Lifting Devices (Pumps) over the Centuries Worldwide. Water 2015,
Significance for Future, Proc. Of the International Symposium on
7, 5031-5060; doi:10.3390/w7095031.
Water for Future, IAHR, Rome, pp. 19-34.
55. Scarborough, V.L. (2003). The Flow of Power: Ancient Water
45. Rao, E.G.K. Kotekar, P.O.(1971). Exploration of Underground Water
Systems and Landscapes; School of American Research Press:
Springs According to the Ancient Hindus, Indian Jr. of History of
Santa Fe, NM, USA, p. 204.
Sciene, Vol. 6, No.2, P.139-146.
56. Or tloff, C.R. (2009). Water Engineering in the Ancient
46. Seal, B.W.(1958) Positive Sciences of Ancient India, Motilal
World—Archaeological and Climate Perspectives on Societies of
Banarasidass, New Delhi.
Ancient South America, the Middle-East and South-East Asia;
47. Sircar, D.C.(1971). studies in the Geography of Ancient and Oxford University Press: New York, NY, USA, p. 433.
Medieval India, Motilal Banarasidass, New Delhi.
57. Geritts, A.M.J. (2010). The role of interception in the hydrological
48. Srinivasan, T.M.(1970). A Brief Account of the Ancient Irrigation cycle. Dissertation at the Water Resources Section, Faculty of Civil
Engineering Systems Prevalant in South India, Indian Jr. of History Engineering and Geosciences, Delft University of Technology, and
of Science, Vol.5, No.2 1970, pp. 315-325. at the Gabriel Lippmann Research Center, Luxembourg.
49. Tripathi, M.P. (1969). Development of Geographical Knowledge in 58. Horton, (1933). The role of infiltration in the hydrologic cycle. Trans.
Ancient India, Bhartiya Vidya Prakashan, Varanasi-1, India. Amer. Geophys. Union, 14, 446-460.
126 v
59. Pandey, A. (2016). Society and Environment in Ancient India (Study United States. Waste Manage Res.; 3:95-113.
of Hydrology). International Journal of Humanities and Social 70. Viale, G. (2000). Un mondo usa e getta. Milano: Feltrinelli.
Science Invention, Vol. 5(2), pp.26-31.
71. Sori, E. (2001). La città e i rifiuti — Ecologia urbana dal Medioevo al
60. Shaw, J. Sutcliffe, J. Lloyd-Smith, L. Schwenninger, J-L. and primo Novecento. Saggi, Bologna: Il Mulino.
Chauhan, M. S. (2007). Ancient Irrigation and Buddhist History in
72. Neri Serneri, S. (2007). The construction of the modern city and the
Central India: Optically Stimulated Luminescence Dates and Pollen
management of water resources in Italy, 1880–1920. J Urban Hist.,
Sequences from the Sanchi Dams. Asian Perspectives, Vol. 46, No.1.
Vol. 33, pp. 813–27.
61. Angelakis, A.N. and Zheng, X.Y. (2015). Evolution of Water Supply,
73. Kenoyer, J. M. (1997). Trade and technology of the Indus Valley: new
Sanitation, Wastewater, and Stormwater Technologies Globally.
insights from Harappa, Pakistan. World Archaeology 29 (2),
Water 2015, 7, 455-463; doi:10.3390/w7020455.
262–280.
62. Hasan, F. (2011). Water History for Our Times. Published by the
74. Kenoyer, J.M. (1991). The Indus valley tradition of Pakistan and
United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization
Western India. J. World Prehist. 5, 331–385.
(UNESCO), International Hydrology Programme (IHP), 7, place
Fontenoy, 75352 Paris 07 SP, France. 75. Kenoyer, J.M. (1998). Ancient Cities of the Indus Valley Civilization;
Oxford University Press/American Institute of Pakistan Studies:
63. Hugo, V. (1982). Les Misérables, Trans. Norman Denny. Penguin
Karachi, Pakistan, pp. 1–260.
Classics, New York, 2001.
76. Khan, S. (2014). Sanitation and wastewater technologies in
64. Avvannavar, M.S. and Mani, M. A. (2008). Conceptual model of
Harappa/Indus valley civilization (ca. 2600–1900 BC). Book
people's approach to sanitation. Sci. Total Environ. Vol. 390, pp. 1-
Chapter, in 'Evolution of Sanitation and Wastewater Technologies
12.
through the Centuries' (Editors: A. N. Angelakis and J. B. Rose), IWA
65. Sorcinelli, P. (1998). Storia sociale dell'acqua. Riti e Culture. Milano: Publishing Alliance House, 12 Caxton Street London SW1H 0QS,
Mondadori. UK, pp. 25-40.
66. De Feo, G. and Napoli, RMA. (2007). Historical development of the 77. Wolfe, P. (1999). History of wastewater. World of water 2000–the
Augustan Aqueduct in Southern Italy: twenty centuries of works past, present and future. Water World/Water and Wastewater
from Serino to Naples.Water Sci Technol. Vol. 7:131–8. International Supplement to Penn Well Magazines, Tulsa, OH, USA;
67. Lofrano, G. and Brown, J. (2010). Wastewater management through 1999.
the ages: A history of mankind. Science of the Total Environment, 78. Wright, R. P. (2010). The Ancient Indus: Urbanism, Economy, and
Vol. 408, pp. 5254–5264. Society. Cambridge University Press, New York, 396.
68. Maneglier, H. (1994). Storia dell'acqua. Milano: Sugar Co. 79. Fardin, H.F. Hollé, A. Gautier, E. Haury, J. (2013). Wastewater
69. Tarr, JA. (1985). Historical perspectives on hazardous wastes in the management techniques from ancient civilizations to modern

