A Classical Dictionary of Hindu Mythology and Religion, Geography, History, and Literature c5.1255

c5.1255

NARMADĀ. The Nerbudda river, which is esteemed holy. The personified river is variously represented as being daughter of a Rishi named Mekala (from whom she is called Mekalā and Mekala-kanyā), as a daughter of the moon, as a ‘mind-born daughter’ of the Somapas, and as sister of the Nāgas. It was she who brought Purukutsa to the aid of the Nāgas against the Gandharvas, and the grateful snake-gods made her name a charm against the venom of snakes. According to the Vishnu Purāna, she had a son by Purukutsa who was named Trasadasyu. The Matsya Purāna gives Duh-saha as the name of her husband. The Hari-vansa is inconsistent with itself. In one place it makes her wife of Purukutsa and mother of Trasadasyu; in another it makes her the wife of Trasadasyu. She is also called Revā and Pūrvā-gangā, and, as a daughter of the moon, Indu-jā and Somodbhavā.