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The Nilamata Purana

The Nilamata Purana also known as “Kasmira Mahatmya” is an ancient text from Kashmir which contains information on its history, geography, religion, and folklore.  Nilamata is important for the cultural history of Kashmir. It is the national epic of Kashmir along with Rajatarangini encompassing modern day regions of India, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Khorasan, Tajikistan, Modern Dardic regions of world. It is one of the famous Puranas that deals with the Valley of Kashmir in respect of its creation, its original inhabitants-Nagas, Pisachas and Brahmins, their style of living, religion, customs, festivals and topography. It peeps into the ancient history of Kashmir. It was written by Kashmiri Brahmins between 6th and 7th century A.D. 

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Raj Rishi Kashyap

In all there are 1453 verses in it. Some verses and parts there of have gone missing with the passage of time. Kalhana, the great historian of Kashmir, has taken help from this document in tracing four Kings and queens - Gonanda I, Damodar, Queen Yashovati and her son Gonanda II from it. Nilamata Purana is named after the King Nila of the Nagar dynasty who ruled Kashmir during the period.

The Nilamata Purana opens with Janamejaya's enquiry from Vaisampayana (Traditional Narrator of Mahabharata) as to why the king of Kashmir did not participate in the war of Mababharata although his kingdom was not less important than any other in the country (1). Vaisampayana states that some time before the Mababharata war was fought, king Gonanda of Kashmir had been invited by his relative Jarasandha to help him in a war against the Yadavas. Gonanda complied with his request and was slain on the battle field by Lord Krishna's brother, Balarama. In order to avenge his father's death, Gonanda's son Damodara went to Gandhara to fight with lord Krishna who had gone there to attend a Svayamvara. Krishna killed Damodara in the fight but taking into consideration the high sanctity of Kashmir he coronated his rival's pregnant widow Yasovati. Damodara's son Bala Gonanda was a minor at the time of the great war, so he did not join either the Kauravas or the Pandavas. Vaisampayana points out the importance of Kashmir by referring to its numerous charms and its identification with Uma. He points out further that the valley was originally a lake known as Satisaras. This leads to the question about the origin of 'Kashmir' to which Vaisampayana replies by relating a dialogue held previously between Gonanda and the sage Brahadasva. (2)

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Nagas, Original Inhabitants of Kashmir

 “Brahadasva gives at first the account of the divisions of time, the destruction of the world at the end of manvantara, the preservation of Manu and the seeds in a ship, the birth of the land and the lake, of Sati, the origin of various tribes from Kasyapa and Visnu's allotment of Satisaras to the Nagas. Then follows the story of the demon Jalodbbava born in the waters and reared by the Nagas. Having obtained boons from Brahma, the demon began to destroy the descendants of Manu dwelling in the lands of Darvabhisara, Gandbars Jubundura, the Sakas, the Khasas etc. Seeing this devastation, Nila the king of the Nagas approached his father Kasyapa and prayed to him to intercede with the gods to punish the evil-doer and to save the innocent victims. He requested the gods, Brahma, Visnu and Siva to do the needful. Visnu followed by Brahma, Siva and various other deities, proceeded to Naubandhana to punish the demon. Visnu then cut off the demon's head with his disc. Now the dry land being available in the valley, Kasyapa expressed the desire that it should be inhabited by the Nagas as well as by the descendants of Manu. The Nagas, however, flatly refused to have Manavas as their co-hahitants. Filled with rage Kasyapa cursed them to live with the Pisacas. At the request of Nila the curse was modified to the extent that the Pisacas would go every year for a period of six months to the sea of sand and the Manavas would live in the land jointly with the Nagas during that period. Vishnu further assured the Nagas that the occupation of Kasmira valley by the Pisacas would last for four ages only”.

After the passing away of the four ages, the Manavas, as usual, had gone out for six months. An old Brahmana, Candradeva did not accompany them. Troubled by the Pisacas he approached the Naga King Nila and begged of him to ordain that 'Kasmira' might henceforth be inhabited by Manavas without the fear of emigration. Nila complied with this request on the condition that the Manavas should follow his instructions revealed to him by Kesava. Candradeva lived for six months in the palace of Nila and was initiated into the mysteries of rites or ceremonies prescribed by Nila. In Caitra, when the emigrant population of 'Kasmira' came back, he related the whole incident to Virodaya - King of Manavas. The lengthy dialogue held between Nila and Candradeva describes sixty-five rites, ceremonies and festivals many of which are similar to those mentioned in other Puranic works and observed in many parts of India, while a few are peculiar to Kasmira only.

He also granted the Brahmins and others to settle permanently in Kashmir. The King Nila described sixty-five rituals and festivals which were celebrated by the Nagas, with great devotion, faith, pomp and show. Gonanda further enquires about the sacred places of Kasmira and Brhadasva's reply referring to various places dedicated to Shiva and other deities. Two names Bhutesvara and Kapatesvara raise Gonanda's curiosity which leads Brhadasva to relate Bhutesvara Mahatmya and Kapatesvara Mahatmya. Then follows the enumeration of the sacred places of Vishnu and other tirthas situated in the valley of Kasmira.

References:

  1. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nilamata_Purana

  2. Kashmir its Aborigines and their Exodus by Col Tej K Tikoo Pg 25 Early History

  3. https://www.sanskritimagazine.com/indian-religions/hinduism/nilamata-purana-kashmir/

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