ages: Examples from South Asia. Water Sci. Technol. 13, 719–726. 89. Srinivasan, T. M.(1976). Measurement of Rainfall in Ancient India,
80. Kirk, W. (1975). The role of India in the diffusion of early cultures. The IJHS 11.2, 148-57.
Geographical Journal 141 (1), 19–34. 90. Shaw, J. and Sutcliffe, J. (2003) Water Management, Patronage
81. Mate, M. S. (1969). Building in ancient India. World Archaeology Networks and Religious Change: New evidence from the Sanchi
1(2), 236–246. dam complex and counterparts in Gujarat and Sri Lanka, South
Asian Studies, 19:1, 73-104, DOI:10.1080/02666030.2003.9628622.
82. Singh, U. (2008). History of Ancient and Early Medieval India: From
the Stone Age to 12th Century. Pearson Education/Dorling 91. Kielhorn, F. (1906). “Junagadh rock inscription of Rudradaman: the
Kindersley, New Delhi, 704 p. year 72”, Epigraphica Indica VIII, pp. 36-49.
83. Casal, J. M. (1949). Les fouilles de Virapatnam-Arikamedu. 92. Shaw, J. and Sutcliffe, J. (2001) Ancient irrigation works in the
Comptesrendus des séances de l'Académie des Inscriptions et Sanchi area: an archaeological and hydrological investigation,
Belles-Lettres, 93rd years, 2, pp. 142–147. South Asian Studies, 17:1, 55-75, DOI: 10.1080/02666030.
2001.9628592.
84. Begley, V. (1983). Arikamedu reconsidered. American Journal of
Archaeology 87 (4), 461–481. 93. Sutcliffe, J. Shaw, J. and Brown, E. (2011). Historical water resources
in South Asia: the hydrological background. Hydrological Sciences
85. Begley, V. (2004). The dating of Arikamedu and its bearing on the
Journal, 56(5): 775–88.
archaeology of early historical South India. In: South Indian
Horizons (J. L. Chevillard & E. Wilder, eds.). Institut Français de 94. Jansen M. (1985). Mohenjo-Daro, city of the Indus Valley,
Pondichéry/Ecole Française d'Extrême-Orient, Pondicherry, pp. Endeavour, New Series. Volume 9, No. 4, Pergamon Press,Printed in
513–537. Great Britain, London, UK.
86. Bharadwaj, H. C. (1997). Town planning, building and building 95. Jansen M. (1989). Water supply and sewage disposal at Mohenjo-
materials. In: History of Technology in India (A. K. Bag, ed.). Indian Daro. World Archaeolgy 21(2), 177–192.
National Science Academy, New Delhi, Vol. 1, pp. 498–523. 96. Majumdar, P.P. and Jain, S.K. (2018). Hydrology in Ancient India:
87. Nair, K.S. (2004). Role of water in the development of civilization in Some Fascinating Facets. Geophysical Research Abstracts, EGU
India—a review of ancient literature, traditional practices and General Assembly, Vol. 20, EGU2018-8690.
beliefs. The Basis of Civilization ~ Water Science? (Proceedings of 97. Nair, K.S. (2004). Role of water in the development of civilization in
the UNESCO/IAHS/IWl [a symposium held in Rome. December India-areview of ancient literature, traditional practices and beliefs,
2003). IAHS Publ. 286. The basis of Civilization-Water Science? (Proceedings of the
88. Bagchi, K.S. and Bagchi, S.S. (1991). History of Irrigation in India. UNESCO/IAHS/IWHA, symposium held in Rome December 2003),
Part I: Irrigation in Ancient India (from 2295 BC up to 11th Century). IAHS Pubi. 286.
Irrigation and Power, pp. 69-76.
128 v
ikfjHkkf"kd 'kCnkoyh
,YcsMks % dqy vkus okys fofdj.k dk og Hkkx tks varfj{k esa okil cksYMj % ryNVh pV~Vkuksa esa lcls cM+h bdkbZA vkerkSj ij feV~Vh
ijkofrZr gksrk gS] bls ijkofrZr fofdj.k ,oa vkifrr vkfn vkdkj esa 10 ls-eh ls cM+h gksrh gSaA
fofdj.k ds vuqikr ds :i esa O;Dr fd;k tkrk gSA
ugj % flapkbZ ;k varnsZ'kh; ifjogu ds fy, mi;ksx esa vkus okyk
{kkjh;rk % bl 'kCn dk iz;ksx ty esa ckbZdkcksZusV] gkbMªksDlkbM vkSj d`f=e ty ekxZA
dHkh&dHkh cksjsV] flfydsV vkSj QkWLQsV dh ek=k dks
dsf'kdkRo % vklatu vkSj lrg ruko }kjk feV~Vh ds ikuh dk feV~Vh ds
n'kkZus gsrq gksrk gSA bls ih-ih-,e- ¼Hkkx izfr fefy;u½ ;k
d.kksa ds pkjksa vksj dsf'kdk LFkkuksa esa ,d lrr fQYe ds :i
dSfY'k;e dkcksZusV ds fe-xzk-@yh- led{k esa O;Dr fd;k
esa Åij p<+ukA
tkrk gSA
[kksg % lqjax dk i;kZ;okph] gkykafd dHkh&dHkh bldk rkRi;Z cM+s
'kq"d {ks= % ,sls {ks= ;k tyok;q tgk¡ ij flapkbZ ugha gksus ds dkj.k
vkdkj dh xqQkvksa ls Hkh fy;k tkrk gSA ,d xqQk HkwiVy
Qly mRiknu gsrq i;kZIr ueh fcuk flapkbZ ds miyC/k
ij Hkwfexr [kks[kyh txg gS ftlesa lrg ls izos'k fd;k tk
ugha gksrh gSA BaMs {ks= ds fy, o"kkZ dh Åijh okf"kZd lhek
ldrk gSA
25 ls-eh- vkSj m".kdfVca/kh; {ks= ds fy, 40&50 ls-eh- gSA
tyok;q foKku % ;g ekSlefoKku dk ,d mi[kaM gS tks ,d fuf'pr vof/k
vkVhZfl;u osy % ¼ikrky&rksM+ dqvk½% vkVhZfl;u osy tyHk`r ¼,fDoQj½ dks
ds Hkhrj fdlh {ks= fo'ks"k esa ok;qeaMy dh vkSlr vFkok
Hksnus okyk dqvka gSA ,d vkVhZfl;u tyHk`r Åij rFkk
lkekU; ;k lkewfgd voLFkk ls lacaf/kr gS vFkkZr ;g
uhps ,d lhfer ijr ls <dk gksrk gS rFkk bu tyHk`rksa esa
ok;qeaMy ds lHkh izHkkoksa] eq[; :i ls rkieku] ueh] gok]
ikuh ncko esa gksrk gSA bl tyHk`r esa cksj gksus ls ikuh
ncko vkSj ok"ihdj.k ds ;ksx ¼dqy½ dk v/;;u djrk gSA
vius gh ncko ds dkj.k Åij mBrk gSA
ckny % Hkwfe lrg ds Åij dkQh ÅapkbZ ij tyok"i ds la?kuu ds
ok;qeaMy % ok;qeaMy 'kCn dk mi;ksx fdlh Hkh vkdk'kh; fiaM vkSj
dkj.k okrkoj.k esa NksVh&NksVh ikuh dh cwanksa ;k cQZ ds
fo'ks"k :i ls i`Foh ds xSlh; vkoj.k dks lanfHkZr djus ds
fØLVy ls cuk iqatA
fy, fd;k tkrk gSA
la?kuu % ok"i ls rjy voLFkk esa ifjorZu dh HkkSfrd izfØ;kA

