Eternal Relation of Human Emotions and Rivers in Hindi Literature

Rivers—‘The rich source of water’ is the basic need of life. We cannot think about the life on earth without water. The life of human being, animals, and the plants depends on water. Just because of this, all human civilizations started on the bank of rivers. As a human being, when we started to speak and understand language, invented different scripts to write, we expressed our feeling toward the river. That is why every culture, civilization, folk, and literature had a strong bonding to the rivers. In Indian context, rivers are the mother of human being. Rivers are integral part of Indian culture, civilization, religion, and literature. Hindi literature depicts the river’s role in our life. During ancient period, man was totally dependent on rivers for food, hygiene, grains, and other daily needs. That is why these rivers became the symbol of religious power and belief. Rivers were not only the medium to improve the life but also the means to maintain the heavenly life (Parlok). Even today, “Kumbha” the largest religious gathering of world is held at Prayag (Allahabad) during the month of Maagh (January–February) in which millions of people, not only Indians but foreigners also, gather to get rid of their sins and have divine blessings. This coexistence and bonding have been expressed in very emotional, realistic, strong, and artistic manner during all the stages of Hindi literature.