Kashmir’s geography has been quaked and moved by the will of Gods – so says the Nilmata Purana. A darkening lake spread around the vale of Kasmira, resting in titanic fashion – its womb swelling with fish, snakes, crabs, whales, sharks, frogs and a demon – Jalodbhava.
So begins the triumph of man’s pursuit over the mystical, magical and legendary power of the demons. Jalodbhava – as the Nilmata mentions – is a demon with human ambitions – its lust for power and authority, its awesome defiance in the face of Gods, its amphibian rebellion – all
woven together around the momentous geography of Kashmir strikes the reader as the first of many seductions that whisper verses of acute longing in their ears. But, Nilmata – important and monumental as the text may be, does not stand alone in the league of literary escapades showering Kashmir with verses of poetic brilliance that wish to rival in words the beauty that Kashmir holds in secret. Natives and voyagers alike have sung praises of its beauty, of its sensuous longing, of its gardens, its lakes, its mountains, and its people.
Atext among them that stands out particularly is the Vitasta Mahatmaya, (The significance of Vitasta. Vitasta: aliases – Vyeth, Bihat, Hydaespis – in Greek, Bidaespis – in Kemetic – Greek) the concluding chapter of the Bhringgisha Samhitā that confesses in length the turns and terrains of the valley. The mention of cities and sites since changed or unchanged can be traced back tothe text, and fortunately – some names have sailed swiftly through the crashing tsunamis of time and social tumult. Neelnag (currently Nila), Vishoka (Veshav), Kramsarnag (Kaunsernag), Ramamoha (Romuh), Vijayashwara (Bij Bihera), Kshudramohakhya (Khunmoh), Jayavana (Zevan), Padamapore (Pampore) are only some of the places that still retain their parental
shadow. Though the names have changed, they still hold significant clues that thread them back to the text, and its resigned antiquity. For detailed research paper on this interesting subject, contact us on kashmirrechords@gmail.com . Be in touch with :
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