laogu % okrkoj.k ds Hkhrj ¼;k xSl ;k rjy inkFkZ ds Hkhrj½ m"ek i;kZoj.k % fdlh tho ;k leqnk; ds vfLrRo ;k fodkl dks izHkkfor
gLrkarj.k dh ,d izfØ;k] ftlesa ekè;e dh xfr 'kkfey djus okyh lHkh ckgjh fLFkfr;ksa dk ;ksxA
gksrh gSA
dVko % Hkwfe dh lrg dk f?kluk ;k vyx gksuk rFkk cgrs ikuh]
MsYl % [kqyh unh ?kkfV;k¡A gok] cQZ] xq#Rokd"kZ.k vkfn }kjk feV~Vh] pêku vkfn dk
lapyu A
MsYVk % unh ds eqgkus ij unh }kjk yk;s x;s ryNV dk yxHkx
f=dks.kh; {ks= tks ikuh ds ?kVrs osx ls tek gksrk gSA ok"ihdj.k % og izfØ;k ftlds }kjk DoFkukad ls uhps Å"ek ÅtkZ ds
ryNV eq[; :i ls jsr] feV~Vh] [kkjs ikuh ds thoksa ds gLrkarj.k ds ekè;e ls ikuh rjy voLFkk ls xSlh; voLFkk
vo'ks"k] tehu ls cg dj vk, ikS/ksa ,oa i'kqvksa ds vo'ks"kksa ls esa cny tkrk gSA A
fufeZr gksrk gSA MsYVk dk fuekZ.k fupyh rV js[kkvksa ij
ok"iksRltZu % ,d fuf'pr le; vof/k esa fdlh fn, x, {ks= ls feV~Vh ls
gksrk gSA
ok"ihdj.k }kjk vkSj ouLifr ls mRltZu }kjk ueh dh
e#LFky % yxHkx catj Hkwfe ftlesa xeZ ;k BaMh tyok;q gksrh gS] la;qDr gkfuA
ftlds ifj.kkeLo:i fojy ouLifr gksrh gSA jsfxLrku esa
ck<+ % ikuh dk og izokg ftlds dkj.k og Hkwfe tgka ij vkerkSj
[kjkc ?kkl&Hkwfe ;k >kM+ gks ldrs gSaA
ij ikuh tek ugha gksrk gS tyeXu gks tkrh gS] ;k igys ls
lw[kk % fdlh LFkku ij o"kkZ dh yacs le; rd tkjh vkSj bruh gh vkaf'kd :i ls tyeXu Hkwfe ij unh] >hy ;k leqæ ds
vf/kd deh ftlls ikS/ks vkSj i'kq thou dks uqdlku igq¡ps tyLrj esa o`f) ds dkj.k vLFkk;h o`f) gks tkrh gSA
rFkk ?kjsyw mís';ksa vkSj fctyh la;a=ksa ds lapkyu ds fy,
ck<+ dk eSnku % unh ds fdukjs dh fupyh Hkwfe tgk¡ le;≤ ij ck<+
ikuh dh vkiwfrZ esa deh vk;sA fo'ks"k :i ls mu {ks=ksa esa
vkrh jgrh gSA ;g pêku ds ry ds Åij ck<+ ds ikuh }kjk
tgka vkerkSj ij o"kkZ ,sls mís';ksa ds fy, i;kZIr gksrh gSA
ifjorZuh; eksVkbZ ds ryNV ¼tyks<+½ ds teko ls curk gS
nqfu;k ds fofHkUu fgLlksa esa bl 'kCn ds vyx&vyx
vkSj NksVh rVorhZ [kM+h <kyksa ls f?kjk jgrk gSA
vk'k; gSa tSls ckyh esa fcuk o"kkZ ds 6 fnuksa dh vof/k dks
lw[kk dgk tkrk gSA la;qDr jkT; vesfjdk esa 21 fnuksa ;k dksgjk % rSjrh /kwy ;k /kq,a ds d.kksa ds ukfHkd ds pkjksa vksj ty ok"i
mlls vf/kd dh vof/k esa tc o"kkZ le; vkSj LFkku ds ds la?kuu ds ifj.kkeLo:i ok;qeaMy dh fupyh ijrksa esa
vkSlr ls 30% ;k mlls de gksrh gS] dks lw[ks ds :i esa fuyafcr ikuh dh cwansaA ,d fd-eh- ls de dh n`';rk dksgjs
ifjHkkf"kr fd;k tkrk gSA yhfc;k ds dqN fgLlksa esa] fcuk dh varjjk"Vªh; Lrj ij ekU;rk izkIr ifjHkk"kk gSA
o"kkZ ds nks lky ckn gh lw[ks dh igpku dh tkrh gSA fÝftM tksu % vkdZfVd&vaVkdZfVd izdkj dh tyok;q ;k mu {ks=ksa tgka
ikfjfLFkfrdh % foKku tks thoksa vkSj muds i;kZoj.k ds varlaZca/kksa ls dh lrg o"kZ ds ,d cM+s fgLls ds fy, cQZ ls <dh gksrh gSa
