Khaptad Region in Mythology - Shiva Kaj Shrestha Introduction: Himalayan territory as far west as Kashmir, It is very clearfromthe study of various Pauranic Singkiyang, Laddakh and Hindu Kush. The centre of and historical literature, that Khaptad of "Khecharadi Naga Loka was Mt. Kailash and Manasarovar Parvat" area was the cultural and religious centre of protected by Lord Shiva. The description of Naga lower part of "Manas Khanda". The upper part Loka denotes the upper catchment area of River included Mt. Kailash and Manasarovar (present day Sutlej. The third was "Yakshya Loka" covering Nari or Aali district along withGuge areas of South- Kumaun, Garhwal in the west and Doti, and Jumla Western Tibet). area in the east. Mr. Doval has based his study largely on Bhagwat Purana. It may be of great interest to the VallavaDoval, in his research article (Saptahik religious minded tcurists and research scholars to Hindusthan, 27 Jan. 1991) has tried to establish that know the fact that Khaptad-Malika area was the "Tribisripa" (Tibet) was inhabited by "Nordic" Aryans centre of Yakshya Loka where Lord Kubera had his and ruled by various "IndrasW-the king emperors of capital "Kanchan Puri" which probably was not very the Deva-Ganas. It is noteworthy that Dr. B. S. Guha far from "Alaka Puri" of Lord Indras. the famous historian- anthropologist of India and many other scholars are of the opinion that the Here, we arc concentrating more on Mansas ancient language of Vedas are highly influenced by Khanda of Skanda Purana, as this (Yet unpublished) "Nordic Aryan" language. (Please see "Prachin document is more informative. We have also referred Bharat" p.5. by Dr. R. C. Majumdar). Their heavenly several other authors who have pioneered in this field empire was distributed into five parts, resided and of research. ruled by 5 tribes. First "Loka" was Deva Loka ruled by Indras. Naga Loka was second which covered the It is not-worthy that the mythological records 22 Ancient Nepal conceal many historical facts, which without warriors and generally considered to be very burtal archeological evidences can not be termed as and mobile tribesmen. They are supposed to have "historic" & "Prehistoric". Israel, in fifties had shown come to India and Nepal from Caucasus Mountains faith in "OldTestament" (Bible) and by following the or from west of Caspian Sea. They are said to be the descriptions found the archeological evidence of sons of Kasyapa Muni according to Kurma Purana. King Soloman'sMinesand was benefited. At present, Their Physical features are described to be tall, white there is growing interest among the students and and hairy. Many scholars are of the opinion that the scholars in our great mythological past. Ya-Khasas or khasas had come to Himalayas much earlier than the Nordic or "Vaidic" Aryans. The The Mythological Tribes of Swarna Kassites (Khasas) had attacked the Babylonian Empire Bhumi or Bhumi or Yakshya Loka (The after the rule of Hammu Rabi some 3,800 years Land of Kubera): Before Present (B. P.). Mr. Vadri Dutta Pandey in his GeetaPustakalaya and Shaileswori Guthi Sewa famous book "Kumayoun Ka Itihas" (History of Samiti, Doti, Nepal has published a book named Kumaoun p. 510), 1997, Hindi edition, quoting Mr. "Tirthatraya Mahatmya Sangraha", in 2052 B.S. Atakinson (Himalayan Gazetteier Vol. 3,1882 AD) This book is based on the yet unpublished parts says that the mythological "Yakshyas" are none ("Mahatmayas") of "Manas Khanda" of the famous other than present day "Khasha" people of Kumaun Skanda Purana. It seems that the complete "Manas and Far WesternNepal. Mr. Pandey againquotesMr. Khanda" is available in far western Nepal. But, as of Atkinson as mentioning that until the time of Ashoka now, nobody knows where. In the famous Kalyan the great (some 2200 year BP), "Khasa" people were Karyalaya, editors also think that 6 "Sanhitas" of called "Yakshyas" who had built great stupas, ie. Skanda Purana may be available in Nepal. (P.9 they were already followers of Lord Buddha (p. 535, Sampchipta Skanda Purana (25th year, special issue, Ibid). In Khaptad there is mention of the presence of B.S. 2052, Gorkhapur, India). "Siddhas" also in "Manas Khanda" of Skandha Purana. Vayu Purana and Markandya Purana also Another important source of "Pauranic" people mention of Swarna Bhumi (the Land of Gold) and and places of central Himalayas is the Vayu Purana. Khasha people. In Mahabharata it is, mentioned that According to this Purana and several other Puranas Khasha people had brought gold for emperor the ancient tribes who, lived in these mountainous Youdisthira from Swarna Bhumi, implying that the parts were, Gandharvas, Kinnars, Yakshyas, Nagas, Khashas or Yakshyas were living in the area near Mt. Vidhyadhars, Siddhas, Guihyakas and Rakshyasas Kailash and Far Western Nepal. The Puranas also (close toDanavas or Daityas). Itis stated inMarkandya mention about the "Rakshyasa" tribes who use to Purana (RekhaThapaliy al, Prachin Madhya Himalaya guard the unfathomable wealth of the "Yakshya" p. 39) that Khasa people live in the central part of king Kubera. It seems that the word "Yakshya" was "Swarna Bhumi". pronounced by Khashas as "Ya-Khasa" and "Rakshyasa" as "Ra-Khasa" (hence the name "Ra- The Mythological Yakshyas (Ya-Khasa Kasa lake near-by Manasarovara). Also note that People): they pronounced Surya (sun) as Surayasa. It is also The Khasa people were best known as noteworthy that in ancient Greek history the Khasa Khaptad .... 