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What is the story behind Yamuna River
What is the story behind Yamuna River – Yamuna is also called as Jamna always comes in association with Ganga River.
In Hindu Puranas (ancient scriptures of Hindu mythology), the river Yamuna is mentioned in several contexts and stories. Here are some of the notable mentions and narratives related to Yamuna in the Puranas:
Birth of Yamuna: Some legends says, Yamuna is described as the daughter of the sun god, Surya, and his wife Sangya. She is also considered the sister of Yama, the god of death.
According to another legend, the sage Vishwamitra performed a grand Yagna on the banks of the Ganga River, but Ganga’s powerful flow threatened to inundate the Earth. As a result, Ganga was split into several streams, one of which is believed to be the Yamuna River.
It is important to note that Hindu mythology and Puranas often contain overlapping and diverse stories from different sources and traditions. As a result, there might be variations in the narratives across different texts and regions.
Yamuna and Krishna: One of the most famous and beloved stories involving Yamuna is her association with Lord Krishna. According to the Bhagavata Purana and other texts, Krishna spent much of his childhood and youth in the region around the Yamuna River, particularly in the town of Vrindavan. The stories of Krishna’s divine love for Radha are often set along the banks of the Yamuna.
The Yamuna River became an essential part of Krishna’s leelas (divine play). The stories of Krishna’s playful interactions with the gopis (cowherd girls) and his famous pastime of stealing butter (Makhan Chor) are often set along the banks of the Yamuna. Additionally, the Raas Leela, a divine dance between Krishna and the gopis, is said to have taken place near the Yamuna River.
Krishna Subdues Kaliya: One of the significant legends involving Krishna and the Yamuna is the story of Krishna subduing the serpent Kaliya. According to the Bhagavata Purana, Kaliya, a poisonous serpent, had made the Yamuna his home, contaminating the river and causing harm to its inhabitants. Krishna, as a young boy, danced on the serpent’s multiple hoods and eventually subdued Kaliya, restoring the purity of the Yamuna.
Yamuna as a Goddess: In the Puranas, Yamuna is often personified as a goddess and is revered as a sacred river. Her waters are considered purifying, and bathing in the Yamuna is believed to cleanse one of sins and grant spiritual benefits.
Kurukshetra War and Aftermath: The Mahabharata describes the Kurukshetra War, a great battle fought between the Pandavas and Kauravas. The river Yamuna played a significant role in the war, as it was a strategic water source for the armies. After the war, the Pandavas, along with their wife Draupadi, embarked on their final journey towards the Himalayas. It is believed that Draupadi’s spirit merged with the Yamuna at this time.
These are just a few of the many references and stories involving the river Yamuna in Hindu Puranas. The Yamuna River holds a special place in Hindu mythology and continues to be an essential aspect of the religious and cultural India.
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