[Pramāṇa](https://indike.org/pramana/) › [Studies](https://indike.org/pramana/ins) › [Reference works](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference) › [Vedic Index of Names and Subjects](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.macdonell-keith-1912) › v1.c3.s20.706 # Vedic Index of Names and Subjects v1.c3.s20.706 Vedic Index of Names and Subjects v1.c3.s20.706 - **Language:** English ### [v1.c3.s20.706](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.macdonell-keith-1912.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. - [Previous: v1.c3.s20.705](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.macdonell-keith-1912.v1.c3.s20.705) - [Next: v1.c3.s20.707](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.macdonell-keith-1912.v1.c3.s20.707) - [Up: v1.c3.s20](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.macdonell-keith-1912.v1.c3.s20) ## Linked texts (7) - [Taittirīyasaṃhitā](https://indike.org/pramana/in.veda.samhita.krsnayajur*taittiriya.5.3.10.1) — Sanskrit - [Baudhāyanadharmasūtra](https://indike.org/pramana/in.vedanga.kalpa.dharma.baudhayana.1.2.4) — Baudhāyana, Sanskrit - [Aitareyabrāhmaṇa](https://indike.org/pramana/in.veda.brahmana.aitreya.4.13) — Mahidāsa Aitareya, Sanskrit - [Vājasaneyisaṃhitā](https://indike.org/pramana/in.veda.samhita.suklayajur*vajasaneyi.10.19) — Sanskrit - [Ṛgvedasaṃhitā](https://indike.org/pramana/in.veda.samhita.rg.1.32.8) — Sanskrit - [Atharvavedasaṃhitā](https://indike.org/pramana/in.veda.samhita.atharva.2.36.5) — Atharvan & Aṅgiras, Sanskrit - [Śatapathabrāhmaṇa](https://indike.org/pramana/in.veda.brahmana.satapatha.1.8.1.4) — Yājñavalkya & Śāṇḍilya (Vedic teacher), Sanskrit --- Source: [https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.macdonell-keith-1912.v1.c3.s20.706](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.macdonell-keith-1912.v1.c3.s20.706) · Pramāṇa