23 people are described as "Kassites" and "Huna" people north of Dhuli in Bajhang District. Dhuli is situated who were living in south westernTibetweredescribed at south west of Mt. Saipal and straight north of as "Heptalites". Even now, one can hear of "Huniyas" Khaptad National Park. Mr. Badri Dutta Pandey also in Far Western Nepal and Kumaun. Probably, these quotes Manas Khanda and narrates the story of Lord tribals are the last remainants of white "Huns" of the Shiva's marriage with Parvati. In his famous book world history. Some authors take "Hepthalites" or (Ibid p. 166) he notes that Lord Shiva stayed on in Hittis as another tribe of Khasapeople. In my opinion VaidyaNath (now in Achham district) and sent Lord "Zaads" or Tibetan Khasa people seems to have Brhama as advance party to the court of King mixed blood with the famous Hun tribes. (Please also Himalaya (Parvat Raj). In p. 168. Mr. Pandey further see RekhaThapaliyal, Ibid, and Chapter 5 for detail). quotes Manasa Khanda and describes VaidyaNath to Some authors think that the present day "Ya-Kha" be situated near Mallika Devi and Bridha (Budhi) Dewans of Eastern Nepal are also descendents of the Ganga (of Achham District at present). Lord Shiva mythological Yakshya people. It is note worthy that while waiting, "came in contact with herbs which the famous Yakshya commander (of Lord Kubera) bccameof tremendous medical value with his touch." Mani Griba was ruling Eastern Tibet according to It means symbolically that Lord Shiva had lived here various Puranas, It could have been ,easy for Mani and had indeed taught Ayurveda to his disciples and Griba's tribes to enter Nepal througl; Koshi Basins. to use herbs (of Khaptad) in curing the sick. Lord Puranas also mention about the location of Yakshya Shivais thus calledVaidyaNath Lord ofthe Ayurvedic King Kubera's, capital to be on thelleft-hand side of doctors. Even now, Khaptad area is renowned as the Mt. Kailash. (If one looks toward,south from Tibet home of numerous exotic and most valuable herbs. Mt. Malika will be on the left hdnd side). Ancient Mr. Rebati RamanandaVaidyain his book "Bhagwan poet Kalidasa also mentions Alkapuri of Kubera to be Shankar" (Royal Nepal academy, 2045 B.S., p. 236) near-by Mt. Kailash. The word used is "utsanga" hints that King Himalaya might have been the king of (nearby) in Megh Doot. Mr. Badri Dutta Pandey in Parvat Kingdom, hense, Parvat Raj. This kingdom his book (Ibid, p. 159) quotes Manasa Khanda and might have been covering the present day Parvat, writes that "Alakapuri" described by poet Kalidasa Jumla and Kalikot districts of present day Nepal. was near Mt. Kailash and so was "Kanchan Puri" of Kubera. As Alakapuri is more closely related to Lord The Siddha, Guihayakas, Vahyadharas Indra the king Emperor of Vaidic Aryan "Deva and Nagas: Gana", it seems more logical to think that "Kanchan Theothertribesalong with Khasas(Ya-Khasas) Puri" (City of Gold) was the capital of "Swarna arementioned in various Puranas. ButManasaKhanda Bhumi" (Land of Gold). In "Manasa Khanda" of of Skanda Purana is more specific about them. Skanda Purana, the city of Kuber is said to be located in the nothern direction nearby Goddess Malika's Siddhas: mountain. Goddess Malika's temple is said to be Vayu Purana (p. 61, Diamond Pocket Books situated on the top of mount Malika, which is said to Series, Delhi) mentions of the geography of Mt. be the "Help of Kubera's Wealth". Malika is in Kailash area and the mythological tribes living there. Bajura District very near Khaptad National Park and It mentions of Yakshya commander Mani Bhadra RamaRoshan areaof Achham. Mt. Kailash is straight whose territory is said to be north-eastofMt. Kailash. 24 Ancient Nepal In the south of Mt. Kailash the location of Mansa + Sarovar (manasarovar) is indicated and it is said that Vidyadhars, Gandharabas and Kinnars: the holy river "Sarayu" (River Kamali) is flowing out Manasakhanda also mentions of Manigriba and of Manasarovar. (May be it was true during this others, who are said to be borned in Vidyadhara tribe, mythological time period but now River Kamali who meditated in Khaptad to please Lord Shiva and flows from the near by snow fields (south west) of were emancipated by the blessings of Sahasreswar in Manasarovar).