संस्कृतसाहित्ये जलविज्ञानश्री:

Summary

Sushma R. Kulshreshtha’s study explores the science and symbolism of water (jala) in Sanskrit literature. Starting with hymns that celebrate water as the primordial substance from which creation emerged, she analyses the many terms and metaphors used for water in Vedic and later texts. The article details ancient descriptions of the hydrological cycle, including evaporation, cloud formation, rainfall and groundwater, showing a sophisticated understanding of natural processes. Kulshreshtha discusses classifications of water by source and potability, references to purification methods in Ayurveda, and the depiction of rivers as goddesses whose sanctity encouraged conservation. She argues that Sanskrit literature combines poetic reverence with empirical observation, reflecting an indigenous science of water. By highlighting the interplay of spirituality and utility, the article suggests that revisiting these concepts can inform modern water management and sustainability.