lacaf/kr gSA vkSj tgka dh mi&feV~Vh LFkk;h :i ls teh gksrh gS] ds
130 v
fy, ,d lkekU; 'kCn A fudk;ksa esa okil vk tkrk gSA ;g ty Hkwfe ls cgdj
ufn;ksa] >hyksa vkSj egklkxjksa esa izokfgr gks ldrk gS ;k
ikyk % ekSle dh og fLFkfr tc gok dk rkieku 00C ;k mlls
Hkwty ds :i esa tehu ds uhps tk ldrk gSA ty&pØ ds
de gksrk gSA tehu dh lrg vkSj oLrqvksa ij ueh te
mijksDr igyqvksa ds chp ikuh fujarj xfreku jgrk gSA
tkrh gS vkSj ,d cQhZys fu{ksi dk fuekZ.k djrh gSA
tyfoKku % i`Foh ij ty dk vè;;uA blesa blds jklk;fud vkSj
Hk&
w vkdf`r foKku% i`Foh dh lrg ij Hkwfe :iksa dh mRifRr vkSj fodkl dk
HkkSfrd xq.k] mifLFkfr] forj.k ,oa lrg ij rFkk tehu dh
vè;;u vkSj O;k[;kA
lrg ds uhps ifjlapj.k 'kkfey gS A
fgeun % cQZ dk ,d nzO;eku tks xq#Rokd"kZ.k ds izHkko esa vius lzksr
var%L;anu % feêh esa ikuh dk fjlukA fdlh nh xbZ fLFkfr esa feêh }kjk
{ks=k ls nwj ,d lhfer ekxZ ds lkFk pyrk gSA ;g cQZ ds
o"kkZ dks ftl vf/kdre nj ij vo'kksf"kr fd;k tk ldrk
lap; vkSj la?kuu ls curk gS] tks igys QuZ vkSj var esa
gS] mls var%L;anu {kerk ds :i esa tkuk tkrk gSA
fgeun cQZ ds :i esa cny tkrk gSA
lw;kZri % lw;Z ls i`Foh dh lrg rd igqapus okyh fofdj.k ÅtkZA
ctjh % 2 ls 60 fe-eh- rd ds vkdkj esa vlaxfBr lkexzh dk
HkaMkjA d.k vkerkSj ij ikuh ls f?kls gq, gksrs gSa vkSj vojks/ku % ikS/kksa dh ifÙk;ksa] 'kk[kkvksa vkSj ruksa }kjk o"kkZ dh cwanksa dks
blfy, xksy gksrs gSa] vkSj ,d ls vf/kd izdkj dh pêkuksa ls FkkeukA ouLifr vkoj.k }kjk o"kkZ dk vojks/ku o"kkZ ds
izkIr gksrs gSaA dqN Hkkx dks Hkwfe rd igq¡pus ls jksdrk gSA
Hkwty % ikuh tks feV~Vh vkSj varfuZfgr pêku esa fufgr gSA Hkwty vk;u eaMy % i`Foh ds ok;qeaMy ds lerki eaMy ls Åij dk Hkkx] tks
o"kkZ ds uhps fjl x;s ikuh ls izkIr gksrk gS ;k ml ikuh ls yxHkx 60 fd-eh- dh Å¡pkbZ ls Åij dh vksj QSyk gksrk
tks pêkuksa ds xBu ds nkSjku pêkuksa ds Hkhrj Qal x;k gksA gSA
vknZzrk % ok;qeaMy esa ekStwn tyok"i dh ek=kA esUMj % unh pSuy dk ,d Li"V oØ ;k ywiA
rwQku % og gok ftldk osx 32-7 ehVj izfr lsdaM ls vf/kd gksA ekSle foKku % ok;qeaMy vkSj mlds Hkhrj dke djus okyh HkkSfrd
;g dSjsfc;u lkxj vkSj eSfDldks dh [kkM+h ds vklikl izfØ;k,a ftlesa gok] rkieku] ckny] ncko vkfn dk
gksus okyk m".kdfVca/kh; pØokr gSA oSKkfud vè;;u fd;k tkrk gSA
tyfoKku pØ % ok;qeaMy] Hkwfe vkSj leqnz ds chp ikuh dh pØh; xfrA /kqa/k % fupys okrkoj.k vFkkZr ok;qeaMy dh fupyh ijrksa ds Hkhrj
ty ok"iksRltZu ds ekè;e ls tyok"i ds :i esa ok;qeaMy n`';rk dh 1&12 fd-eh- rd dh deh tks ikuh dh cwanksa ds
esa tkrk gSA ok;qeaMy ds Hkhrj la?kuu ds ckn cknyksa dk la?kuu ds dkj.k mRiUu gksrh gSA
fuekZ.k djrk gS vkSj ;g o"kkZ ds :i esa Hkwfe vkSj vius ty
ekulwu % m".kdfVca/kh; {ks=ksa esa gokvksa ds ncko vkSj o"kkZ dk cM+s

