Sarasvati Ki God Me Basi Maru Sanskruti

Here is a comprehensive summary in English of the provided Jain text, "Sarasvati ki God me Basi Maru Sanskruti" by Janki N Shrimali:

The book, "Sarasvati ki God me Basi Maru Sanskruti" (Culture of the desert settled in the lap of Sarasvati), authored by Janki N Shrimali, explores the profound historical and cultural connections between the ancient Sarasvati River and the desert regions of Rajasthan, particularly the Bikaner area.

The Majestic Sarasvati River:

The text begins by establishing the Sarasvati River as a central figure in ancient Indian civilization, especially during the Vedic period. It is described as the most beloved and praised river in the Rigveda, referred to with epithets like "Ambitame" (mother of rivers), "Nadiytame" (best of rivers), and "Sindhumatah" (mother of Sindhu/rivers). Sarasvati is personified as a goddess, the presiding deity of 32 mantras, and is depicted as a protector, a destroyer of enemies, and a provider of divine and earthly sustenance, capable of bringing rain through yajna (sacrifice). It was believed to be a river of abundance, with plentiful milk, ghee, and cattle. The river is also mentioned as having seven sister rivers ("sapta-svasa") and its waters were said to carry gems. The inhabitants of its banks lived in amity, and the region was known for its purity ("nadinaṁ shuchiḥ"). Seven types of metals were found in its flow path. The text quotes a Rigvedic verse praising Sarasvati as the best mother, best river, and best goddess, requesting her blessing.

The Lost Sarasvati and the Aryan Migration:

The book highlights that this great river eventually disappeared. The last mention of its journey is in the Mahabharata by Baldev ji, elder brother of Lord Krishna. While the Ganga, Yamuna, and Sarasvati are still revered in public consciousness, the Sarasvati itself is lost. The Aryan settlements were situated on the banks of the Sarasvati, where the Vedas were conceived. The loss of the Sarasvati was seen as a reason why Indian beliefs were not globally accepted, leading to the prominence of Western scholars' theories about Aryan invasion. To locate the physical remnants of the Vedic Sarasvati, organizations like the Baba Saheb Apte Smarak Samiti, Nagpur, and the Vaidik Sarasvati Nadi Shodh Prakalp, New Delhi, have undertaken research.

The Sarasvati's Origin and Course:

The origin of the Sarasvati is attributed to the Shivalik mountain ranges in the Himalayas. From the Sirmaur region of the Ambala district, four small rivers emerge: Sarasvati (also called Surasti), Markanda, Dangri, and Ghagghar. The Ghagghar, Haryana's largest rain-fed river, originates in the Shivalik and merges with the Sarasvati at a place called Rasula. Further downstream, its flow is known as Hakra and Nara. Although currently dry, its dry riverbed is clearly visible across the region. The text notes that the Ghagghar is still a rain-fed river. The confluence of the Sarasvati and the Ghagghar (Hadasvati) is considered to be the location of Kalibangan, the capital of King Sudas, victor of the Dasharajna War, and also the capital of Lord Rishabhdev. This area, historically known as Chitrangal and later Lakhha Jungle, was the playground of the Sarasvati.

Archaeological Evidence and the Bikaner Region:

Extensive archaeological excavations have been conducted along the Sarasvati's course, revealing human civilization dating back 40,000 to 20,000 years. Significant sites like Harappa (on the Ravi) and Mohenjo-daro (on the Indus) are mentioned, but the focus shifts to Kalibangan (District Hanumangarh), situated between the Sarasvati and Hadasvati rivers, which is considered unparalleled. The Bikaner division of Rajasthan is identified as the heartland of the Sarasvati civilization, with its present inhabitants claiming to be the true successors of this ancient culture.

The Decline of the Sarasvati and its Legacy:

Scholars believe that the upliftment of the Himalayas disrupted the Sarasvati's lifeline, leading to a decline in its water flow in the post-Mahabharata period. By the Puranic era, it had transformed into a smaller, revered river. Eventually, it receded into the pages of history. The book emphasizes the enduring cultural practices that have persisted in the region, from agricultural tools and domesticated animals to pottery, metallurgy, and sculpture, all showing continuity from the Kalibangan period (estimated 4400 years ago). Vedic philosophy and contemporary social customs still hold sway.

Modern Research and Desert Greening:

Satellite imagery studies by ISRO (Indian Space Research Organisation), particularly from their Jodhpur center, have been instrumental in tracing the ancient course of the subterranean Sarasvati. These findings have provided new directions for solving the water problems of western Rajasthan. The maps published by ISRO suggest the possibility of establishing 1 million tube wells along the identified flow path. The book states that this work is progressing and, if accelerated, can re-green the desert. The presence of sweet water in the ancient riverbed wells, contrasted with the saline water found away from these courses, is a significant finding. The Sarasvati's ancient course has led to the formation of lakes and salt pans, including the famous Kapila Sarovar in Bikaner district. Lakes at Lunakaranasar and Didwana had sweet water comparable to the sea around 3000 BCE.

The Cultural Inheritance:

The Sarasvati civilization has gifted humanity with agriculture, animal husbandry, urban civilization, architecture, jewelry art, and high-quality socio-religious traditions. The author expresses pride in being a successor to this legacy. The book is dedicated to the people of Brahmapuri Chowk, Bikaner, Rajasthan.