ESSENCE OF NILAMATHA PURANA Composed, Condensed and Interpreted By V.D.N.Rao, Former General Manager, India Trade Promotiom Organisation, Pragati Maidan, New Delhi, Union Ministry of Commerce, Govt. of India ESSENCE OF NILAMATHA PURANA Contents Page Invocation 3 Close association of Kashmira and Devi Sati 3 Genesis of Sati Desha (Kashmira) and Nagas 4 Vishnu killed Jalodbhava, Kashyapa arranged Naga-Manava Copereation 4 Origin of River Vitasa and several other Rivers in Kashmira 5 Chandra Deva helped formalisation of Naga-Manava co-existence in Kashmira (An Outline of ‘Pancha Vrata Vidhi included) 8 Worship of Deities on select occasions in Kashmira 10 Phalguna Shukla Paksha Festival 12 Maha Shanti in Chaitra Shukla Paksha and worship to varios Devas 13 Piscacha Puja during Chaitra Krishna Paksha and worth of ‘Ira’ flowers 15 Worship of Gautama Buddha as also of Brahmanas on Vaishakha Purnima 16 Worship of Deities coinciding with Month-Star Unions 17 Procedure of Koti Homa by the King of Kashmira 19 Some details of Naga Chiefs and source of Maha Padma Sarovara 20 Quick Account of Sacred Places in Kashmira 21 ‘Nandyopaakhayana’-Nendeswara born in human form and back to Shiva 23 Legend of Kapoteshwara in Kashmira 26 Vishnu Swarupas in Kashmira 26 Parashurama, his killings of Kshatriyas and connection with Kashmira 27 Tirtha Yatras in Kashmira and their rewards 29 ‘Phala Shruti’ of Nilamatha Purana 31 ESSENCE OF NILAMATHA PURANA OM SHRI GANESHAYA NAMAH SHRI SARASWATI OM BHAGAVATEY VAASUDEVAYA NAMAH / SHRINIVAASAM HARIM DEVAM VARADAM PARAMESHWARAM TRAILOKYANATHAM GOVINDAM PRANAMAAMYAAKSHARA -MAVYAYAM/ King Janamejaya, a Pandava descendant and the son of Parikshith, enquired of SageVaishampayana, the disciple of Veda Vyasa as to why Kashmira, an integral and illustrious part of Bharata, did not participate in the Maha Bharata Battle. The Sage replied that the then King of Kashmira named Gonanda took the side of King Jarasandha in the latter's war with Yadavas and Balarama of Yadavas killed Gonanda. The succsessor of Gonanda named Damodara decided to take revenge and fought with Shri Krishna of Yadavas at Gandhara in a 'Swayamvara' where a bride could choose her husband and Krishna killed Damodara; yet, out of consideration for Damodara's pregnant wife, Krishna himself coronated Yashovati as the Queen of Kashmira till the birth of Bala Gonanda, who at the time of Bharata Battle could not take sides of either Pandavas or Kauravas. Close Association of Kashmira and Devi Sati Most importantly, the main reason was that Kashmira and Devi Uma were of mutual interest and regard. In fact, Kashmira was originally the ‘Sati Sarovara’, since converted as a valley: YAIVA DEVI UMA SAIVA KASMIRAA NRUPASATTHMA, AASEET SARAH PURNAJALAM SURAMYAM SUMNOHARAM/ KALPAARAMBHA PRABHRUTI YAT PURAA MANVANTARAANI SHAT, ASMIN MANVANTARYE VISHYAM SUMANO HARARAM /(Muni Vaishampayana confirmed that Bhagavati Uma / Sati was Kashmira herself as manifested as a huge waterbody eversince the beginning of the present Kalpa for the last six Manvantaras). The valley was well-known for its Natural Beauty and Bounty as of excellent fertility of rice crops, wide range of trees, fruits, flowers and vegetables. The population of Kashmira was highly virtuous: the Brahmanas were adept in their own meditation, Yagjna Karmas and Veda-Vedangas always; the Kshatriyas were valiant, well trained in warfare and capable of battle skills possessive of excellent armoury and armaments; the Vaishyas or the Business Class were accomplished in trading and retailing; while the Shudras were hardworking and honest. The Kasmira Society was orderly and hard working, religious and God-Believing, and possessive of social values of justice and devotion. Kashmira was spotted with several Temples, Sacred Rivers, Tirthas of popular belief, Hermitages and Yogashrams, ringing with Veda Shravanas; at the same time of the sounds of armoury and war-training camps, besides the busy market places with bargain sales, retailing Trade Fairs and abundant merchandise.It was a land of faith and fear of God, of gardens and wilderness of forests, and in short a vibrant and virtuous land of pristine beauty and sacredness. There is a River Goddess, most popularly called Vitasta, flowing down the mountain of Himalayas, fulfilling the desires and aspirations of devotees while on the banks of the River were a sizeable existence of Nagas with their own customs, beliefs, rituals and social values. Origin of Sati desha (Kashmira) and of Nagas About the origin of the Kasmira Region in Bharat Desha, Sage Brihadashwa explained to King (Bala) Gonanda that at the end of each Manvantara, there was complete destruction of the Universe by Mahadeva who spread himself all over as water. 