iSekus ij ekSleh ifjorZuA nqfu;k esa lcls cM+k vkSj lcls HkaMkj.k gsrq vkerkSj ij ,d unh ?kkVh esa cka/k cukdj
vPNk fodflr ekulwuh {ks= nf{k.k&iwoZ ,f'k;k gSA cuk;k x;k {ks=A
ckjgeklh unh % o"kZ Hkj cgus okyh ufn;ksa dks ckjgeklh ufn;k¡ dgk tkrk fjYl % mFkys vYidkfyd pSuyksa }kjk feêh dh lrg dk {kj.kA
gSA bu NksVs pSuyksa dks fjYl~ dgk tkrk gSA
ifoZ;l LVªsVk % ikjxE; ijr ftlesa pêkuksa esa tksM+ksa] csM Iysu] njkjsa vkSj yo.kh; feêh % varjk{ks=h; feêh dk ,d lewg ftlesa lkekU; ued tSls
njkjksa ds ekè;e ls ikuh Lora= :i ls xqtj ldrk gSA yo.kksa dh mPp lkanzrk gksrh gSA ;s izk;% v/kZ&'kq"d vkSj
'kq"d {ks=ksa esa ikbZ tkrh gS tgka ok"ihdj.k vf/kd gksrk gSA
fQft;ksxzkQh % fdlh {ks= ds lrgh :iksa dk vè;;uA Hkw&vkd`fr foKku
lfgr laiw.kZ HkkSfrd Hkwxksy dks doj djus ls o"kksaZ esa bl v/kZ 'kq"d % jsfxLrku vkSj m".kdfVca/kh; ?kkl ds eSnkuksa dh tyok;q ds
'kCn us viuk vFkZ cny fn;k gSA chp ds {ks=A ;gk¡ vkSlr okf"kZd o"kkZ 100 fe-eh- ls 300 fe-
eh- ds chp gksrh gSA
iBkjh % vis{kkd`r lery Hkwfe dk ,d foLr`r Åapk {ks=A i`Foh dh
iiM+h dk O;kid lapyu ÅèokZ/kj vfu;ferrk dk ifj.kke Lyqbl % mPp osx ls vf/k'ks"k ikuh ;k eycs dks fudkyus ds fy,
gks ldrk gS] ftlds dkj.k Hkza'kksa }kjk foHkkftr iBkjksa vkSj pSuy ;k ukyhA
?kkfV;ksa dk fuekZ.k gksrk gSA
fge % o"kkZ dk ,d :i ftlesa cQZ ds fØLVy gksrs gSaA ;g rc
fNnz LFkku % pêku ds [kfut vukt] feêh ;k ryNV ds chp dh txgA gksrh gS tc fgekad ls uhps ds rkieku ij la?kuu gksrk gSA
o"kkZ % ikuh ;k cQZ ds d.k tks cknyksa ds Hkhrj curs gSa vkSj i`Foh fLiyos % feêh ;k pêku esa dkVk gqvk [kqyk ;k can ekxZA tc ,d
dh lrg dh vksj fxjrs gSaA cka/k Hkj tkrk gS] rks dksbZ Hkh vkus okyk ty izokg lajpuk
dks fcuk fdlh uqdlku ds fLiyos ds Åij ls ;k mlds
o"kkZekih % o"kkZ ekius ds fy, cuk;k x;k ,d midj.kA vius
ekè;e ls cg tkrk gSA
ljyre :i esa blesa ,d Quy gksrk gS ftls ,d laxzg
ik= esa yxk;k tkrk gSA ,d fuf'pr le; vof/k esa ik= esa lerki eaMy % ok;qeaMy dh og ijr tks yxHkx 8 fd-eh- dh vkSlr
,d= dh xbZ o"kkZ dks fo'ks"k :i va'kkafdr ekius okys ÅapkbZ ij fLFkr {kksHk&lhek vkSj yxHkx 50 fd-eh- ij
flysaMj }kjk ekik tkrk gS] vf/kdka'kr% ekSle foKku dsUnzksa fLFkr lerki eaMy ds chp esa fLFkr gksrh gSA
esa izfrfnu nks ckj o"kkZ dk ekiu gksrk gSA
le'khrks".k {ks= % rkieku ds vk/kkj ij m".k vkSj BaMs {ks=ksa ds chp nqfu;k dk
o`f"VNk;k {ks= % igkfM+;ksa ;k ioZr Jà[kykvksa ds {ks= esa de o"kkZ dk {ks=A foHkktu] le'khrks".k {ks= ,d ,slk {ks= gS tgka rkieku dk
dksbZ pje ugha gSA
fjtokZ;j % flapkbZ] vkS|ksfxd mi;ksx] ty vkiwfrZ] ty fo|qr~ ;k
euksjatu tSls ,d ;k vf/kd mís';ksa ds fy, ikuh ds nhed Vhyk % feêh ;k ikS/ks ds eycs ls cuk ?kksalyk] ftlesa nhedksa dh
132 v
,d dkWyksuh ¼m".kdfVca/kh; izdkj dh phaVh½ jgrh gSA lzksrksa ls ikuh mBkus ds fy, dksbZ Hkh ra= ¼vkerkSj ij yhoj
fl)kar½A
LFkykd`fr % Hkwfe ;k leqæ ry ds {ks= dh lrgh fo'ks"krk,a ¼vFkkZr Hkwfe
:i½A ikuh dk fjluk % ikuh tehu ls ckgj fjluk vkSj fcuk cks/kxE; izokg ds mls
xhyk djukA
coaMj % ,d rhoz :i ls ?kweus okyk rwQku ftlesa ok;q vR;f/kd
de ncko ds ,d NksVs ls {ks= esa ?kwerh gSA ty Lrj % larÌr pêkuksa ds {ks= dh Åijh lrg ;kuh pêkusa ftuesa
lHkh fjä LFkku ikuh ls Hkjs gksrs gSaA
VksfjZM % rkieku ds vk/kkj ij nqfu;k ds rhu Hkkxksa esa ls ,dA ;g
dfVca/kksa ds chp fLFkr {ks= gSA ty mipkj % ty ds nwf"kr lzksr ls ihus ;ksX; ikuh izkIr djus ds fy,
iz;ksx dh tkus okyh dksbZ Hkh fof/kA
{kksHk eaMy % i`Foh ds ok;qeaMy dh lcls fupyh ijrA
ty xzg.k % ty e`nk dh dsf'kdkvksa vkSj ikS/kksa dh tM+ iz.kkyh ds ekè;e
efyurk % fuyafcr ryNV ds ifj.kke Lo:i ikuh dk eSykiuA
ls Åij dh vksj p<+rk gSA ikS/kksa }kjk ty dk mi;ksx ty
iz{kkse % rjy inkFkZ ¼tSls ikuh] gok½ dk ,d vfu;fer v'kkar xzg.k dgykrk gSA
izokg A
ty f'kjk,¡ % Hkwfexr lajpuk,¡ ftuls gksdj ty e`nk esa izokfgr gksrk
ty&izikr % unh ds pSuy dk ,d [kM+h pêku tSlk [kaM] ftlls ikuh gSA ;s feêh ds lw{eh fNnzksa ds varlaZca/kksa }kjk fufeZr ekxZ gSaA
uhps yacor fxjrk gSA izkphu Hkkjrh; lkfgR; esa bUgsa ekuo 'kjhj esa f'kjkvksa ds
okVj fy¶V % mi;ksxh mís';ksa ds fy, ikuh izkIr djus gsrq ikuh ds fupys ln`'k crk;k x;k gSA

