MAHABHARATA AND KASHMIR

                                            

  ( A scene from Mahabharata painted by Italian artist Giampaolo Tomassetti ) 

MAHABHARATA AND KASHMIR 

Kashmir is mentioned at many places in the Mahabharata as the "Kingdom of Kashmira", a territory inhabited by the Nagas who allied with Duryodhana. The "Karna Parva" of the Mahabharata emphatically mentions that soldiers from the Kingdom of Kashmira fought in the Kurukshetra War. The Kingdom of Kashmira is described as an ally of the Kuru King Duryodhana.

 

The  Sabha Parva of the Mahabharata mentions that Kashmira was conquered by Arjuna before the Pandavas performed the Rajasuya (a royal consecration ceremony). Vaisampayana, the narrator of the Mahabharata, to King Janamejaya states that some time before the Mahabharata war was fought, King Gonanda of Kashmir had been invited by his relative Jarasandha to help him in a war against the Yadavas at Mathura.

Panchali is none other than Draupadi. And Panchali was the daughter of King Drupada of the hilly Kingdom of Panchal. And Panchala is what we presently call our Pir Panjal Mountain range. According to historian Srivara, the Pir Panjal Pass was originally known as Panchaladeva, meaning "deity of Panchala" .The name "Panchala" is a country mentioned in the Mahabharata. During the Mahabharata epic, the area was known as Panchal Desa.

Sri Krishna arrived in Kashmir to personally coronate Queen  Yashovati widow of Prince Damodara. Damodara's father, King Gonanda of Kashmir, was killed by Balarama elder brother of Sri Krishna, on the battlefield of Mathura. Damodara was killed by Sri Krishna during the Swayamvara ceremony at Gandhara. 

The Maha-shraada for Sadgati and Moksha of thousands of wandering souls of the innocents who died in the Mahabharata war at Kurukshetra was performed by Brahm-rishi Vaagbhatta of Kashmir at the suggestion of Sri Krishna. Yudhishthira sent Bhima to Kashmir to meet the Brahm-rishi Vaagbhatta. Queen Yashovati accompanied Bhima to locate Vaagbhatta's hut in the village of Vaaghoma, situated on the bank of the Vitasta River.

Here are a few verses from the Mahabharata that mention Kashmir (Kashmira) and its people:

(1) 

Kashmiri soldiers in the Kurukshetra War in Karna Parva, ( Chapter 6, Verse 75). This verse describes the warriors from various northern regions, including Kashmir, who fought in the Kurukshetra war on the side of the Kauravas.

  

  शूराः कश्मीरकाश चैव गांधाराः शकुनिस्तथा।  

   दरदाः शिबयो योना हूणाश्चैव महाबलाः॥

Śūrāḥ Kaśmīrakāś caiva Gāndhārāḥ Śakunis tathā |  

Daradāḥ Śibayo Yonā Hūṇāś caiva mahābalāḥ ||

Translation:

“The brave warriors from Kashmira and Kashi, as well as the Gandhara with Shakuni, the Daradas, Shibis, Yavanas, and the powerful Hūṇas.”

(2) 

Kashmir Tribes and Kings paying tribute to Yudhishthira is mentioned in the Sabha Parva (Chapter 27, Verse 25). This verse mentions Kashmir and other northern kingdoms paying tribute to Yudhishthira during his Rajasuya Yajna.

   

 कश्मीरदार्वाः सौवीराः सैन्धवाः सह सौबिराः।  

 शूलिकाश्चात्रिगर्भाश्च पृथिव्यां चानुपूर्वशः॥

 Kaśmīradārvāḥ Sauvīrāḥ Saindhavāḥ saha Saubirāḥ |  

Śūlikāś cātrigarbhaś ca pṛthivyāṁ cānupūrvaśaḥ ||

Translation:

“The kings of Kashmira, Darva, Sauvīra, Sindhu, and Saubira, along with the Shulikas and Atragarbhikas, brought tributes in succession.”

(3) 

This verse provides a geographical description of the northern parts of India, mentioning the Kaśhmīra and Daradas living in the mountainous areas. (Bhishma Parva, Chapter 9, Verse 68)

  उत्तरेषु च ये केचित्तथैव परमोषधिः।  

  तत्र शैल्येषु रम्येषु काश्मीरा दरदास्तथा॥

Uttareṣu ca ye kecit tathaiva paramoṣadhiḥ |  

Tatra śailyeṣu ramyeṣu Kaśmīrā Daradās tathā ||

Translation:

“In the northern regions, which are adorned with supreme herbs, reside the Kaśmīras and Daradas, in the beautiful mountains.”

(4) 

Vitasta River is mentioned at some places in the Mahabharata. The river is listed alongside other prominent rivers like the Yamuna, Sindhu, and Chandrabhaga, illustrating its importance in the geography of the Mahabharata. I quote one verse  : (Vana Parva Book 3, Chapter 25, Verse 3),

विपाशा शतद्रुश्चैव सरयूर्यमुना तथा।  

वितस्ता चन्द्रभागा च सिन्धुश्चैव महानदी॥

Vipāśā Śatadruś caiva Sarayūr Yamunā tathā |  

Vitastā Candrabhāgā ca Sindhuś caiva mahānadī ||

Translation:

“The Vipasha (Beas), the Shatadru (Sutlej), the Sarayu, the Yamuna, the Vitasta (Jhelum), the Chandrabhaga (Chenab), and the great river Sindhu (Indus).

Vitasta and Chandrabhaga rivers also find exclusive mention in the Mahabharata. In the Mahabharata (Anusasana Parva, Chapter 25, Stanza 7) , we read this :-

“ If anybody bathes in the waves of the river Vitastā ( Jhelum )or Chandrabhaga ( Chenab) with vow and fasts, for seven days he would become as pure as a hermit.”

And this is how poet Agnishekhar in his epic poem Neel-gatha mentions the arrival of Sri Krishna to Kashmir for coronation of Queen Yashovati :( reference :Yudh , 4th story canto poem no 20 ):

(Sri Krishna In Kashmira )

"In the city, Curiosity filled the air with his arrival. The royal paths were decorated with arches of flowers. The streets sprinkled with water, The fragrance of saffron drifted wide. Vines entwined with flowers embraced the mansions, Each tower was radiant like a new-wed bride. On River Vitasta’s ghats, the Nishadas had arranged the boathouses , And their vessels, lining them on both sides of its banks. The banners fluttered in the wind ,

Gay festoons of fabric in many hues.

The soldiers stood alert,
The spies were watchful,
And artists  eager to create .

Golden necklaces sparkled,
Splendid upon the queens,
Their plaits intertwined  with perfumed Iramanjari ( Indian  Acalypha) flowers.

The golden spires of the temples shone like bright sun.

( Translated from Hindi .All the 8 Parvas of Neel- gatha have been translated into simple English by Avtar Mota . The book with detailed footnotes will be shortly available on Amazon and Flipkart )

Kashmir's saffron also finds mention in Mahabharata .It is mentioned in the story of Panchala King Drupada's Yajna where his queen had scented saffron in her mouth before being instructed to consume the offering meant to produce a son.

( Avtar Mota) 

Source 

(1) Mahabharata 

(2) Bhagwad Gita 

(3) Kalhana's Rajatarangini 

(4) Nilamata Purana 

(5) Neel-gatha epic poem of Agnishekhar

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