'Satidevi swayam kaaley tasminnotwam karoti vai, Manurbhavishyamstasmimstu sarva beejaani Maayaya, Tadaa sthaapayetey Raajamstaam cha naavam Jagadguruh/ Matsya rupadharo Vishnum shringey krutwaapakarshati/ (As Sati Devi herself assumed the Form of a Ship, the future Manu, Vaivaswata, collected all Seeds for subsequent germination and deposited these on the Ship by virtue of 'Maya'(Illusion) while Bhagavan Vishnu assuming the Incarnation of 'Matsya' dragged the Ship by the grit of his horn). The Ship was tied to a mountain-peak called 'Noubandhana'. Nou-dehena Sati Devi Bhumirbhavati Parthiva, Tasyaam thu Bhumou bhavati Sarastu vimalodakam / Shadyojanaayatam ramyam tadardhena cha vistrutam, Satideshamiti kyhatam Devikreedam manoharam/ (Devi Sati who assumed the Form of the Ship converted herself as Bhu Devi; the latter materialised an awe-inspiring Lake with excellent and pure water known as Sati Desha of six yojanas of length and three yojanas of width which was the joyous Playground of Devas! Having described the origin of Kashmira, Sage Brihadashwa traced the origin of Nagas who were prime residents of Kashmira: At the beginning of Vaivaswata Manvantara, Daksha Prajapati married off thirteen of his illustrious daughters to Muni Kashyapa who was the son of Maharshi Marichi. Among these daughters, Aditi gave birth to Devas, Diti to Daityas, Danayusa to Vritra, Surabhi to Bhadras, Khas to Yakshas and Raakshasas, Ira to Airaavatas, Prava to ‘Gayanas’, Muni to Apsaras, Kala to Kala Kalpas and Kalakaayaas, Danu to Daanavas, Krodha to ten daughters of the same nature, Kadru to Nagas and Vinata to Garuda the Carrier of Vishnu Deva and Aruna the charioteer of Surya Deva. Kadru was extremely jealous of Devi Vinata and somehow desired to put her down. Kadru picked up an argument that the Celestial Horse Ucchhaiswara was black in her body colour and Vinata stated that the horse was white in her complexion. There was a bet beween the two sisters that whoever won would be another's slave and Vinata lost it since Kadru persuaded her sons to paint Ucchhaisvya black. Garuda brought 'Somarasa' from Indra to relieve his mother from the slavery to Kadru; Garuda secured a boon from Indra too that as a revenge on Kadru's cruelty against his mother Vinata, he could kill and eat the Nagas. On behalf of the race of Nagas, the Elder of Nagas viz. Vaasuki approached Janardana and extolled him as follows: 'Namastestu Shaaranga Gadaaaasipaano, Namamstestu tey Danava naashanaaya/ Namastestu tey Padmaja Samstutaaya, Namastestu tey Lokahitey rataaya/ Namastestu tey Vaasava Nandanaaya, Namastestutey Bhaktavarapradaaya/ Namastestutey Satpada darshanaaya, Unnidra neela nalinadyuti chaaruvarnam/ Samtapta haatakanibey vasaney vasaanam, Ksheerodaka kanyaarpita paada padmam/ Devam Prapannosmyanagham Varenyam, Param Puraanam Paramam Sanaatanam/ Tamaadi devam Pranatosmi Bhaktyaa, Phanaavalii ratna Sahasraarchitrey Seshasya bhogey Vimaley viseshye/ Lokasya sarvaasya tu chintayaanah shubhaashubham raksha Mamaadyadeva, Khagapatirati chandabheema vego/ Mama Kulamaashu vinaashayatyananta, Kuru Munivara samstutaadya rakshaam/ Pavana balam vinivaarsva taaksharyam/ (My greetings to you Deva Deva Janaardana with your hands armed with Sharanga / Bow and arrows, Gada/ Mace and Asi / Sword; the destroyer of Daanavas; the One whom Brahma the lotus-born commends to; who is ever engaged in the deeds helpful to the Worlds; who seeks to provide happiness to Indra; who bestows boons to the devotees; who guides the path of righteousness and virtue; who rests his lotus like feet on the lap of 'Samudra Kanya' wearing clothes of molten gold's illumination and possessive of blue lotus body colour and who relaxes on the thousand hoods lit up with the varied hues of the precious gems of Maha Sesha but engrossed in the thoughts to provide relief and protection to the Tri Lokas! Adi Deva! The most powerful Garuda appears to destroy my entire 'Vamsha' of Nagas with his speed and might; do grant the race security and protection to ensure our existence!) Bhagavan Vishnu then assured Vasuki that Garuda or any of his clan would neither attack nor hurt Nagas in Sati Dehsa any more. Vishnu killed Jalodbhava as Kashyapa arranged Naga-Manava cooperation In course of time, there appeared a Daitya Chief called Sangraha, a warroir of great prowess who got infatuated with Devi Sachi, the wife of Indra; he was unable to control and dropped his virility in a big waterbody. Eventually, Indra killed the Asura and from the latter’s semen there emerged a demon that the Nagas nurtured and named him as Jalodbhava. The Asura prayed to Brahma Deva who granted him invincibility in water with exceptional might. But he harassed and killed human beings of various regions around the the Huge Lake like Darvabhisara, Gandhara, Juhundara,