• Yamunā

1. Yamunā. The second of the five great rivers of Jambudīpa, which are often used in similes. Vin.ii.237; A.iv.101, 198, 202; v.22; S. ii.135; v.401, etc.; Ud.v.5; Mil.114 (where ten rivers are mentioned); Mtu.iii.203, 363.

On its banks were Kosambī and Madhurā. For its origin see Gangā. It is stated in the story of Bakkula (ThagA.ii.344) that newly born children were bathed in the waters of the Yamunā for their health. The river was evidently the special resort of the Nāgas (See, e.g., D.ii.259; J.vi.158, 161ff., 164, 197).

It is said that the fish of the Yamunā considered themselves more beautiful than those of the Gangā. J. ii.151ff. under the river was the realm of the Nāga king, Dhatarattha (J.vi.200). The waters of the Gangā mix very easily with those of the Yamunā (J.v.496; vi. 412, 415).

2. Yamunā. A channel branching off westward from the Punnavaddhana Tank. Cv.lxxix.47.