River Water

River water (Nadi Jala) varies in quality depending on the origin and course of the river. Rivers originating from the Himalayas (Himalaya-prabhava) carry water that is sweet, light, cold, and wholesome. Rivers flowing eastward toward the sea tend to have better quality water. Rivers originating from the Sahya mountains (Western Ghats) and Vindhya mountains may carry different properties. The speed of flow, the type of terrain, and exposure to sunlight all affect river water quality. Fast-flowing rivers over rocky terrain produce lighter, purer water. Verses 21-31.

• Pathya (wholesome)
• Deepana (appetizing)

नद जलोदम थाहः व नायासातपां यजेत ् Avoid - River water, udamantha (beverage prepared with flour of corns mixed with ghee), sleeping at daytime, exertion and exposure to Sun.

— Astanga Hridaya Sutrasthan, Ritucharya adhyaya Seasonal

6-7 ½ Nadijala –(river water benefits) पि चमोद धगाः शी वहा या चामलोदकाः प याः समासा ता न या वपर ता वतो अ यथा Water of the rivers which flow into the western ocean (Arabian sea), which are sweet and which have pure water (uncontaminated) is good for health, where as that flowing into eastern ocean is not ideal for consumption.

— Astanga Hridaya Sutrasthan, Drava Vigyaniya Drinkables

19 वषासु द यनादे ये परं तोये वरावरे इ त तोय वगः During varsa (rainy season) rain water is best and river water least suitable for consumption.

— Astanga Hridaya Sutrasthan, Drava Vigyaniya Drinkables

Warm fresh cow's milk, buttermilk, bathing in clean river water — these are beneficial in fainting (Murchchha), Sanyasa (comatose states), and in disease recovery.

— Sharangadhara Samhita, Parishishtam, Chapter 28: Diet for Intoxication (Madatya Pathyapathyam)

Warm fresh cow's milk, buttermilk, bathing in clean river water — these are beneficial in fainting (Murchchha), Sanyasa (comatose states), and in disease recovery.

— Sharangadhara Samhita, Parishishtam, Chapter 17: Diet for Intoxication (Madatya Pathyapathyam)

Water is of seven types: well water (kaupa), river water (nadeya), lake water (sarasa), pond water (tadaga), spring water (prasravana), underground water (audbhida), and rainwater (chauratya) (verse 7).

— Sushruta Samhita, Sutra Sthana, Chapter 45: Dravadravya-vidhi Adhyaya - On Liquid Substances

sweet river water from mountainous regions is beneficial for strength (verse 23).

— Sushruta Samhita, Sutra Sthana, Chapter 45: Dravadravya-vidhi Adhyaya - On Liquid Substances

River water is Vata-promoting, appetizing, digestive-stimulating, light, and scraping.

— Sushruta Samhita, Sutra Sthana, Chapter 45: Dravadravya-vidhi Adhyaya - On Liquid Substances

Rainwater, Seasonal Collection, and Water Quality (Verses 7-17) Water is of seven types: well water (kaupa), river water (nadeya), lake water (sarasa), pond water (tadaga), spring water (prasravana), underground water (audbhida), and rainwater (chauratya) (verse 7).

— Sushruta Samhita, Dravadravya-vidhi Adhyaya - On Liquid Substances

sweet river water from mountainous regions is beneficial for strength (verse 23).

— Sushruta Samhita, Dravadravya-vidhi Adhyaya - On Liquid Substances