Rigvedic and later Vedic texts have been used to propose identification with present-day rivers, or ancient riverbeds. According to Michael Witzel, superimposed on the Vedic Sarasvati river is the heavenly river Milky Way, which is seen as 'a road to immortality and heavenly after-life.' The Sarasvati is also considered by Hindus to exist in a metaphysical form, in which it formed a confluence with the sacred rivers Ganges and Yamuna, at the Triveni Sangam.

It played an important role in the Vedic religion, appearing in all but the fourth book of the Rigveda.Р”Р„s a physical river, in the oldest texts of the Rig Veda it is described as a 'great and holy river in north-western India,' but in the middle and late Rig Vedic books it is described as a small river ending in 'a terminal lake (samudra).' As the goddess Sarasvati, the other referent for the term 'Sarasvati' which developed into an independent identity in post-Vedic times, the river is also described as a powerful river and mighty flood.

The Sarasvati River ( IAST: SР“РЋrasvatР”В«-nadР”В«РњРѓ) is a deified river first mentioned in the Rig Veda and later in Vedic and post-Vedic texts. Cemetery H, Late Harappan, OCP, Copper Hoard and Painted Grey ware sites

Ganga jamuna saraswati nadi