GLOSSARY OF TERMS
Albedo: : The portion of the total incoming radiation that is navigation.

reflected back to space expressed as a ratio of the Capillarity : The rise of soil water by adhesion and surface
reflected to incoming radiation. Tension forces as a continous film around soil
Alkalinity : A term used to represent the content of carbonates, particles and in the capillary spaces.
biocarbonates, hydroxides and occasionally borates, Caverns : Synonymous with cave, though sometimes it
silicates and phosphates in water expressed in ppm implies a cave of large dimensions. A cave is the
(part per million) or mg/lit of equivalent calcium under ground hollow space in the earth's crust
carbonate. which may be entered from the surface.
Arid Zone : Region or climate lacking sufficient moisture for Climatology : It is a subdivision of meteorology which deals with
crop production without irrigation; upper annual the average or normal or collective state of the
limit of precipitation for cool region is 25 cm and for atmosphere over a given area within a specified
tropical region is 40-50 cm. period of time i.e. it studies the sum(total) of all
Artesian well : A well penetrating an artesian aquifer. An artesian atomospheric infiuences. Principally temperature,
aquifer is overlain and underlain by a confining layer moisture, wind, pressure and evaporation.
so that water in these aquifers occurs under Cloud : A mass of small water drops or ice crystais formed in
pressure. Boring in this aquifer causes the water to the atmosphere due to condensation of water
rise due to its own pressure. vapour at great height above the land.
Atmosphere : The word atmosphere is taken to refer to the Condensation : The physical process of transformation from the
gaseous envelop of any heavenly body, and vapour to the liqid state.
especially that of the earth.
Convection : A process of heat transfer within the atmosphere (or
Boulder : Largest unit in sedimentary rocks. Soils etc. usually within a gas or fluid), which involves the movement
bigger than 10 cm in size. of the medium itself.
Canal : Artificial water course used for irrigation or inland Dales : Open river valleys.
134 v
Delta : Roughly triangular area of river-transported Evaporation : The process by which the water is changed from the
sediment at the river mouth deposited by liquid state to a gaseous state below the boiling
decreasing velocity of water. The sediment is point through the transfer of heat energy.
constituted mainly of sand, clay, remains of brackish Evapotranspiration : Combined loss of moisture from soil by evaporation
water organisms, debris of plants and animals and from vegetation by transpiration from a given
washed from land. Delta is formed on low lying area in a specified time period.
coastlines.
Flood : The flow of water which causes submergence of
Desert : Almost barren land having arid hot or cool climate, land not usually covered with water, or an increase
resulting in sparse vegetation. A desert may have a in the depth of water on land already partially
poor grass-land or scrub. submerged, through a temporary rise in river lake or
Drought : Lack of rainfall so great and long continued as to sea levels.
affect injuriously the plant and animal life of a place Flood Plain : The low–lying land that bordrs a river and is
and to deplete water supplies both for domestic subjected to periodic flooding. It is camposed of
purposes and for the operation of power plants. deposits of sediment (alluvium) of variable
Especially in those regions where rainfall is thickness laid down by the flood waters above the
generally sufficient for such purposes. The term has rock floor and is bounded by low bluffs.
different can notations in various parts of world e.g.
Fog : Droplets of water suspended in the lower layers of
In bali a period of 6 days without rain is drought. In
the atmosphere resulting from the condensation of
USA a drought is defined as a period of 21 days or
water vapour around nuclei of floating dust or
more when the rainfall is 30% or less of the average
smoke particles. A visibility of less than 1 Km is the
for the time and place. In parts of Libya, droughts
internationally recognized definition of fog.
are recognized only after two years without rain.
Frigid Zone : A general term for Arctic- Antarctic type climates or
Ecology : Science which deals with interrelations of
for areas where the surface is snow covered for a
organisms and their environment.
large part of the year and where the sub soil is
Environment : Sum total of all external conditions influencing the permanently frozen.
existence or development of an organism or a
Frost : A weather condition that occurs when the air
community.
temperature is at or below 00C. Moisture on the
Erosion : Wearing away of land surfaces or detachment and surface of the ground and objects freezes to form an
movement of soil, rock etc. by flowing water, wind, icy deposit.
ice, gravity etc.
Geomorphology : The study and interpretation of the origins and

