Rohini

Author:Laxman Burdak, IFS (R)

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Map of Nepal

Rohini River (रोहिणी नदी) rises in the Chure or Siwalik Hills in Kapilvastu and Rupandehi Districts of Nepal's Lumbini Zone and flows south into Uttar Pradesh state, India. 2. Rohini (रोहिणी) was consort of Vasudeva, the mother of Balarama and his sister Subhadra, the siblings of the lord Krishna.

Variants

• Rohini River रोहिणी नदी, उ.प्र., (AS, p.805)
• Rohni

Course

At Gorakhpur it becomes a left bank tributary of West Rapti River, which in turn joins the Ghāghara above Gaura Barhaj, then Ghaghara in turn joins the Ganges.

History

According to an account in several Buddhist texts, Kapilavatthu (the town of the Sakyans) and Koli (the town of the Koliyans) were situated on either side of the Rohini River. The cultivators of both towns worked the fields watered by the Rohini river. One year, they did not have enough rain and finding that the paddy and other crops were beginning to shrivel up, cultivators on both sides wanted to divert the water from the Rohini river to their own fields. Those living in Koli said that there was not enough water in the river for both sides, and that if only they could channel the water just once more to their fields that would be enough for the paddy to mature and ripen. On the other hand, people from Kapilavatthu argued that, in that case, they would be denied the use of the water and their crops would surely fail, and they would be compelled to buy from other people. They said that they were not prepared to go carrying their money and valuables to the opposite bank of the river in exchange for food. Both sides wanted the water for their own use only and there was much ill will between them due to abusive language and accusations on both sides. The quarrel that started between the cultivators came to the ears of the ministers concerned, and they reported the matter to their respective rulers, and both sides prepared to go to war

Buddhist tradition holds that Siddhārtha Gautama crossed this river in his return to Kapilavastu.

In Mahabharata

Rohini (रॊहिणी) in Mahabharata is mentioned in (I.60.65), (IX.36.10)

Adi Parva, Mahabharata/Book I Chapter 60 gives genealogy of all the principal creatures. Rohini (रॊहिणी) is mentioned in Mahabharata (I.60.65). ....And, O king, Surabhi gave birth to two daughters, the amiable Rohini and the far-famed Gandharvi....

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Shalya Parva, Mahabharata/Book IX Chapter 36 describes Baladeva's journey along the bank of the Sarasvati river. Rohini (रॊहिणी) in Mahabharata is mentioned in (IX.36.10) ....He also saw there many shadows of gods, Gandharvas, and Rakshasas. The son of Rohini then proceeded to the tirtha of the Gandharvas.

रोहिणी नदी

रोहिणी नदी (AS, p.805): पूर्वी उत्तर प्रदेश में बहने वाली राप्ती की सहायक छोटी नदी है। 'कुणाल (p.806) जातक' के अनुसार बुद्ध काल में शाक्य वंशीय तथा कोलिय वंशीय क्षत्रियों के राज्यों के बीच सीमा रोहिणी नदी ही बनाती थी। उपरोक्त दोनों राज्यों के खेतों की सिंचाई इस नदी के बांध से की जाती थी। एक बार ‘ज्येष्ठमूल’ मास में पानी की कमी के कारण, दोनों ओर के ग्रामवासियों में परस्पर काफ़ी झगड़ा हुआ, जिसमें कोलियों ने शाक्यों पर यह दोषारोपण किया कि उनके यहाँ राज्य परिवार में भाई-बहनों में परस्पर विवाह संबध होता है।