There are plant symbols, animal symbols and mineral symbols associated with water. Plant symbols include flowers, like the lotus which represents a connection with water. The lotus is associated with all the gods, especially Lakshmi and Vishnu. Lush green forests are associated with life. Green forests are associated with elephants and the elephant is associated with Lakshmi, goddess of wealth.

Animals symbols besides snake and elephant associated with water include the fish. A pair of fish is always considered auspicious in Buddhism, as well as Jainism. The Makara or the dolphin is associated with the god of love, Kama, as well as Ganga. Amphibians, like the turtle, are associated with the Yamuna. Vishnu is associated with a conch shell, and the conch shell is connected to mollusks. Saraswati is also associated with water because her vehicle is the hansa, or swan or goose, who can separate milk from water, thus becoming a symbol of a discriminating mind. Brahma is associated with water, through the swan, upon which he rides.

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Certain objects are also associated with water. The kumbha is associated with water and therefore, we see the pots associated with the rivers, Ganga, Yamuna, the apsaras, as well as, Lakshmi. Lakshmi is associated with water. Where there is water, there is life. Where is no water, there is no life. Deserts, therefore, in Hindu mythology, are called Maru-sthala, the Land of the Dead.

The author writes and lectures on the relevance of mythology in modern times. Reach him at devdutt.pattanaik@mid-day.com

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