Vedic Index of Names and Subjects v1.c3.s20.706

v1.c3.s20.706

Nau is the regular word in the Rigveda¹ and later² for a ‘boat’ or ‘ship.’ In the great majority of cases the ship was merely a boat for crossing rivers, though no doubt a large boat was needed for crossing many of the broad rivers of the Panjab as well as the Yamunā and Gaṅgā. Often no doubt the Nau was a mere dug-out canoe (dāru).³ It is certainly against the theory⁴ of the existence in Vedic times of an extensive sea trade that there is no mention of any of the parts of a ship, such as masts and sails, except the oar (Aritra). Yet there are some allusions indicating a trade more extensive than that implied by boats used for crossing rivers. The Atharvaveda⁵ compares the ruin of a kingdom where Brahmins are oppressed to the sinking of a ship which is leaking (*bhinna*); though the language here employed can be made to fit the theory that the ship was only a canoe, it cannot naturally be so interpreted. Moreover, there is mention made in the Rigveda⁶ of men who go to the ocean (*Samudra*) eager for gain (*saniṣyavaḥ*). It is not altogether satisfactory to restrict such references with Zimmer⁷ to the broad stream of the Indus after the union of that river with the tributaries of the Panjab. In the Rigveda⁸ too it is said that the Aśvins rescued Bhujyu in the ocean with a ship of a hundred oars (*śatāritra*). It is not easy to refuse to recognize here the existence of larger vessels with many oars used for sea voyages. The Baudhāyana Dharma Sūtra,⁹ at any rate, clearly refers to maritime navigation. See also Samudra.