development of land forms on the earth's surface. chemical and physical properties, ocourrence,
Glacier : A mass of ice that moves under the influence of distribution, and circulation on the surface and
gravity along a confined course away from its source below the ground surface.
area. It is formed by the accumulation and Infiltration : The seepage of water into the soil. The maximum
compaction of snow. which is transformed to firn rate at which rainfall can be absorbed by a soil in a
and ultimately to glacier ice. given condition is known as infiltration capacity.
Gravel : A deposit of unconsolidated material ranging in size Insolation : The radiant energy that reaches the surface of the
from 2 to 60mm. The particles are usually water earth from the sun.
worn and hence rounded, and are derived from Interception : The capture of drops of rain by the leaves, branches,
more than one type of rock. and stems of plants. The interception of the rainfall
Ground Water : Water that is contained in the soil and underlying by the vegetation cover prevents some of its from
rock. Ground Water may be derived from rain water reaching the ground.
that has percolated down or from water that was Ionosphere : The part of earth's atmosphere extending upwards
trapped within the rock during its formation. above the stratopause from an altitude of about
Humidity : The amount of water vapour present in the 60 km.
atmosphere. Meander : A pronounced curve or loop in the course of a river
Hurricane : A wind that has a velocity in excess of 32.7 m per channel.
second. It is tropical cyclone occurring around the Meteorology : The scientific study of the atmosphere and the
Caribbean Sea and Gulf of Mexico. physical processes at work within it including
Hydrologic Cycle : The cyclic movement of water between the pressure wind, temperature, clouds, pressure etc.
atmosphere, the land and the sea. Water is released Mist : A reduction of visibility within the lower
into the atmosphere as water vapour through atmosphere to 1-12 km caused by condensation
evapotranspiration. After condensation within the producing water droplets within i.e lower layers of
atmosphere to form clouds it returnes to the land the atmosphere.
and to its water bodies as precipitation. This water
Monsoon : A large-scale seasonal reversal of winds pressure
may runoff the land in rivers streams into lakes and
and rainfall in the tropics. The largest and best
the oceans or move under ground as ground water.
developed monsoonal area in the world is South
Water keeps on moving continuously among above
East-Asia.
facets of hydrological cycle.
Perennial river : Rivers flowing throughout the year are called
Hydrology : The study of water on the earth. Including its
136 v
perennial rivers. Rills : Erosion of the soil surface by shallow short-lived
Pervious Strata : A rock system through which water can pass freely channels. These small channels are called rills.
as a result of joints, bedding planes, cracks and Saline soil : A group of intra zonal soils that contain high
fissures in the rock. concentrations of salts such as common salt. They
Physiography : The study of the surface forms of a region. The word often occur in semiarid and arid areas where here is
has changed its meaning over the years from strong evaporation.
covering the whole of physical geography including Semi Arid : The climate of the areas between desert and
geomorphology. tropical grassland. The mean annual rainfall ranges
Plateous : An extensive elevated area of relatively flat land. between 100 mm to 300 mm.
Widespread movements of the earth's crust may Sluice : Channel or conduit to drain off surplus water at high
result in vertical warping, which produces plateaus velocity or for passing debris. Also, to allow a water
and rift valleys divided by faults. flow at high velocity for ejecting debris.
Pore space : The amount of space between the mineral grains of Snow : A form of precipitation consisting of crystals of ice. It
rock, soil or sediment. is produced when condenstation takes place at a
Precipitation : The particlesof water or ice that form within clouds temperature below freezing point.
and fall towards the earth's surface. Spillway : An open or closed passage cut in soil or rock. When a
Rain gauge : An instrument designed to measure rainfall. In its dam is full, any further incoming water flows over or
simplest form it consists of a funnel fitted into through the spillway without any damage to the
acollecting vessel. Any rain collected in the vessel structure.
over a set period of time is measured in aspecially Stratosphere : The layer of the atmosphere that lies between the
graduated measuring cylinder, an exercise that tropopause, at an average altitude of about 8 km,
occurs twice daily at most meteorological and the stratopause, at about 50 km.
stations. Temperate Region : The division of the world based on temperature
Rain Shadow : An area of low rainfall in the lee of hills or mountain lying between the torrid and frigid zones, and
ranges. meaning an area where there are no extremes of
Reservoir : A storage area for water usually a river valley that temperature.
has been dammed to retain water for one or more Termite mound : The nest made from mud or plant debris, that,
purposes, such as irrigation, industrial use, water houses a colony of termites (Tropical type of ant),
supply, hydro-electric power or recreation. Topography : The surface features (i.e. land forms) of an area of

land or sea bed. Water oozing : Water seeping out of the ground and wetting it
Tornado : A violently rotating storm in which winds whirl without perceptible flow.
around a small area of extremely low pressure. Water Table : The upper surface of the zone of saturated rocks i.e.
Torrid : One of the three divisions of the world based on rocks in which all voids are filled with water.
temperature. It is the zone lying between the Water Treatment : Any method used to obtain potable water from a
tropics. contaminated source of water.
Troposphere : The lowest layer of the earth's atmosphere. Water uptake : Water ascends upward through the capillarity of soil
Turbudity : The muddiness of water resulting from suspended and root system of plants. The utilization of water by
sediment. plants is termed as water uptake.
Turbulence : An irregular disturbed flow of fluid e.g. water, air). Water Veins : The underground structures through which the
water moves through the soil. These are passages
Water falls : A steep cliff like section of a river channel down
formed by the interconnections of pore spaces of
which water falls vertically.
soil. In ancient Indian literature these have been
Water lift : Any mechanism (generally lever principle) to raise said to be resembling the veins in the human body.
the water from a source of lower datum to obtain
water for useful purposes.
138 v
izFke laLdj.k dk v/;;u ny
lrh'k panz % funs'kd
Vh- ,e- f=kikBh % oSKkfud&ch
oh-ds- JhokLro % izys[ku deZpkjh
f}rh; laLdj.k ds laikndx.k (fgUnh)
'kjn dqekj tSu % funs'kd
,- ds - yksguh % oSKkfud&th
,l-Mh- [kksczkxM+s % oSKkfud&,Q
euksgj vjksM+k % oSKkfud&Mh
ih-ds- flag % oSKkfud&Mh
eq- Qqjdku mYykg % lgk;d iqLr- ,oa lwpuk vf/kdkjh
iznhi dqekj mfu;ky % ofj"B vuqoknd
pk# ik.Ms; % iqLrdky; ,oa lwpuk lgk;d
ujs'k dqekj % fjlkslZ ijlu
r`rh; laLdj.k ds laikndx.k
t;ohj R;kxh % iwoZ funs'kd
,- ds- yksguh % oSKkfud&th
euksgj vjksM+k % oSKkfud&,Q
lkscu flag jkor % oSKkfud&bZ
ih-ds- flag % oSKkfud&Mh
euh"k dqekj usek % oSKkfud&Mh
nhid flag fc"V % oSKkfud&ch
iznhi dqekj mfu;ky % ofj"B vuqokn vf/kdkjh
fryd jkt lijk % ofj"B 'kks/k lgk;d
jke dqekj % oS;fDrd lgk;d
iou dqekj % oS;fDrd lgk;d
pk: ik.Ms; % lgk- iqLr- ,oa lwpuk vf/kdkjh
ujs'k dqekj % iwoZ oSKkfud&ch
o:.k xks;y % o- fjlkslZ ijlu

