A river, the modern Rāpti in Uttar Pradesh; one of the pañca-mahānadī, Vin.ii.237 the five great rivers flowing from the Himālaya eastwards (pācīnaninnā) SN.v.39 into the sea. During the hot season it ran dry, leaving a bed of sand. AN.iv.101 It flowed through Kosala, and at Sāvatthī an udumbara grove grew on its banks; it, could be seen from the terrace of Pasenadi’s palace. Vin.iv.111–112 To the south of it was Manasākaṭa, and on its southern bank was a mango grove where the Buddha sometimes resided. DN.i.235–236 The Tevijjā Sutta was preached here, and the Aciravatī is used in a simile to prove the futility of sacrifices and prayers: it is of no use standing on one bank of the river and calling to the other bank to come over.

In the river were many bathing places, in some of which courtesans bathed naked; the Bhikkhunīs did likewise until a rule was passed prohibiting it. Vin.i.293 Vin.iv.278 The Chabbaggiyā nuns, however, continued to do so even afterwards. Vin.iv.259f.

The river was crossed in rafts; Vin.iii.63 it sometimes became so full DN.i.244–245 MN.iii.117 that disastrous floods occurred.

In sheltered spots monks and brahmins used to bathe. Vin.iv.161 The Sattarasa-vaggiya monks frequented the river for water-sports. Vin.iv.111–112

Once the Buddha was told that the Pañcavaggiyā monks were in the habit of seizing the cows that crossed the river. Vin.i.191

Near the river was Dandakappa, a Kosalan village, and while staying there Ānanda bathed in the river with many other monks. AN.iii.402

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