Puranas The
Garuda Purana states that the Vaitarani extends for over a hundred
yojanas. It is stated to be filled with water and blood, and abounds with vultures and fish. The
psychopomps of the river ferry travellers across the river for a nominal fee. Offering a cow that a deceased individual is gifted during his time of death, called the Vaitarani cow, allows him to be rowed across the river. The
Harihareshvara Mahatmya of the
Skanda Purana mentions a physical river comprising the Vaitarani that joins in the eastern ocean; he who bathes in it is supposed to forever be free from the torment of Yama. Vaitarani appears in the
Matsya Purana, the
Vamana Purana, and the
Padma Purana, which reveals the etymology of Vaitarani in the
Vaitarani Mahatmya, where it is defined as
Vai (truly)
tarini (saving). It is related the legend wherein the river was brought on to the earth from
Patala, due to the penance of
Parashurama after receiving a boon from
Shiva. The
Agni Purana states that one should state the following words while offering a gift to an individual on the brink of death: The
Devi Bhagavatam states that the river is frightening to sinners.
Ramayana The
Ramayana describes
Ravana traversing the bloody Vaitarani on his
pushpaka vimana.
Mahabharata The
Mahabharata states that the Vaitarani is capable of destroying every sin. It states that the creatures that fall into the Vaitarani experience foul-smelling fluids such as blood, water, phlegm, urine, and faeces. ==Sikhism==