STUDY TEAM FOR FIRST EDITION
Satish Chandra : Director
T. M. Tripathi : Scientist-B
V. K. Srivastava : Documentation staff
EDITORS OF SECOND EDITION (ENGLISH)

Sharad Kumar Jain : Director
A. K. Lohani : Scientist-G
S. D. Khobragade : Scientist-F
P. K. Singh : Scientist-D
Md. Furqan Ullah : A. L. I. O.
Charu Pandey : L. I. A.
EDITORS OF THIRD EDITION
J. V. Tyagi : Former Director
A. K. Lohani : Scientist-G
Manohar Arora : Scientist-F
Soban Singh Rawat : Scientist-E
P. K. Singh : Scientist-D
Manish Kumar Nema : Scientist-D
Deepak Singh Bisht : Scientist-B
Pradeep Kumar Uniyal : Senior Translation Officer
T. R. Sapra : S.R.A.
Ram Kumar : P. A.
Pawan Kumar : P.A.
Charu Mishra : A. L. I. O.
Naresh Kumar : Retd. Scientist-B
Varun Goyal : Sr. Resource Person
140 v





 
 
01332-272106
jk"Vªh; tyfoKku laLFkku director.nihr@gov.in
NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF HYDROLOGY nih_hydrlogy
tyfoKku Hkou] :M+dh - 247 667 @NIH_Hydrology
Jal Vigyan Bhawan, Roorkee - 247 667 National Institute of Hydrology (NIH)

प्राचीन भारत में जलविज्ञानीय ज्ञान (संम्पूर्ण पुस्तक)

Uploaded by

Document Information

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

प्राचीन भारत में जलविज्ञानीय ज्ञान (संम्पूर्ण पुस्तक)

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

çkphu Hkkjr esa tyfoKkuh; Kku

HYDROLOGICAL KNOWLEDGE IN ANCIENT INDIA

jk"Vªh; tyfoKku laLFkku] :M+dh

r`rh; laLdj.k / Third Edition

jk"Vªh; tyfoKku laLFkku

tyfoKku Hkou] :M+dh-247 667

vkSj fujis{k gksa rFkk eq> ij ijksidkj djsaA

uekfe xaxs ro ikniadta lqjklqjSoZfUnrfnO;:ike~A

xaxs p ;equs pSo xksnkofj ljLofrA

Of ice : 210, Shram Shakti Bhawan, Ra i Marg, New Delhi-110 001

Hydrological Knowledge in Ancient India v iii

(Gajendra Singh Shekhawat)

Of ice : 210, Shram Shakti Bhawan, Ra i Marg, New Delhi-110 001

Hydrological Knowledge in Ancient India v v

Hydrological Knowledge in Ancient India v vii

Hydrological Knowledge in Ancient India v ix

BP Bhava Prakash (1600 AD) R.V. Rig Veda (3000 BC or before)

Padma Padma Purana (600 BC-400 AD)

Hydrological Knowledge in Ancient India v xi

Hydrological Knowledge in Ancient India v xiii

Hydrological Knowledge in Ancient India v 1

Hydrological Knowledge in Ancient India v 3

Hydrological Knowledge in Ancient India v 5

Hkkjrh; ijEijkvksa esa ty dk egÙo

Hydrological Knowledge in Ancient India v 7

Some selected shlokas (prayers) invoking water as God

Hydrological Knowledge in Ancient India v 9

Hydrological Knowledge in Ancient India v 11

Hydrological Knowledge in Ancient India v 13

tyfoKkuh; pØ] tyfoKku dh ,d ekSfyd vkSj egÙoiw.kZ

egklkxj lfEefyr gSaA ty] i`Foh iz.kkyh ds bu ikap {ks=ksa

Hydrologic Cycle is a fundamental and important concept

earth system, in one or more of the three phases: solid

Hydrological Knowledge in Ancient India v 15

Hydrological Knowledge in Ancient India v 17

vkjS viku ok;q ogk¡ ls ty dks iF`oh ij cjlkrk g]S

Hydrological Knowledge in Ancient India v 19

Hydrological Knowledge in Ancient India v 21

Hydrological Knowledge in Ancient India v 23

ogfUr o"kZfUr unfUr HkkfUr

funzk 'kuS% ds'koe~ vH;qiSfr

Hydrological Knowledge in Ancient India v 25

Hydrological Knowledge in Ancient India v 27

foHkDrkfl fp=Hkkuks flU/kks:ekZ vikd vkA

l/kks nk”kq"ks {kjflAA R.V., I, 27.6 AA

una u fHkUUeeq;k “k;kua euks :gk.kk vfr ;UR;ki%A

;kf”pn~o`=ks efguk iTT;fr"BRrklkefg% iRlqr% “khcZHkwoAA R.V., I,32.8 AA

Hydrological Knowledge in Ancient India v 29

Hydrological Knowledge in Ancient India v 31

Hydrological Knowledge in Ancient India v 33

Hydrological Knowledge in Ancient India v 35

Hydrological Knowledge in Ancient India v 37

Hydrological Knowledge in Ancient India v 39

Hydrological Knowledge in Ancient India v 41

Hydrological Knowledge in Ancient India v 43

Hydrological Knowledge in Ancient India v 45

Hydrological Knowledge in Ancient India v 47

Hydrological Knowledge in Ancient India v 49

Hydrological Knowledge in Ancient India v 51

Hydrological Knowledge in Ancient India v 53

Hydrological Knowledge in Ancient India v 55

o`f"V ds ty dk ekiu djuk pkfg,] ty ls iw.kZ bl dq.M esa ipkl iy ¼,d

Hydrological Knowledge in Ancient India v 57

Hydrological Knowledge in Ancient India v 59