Hiraṇvatī River

The Hiraṇvatī was the river on whose banks the Pāṇḍava army set up its war camp before the battle of Kurukshetra, as told in the Udyoga Parva of the Mahābhārata. The name Hiraṇvatī means “she who has gold”, or “the golden one”. It marks the river as one of auspicious nature.

The Pāṇḍava camp

All peace talks had failed, and the Pāṇḍava army marched to Kurukshetra. Dhṛshṭadyumna had been confirmed by Kṛshṇa as supreme commander. He made the war camp at the Hiraṇvatī river. This camp was the last base of the Pāṇḍavas before the eighteen-day war began. From here the armies took their battle positions. At this time Bhīshma gave his Rathātiratha-Saṃkhyāna, the count of the rathas and atirathas (chariot warriors), and the Ambopākhyāna, the account of Ambā, was told. So the Hiraṇvatī stands for the last stage of preparation before the Kurukshetra war. (Mahābhārata, Udyoga Parva, Chapter 152)

Sources

• Mahābhārata, Udyoga Parva, Chapter 152